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Feeders
It’s just an average night at the Ink Tank, the tattoo shop in Austin, Texas, where Brynn works as a tattoo artist. After a long shift, all she wants to do is head home, pop a few pills from the fresh bottle of Roxicodone in her jacket pocket, and slip into a nice buzz. Her plans crumble when she’s abducted by her convict father, Alan, and forced into the road trip from hell: a cross-country trek to the Rocky Mountains and the shelter he built years ago to protect his family from the monsters living in his head, the monsters he says will erupt from the earth at any minute—the Feeders. With each mile he unravels further, thrusting Brynn back into the childhood nightmare she thought she’d escaped forever. Alan is paranoid, and he’s definitely dangerous—but is he crazy? In this novel, we find that truth is not always what it seems, and that some secrets are better left buried.
370 pages, Paperback
Published October 10, 2023
72 people are currently reading
1538 people want to read
About the author
Caleb Stephens
25 books629 followersCaleb Stephens is an award-winning thriller author based in Denver, Colorado. He's the author of the psychological thrillers You'll Never Know, If You Lie, and The Girls in the Cabin, and a two-time Colorado Book Award finalist. When he's not writing, Caleb enjoys spending time with his family and his dog, Bodhi — ideally while drinking a strong cup of coffee.
To learn more about his work and grab a free story, check out his website www.calebstephensauthor.com, and follow him on TikTok and Instagram @calebstephensauthor.
To learn more about his work and grab a free story, check out his website www.calebstephensauthor.com, and follow him on TikTok and Instagram @calebstephensauthor.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
July 12, 2023
Caleb Stephens is definitely an author to watch out for, and after reading his first novel Feeders, I’ll be waiting with bated breath for his next one.
Feeders is a wild ride from start to finish, and I found it hard to put the book down, even into the early hours of the morning, when my eyeballs were drying out and I was seeing everything in triple.
Brynn is walking to her car one night after a long day working at “The Ink Tank” tattoo studio, when she is injected with something, and bundled into a van. She finds that she has been abducted by her estranged father Alan, who has escaped from jail.
Texas is being overrun with black creatures which are coming up from deep in the ground, awakened by too much drilling for oil. They are devouring people, leaving nothing but bones, which Alan has been warning everyone about for many years, after losing his own leg. Though nobody believed him, thinking he was just crazy, but the “Feeders” have had enough of human greed, and are fighting back, causing carnage.
Alan, knowing this day would come, has built a shelter, hidden high in the mountains, equipped with food, medical supplies, ammo, and everything you could possibly need to last a lifetime. Getting Brynn and her younger brother Mac, to safety becomes a fight for survival, against the “Feeders”, but also other humans seeking the safety of a shelter.
I absolutely loved this book, and can’t rave about it enough. I found it to be quite long but by no means, is it boring...AT ALL!! This is exhilarating and tense, and Caleb Stephens has a writing style that just flows, and keeps the reader hastily turning the pages.
Thanks to BookSirens for sending me this free ARC, which I am happy to leave a voluntary review.
This book kicks ass and deserves nothing less than...
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Release Date: October 10th 2023
Feeders is a wild ride from start to finish, and I found it hard to put the book down, even into the early hours of the morning, when my eyeballs were drying out and I was seeing everything in triple.
Brynn is walking to her car one night after a long day working at “The Ink Tank” tattoo studio, when she is injected with something, and bundled into a van. She finds that she has been abducted by her estranged father Alan, who has escaped from jail.
Texas is being overrun with black creatures which are coming up from deep in the ground, awakened by too much drilling for oil. They are devouring people, leaving nothing but bones, which Alan has been warning everyone about for many years, after losing his own leg. Though nobody believed him, thinking he was just crazy, but the “Feeders” have had enough of human greed, and are fighting back, causing carnage.
Alan, knowing this day would come, has built a shelter, hidden high in the mountains, equipped with food, medical supplies, ammo, and everything you could possibly need to last a lifetime. Getting Brynn and her younger brother Mac, to safety becomes a fight for survival, against the “Feeders”, but also other humans seeking the safety of a shelter.
I absolutely loved this book, and can’t rave about it enough. I found it to be quite long but by no means, is it boring...AT ALL!! This is exhilarating and tense, and Caleb Stephens has a writing style that just flows, and keeps the reader hastily turning the pages.
Thanks to BookSirens for sending me this free ARC, which I am happy to leave a voluntary review.
This book kicks ass and deserves nothing less than...
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Release Date: October 10th 2023
July 2, 2023
Forgot to write that I got this as an arc on BookSirens for a review.
3.7 stars but rounded up to four stars. It was an entertaining creature horror that had a cool concept and I liked that it had bits about addiction in it as well. The characters where interesting to read about especially the family dynamic.
3.7 stars but rounded up to four stars. It was an entertaining creature horror that had a cool concept and I liked that it had bits about addiction in it as well. The characters where interesting to read about especially the family dynamic.
