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Scare Me: An Extreme Horror Novella
The Taskmaster wants to play a game…
When twenty-seven-year-old Rosalind Harris plays the interactive, online-game SCARE ME, hosted by The Taskmaster, she has no idea of the deadly consequences.
She is tricked and blackmailed into playing. Punishment for non-compliance is severe. The tasks grow increasingly bizarre, sleazy, macabre and downright illegal. But Rosalind is now stuck, playing The Taskmaster’s perverted game.
She must beat him, or die trying.
- GenresHorror
141 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 23, 2024
46 people are currently reading
144 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
March 8, 2025
SCARE ME: An Extreme Horror Novella [2024] By Sam West
My Review 3.0 Stars
This short work by horror writer Sam West was released roughly a year ago, and it has been featured as one of two Group Reads for the month of March 2025 on the HGW Horror Group. On a positive note, it is a quick read, and I finished it last night after devoting only two blocks of time for it over a two-day period.
The readability factor was very high, and the author snagged my attention immediately and held my interest “until the fat lady sings”. I kept hoping that the trajectory of the suggested outcome would change until it did not alter its course. In addition, it my opinion that West was successful in the character development of the female protagonist, that is vested Rosalind with enough enrichment for her character to make a connection with the reader. It is written in first person narrator so an understanding of her involvement in the rapidly unfolding storyline practically envelops the reader from the beginning. My satisfaction level lasted for the majority of the story since it was at the 73% mark that I had a strong urge to figuratively throw the book.
As a reader, I thought that surely no additional sexual degradation could be thrust at Rosalind (pun I suppose was intended). I mean she is getting brutally “banged” both emotionally and physically any way she turns. Seriously, though, this plot line has been deployed not infrequently for a long time. Legendary Laymon had his “Taskmaster” ordering the main female character to perform acts that were increasingly more dangerous and high risk. These “tasks” were risking life and limb or illegal with incredible consequences if caught by the authorities. Recently I read a different incarnation of the beautiful girl meets an anonymous evil (“Taskmaster”) in an anthology. In any case, I hit the roadblock following Rosalind’s failure to seduce the man she truly loved which only resulted in her emotional devastation and complete humiliation. She is then compelled to attempt an impromptu seduction of the most unlikely couple imaginable only to be dismissed with disgust and far-reaching effects for her she and her mother’s immediate future. Rosalind had only been attempting to seek the least debasing sexual exploit to satisfy the “rules of the game”. She ultimately finds herself in the most extreme and invasive definition of a “three-way” within a dirty bathroom stall in a filthy dive.
Like many readers I was enjoying the crazy situations Rosalind encountered after she began to play “Scare Me” and follows the rules of a deviant demonic “Taskmaster” with obvious supernatural powers. It was gradual as previously stated, but I started to feel like I was reading non-stop sick pornography featuring the unwilling, blackmailed female protagonist. “The complete debasement of self” was rapidly approaching when Rosalind was given the three-part composition of the “task number four” she would be demanded to perform. I do not get totally disgusted very easily but author Sam West was incredibly successful in making me want to puke. Task number five was a “Gotcha” proposition with no way to “win” with the inherently evil demon who was rigging the game. Following the resolution of Rosalind’s “Scare Me” competition with the Demon, the author wrote two-time sensitive outcomes for two persons on Rosalind’s list of people who were among the living. This only underscored my disappointment and disgust with the turn the “game” had taken.
Finally, I wanted to stress that explicit descriptions of sexual acts are not any kind of “trigger” for me. I would extend that to acts of depravity that would sicken many people who were not accustomed to the extreme horror genre. My disgruntlement stemmed from what I felt was the unredeemable or meaninglessness nature of the author’s narrative. It felt like the writing of a misogynist having a fun filled time drinking beer and writing sleazy pornography.
