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Cadaverous
When darkness falls, the nightmare begins...Step into the twisted world of Gaige Penrod. This self-taught metal guitarist is consumed by a burning desire to be the epitome of greatness, and his journey takes an ominous turn when he attends a fateful concert during an eclipse.
Enveloped by an unearthly presence, Gaige's very essence undergoes a malevolent transformation. Driven by an insatiable hunger for answers, he becomes fixated on realizing his musical destiny, embarking on a treacherous quest to reunite his band for a shot at immortal glory. But little does he know, his lust for fame will lead him down a perilous path.
In a moment of desperation, Gaige strikes a Faustian bargain with a demonic figure, unwittingly releasing an unspeakable evil that threatens to consume him and all those he holds dear.
Prepare yourself for Cadaverous, an icy tale that exposes the dangers of unchecked ambition. As the horrifying consequences unfold, you'll be left questioning the true price of desire.
Enveloped by an unearthly presence, Gaige's very essence undergoes a malevolent transformation. Driven by an insatiable hunger for answers, he becomes fixated on realizing his musical destiny, embarking on a treacherous quest to reunite his band for a shot at immortal glory. But little does he know, his lust for fame will lead him down a perilous path.
In a moment of desperation, Gaige strikes a Faustian bargain with a demonic figure, unwittingly releasing an unspeakable evil that threatens to consume him and all those he holds dear.
Prepare yourself for Cadaverous, an icy tale that exposes the dangers of unchecked ambition. As the horrifying consequences unfold, you'll be left questioning the true price of desire.
264 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 25, 2023
54 people are currently reading
1073 people want to read
About the author
Jay Bower
47 books286 followersJAY BOWER is a horror author living outside St. Louis, MO in the forest of Southern Illinois. He spends his time reading, writing, and convincing his wife the dark stories he writes do not involve her.
One time punk-rock skateboarder and heavy metal kid of the 80s, Jay approaches his work with the same indie attitude as those early punk bands.
He's the author of several dark novels and short stories. He can be reached at jay@jay-bower.com.
One time punk-rock skateboarder and heavy metal kid of the 80s, Jay approaches his work with the same indie attitude as those early punk bands.
He's the author of several dark novels and short stories. He can be reached at jay@jay-bower.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 185 reviews
March 20, 2024
Solid little story of ambition, supernatural forces, and metal. I would say this one would fall under the New Adult category because while the tone is somewhat YA there's a fair amount of graphic stuff. I really liked the ending.
April 25, 2023
This was my first book by Jay Bower, despite owning a few kindle copies of his work, but it definitely won't be my last! What a show this was! 🤘
The introduction in itself was utterly chilling, and set up the rest of the story brilliantly. And as someone who never fully reads a written incantation in a book, 'just in case', this had me nervous from the off! 😂
Cadaverous are a heavy metal band, practicing in the garage after school, and responsible, in a roundabout way, for at least 5 bizarre and brutal deaths. This is the journal/blog of the lead singer, Gaige Penrod, and it comes with a very stark warning….
The strange goings on all kick off at the Eclipse concert in 2017. Gaige is attending with his sister and her boyfriend, they don't really want him there but he's only there to see his idol Ozzy perform! It seems Ozzy isn't alone on stage though, there's a rather odd presence too. After the gig, the desire to get his band back together increases, and they do just that, right in time for the Pumpkin Festival talent show. And whilst researching a new band name, things start to drastically change for the boys. Was the weird stuff that happened at the Ozzy gig just his imagination, or the start of something evil? Gaige will do anything for fame, and each time he plays, he craves it more. Just what is he prepared to do to make his dream a reality?
Why is Lisa suddenly so interested in him? His guitar playing is a bit hit and miss but Lisa thinks she knows a sure fire way for him to shine when it matters! And she's right, but it comes at a price! Luckily, she will be beside him all the way, to support him wholeheartedly!
Once Gaige accepts his fate and what he needs to do in order to achieve his goals, there's no turning back! Thankfully, there seems to be no shortage of convenient sacrifices in his life, and each one gets easier to make. And when they get to play their original song "Incantation", it makes the crowd go absolutely wild, extremely bloody wild!!
This was a bit of a slower start, which was great, as it built the expectation at just the right pace, like a good gig, from warm up to high energy finish, and once we are introduced to Paimon properly, all hell breaks loose, quite literally!
With a really creepy feel right from the start, it drew me in completely, I felt the buzz of the atmosphere, as well as the fear and dread of the unknown darkness within the pages!
Dark, demonic and creepy, this book rocked!! 🤘😁🤘 I'd love an encore! 🖤
The music mentioned in the story is also great, and there is actually a link to a playlist at the end of the book, which I thought was very cool!
The introduction in itself was utterly chilling, and set up the rest of the story brilliantly. And as someone who never fully reads a written incantation in a book, 'just in case', this had me nervous from the off! 😂
Cadaverous are a heavy metal band, practicing in the garage after school, and responsible, in a roundabout way, for at least 5 bizarre and brutal deaths. This is the journal/blog of the lead singer, Gaige Penrod, and it comes with a very stark warning….
The strange goings on all kick off at the Eclipse concert in 2017. Gaige is attending with his sister and her boyfriend, they don't really want him there but he's only there to see his idol Ozzy perform! It seems Ozzy isn't alone on stage though, there's a rather odd presence too. After the gig, the desire to get his band back together increases, and they do just that, right in time for the Pumpkin Festival talent show. And whilst researching a new band name, things start to drastically change for the boys. Was the weird stuff that happened at the Ozzy gig just his imagination, or the start of something evil? Gaige will do anything for fame, and each time he plays, he craves it more. Just what is he prepared to do to make his dream a reality?
