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Pet
In the aftermath of an apocalyptic event that sets the world ablaze, Caleb and Nivitha find themselves thrown into a harsh, unforgiving new reality. They must face their fears, adapt to the dangers of their environment, and decide whether to trust others or isolate themselves.
Caleb, social by nature, quickly makes a new group of friends among the survivors.
Nivitha, determined to protect her younger sister Asha, guards herself against the remaining humans, regarding them as potential threats.
They both soon learn just how cruel this new world can be. Between murder, torture and hunger, uncertainty is the only constant.
Caleb, social by nature, quickly makes a new group of friends among the survivors.
Nivitha, determined to protect her younger sister Asha, guards herself against the remaining humans, regarding them as potential threats.
They both soon learn just how cruel this new world can be. Between murder, torture and hunger, uncertainty is the only constant.
112 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 27, 2023
4 people are currently reading
216 people want to read
About the author
Aiden E. Messer
30 books126 followersAiden E. Messer does not exist. Are they an illusion, a ghost, a mere thought? No one knows. If we are to believe one of the children they seem to work with, if they were a teacher, they would be as tall as a human. They are not a teacher. According to various sources, they have studied psychology, and have always had a penchant for horror and the macabre. They like to combine these subjects in their books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
June 22, 2025
Did a reread on it recently and at this time it's a full 4 stars. Gory and intense and I felt again that the good people where very well written to really get attached with them, making the violence harder to deal with but also more impactful
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3.5 stars rounded up.
I had seen this book on Instagram and had gotten very intruiged and finally got it home today and picked it right up. Its gory, intense and extreme in parts but still made me really attached to the "good" characters. Will most likely read more from Aiden E. Messer in the future.
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3.5 stars rounded up.
I had seen this book on Instagram and had gotten very intruiged and finally got it home today and picked it right up. Its gory, intense and extreme in parts but still made me really attached to the "good" characters. Will most likely read more from Aiden E. Messer in the future.
September 9, 2023
I was lucky to receive an ARC of this book, which is the new upcoming page turner from the author. This is my first read from Aiden E. Messer, but it definitely won’t be the last.
After an apocalyptic disaster, most of the survivors have banded together to try to rebuild their lives, by caring for the sick and injured, and growing food from seed.
But there is also a small group of people, that see the “end of the world” as an opportunity to carry out their nefarious deeds to cause harm to others.
Caleb and Nivitha, two friends who work together, are separated when disaster strikes…Nivitha is reunited with her younger sister, and goes on to help others by working in a makeshift infirmary, while Caleb joins a group of five, who offer him friendship, as well as food and shelter…but all is not as it seems!!
This was a clever story which portrays what could really happen in a situation like this…peoples’ true personalities appearing, and where others want to thrive and survive and care for humanity, others just see this as an opportunity to wreak havoc and cause pain and torture, with control and coercive behaviour.
This was a very good story, and was pretty scary as this could very well happen, in the future…good vs evil, selfless vs selfish, creation vs destruction. There was also enough blood, guts and torture to satisfy us gore hungry splatterpunk fans, while still having an awesome plot, and cute pics by Pastek.
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Release Date: September 27th 2023
After an apocalyptic disaster, most of the survivors have banded together to try to rebuild their lives, by caring for the sick and injured, and growing food from seed.
But there is also a small group of people, that see the “end of the world” as an opportunity to carry out their nefarious deeds to cause harm to others.
Caleb and Nivitha, two friends who work together, are separated when disaster strikes…Nivitha is reunited with her younger sister, and goes on to help others by working in a makeshift infirmary, while Caleb joins a group of five, who offer him friendship, as well as food and shelter…but all is not as it seems!!
This was a clever story which portrays what could really happen in a situation like this…peoples’ true personalities appearing, and where others want to thrive and survive and care for humanity, others just see this as an opportunity to wreak havoc and cause pain and torture, with control and coercive behaviour.
This was a very good story, and was pretty scary as this could very well happen, in the future…good vs evil, selfless vs selfish, creation vs destruction. There was also enough blood, guts and torture to satisfy us gore hungry splatterpunk fans, while still having an awesome plot, and cute pics by Pastek.