Obviously, it baffled me that this Extreme Horror Novella was penned by a female horror writer. The British West is impressively prolific, and her favorite work is suggested to be “All the Pretty Dolls”. I am willing to concede that I may have read this current novella of extreme horror when I was having an “off” night, or perhaps I am being unfairly critical of a female writer destroying a female protagonist with such fervor and relish.
“SCARE ME” FROM BRITAIN’S PROLIFIC SAM WEST A MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT
My Review 3.0 Stars
This short work by horror writer Sam West was released roughly a year ago, and it has been featured as one of two Group Reads for the month of March 2025 on the HGW Horror Group. On a positive note, it is a quick read, and I finished it last night after devoting only two blocks of time for it over a two-day period.
The readability factor was very high, and the author snagged my attention immediately and held my interest “until the fat lady sings”. I kept hoping that the trajectory of the suggested outcome would change until it did not alter its course. In addition, it my opinion that West was successful in the character development of the female protagonist, that is vested Rosalind with enough enrichment for her character to make a connection with the reader. It is written in first person narrator so an understanding of her involvement in the rapidly unfolding storyline practically envelops the reader from the beginning. My satisfaction level lasted for the majority of the story since it was at the 73% mark that I had a strong urge to figuratively throw the book.
As a reader, I thought that surely no additional sexual degradation could be thrust at Rosalind (pun I suppose was intended). I mean she is getting brutally “banged” both emotionally and physically any way she turns. Seriously, though, this plot line has been deployed not infrequently for a long time. Legendary Laymon had his “Taskmaster” ordering the main female character to perform acts that were increasingly more dangerous and high risk. These “tasks” were risking life and limb or illegal with incredible consequences if caught by the authorities. Recently I read a different incarnation of the beautiful girl meets an anonymous evil (“Taskmaster”) in an anthology. In any case, I hit the roadblock following Rosalind’s failure to seduce the man she truly loved which only resulted in her emotional devastation and complete humiliation. She is then compelled to attempt an impromptu seduction of the most unlikely couple imaginable only to be dismissed with disgust and far-reaching effects for her she and her mother’s immediate future. Rosalind had only been attempting to seek the least debasing sexual exploit to satisfy the “rules of the game”. She ultimately finds herself in the most extreme and invasive definition of a “three-way” within a dirty bathroom stall in a filthy dive.
Like many readers I was enjoying the crazy situations Rosalind encountered after she began to play “Scare Me” and follows the rules of a deviant demonic “Taskmaster” with obvious supernatural powers. It was gradual as previously stated, but I started to feel like I was reading non-stop sick pornography featuring the unwilling, blackmailed female protagonist. “The complete debasement of self” was rapidly approaching when Rosalind was given the three-part composition of the “task number four” she would be demanded to perform. I do not get totally disgusted very easily but author Sam West was incredibly successful in making me want to puke. Task number five was a “Gotcha” proposition with no way to “win” with the inherently evil demon who was rigging the game. Following the resolution of Rosalind’s “Scare Me” competition with the Demon, the author wrote two-time sensitive outcomes for two persons on Rosalind’s list of people who were among the living. This only underscored my disappointment and disgust with the turn the “game” had taken.
Finally, I wanted to stress that explicit descriptions of sexual acts are not any kind of “trigger” for me. I would extend that to acts of depravity that would sicken many people who were not accustomed to the extreme horror genre. My disgruntlement stemmed from what I felt was the unredeemable or meaninglessness nature of the author’s narrative. It felt like the writing of a misogynist having a fun filled time drinking beer and writing sleazy pornography.
Obviously, it baffled me that this Extreme Horror Novella was penned by a female horror writer. The British West is impressively prolific, and her favorite work is suggested to be “All the Pretty Dolls”. I am willing to concede that I may have read this current novella of extreme horror when I was having an “off” night, or perhaps I am being unfairly critical of a female writer destroying a female protagonist with such fervor and relish.
