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Chasing The Dragon
A fever-dream fusion of horror, crime, comedy, and heartbreak.
One man. One Mission. Zero superpowers.
In a city strangled by drugs, corruption, and despair, one man becomes a hero no one asked for.
Haunted by the voice of his dead mother and armed with nothing but dog poop bags and a questionable sense of justice, Simon Dooley embarks on an impossible task to bring hope back to his city.
Battling the filth of the streets and the demons in his head, Simon confronts the darkest corners of humanity as well as his past. He isn’t the hero they wanted. He’s the one who showed up.
He is Reformo.
Chasing the Dragon is a genre-defying thrill ride that’s as hilarious as it is harrowing. Fans of The Boys and Deadpool will love this chaotic comedic vigilante hero.
**Reviews**
‘We’ve got ourselves a new superhero friends. A story about one Big man, his too-tight leotard, and the haunting voice in his head screaming at him to clean up the streets.
Chasing the Dragon is hands down, the most fun I’ve ever had with an ARC.
Mark Towse has given us a new humanitarian hero narrative; a perfect mix of satire and sincerity. It’s a kick-ass blend of Sin City’s dark atmosphere and the unconventional heroism of Unbreakable. Beneath the comedic surface, the novel tackles some serious themes like domestic abuse and poverty and while it clearly pokes fun at certain elements, it never loses sight of the weightier subjects it addresses.
“Chasing The Dragon is a hybrid of all genres, a fever-dream mash-up of horror, fantasy, comedy, crime, thriller, mystery, and even a bit of bloody romance.”
One man. One Mission. Zero superpowers.
In a city strangled by drugs, corruption, and despair, one man becomes a hero no one asked for.
Haunted by the voice of his dead mother and armed with nothing but dog poop bags and a questionable sense of justice, Simon Dooley embarks on an impossible task to bring hope back to his city.
Battling the filth of the streets and the demons in his head, Simon confronts the darkest corners of humanity as well as his past. He isn’t the hero they wanted. He’s the one who showed up.
He is Reformo.
Chasing the Dragon is a genre-defying thrill ride that’s as hilarious as it is harrowing. Fans of The Boys and Deadpool will love this chaotic comedic vigilante hero.
**Reviews**
‘We’ve got ourselves a new superhero friends. A story about one Big man, his too-tight leotard, and the haunting voice in his head screaming at him to clean up the streets.
Chasing the Dragon is hands down, the most fun I’ve ever had with an ARC.
Mark Towse has given us a new humanitarian hero narrative; a perfect mix of satire and sincerity. It’s a kick-ass blend of Sin City’s dark atmosphere and the unconventional heroism of Unbreakable. Beneath the comedic surface, the novel tackles some serious themes like domestic abuse and poverty and while it clearly pokes fun at certain elements, it never loses sight of the weightier subjects it addresses.
“Chasing The Dragon is a hybrid of all genres, a fever-dream mash-up of horror, fantasy, comedy, crime, thriller, mystery, and even a bit of bloody romance.”
234 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 23, 2024
46 people are currently reading
375 people want to read
About the author
Mark Towse
93 books479 followersMark Towse is an English horror writer living in Australia. He would sell his soul to the devil or anyone buying if it meant he could write full-time. Alas, he left it very late to begin this journey, penning his first story since primary school at the ripe old age of forty-five. Since then, he's been published in over two hundred journals and anthologies, had his work made into full theatrical productions for shows such as The No Sleep Podcast and Tales to Terrify, and has penned fourteen novellas, including Nana, Gone to the Dogs, 3:33, and Crows. He also has two very well-received story collections, 'There's Something Wrong with Aunty Beth,' and 'You Only Live Once.' Chasing The Dragon is his debut novel.
'Mark Towse is an exciting new discovery. His stories are hidden gems that glint in the darkness. His characters draw you into their worlds, making you care, then plunge you into the abyss, leaving only a memory of warmth. These tales will linger in your mind long after the telling. His are heart-felt stories with an icy edge. Highly recommended.'
Trevor Denyer – Editor and Publisher – Midnight Street Press
https://twitter.com/MarkTowsey12
https://www.facebook.com/mark.towse.75
https://marktowsedarkfiction.wordpres...
'Mark Towse is an exciting new discovery. His stories are hidden gems that glint in the darkness. His characters draw you into their worlds, making you care, then plunge you into the abyss, leaving only a memory of warmth. These tales will linger in your mind long after the telling. His are heart-felt stories with an icy edge. Highly recommended.'