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Release Date: September 27th 2023
September 27, 2023
As someone who is pansexual and polyamorous, I loved the inclusive nature of this novella.
Some pretty extreme stuff for sure! Will be back very soon with a full review
Updated review:
The apocalypse is bad enough without becoming some sadists pet. This book is brutal! It seriously has some of the most unique and demented scenes I've read in quite some time.
It's no secret that in times of great hardship, the worst in people is brought front and center. And these characters ( well, most of them) are absolutely disgusting and vile. There are still a few beautiful souls, and sadly, those will suffer great pain and loss.The villians in this story were terrible people before, but the circumstances have created a perfect hunting ground for them to prey on the weak and vulnerable.
This book is going to anger you, scare you, disgust you, and if you're like me, probably break your heart a bit. My emotions were on a roller coaster with this novella. I think the thing that resonated with me the most and also was so upsetting was that this could totally happen. Terrible things happen daily, but can you imagine the magnitude of violence that would be present in a post-apocalyptic world. Chaos and lawlessness would run rampant, and the innocent would undoubtedly suffer the most.
I can not recommend this book enough!! Definitely check it out, but please be mindful of your triggers before starting this book. There are many scenes of extreme violence and torture.
I received a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
Some pretty extreme stuff for sure! Will be back very soon with a full review
Updated review:
The apocalypse is bad enough without becoming some sadists pet. This book is brutal! It seriously has some of the most unique and demented scenes I've read in quite some time.
It's no secret that in times of great hardship, the worst in people is brought front and center. And these characters ( well, most of them) are absolutely disgusting and vile. There are still a few beautiful souls, and sadly, those will suffer great pain and loss.The villians in this story were terrible people before, but the circumstances have created a perfect hunting ground for them to prey on the weak and vulnerable.
This book is going to anger you, scare you, disgust you, and if you're like me, probably break your heart a bit. My emotions were on a roller coaster with this novella. I think the thing that resonated with me the most and also was so upsetting was that this could totally happen. Terrible things happen daily, but can you imagine the magnitude of violence that would be present in a post-apocalyptic world. Chaos and lawlessness would run rampant, and the innocent would undoubtedly suffer the most.
I can not recommend this book enough!! Definitely check it out, but please be mindful of your triggers before starting this book. There are many scenes of extreme violence and torture.
I received a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 14, 2023
“He had been locked in that cage for five days already and only came out to be burned, beaten, cut, and fed just enough to keep him alive. Everything hurt, and he was on the verge of breaking down.”
“Pet” was a brutal and gory story about the types of people who emerge from a disaster. There are those who only care for themselves, those who give all of themselves for others, and those who want chaos to reign.
In this short book, we meet a few of each type of character after an apocalyptic fire storm wipes out most of the country. A band of merciless sadists decides that this is the perfect opportunity to torture and kill to their dark hearts’ delight.
Caleb and Nivitha end up on the killers’ radar and need to fight to stay alive. It’s bloody and brutal, but you have to hold out hope that the goodness in humans will win at the end of the day.
Ps, that eyeball 👁️ scene definitely made me want to hurl 🤮
“Pet” was a brutal and gory story about the types of people who emerge from a disaster. There are those who only care for themselves, those who give all of themselves for others, and those who want chaos to reign.
In this short book, we meet a few of each type of character after an apocalyptic fire storm wipes out most of the country. A band of merciless sadists decides that this is the perfect opportunity to torture and kill to their dark hearts’ delight.
Caleb and Nivitha end up on the killers’ radar and need to fight to stay alive. It’s bloody and brutal, but you have to hold out hope that the goodness in humans will win at the end of the day.
Ps, that eyeball 👁️ scene definitely made me want to hurl 🤮
October 10, 2023
It's the end of the world as we know it…..or not, as is the case here….this is a short, sharp and extremely savage look at what might happen if the normal rules of the world were gone and people with different views, wants and needs were free to do as they pleased, and it's terrifying!