June 29, 2023
In Austin, Texas, Brynn, a tattoo artist, has a typical night at the Ink Tank. However, her plans to relax are shattered when her convict father, Alan, abducts her. He takes her on a road trip to his self-built shelter in the Rocky Mountains, claiming it's to protect their family from monstrous Feeders. As they travel, Brynn is reminded of her childhood nightmares. Is Alan crazy or just paranoid? This novel uncovers hidden truths and the dangers of buried secrets.
Despite its solid writing and well-crafted characters, this book left me feeling somewhat detached. I awarded it three stars as the author's skill in storytelling shines through, but unfortunately, the story failed to resonate with me on a personal level. While the characterization was excellent, I struggled to form a deep connection to the narrative as I had hoped. Although it didn't leave a lasting impression, I acknowledge the author's talent in creating a captivating tale. While it may not have been a standout for me, others may find themselves more engrossed in its pages.
Thank you to BookSirens for providing me with an arc.
Despite its solid writing and well-crafted characters, this book left me feeling somewhat detached. I awarded it three stars as the author's skill in storytelling shines through, but unfortunately, the story failed to resonate with me on a personal level. While the characterization was excellent, I struggled to form a deep connection to the narrative as I had hoped. Although it didn't leave a lasting impression, I acknowledge the author's talent in creating a captivating tale. While it may not have been a standout for me, others may find themselves more engrossed in its pages.
Thank you to BookSirens for providing me with an arc.
October 11, 2023
POTENTIAL TRIGGERS: drug abuse, attempted rape and children in peril.
"These things, the feeders, they aren’t here for them— for the animals. They’re here for us."
This book was absolutely phenomenal and completely blew me away! As a child of the 90s, the minute I read the synopsis and saw the cover art, my mind went straight to the old scifi channel classic, "Tremors." I could not even begin to tell you how many times I watched those flicks growing up. In fact, two of the books MCs reminded me a lot of Earl (Alan and Tasker, with main emphasis on Alan). This trip down memory lane and ode to my childhood definitely deepened my appreciation and love for this title.
Stephen's did a great job with his world building and establishing its characters and their relationships. In fact, the strenuous relationships among the characters brought depth to the story. I felt for these characters. I hated them, loved them, laughed with them, cried, and mourned for them. This tale took me on an emotional Rollercoaster, in the beginning I just knew that Alan was an absolute POS but by the end all I could see was a man who was misunderstood and truly only ever had his families best interest in his heart.
I dont feel that this book is just one genre, I don't see it fitting neatly into one box. While it's definitely a creature feature, in a lot of ways, those "feeders" take the backseat. The story instead shows the darkness in humanity and takes on some very difficult topics like addiction, mental illness, and the impact we "have" on the earth. I would characterize "Feeders" as a blending of post-apocalyptic horror and drama that happens to have creatures.
I could go on and on about this book, but I think it's best experienced organically, so Im going to cut my review a bit short. While this book didn't end with a traditional cliffhanger, the ending was left open in a way that made me think and HOPE that Stephens will expand this story further!
I, without question, recommend this title to not only those who love horror but also readers who enjoy family drama and science fiction. I think there is a wide audience who will enjoy this title just as much as I did! Please consider checking it out!
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
"These things, the feeders, they aren’t here for them— for the animals. They’re here for us."
This book was absolutely phenomenal and completely blew me away! As a child of the 90s, the minute I read the synopsis and saw the cover art, my mind went straight to the old scifi channel classic, "Tremors." I could not even begin to tell you how many times I watched those flicks growing up. In fact, two of the books MCs reminded me a lot of Earl (Alan and Tasker, with main emphasis on Alan). This trip down memory lane and ode to my childhood definitely deepened my appreciation and love for this title.
Stephen's did a great job with his world building and establishing its characters and their relationships. In fact, the strenuous relationships among the characters brought depth to the story. I felt for these characters. I hated them, loved them, laughed with them, cried, and mourned for them. This tale took me on an emotional Rollercoaster, in the beginning I just knew that Alan was an absolute POS but by the end all I could see was a man who was misunderstood and truly only ever had his families best interest in his heart.
I dont feel that this book is just one genre, I don't see it fitting neatly into one box. While it's definitely a creature feature, in a lot of ways, those "feeders" take the backseat. The story instead shows the darkness in humanity and takes on some very difficult topics like addiction, mental illness, and the impact we "have" on the earth. I would characterize "Feeders" as a blending of post-apocalyptic horror and drama that happens to have creatures.
I could go on and on about this book, but I think it's best experienced organically, so Im going to cut my review a bit short. While this book didn't end with a traditional cliffhanger, the ending was left open in a way that made me think and HOPE that Stephens will expand this story further!
I, without question, recommend this title to not only those who love horror but also readers who enjoy family drama and science fiction. I think there is a wide audience who will enjoy this title just as much as I did! Please consider checking it out!
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 2, 2023
This is my kind of horror book. It's part apocalypse, part terrifying road trip, and part creature feature!
Everyone thinks Alan is crazy when he's talking about the feeders coming soon from underground. He's even built a shelter to protect him and his family. But when he goes to prison, his daughter tries her best to forget about her crazy father. Until one day when she's kidnapped and realizes that her father was right. Now the feeders are here and nobody on earth is safe!