Trevor Denyer – Editor and Publisher – Midnight Street Press
https://twitter.com/MarkTowsey12
https://www.facebook.com/mark.towse.75
https://marktowsedarkfiction.wordpres...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
April 13, 2024
Also available in Kindle Unlimited!
Towse went full-on Shrek with this one, because not unlike the beloved ogre feels about himself, this story has layers. Like an onion. Please keep in mind that I did not compare their looks in any way. I am not cruel enough to do that to the big green guy.
Look at the onion as it sits there. It gives you the impression that it is ready to eat, but it doesn’t dictate what it should be cooked with. And as you look at the cover of this book, you might think to yourself that it is a superhero, cartoon-ish story, but you have no idea what is waiting inside.
Take that onion and peel back that first layer. Looks nice, fresh and wholesome. And when start to read this story, you find a guy who wants to be a hero, who hates to see the chaos around him and wants to bring back hope. You know, like you’re listening to Bonnie Tyler’s HOLDING OUT FOR A HERO in that first part.
Peel back the next layer of that onion and the smell hits you, but you manage to keep it out of your eyes. And you soon realize that this guy in the story is driven by more than just the desire to be a good guy. And the soundtrack shifts to Rev Theory’s VOICES. But there’s this glimmer of hope that comes through.
Next layer gone and the onion is getting smaller. Of course, at this stage he will meet the unattainable woman of the night. The forbidden love in the hopeless situation they find themselves. And the song changes to something like the Arctic Monkeys’ CRAWLING BACK TO YOU – you know, there’s a sexiness competing with the darkness.
Yank back the next layer, and it squirts you right in the eye in the only way an onion can take revenge. As the tears flow, you realize that you have reached the point in the story where…for a lack of a better description, shit becomes real.
Really, really real.
Because we have moved so far past that comedic lightheartedness of the story, you can’t even remember what was so funny to begin with. Which brings us to the next song on our soundtrack, Architects’ ANIMALS catches the shift in the mood fairly well.
And as you pull back the next layer of the onion, you see a worm has spoiled the onion that you thought was so beautiful when it sat there. And the much expected pushback comes at this point. Let’s change the soundtrack to Fall Out Boy’s MY SONGS KNOW WHAT YOU DID IN THE DARK.
This leaves you with one of two options: Get rid of the onion you’d spent so much time on, or just see it as a protein bonus. And I can’t make this choice for you, because the final quarter of the story might surprise you. But I will leave you with a final song: Phil Collins’ IN THE AIR TONIGHT, but you have the option of listening to the version by the band State of Mine.
This one surprised me. A lot. While I liked most of what I have read by this author, this one blew me away. It is hands down the best thing I have read by him so far. The mix of genres does not interfere in any way with the storyline, instead it complements it and gives it a natural flow.
Most of all, I am not quite done with the onion yet, because as you peel back the layers from comedy to crime to mystery to romance to thriller to noir to drama to horror, this story will give you more than you expect.
And at the very core, where the worm is also crying because of all the onion juices it finds itself in, there is a very deep look psychological damage caused by abuse and trauma. And you will feel with this one, so be prepared.
There is not really an audience I can pinpoint for this one, but because of the darkness and violence that ensues through the latter part of the story, I would suggest horror, thriller, fantasy and action readers should give this one a go.
Very easy 5 Stars!
Towse went full-on Shrek with this one, because not unlike the beloved ogre feels about himself, this story has layers. Like an onion. Please keep in mind that I did not compare their looks in any way. I am not cruel enough to do that to the big green guy.
Look at the onion as it sits there. It gives you the impression that it is ready to eat, but it doesn’t dictate what it should be cooked with. And as you look at the cover of this book, you might think to yourself that it is a superhero, cartoon-ish story, but you have no idea what is waiting inside.
Take that onion and peel back that first layer. Looks nice, fresh and wholesome. And when start to read this story, you find a guy who wants to be a hero, who hates to see the chaos around him and wants to bring back hope. You know, like you’re listening to Bonnie Tyler’s HOLDING OUT FOR A HERO in that first part.
Peel back the next layer of that onion and the smell hits you, but you manage to keep it out of your eyes. And you soon realize that this guy in the story is driven by more than just the desire to be a good guy. And the soundtrack shifts to Rev Theory’s VOICES. But there’s this glimmer of hope that comes through.
