As the Experiment in Terror Series picks up momentum and gains extreme popularity with each new fellow reader in our huge reading-crew (I’m telling you, it seems that whoever reads the series, LOVES the series), we still get questions from newcomers that are curious about our incredible enthusiasm over it.
Like just today (and this is a question I get, and that we see on the Facebook page, over and over again):
Jill: have had the first two books of this series on my kindle forever! I don’t know why I am hesitant to start them… they just don’t sound like my kind of thing… but I don’t think I have read any reviews on here that didn’t like them!! However, I have read the first one is hard to get into. Did you feel that way?
Megan: Yes, I felt the same way and had the first one for a while before I was able to read it and get into it. IMO the first one isn’t as good as the following books. The interaction between Dex and Perry is what draws you in and it takes a little before that appears in the first book, but push through it you won’t be sorry!
So I’ve collected a few of our conversations (and answers), and thought I’d post them for all who are still wondering if they’ll like it. Don’t delay! If you want to get caught up for days in an amazing series, that is exciting, scary and heart swooning-ly and heart breaking-ly exhilarating… THIS is it! We are HOOKED and anxious for the next installments (book 6, 7 & 8 PLUS Dex’s POV that will be available NEXT week!!)
Kassandra: Hey everyone! I really want to start the Experiment in Terror series but is it THAT great like everyone says ??? Thank you for your repliiies
Melissa: Yes! it is THAT great. And like Julie said in the other post below the first book may dishearten you but don’t give up. It gets MUCH better in the following books. Enjoy! Oh i forgot to mention.. its really creepy scary.. but thats me. Im a wuss
Kassandra: Okay… Could I maybe even skip the first one and get on with the second or should i just read the first one to get the plot and everything ? I bought the book so ill probably readi it haha but thanks for your response though Melissa!
Julie: You have to read the first one, Kassandra! You’ll miss too much if you don’t and you might be lost
Maryse’s Book Blog: Yep!! It IS that good. I would never insist (the way I have with this) on a series or book that I DIDN’T truly love, ’cause we’re all in this reading game together, and I want you to have as much fun as I am having. Of course, tastes will differ at times, but I wholeheartedly believe if everyone gave this one a go, it will, for SURE, be a favorite. And I do know some have liked but not gone crazy for book #1, but it IS good, and it just keeps getting better from there. Addictive. It’s the only way i can describe this series.
And Karina Halle (the author) gave away her SECOND book for free awhile ago, too. It was just for a short period, to help encourage a few readers to continue on after the first one. Sidenote: even though, again, I thought the first one was plenty interesting and I KNEW that stuff was gonna get crazy… there was no way I was stopping with just one. But some did, so Karina said:
“Hey love bugs, just in case you had some friends that read Darkhouse, thought it was MEH and weren’t sure if they would take the plunge with the rest of the series (EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE TOTALLY MISSING OUT)? Red Fox (#2) is FREE on Kindle today for the last time EVER. Better tell them to get on it!
and another “frequent question” —> Just how scary is it?:
Yvette: OK I want to start Dark House but I dont read scary books!! Will I be totally freaked Maryse?!!!
Maryse’s Book Blog: ahhhh I don’t know. It had it’s creepy moments, for sure, but I’m a horror fanatic (movies and books), and to me these aren’t anywhere near scary like I used to read (Dean Koontz, Stephen King, etc etc… – I was I dunno…. 9 or 10 when I read The Exorcist? and I loved it!! haha). I’d say you’ll be fine, and these are totally worth the fright-moments!!
Yvette: Omg 9 or 10 when you read the exorcist!!!!! Wow lol ok I’m gonna start it tonight I’ll let you know how it goes!!!!!
Tracie: I wasn’t too freaked out, but I like scary stuff too. The only time I was sort of spooked was when I was reading it in the dark all alone with only the light from my iPad. Like Maryse said, definitely not as scary as Stephen King or Koontz. I think book 5 was the scariest one for me.
Yvette: Ok I am gonna make sure the lights stay on and thank god it’s summer time bc my kids stay up late!!! Lol
Missy: Yvette, please keep us updated. I feel the same way you do-I soooo want to read the series, but I don’t really read scary books. All the amazing reviews have me so curious, though!
Yvette: Missy that’s why I want to read them too!! Very curious but you know what they say about curious and cats lol!!!!! I will keep you posted!!!
Jeannie: I was hesitant to read them because I thought it was more of a horror book than romance. Boy was I wrong! Definitely try it, I couldn’t stop reading after the first book. It was addicting.
Yvette: Oh good there is some romance!!!!