This novel is filled with these creatures resembling something between the creatures in The Langoliers and Tremors. It's action packed, has a few twists that will change your perception of certain characters, and horrifying scenes that leaves your mouth hanging open as you forget to breathe.
The core group of characters are well rounded and varied and you'll be rooting for them to survive as they attempt to reach a shelter that may or may not be real as they also deal with thousands of the feeders who come out every night to eat.
This book is an absolute blast to read and I highly recommend it.
This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion. I received the book for free.
Everyone thinks Alan is crazy when he's talking about the feeders coming soon from underground. He's even built a shelter to protect him and his family. But when he goes to prison, his daughter tries her best to forget about her crazy father. Until one day when she's kidnapped and realizes that her father was right. Now the feeders are here and nobody on earth is safe!
This novel is filled with these creatures resembling something between the creatures in The Langoliers and Tremors. It's action packed, has a few twists that will change your perception of certain characters, and horrifying scenes that leaves your mouth hanging open as you forget to breathe.
The core group of characters are well rounded and varied and you'll be rooting for them to survive as they attempt to reach a shelter that may or may not be real as they also deal with thousands of the feeders who come out every night to eat.
This book is an absolute blast to read and I highly recommend it.
This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion. I received the book for free.
July 15, 2023
Feeders is a road trip with a small group of people that you wouldn't think you'd like to be stuck with. There are strange and deadly bug like creatures bringing death and destruction in their wake. One man has what he hopes will be a safe refuge from these monsters if only he can get everyone there alive, even if it's against their will.
It's a strange experience to be made to like an unlikable cast of characters but somehow the author has pulled off this feat.
Brynn is a drug-addicted tattoo artist suffering from withdrawal.
Her father Alan is a murderer who has abducted her. Brynn's aunt has been cold and distant and resentful of taking care of Brynn and her brother Mac after their mother's death.
Somehow I ended up caring about all of them.
Feeders is an action-packed, creature-feature, survival horror. But before I knew it, it also turned into a story with heart and soul. It's also a cautionary tale that serves to remind us all that there is only so much we can take from the earth before we are made to regret it.
4 out of 5 stars
My thanks to Timber Ghost Press.
It's a strange experience to be made to like an unlikable cast of characters but somehow the author has pulled off this feat.
Brynn is a drug-addicted tattoo artist suffering from withdrawal.
Her father Alan is a murderer who has abducted her. Brynn's aunt has been cold and distant and resentful of taking care of Brynn and her brother Mac after their mother's death.
Somehow I ended up caring about all of them.
Feeders is an action-packed, creature-feature, survival horror. But before I knew it, it also turned into a story with heart and soul. It's also a cautionary tale that serves to remind us all that there is only so much we can take from the earth before we are made to regret it.
4 out of 5 stars
My thanks to Timber Ghost Press.
July 29, 2023
‘Feeders,’ Caleb Stephens’s debut horror book (emphasis on horror, since he’s shown himself to be an excellent crime novelist as well), starts as a slow burn and suddenly, out of the blue, once the first third is reached, it explodes into giant cockroach Armageddon! Well, ok, the book is not really about roaches (look at that gorgeous cover to get an idea what it is about), but it might as well be: those things do look like giant roaches but they also have drills, they move through rock like fish in the water and there’s a very good reason they’re called “feeders” (but I’ll leave your imagination go wild on that). I absolutely adored how this book was written, full of realistic dialogue, precise wording, managing to say the most with the fewest words, with a very good handle on conveying feelings and describing family relationships without going overboard. Stephens’ storytelling abilities shine throughout and at no point did I feel bored or fed up with the story. On the contrary, I wish the book was a tiny bit longer, so that all those hints dropped for a sequel had already been answered in this volume.
The story is essentially a family drama in an apocalyptic setting, oscillating from issues of addiction, abandonment, mental illness, to matters on an epic scale, global destruction, collapsing highways, and cities burning. The central figure is a tattoo artist in her twenties, Brynn, who’s addicted to pills. The whole narrative is told from her viewpoint. She’s carrying a lot of guilt from her destroyed childhood; a childhood destroyed by her father, widely considered a madman, since he couldn’t stop warning everyone about the threat of the “feeders.” Well, turns out he was right, and he still wants to save his family, whether they want his help or not.
This is the basic premise of the book, and the way Stephens builds on it got me involved and had me invested in the story already by the first fifty pages. Although there’s some ecological message in the manner the feeders’ attacks are explained, I wouldn’t consider the book eco-horror or anything of the kind – apparently, there’s something science-fictional in all this, as well, so the mystery has only deepened by the ending of the book. And what an ending! Not a cliffhanger, by any means, but it certainly sets up another story to follow, a very strong one, since we already care about the characters.
I highly recommend this book if you’re searching for an engrossing read, fast-paced, thoughtful, with good twists and unusual imagery, plus a nice ending.
4.5 stars rounded to 5.
Releases on October 10th.
The story is essentially a family drama in an apocalyptic setting, oscillating from issues of addiction, abandonment, mental illness, to matters on an epic scale, global destruction, collapsing highways, and cities burning. The central figure is a tattoo artist in her twenties, Brynn, who’s addicted to pills. The whole narrative is told from her viewpoint. She’s carrying a lot of guilt from her destroyed childhood; a childhood destroyed by her father, widely considered a madman, since he couldn’t stop warning everyone about the threat of the “feeders.” Well, turns out he was right, and he still wants to save his family, whether they want his help or not.