Why is Lisa suddenly so interested in him? His guitar playing is a bit hit and miss but Lisa thinks she knows a sure fire way for him to shine when it matters! And she's right, but it comes at a price! Luckily, she will be beside him all the way, to support him wholeheartedly!
Once Gaige accepts his fate and what he needs to do in order to achieve his goals, there's no turning back! Thankfully, there seems to be no shortage of convenient sacrifices in his life, and each one gets easier to make. And when they get to play their original song "Incantation", it makes the crowd go absolutely wild, extremely bloody wild!!
This was a bit of a slower start, which was great, as it built the expectation at just the right pace, like a good gig, from warm up to high energy finish, and once we are introduced to Paimon properly, all hell breaks loose, quite literally!
With a really creepy feel right from the start, it drew me in completely, I felt the buzz of the atmosphere, as well as the fear and dread of the unknown darkness within the pages!
Dark, demonic and creepy, this book rocked!! 🤘😁🤘 I'd love an encore! 🖤
The music mentioned in the story is also great, and there is actually a link to a playlist at the end of the book, which I thought was very cool!
April 14, 2023
Jay Bower is an author that I discovered sometime last year. I’m not even sure originally how, I think a bookbub ad or something. Not that that really matters, but since discovering him, I’ve read a few of his books, and I’ve gotta say, his latest book, Cadaverous, is my favorite I’ve read so far.
Gaige Penwood is an interesting character, because he could be any teen. While circumstances aren’t the same, he comes from a broken home which is something that felt very relatable to me. There are times when the family situation is so messed up, but you know it could still happen. One scene, specifically, no spoilers.
I liked the chapters split up as blog posts and I liked the slow descent into depravity and sacrifice. Ultimately, this book is one of my favorite reads of the year, for sure. I recommend this one to any horror fan, regardless of what sub genre you dabble in. Sorry Jay, but after reading this I’m going to be hounding you for the next Jay Bower book!
Gaige Penwood is an interesting character, because he could be any teen. While circumstances aren’t the same, he comes from a broken home which is something that felt very relatable to me. There are times when the family situation is so messed up, but you know it could still happen. One scene, specifically, no spoilers.
I liked the chapters split up as blog posts and I liked the slow descent into depravity and sacrifice. Ultimately, this book is one of my favorite reads of the year, for sure. I recommend this one to any horror fan, regardless of what sub genre you dabble in. Sorry Jay, but after reading this I’m going to be hounding you for the next Jay Bower book!
April 28, 2024
As a little heavy metal kid growing up, Cadaverous was a blast to read. Gaige, the highly motivated lead singer with the questionable guitar skill leads the high school metal band, Cadaverous. Hitting the big time with his band is really all he has to look forward to. His dad isn’t around. Gaige’s mom is too busy pickling herself with vodka on a nightly basis. His sister has a boyfriend who would rather knock Gaige’s teeth out than look at him. Jayce, the school’s muscle-bound bully, is also itching to kick the shit out of him. What’s a desperate musician to do? How about taking ol’ Paimon the demon up on an offer that’s too good to refuse?
Cadaverous is not only a fun romp through heavy metal debauchery, Bower puts some heart and soul into a story that pumps its fist through familiar territory. The old 80s horror movie Trick or Treat with Ozzy and Gene Simmons comes to mind. Cadaverous proudly wears its influences on its sleeve.
4 Devil Horns out of 5
Cadaverous is not only a fun romp through heavy metal debauchery, Bower puts some heart and soul into a story that pumps its fist through familiar territory. The old 80s horror movie Trick or Treat with Ozzy and Gene Simmons comes to mind. Cadaverous proudly wears its influences on its sleeve.
4 Devil Horns out of 5
June 15, 2024
4.5 stars! How far would you go to get everything you ever wanted...
Gaige wants to be the best guitarist that has ever lived. He wants fame and notoriety. The only problem is he lives in a small town, and his talent could be described as mediocre at best. What is a boy to do? Make a deal with a demon, obviously...
I listened to the audiobook, and the narration is perfect. It really brought Gaige to life as he struggles with his choices and loses his sense of morality.
I liked the pacing as it ramped up the tension and the starkness of Gaige's situation. The writing has a nostalgic feel and includes loads of references to metal bands/songs. It had me wanting to make up a Cadverous playlist... now that would be a beautiful thing!
I loved the way the book had me questioning my own moral perspective. I mean, is it really so bad if the guy being hurt is a jerk?! I'm asking for a friend...
This was a really fun cautionary tale of pride, greed, and ambition. I will definitely be checking out more books by this author!
With thanks to Jay Bower for sending me a copy of the audiobook. This review is my honest opinion, and I'm leaving it voluntarily
Gaige wants to be the best guitarist that has ever lived. He wants fame and notoriety. The only problem is he lives in a small town, and his talent could be described as mediocre at best. What is a boy to do? Make a deal with a demon, obviously...
I listened to the audiobook, and the narration is perfect. It really brought Gaige to life as he struggles with his choices and loses his sense of morality.
I liked the pacing as it ramped up the tension and the starkness of Gaige's situation. The writing has a nostalgic feel and includes loads of references to metal bands/songs. It had me wanting to make up a Cadverous playlist... now that would be a beautiful thing!