The day the world ended started off as one of his better days for Caleb, but, on returning back to the office after lunch with his friend and colleague, Nivitha, an intense and powerful storm hits and things go quickly from bad to worse thereafter…
Separated from each other, they both seek refuge in different ways. Caleb initially thinks only of himself and his immediate survival, whilst Nivitha heads home to her family. They awaken to utter devastation, burning corpses and an ashen landscape as far as the eye can see!
Caleb quickly joins forces with a small group of survivors, and Nivitha suddenly finds herself with the sole responsibility of her younger sister. They each experience conflicting thoughts and feelings as they learn to survive in the "new normal". They find their morals being tested, along with finding the strength and the power to defend themselves and their loved ones.
A week into the disaster and Caleb's new friends turn on him, with drastic, sickening consequences! It turns out, he couldn't have met a worse group of people. People that had a lust for violence and sadistic tendencies long before the world ended, and now had free reign to do exactly as they pleased. They embrace the opportunity and use it as some kind of sick, twisted game of torture, keeping Caleb in a cage and treating him as their long-term Pet, whilst bringing in others regularly for more brutal, rapid death sentences.
It doesn't take long before Caleb tries to escape their evil clutches, but they soon have him back and in an even more painful and humiliating position than before! Breaking him and his will to survive, and when Caleb and Nivitha are unknowingly reunited again, it's under the most terrifying of circumstances!!
My heart truly hurt for Caleb! This was a story of new beginnings, new friends and lovers, of trust, loyalty and survival. Of torture, sadism, cannibalism, surgery and murder. It was brutal, horrifying, gory and sadistic, yet heartbreaking and beautiful too!!
The day the world ended started off as one of his better days for Caleb, but, on returning back to the office after lunch with his friend and colleague, Nivitha, an intense and powerful storm hits and things go quickly from bad to worse thereafter…
Separated from each other, they both seek refuge in different ways. Caleb initially thinks only of himself and his immediate survival, whilst Nivitha heads home to her family. They awaken to utter devastation, burning corpses and an ashen landscape as far as the eye can see!
Caleb quickly joins forces with a small group of survivors, and Nivitha suddenly finds herself with the sole responsibility of her younger sister. They each experience conflicting thoughts and feelings as they learn to survive in the "new normal". They find their morals being tested, along with finding the strength and the power to defend themselves and their loved ones.
A week into the disaster and Caleb's new friends turn on him, with drastic, sickening consequences! It turns out, he couldn't have met a worse group of people. People that had a lust for violence and sadistic tendencies long before the world ended, and now had free reign to do exactly as they pleased. They embrace the opportunity and use it as some kind of sick, twisted game of torture, keeping Caleb in a cage and treating him as their long-term Pet, whilst bringing in others regularly for more brutal, rapid death sentences.
It doesn't take long before Caleb tries to escape their evil clutches, but they soon have him back and in an even more painful and humiliating position than before! Breaking him and his will to survive, and when Caleb and Nivitha are unknowingly reunited again, it's under the most terrifying of circumstances!!
My heart truly hurt for Caleb! This was a story of new beginnings, new friends and lovers, of trust, loyalty and survival. Of torture, sadism, cannibalism, surgery and murder. It was brutal, horrifying, gory and sadistic, yet heartbreaking and beautiful too!!
September 4, 2023
Well this was a fun quick read with plenty of gore to go round! It jumped right into the action from the word go and kept up the fast pace meaning I read it in one sitting and loved every second! Considering it was a short read, the characters were well developed and all messed up in their own ways! The author managed to pack a whole lot of story in only 143 pages which was impressive!
September 2, 2023
Gory and full of heart! Just like I like my splatterpunk! The characters are relatable and love the rep! The illustrations are hot too.
September 8, 2023
So much pain and hope in this latest book from Aiden E. Messer! Although extreme at times, it also carries a message which I appreciated. The illustrations from Pastèk are also so appropriate, cute and evil at the same time!