Jeannie: The first one is free (e-book), so you have nothing to lose! But I bet you will be addicted like the rest of us. The books are like Lays Potato Chips, you can’t just can’t stop reading. I was sneaking peeks at the dinner table when my husband wasn’t looking…
So there you have it!! Is it that good? YES!!! Like a forever-favorite that you will happily recommend to future enthusiasts!
Is it that scary? Depends on what scares you, but it has SO MUCH of everything else that we love in a book. The romantic tension and angst is off the charts!! But SO realistic, and… the *frights* are totally worth it (or are icing on the cake to those like me, who love that kind of stuff).
So are you ready? Yes you are! Check out the reading order guide, and devour each one. You know you want to! And once you finish #2, you’ll be in for good. —> Karina Halle – Experiment in Terror Series Reading Order
And check out anything else I’ve written about the series (reviews of each book, news, etc..) –> http://www.maryse.net/tag/experiment-in-terror
Megan: I have been rendered completely and totally unproductive thanks to the EIT series. Just met Mary in book 3 and I’m biting my nails with each page- plus omg the Dex/Perry TENSION is soo yummy and maddening. Sigh, just had to share…
For more about what I’ve written on the Experiment in Terror series, see below (lots, right? haha. I LOVE this series soooo much. In fact I’ve been in a “Dex-daze” all day today…):
- Karina Halle – Experiment in Terror Series Reading Order
- The Experiment in Terror Series – Intrigued Readers Want to Know…
- Behind The Books – Interview With Karina Halle
- Book Review – Darkhouse by Karina Halle
- Book Review – Red Fox by Karina Halle
- Book Review – Dead Sky Morning by Karina Halle
- Just Finished Reading Lying Season by Karina Halle & I’m Freaking Out!! The Torture Is Just So Gooood!!
- Book Review – Lying Season by Karina Halle
- Book Review – On Demon Wings by Karina Halle
- Book Review – Old Blood by Karina Halle
I am happily addicted to reading but I need to expend my book energy (especially when one puts me in an emotional frenzy - SO fun!). So, I release my feelings about the stories, by writing them down here. It's my book therapy. 
{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
Great piece, Maryse. What a way to increase the intrigue, and to think that so many have not experienced this series yet. For the lucky ones, we have much more of Dex and Perry to enjoy and even more from Karina Halle to come..Yay us!
Yay us INDEED!!! Two of my close friends have just finally read these last week, and their enthusiasm makes me grin like mad!
I can’t thank you enough for recommending these books – I, too, had the first two sitting on my kindle for a while and finally decided to reading them last week before the weekend started. Cut to Saturday where I read Dead Sky Morning, Lying Season, & On Demon Wings in one day! I barely moved, I just had to read read read.
Karina Halle is an excellent writer. She’s also a pretty kickass person all around (metal head! funny! super nice!) and I can’t wait to read more of what she puts out – The Devil’s Metal is looking interesting too.
I’m so glad you joined in, Christina!! I can’t say it enough – this series rocks, and Dex IS a hero that I’m still pining over (and I LOVE to pine over book-love). It’s my favorite!
Oh!! And YES! Agreed!! Karina totally rocks too.
Wow that’s a great piece Maryse. I stumbled across EIT as I’m a free book fiend and this is the only series I have bought all of the books and will continue to do so. I reccomend them to everyone and have even got my husband to read Darkhouse and he enjoyed it he immediately started Red Fox. As to scariness I found No. 3 gave me the willies the most so it all depends on the person (and your environment, lying in the dark on my iPhone at 4am not being able to put it down!) I just can’t get enough of Derry or Karina Halle.
I absolutely LOVE this series!!! I have been pacing myself…something I try to do with a GREAT series. Planning on reading Old Blood this weekend so I’ll be all caught up for Dex’s POV next week! Can’t wait for that one! I agree, book 5 did have a higher creep factor than the previous books…the title really says it all! Karina is quickly becoming a fav author of mine…excited for The Devil’s Metal – when does it come out?
Thanks for posting this, Maryse! I downloaded book 1 right when you first started posting about this series, and even book 2… But I couldn’t get into it. I’ve read the first couple of pages a few times and then just switch to something i find more enticing…. I guess I just have to buckle down and ride out the beginning of the book until I hit the hook!!!
I trust your opinion – you have never disappointed
True confessions: I downloaded Darkhouse because it was free, didn’t know what to expect. The supernatural has always been an interest for me but found most of these books corny. I figured give it one more try, why not, it’s free, what do I have to loose. . . . in 8 days I read books 1 thru 5, including 2.5. I couldn’t put it down. The scary plot plus the sexual tension, wow, so intense. At times, I felt I couldn’t breathe and I couldn’t read fast enough. LOVE EIT! Can’t recommend it enough!