I loved the way the book had me questioning my own moral perspective. I mean, is it really so bad if the guy being hurt is a jerk?! I'm asking for a friend...
This was a really fun cautionary tale of pride, greed, and ambition. I will definitely be checking out more books by this author!
With thanks to Jay Bower for sending me a copy of the audiobook. This review is my honest opinion, and I'm leaving it voluntarily
May 16, 2023
I have read a few of Bowers books, and this one is my favorite one as I absolutely loved it! I mean….Metal and horror go together like guns and roses!
This heavy metal horror novel is written with such passion, that not only does one hear the music being described in the page, it makes you feel it as well. Music means nothing without a listener, just as story means nothing without the reader.
A fun story with enough gore to satisfy and enough Metal to make you want to dig out your metal cassette tapes. I would recommend this to any horror and metal fan!
This heavy metal horror novel is written with such passion, that not only does one hear the music being described in the page, it makes you feel it as well. Music means nothing without a listener, just as story means nothing without the reader.
A fun story with enough gore to satisfy and enough Metal to make you want to dig out your metal cassette tapes. I would recommend this to any horror and metal fan!
April 26, 2023
Brilliant story! I really love stories told in a journal type format, which this basically was.
The way it starts out you think that the demon is going to get defeated, but that is so not what happens. A fantastic mix of music and demons, this book hooked me from the introduction.
The way it starts out you think that the demon is going to get defeated, but that is so not what happens. A fantastic mix of music and demons, this book hooked me from the introduction.
April 25, 2023
Thank you Jay Bower for an ARC of 'Cadaverous.'
Obviously a lot of research has gone into this book, on demons, incantations, summonings, and other nasty dealings with the supernatural. For so much material, the book feels fairly short, and, indeed, I ended up reading it in one sitting. The narrative is structured as a series of blog entries, short and sweet, building up into a major story involving a teen metal band, the yearning for fame, and the cost of getting your heart's desire. Gaige Penwood's writing the blog, and the story presents his frustration at home (his family situation is quite ugly), his desire to secure the adoration of huge audiences via his guitar playing and his music, and the price he has to pay when Lisa, his girlfriend, offers him the chance to make his dreams real. To achieve them, however, he has to accept dealing with Paimon, the demon of fame and riches. And, well, demons usually have their own agendas, and the sinister Paimon is no exception. Poor Gaige finds himself soon descending into a rabbit hole full of blood and rage and sin, as he tries his damnedest to make it all work out. But there are so many things Gaige does not know.
Reading this was a very nice experience: the music references, the creepy imagery, the spot on descriptions, they all managed to make the horror story feel real and movie-like. It makes you ask yourself what you'd do in Gaige's place. I don't think there's an easy answer!
Obviously a lot of research has gone into this book, on demons, incantations, summonings, and other nasty dealings with the supernatural. For so much material, the book feels fairly short, and, indeed, I ended up reading it in one sitting. The narrative is structured as a series of blog entries, short and sweet, building up into a major story involving a teen metal band, the yearning for fame, and the cost of getting your heart's desire. Gaige Penwood's writing the blog, and the story presents his frustration at home (his family situation is quite ugly), his desire to secure the adoration of huge audiences via his guitar playing and his music, and the price he has to pay when Lisa, his girlfriend, offers him the chance to make his dreams real. To achieve them, however, he has to accept dealing with Paimon, the demon of fame and riches. And, well, demons usually have their own agendas, and the sinister Paimon is no exception. Poor Gaige finds himself soon descending into a rabbit hole full of blood and rage and sin, as he tries his damnedest to make it all work out. But there are so many things Gaige does not know.
Reading this was a very nice experience: the music references, the creepy imagery, the spot on descriptions, they all managed to make the horror story feel real and movie-like. It makes you ask yourself what you'd do in Gaige's place. I don't think there's an easy answer!
May 10, 2023
When this one was announced, I was stoked. I’m a huge fan of heavy metal, demons and that age-old-classic tale of selling one’s soul to become famous. It’s a tale that seems to really play out more in the music world than other areas – it’s not often you see a story where a law student sells his soul to become the world’s greatest public defender – but it also works so well because every single person in the world understands that to become a huge and famous musician you need skill, determination and luck. And all at the exact same time.
I’ve not read any Bower prior to this, though I do have a number of his books on my Kindle, but with this one, I knew I needed to bump it way up the TBR line and get to it as soon as I could.
What I liked: We’re initially introduced to the story as an examination of events that occurred, based on the blog postings of our main character. From there, each chapter represents a blog post, where Gaige Penrod, lead singer of Cadaverous (THE WORLD’S MOST DANGEROUS BAND!), recalls the rise and brutal fall of their band.
Bower does a great job of setting the scene, one that’s typical and relatable. Small town USA. A group of misfit high school friends jam together at Gaige’s. When a huge metal show comes, they all go, seeing their heroes perform live. But when Ozzy Osbourne takes the stage, Gaige sees something nobody else does and from there, the story takes off. Making a deal with the entity he saw, with the aid of his new girlfriend, Lisa, Gaige instantly transforms into the best guitar player and is able to see the music in his head without having to learn it.
But in order for the band to rise, blood must be shed, and it’s at their first few concerts where they create a name for themselves, as audience members brutally die and nobody knows how or why its happening.