It all starts as any other day in the lives of Caleb and Nivitha and work seems to be going as usual.. Until it wasn't and suddenly the apocalypse erupts!
In the subsequent chaos and devastation the two protagonists lose each other and go their separate ways, Nivitha and her sister not trusting anyone, whilst Caleb joining a welcoming tight group of friends.
Surrendered to the fact that no help is coming and that this apocalyptic world is the new norm everyone seems to have found their place, until Caleb gets to experience something much much worse!
They say hope never dies but is it true? Will Nivitha and Caleb find a place is this new world? Well you have to read the book to find out and you won't regret it (or maybe you will!).
I did enjoy this quick but very brutal read, although I wished for a longer last part!
The situations and characters are very believable, especially if you're a pessimistic and a misanthropist like myself! Loved the bisexuality of the main character, a welcoming change from most of the books I read.
I winced and really felt the emotional and physical pain of some of the scenes and I urge you to check your triggers before reading it!
Thank you Aiden E. Messer for the opportunity to read it and this is my honest review.
It all starts as any other day in the lives of Caleb and Nivitha and work seems to be going as usual.. Until it wasn't and suddenly the apocalypse erupts!
In the subsequent chaos and devastation the two protagonists lose each other and go their separate ways, Nivitha and her sister not trusting anyone, whilst Caleb joining a welcoming tight group of friends.
Surrendered to the fact that no help is coming and that this apocalyptic world is the new norm everyone seems to have found their place, until Caleb gets to experience something much much worse!
They say hope never dies but is it true? Will Nivitha and Caleb find a place is this new world? Well you have to read the book to find out and you won't regret it (or maybe you will!).
I did enjoy this quick but very brutal read, although I wished for a longer last part!
The situations and characters are very believable, especially if you're a pessimistic and a misanthropist like myself! Loved the bisexuality of the main character, a welcoming change from most of the books I read.
I winced and really felt the emotional and physical pain of some of the scenes and I urge you to check your triggers before reading it!
Thank you Aiden E. Messer for the opportunity to read it and this is my honest review.
September 17, 2023
Pet
By Aiden E. Messer
I want to thank the author for an ARC of this in return for an honest review, Thanks!
A splatterpunk/extreme horror novella that takes place during an apocalyptic event. This was a quick read that I finished in one sitting. The physical copy is just over 130 pages.
The main characters were original and were not just your stereotypical "people in an apocalypse." Which I liked! There was great representation in the book. Kudos to the author on that.
Unfortunately, I found that I didn't really connect with any of the characters. I've read many novellas and short stories where I was quickly emotionally attached to the characters. I did not get to that point with this one.
The "bad guys" were really evil, sick, twisted individuals. The author did a great job on them! The graphic content in the book took some imagination to come up with. There were some absolutely gruesome scenes that may have caused me to pause eating my snackies during. Read at your own risk and check your triggers before you dive in!
I think this novella was good, not great, or amazing. There is nothing wrong with it. The book just wasn't for me. This is only my second jump into extreme horror/splatterpunk, and I haven't been scared off yet, haha. I think this would be a great starting point to get into the genre of extreme horror! This gets a 3⭐️ rating from me, and I think it's definitely worth a read!
By Aiden E. Messer
I want to thank the author for an ARC of this in return for an honest review, Thanks!
A splatterpunk/extreme horror novella that takes place during an apocalyptic event. This was a quick read that I finished in one sitting. The physical copy is just over 130 pages.
The main characters were original and were not just your stereotypical "people in an apocalypse." Which I liked! There was great representation in the book. Kudos to the author on that.
Unfortunately, I found that I didn't really connect with any of the characters. I've read many novellas and short stories where I was quickly emotionally attached to the characters. I did not get to that point with this one.
The "bad guys" were really evil, sick, twisted individuals. The author did a great job on them! The graphic content in the book took some imagination to come up with. There were some absolutely gruesome scenes that may have caused me to pause eating my snackies during. Read at your own risk and check your triggers before you dive in!
