PRISM

ARC Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Prism by Taylor Vaughn
Release date: April 24th, 2026
(I made a mistake, convinced release date was February 28th, so that’s why I read this before some others😏😅)

First: thank you for letting me read this ARC, and thanks to Inside Story for pulling me into this tense, constantly-looking-over-your-shoulder kind of story.

Let’s get the obvious out of the way first: trigger warnings. Yes. A lot of them. Murder, kidnapping, sexual situations that made me deeply uncomfortable (not in a fun thriller way), secrets, fake identities, captivity for years… basically the kind of ingredients that make trust issues develop their own trust issues. So if you like your books emotionally safe and comforting… maybe step away slowly.

This book grabbed me from page one and refused to politely let go. I was immediately invested. Devastated even. First chapters closed and I just sat there staring at the wall like… well that hurt.

After that my brain briefly packed its bags and left the building. I got a little lost. I’m still not entirely sure if I missed something, if the story outsmarted me, or if my sanity just decided to take a short vacation. Honestly? Could be any of those.

But here’s the thing—it didn’t even matter. Because a few chapters later I was right back in it again.

I disappeared into the story and somehow turned into a silent detective myself, lurking in the shadows, side-eyeing every character and questioning everyone’s motives. This story hurts in the best possible way. It breaks your heart, messes with your head, and makes you wonder what you would actually do if your life suddenly turned into a psychological survival game.

Because underneath all the twists and darkness there’s something painfully human: a mother trying to keep her daughter safe… while slowly losing pieces of herself in the process. Solving other people’s nightmares while missing time with the one person she’s trying to protect.

And then there’s the psychological nightmare layered over everything:
How long can someone keep their sanity when they’re trapped? When survival becomes routine? When years pass and hope becomes… complicated?

The whole thing reads almost like a small season of a crime show—something in the dark, twisty atmosphere of Criminal Minds. Intense, unsettling, and the kind of story where you constantly feel like something is watching you from the next chapter.

Also a detail I loved: every chapter begins with a quote that lingers in your mind a little too long. My favorite one being:

“Nothing is good or bad, but thinking makes it so.”

I’m giving this four and a half hunting, hiding, and psychologically-disturbing stars. I loved the concept, the darkness, and the emotional weight of it all. A few chapters had me slightly confused, but honestly… maybe that’s part of the experience.

And if you’re still wondering whether this book is for you, I’ll leave you with a few lessons the main character learns along the way:
“1. Never trust anyone.
2. Nothing is what it seems.
3. Don’t get too close.
4. Always start at the beginning.”

Good luck sleeping after that. 📖

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ARC Review

A fantastic read from start to finish. I loved the way the entire story came together — every thread connected so smoothly and built into something really satisfying.

The twists were excellent, too. Each one landed at just the right moment and kept the tension high without ever feeling forced.

Overall, a brilliantly written book that held my attention the whole way through. An easy five stars.