We get a really great mix of teenage angst, of Gaige struggling with how far he’d go to leave the town behind, leave his deadbeat, abusive father in the rearview mirror and get rid of his bullies once and for all. As the story rolls along, Bower makes sure to up the extreme levels of carnage and works really well to mimic or feel like you’re reading a song. You get to that moment, that crescendo when you know the breakdown is about to hit and when it does, the reader is pummeled with an action packed finale.
What I didn’t like: I understand the aspect of the blog posts, but it reads more like chapters of a book than an attempt at epistolary storytelling, which worked really well for me, but if you go in thinking this is more straightforward epistolary you’ll be mistaken.
The afterword felt off. Throughout there was no comments or observations by the researcher, so when they returned at the end, I only then remembered that it had started like that.
Lastly, I personally didn’t enjoy that another band member was randomly involved in the demonic aspect. It didn’t detract from the story, but it did make a few prior events feel odd, considering they knew about the demon beforehand.
Why you should buy this: If you like heavy metal, blood, demons and brutality, this one will be right up your alley. If you’re looking for a very solid “Behind the Music” type horror novel, this one fits that bill perfectly. The pacing was spot on and the characters were a blast and of course, the demonic entity was fantastic.
Really dug this one.
I’ve not read any Bower prior to this, though I do have a number of his books on my Kindle, but with this one, I knew I needed to bump it way up the TBR line and get to it as soon as I could.
What I liked: We’re initially introduced to the story as an examination of events that occurred, based on the blog postings of our main character. From there, each chapter represents a blog post, where Gaige Penrod, lead singer of Cadaverous (THE WORLD’S MOST DANGEROUS BAND!), recalls the rise and brutal fall of their band.
Bower does a great job of setting the scene, one that’s typical and relatable. Small town USA. A group of misfit high school friends jam together at Gaige’s. When a huge metal show comes, they all go, seeing their heroes perform live. But when Ozzy Osbourne takes the stage, Gaige sees something nobody else does and from there, the story takes off. Making a deal with the entity he saw, with the aid of his new girlfriend, Lisa, Gaige instantly transforms into the best guitar player and is able to see the music in his head without having to learn it.
But in order for the band to rise, blood must be shed, and it’s at their first few concerts where they create a name for themselves, as audience members brutally die and nobody knows how or why its happening.
We get a really great mix of teenage angst, of Gaige struggling with how far he’d go to leave the town behind, leave his deadbeat, abusive father in the rearview mirror and get rid of his bullies once and for all. As the story rolls along, Bower makes sure to up the extreme levels of carnage and works really well to mimic or feel like you’re reading a song. You get to that moment, that crescendo when you know the breakdown is about to hit and when it does, the reader is pummeled with an action packed finale.
What I didn’t like: I understand the aspect of the blog posts, but it reads more like chapters of a book than an attempt at epistolary storytelling, which worked really well for me, but if you go in thinking this is more straightforward epistolary you’ll be mistaken.
The afterword felt off. Throughout there was no comments or observations by the researcher, so when they returned at the end, I only then remembered that it had started like that.
Lastly, I personally didn’t enjoy that another band member was randomly involved in the demonic aspect. It didn’t detract from the story, but it did make a few prior events feel odd, considering they knew about the demon beforehand.
Why you should buy this: If you like heavy metal, blood, demons and brutality, this one will be right up your alley. If you’re looking for a very solid “Behind the Music” type horror novel, this one fits that bill perfectly. The pacing was spot on and the characters were a blast and of course, the demonic entity was fantastic.
Really dug this one.
October 2, 2024
I’m back and forth with this one. I went from really enjoying it, to only just tolerating it and back to enjoying it again. It’s safe to say that the musician selling his soul to the devil in exchange for crazy talent isn’t new but it was entertaining enough.
Gaige experiences something otherworldly at an Ozzy concert and tries to search the internet for what those black oozing strands could be. It’s in his fellow band mates, ex-girlfriend, Lisa that he discovers the answer-Paimon. There’s going to be an earth wide event that coincides with the eclipse that will see the destruction of earth at the hands of the demon.
Lisa convinces him that he’s been favoured by Paimon and they go on a collision course with death and blood, in attempt to appease the demon and succeed at being the most dangerous band in the world. No one stands in Gaige’s way-not his mum, his sister, even his friends.
I don’t really know why it failed to connect with me fully. Maybe it was the characterisation-I felt that Gaige was a little too one-dimensional. He was a very basic character-angry at the world due to his dad being an abusing pos. I didn’t fully realise that the story was more YA and I was a little unprepared for that. It would be a good bridging gap between YA and Adult horror for those that are unclimatised to the genre.
Gaige experiences something otherworldly at an Ozzy concert and tries to search the internet for what those black oozing strands could be. It’s in his fellow band mates, ex-girlfriend, Lisa that he discovers the answer-Paimon. There’s going to be an earth wide event that coincides with the eclipse that will see the destruction of earth at the hands of the demon.
Lisa convinces him that he’s been favoured by Paimon and they go on a collision course with death and blood, in attempt to appease the demon and succeed at being the most dangerous band in the world. No one stands in Gaige’s way-not his mum, his sister, even his friends.
I don’t really know why it failed to connect with me fully. Maybe it was the characterisation-I felt that Gaige was a little too one-dimensional. He was a very basic character-angry at the world due to his dad being an abusing pos. I didn’t fully realise that the story was more YA and I was a little unprepared for that. It would be a good bridging gap between YA and Adult horror for those that are unclimatised to the genre.