Next layer gone and the onion is getting smaller. Of course, at this stage he will meet the unattainable woman of the night. The forbidden love in the hopeless situation they find themselves. And the song changes to something like the Arctic Monkeys’ CRAWLING BACK TO YOU – you know, there’s a sexiness competing with the darkness.
Yank back the next layer, and it squirts you right in the eye in the only way an onion can take revenge. As the tears flow, you realize that you have reached the point in the story where…for a lack of a better description, shit becomes real.
Really, really real.
Because we have moved so far past that comedic lightheartedness of the story, you can’t even remember what was so funny to begin with. Which brings us to the next song on our soundtrack, Architects’ ANIMALS catches the shift in the mood fairly well.
And as you pull back the next layer of the onion, you see a worm has spoiled the onion that you thought was so beautiful when it sat there. And the much expected pushback comes at this point. Let’s change the soundtrack to Fall Out Boy’s MY SONGS KNOW WHAT YOU DID IN THE DARK.
This leaves you with one of two options: Get rid of the onion you’d spent so much time on, or just see it as a protein bonus. And I can’t make this choice for you, because the final quarter of the story might surprise you. But I will leave you with a final song: Phil Collins’ IN THE AIR TONIGHT, but you have the option of listening to the version by the band State of Mine.
This one surprised me. A lot. While I liked most of what I have read by this author, this one blew me away. It is hands down the best thing I have read by him so far. The mix of genres does not interfere in any way with the storyline, instead it complements it and gives it a natural flow.
Most of all, I am not quite done with the onion yet, because as you peel back the layers from comedy to crime to mystery to romance to thriller to noir to drama to horror, this story will give you more than you expect.
And at the very core, where the worm is also crying because of all the onion juices it finds itself in, there is a very deep look psychological damage caused by abuse and trauma. And you will feel with this one, so be prepared.
There is not really an audience I can pinpoint for this one, but because of the darkness and violence that ensues through the latter part of the story, I would suggest horror, thriller, fantasy and action readers should give this one a go.
Very easy 5 Stars!
September 25, 2025
This was an interesting read. The cover reminded me of Brightburn, but a little less scary. So we followed a wannabe superhero, Simon/Reformo, as he strived to save his fair city. He’s not a very good hero and made Dave Lizewski from Mark Millar’s Kick-Ass look like a pro. But he meant well and tried desperately to find his way amongst all the corruption and bad hombres in the city. Oh, and he also has flashbacks and heard his deceased mother egging him on, too. Norman Bates, much? Lots of comedy and decent amount of action. Not really many horror-related elements, but they were around. The quality of Mark Towse’s writing is on point and crisp as can be. It always is. I’ve read most of his books at this point and, even if I have some critiques, above all else, the writing is solid. Now this did feel long-winded and some of the jokes really were pushed too often and too many times, losing their impact. Perhaps cutting out some of the repetition and just tighting up certain aspects would have streamlined everything a bit, but that’s not to put down the story. It was very enjoyable and worth a read for either new or established fans of Towse.
January 1, 2024
A Horror Bookworm Recommendation
Chasing The Dragon by Mark Towse
https://horrorbookwormreviews.com/
Determined to put his town back on the map, Simon wants to officially do away with the seediness and hopelessness that has taken over. Let’s face it, his city is in need of a makeshift superhero to bring back law & order. The Reformer has arrived to restore hope and cease the grip hold of drugs, weapons and prostitution that corrupts his local township.
Author Mark Towse transports the reader to the dilapidated part of town where crime has spread like a toxic mold and the air is thick with permeable dread. But fear not dear readers, Towse has introduced a costumed savior just in time to stop the unbridled chaos. This caped disciple has taken it upon himself to teach respect to wrongdoers so residents can live in harmony once again. However, interacting with villains such as Tattoo Man, Bum Fluff, Butter Balls and the deadly Dragon, brings forth the reality that comes with a heavy price.
Within this full length novel are tragedy tie-ins, constant villain conflicts and a hero that has his flaws all shrouded in a delusional reality. Chasing The Dragon hits all the masked marvel marks…adrenaline, violence and a perfect amount of humor (not to mention the severe emotional Norman Bates mother issues). Who says becoming a superhero was going to be easy.
Picking up after your dog, keeping music to a reasonable level, littering that is unacceptable and illegal parking…this superhero is never off duty. Chalk this one up as a victory for Mark Towse and Eerie River Publishing…a Wham! Smash! Kapow! Horror Bookworm Recommendation for those of us who need to believe.
