The monster is known by many names. But whatever you might call him, he is the living embodiment of your worst nightmares and traumatic memories. He bends us to his whims by hijacking these memories and turning them into weapons that can cause unimaginable pain and destruction to anyone unfortunate enough to be caught in their cross-hairs. That's how a proxy war in Ukraine escalated in a number of days into a nuclear holocaust that wiped out the overwhelming majority of the population and left the entire world in ruins. Those that are left find that the brave new world they are living in greets them with a cruel and oftentimes deadly welcome at the hands of those the Puppeteer has turned to his side. In the midst of the chaos, a small group of survivors coalesce around Jody Razitsky, a young woman who harbors a very special gift. But as the monster begins to pick off the survivors one by one as they grow ever closer to their destination, Jody must confront the terrors in her past that shattered her quiet childhood over a decade ago. The survivors, who have their own demons to confront, must make a devastating choice between running away and following Jody into the darkness of the abyss, where the monster awaits... Firelight by Geoffrey Saemann is an action-packed thriller that shows a world destroyed by a nuclear holocaust caused by a Russian retaliatory strike. There is chaos, riots, and clashes between the military and citizens who are struggling to stay alive as the society falls apart. A mysterious evil force called the Puppeteer is manipulating people by using their deepest fears and traumas to haunt them. People find themselves doing terrible things under the influence of the Puppeteer, which is causing more chaos and further destroying the world. After several tragic events, Jody, a young woman with special abilities, decides to stand up against this evil entity. They learn that to defeat the Puppeteer, they have to go into Jody's childhood home in Mauvilla, Alabama, and confront him to save what is left of humanity. Firelight is indeed a very thoughtful and engaging novel. The idea of a Puppeteer who weaponizes people's worst memories and fears to cause chaos gave the book creepy vibes. It is a way of showing us how our inner pain can cause destruction if we don't face it. The author did a great job of creating fear, tension, and a feeling of hopelessness in this book, particularly when the Puppeteer started to isolate and corrupt characters like Dylan, Leo, and David. Firelight is fast-paced with many characters and a diverse setting. It covers themes of trauma, resilience, unity, and hope, and shows that even in great darkness, humanity stands a chance of survival if they are united. I recommend Firelight by Geoffrey Saemann to readers who enjoy action-packed novels with a focus on psychological themes and apocalyptic settings. Trauma is a reality that cannot be escaped, but it does not have to define us. Firelight by Geoffrey Saemann is the kind of post-apocalyptic horror that will chill you to your core and keep you turning the pages long after midnight. The world has already ended—nuclear devastation, crumbling societies, and survivors barely clinging to hope. But the real terror isn't radiation or chaos; it's him. The Puppeteer. A monster who twists your deepest fears and darkest memories into weapons.Imagine fighting not soldiers, but your own nightmares made flesh. Terrifying, right? At the heart of this bleak, scorched earth is Jody Razitsky, a survivor with a mysterious gift. Along with a small group of allies, she must journey through ruins and trauma, confronting both the external horrors of the Puppeteer's power and the internal scars each of them carries. Their choice? Run and hide... or follow Jody into the abyss where the monster waits. What I loved most is how Firelight balances raw horror with very human struggles—trauma, resilience, sacrifice, and the impossible hope to survive when everything else is ash. If you're into atmospheric horror, apocalyptic survival, and stories that haunt you long after the last page... this one's for you. Firelight by Geoffrey Saemann is basically trauma turned into a monster, and it's as creepy as it sounds. The Puppeteer doesn't chase you with claws, he hijacks your worst memories and uses them as weapons. Tell me that isn't the scariest concept ever. The world is already toast, what started as a proxy war in Ukraine spirals into a nuclear apocalypse. Boom, humanity gone. But the real nightmare begins when the Puppeteer takes control, twisting survivors into his puppets. Dark, chilling, and way too believable. Enter Jody Razitsky. She's not your typical survivor, she's got a special gift and a haunted past that refuses to stay buried. She's messy, strong, vulnerable, and basically the heartbeat of the whole story. You'll root for her, even when everything screams run. Her crew of survivors? Each one is carrying their own baggage, and the choic