March 6, 2024
Hard rock and demons? Sign me up!
Jay Bower’s Cadaverous follows a teenage boy who is willing to make a deal with a demon for his band to become famous. What could go wrong?
Told as a series of journal entries, Cadaverous is an engaging story that is like a train wreck you can’t look away from. You really get to know the main characters and it's hard to watch their obvious downward spiral when you know there is nothing you, as a reader, can do to stop them. Check it out if you’re at all into devil worship or hard rock/heavy metal.
Jay Bower’s Cadaverous follows a teenage boy who is willing to make a deal with a demon for his band to become famous. What could go wrong?
Told as a series of journal entries, Cadaverous is an engaging story that is like a train wreck you can’t look away from. You really get to know the main characters and it's hard to watch their obvious downward spiral when you know there is nothing you, as a reader, can do to stop them. Check it out if you’re at all into devil worship or hard rock/heavy metal.
April 14, 2023
What a great story! This is my second book from Jay Bower and it didn't disappoint!
We follow the story of Gaige and his friends (and their band) and the intriguing and full of surprises Lisa after the main protagonist Gaige, comes back from a concert during an eclypse. What he witnesses there changes him forever and his desire to runite the band and reach fame starts growing so much that takes over his entire life, in ways darker and weirder than he ever expected! When Gaige realises what fulfilling his dreams entails, he doesn't blink twice and start stepping into his destiny without realising that he's part of something much more dangerous and destructive!
I loved the music theme throughout the book and the references to badass bands and songs that reminded me of my teenage years and the characters in the book also reminded me of that yearning feeling for something more and bigger, with the always intriguing lure to the sinister.
I also liked the structure of the book from a research point of view, but I won't tell more to avoid any spoilers.
I'm sure anyone who likes horror would enjoy this book, especially if you're a fan of metal and know the feeling of getting high on music!
We follow the story of Gaige and his friends (and their band) and the intriguing and full of surprises Lisa after the main protagonist Gaige, comes back from a concert during an eclypse. What he witnesses there changes him forever and his desire to runite the band and reach fame starts growing so much that takes over his entire life, in ways darker and weirder than he ever expected! When Gaige realises what fulfilling his dreams entails, he doesn't blink twice and start stepping into his destiny without realising that he's part of something much more dangerous and destructive!
I loved the music theme throughout the book and the references to badass bands and songs that reminded me of my teenage years and the characters in the book also reminded me of that yearning feeling for something more and bigger, with the always intriguing lure to the sinister.
I also liked the structure of the book from a research point of view, but I won't tell more to avoid any spoilers.
I'm sure anyone who likes horror would enjoy this book, especially if you're a fan of metal and know the feeling of getting high on music!
November 15, 2023
For some reason this one didn't really grip me. The story was good but It lacked emotions. At least that's how I felt about it. The main characters Lisa and Gaige were to hollow for me. Or maybe I am plain wrong about this. Jay Bower is a great author and other stories/books I've read by him, I absolutely loved. This was is not it for me. I did like the idea of the story and it's format (blog). I hate reviewing books and stories that I didn't like. I don't want to make the author feel bad however I like to let the author know why I am giving 3 stars.
April 11, 2024
This was my first read from Jay Bower and he didn’t disappoint! Calling all metal fans….THIS IS YOUR BOOK.
Cadaverous had me hooked from the very beginning. It was very fast paced and atmospheric. I truly felt like I was in the crowd watching these guys perform live. I could hear the music in my head and couldn’t help but sing along to some of these well known songs. This book was so intense and filled with demons and gore along the way. Bower did an amazing job writing this story and I’m stoked to check out some of his other work!
Cadaverous had me hooked from the very beginning. It was very fast paced and atmospheric. I truly felt like I was in the crowd watching these guys perform live. I could hear the music in my head and couldn’t help but sing along to some of these well known songs. This book was so intense and filled with demons and gore along the way. Bower did an amazing job writing this story and I’m stoked to check out some of his other work!
May 1, 2024
Good story
I'm back and forth on this one. The story itself is good, and it has a great accompanying playlist. The dialog felt a bit weird and made it hard for me to connect though, along with a few inconsistencies in the plot. At times I felt myself scanning quickly through the pages due to waning interest, but I also need to know how it ended. I noticed that I stopped scanning around the last quarter of the book. Things quickly go off the rails and I was here for it. I can't count this as one of my favorites but I'm glad that I stuck around for the whole thing.
I'm back and forth on this one. The story itself is good, and it has a great accompanying playlist. The dialog felt a bit weird and made it hard for me to connect though, along with a few inconsistencies in the plot. At times I felt myself scanning quickly through the pages due to waning interest, but I also need to know how it ended. I noticed that I stopped scanning around the last quarter of the book. Things quickly go off the rails and I was here for it. I can't count this as one of my favorites but I'm glad that I stuck around for the whole thing.
April 22, 2023
Let me just say this….this book was beyond anything I could ever imagined! The name of the book does not even begin to let the reader know what to be prepared for while reading. The whole book is a horror filled nightmare with no let up. I am not a big fan of heavy metal but even I could hear the songs in my brain as I read through the pages. I could not imagine summoning a demon nor doing what he required for what your heart desires. Yet Gaige did, with hardly a blink of an eye. Once he got started, it became clear his inner soul was changing, not in a positive way. But who am I to say what he did was wrong? If a person is upset enough with their life, is it possible to complete a ritual and summon a demon?