May – So awesome that your husband is reading them, too! I’d love to hear his perspective, especially on the heatwrenching moments.
Trisha – I’ll be reading Old Blood this weekend too!! Wanted to get in the “feel” of things again for the Dex POV release. Very excited!
Jen – I’m so glad you’re diving in. Believe me, my feelings for this series and the whole “Dex & Perry” thing are true, and I am so confident you’ll get that “feeling” like I did.
It’s the exact feeling I look for, when reading. That “butterflies in the stomach”, anticipation, frustration, elation… and shock that gets me so wound up, I devour each one like candy.
I am sooo glad you posted this. I have also had Dark House on my Kindle for months now but haven’t read it yet. It didn’t seem like my kind of book but I’ve never NOT liked a book you’ve recommended so I think I will give it a try. Thanks!
Okay, okay, okay I am starting it tonight!!!!!!
I just finished the 2nd of the Vincent Brothers books (which fyi are actually quite good and steamy!!) this morning and was going to start No Turning Back, but I think I could use an adult read now.
Plus, how could I ever doubt you, Maryse? If you say it is great – well, then it HAS to be!
Maryse… Thank you so much for recommending this series!!! If it was not for you and all your amazing followers I probably would not have read half of the books I read this summer…. And there are a lot,, lol!! I was soo caught up in the romance/erotic novels, I never thought I could read and LOVE a series like EIT, (ghost/paranormal) but I gave it a shot because you recommend it and I did not stop till the last one!!!
just amazing, scary enough and then throw in the sexual tension and…… Ohhhh boy!!!! Hooked!!!! Karina Halle takes us on a great journey! I can’t wait for Dex Pov, counting the days!!
I am 30% or so in and so far it is pretty good. I am able to put it down and not think much about it though. However, I am not gonna lie – the description of Dex did nothing for me!!!! The picture in my head is not a good one.
I’m thinking to myself, “I’m gonna ‘swoon’ over this guy? And put him in the same category as my Travis and Kellan? Hmmm…. I have faith in the rest of you, so I will try and keep myself open to that possibility. 
Okay I just posted a “Dex” picture at the end of this post (as per Karina) for those who are curious about what he “looks” like, and can’t wrap your head around his description.
I too, struggled with it a bit when I first started the series (i’ll admit the occasional appearance of that mustache through me off…), until I went to Karina’s EIT Facebook page and saw some of the cover/promo photoshoot and trailer photos and I was all… oh okayyyy!
So there he is, up there
Looking cocky. Tee hee!
Big thank you to Maryse for bringing this series to my attention! I downloaded Darkhouse when it was a freebie. I liked it but I didnt LOVE it, the eyebrow ring and rapey moustache put me off, and could I read a series if the main character wasnt swoonworthy? I read book 2 and again wasnt totally in love with the series but was intrigued by Dex. Then Book 3, holy sexual tension, batman! LOVED book 3, proper scared the crap out of me and I loved the banter between Dex and Perry. Series has just got better and better, and teh novellas really add to it, adding depth to the world of Dex and Perry and giving a much needed glimpse into dex unhinged mind. Also love that the author makes book trailers / interviews. Her casting of dex and perry is spot on and the authors sense of humour shines through. These books are my favorite series at the moment. Its killing me that i am at work instead of reading book 6!
The best series I’ve EVER read. EVER.
Hi Maryse I am thinking of starting this series and at the moment it is up to book 6 plus the novellas. Is book 6 the last one or will there be more? It is hard to figure out…or maybe I am slow LOL anyway would love to know because I hate starting a series and then having to wait months if not years for the completion of the story. I am weird like that
Thanks for suggesting it and Happy New Year! XXX
I started this series 6 days ago and I have read them all! I am totally hooked and now lost because I have no more Dex! I loved the chemistry that Dex and Perry had from the very beginning. I also have to say hat I just love how Karina writes! The names that she comes up with are hilarious. I can not wait for the next one!! Thank you Maryse for writing such a great blog about this series and getting me to read it!
Fished Come Alive last night.. had this series on my kindle and finally started it 2 weeks ago. It really is a fantastic series, right up there with Black Dagger Brotherhood, Twilight, Vampires in America..What I love the most is that Perry and Dex each has such a distinctive voice, and Karina’s style of writing is phenomenal. Great humor, witty dialogue and descriptive detail. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
I love this series! I’m so bummed it’s over so I’m re reading them again. The whole horror/paranormal with that romance thrown in there is everything I could have asked for in book. Can anyone recommend a similar sort of book/ series I can get hooked on next.