Pound of Flesh

by James Atkinson

In the heart of Green Swamp, North Carolina, a tranquil community is shattered when a young boy falls victim to a chilling animal attack during a popular haunted hayride. The relief that follows the euthanization of the suspected bear is short-lived as Northern Eason, the daughter of local farmer Ray Eason, vanishes alongside four hunters on an ill-fated camping expedition.
As a rare and lethal winter storm descends upon the coastal region, tensions soar, and the impending danger becomes palpable. Amidst the chaos, only one individual senses the looming Jason Elliot, a twelve-year-old grappling with the aftermath of profound trauma and harboring a deeply guarded secret—one that could hold the key to deciphering the sinister events unfolding in Green Swamp.
With darkness descending and snow blanketing the landscape, the community finds itself in a desperate struggle against an ancient evil hell-bent on retribution for long-forgotten transgressions. As the lines between reality and nightmare blur, the fate of Green Swamp hangs precariously in the balance, and no one is beyond the reach of a malevolent force seeking vengeance.
Prepare for a non-stop page-turner about family secrets, retribution, and survival.

Genres: Horror

358 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 7, 2023

Reviews

[Xenia Melnik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book. The bad guy was surprising. Interesting setting. I love the claustrophobic environment. I wish there was a second book. I've been finding some very well written werewolf horror lately and I hope I don't break that streak any time soon. 🎉

[Juliuyaas · Rating 2 out of 5]

ngl was mid I really don't get like all the good reviews about this

I don't know like I liked the bones of this story and I think it could have been like really interesting. and you know here's the thing about me that you need to know guys okay werewolves are like my favorite supernatural creature like ever like. if real life was like Sims 3 supernatural I would be a werewolf like I love werewolves so much. there's like any kind of werewolf any incarnation anything I love it. this book like I like how it follows the more horror-esque you know version of a werewolf that's kind of more. you know the traditional idea of a werewolf you know it even has the whole plot line with the silver bullets. but the way that the story is formulated is leaving a little bit to be desired.

first of all, there are too many characters that we are meant to be following in this book. of course, act like a certain point in the book you sort of get used to it. you know every chapter basically shifts point of view sort of except it's all third person but it shifts like perspective to another character. it's just very difficult in the beginning because it has these back-to-back chapters, short chapters, that keep shifting perspective to new characters. and then every single time it goes to a new character. it also has to give their backstory which I'm going to also talk about in a second because that also leaves something to be desired.

and I don't think this is necessarily like inherently bad, but it's kind of inhibited by a couple of things. first of all, the fact that the chapters are so short means that we don't really have time with each new character, so we don't really have that much time to internalize you know their position in this world that Atkinson has created. a lot of the characters have similar-ish names so it's kind of difficult to distinguish between them. like for example Ron and Ray. Jason and John. obviously based on context and once you get you know once you realize the pattern of the book, we're basically you know alternates between three different groups like it makes sense and you can guess who it's talking about like with the context even if you've forgotten like the actual character name. but it's still like kind of annoying cuz I'm like. why would you put this many characters in here and then have them have similar names like that? that just seems needlessly confusing.

the purposes of a lot of the characters are also kind of shrouded a bit. like I don't really see the point of Garrett and Brent being a part of anything going on this book. apart from you know Garrett's date with Northern basically spurring the inciting incident on highway 211. literally like I feel like they forgot about Brent because all he does is kind of follow Ray and Buck around and then him and Garrett just die without saying like anything in the final act like they literally just die off screen or off page I guess. they also like the small argument where they're introduced to each other. and Brent like speaks up and is like oh no I wasn't her friend. I was her ex-boyfriend and it's like nobody in real life is going to brag about being someone's ex-boyfriend. what the fuck are you on about?

I feel like some characters could also be like sort of coalesced into one you know like I don't get why we need buck and Ray as two different characters because Ray basically has way more. you know impact on the actual plot and Buck is just kind of another. Ray and there's really no point to that. Brent is basically another Garrett but I mean like I said neither of them matter at all so it's like whatever.

and like I said earlier, the every single character gets a backstory and a lot of them are basically like the same it's like. oh my gosh I was super happy and then one of my or one of my parents died or one of my loved ones died or someone else close to me died or and it's like okay we get it. everybody is dying. can you really not think of anything more creative?? like the only backstory that was even remotely compelling to me was Jason's and that's only because it had more of a supernatural. you know context to it where he can basically see ghosts, but like I mean the content of his backstory isn't interesting without that factor. and look I'm not saying you need to reinvent the wheel like I'm not saying every single story needs to create backstories for every single character that are like innovative or different. I'm just wondering why you would go out of your way to give us background information about characters that are all basically the same. like is everybody's motivation in life related to the death of someone they knew???