I think this novella was good, not great, or amazing. There is nothing wrong with it. The book just wasn't for me. This is only my second jump into extreme horror/splatterpunk, and I haven't been scared off yet, haha. I think this would be a great starting point to get into the genre of extreme horror! This gets a 3⭐️ rating from me, and I think it's definitely worth a read!
September 14, 2023
Pet by Aiden E Messer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
I had the pleasure of being gifted an ARC to review and What a journey! Aiden’s writing style is engaging, drawing readers into a unique world filled with complex characters and intricate plotlines. The story explores deep themes, making you ponder the fragility of the human psyche when consequences are taken off the table.
Aiden has managed to achieve thorough character development within this short novel, providing a captivating page turner that readers can easily finish in one sitting.
Although quite descriptively gory at times, this is fully balanced out with a sense of hope. I do wish however, the ending was a little more fleshed out, but this in no way takes away from the novel as a whole.
Brilliant read and can’t wait to see what Aiden does next.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
I had the pleasure of being gifted an ARC to review and What a journey! Aiden’s writing style is engaging, drawing readers into a unique world filled with complex characters and intricate plotlines. The story explores deep themes, making you ponder the fragility of the human psyche when consequences are taken off the table.
Aiden has managed to achieve thorough character development within this short novel, providing a captivating page turner that readers can easily finish in one sitting.
Although quite descriptively gory at times, this is fully balanced out with a sense of hope. I do wish however, the ending was a little more fleshed out, but this in no way takes away from the novel as a whole.
Brilliant read and can’t wait to see what Aiden does next.
September 2, 2023
This was an absolutely fantastic read!
In the aftermath of an apocalyptic event that sets the world ablaze, Caleb and Nivitha find themselves thrown into a harsh, new reality.
Caleb quickly makes a new group of friends while Nivitha determined to protect her younger sister Asha.
They both soon find out how cruel this new world can be.
Pet is a gory book with full of surprising plot twists. The main characters are lovable and easy to connect to.
I absolutely loved this story and the illustrations were incredible I just wanted to stop and stare at them! They portrayed the characters so beautifully well!
Thank you so much @author_aiden.e.messer for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: September 27, 2023
In the aftermath of an apocalyptic event that sets the world ablaze, Caleb and Nivitha find themselves thrown into a harsh, new reality.
Caleb quickly makes a new group of friends while Nivitha determined to protect her younger sister Asha.
They both soon find out how cruel this new world can be.
Pet is a gory book with full of surprising plot twists. The main characters are lovable and easy to connect to.
I absolutely loved this story and the illustrations were incredible I just wanted to stop and stare at them! They portrayed the characters so beautifully well!
Thank you so much @author_aiden.e.messer for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: September 27, 2023
September 2, 2023
Got it, read it, loved it ♡
Sometimes you need a fast one in between your other reads to get yourself out of the fog and Pet was just that.
It was packed with gory goodness and as always with Aiden's books you could really feel for the characters, whether it was pity, anger, hate or love.
The book begins with an apocalyptic event and even though it being as short as it was, it made me think what I would do in a similar situation. Would I really be the soulless, misanthropic bastard that I am, or would I find a new side of myself that actually cared. Oh well, it remains to be seen...
Thank you again Aiden for the arc, it was a treat ♡
Sometimes you need a fast one in between your other reads to get yourself out of the fog and Pet was just that.
It was packed with gory goodness and as always with Aiden's books you could really feel for the characters, whether it was pity, anger, hate or love.
The book begins with an apocalyptic event and even though it being as short as it was, it made me think what I would do in a similar situation. Would I really be the soulless, misanthropic bastard that I am, or would I find a new side of myself that actually cared. Oh well, it remains to be seen...
Thank you again Aiden for the arc, it was a treat ♡
September 7, 2023
I was lucky enough to snag an ARC of Aiden Messer’s newest book “Pet” dropping on Sept 27th & what a wild ride that was. What started with a lighthearted introduction to our main characters quickly twists into a flaming nightmare as the apocalypse besets the earth. What ensues can only be described as those that want to rebuild after a disaster vs. those that just want to watch it burn. Just when you think the situation is bad, a motley crew of twisted sadists find a way to make it so much worse for any survivors left. Blood and gore won’t put out the flames of the apocalypse, but theres enough in this story to make it sizzle.