This is the basic premise of the book, and the way Stephens builds on it got me involved and had me invested in the story already by the first fifty pages. Although there’s some ecological message in the manner the feeders’ attacks are explained, I wouldn’t consider the book eco-horror or anything of the kind – apparently, there’s something science-fictional in all this, as well, so the mystery has only deepened by the ending of the book. And what an ending! Not a cliffhanger, by any means, but it certainly sets up another story to follow, a very strong one, since we already care about the characters.
I highly recommend this book if you’re searching for an engrossing read, fast-paced, thoughtful, with good twists and unusual imagery, plus a nice ending.
4.5 stars rounded to 5.
Releases on October 10th.
June 4, 2023
This book was amazing. I received this book as an ARC. The characters are very loveable and the story is fantastic. You can’t help but feel for each character in their own way, despite initial impressions. I devoured this book and will definitely read it again.
September 14, 2023
“The blood suddenly feels cool on my hand. Cold. Let it run, I think. I’ve got no place to be. Nowhere to go. Let it run.”
This book was quite thrilling, and at first, the reader isn’t sure what to believe…
Is escaped convict Alan right about “feeders” emerging from the earth? Is he just plain crazy? Either way, he has kidnapped his adult, drug addicted daughter Brynn and they are in for a crazy road trip.
Grabbing Brynn was just the start, so are his mad escapades going to save or destroy his family? Read this story to find out!!
I really enjoyed the plot and the characters (for the most part, although Brynn started to get on my nerves at some points). The journey they make to shelter has your heart racing and your heart breaking at times.
Thank you to BookSirens & the author for a copy to review!
This book was quite thrilling, and at first, the reader isn’t sure what to believe…
Is escaped convict Alan right about “feeders” emerging from the earth? Is he just plain crazy? Either way, he has kidnapped his adult, drug addicted daughter Brynn and they are in for a crazy road trip.
Grabbing Brynn was just the start, so are his mad escapades going to save or destroy his family? Read this story to find out!!
I really enjoyed the plot and the characters (for the most part, although Brynn started to get on my nerves at some points). The journey they make to shelter has your heart racing and your heart breaking at times.
Thank you to BookSirens & the author for a copy to review!
May 12, 2023
What an incredible, wild ride this story was!! I absolutely love tales of ancient eldritch horrors, Native American lore, and creature features, and Feeders had it all! For anyone who was a fan of the 90s horror films Tremors, this gave great nostalgic vibes!!
Brynn is our main character, and she shows such tremendous growth during this story. The entire cast of characters was such a dynamic group, with some you like but later hate and vice versa. Except for Benny and Randall, those idjits are just worthy of all the hate!!
Feeders will bring out all the emotions, freak you out, give you the gore that we love in horror, but also leave you thinking “what if?”. Such a fantastic story!!
Brynn is our main character, and she shows such tremendous growth during this story. The entire cast of characters was such a dynamic group, with some you like but later hate and vice versa. Except for Benny and Randall, those idjits are just worthy of all the hate!!
Feeders will bring out all the emotions, freak you out, give you the gore that we love in horror, but also leave you thinking “what if?”. Such a fantastic story!!
October 30, 2023
An edge-of-your-seat apocalyptic horror, where roach-like creatures with drills are trying to kill the human race. It reminded me a bit of The Walking Dead, but replace zombies with the “feeders”. A story of survival, growth, and strength.
I absolutely love Caleb Stephens’ writing and will read anything he writes. He has this way of making you feel like you’re living within the pages of the book and his words become so vivid in my mind. I also love his ability to give his characters so much depth and development. It’s not just your typical surface level story and I feel so connected to the characters.
Also… I cried… TWICE. I rarely cry in books… and I shed tears TWO TIMES…. in a HORROR. I was not expecting that lol. This book was so enjoyable and the perfect winter read for horror lovers.
I absolutely love Caleb Stephens’ writing and will read anything he writes. He has this way of making you feel like you’re living within the pages of the book and his words become so vivid in my mind. I also love his ability to give his characters so much depth and development. It’s not just your typical surface level story and I feel so connected to the characters.
Also… I cried… TWICE. I rarely cry in books… and I shed tears TWO TIMES…. in a HORROR. I was not expecting that lol. This book was so enjoyable and the perfect winter read for horror lovers.
October 11, 2023
“There’s no time to make it up the river to the shelter before the feeders emerge, no time for the happy ending I knew was never really ours to begin with.”
Reading FEEDERS was like getting two books in one. On the top and in your face is the balls to the wall creature feature; a nonstop action thriller of kidnapping turned run-for-your-life blood fest. While underneath all the epinephrine stimulation, is the human side of the story. A gluttony of mental health and family issues that take these characters to new levels. Addiction, obsessive behavior, depression, and just being all around down on your luck, are only a few of the relatable issues faced by Brynn, Mac, and Alan. These characters start so low, and their cynical, snarky attitudes really made me want to stand up and cheer them on.