Chasing The Dragon by Mark Towse
https://horrorbookwormreviews.com/
Determined to put his town back on the map, Simon wants to officially do away with the seediness and hopelessness that has taken over. Let’s face it, his city is in need of a makeshift superhero to bring back law & order. The Reformer has arrived to restore hope and cease the grip hold of drugs, weapons and prostitution that corrupts his local township.
Author Mark Towse transports the reader to the dilapidated part of town where crime has spread like a toxic mold and the air is thick with permeable dread. But fear not dear readers, Towse has introduced a costumed savior just in time to stop the unbridled chaos. This caped disciple has taken it upon himself to teach respect to wrongdoers so residents can live in harmony once again. However, interacting with villains such as Tattoo Man, Bum Fluff, Butter Balls and the deadly Dragon, brings forth the reality that comes with a heavy price.
Within this full length novel are tragedy tie-ins, constant villain conflicts and a hero that has his flaws all shrouded in a delusional reality. Chasing The Dragon hits all the masked marvel marks…adrenaline, violence and a perfect amount of humor (not to mention the severe emotional Norman Bates mother issues). Who says becoming a superhero was going to be easy.
Picking up after your dog, keeping music to a reasonable level, littering that is unacceptable and illegal parking…this superhero is never off duty. Chalk this one up as a victory for Mark Towse and Eerie River Publishing…a Wham! Smash! Kapow! Horror Bookworm Recommendation for those of us who need to believe.
April 12, 2025
”They have no idea who I am about to become.”
Mark Towse’s debut novel, Chasing the Dragon was everything I hoped it would be and more. This genre-bending, whirlwind of a read held the story of a young man battling lifelong trauma and his ability to persevere.
The caped disciple will bring order back to town.
Simon Dooley lives in a town overcome with despair, hopelessness, and dread. A town both scorned and forgotten. Once happy and peaceful, it’s turned into a dreary place— riddled with crime, drugs, prostitution, and unhappy residents. Colorless and sad with human decency a thing of the past.
Things have to change and the chaos must end.
And Simon has an idea, one that’s been festering in the back of his mind since childhood. His town needs a hero— actually, a super hero.
And here is when our trauma-ridden MC transforms from Simon Dooley into Reformo.
Aided with a leotard (I mean superhero suit, my bad!), a bunch of dog poop bags, and the incessant voice of his deceased mother— Reformo is ready to bring order and hope back to town!
From yelling at people to throw out their trash to full on brawls against abusers and gang members, Reformo is tasked with a multitude of problems to solve in his small town. Yet, he proves time and time again through multiple ordeals that no situation is ever too big or too small.
End the chaos, Simon.
Chasing the Dragon was a read I did not expect. Diving in, I knew it was a pseudo-superhero type of story, but the depth was incredible. Not only was it a mixed bag of horror, romance, and mystery— but its deep theme of resurfacing trauma and how it shapes a person was something that truly reeled me in. Towse does an excellent job at shaping Simon’s character, and ultimately his path to becoming Reformo.
And Towse walks the tightrope of comedy and horror with ease, providing the story with comedic relief at times while keeping its dark and uneasy undertone. The timing of this novel’s silly moments were perfect, and when it was time to be serious, Towse made it apparent. Typically a blend I’m not too fond of, this felt natural and sincere.
Simon is a tragic hero in my eyes. One filled with flaws and inner ordeals— yet you still root for him to win. Through his aggravating and tough inner monologues, the reader begins to understand Simon’s abusive and miserable past. There’s a soft spot for him. As he wins and loses throughout, you find a sense of hope the same as he does. By the story’s end, you may be chanting ”Reformo! Reformo!”, too.
And while we’re touching on a story’s end, this one had an excellent, full circle resolve. Not only does it leave us satisfied, but I’d like to think it leaves Simon a bit satisfied, too. Hope lights the way and perseverance will get one further than they’d ever imagine.
Just keep going.
Packed with action, adventure, a little love and some vulgarity— Chasing the Dragon scratched an itch I didn’t know I had. This is my second book from Towse, now my favorite by him. I recommend this book to quite literally, anyone. A well-deserved ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ star read that will leave you feeling like you can conquer the world, too.
Mark Towse’s debut novel, Chasing the Dragon was everything I hoped it would be and more. This genre-bending, whirlwind of a read held the story of a young man battling lifelong trauma and his ability to persevere.