April 19, 2025
my first actual splatterpunk. idk how to feel about it
January 21, 2024
I'm not going to lie, Pet is a brutal story that doesn't hold back on the explicit descriptions of torture and gore. This is a tale for the strong of stomach, but it has heart at its core, and an important message. This apocalyptic story packs a punch right to the guts, with a deeper meaning entwined within the splatter. I think we all know that sometimes the human race can be a despicable species, and this story isn't afraid to show the depravity and cruelty some sadistic people will inflict upon others when society begins to crumble, particularly those that are naive, trusting and vulnerable. Pet highlights that the end of the world is nothing to fear, it's humanity, or the lack thereof, that we sometimes need to be weary of. I must also state that this novella had some great artwork throughout and I can't wait to read more from Aiden E. Messer in the future.
September 28, 2023
For a novella, this really packs everything it needs. Excellent character development, an interesting storyline and lots of emotions. You can't help feel for Caleb and his innocence at the beginning. There are characters you want to survive this mess and characters you really hate and hope they get what they deserve!
As with lots of apocalyptic books, we learn that the apocalypse itself is not really the thing to be afraid of, whether that's zombies, natural disasters or a mystery illness. Humans always seem to be the absolute worse, showing their true colours as soon as everything goes wrong and showing that hell is just a thing on earth!
Another great book by Aiden! I look forward to seeing what they do next!
Be warned: lots of intense, very brutal scenes!!!
As with lots of apocalyptic books, we learn that the apocalypse itself is not really the thing to be afraid of, whether that's zombies, natural disasters or a mystery illness. Humans always seem to be the absolute worse, showing their true colours as soon as everything goes wrong and showing that hell is just a thing on earth!
Another great book by Aiden! I look forward to seeing what they do next!
Be warned: lots of intense, very brutal scenes!!!
May 7, 2025
Wow. Pet was intense! It drops you right into the aftermath of an apocalyptic nightmare and doesn’t let go. Caleb and Nivitha’s journey through this brutal, uncertain world was absolutely gripping and, at times, totally heartbreaking.
This book is dark. We’re talking about murder, torture, starvation, everything! But it’s also deeply human. Messer did an incredible job building a setting that feels both terrifying and all too real, and the characters? Unforgettable. Some of them are straight-up monsters, but others, like Caleb, will completely steal your heart. Seriously, I’m still not over everything that boy went through.
This was my first book by Messer, and I’d read more from them just because of Caleb alone. That's how deep that character got in my feelings. If you're into raw, emotional dystopian fiction with layered characters and a gut-punch of a plot, give this one a read.
This book is dark. We’re talking about murder, torture, starvation, everything! But it’s also deeply human. Messer did an incredible job building a setting that feels both terrifying and all too real, and the characters? Unforgettable. Some of them are straight-up monsters, but others, like Caleb, will completely steal your heart. Seriously, I’m still not over everything that boy went through.
This was my first book by Messer, and I’d read more from them just because of Caleb alone. That's how deep that character got in my feelings. If you're into raw, emotional dystopian fiction with layered characters and a gut-punch of a plot, give this one a read.
September 16, 2023
Rating: 3/5 dog muzzles
🍖 What it is about: After a shocking tragedy, the world like we know it does not exist anymore. Two survivors, Caleb and Nivitha, must face their new reality and fight for survival. Both have vastly different strategies and when shit hits the fan, trusting your neighbor might become a dangerous tango.
🍖 What I thought: This book felt a little like "the walking dead" to me in the beginning. I enjoy concepts like this where people have to figure out how to survive after catastrophic events.
A huge plus for diversity 🩷!!! It filled my heart with joy to see MCs that were not based on common cliches and I truly liked them a lot! Now to some parts that I (personally!!!) did not enjoy. There's lots of violence and it's INTENSE! 🤮😰 And I feel like people who like to read about torture will love this as it's so well written that I wanted to throw up at times.😂 But I realized that such violence and gore aren't necessarily my type of horror - especially because I loved the MCs so much and didn't want them to suffer.