“Don’t you know I hate myself for that? Every morning since that day I’ve considered ending things. So don’t you for a second think you hate me worse than I hate myself. Because you don’t.”
Reading FEEDERS was like getting two books in one. On the top and in your face is the balls to the wall creature feature; a nonstop action thriller of kidnapping turned run-for-your-life blood fest. While underneath all the epinephrine stimulation, is the human side of the story. A gluttony of mental health and family issues that take these characters to new levels. Addiction, obsessive behavior, depression, and just being all around down on your luck, are only a few of the relatable issues faced by Brynn, Mac, and Alan. These characters start so low, and their cynical, snarky attitudes really made me want to stand up and cheer them on.
“Don’t you know I hate myself for that? Every morning since that day I’ve considered ending things. So don’t you for a second think you hate me worse than I hate myself. Because you don’t.”
October 10, 2023
"I let people think what they want. It's good camouflage. Piss me off enough, and I'll rip your heart out through your throat."
This was definitely worth the hype. It was fast-paced, and I had to slow myself down as I didn't want it to end too quickly. It's part horror, part apocalyptic world, part creature feature; basically, it's Tremors on steroids. I thoroughly enjoyed this one and I'm going to send a little prayer to the horror gods, that we get a second installment of this, because I kinda need to know if Brynn makes it.
Another awesome book from @calebstephensauthor, highly recommend.
This was definitely worth the hype. It was fast-paced, and I had to slow myself down as I didn't want it to end too quickly. It's part horror, part apocalyptic world, part creature feature; basically, it's Tremors on steroids. I thoroughly enjoyed this one and I'm going to send a little prayer to the horror gods, that we get a second installment of this, because I kinda need to know if Brynn makes it.
Another awesome book from @calebstephensauthor, highly recommend.
October 21, 2023
Do you like the film Tremors? Read this!Okay so this has me VERY excited to see what Caleb writes next, this was a gritty wild apocalyptic monstrous ride, I really enjoy horror that on the surface is this crazy creature feature survival horror but underneath is a tender lament on mental health, and what it means to be human, exploration of addiction, grief and depression gives this book a lot of depth and relatability, I thought the characters were authentic and Brynn especially shows a lot of growth as the story progresses, highly recommend this!
June 13, 2023
Brynn and her brother are orphans after their mother's death. Brynn is now an adult. She has an addiction. She believes that their father is crazy. He was always talking about something coming. Bryan has strange feelings and believes she is ill. But something is coming. They are very hungry and hard to kill. Unique story with strong characters. Full of action. I received a complimentary copy and left a voluntary review.
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October 19, 2023Really fun, propulsive pulp-style novel. Reminded me keenly of old-school Dean Koontz, but with grittier narrative elements: there's a broken family on the run with regret and loss in their past, and they are up against a tide of unstoppable creatures bent on wreaking havoc on the world. Stephens doesn't lean too heavily into the anarchic behavior of humanity post-societal collapse, which is good (in my opinion) and instead focuses on a tight first-person perspective to lead the reader through this crackling morass of threat and doom.
The chapters are short, in most cases, and have titles, which is an interesting choice: most thrillers of this nature—in my experience—don't choose to do this, and this more than anything that lent the book an almost YA-like structure to me. Of course, the actual content and characterization would never fit into this category. The protagonist suffers from an addiction to pharmaceutical-grade narcotics, and spends the majority of the book in various stages of an agonized, painful detox—the symptoms and effects of which are sometimes laid out in bulleted lists at the top of certain chapters. This element felt slightly inconsistent to me during my read of this novel, as she is called upon to exert herself in heroic ways even though the descriptions of her physical wretchedness are manifold. Still, a little suspension of disbelief here makes the read much more enjoyable, and I was happy to allow for that.
Some characters introduced as dramatic foils for the protagonist (and her posse) are hideous and cunning, and create a memorable set-piece near to the story's climax. The descriptions and actions of these characters—right down to the color of a certain tooth—are odious in the extreme, and leave you firmly on the side of the protagonist, rooting for her survival against what seems like impossible odds. Some readers might find these characters a bit two-dimensional, but what dimensions there were I found utterly despicable, and they served their role ably in the progression of the narrative.
Relentlessly stimulating—and sometimes repulsive—in its sensory descriptions, Feeders is a novel that hits every beat satisfactorily and provides enough tension to maintain reader interest all the way to the end. All the elements are there for this novel to be transformed into a movie—it is hard not to imagine the scenes playing out like a blockbuster as written—though it is just as enjoyable in the theater of the mind's eye as it would be in the neighborhood cinema.
The chapters are short, in most cases, and have titles, which is an interesting choice: most thrillers of this nature—in my experience—don't choose to do this, and this more than anything that lent the book an almost YA-like structure to me. Of course, the actual content and characterization would never fit into this category. The protagonist suffers from an addiction to pharmaceutical-grade narcotics, and spends the majority of the book in various stages of an agonized, painful detox—the symptoms and effects of which are sometimes laid out in bulleted lists at the top of certain chapters. This element felt slightly inconsistent to me during my read of this novel, as she is called upon to exert herself in heroic ways even though the descriptions of her physical wretchedness are manifold. Still, a little suspension of disbelief here makes the read much more enjoyable, and I was happy to allow for that.