This book definitely has me thinking…great writing! I especially like how the story was told via blog/journal style. I even went and googled about an eclipse in April 2024 but I am not gonna spoil it. Go read this book. I am aJay Bower fan for sure!
This book definitely has me thinking…great writing! I especially like how the story was told via blog/journal style. I even went and googled about an eclipse in April 2024 but I am not gonna spoil it. Go read this book. I am aJay Bower fan for sure!
April 16, 2023
I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. My honest opinion… Cadaverous was absolutely fantastic! If you’re a fan of the Sell Your Soul for Fame and Fortune trope… you need to check this out. One of my favorite tropes because it can be done both physically and metaphorically... so many possibilities. The way author Jay Bower does it… doesn’t disappoint. The story follows protagonist Gaige Penrod, a young high school kid from a rough upbringing. Gaige loves music and wants to chase his dream of making the big-time as the lead singer in a metal band. Things start off innocently enough as opportunities that are too good to pass up begin to present themselves. Before long, Gaige finds himself neck deep in the repercussions of his choices and actions. Things go from bad to worse and soon, young Gaige finds himself in a position of no going back. Was it worth it? I guess you’ll have to ask Gaige. The ending to this story is magnificent.
The plot is well-paced and fast, but doesn’t feel rushed. I couldn’t put this down. Do yourself a favor and grab Cadaverous today. You’ll be in for a treat!
The plot is well-paced and fast, but doesn’t feel rushed. I couldn’t put this down. Do yourself a favor and grab Cadaverous today. You’ll be in for a treat!
April 18, 2023
I was not ready to dive into the twisted world in "Cadaverous" by Jay Bower. In this chilling tale, the main character, Gaige Penrod, will stop at nothing to achieve fame - even if it means going to the darkest corners of the human psyche and finding the answers in the occult. Hold onto your seats because this story will take you on a wild ride until the very end. Bower's writing is impeccable, making it impossible to put this book down after just one page.
This creepy tale is brought to life by Mr. Bowers' impeccable writing skills and accompanied by a Spotify playlist that adds extra vibes to every page. Cool songs Bro! A gripping story such as this one promises some sleepless nights but is definitely worth it!
This creepy tale is brought to life by Mr. Bowers' impeccable writing skills and accompanied by a Spotify playlist that adds extra vibes to every page. Cool songs Bro! A gripping story such as this one promises some sleepless nights but is definitely worth it!
April 21, 2023
Thank you to the author for providing a review copy.
How far would you go to get what you want? Gaige Penrod is willing to go really, really far in this book about a deal with a demon for fame. I've definitely read other books with this concept, but Jay Bower manages to keep the story pretty fresh, and it's a lot of fun. I'm a metalhead myself and I loved all of the band references and the way the author was able to capture the feeling of being at a live show.
How far would you go to get what you want? Gaige Penrod is willing to go really, really far in this book about a deal with a demon for fame. I've definitely read other books with this concept, but Jay Bower manages to keep the story pretty fresh, and it's a lot of fun. I'm a metalhead myself and I loved all of the band references and the way the author was able to capture the feeling of being at a live show.
April 16, 2023
Went into this not knowing Jay’s work, or even much about the book, other than a little blurb.
I enjoyed reading the “diary” of events as they unfolded, a sort of retelling of the Robert Johnson story in many ways, but with a modern metal twist.
Great pacing, excellent characters and vivid imagery all flowed together to tell a story I had trouble putting down, wanting to take it all in in one sitting.
I highly recommend checking this out, and I look forward to diving into more from Bower’s work.
I enjoyed reading the “diary” of events as they unfolded, a sort of retelling of the Robert Johnson story in many ways, but with a modern metal twist.
Great pacing, excellent characters and vivid imagery all flowed together to tell a story I had trouble putting down, wanting to take it all in in one sitting.
I highly recommend checking this out, and I look forward to diving into more from Bower’s work.
May 6, 2023
“For those about to rock, we salute you!”
Do you remember the excitement you felt when you went to your first rock concert? The way the soaring guitar and deep bass drum seemed to fill the entirety of your brain until it felt like THAT was the only thing you could think about anymore? That’s the way this book made me feel throughout my entire read of it. Somehow Jay Bower has found a way to create a mashup of two of my loves: horror and Metal music, and the end result is incredible.
This book is about Gaige Penrod, a high school student, and what he’s willing to sacrifice to escape his small hometown and get everything he’s always dreamed of. Bower hits a lot of high notes here with characters that feel true to life and a constantly flowing storyline that doesn’t slow down. The book hits the ground running pretty much immediately, and the author does a really great job at controlling the pace throughout, and even controlling my emotions as well. My hands literally shook with indignation for the main character at certain points.
Cadaverous was my first Jay Bower book and it wouldn’t be an understatement to say that it completely blew me away in every regard. Plus, it’s not often that you get to read a book that comes with its own soundtrack; if you like 80’s and 90’s hard rock and metal you’ll be humming along the entire time. If you’re a fan of horror then you owe it to yourself to make Cadaverous your next read, you won’t regret it.
Do you remember the excitement you felt when you went to your first rock concert? The way the soaring guitar and deep bass drum seemed to fill the entirety of your brain until it felt like THAT was the only thing you could think about anymore? That’s the way this book made me feel throughout my entire read of it. Somehow Jay Bower has found a way to create a mashup of two of my loves: horror and Metal music, and the end result is incredible.
