Thank you NetGalley and Now or Never Publishing for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have never felt this horrible while reading a book.

I could've finished a book of this length in a couple of days but reading about extremist groups in the deep, dark parts of the Internet isn't exactly a light read. I had days when I just couldn't bring myself to read this and opted for something else instead.

Rating this book is difficult because it is well researched and intriguing but I just maybe shouldn't have read this at all.

If you are interested in politics and find extremist groups fascinating then this book might be for you but you should consider if you're really in the right headspace for this. The book gets darker the more you read, first you think this is the most chronically online book you've ever picked up and think you need to get outside and touch some grass and then you end up realising that deleting Twitter could be really good for your soul.arc9 s Justine Rowe29

Troll details the rise of Peter “Petrol” Riley on the alt-right through social media influencing.

Riley, a theater student in Canada has dreams of become successful and famous. He create the Petrol Riley persona for a class assignment, which takes off as a genuine personality. Initially Riley sees himself as a grifter who is just conning the public out of money, but soon the isolation that his feel starts to weigh on him. The price of fame is not what it seemed.

I absolutely loved this book as it was written through a series of articles, social medial postings, and transcripts to create a narrative of Riley and his . As someone who was online during the rise of the alt-right it was shocking how close the material was to how these individuals think.

It’s concerning as a parent to see how insidious social media is in filling the gaps of alienation and isolation for young men that makes them susceptible to extremism.

Macnair created a powerful story that is poignant to todays society. Troll’s content can be distressing at times, but is reflective of how desensitized online communities have become.

Thank you NetGally and Now or Never Publishing for this amazing ARC.This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.Show full reviewarcs3 s Asha Westie-Girl2

I cannot say enough about this book.

Troll is, as stated, a fictionalized representation of the author's research in online terrorism and extremist groups or whatever. But lemme tell you this, you don’t need to know ANYTHING about that or have any previous knowledge or interest on the topic before reading. If you were born in the 80s, 90s and onwards, you should have a deep-rooted understanding of the concepts, unless you somehow evaded technology your whole life. Albeit, there are references the author makes, that if you are not privy to, may not resonate as profoundly, but regardless, the overall idea and theme is so clearly laid out and impossible to miss.

Macnair takes you on what feels a roller coaster ride through a mirage of topics that all represent a different era of the internet, with shocking yet abundantly real examples of how social media, forums, porn addiction, hiveminds, conspiracy theorists, alt right politics, product accessibility, branding, and online communities overall, have evolved. It is so well written and yes… it may leave you with an unsettling feeling in your chest, but sometimes the truth is unsettling.

The theme is the disintegration of human connection. It's about our celebrated advancements in technology, turning into something we can’t recognize and how one day we'll look back and wish we had done something different. There’re so many messages in Troll that are so creatively written and force the reader to sit and think about what it means to them… the book isn’t meant to be a feel-good read and it’s not meant to be an escape from reality. It's actually meant to shove your face right into reality and look at a very dark and very prominent aspect of the online world and how it's genuinely affecting us, offline. It touches on disassociation from a sense of self, demoralization of people for online fame, the power of consumerism, the impact of polarity, the tradeoff of IRL experiences for digital footprint. I could go on.

But don’t get it twisted… This is a story. It’s a fictional book, not a text book or paper. Reading it reminded me of a mix between a documentary and a movie script with some incorporation of ‘weird’, artistic prose that is a great reminder that we’re reading fiction. It was easy to read and gives the reader a sense of autonomy to interpret things in their own way.

TL;DR – IN SHORT, Bravo to the author and his ability to demonstrate such passion and creativity on such a dark and sensitive topic. I was enamored the entire time I was reading it and I flew through it unexpectedly. I even had a brief moment where I considered giving up all social media… but I quickly forgot once I started scrolling Tiktok.

Great writing, great content, Great read. 2 s Brianna127 16

This was a really interesting book written in an unconventional format. It tells the fictional story of Peter ‘Petrol’ Riley, an actor turned viral right wing internet sensation, and his devoted following, but through the use of essays, forum conversations, text messages, emails,, and more. If you’re not one who spends much, or any time on the conservative, incel corners of the internet, this will show you how easily things can get ugly. How things can go from online banter to real life violence. It was at times uncomfortable and hard to read, but the interesting format propelled me to the finish. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.2 s IgnoreMe1 review

A very interesting take on internet culture, the nature of celebrity, and how having the entire world at our fingertips at all times can instead create an intense isolation, an isolation which can make us susceptible to the worst aspects of our nature. If you’re looking for a straightforward, traditional narrative, then this book isn’t for you as the author uses numerous time jumps and interludes of varying styles that can feel disjointed at times, but work within the context of the story. The story itself is one anyone who pays attention to the news will be able to draw parallels to, and if you’re as unlucky as me, you’ll also recognize people you know among the characters. 20232 s Alex5

Troll is a deep dive into the dark web; a spelunking into spaces you may have heard about (4chan and other adjacent communities), spaces you may have visited due to blithe curiosity only to recoil at the darkness of human minds proudly on display. With Troll, there is no looking away, and Logan Macnair renders a chillingly accurate depiction of the people that haunt these corners of the web, set against a larger narrative that follows protagonist Peter “Petrol” Riley, an actor-turned-grifting troll who rises to fame through his impassioned Youtube-style rants on feminism, race, immigrants—all the usual targets of the alt-right’s ire. (Note: I specify “alt-right” as this book seems to be written with that particular group in mind, but I don’t have enough nuanced knowledge of all sections of the right to accurately claim where exactly the character of “Petrol” and his follows fall under).

Troll is comprised of Peter’s honest (as far as the reader is aware) accounting of how his initially satirical character turned into a hero of the alt-right, the trepidations he feels over it, and the people who fund his new grift. True to life, they lash out (in escalating manners) at any perceived criticism of their hero. Troll is a fictional story, of course, but extremely close to reality, with several characters seemingly having real world counterparts (e.g. Alex Jones), and Macnair’s expertise on these subjects shines in his blunt, unafraid rendering of the very real, very vile spaces of the internet and humanity as a whole. Yet Troll is not just about these extreme spaces—it is also commentary on a world that has changed, radically so, since the introduction of the Internet, and how this colors modern society as a whole.

The style of Troll is an almost mixed-media compilation of journal entries (as told by Peter), chat logs and forum posts, newspaper clippings, YouTube video transcripts; but also brief glimpses of abstract beauty that showcase the breadth of Macnair’s prose. This results in a tight, unique, fast-paced novel that I recommend to anyone who even has passing interest in these online extremist communities, and how the world has changed, not necessarily for the better, with Internet’s proliferation. Be warned, however: Troll can be a difficult read—especially, I imagine, if you are coming at it from a totally ignorant perspective of these spaces. The most horrific part of the novel is perhaps knowing how true to the source it is. Macnair holds a PhD in Criminology and his research focus has been on online extremism (his website provides a far better accounting of his expertise than this blurb); so, suffice to say, he is the perfect author for such a book. 1 Erin Parke72 6

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. While I feel that this book is certainly timely, I don't really know what I was supposed to take away from it other that "bad things are bad." I didn't really see a reason for it to be told so completely out of order - it made it hard to make connections between characters and remember who was mentioned 50 pages earlier when they reappear later in the book. Some of the documents presented as part of the narrative didn't seem to add anything to the narrative at all. I also had a hard time feeling anything for Peter at all - bad or good. He didn't really seem to have any motivation for doing what he did - even the fame didn't seem that important to him. I ended up skimming a lot of this book waiting for something to happen.1 Ellie Hawley270 3

I just want to know how long the author of this novel spent on the wrong side of Reddit and IFunny to make this novel as accurate as it is. Seriously, I feel I stepped into a time machine and landed in 2015-2016 while reading this. Former friends of mine were far too deep into this content, so I've seen some of this craziness firsthand. That in itself earns this novel 5 stars and makes me wonder if the author is okay after spending all that time on the wrong side of the internet.

This is not a novel I would recommend to most people. You really have to enjoy a certain type of content to enjoy this novel. It's dark; its deep. At times, I wasn't even sure if I could keep reading. However, if you're into reading novels that give you an unsettling feeling in your chest and shove you right into the dark face of reality, this is one you should read. If that's not you. Don't even look at this novel. I'm serious. Keep scrolling and find a rom-com (I recommend Same Time Next Summer, but that's beside the point).

To quote another reviewer:
Troll is, as stated, a fictionalized representation of the author's research in online terrorism and extremist groups or whatever. But lemme tell you this, you don’t need to know ANYTHING about that or have any previous knowledge or interest on the topic before reading. If you were born in the 80s, 90s and onwards, you should have a deep-rooted understanding of the concepts, unless you somehow evaded technology your whole life. Albeit, there are references the author makes, that if you are not privy to, may not resonate as profoundly, but regardless, the overall idea and theme is so clearly laid out and impossible to miss.

Macnair takes you on what feels a roller coaster ride through a mirage of topics that all represent a different era of the internet, with shocking yet abundantly real examples of how social media, forums, porn addiction, hiveminds, conspiracy theorists, politics, product accessibility, branding, and online communities overall, have evolved. It is so well written and yes… it may leave you with an unsettling feeling in your chest, but sometimes the truth is unsettling.

The theme is the disintegration of human connection. It's about our celebrated advancements in technology, turning into something we can’t recognize and how one day we'll look back and wish we had done something different. There’re so many messages in Troll that are so creatively written and force the reader to sit and think about what it means to them… the book isn’t meant to be a feel-good read and it’s not meant to be an escape from reality. It's actually meant to shove your face right into reality and look at a very dark and very prominent aspect of the online world and how it's genuinely affecting us, offline. It touches on disassociation from a sense of self, demoralization of people for online fame, the power of consumerism, the impact of polarity, the tradeoff of IRL experiences for digital footprint. I could go on.

But don’t get it twisted… This is a story. It’s a fictional book, not a text book or paper. Reading it reminded me of a mix between a documentary and a movie script with some incorporation of ‘weird’, artistic prose that is a great reminder that we’re reading fiction. It was easy to read and gives the reader a sense of autonomy to interpret things in their own way.

arc read_2023 Niko George38 1 follower

Logan Macnair's Troll is a masterpiece that showcases a bravura writing performance, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of contemporary fiction. With its timely exploration of the intricate web of modern online communication, this novel offers a striking and resonant critique that demands attention.

Troll delves into the story of Peter Riley, an aspiring actor who inadvertently propels himself into a vortex of fame by crafting the satirical character of 'Petrol Riley,' a political extremist. The novel navigates the unexpected viral success of Peter's YouTube-style videos and the subsequent transformation of his online persona. As Petrol Riley's fanbase swells with devotees who misunderstand the satire, Peter faces a moral dilemma that forces him to reckon with the influence he wields over his impressionable admirers.

Logan Macnair's storytelling prowess shines through in Troll. The narrative unfolds with precision, painting a vivid portrait of a world consumed by online fervor and the blurred lines between satire and reality. I was captivated by the exploration of the human psyche in the digital age, where anonymity emboldens extreme behavior and genuine intentions are eclipsed by manipulation.

Macnair's character development is impeccable. Peter's evolution from a mere drama class assignment to a viral sensation illustrates the power of unintended consequences. The novel's brilliance lies in its depiction of Peter's internal struggle, making his journey a mirror reflecting the unsettling transformation of society itself.

Troll delivers an authentic critique of the dark underbelly of online communication. Through the lens of Petrol Riley's escalating extremism, the novel digs deep into the impact of misinformation, sensationalism, and the echo chambers of the internet. Macnair's sharp insights challenge readers to examine their own engagement with the digital world and the potential consequences of their actions.

Macnair’s exploration of modern societal dilemmas through the lens of satire and authenticity is remarkable. To reach perfection, perhaps further exploration of the psychological toll on both creator and audience in the age of virality could have been woven into the narrative tapestry.

Troll is a tour de force that encapsulates the complexities of our digital era, making it a must-read for anyone seeking an unflinching look at the impact of online influence. Macnair's eloquence and thought-provoking storytelling have created a work that is both a cautionary tale and a mirror to our times. If you're ready to confront the dark truths of online communication, Troll is the book you've been waiting for.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.literary Brigitte202

Phew! What can I say about this book? I'll start by saying that I was intrigued to read this because I'm a fan of satire and thought a little political drama would be entertaining.

While I assume this book is meant to absolutely drag individuals who behave in such closed-minded, hateful ways, it was incredibly difficult to read most of the time. Not that the writing and presentation were bad, in fact, I thought the author's writing style and creativity were rather top notch. It's having this behavior so "in your face" throughout the entire book that was a hard pill to swallow.

I sailed through the first chunk of this book, but found it difficult to pick back up going into the second half. I think by that point, I was feeling sad, defeated, and ashamed. It's hard to rate and recommend this book. It's definitely not for everyone. However, I do want to reiterate that the author did a good job presenting not only the horrors of online politics, but also the horrors of other online behaviors.

*I received an advanced review copy for free from booksirens and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Jay Steinbrecher64 4

An unflinching view of the dark side of the internet, and an ersatz-Faustian story of how far one will go for subscribers. The novel’s format is erratic, told in a series of blog posts, chat logs, or transcribed lectures, “Troll” is difficult to take in. Perhaps on purpose.

Macnair hits readers with a salvo of hate, interspersed with confessional excerpts from Petrol Reilly, an unsubtle allegory for the Andrew Tate and Ben Shapiros of the world. As Reilly begins to evaluate where the line is and how long ago he crossed it, we are exposed to the darker corners of the internet, namely 4chan, and all its homunculi.

Given Macnair’s professional credentials, “Troll” reads less as a cautionary tale or 21st century morality play. It is moreso a flashlight, pointing a beam into dusty corners, showing the world where the cockroaches are. There is hope in believing that some of these ultra-right personalities will eventually give up the ghost but, as Macnair explores, “giving up the grift” isn’t a simple thing to do in today’s world. Laura Potts484 18 Read

A delve into the impact the internet has on political and social situations. This reminded me a bit of te butterfly effect, that something that, in the beginning, seems harmless has big impacts on the world as a whole. Although this is meant to be satirical this does get quite dark, which I would take as a warning but I think it is a reflection of the worst that could come from the internet and the world as a whole. AJ4 1 follower

A deeply harrowing (and sometimes darkly humorous) satire of internet culture, political extremism, and the absence of online etiquette. 'Troll' was a hard read, but always compulsively readable. Its epistolary/multimedia format was fun, while the mosaic of perspectives used made this such a unique book.
(Also: The title's font looks a lot the font for the Tron movies. Very cool.)
I won this book in a giveaway. Thank you so much Logan for signing my copy! Christine Boultbee3

Well written, well researched, and very topical. It was hard to decide how to feel about the main character, Peter, which had me hooked. Very unique writing style, just as with the authors other book. I appreciated how each storyline was realistic to something that could (or does) happen in real life. This is about the dark side of the internet. paige holmes54 1 follower

[DID NOT FINISH] thank you NetGalley and Now or Never Publishing in exchange for an honest review. I really tried to go on with an open mind and keeping in mind it is fiction, however it was a tad too triggering for me and just cannot force myself to get through this one. Political elements just aren’t my jam particularly when this extreme. 1 Alyssa Albanese412 14

If you spend any amount of time on the internet, this is a must-read but also a very difficult read. It deals with online terrorist groups and all the horrible stuff that comes along with that. As someone who spends a ton of time on the internet, I related to a lot of stuff in this book (not the gross terrorist stuff). Christopher KeastAuthor 1 book3

An intriguing yet haunting tale into the grueling depths of isolation and groupthink of the online world and one young man's struggle to escape the fame and fortune allotted him from the counterfeit existence he's created for himself.

A good read, and a wake-up call to anyone who spends too much time online. Steve Boultbee3 1 follower

I thought this book provided a fascinating look into the online world. It's well written and although it's fiction it mirrors today's reality. If you are interested at all in the power of today's social media you'll enjoy Troll. Sam1 reviewRead

Hard to put down and timely.

An unflinching look at the dark underbelly of the internet and the people that live there. Anyone looking to understand the modern crisis of online white supremacist radicalization would do well to pick up this book as it is just barely fiction. Lens and Literature 1,258 12

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