Some characters introduced as dramatic foils for the protagonist (and her posse) are hideous and cunning, and create a memorable set-piece near to the story's climax. The descriptions and actions of these characters—right down to the color of a certain tooth—are odious in the extreme, and leave you firmly on the side of the protagonist, rooting for her survival against what seems like impossible odds. Some readers might find these characters a bit two-dimensional, but what dimensions there were I found utterly despicable, and they served their role ably in the progression of the narrative.
Relentlessly stimulating—and sometimes repulsive—in its sensory descriptions, Feeders is a novel that hits every beat satisfactorily and provides enough tension to maintain reader interest all the way to the end. All the elements are there for this novel to be transformed into a movie—it is hard not to imagine the scenes playing out like a blockbuster as written—though it is just as enjoyable in the theater of the mind's eye as it would be in the neighborhood cinema.
October 11, 2023
I never expected to cry when reading an apocalypse novel, but damn it if Feeders didn't tear into me more than I was expecting. Alan crawled inside my heart and didn't let me go. I was all set to hate him, but I just can't and I really commend Caleb for that. He made my entire view of this character shift, and he did it so masterfully that I didn't even notice until it was too late.
Apocalypse books aren't my favourite. I think they tend to be drawn out and unnecessarily repetitive, just recycling the same type of scenario over and over and over again. Feeders surprised me in that it kept me on my toes the whole novel. There wasn't a single moment where I wasn't invested in the characters and what was happening. Did I think a few parts dragged a bit on the way to the shelter, sure, but it wasn't enough to drag me away from the book. I couldn't tear my eyes away from the pages, and devoured this book to see what would happen and who would make it.
Feeders was a devastating read that shows what happens when man messes with things they don't understand. Man took and took and took, and it was time the Feeders took back. There was so much senseless loss and it was so sad to read and know deep down that some of them wouldn't make it. Caleb really took me through the ringer, and I feel like I just ran a marathon.
I already hated bugs in the first place, and now I have another reason to absolutely despise them. Thanks for that, Caleb......really.
Apocalypse books aren't my favourite. I think they tend to be drawn out and unnecessarily repetitive, just recycling the same type of scenario over and over and over again. Feeders surprised me in that it kept me on my toes the whole novel. There wasn't a single moment where I wasn't invested in the characters and what was happening. Did I think a few parts dragged a bit on the way to the shelter, sure, but it wasn't enough to drag me away from the book. I couldn't tear my eyes away from the pages, and devoured this book to see what would happen and who would make it.
Feeders was a devastating read that shows what happens when man messes with things they don't understand. Man took and took and took, and it was time the Feeders took back. There was so much senseless loss and it was so sad to read and know deep down that some of them wouldn't make it. Caleb really took me through the ringer, and I feel like I just ran a marathon.
I already hated bugs in the first place, and now I have another reason to absolutely despise them. Thanks for that, Caleb......really.
October 6, 2023
I've just finished this book and I feel an emotional and physical wreck!! It was not what I expected at all, but it delivered so much more!
Such an action packed read that doesn't give you a moment of peace and when it does it's so deceitful, because when you least expect it, another punch gets to you some pages down the line! But that's not all, this book has everything, fast scenes, emotions, panic, sadness, the whole package. The pages really flew by, and it felt like watching a film, the writing was so good, the images just appearing in front of me as I was reading.
The main characters are complex and just like real people, hateful and likeable depending on the situation. This together with the fact they're not perfect (like any of us) made them all the more believable!
This was such a good read! Postapocalyptic horror, creature feature, partly thriller, but also with a heart. It reminded me a bit of Tremors but also The Last of Us in some way. In other words, read it as I'm sure you'll love it!
Thank you to the author for a copy and this is my honest review.
Such an action packed read that doesn't give you a moment of peace and when it does it's so deceitful, because when you least expect it, another punch gets to you some pages down the line! But that's not all, this book has everything, fast scenes, emotions, panic, sadness, the whole package. The pages really flew by, and it felt like watching a film, the writing was so good, the images just appearing in front of me as I was reading.
The main characters are complex and just like real people, hateful and likeable depending on the situation. This together with the fact they're not perfect (like any of us) made them all the more believable!
This was such a good read! Postapocalyptic horror, creature feature, partly thriller, but also with a heart. It reminded me a bit of Tremors but also The Last of Us in some way. In other words, read it as I'm sure you'll love it!
Thank you to the author for a copy and this is my honest review.
November 12, 2023
This being my first book by Caleb Stephens, I wasn't sure what to expect. The blurb sounded good to me, but I had no idea it would be such a fast-moving rollercoaster of a ride!
This was an action-packed, suspense filled apocalyptic novel. It also dealt with emotional issues like opiate dependency and withdrawal, suicidal tendencies, strained familial relationships, spousal abuse, and anger issues, among other things. As I said, it was quite a ride!
I really enjoyed this, even though it kind of left me needing to take a deep breath after so much suspense! I will definitely read more from this author in the future!
I gave this book 4.5 stars (that I rounded up to 5⭐️.