this also becomes like an even bigger problem when we get to the main antagonist backstory which is and I kid you not. it's literally just my dad died and obviously it's deeper than that. it's like oh the town lynched him because he killed cattle. which by the way, I don't even know like why they were trying to make it like even a feasible moral question they had to like. Atkinson had to like backpedal and be like oh he didn't just kill Kelly. also killed Ray's brother and it's like dude. I don't care if he killed an actual person. I feel like killing cattle in like a farming community. is a decent enough reason to be ostracized? I mean, obviously I don't think he should have been hung for that. but like I don't know you kind of made your own bed at that point. and also we see with Victoria that they can kind of learn to control this like werewolf thing. so I'm like why are we even having this question of whether this was like moral or not like it? like I mean it was a moral because you shouldn't just like Lynch people. obviously okay. you shouldn't just Lynch people but at the same time I'm like he's willingly a murderer at the very minimum. he's at least like being a dick to this town like I don't feel bad for this guy and I didn't feel bad for Victoria either. I guess I don't know if I was supposed to. she just kind of seemed crazy

and also like I don't know. I really like how vicious the werewolf creature is in this book, but at the same time I can't take it as seriously when it's like. oh yeah, the super evil blood red moon gave it evil more murder murderness and it's like okay like why did they? why does he feel the need to call the like make it not just a blood like a full blood red moon but like I don't even remember what it was called. it was like the super murder full blood Moon like what the fuck are we on about and it doesn't even do anything cuz they beat those guys in like five pages like what was the point???

and that's also like another big thing is it feels like the main conflict was resolved so fast and there were literally like no consequences. I know that like those hikers died but nobody in the main cast was even related to them so it's like I don't care. Victoria died and like I said I didn't give a fuck about her. she was literally there for one chapter and then they gave her a backstory and like 10 pages. Okay? Northern doesn't even get stuck as a werewolfer have to learn to control it. she just conveniently isn't a werewolf because her bond with Victoria was broken or something. okay?

literally like the only bad thing that actually happened to these people is that one of their neighbors family died and I guess their pony died and it's like oh and a dog. oh my God Skeeter never mind. I forgot about Skeeter Skeeter is agI can't believe I forgot him. I loved skeeters so much and I was actually sad that he died. if Skeeter survived, this would have at least been like maybe another star more okay. I loved skeeters so much and I loved his bond with Jason and that was the best part of this book and I can't believe they killed him along with the random two other guys for nothing. they should have killed Bates and Ray, especially Ray since Ray was literally just aura farming about wanting to die the entire time in the last act.

but yeah um I don't really have much else to say I just think this book could have been way better. maybe he should have spent more time revising it or you know I don't know. I don't know. no hate no shade. I just didn't get the hype.

review over <3

ps. I also couldn't really take the werewolf seriously because it would describe them like slicing people instantly and then it would be like. oh yeah the slice was absolutely perfect. like a scalpel and steam started coming out of the body and it did that like 10 different times and at that point I was like okay I get it and also I'm like there's no way I don't know it's just weird. okay do you get what I mean when I say this? just understand what I mean

[HorrorAddictCris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a solid creature feature read for me!
And the twists and turns really made this novel an easy page turning read.
I didn’t expect the last twists and it really shocked the breath out of me.
Well written, great attention to detail, edge gripping story, with an extraordinary ending.
I couldn’t change a thing about this novel.

[Rhea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Violence Rating: 4/5 - Fenrir's Rage

Trigger Warnings: Mentions of child SA and animal deaths.

This book is an eerie Werewolf tale with a heartfelt 'twist'. Atkinson James's 'Pound of Flesh' is a gripping and immersive horror novel that effectively builds a sense of dread and isolation. The small-town setting creates a powerful feeling of being trapped and helpless, enhancing the horror as the characters are forced to deal with a threat they can't comprehend. The atmosphere is consistently suspensful and captivating, reminding me a lot of books like ‘Wichita Pass’ by Dupont.

The characters are a standout element in this book; their compassion and solidarity shine through the chaos. Their interpersonal dynamics and genuine care for one another feel authentic and add a wholesome layer to the terrifying events. I absolutely loved how the action was cleverly split between three different groups, each investigating and gathering clues independently. Evidently, It was incredibly satisfying to see them finally come together, pooling their knowledge and resources to confront the threat.

The story's central focus on a young boy named Jason, who has a special gift for seeing what's truly happening, is one of the most compelling parts of the book. The moments when he reveals his ‘visions’ are both stunning and frightening, and the natural conflict that arises from the skeptical adult characters adds a very much needed touch of realism and doubt to the supernatural plot.

