Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Danger can’t be locked out if it’s already inside…”

I absolutely loved William!! As a fan of horror films all year round (not just for spooky season) I instantly thought this would make a great one. It has the intrigue of learning about an AI robot creation, the curiosity of said AI robot obtaining conscious thought, and the complete dread and fear of losing control of this AI robot. Everyone, meet William… A very impressive read for those who enjoy shorter books. I’m so happy to be sharing my review ahead of its release!

About the book

Henry is a brilliant engineer who, after untold hours spent in his home lab, has achieved the breakthrough of his career — he’s created an artificially intelligent consciousness. He calls the half-formed robot William.

No one knows about William. Henry’s agoraphobia keeps him inside the house, and his fixation on his project keeps him up in the attic, away from everyone, including his pregnant wife, Lily.

When Lily’s coworkers show up, wanting to finally meet Henry and see the new house — the smartest of smart homes — Henry decides to introduce them to William, and things go from strange to much worse. Soon Henry and Lily discover the security upgrades intended to keep danger out of the house are even better at locking it in.

The beginning

I was so curious about this book as soon as I started reading. Not only is the author’s writing just beautiful with an intriguing feel, but we soon learn that Henry’s life is far from ordinary. Our main character’s impressive smart home is rigged up to react to voice commands, he’s always tinkering with a new invention, he has a phobia of the outside world, and he has reoccurring nightmares about that attic door at the top of the stairs. Or, more about what’s on the other side… I already felt spooked at this point, but before Henry opens up that door for us readers to see, I absolutely loved getting to know more about him and his pregnant wife, Lily. There seems to be something a bit shaky about their relationship, and I got the feeling that she wasn’t all thrilled about everything he codes. In fact, I felt so impressed by how much I was drawn into this book after just 3 or 4 short chapters. And by this point, I was so ready to meet William…

“Every chain and padlock in the world would make no difference. Because what terrified him wasn’t the thing on the other side of the wood, but the new thing that had joined it. A presence that will not be contained.”

William is Henry’s AI robot creation with conscious thought. He is marvellous, quite frankly. And the author’s description of William’s looks and the personality and humour he’d developed was incredible and chilling in equal measure. I just loved it. Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant. William can, worryingly, already do so much himself (despite him not yet having fully functioning legs) including moving around Henry’s lab by pulling himself along on a chair, which he’s managed to attach wheels to himself. It was creepy. But oh so perfect. I picked up on some things Henry and William have in common, one of which being how Henry’s agoraphobia prevents him from leaving the house. William is also bound to the house, more specifically the attic. Has Henry created William with the intention of making this robot similar – in some ways – to himself? When William starts vocalising things he hasn’t been told, things he shouldn’t know, it was here where I was really excited for the scenes to come. What was William capable of?

The middle

Lily invites her friends and co-workers, Paige and Davis, to their home. The last thing any of them thought would happen would be being introduced to Henry’s secret project. Things get weird, a sense of unease washing over these characters, and it pretty much goes downhill for them right there. I loved how mysterious and unpredictable William was. There was always a feeling of “What will he do next?” and it felt so wonderful to experience. I felt a genuine chill in William’s scenes, and in a book so short, to build up this fear and apprehension was super impressive. William’s actions aren’t that extreme (yet) but these actions have consequences. Henry has to put his wife and his unborn child first. Slowly, danger ramps up, things get dark, and there really wasn’t any way of knowing how William would react to the next event. Henry takes matters into his own hands, but somehow, even when removing William’s battery for good, I didn’t think that would stop him…

“The drum’s spinning slows but the thing inside continues to throw itself against the walls a few seconds longer. Lily watches it. The fact of what it is arrives to her in parts but only fully announces itself when it stops.”

There’s a total lock down of the house, without Henry or Lily initiating it. A full on override of the security system. There’s no way in or out. Was this William’s doing? With Davis mysteriously missing somewhere in the house, the group split up in search for him, or a way out. It was so unnerving and reading some of these chapters at night was not the one! The tension felt constant and by this point, the book felt so easy to binge read. Theses characters’ quirks were laid out bare here and I felt as though I could predict how they would each act in any given situation. They were really well developed for such a short book and I loved each of them for different reasons. How they all react to William will stay with me. He’s all around them, controlling everything. Sometimes, he isn’t actually there physically, but his presence is. It’s been written so bloody well all the way through, the creepiness was just absolute *chef’s kiss*. And I could not predict where the ending would go!

The end

As things get even more unnerving in the house, it was so great to hear more about what was going on inside Henry’s head. How he wishes he’d never created William. How, in doing so, his relationship and his marriage to Lily was in tatters. How being in such a traumatic situation could maybe, somehow, bring them back together. I felt such a strong connection to this character, his emotions so strong and wonderfully portrayed. However, Lily is set on finding Davis. The faster pacing as Henry and Lily attempt to reset and fix their home’s security was fantastic, but of course, William is always lurking in some form. The descriptions of his movement around the house was some of the creepiest stuff I’ve read. It was so easy to visualise and to hear. Urgh! Hearing different character perspectives at this point worked perfectly and I could really imagine myself in their shoes. I would be absolutely terrified. Then things get gory…

“There was something wrong with William to begin with. And now some part of him – his esssence – continues to exist.”

There were certainly parts of the book where I wondered if any of these characters would survive to tell the tale. It was intense and horrifying. If I was in that house, I would 100% crumble! But the one thing I did not see coming was that absolutely massive twist! After reading it, I immediately blurted it out to my husband who was sitting next to me at the time. Just marvellous! Alongside this twist came many unexpected emotions. I weirdly felt a bit teary at one certain part (if you’ve read this, can you please tell me you felt the same way at that scene?!) The ending chapter was such a memorable one that I’ll probably think about it every time Halloween comes around. Just so good!! Do I wish this book was a bit longer and a bit more drawn out? Yes, probably. But does it work for a shorter creepy read? Oh yes! And it would be the perfect film for spooky season. Definitely recommend for anyone currently organising their October TBRs!

Overall thoughts

William is chilling, creepy, addictive, and kept me reading late into the night. Although a shorter read, I was gripped from start to finish. The author’s engaging writing and impressive descriptions, as well as the chaotic plot and that twist were the reasons I raced through this as fast as I did. The characters were so well developed which felt so good in a book this short; I got so attached to some that I felt a bit teary in parts (IYKYK.) Oh, and it gets dark and GORY. A brilliant book to add onto your Halloween TBRs!

Huge thanks to the author and Ellie at Baskerville for my proof copy! William is available to pre-order right now on Amazon (or wherever you buy your books) and will be released on 3rd October. Make sure you’re following the author on X/Twitter and Instagram for updates!

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