“SCARE ME” FROM BRITAIN’S PROLIFIC SAM WEST A MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT
September 9, 2025
This was ok. I really didn’t feel any type of connection to Ros, our lead, and that made the rest of the story seem unimportant. There weren’t any real revelations about anything happening, including this mysterious Taskmaster. And majority of the story just consisted of an overabundance of sexual content. To the point where I started skimming past a lot of it, hoping to find more pertinent plot points, which I wasn’t able to locate. After the story found itself continually losing the decent momentum it built up in the beginning, it became very repetitive. Even with the challenges Ros was given, they weren’t terribly creative, resembled something akin to a low budget Saw film, and it all felt like it got stuck on loop. Then it just ended very abruptly and, as the reader, I was left with more questions than answers. Sam West’s writing style was good here and the premise wasn’t bad, but nothing came together for me.
November 5, 2024
The story reminded me a bit on the Djinn. Some obscure taskmaster has some tasks for Roslind. Will she master them? The lives of her boyfriend, mum and some more family members are at stake. Of course Sam West has many sexual and nasty details inside you don't want to read that detailed, do you. I would say a typical extreme Sam West with some shocking humour and disgusting elements. Really recommended!
March 6, 2025
Ros has to succeed in 5 almost impossible disturbingly gross challenges which are set by a truly evil online fiend, or people she has personally selected will suffer and...die.
A great little piece of fun horror escapism only slightly let down by a rather rushed and, sadly brief, ending that also appeared quite conveniently a little too straight forward and obvious. More depth would certainly have been much welcomed here. However, overall, I really enjoyed it.
Well worth a read - give the tale a go...but maybe not so the 'Dream-100-Heaven' sex machine!
Rating: 3.8 captivatingly bright stars of OTT sick fun written by a true genius of novellas of the dark and sinister. Thank you, Ms West!
A great little piece of fun horror escapism only slightly let down by a rather rushed and, sadly brief, ending that also appeared quite conveniently a little too straight forward and obvious. More depth would certainly have been much welcomed here. However, overall, I really enjoyed it.
Well worth a read - give the tale a go...but maybe not so the 'Dream-100-Heaven' sex machine!
Rating: 3.8 captivatingly bright stars of OTT sick fun written by a true genius of novellas of the dark and sinister. Thank you, Ms West!
September 23, 2024
Decent that. Chaos is a c... 😉
August 1, 2024
Scare Me was an awesome take on the gameshow trope with dire concequences. Ros has just broken up with her boyfriend and is back living at home with her mother and her perverted boyfriend. The opening scene was quite frankly hilarious. I think maybe this says more about me than it does about the story!
Ros recieves a spam email that takes over her laptop and her entire life. Initially it only asks her for six names – three she hates and three she loves. She hates Chris (her cheating ex boyfriend,) a punter at the pup that is just way too slimy and also her mother’s boyfriend who leers over her. The names she loves – her mother, her ex’s father and her friend. She closes the laptop and doesn’t think any more of it.
Opening that email has major implications on her life. “The Taskmaster” has her doing all sorts of things, each task becoming harder, a kind of game of would you rather mixed with russian roulette. The writing was easy to read and I had a real great time with it. The fecal scene did actually make me gag but never the less, I loved it.
Ros recieves a spam email that takes over her laptop and her entire life. Initially it only asks her for six names – three she hates and three she loves. She hates Chris (her cheating ex boyfriend,) a punter at the pup that is just way too slimy and also her mother’s boyfriend who leers over her. The names she loves – her mother, her ex’s father and her friend. She closes the laptop and doesn’t think any more of it.
Opening that email has major implications on her life. “The Taskmaster” has her doing all sorts of things, each task becoming harder, a kind of game of would you rather mixed with russian roulette. The writing was easy to read and I had a real great time with it. The fecal scene did actually make me gag but never the less, I loved it.
October 22, 2024
This is officially my new favorite Extreme Horror story! I absolutely loved this story and all the sick deranged shit that came with it. This was also my first read by Sam West and it most definitely will not be my last.