The caped disciple will bring order back to town.
Simon Dooley lives in a town overcome with despair, hopelessness, and dread. A town both scorned and forgotten. Once happy and peaceful, it’s turned into a dreary place— riddled with crime, drugs, prostitution, and unhappy residents. Colorless and sad with human decency a thing of the past.
Things have to change and the chaos must end.
And Simon has an idea, one that’s been festering in the back of his mind since childhood. His town needs a hero— actually, a super hero.
And here is when our trauma-ridden MC transforms from Simon Dooley into Reformo.
Aided with a leotard (I mean superhero suit, my bad!), a bunch of dog poop bags, and the incessant voice of his deceased mother— Reformo is ready to bring order and hope back to town!
From yelling at people to throw out their trash to full on brawls against abusers and gang members, Reformo is tasked with a multitude of problems to solve in his small town. Yet, he proves time and time again through multiple ordeals that no situation is ever too big or too small.
End the chaos, Simon.
Chasing the Dragon was a read I did not expect. Diving in, I knew it was a pseudo-superhero type of story, but the depth was incredible. Not only was it a mixed bag of horror, romance, and mystery— but its deep theme of resurfacing trauma and how it shapes a person was something that truly reeled me in. Towse does an excellent job at shaping Simon’s character, and ultimately his path to becoming Reformo.
And Towse walks the tightrope of comedy and horror with ease, providing the story with comedic relief at times while keeping its dark and uneasy undertone. The timing of this novel’s silly moments were perfect, and when it was time to be serious, Towse made it apparent. Typically a blend I’m not too fond of, this felt natural and sincere.
Simon is a tragic hero in my eyes. One filled with flaws and inner ordeals— yet you still root for him to win. Through his aggravating and tough inner monologues, the reader begins to understand Simon’s abusive and miserable past. There’s a soft spot for him. As he wins and loses throughout, you find a sense of hope the same as he does. By the story’s end, you may be chanting ”Reformo! Reformo!”, too.
And while we’re touching on a story’s end, this one had an excellent, full circle resolve. Not only does it leave us satisfied, but I’d like to think it leaves Simon a bit satisfied, too. Hope lights the way and perseverance will get one further than they’d ever imagine.
Just keep going.
Packed with action, adventure, a little love and some vulgarity— Chasing the Dragon scratched an itch I didn’t know I had. This is my second book from Towse, now my favorite by him. I recommend this book to quite literally, anyone. A well-deserved ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ star read that will leave you feeling like you can conquer the world, too.
March 23, 2024
This was a fantastic read from Mark Towse. A superb superhero romp, with heart! I'm not normally a fan of superheroes, but I adore this one! Don't be put off by that though, it's still full of horror, blood and guts, but done in a brilliantly entertaining, often hilarious and always addictive way!
Set in a rundown, gone to shit town, where the drug lords have taken over and everyone cowers behind closed doors and pulled curtains, with the lights down low, after 7pm, one man, Simon, or Reformo (after MUCH deliberation) is adamant things are going to change for the better, and he is going to be the one to make it happen! But first, he has to collect his costume and cape and try it on for size. He soon discovers that this superhero malarkey is not going to be as easy as he'd imagined, although, eventually, the costume does start to inspire bravado in him.
His mission to make the town great again, starts with stopping littering and dogs pooping on pavements, to stopping the baddest of baddies after dealing with his henchmen along the way. His first mission is to find and stop Bum Fluff, he then proceeds to work his way up the local thug hierarchy, until he reaches the final Boss, otherwise known as The Dragon! However, the more he tries to do good, the more it seems to backfire, in equally horrific and hilarious ways. But, does some of the good get through….?
Drummed into him from an early age by his mother, that changes start with him and that small steps lead to bigger things, her voice haunts him to this day, and that's just how he intends to approach things now. He just wants to bring back hope and put an end to the chaos, and his mothers unrelenting voice, once and for all….
The story builds at a fast and steady pace, with some eye opening revelations that make for a brilliant twist of an ending!
A story of childhood, of its innocent wonder and memories, good and bad, to adulthood and the grim realities of life. Of the childish yearning to make everything right again. The story builds smoothly, the hilarity swapping out for anger, revenge, determination, and blood! It's gripping, emotional, uplifting, and horrific. Real comic chaos and carnage! It starts lighthearted and gets pretty dark and disturbing, yet with a grim sense of humour continuing to thread through the horrors.
