Failure

by John Everson

Raymond is such a failure, he can't even kill himself and get it right. Cindy just plain doesn't care; she'll get on her knees for anyone beneath the football field bleachers to score a nickel bag hit. And Sal is a frustrated goon with a hook nose and an attitude so sour he can't nail a girl even with the lure of free dope and a getaway car. When these three desperate teens meet Aaron, a failed practitioner of the dark arts who offers them the best high they've ever smoked in exchange for some kinky sexplay inside his pentagram, things can only go from bad to worse. Aaron hopes to ensnare and re-birth the spirit of a late witch, to capture her power from beyond the grave for his own. Soon, they'll all learn the darkest, bloodiest, most terrifying definition of Failure.

Genres: Horror, Audiobook, Fiction, Novella

99 pages, Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

John Everson is a former newspaper reporter who writes thrillers filled with erotic horror and supernatural suspense. He is the author of the Bram Stoker Award winner Covenant, and finalist NightWhere, which reviewers called "50 Shades Meets Hellraiser!" He is also the creator of the characters Danika and Mila Dubov, seen in the Netflix series V-Wars, based on the books created by Jonathan Maberry. Booklist said his recent New Orleans novel, Voodoo Heart, "is a solid blend of supernatural horror and hard-boiled detective fiction, and should appeal to horror devotees as well as mystery buffs” while Living Dead Magazine called him "the master of dark and sexy."

Follow John on the BookBub: John Everson page for information on book sales and new releases as well as on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For information on his fiction, art and music, visit John Everson: Dark Arts at www.johneverson.com.

Reviews

[Laurie (barksbooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this audiobook from the publisher/author/narrator via Audio Book Blast in exchange for an honest review and that's what you're getting.

Failure follows three teens around as they momentously screw up their lives. It’s kind of fun to watch this disaster because, let’s be real, none of them are very nice people. The boys have no respect for girls and the girl has no respect for herself. But I’m not here to judge . . .

So, based on the promise of an epic high and some potentially epic sex, the three agree to meet and perform an occult sex ceremony for a kinky old guy who wants to watch (so he says). Even when he whips out the “pain chains” they don’t get suspicious. Nothing bad could possibly go wrong here, right?

The story is written in such a way that I thought it was a sequel. It’s told by various character points of view and it flips back between the days leading up to the ceremony to the present day situation and I was very confused in the beginning. Perhaps that’s due to my listening to the story on audio or perhaps it’s due to my limited brain power? I don’t really know, but it all began to make sense eventually. The narration is great. Joe Hempel sounds appropriately young for the characters, doesn’t give the females a creepy falsetto and he gives the old man the sinister vibe he deserved.

It was quick, brutal and gory but nothing new or groundbreaking. Just some ugly people doing ugly things and getting their comeuppance. It kind of felt like an 80’s throwback with sex crazed teens doing what they do and a plot that felt achingly familiar. Still, I kind of liked that about the book! 3 ½ stars

For those who just gotta know!

[Michael Hicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

[This review was originally published at AudioBook Reviewer, http://audiobookreviewer.com/reviews/...]

John Everson’s Failure is an intriguing mash-up of horror, kink, and magic, but one that ultimately fell a little bit flat. If you’ve read the description for this title, then you know what you’re getting into. Sadly, there’s little else beyond the synopsis to capture in terms of depth or plot.

Now, that said, this one is a quick and breezy listen, clocking in just shy of 90 minutes and there are many, many worse things to while away a few car-rides between work and home. Once the story gets all revved up and gunning for the climax, I found myself enjoying the story quite a bit more.

The gist of Failure is stupid teens making one very large bad choice all in the name of good drugs and sex, not quite believing or realizing they’re being lulled into a much darker ritual of ancient magic. By the time they realize how wrong things have gone, it’s six months later and Aaron, the old mage who duped them, is out for blood in order to finish his ritual.

And that’s when all kinds of stuff and things, most of it fleshy and bloody, hit both the proverbial and literal ceiling. Gore hounds should be quite happy with the story’s second-half, where the gruesomeness is the main order of business, alongside some detours flashing back to the sexual shenanigans our three teenage characters engage in under Aaron’s prodding. Things turn awfully vicious pretty quickly, and the proceedings hit a high-note for me when Everson drops the descriptive, vulgar phrase “womb syrup” during a particular mauling.

While Everson’s story, overall, didn’t quite suit my particular tastes, the narration by Joe Hempel was solid and professional, and the audio quality was clear. Hempel was pretty consistent in his mild reading of Everson’s words, but I think I would have liked a little more oomph and emoting, particularly when the story takes a turn toward the nastier side of things. It’s not much of a complaint, but the narration struck me as a little too placid.

All in all, Failure wasn’t exactly my cup of tea, and I would have liked Everson to expand on his characters and give them more depth. I didn’t feel much in the way of sympathy for any of them, with the trio of teens coming across as shallow and a bit single-minded in their highly-questionable motives. The latter half of the book manages to coalesce into some nicely wrought and descriptive horror, though, the finale is sufficiently bloody.