This was an action-packed, suspense filled apocalyptic novel. It also dealt with emotional issues like opiate dependency and withdrawal, suicidal tendencies, strained familial relationships, spousal abuse, and anger issues, among other things. As I said, it was quite a ride!
I really enjoyed this, even though it kind of left me needing to take a deep breath after so much suspense! I will definitely read more from this author in the future!
I gave this book 4.5 stars (that I rounded up to 5⭐️.
September 30, 2023
Feeders started off with a BANG! I couldn’t put it down the first 50%. The last half lost steam for me though and I honestly can’t pinpoint why. It’s non-stop action front to back but I think I just lacked a connection to the characters.
The concept here is really great and there’s a lot of awesome aspects in this book. Some of the side characters were really strong for instance and the pacing was great. I think if you’re looking for an apocalyptic horror, you’ll enjoy this read. Definitely the most imaginative apocalyptic story I’ve read thus far!
The concept here is really great and there’s a lot of awesome aspects in this book. Some of the side characters were really strong for instance and the pacing was great. I think if you’re looking for an apocalyptic horror, you’ll enjoy this read. Definitely the most imaginative apocalyptic story I’ve read thus far!
February 29, 2024
4.5 stars rounded up! This book was great. Caleb Stephens is a fabulous author!
I’m a serious Walking Dead fan!! Like over the top and this book reminded me so much of the first few seasons. Only not with walkers but with bugs. I don’t know which is worse but this book had me captivated from the beginning.
The ending wasn’t my favorite but I’ll get over it. If you haven’t read his books…you need to. My skin is still creepy crawling. Yuk!
I’m a serious Walking Dead fan!! Like over the top and this book reminded me so much of the first few seasons. Only not with walkers but with bugs. I don’t know which is worse but this book had me captivated from the beginning.
The ending wasn’t my favorite but I’ll get over it. If you haven’t read his books…you need to. My skin is still creepy crawling. Yuk!
April 8, 2024
4.5⭐️ awesome world ending apocalyptic book! Very neat story and concept that keeps you engaged and on the edge of your seat the entire time! Highly recommended for a dark thriller/horror lover 👍🖤
October 28, 2023
Loved it start to finish. Reminded me of the movie franchise “Tremors”. Can’t wait to see this author put out more stuff.
March 20, 2024
A character-driven, apocalyptic creature feature that was thoroughly enjoyable. 4.5 / 5
This was not only my first work by Caleb Stephens, but it was also my first ever Audible book and I plan to continue with both of them in the future. The story follows Brynn, a flawed yet lovable character who not only has to deal with the "Feeders" forcing themselves into the world but also her own personal demons as she makes her way to her father's shelter and safety. The characters throughout were great and I was always interested to find out more and see what was happening next. Whilst the focus was on Brynn and the characters, there was always enough action to satisfy and keep me hooked.
The Audible quality was good, whilst it was my first so I can't compare to others, I enjoyed listening to it and it's made me consider more Audible stories in the future.
Overall a fantastic story which I can happily recommend to those seeking a character-driven story with action and thrills.
A free copy was given in exchange for an honest review, at no point did Caleb threaten to leave me for the Feeders.
This was not only my first work by Caleb Stephens, but it was also my first ever Audible book and I plan to continue with both of them in the future. The story follows Brynn, a flawed yet lovable character who not only has to deal with the "Feeders" forcing themselves into the world but also her own personal demons as she makes her way to her father's shelter and safety. The characters throughout were great and I was always interested to find out more and see what was happening next. Whilst the focus was on Brynn and the characters, there was always enough action to satisfy and keep me hooked.
The Audible quality was good, whilst it was my first so I can't compare to others, I enjoyed listening to it and it's made me consider more Audible stories in the future.
Overall a fantastic story which I can happily recommend to those seeking a character-driven story with action and thrills.
A free copy was given in exchange for an honest review, at no point did Caleb threaten to leave me for the Feeders.
December 26, 2024
"There's too much...feeling with no way to drown it out.
No pills. No booze. No escape. Only the wind and the snow and Alan."
Listen, I came across a video on TT and this beautiful soul was raving about this book.
I never ran so fast and have zero regrets. This book was phenomenal.
Brynn is this amazing tattoo artist who also has some daddy issues and addiction problems. One night she gets off work and heads home but gets abducted by her dad instead. He is trying to save her from "the feeders". This brings Brynn back to her childhood nightmare. Is he delusional? Has he been right all along?
This was a wild story that was gross and beautifully done. We have lovable but flawed characters, great pacing, scary as shit, and emotional. I got in my feels a few time.
Also the narrator did such an amazing job of you prefer audio books.
Highly recommend for anyone looking for a creepy time.
This deserves so much more recognition. Such an underrated new favorite of mine.
Off to go down the Caleb Stephens rabbit hole.
No pills. No booze. No escape. Only the wind and the snow and Alan."
Listen, I came across a video on TT and this beautiful soul was raving about this book.
I never ran so fast and have zero regrets. This book was phenomenal.