I highly recommend you make your underwear, outerwear, sit back in your favourite armchair and enjoy the ride!!
Set in a rundown, gone to shit town, where the drug lords have taken over and everyone cowers behind closed doors and pulled curtains, with the lights down low, after 7pm, one man, Simon, or Reformo (after MUCH deliberation) is adamant things are going to change for the better, and he is going to be the one to make it happen! But first, he has to collect his costume and cape and try it on for size. He soon discovers that this superhero malarkey is not going to be as easy as he'd imagined, although, eventually, the costume does start to inspire bravado in him.
His mission to make the town great again, starts with stopping littering and dogs pooping on pavements, to stopping the baddest of baddies after dealing with his henchmen along the way. His first mission is to find and stop Bum Fluff, he then proceeds to work his way up the local thug hierarchy, until he reaches the final Boss, otherwise known as The Dragon! However, the more he tries to do good, the more it seems to backfire, in equally horrific and hilarious ways. But, does some of the good get through….?
Drummed into him from an early age by his mother, that changes start with him and that small steps lead to bigger things, her voice haunts him to this day, and that's just how he intends to approach things now. He just wants to bring back hope and put an end to the chaos, and his mothers unrelenting voice, once and for all….
The story builds at a fast and steady pace, with some eye opening revelations that make for a brilliant twist of an ending!
A story of childhood, of its innocent wonder and memories, good and bad, to adulthood and the grim realities of life. Of the childish yearning to make everything right again. The story builds smoothly, the hilarity swapping out for anger, revenge, determination, and blood! It's gripping, emotional, uplifting, and horrific. Real comic chaos and carnage! It starts lighthearted and gets pretty dark and disturbing, yet with a grim sense of humour continuing to thread through the horrors.
I highly recommend you make your underwear, outerwear, sit back in your favourite armchair and enjoy the ride!!
December 31, 2023
This book is pure awesomeness!
I love reviewing, and this book is simply heaven for reviewers, and I'm sure it'll be deeply loved by all readers as well. A lot of my appreciation lies in the emotional experience it offers: Towse has crafted an exciting, multi-genre story that comes with a heavy emotional impact, equally the euphoria of joy and the laughter of plain good humor, and the terror of grief and regret. Donning the superhero suit has never felt more like a brain candy than this!
The book starts a bit similarly to the beginning of a popular comic book hero (whose story was adapted into a couple of commercially successful movies): Simon dreams of being a vigilante superhero and cleaning up his city of crime and corruption; he gets a costume and, though he has no superhuman powers, throws himself into superhero action, "bringing hope back to town"! However, in inimitable Towse style, after a hilarious couple of chapters where Simon tries to find his superhero name (ending up with Reformo!), things start getting quite dark. Simon has undergone some serious family trauma in the past, his decision to become a superhero is due to a pledge to his abusing mother, and his mental make-up is not entirely usual superhero material.
Although there's minimum gore and vulgarity and very few really uncomfortable situations, the book has many twists, and the humorous tone cannot always avoid provoking overwhelming emotional reactions to the reader. The hero of 'Chasing The Dragon' is deeply traumatized, and many times his inner monologue hits right in the feels: Reformo is simultaneously sad and funny, his chosen life very dangerous and difficult, but he's also a true costumed crime-fighter, in all its bloody consequences - and every superhero needs a villain. And he does get one. This is the ultimate twist, and you gotta read it to believe it!
A no-holds-barred 5-stars from me!
I love reviewing, and this book is simply heaven for reviewers, and I'm sure it'll be deeply loved by all readers as well. A lot of my appreciation lies in the emotional experience it offers: Towse has crafted an exciting, multi-genre story that comes with a heavy emotional impact, equally the euphoria of joy and the laughter of plain good humor, and the terror of grief and regret. Donning the superhero suit has never felt more like a brain candy than this!
The book starts a bit similarly to the beginning of a popular comic book hero (whose story was adapted into a couple of commercially successful movies): Simon dreams of being a vigilante superhero and cleaning up his city of crime and corruption; he gets a costume and, though he has no superhuman powers, throws himself into superhero action, "bringing hope back to town"! However, in inimitable Towse style, after a hilarious couple of chapters where Simon tries to find his superhero name (ending up with Reformo!), things start getting quite dark. Simon has undergone some serious family trauma in the past, his decision to become a superhero is due to a pledge to his abusing mother, and his mental make-up is not entirely usual superhero material.