Scare Me follows a young woman named Rosalind. Her life is quite complicated at the moment and to make matters worse, she receives a strange email addressed from “The Taskmaster.” She’s been tricked and blackmailed into the online game known as “Scare Me.” Once you send the list of names, it’s game over for the player. The tasks grow more depraved and foul as the game goes on. The consequences are dire if not followed properly.
This story was so creative and addictive as hell! I talked to my kindle quite a bit throughout this story as each event unfolded as I continued to read on. I lost count of how many times I said “wtf.” Also gagged a few times. IYKYK… 🐕💩
Scare Me follows a young woman named Rosalind. Her life is quite complicated at the moment and to make matters worse, she receives a strange email addressed from “The Taskmaster.” She’s been tricked and blackmailed into the online game known as “Scare Me.” Once you send the list of names, it’s game over for the player. The tasks grow more depraved and foul as the game goes on. The consequences are dire if not followed properly.
This story was so creative and addictive as hell! I talked to my kindle quite a bit throughout this story as each event unfolded as I continued to read on. I lost count of how many times I said “wtf.” Also gagged a few times. IYKYK… 🐕💩
March 15, 2024
Great storyline
Another great read from the beginning you 're taken on a journey of debauchery, heart wrenching decisions and brutal incidents.. Rosalind a young woman, whose life is turned upside down through no fault of her own. But a dark force seems to be pushing her. An excellent storyline with some great characters. I can't pick one as equally in each character their performance and personalities brought their own unique style into the story. A great read that keeps you entertained. Recommended!
Another great read from the beginning you 're taken on a journey of debauchery, heart wrenching decisions and brutal incidents.. Rosalind a young woman, whose life is turned upside down through no fault of her own. But a dark force seems to be pushing her. An excellent storyline with some great characters. I can't pick one as equally in each character their performance and personalities brought their own unique style into the story. A great read that keeps you entertained. Recommended!
October 24, 2024
This is bloody gross in every way but I loved it!
Rosalind opens an email and is instantly included in a game. She has to write 3 people she hates and 3 people she loves. She completes tasks to move to the next round. There’s 5 rounds. Some of the things she has to do are rancid. This really pushes the limits and boundaries but I loved it. The ending I wanted to run to Rosalind and tell her like gossip girl but she’s only fictional 😂
Rosalind opens an email and is instantly included in a game. She has to write 3 people she hates and 3 people she loves. She completes tasks to move to the next round. There’s 5 rounds. Some of the things she has to do are rancid. This really pushes the limits and boundaries but I loved it. The ending I wanted to run to Rosalind and tell her like gossip girl but she’s only fictional 😂
March 22, 2024
Good read!
Rosalind Harris’s old school friend, Nora Andrews, was sifting through her emails on a sweltering hot summer’s day in Western Australia. One from somebody going by the name of The Taskmaster caught her eye. It was addressed to her personally. How strange, she thought. She opened the email.
Rosalind Harris’s old school friend, Nora Andrews, was sifting through her emails on a sweltering hot summer’s day in Western Australia. One from somebody going by the name of The Taskmaster caught her eye. It was addressed to her personally. How strange, she thought. She opened the email.
February 10, 2024
A dark twisted story ...... the taskmaster has chosen you to play!
February 10, 2024
Couldn't care for any of the characters. The book was badly proofread as well (if at all).
March 5, 2024
I love Sam West
This story is so scary, I just cannot imagine something like this happening to me… what would you do?!?!?! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This story is so scary, I just cannot imagine something like this happening to me… what would you do?!?!?! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 14, 2024
Really interesting book, was instantly hooked. I was so intrigued and interested by Mike's character he held such a level of depravity I feel he was killed off way to soon. I wanted more of his antics he was a character I wanted to know more about. Love how there rules aren't as simple as you think, for example what happened with Dick even if she Completed the task there's little specifications which means someone still dies. I genuinely felt some sympathy for dick when he died my heart kind of broke for him really, he died simply because she thought he was abit creepy he didn't really do anything to her. This book has kept me on the edge of my seat every minute I've thought about looking forward to finishing work to start reading. Some of the sex scenes were disappointing the 3some scene I wanted so much more detailed and longer for the genre of the book I expected more graphic sex.