Additionally I would have liked to learn more about some people who did horrible things and about their history. Whilst I feel like some people are just coded in a way that might make them dangerous to society, others might have suffered themselves. I would have loved to understand what made them that way. It could have been a very interesting character study. 🤔
🍖Who is this for:
This is for everyone who appreciates and celebrates diversity and for everyone with a STRONG stomach who enjoys gore. This book is a super quick read so please support @author_aiden.e.messer if this sounds like something that's up your alley. 🫶
🍖 What it is about: After a shocking tragedy, the world like we know it does not exist anymore. Two survivors, Caleb and Nivitha, must face their new reality and fight for survival. Both have vastly different strategies and when shit hits the fan, trusting your neighbor might become a dangerous tango.
🍖 What I thought: This book felt a little like "the walking dead" to me in the beginning. I enjoy concepts like this where people have to figure out how to survive after catastrophic events.
A huge plus for diversity 🩷!!! It filled my heart with joy to see MCs that were not based on common cliches and I truly liked them a lot! Now to some parts that I (personally!!!) did not enjoy. There's lots of violence and it's INTENSE! 🤮😰 And I feel like people who like to read about torture will love this as it's so well written that I wanted to throw up at times.😂 But I realized that such violence and gore aren't necessarily my type of horror - especially because I loved the MCs so much and didn't want them to suffer.
Additionally I would have liked to learn more about some people who did horrible things and about their history. Whilst I feel like some people are just coded in a way that might make them dangerous to society, others might have suffered themselves. I would have loved to understand what made them that way. It could have been a very interesting character study. 🤔
🍖Who is this for:
This is for everyone who appreciates and celebrates diversity and for everyone with a STRONG stomach who enjoys gore. This book is a super quick read so please support @author_aiden.e.messer if this sounds like something that's up your alley. 🫶
September 10, 2023
Pet is apocalyptic, brutal, and gory. It is a well-crafted story that managed to make me cringe without ever using scenes of SA. This novella mines the depths of human depravity despite never crossing that particular line. Aiden Messer throws us directly into the action with only the briefest introductions to the characters before all Hell breaks loose. We learn about the characters by watching them react to and navigate the horrors of the apocalypse. The level of detail and creativity in this novella cements Aiden Messer's name in my "authors to watch" list. I imagine there will be even better things to come from them in the future. Illustrations from Pastek add a certain je ne sais quoi and bring this tale to another level.
June 11, 2025
A sadistic survival horror and bisexual meet-cute set in the ruins of a post-apocalyptic city….This is my first time reading Aiden Messer, and won’t be my last.
November 19, 2023
i absolutely loved this book. even though there were times where i wanted to, i could NOT look away from the page. my heart was broken & put back together, my stomach was in knots, my mind was trying to think of what was gonna happen next. one of the BEST books i’ve read this year, hands down.
check the tw definitely! this book is not for the faint of heart or stomach lol! i experienced every emotion from wanting to throw up to crying to smiling. an amazing story & i am in love w/the ending.
check the tw definitely! this book is not for the faint of heart or stomach lol! i experienced every emotion from wanting to throw up to crying to smiling. an amazing story & i am in love w/the ending.
August 10, 2024
I was given an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review so here it is! This is a fun little short book. It gives me YA dystopian vibes with a splatter punk twist. I had a fun time! Over all a cool story and clocking in at under 90 pages it’s a perfect little palette cleanser if you’re looking for some fun!
December 28, 2023
I really dislike to write bad reviews, specially for indie horror.
But I think one of indie horror's strenghts is it's ability to step away from the mainstream and conventional stories.
Pet almost succeeds, but falls flat.
I won't bash this novelette, but I'll just say that it could've been more than just your average apocalypse freak out as a comment on how evil we are after the end of the world.
I've already seen The Walking Dead, Crossed and the other 512451 pieces of media in which the actual menace is not the apocalypse but rather human beings, I get it, we're awful.