Brynn is this amazing tattoo artist who also has some daddy issues and addiction problems. One night she gets off work and heads home but gets abducted by her dad instead. He is trying to save her from "the feeders". This brings Brynn back to her childhood nightmare. Is he delusional? Has he been right all along?
This was a wild story that was gross and beautifully done. We have lovable but flawed characters, great pacing, scary as shit, and emotional. I got in my feels a few time.
Also the narrator did such an amazing job of you prefer audio books.
Highly recommend for anyone looking for a creepy time.
This deserves so much more recognition. Such an underrated new favorite of mine.
Off to go down the Caleb Stephens rabbit hole.
August 18, 2023
Caleb Stephens debut novel is rock solid, with a great storyline , great characters, and descriptions that will be etched in your brain. Highly recommend this!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 13, 2023
Brynn suffered tragedy & trauma as a child with her mother suddenly dying, father in prison, and she hasn't spoken to her little brother in years because it's too painful to bring up the past. Brynn lives a miserable existence with PTSD a daily intrusion & constant reminder. The only thing that allows her to block out her depression is to get high, but she somehow manages to hold down a job as a tattoo artist & semi-functional drug addict.
On her way to get high after work, she is suddenly abducted by her crazy father and forced into a car. Her father says the monsters are coming and they don't have much time to get to the safehouse. He's desperate, ruthless and Brynn quickly learns bodies hit the floor if she tries to escape. Dealing with the distress of withdrawal symptoms as a drug addict is one thing. Dealing with it while being abducted and trying to outwit your crazy father to escape, is another. When their world turns upside down into pure chaos, Brynn is left wondering if her father was right all along.
Feeders is not your usual run of the mill creature feature horror. There is psychological depth to the complicated relationships of all the main characters in the story. You feel the father & daughter's struggles to understand each other, their wins and heartfelt regrets. The author has a way of humanising the shady characters you wouldn't presume to like, making you want to root for them to survive despite their questionable life choices. It's also a great survival story with lots of action, unscrupulous villains and betrayal. I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
On her way to get high after work, she is suddenly abducted by her crazy father and forced into a car. Her father says the monsters are coming and they don't have much time to get to the safehouse. He's desperate, ruthless and Brynn quickly learns bodies hit the floor if she tries to escape. Dealing with the distress of withdrawal symptoms as a drug addict is one thing. Dealing with it while being abducted and trying to outwit your crazy father to escape, is another. When their world turns upside down into pure chaos, Brynn is left wondering if her father was right all along.
Feeders is not your usual run of the mill creature feature horror. There is psychological depth to the complicated relationships of all the main characters in the story. You feel the father & daughter's struggles to understand each other, their wins and heartfelt regrets. The author has a way of humanising the shady characters you wouldn't presume to like, making you want to root for them to survive despite their questionable life choices. It's also a great survival story with lots of action, unscrupulous villains and betrayal. I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 20, 2024
He has done it again! This is now my second book by Caleb Stephens and the second time I bawled like a baby! When you think mystery-horror-thriller novels, they are usually more plot driven and while WHEW what a plot feeders had, a post apocalyptic think (the last of us) vibes, he’s able to create characters that you fall in love with, you can relate too and become emotionally attached too. The thing I love most about his writing is the overall plot never misses, the twists are unexpected and the character development is unmatched in this genre. He’s an indie author to really look out for!! This book is a 6 out of 5 star read for me—- my favorite book this year (and I’ve already read 10 books) and now being added to the list of one of my favorite authors.
November 21, 2024
Feeders by Caleb Stephens
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Wow! This is a fantastic creature- horror book! It’s super intense and has lots of scares and twists! The main character Brynn, is kidnapped by her father who escaped from jail. Once this happens, the story takes off in crazy and exciting directions! It’s a wild story!
The story does touch on drug addiction, as well as mental health issues.
I love the authors writing style, it flows so well and he tells a descriptive and thorough story! The book is fast paced and holds the excitement all the way through.
Thank you to Caleb Stephens for an audio copy of this superb book!! The narrator did an excellent job!!
I can’t wait to read more from Caleb Stephens
*This book is highly recommended!! *
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Wow! This is a fantastic creature- horror book! It’s super intense and has lots of scares and twists! The main character Brynn, is kidnapped by her father who escaped from jail. Once this happens, the story takes off in crazy and exciting directions! It’s a wild story!
The story does touch on drug addiction, as well as mental health issues.
I love the authors writing style, it flows so well and he tells a descriptive and thorough story! The book is fast paced and holds the excitement all the way through.
Thank you to Caleb Stephens for an audio copy of this superb book!! The narrator did an excellent job!!
I can’t wait to read more from Caleb Stephens
*This book is highly recommended!! *
April 2, 2024
I never write good reviews but I tried really really really hard for this book because it deserves it! Me telling you it is incredible and a must read is just not enough!!!! Fast paced and non stop action from the first chapter. Incredibly well thought out, well planned, unique characters. Some you hated, some you love and feel like you are right there in the book with them, rooting for them. Apocalypse meets creature feature. ALL. THE. FEELS. I felt all the emotions reading this book from rage to a literal mist in my eyes 😅 I really really really hope Caleb continues with this & writes a sequel! I would devour it faster than the Feeders!!!!!
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