http://my.barnesandnoble.com/communityportal/review.aspx?reviewid=1253082
http://www.amazon.com/review/R2RYVBLTQMRFF8/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm
(please note that I previously reviewed this book back in September but Amazon will only let me do one review so I had to edit my old review)
iTunes Review:
Quality Paperback Books (qpb.com)
http://www.qpb.com/pages/product/productDetail.jsp?skuId=1046392851
November 25, Amazon Review of LEVEL 26, Dark Origins:
Anthony E. Zuiker, Creator of the CSI Franchise, might be one of the hardest working men in Hollywood. With Duane Swierczynski, Zuiker co-wrote LEVEL 26, Dark Origins, proclaimed as the world’s first Digi-Novel. Along with the novel, Zuiker wrote and directed the “cyber-bridges” - three-minute motion picture scenes that bring the characters to life and “continue the narrative”. The LEVEL26.com online community provides multiple opportunities and experiences that further enhance the experience of this Dark Origin. This project can appeal to a greater audience with an exciting cross-platform package. For the novel reading, book club group goers, to the short attention span of generation Y, Level 26 , Dark Origins, will entertain the reader on many different levels. This has been an immense effort by Anthony E. Zuiker who provides entertainment for different attention spans, ages, and interests. There is the novel itself. Zuiker and Swierczynski have created short, intriguing chapters that can be consumed quickly within days. Then log-in to the website at www.LEVEL26.com consume the “cyber-bridges”. Then indulge in the extensive information provided on www.LEVEL26.com and participate in the community blogs and forums. Coupled with the artistic brilliance of Mark Ecko’s illlustrations, the photography of Missy Suicide, Sawa Suicide, and Orsoya Tucker, the bone chillin’ LEVEL 26 soundtrack created by Speedy, and the Sqweegel mix by Ra Hanna, this final product represents a festival of twisted artistic talents, and provides a comprehensive and intense experience.
Like many others, I am intrigued by the haunting stories of torturous, murdering monsters in both Thriller and Horror books and films. Marc Ecko’s “The Man in the Murder Suit”, brilliantly depicts the disturbing essence of this monster - Sqweegel. The eery words of Zuiker and Swiercynski, “...emaciated, ghost-thin man...working feverishly...maniacal pecking thundered...the material..still tacky from partially dried blood”, captures the bizarre and evil core of Sqweegel as he repairs his forensic proof white latex full-body murder suit. He has a category of evil all to himself - LEVEL 26 serial killer. A category especially created for Sqweegel by the Special Circs of the Justice Department’s ViCAP. We are then introduced to the other main characters - Tom Riggin, who is a burned-out Special Circs detective, work-aholic and alcoholic, who has moved through three ex-wives and has kids that won’t speak to him. He finds himself in a most desperate situation of life or death as he must convince the only man that can catch this LEVEL 26 killer to return to the hunt - Steve Dark. We learn about Dark’s traumatic past and his devastating connection to this monster, who is now targeting yet another person dearest to his heart. Dark is once again faced with tracking down and destroying this forensic-proof killer. At times, the characters seemed slightly shallow and unconvincing, but overall I was intrigued by their anguish and struggles. Sqweegel is disturbingly bizarre, almost to the point of too outrageous and unbelievable. However his creepy, disturbing essence has placed him in my category of my 21st century Boogeyman.
As the story unfolds, we are immersed deeper into the characters through the “cyber-bridges”. One must pose the question - do these “mini-films” enhance or hinder the reading experience? For those of you that prefer the use of your own imagination while a story unfolds, you may find the task of reading, logging-in to a website, and then watching short films, both tedious and frustrating. You do have the option to consume the story solo as a stand alone novel, or indulge in the LEVEL 26 applications for your iPhone or iTouch, for a more seamless read and watch event. The options are endless for hungry Thriller fans who crave a more diverse story adventure. Along with an enthousiastic community of 18,000+ members strong on www.LEVEL26.com , readers will be blown away by the depth and diversity of their Dark Origins experience. It will intrigue the short-attention spanners and expand the minds of us more traditional Thriller Novel junkies. This audience will be excited about the multiple levels of entertainment that Anthony E. Zuiker offers through LEVEL 26, Dark Origins.
Level 26, Dark Origins Review from Deputy N on LEVEL26.com
http://my.barnesandnoble.com/communityportal/Review.aspx?page=Review&reviewid=1253056
Unofficial review/promo video of LEVEL26.com created by Babes of Darkness
In this day and age people are wondering what to do to revitalize the book industry and get more people to read. I think Anthony Zuiker may have hit the nail on the head with his concept for Level 26: Dark Orgins. Level 26 is a book which can be read on it's own but also has a technological component unlike any other novel I have read before. Every 25 pages or so there is a code to type into www.level26.com in order to see motion picture quality footage, or other transmedia experiences, such as receiving a phone call from the serial killer, Sqweegel.
The book's short chapters and easy to understand language keeps the reader engaged throughout the many chapters and makes the book an exciting and easy read. The mystery surrounding the special case is intriguing and captivating for the read. In all Level 26 is an exciting experience not to be underestimated.
Read Level 26, Log onto www.level26.com and join the mystery that is Sqweegel.
Barnes and Nobles: http://my.barnesandnoble.com/communityportal/Review.aspx?page=Review&reviewid=1253206
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Level-26-Anthony-E-Zuiker/product-reviews/0525951253/ref=cm_cr_dp_all_summary?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending (said it could take up to 48 hours to post though)