The moment I noticed this was early on when a lady is looking for sanctuary just to find out some guys that are trying to rape her. Whoopity fucking doo, I wonder how this is going to turn out.
I guess is just not for me.
But I think one of indie horror's strenghts is it's ability to step away from the mainstream and conventional stories.
Pet almost succeeds, but falls flat.
I won't bash this novelette, but I'll just say that it could've been more than just your average apocalypse freak out as a comment on how evil we are after the end of the world.
I've already seen The Walking Dead, Crossed and the other 512451 pieces of media in which the actual menace is not the apocalypse but rather human beings, I get it, we're awful.
The moment I noticed this was early on when a lady is looking for sanctuary just to find out some guys that are trying to rape her. Whoopity fucking doo, I wonder how this is going to turn out.
I guess is just not for me.
October 9, 2024
I absolutely adore themes that explore end of times because it demonstrates a time that people should be coming together, but realistically it would probably bring out the worst in humanity. As much as I'd like to think that people would help each other, the logical side of me is aware that there are also people who would take the opportunity of lack of man's laws and punishments and be cruel to one another.
This story in particular was deep in the way that everything shouldn't be taken for face value.
Not to give away any twists, but sometimes mental anguish is even more devastating than physical.
There were good people. There were bad people. Bad people are usually much more ruthless until the good people get pushed past their limits of being kind.
This story in particular was deep in the way that everything shouldn't be taken for face value.
Not to give away any twists, but sometimes mental anguish is even more devastating than physical.
There were good people. There were bad people. Bad people are usually much more ruthless until the good people get pushed past their limits of being kind.
September 28, 2023
To say this book had me sick to my stomach is an understatement. Aiden put a lot of detail and description throughout this story and it is absolutely amazing! After the world is set on fire, Caleb thought he had found a good group of friends to try to navigate the new world with, But boy was he so wrong. I won't ruin it by giving anything away but you will not be disappointed by the blood, guts and gore of this story!
September 29, 2023
The day the world ended started like any other day. In fact, it started as a significantly good day for Caleb Turner.
Oh if only it stayed a good day for poor Caleb but the world comes crashing down around him and the other main character Nivithia.
This book is an excellent, extreme horror, that really makes you feel for the characters and what they endure as they struggle to survive in this new dystopian world.
Oh if only it stayed a good day for poor Caleb but the world comes crashing down around him and the other main character Nivithia.
This book is an excellent, extreme horror, that really makes you feel for the characters and what they endure as they struggle to survive in this new dystopian world.
September 20, 2024
I read this for Bi Visibility Month!
What's the worst thing about the world changing?
Is it the initial incident?
Or is picking up the pieces and learning how to navigate the after effects?
I think that the author did a really good job of making you feel the emotions that all the characters were going through.
This was dark, depressing, and inspiring all at the same time.
“Dogs love fresh meat, right?”
This is just “the new normal”.
What's the worst thing about the world changing?
Is it the initial incident?
Or is picking up the pieces and learning how to navigate the after effects?
I think that the author did a really good job of making you feel the emotions that all the characters were going through.
This was dark, depressing, and inspiring all at the same time.
“Dogs love fresh meat, right?”
This is just “the new normal”.
October 9, 2024
Let it be known that I am not a reader who enjoys an apocalyptic trope but this book reminds me why I keep an open mind. We follow two different main characters through an alternating POV as they struggle to survive the end of days as they know it.
This is an extreme read with some very dark and accurate depictions of torture that is not for the squeamish. Overall, I recommend this read and appreciate the versatility of characters and their distinct voices.
This is an extreme read with some very dark and accurate depictions of torture that is not for the squeamish. Overall, I recommend this read and appreciate the versatility of characters and their distinct voices.
September 14, 2024
I loved this book. The author had an amazing way of making you feel intense dread and betrayal the characters felt. The writing and descriptions were amazing and I loved the illustrations as well. My only complaint is that the end felt too abrupt while everything else was long and detailed.
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