If nothing else, Failure, originally published in print back in 2006, has at least got me curious enough to check out this author’s more recent work to see how he’s refined his style and grown as an author.

Overall 3.5 stars.

[Kenneth McKinley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three losers... Cind was cheating her way through high school. Sal couldn't get a girl and Raymond botched multiple attempts at killing himself. When a mysterious stranger offers Sal the best weed he's ever smoked if he'll get two other people to have sex while the stranger watches, he wonders "what's the catch?" Did the stranger fail to mention that they would be having the sex on the floor of the basement covered with a huge pentagram drenched in blood while the stranger recites strange incantations? Probably not. But the pot IS really good and besides, what could possibly go wrong?

While reading Failure, the AC/DC song If You Want Blood... kept popping up in my mind and rightfully so. This is my first Everson story and this one is full of the red stuff. It is definitely not for the squeamish and the story is told in a very tongue-in-cheek way that doesn't take itself too seriously. Its a fun tale that I thoroughly enjoyed and I suggest that you give it a try too.

4 sacrifices out of 5


You can also follow my reviews at the following links:

https://kenmckinley.wordpress.com

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A2J1...

[Karl]

Tis is copy 141 of 500 printed hardcover copies and is the first in Delirium Books Chapbook hardcover series. The book is signed by John Everson.

[Bandit · Rating 2 out of 5]

In general I've liked what I've read by Everson so far. I also had a pretty good idea of what to expect of his work. Really, I'm not sure if I just wasn't in the mood for it or if it really just disappointed me. In a way it lived up to its name, though it wasn't terrible, it just wasn't particularly good in any way. The characters were utterly unsympathetic, a bunch of loser teenagers, who get in over their heads just to get high and then have to face pretty gruesome consequences. It was very graphic, sex (as always with Everson) and violence. At best fairly decent way to pass an hour, but nothing special here.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good time gore and satanic sex ritual and some kick ass weed! Everson delivers it all in this novelette.

[Cyndi Marie ☆★Audiobook Addict★☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

🎧 Audio Review 🎧

Story 3 stars
Narration 4 stars

That was a very dark, messed up, crazy book. I've never read anything by this author before so I had no idea what to expect. I guess this book was just a book to me, nothing spectacular but nothing terrible. It felt like the author was trying to write for shock value. And if that was the case he hit it out of the park. I think maybe it was too short, there was no time for details or for you to get invested in the characters at all. I would have enjoyed it more if I understood the characters better and had a little back ground on the wizard. Also, I was expecting graphic sex which I think would have also made this better. All in all it was written well and will probably stick with me for awhile as one of the darkest book I've ever listened to.

The narration was probably the best part of this experience for me. Joe Hempel did a great job and I would definitely listen to another book narrated by him. He has a great voice for narration and did a great job with changing his tone for each character and he didn't try to make his voice real high on the female voices or over dramatize the tense moments which is a big plus for me!

[Hans · Rating 5 out of 5]

three teenagers did something very bad, and six months later they suffer for it.such awful things happen to them, and in great detail. the story is told with flashbacks as what they did is revealed, so you understand just enough to keep you following whats happening to them now. the pace is fast and the characters fleshed out as they bleed out. i had fun reading this, might check out what else Mr Everson has written

[John Everson]

The first novelette in the Delirium hardcover chapbook line.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun little story. Edward Lee like at times but very much John's own.Warped humor and graphic violence combined to make a great tale come alive.

[Geoff · Rating 2 out of 5]

A chapbook, that is really the size of a novella. It is a story about a necromancer, who uses three kids to try and gain magical power. The kids are lured by really good weed (marijuana), and asked to perform a sexual act inside a pentagon. As expected, not all goes well for the kids.

This is a sexual, and horrific book. Personally I don't prefer these types of books, but it wasn't bad. I guess the necromancer parts kept me interested, as to why I somewhat enjoyed it.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aaron has a plan to attain greatness, but it will cost. He seeks out gullible failures to be part of a ritual that will bring back a now-dead witch, whose power he can then claim for his own. It’s going to be a hot bloody mess.

Aaron, our wannabe wizard, convinces Sal to gather other discontented teens. Sal himself is a sad sort, desperately wanting a girl to notice him. Aaron sweetens the deal by offering up some quality pot to those who come join in the ritual. Sal manages to recruit Raymond, Cindy (who goes by Cind part of the time), and Emily.

Raymond is in love with the idea of suicide but he never manages to follow through. At first I was a little confused as it sounded like he actually completed the act only to blink and find himself still alive. I was unclear throughout the story as to whether or not something supernatural was going on with Raymond.In any case, he keeps testing the boundaries. Cindy is testing a different set of boundaries, trading sex for drugs long before Sal comes to her with his proposition. Emily was a very brief character and I can’t recall what her failure was, if any.

So these teens get together at Aaron’s house and get high and then naked. Then as part of this ritual (which they know almost nothing about), the three of them have sex. There’s blood and other body fluids but they’re pretty high and remember it as some of the best sex ever. So initially, it looks like Cindy didn’t realize this ritual’s purpose was to bring back this dead witch, as she contemplates who knocked her up. But then later on it sounds like she knew from the beginning that Aaron needed her as a vessel to bring about this witch. Anyway, things get really messy when the birth is imminent.