The ending however was very abrupt. Was cool however it seems to leave a cliffhanger to the story
Best book I've read this year
The ending however was very abrupt. Was cool however it seems to leave a cliffhanger to the story
Best book I've read this year
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 17, 2024
I think this is my first Sam West rodeo... Don't think it will be my last, but definitely would have to be in the mood to read this type of book. Horror (Wouldn't class this one as extreme), degradation and definite perversion bring this novella to life. I love the concept idea of Scare Me and really hoped there would be another book. Felt terrible for poor Ros....
A kindle unlimited novella, so free to read if you subscribe. 3.5 stars.
A kindle unlimited novella, so free to read if you subscribe. 3.5 stars.
April 24, 2025
It was ok, I wouldn’t really call it extreme horror per se, Iv read a lot lot worse but maybe Iv become immune to extreme horror writing. The plot was good but in my opinion it could have been taken up another few notches and the ending was a bit of a let down. It wasn’t a bad book I just wanted more
October 20, 2025
I really wanted to like this book more than I did. I think the premise of it was great but found the overall novella to be a bit...lacking. Now, does that mean I won't read more of Sam West? Absolutely not. The gore portions of this book were great and I was definitely uncomfortable the entire time which was what I was looking for. I just wish the ending wasn't the way it was.
February 7, 2024
interesting read on
Interesting storyline that the way the world of the internet is these days could quite possibly end up being real!
Well written but defiantly not for the faint hearted readers
Interesting storyline that the way the world of the internet is these days could quite possibly end up being real!
Well written but defiantly not for the faint hearted readers
April 2, 2024
Good, Quick Read
I don't know what it says about me that I liked this novella, but I did enjoy it. Although I was only looking for a short, quick read, I found myself wishing that it continued on at least just a little bit more.
I don't know what it says about me that I liked this novella, but I did enjoy it. Although I was only looking for a short, quick read, I found myself wishing that it continued on at least just a little bit more.
April 21, 2024
I walked right into this one. Completely unprepared for its first chapter content. But nevertheless an excellent read. Horror in its finest!!!
September 19, 2024
Riveting.
I won't be checking my spam emails anymore that is for sure. I swear I can still taste task number 4 in my mouth. This was a classic supernatural horror twist on the dark web, I loved it.
I won't be checking my spam emails anymore that is for sure. I swear I can still taste task number 4 in my mouth. This was a classic supernatural horror twist on the dark web, I loved it.
October 23, 2024
4.5 ⭐️
This almost made me throw up.
Ros had to learn a hard lesson about opening up strange emails. Was it worth it? Probably not
This almost made me throw up.
Ros had to learn a hard lesson about opening up strange emails. Was it worth it? Probably not
January 22, 2025
scare me
If you are into sick books and gore, here it is. Very graphic so do not recommend to most adults and absolutely no one under 18
If you are into sick books and gore, here it is. Very graphic so do not recommend to most adults and absolutely no one under 18
May 8, 2025
Very poorly written with a lot of typos.
May 3, 2024
This may be my favorite book by Sam West!
If you've read my previous reviews, you know I'm a huge sucker for dark web/social media stories, and writing where the characters are forced to do "tasks" or play "games" to survive. So I was hooked from beginning to end!
As expected, the tasks that our leading character must go through is disgusting and violent. This is a must read!
4/5
If you've read my previous reviews, you know I'm a huge sucker for dark web/social media stories, and writing where the characters are forced to do "tasks" or play "games" to survive. So I was hooked from beginning to end!
As expected, the tasks that our leading character must go through is disgusting and violent. This is a must read!
4/5
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews