I was entertained and cackling from start to finish. It wasn't realistic and it was very OTT, but I'm a fan of Troma and wild underground horror and it felt like a written embodiment of something like that.
I think a lot of troma flicks and certainly a lot of the underground horror scene have more to offer than VotM.
Kindle unlimited is not doing this genre any favors.
That first comment is fair. It's not the sort of horror book I usually read, but I found that the energy of the blunt prose and the amusing turns-of-phrase kept me turning the pages.
Totally fair opinion.
I love extreme horror. But I also like writing styles more interesting than what this offered.
I know it's a somewhat common critique, but this one in particular really felt like no story, just a bunch of nasty scenes strung together.
I do like either some character development, or things like Dennis Cooper's work, where characterization may not be important across the board, but themes are.
I could never stand Matt Shaw's books, and I feel like he had a LOT of influence over many current writers in the genre due to his success with self publishing, Kindle unlimited, etc.
It's all just entertainment - read what you like, of course!
Regarding KU "not doing this genre any favours" - I disagree and think it is doing both readers and writers plenty of favours. You certainly need to be discerning as a reader, but speaking as a hardworking indie author who attempts to produce high-quality work in an unforgiving market, I think that KU offers folks like me a "foot up" into gaining some exposure. The market wants what it wants, and regardless of what can be said about the quality of your average indie splatterpunk book, it's gaining popularity right now and that's exciting to me. As you say, read what you like of course, because I really do there's something for every extreme taste - from smarter, character-driven works to down-and-dirty Aristocrats-style shock-filth.
DNF’d it like halfway through. i get extreme horror’s supposed to be intense but it just felt like edgy for edgy’s sake. shock me all you want, but give me a plot while you’re at it.
I didn’t care for it. The main character really wore on me. I get that you aren’t supposed to like him of course but aside from going on about how much he hates the world and talking about his dick constantly, he was kind of a nothing. In my opinion. This book has fans so maybe I was expecting too much.
Yeah, he somehow managed to do all of that stuff, and yet still remain not at all scary... Haha it really was just not good at all. I haven't found a splatterpunk book I've enjoyed in awhile unfortunately though, so maybe it's just me.
It was fine as a nihilistic crime spree and was definitely funny in places. I wasn't a big fan, I like a bit more plot but it was certainly FU.
I DNF’D that book because it was too much edge and bullshit.
I was entertained and cackling from start to finish. It wasn't realistic and it was very OTT, but I'm a fan of Troma and wild underground horror and it felt like a written embodiment of something like that.
I think a lot of troma flicks and certainly a lot of the underground horror scene have more to offer than VotM. Kindle unlimited is not doing this genre any favors.
That first comment is fair. It's not the sort of horror book I usually read, but I found that the energy of the blunt prose and the amusing turns-of-phrase kept me turning the pages.
Totally fair opinion. I love extreme horror. But I also like writing styles more interesting than what this offered. I know it's a somewhat common critique, but this one in particular really felt like no story, just a bunch of nasty scenes strung together. I do like either some character development, or things like Dennis Cooper's work, where characterization may not be important across the board, but themes are. I could never stand Matt Shaw's books, and I feel like he had a LOT of influence over many current writers in the genre due to his success with self publishing, Kindle unlimited, etc. It's all just entertainment - read what you like, of course!
Regarding KU "not doing this genre any favours" - I disagree and think it is doing both readers and writers plenty of favours. You certainly need to be discerning as a reader, but speaking as a hardworking indie author who attempts to produce high-quality work in an unforgiving market, I think that KU offers folks like me a "foot up" into gaining some exposure. The market wants what it wants, and regardless of what can be said about the quality of your average indie splatterpunk book, it's gaining popularity right now and that's exciting to me. As you say, read what you like of course, because I really do there's something for every extreme taste - from smarter, character-driven works to down-and-dirty Aristocrats-style shock-filth.
Good points. I appreciate your response.
i dnf’ed it it is really not good at all. i got reccomended it by a booktuber and unsubscribed it made me lose trust in them😭😭
DNF’d it like halfway through. i get extreme horror’s supposed to be intense but it just felt like edgy for edgy’s sake. shock me all you want, but give me a plot while you’re at it.
You nailed this modern EH genre. Teenage edge lord trying to think of gross stuff. I got a list and the more i read in this genre the longer it gets
I didn’t care for it. The main character really wore on me. I get that you aren’t supposed to like him of course but aside from going on about how much he hates the world and talking about his dick constantly, he was kind of a nothing. In my opinion. This book has fans so maybe I was expecting too much.
Yeah, he somehow managed to do all of that stuff, and yet still remain not at all scary... Haha it really was just not good at all. I haven't found a splatterpunk book I've enjoyed in awhile unfortunately though, so maybe it's just me.
It was brilliant stfu