Taken all together, it was an OK story. There’s a constant stream of action, so you’re never bored. However, there are a few points that are confusing, as already discussed. All the characters are one dimensional, but this is a short story, so that is mostly OK. The ladies are all sex objects (except the now-dead witch who never has a single line). There’s plenty of blood to satisfy the gory horror junkie, if that’s your thing. I did like that everyone in the tale lives up to the title of the book – they all fail in some way. In fact, only one gets out alive.

I won a copy of this audiobook from Audio Book Reviewer.

Narration: Joe Hempel did a pretty good job with this book. His characters voices were each distinct and his female voices were believable. I especially liked his voice for Aaron, which had a kind of gravelly old man quality to it.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

*listened to audiobook*

This was a quick kind of satanic read with magic and kink and horror. Just too short in my opinion.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was not too sure about this one because it started out with mostly cursing and loud flowery speech. I am not too crazy about obscene language, so I was kind of shocked. But the longer I listened the more hooked I became.

John Everson knows how to write a horror story that will shock and terrify the reader.

I will say that if you absolutely cannot stand the profuse use of profanity then do not listen to this book. If shocking descriptions of ritualistic sex and murder and death bother you then by no means listen to this book. If you are at all squeamish about the use of drugs and sex and lots of blood then this book is not for you. But if you like to be shocked and horrified and none of these things cause you to lose sleep then you will most likely enjoy this short story.

Joe Hempel does a fine job of narrating this book. He gets all of the voices just right. Emotions are in the right places, and when Sal tries to scream and it only comes out as a horse whisper Joe Hempel's voice for the character is right on the money. I will most definitely be looking for other books narrated by him just to see if this was a fluke or if he is consistently the professional he was in Failure. I really enjoyed listening to him in this book.

I received this audiobook from the narrator in exchange for an honest review, and honestly I really liked it.

[Fantasy Literature · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s been decades since horror was really hot, with whole sections of bookstores devoted to novels with black and red covers. But the genre never really died, and not just because of Stephen King’s ongoing popularity. Horror went underground, in a sense; small presses picked up where the standard publishers left off, and a great deal of fiction was published in extremely small press runs, often in gorgeous editions with full illustrations. Novellas and novelettes were (and are) published as chapbooks, demanding the same price that complete novels do in other genres. Most people didn’t even know these books existed, and those who did often couldn’t afford the high prices these limited editions demanded.

Enter the ebook revolution. With each passing week, it seems, a work that had previously only... Read More:
http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...

[Thom (T.E.) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Erotic horror focusing on teens who are their own worst enemies when it comes to entertaining themselves and respecting each other. The novelette builds to a pair of climactic scenes that are relentless (in a good way--i.e., effective). The character development is subdued to an appropriate degree, although the quality of those moments are still a bit thin for my taste. I was disappointed in particular by the old man who makes them a tempting offer; I was expecting a more revealing compare-and-contrast between his failures and those of the teens.

[Mark Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story though short is an extreme and visceral experience which lingers with you long after you have finished reading it and has the power to make even a jaded horrorphile squirm. It’s a brutal and gruesome tale which is not for the squeamish but one that will delight connoisseurs of the dark. Some authors show us evil but John Everson believes in thrusting his readers headfirst, kicking and screaming into its terrible, stygian depths. If you missed this nasty little novelette the first time around I heartily recommend that you get it now.

[George Wilhite · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was off the hook great--I discovered Everson on Darkside Digital (the ebook side of Delerium Books) and have been downloading his short works there. He is a great writer and his stories are original and scary -- also unpredictable. I intend on moving on to some novels after I devour all the short stories and novellas on my Nook!

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Everson does it right again

I have read everything John Everson has written and loved the noir feel to this story...desperate characters doing desperate things...he just knows how to write angsty characters. Definitely a must read for fans, I won't spoil anything...pick it up and read in one sitting

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book was a very good however short read. Finished it within an hour or so and left me wanting more. Be advised that the book is pretty graphic, but anyone that enjoys the genre will definately enjoy this book.

[Douglas Castagna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced horror "novelette" that packs enough gore and thrills for a full novel. Written a few years back and long out of print, Everson brings back a story that will be sure to get your blood going. And yes, there is blood.

[Gabbiadini · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nasty little occult noir pulp novella to be read in one sickening sitting. Reminded me of the old Hamlyn horror shorts I read as a child with a 21st century crudeness. If you like your horror sleazy the this is for you .

[A.R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a compelling tale of not only failure, but also of ritual sacrifice and demonic evil. It will hook you and not let you go, and at this length, you can read it in one night!

[Zafir Ignatov · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awful book , wouldn't recommend to anyone . After reading the fantastic Nightwhere , this comes as a great disappointment .

[Deedra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hated the story.Too much gore.love the narrator.I was given this book free for an honest review .