This book is about Gaige Penrod, a high school student, and what he’s willing to sacrifice to escape his small hometown and get everything he’s always dreamed of. Bower hits a lot of high notes here with characters that feel true to life and a constantly flowing storyline that doesn’t slow down. The book hits the ground running pretty much immediately, and the author does a really great job at controlling the pace throughout, and even controlling my emotions as well. My hands literally shook with indignation for the main character at certain points.
Cadaverous was my first Jay Bower book and it wouldn’t be an understatement to say that it completely blew me away in every regard. Plus, it’s not often that you get to read a book that comes with its own soundtrack; if you like 80’s and 90’s hard rock and metal you’ll be humming along the entire time. If you’re a fan of horror then you owe it to yourself to make Cadaverous your next read, you won’t regret it.
June 13, 2024
How far would you go to make your dreams come true? What are you willing to sacrifice to make it happen? In this book, we find out just how far a young man will go to reunite his band and become the most dangerous band on earth. With a little help from his friend, he soon finds himself in worse and worse situations, but growing in game all the while. Is it worth the risks? Read this book for a hard rock horror tale :)
February 29, 2024
I love a good slow-burn horror, and Cadaverous did not disappoint. It hit every note I would want in this kind of a story. The opening chapter reached out and grabbed me (in multiple ways!), letting me know exactly what kind of ride I was strapping in for. From that moment on, I was all in.
The story follows a teenager named Gage, who wants nothing more than to become a rock star. Early on in the book, he’s presented with an opportunity to do just that. But of course, it’s never just that simple. Cadaverous is not a story that attempts to hold your attention with left-field twists or sudden shock. Instead, Bower confidently focuses on the journey, following a small cast of flawed-but-compelling characters as they attempt to seize an opportunity to go from a group of unpopular kids performing in the school talent show, to becoming “the most dangerous band on earth.” I think part of what makes this novel so successful is how well it taps into an incredibly relatable feeling that all of us have had. That desire to not just be successful, but to be the very best. And even beyond that, how to maintain the notion of excellence. Going hand-in-hand with the theme of success, there's a creeping subtext of impostor syndrome that’s impossible to ignore for anyone who has ever tried to go for their dreams.
Framing this kind of story within a rock band was the perfect choice. I mean, who hasn’t wanted to be a rock star at some point in their lives-- even if it’s just when belting out some Foo Fighters on the commute to work? I could feel the push and pull of each of Gage’s decisions as he worked his way through the story.
This was a quick read that kept me engaged every step of the way. And as a bonus, there's a hidden epilogue that was recently released in the Anthology book Dethfest Confessions, which is 1000% worth reading after finishing this book. Cadaverous was the first book by Jay Bower, but I can guarantee it certainly won’t be the last!
The story follows a teenager named Gage, who wants nothing more than to become a rock star. Early on in the book, he’s presented with an opportunity to do just that. But of course, it’s never just that simple. Cadaverous is not a story that attempts to hold your attention with left-field twists or sudden shock. Instead, Bower confidently focuses on the journey, following a small cast of flawed-but-compelling characters as they attempt to seize an opportunity to go from a group of unpopular kids performing in the school talent show, to becoming “the most dangerous band on earth.” I think part of what makes this novel so successful is how well it taps into an incredibly relatable feeling that all of us have had. That desire to not just be successful, but to be the very best. And even beyond that, how to maintain the notion of excellence. Going hand-in-hand with the theme of success, there's a creeping subtext of impostor syndrome that’s impossible to ignore for anyone who has ever tried to go for their dreams.
Framing this kind of story within a rock band was the perfect choice. I mean, who hasn’t wanted to be a rock star at some point in their lives-- even if it’s just when belting out some Foo Fighters on the commute to work? I could feel the push and pull of each of Gage’s decisions as he worked his way through the story.
This was a quick read that kept me engaged every step of the way. And as a bonus, there's a hidden epilogue that was recently released in the Anthology book Dethfest Confessions, which is 1000% worth reading after finishing this book. Cadaverous was the first book by Jay Bower, but I can guarantee it certainly won’t be the last!
February 8, 2024
This book brought back so many memories. I just so happen to live about 15 minutes from the town this book took place in. I vividly remember the solar eclipse and Ozzy Osborne coming into town for the celebration. Cadaverous was amazing. It brought back to life the crazy moments I have personally encountered in this crazy area. The world is ending and everyone is going crazy. Will the 2024 solar eclipse being with it the end of the world?
January 10, 2024
Who doesn’t like a demonic rock story doused with horror? This book was a blast! It had gore, humor, many elements of a great coming of age story, and one of my favorite tropes, the deal with the devil (or demon in this case). I highly recommend checking this one out. Joe Hempel did a great job on narration as well!
October 16, 2025
Loved this book! Had me captivated the moment I started. I love heavy metal and I love all things occult/dark, so this was a perfect read for me.
July 12, 2025
I was back and forth on this one. At times I was interested and others I felt it was repetitive and a bit boring, especially the characters. I didn't find myself caring about any of them. Overall, I didn't dislike this book. It just really wasn't a hit for me.
February 28, 2025
I don’t normally leave negative reviews of indie authors…but this book frustrated me so much I couldn’t let it lie - especially when I see how highly rated it is on here. Either I read a different book, or I am missing something.
My main gripes were as follows…this is surely a YA book, but has not been marketed as one. If it’s *not* YA, it’s one of the worst written things I’ve read in a long time.
