An ethical hacker becomes obsessed with a mysterious online game created by the enigmatic Helmsman, only to discover it leads to a mind-shattering cyber weapon known as the Basilisk, while being hunted by sinister forces and plagued by unsettling, reality-bending phenomena. Blending horror, cyberpunk, and metafiction, the story explores the dangers of forbidden knowledge, the psychological impact of digital culture, and the thin line between curiosity and madness.

Reader Review Summary

Set in a world of cyber horror and psychological suspense, the novel follows ethical hacker Alex Webster as she and her colleague Jay Morton become entangled in a mysterious online game orchestrated by a figure known as The Helmsman. The game, which unfolds through a series of increasingly bizarre puzzles and cryptic chapters, promises to reveal the secret of the Basilisk—a cognitive weapon said to drive those who comprehend it insane. The narrative is presented as a found document, with Alex’s manuscript annotated by a police investigator, and interspersed with multimedia elements such as articles, essays, Reddit posts, and even short plays. As Alex delves deeper, she is pursued by a sinister group and haunted by unsettling, smiling figures, all while trying to uncover Jay’s fate and solve the final puzzle. The book draws on a wide range of influences, including internet culture, hacking, philosophy, linguistics, and horror, and is structured in an ergodic, meta-textual format reminiscent of works like House of Leaves and The Raw Shark Texts.

Readers praised the novel’s ambitious structure and immersive format, highlighting the integration of multiple narrative styles—traditional prose, scientific papers, footnotes, and multimedia fragments. Many found the annotated, 'found document' approach effective in creating a sense of realism and paranoia, with the footnotes and marginalia providing both technical explanations and additional layers of mystery. The depiction of the online game and its puzzles was described as engaging, with several readers noting the book’s ability to draw them into the experience as passive participants. The horror elements, particularly the presence of the uncanny 'smiling people' and the psychological tension surrounding the Basilisk, were frequently cited as especially effective. Readers also appreciated the depth of research evident in the technical and philosophical content, as well as the references to internet lore, ARGs, and thought experiments like Roko’s Basilisk.

Some readers found the book challenging due to its heavy use of technical terminology and complex structure, with several noting that the abundance of footnotes and essays could disrupt the narrative flow and make the story difficult to follow at times. A few mentioned that the pacing was slow, especially in the early sections, and that the dense, information-rich style might be off-putting for those not already interested in hacking, puzzles, or internet culture. While the multimedia and meta-textual elements were generally praised, some felt they occasionally detracted from the main narrative or made the book feel overwhelming. Not all readers connected with the protagonist, with one review noting that Alex’s character was somewhat opaque, making it harder to engage emotionally.

The book is over 500 pages and is categorized as horror, cyberpunk, and science fiction. It is scheduled for publication in July 2025 and is the debut novel of Matt Wixey, who has a background in cybersecurity. The story references a wide array of cultural and philosophical topics, including cryptic crosswords, Slender Man, MKUltra, and the uncanny valley, and is designed to appeal to readers interested in puzzles, ARGs, and the darker aspects of internet culture. The average reader rating is 4.62 out of 5, based on 21 ratings and 14 full reviews.