Because the ending is too cheesy for my taste, I’d say it was the only thing that didn’t resonate with me. For a horror novel, the happy ending felt like it took away from the overall horror element which has been masterfully crafted to that point. There wasn't much of a twist either, and the identity of the werewolf becomes predictable at a certain point. I also have to note that while a specific celestial event is mentioned (a winter solstice with a Full Blood Super moon), it didn't seem to have an actual impact on the plot or the werewolf's actions.

Despite the ending feeling a bit soft for the genre, the book is a great read for its captivating atmosphere and how the action was split between townsfolks and it was easily a 5 stars novel for me.

[Horror Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always loved werewolves since I was a kid. And this epic werewolf novel does not disappoint in the carnage.

A boy goes missing from a haunted hayride during Halloween. They find his body in pieces scattered across a field. And this is how the book begins so you know you're in for a bloody good time!

And there are a lot of terrifying scenes of mayhem and bloodshed. This book has quite the body count. But it's also about family, revenge, and community as our large group of characters try to figure out why their family and friends are dying and what could have caused it all. It's these characters this novel focuses on in between the horrors and it makes the deaths more visceral and personal as we've spent time with them.

As the story progresses, we'll feel their pain, grief, and sense of helplessness as they find themselves trapped and unable to stop this blood thirsty beast as it wreaks havoc on their small farming community.

There's a particular child who has certain gifts that will help discern these events. But will adults actually believe him? If not, they're all doomed. If so, they might very well still be doomed because how do you stop a beast like this based on only what you know from legend?

All of these elements make this novel a breathtaking, thrilling, train ride of gore and, hopefully, redemption. I highly recommend it.

I want to thank the author for the ARC. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.

[Paul Pope · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is this a new twist on an old favorite? This creature seems different than the werewolf we already know. Of course it’s giant sized, nocturnal, full moon transformations, glowing eyes, bipedal, lethal talons, unnatural speed, super human strength. All the ingredients are there, but this cryptid is more (evil) human than beast.
The horror is some of the finest I’ve ever encountered. Lots of suspense with plenty of graphic descriptors sets it apart from other stories. I love how the whole story unfolds over just a 24 hr period of time.

There are issues of continuity. Some of the characters behave differently than as presented. And one of most peeviest peeves is when an author includes useless info in the story telling. Early in the book the author tells us that the waitress taking a food order is 18yo. This is her only appearance in the book, why is her age mentioned? Meaningless directions (..”they headed southwest on highway 211”…), the name of the song and singer playing on the radio as a character drives on. These are the distractors that pull me out of the story, making it easy to just set the book aside and go find something else to entertain myself.

However, having said all of that, I DO recommend this book for lovers of horror, werewolves, and suspense.

[Keith Putnam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad read.

It was something to read to pass the time. But 3/4 of the book is spent on the same thing in repetition almost like just a filler until the final chapters where the backstory for the monster was just randomly tossed in and honestly makes little sense. Then the 12 year old and his special abilities is up front until the final chapters and he’s barely a footnote. Too many random characters just tossed into the mix. I can see how the drawing board started out good but the final result had too many bubbles and lines drawn on it.

[TRACI · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has claws that will rip into you and not let go!

I bought this book because I was in the mood for a werewolf story but I got so much more than just that! Yes, there is a werewolf and it is scary, but this is also a fantastic story about a group of people that you will really feel you know because the characters are so well written. I needed to know how and if they survives and Is still couldn't put it down until I finished! I will definitely be looking for more from this author! 👍👍👍👍👍

[Dena Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scary but great

I've been wanting to read this book for the longest. It was quite interesting about a woman who wanted revenge. You went to see a shaman because she wanted to get revenge on people who were, who involved in killing her father, so she decided to become a Wolf. So she's gone around killing everybody. And when it finally came out she bithe, one girl who who she was holding captive, she became a Wolf, but once they killed her. Their daughter never changed

[Jason Cross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story that suffers from a rushed ending


I real!y loved this story. The author brought to life these characters like a master. I hated to put this book down at the end of the night. The major problem, though, was an ending that felt rushed and unsatisfying. It was like the author realized he was running out of pages so he rushed through the ending.

[Jason Weber · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Very solid Werewolf book!
Good story, good characters
I really enjoyed the last 100 pages or so when the hunt is in and you find out who/what/where about the Werewolf.
Must read for any werewolf fans!

[Dusty Crum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved It !

A pound of fleas was a great book ! I couldn't lay it down. Fast paced . It keeps you on the edge of your seat .

[Lynn Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and kept me wanting more

[Margaret M Romanelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book

It is an intriguing tale with plenty of excitement. I could hardly put the book down towards the end. Loved it

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! I wish it was made into a movie or limited series.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very wicked werewolf story. No one is spared. A good story. I was disappointed in the ending resolution. I encourage you to try this book anyway.