For a story about a metal band, I don’t feel like I knew anything interesting about Cadaverous. What guitars did they use? Are they jeans and t-shirts, or leather and metal? What do their original songs actually sound like?
I had plenty of problems with the plot too - a band of teenagers playing covers that goes from a talent show, to a support slot, to being the hottest thing around? Even with the help of a demon, that sounded too far-fetched, particularly when this supposedly dangerous metal band is playing My Hero by the Foo Fighters.
I felt like it really fell apart in the final third. Suddenly loads of sex scenes were crammed in, we get the lyrics of the one Cadaverous original song thrown in at the climax despite them having played that song at a previous show where it surely would have made more sense to include the lyrics there, before an ending that just smacked of there being no more ideas left and it was instead brought to a shuddering halt.
Overall, despite being a fun premise everything about this felt shallow, basic and not very well executed. As a lifelong metalhead this should have been right up my alley, but it was about as enjoyable as the idea of going to watch Disturbed’s new tour (which would be a fucking awful way to spend an evening, for any non metal fans out there).
However, my *biggest* red flag? Misspelling Marshall, of Marshall amps fame. In a book about heavy metal! Sorry, I’m out.
My main gripes were as follows…this is surely a YA book, but has not been marketed as one. If it’s *not* YA, it’s one of the worst written things I’ve read in a long time.
For a story about a metal band, I don’t feel like I knew anything interesting about Cadaverous. What guitars did they use? Are they jeans and t-shirts, or leather and metal? What do their original songs actually sound like?
I had plenty of problems with the plot too - a band of teenagers playing covers that goes from a talent show, to a support slot, to being the hottest thing around? Even with the help of a demon, that sounded too far-fetched, particularly when this supposedly dangerous metal band is playing My Hero by the Foo Fighters.
I felt like it really fell apart in the final third. Suddenly loads of sex scenes were crammed in, we get the lyrics of the one Cadaverous original song thrown in at the climax despite them having played that song at a previous show where it surely would have made more sense to include the lyrics there, before an ending that just smacked of there being no more ideas left and it was instead brought to a shuddering halt.
Overall, despite being a fun premise everything about this felt shallow, basic and not very well executed. As a lifelong metalhead this should have been right up my alley, but it was about as enjoyable as the idea of going to watch Disturbed’s new tour (which would be a fucking awful way to spend an evening, for any non metal fans out there).
However, my *biggest* red flag? Misspelling Marshall, of Marshall amps fame. In a book about heavy metal! Sorry, I’m out.
July 31, 2023
Metal and demons? Hell yeah!
Written as a series of blog posts, Cadaverous takes you on a journey of a young musicians devotion to a demon for fame. It's one hell of a ride!
Written as a series of blog posts, Cadaverous takes you on a journey of a young musicians devotion to a demon for fame. It's one hell of a ride!
December 6, 2024
Cadaverous is full of small town nostalgia, bangin' circle pits, and felt tailor-made for me as I could relate so much to the setting, the characters and the events (no I'm not sacrificing anything...leave my basement door alone). It's louder than hell and absolutely metal!
There are exactly three things young people can do in the Midwest small town: conform to expectations, get in trouble, or join a band! I think Jay really captured this well with Brownsville, and Gaige, Nick, Mitch, and Landon made me think back to all the bands that popped up around here when I was in high school.
I honestly really feel for Gaige. He did a lot of horrible things, but he's just a kid stuck in a small town and desperate to get out by any means necessary to make a name for himself and his band. And by the time he realized how much he'd lost along the way, it was far too late, and he was beholden to a force more sadistic and deadly than he ever could've imagined. I definitely feel the worst for Nick and Landon; those poor guys just wanted to play some cool music with their friends. They weren't involved in any sinister unsanctioned forces, and yet they arguably suffered the most and didn't even know why.
Cadaverous was such a fun read with its ties to the eclipse earlier in the year, too. It really brought the story full circle and gave it more depth as it was a setting I could relate to (even though my eclipse experience didn't end with the complete destruction of all the non-believers...bummer). I can't wait to revisit Brownsville again in the future and see what other horrifying secrets this little Illinois town holds!
Robert Frost says, "Some say the world will end in fire / Some say ice." I say neither....we're ending in heavy metal, baby!
There are exactly three things young people can do in the Midwest small town: conform to expectations, get in trouble, or join a band! I think Jay really captured this well with Brownsville, and Gaige, Nick, Mitch, and Landon made me think back to all the bands that popped up around here when I was in high school.
I honestly really feel for Gaige. He did a lot of horrible things, but he's just a kid stuck in a small town and desperate to get out by any means necessary to make a name for himself and his band. And by the time he realized how much he'd lost along the way, it was far too late, and he was beholden to a force more sadistic and deadly than he ever could've imagined. I definitely feel the worst for Nick and Landon; those poor guys just wanted to play some cool music with their friends. They weren't involved in any sinister unsanctioned forces, and yet they arguably suffered the most and didn't even know why.
Cadaverous was such a fun read with its ties to the eclipse earlier in the year, too. It really brought the story full circle and gave it more depth as it was a setting I could relate to (even though my eclipse experience didn't end with the complete destruction of all the non-believers...bummer). I can't wait to revisit Brownsville again in the future and see what other horrifying secrets this little Illinois town holds!
Robert Frost says, "Some say the world will end in fire / Some say ice." I say neither....we're ending in heavy metal, baby!
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