Title: All’s Forgotten Now
Author: Michael S. Ripley
Publisher: AuthorHouse
ISBN: 978-1728328171
Pages: 174
Genre: Literature & Fiction/Horror
Reviewed by: Christina Avina

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The line between reality and fiction has always been something that has been debated amongst scientists and scholars alike. For what is reality really? When advances in technology or new discoveries make ideas and concepts which were once considered science fiction or fantasy suddenly become a reality, the line suddenly blurs and changes to become something new. If the day were to come when a person was confronted with a reality which seemed too unfathomable, how would we react?

In author Michael S. Ripley’s All’s Forgotten Now, the author explores what would happen if such a change – or shift – in reality were to occur. After a detective responding to a murder scene discovers the victim has come back to life, a race against time soon begins. The victim, a young woman, wakes up with no memory, while powerful criminal activity escalates to a degree that bends the detective’s sense of reality. As the woman discovers her origins and the identity of those who are after her, she must find the will and work with the detective and a small band of allies to stop a powerful force which could obliterate the Earth itself.

The author did an incredible job of crafting a captivating narrative. The balance of mystery and suspense that came into this urban-fantasy-meets-horror-novel was amazing, and allowed readers the chance to really connect with the rich characters and the incredible atmosphere the author created. The way the author was able to integrate some unique and authentic European mythological creatures and figures into the narrative allowed the story to take on a larger sense of gravitas, while the new creative path the author crafted allowed readers to connect to a brand-new narrative.

This book is the perfect read for those who enjoy adult and mature narratives, especially those that enjoy rich storytelling in an urban fantasy and horror setting, with a great utilization of murder mystery and thriller storytelling devices. It reminded this reader of similar dark fantasy meets thriller stories written by Stephen King and Peter Straub, namely their shared work, Black House. The darker and gritty elements still kept the more magical and wonderous settings and moments exciting for readers, while the characters remained memorable and brought the emotional balance this narrative as needed.

Action-packed, entertaining, and memorable, author Michael S. Ripley’s All’s Forgotten Now is a must-read novel. The rich story and mythos the author brought together will hook readers instantly, while the relatability of some characters and awe-inspiring action of others will keep readers on the edge of their seat, as will the open-ended final chapters that will hopefully lead to future stories in this world.