Although there's minimum gore and vulgarity and very few really uncomfortable situations, the book has many twists, and the humorous tone cannot always avoid provoking overwhelming emotional reactions to the reader. The hero of 'Chasing The Dragon' is deeply traumatized, and many times his inner monologue hits right in the feels: Reformo is simultaneously sad and funny, his chosen life very dangerous and difficult, but he's also a true costumed crime-fighter, in all its bloody consequences - and every superhero needs a villain. And he does get one. This is the ultimate twist, and you gotta read it to believe it!
A no-holds-barred 5-stars from me!
July 1, 2025
The town needed a hero... it got Reformo!
Reformo is this wannabe superhero. He is courageous, funny and a bit naive and he wants to bring hope to his hometown since it has gone to the dogs. He makes sure his fellow citizens clean up their dogs excretions, park neatly in between the lines and he wipes the druglords of the streets in his own special way.
This story is hilarious, full of action and a wonderful mix of genres. This isn’t like anything I’ve ever read before and it was really refreshing. I could totally imagine the way Reformo looks in his super thight leotard and it made me crack up every time I read about it. More of this type of books please!! 🙌🏼♥️ I definitely will check out the rest of Mark’s books.
Reformo is this wannabe superhero. He is courageous, funny and a bit naive and he wants to bring hope to his hometown since it has gone to the dogs. He makes sure his fellow citizens clean up their dogs excretions, park neatly in between the lines and he wipes the druglords of the streets in his own special way.
This story is hilarious, full of action and a wonderful mix of genres. This isn’t like anything I’ve ever read before and it was really refreshing. I could totally imagine the way Reformo looks in his super thight leotard and it made me crack up every time I read about it. More of this type of books please!! 🙌🏼♥️ I definitely will check out the rest of Mark’s books.
March 23, 2024
Chasing the Dragon is Mark Towse’s debut novel, and ladies and gents it is coming in hot!!
If you enjoy dark, gritty genre blending reads, lots of humor, and superheroes then I highly recommend you pick this one up! Fresh out of prison, Simon intends to keep the vow he made to his deceased mother, by ending the chaos and bringing hope back to the streets.
“All I have is now and tomorrow, and my mission still stands.”
Reformo is a crazy, hilarious and lovable superhero who just wants to right his wrongs by making the world around him better. In the throes of grief he is adamant to fulfill his vow to his deceased mother by reclaiming order in the world. Donning his superhero costume (a leotard and cape) he takes to the streets and begins, one dog shit at a time. 😂
With classic Towse humor, Chasing the Dragon will have you laughing uncontrollably and cheering on reformo in this dark horror fantasy adventure. It packs all the punches and was an absolute treat to read. Congrats Mark, you’ve truly written a masterpiece!
If you enjoy dark, gritty genre blending reads, lots of humor, and superheroes then I highly recommend you pick this one up! Fresh out of prison, Simon intends to keep the vow he made to his deceased mother, by ending the chaos and bringing hope back to the streets.
“All I have is now and tomorrow, and my mission still stands.”
Reformo is a crazy, hilarious and lovable superhero who just wants to right his wrongs by making the world around him better. In the throes of grief he is adamant to fulfill his vow to his deceased mother by reclaiming order in the world. Donning his superhero costume (a leotard and cape) he takes to the streets and begins, one dog shit at a time. 😂
With classic Towse humor, Chasing the Dragon will have you laughing uncontrollably and cheering on reformo in this dark horror fantasy adventure. It packs all the punches and was an absolute treat to read. Congrats Mark, you’ve truly written a masterpiece!
January 1, 2024
I had the pleasure of getting an ARC of Mark Towse’s newest novel, “Chasing The Dragon”, and boy, what a wild ride that was. Telling the tale of Simon, a flawed but sincere man who has one goal in life: to restore chaos, and kick a lot of ass in the process. We follow Simon as he begins his hilarious, vulgar journey from zero to hero, from rectum-fire, to ‘returdo’ to Reformo. Reminding me of “Kick-Ass” meets “Falling Down”, this hilarious, violent and vulgar odyssey kept me turning the page as I found myself grimacing and laughing on the same page.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️5 dog-shit smeared leotards out of 5.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️5 dog-shit smeared leotards out of 5.
March 20, 2024
Five giant super nova stars for this book. What an amazing character Simon/Reformo is. It's like the pages are layers and each page you read gives you just that little bit more insight into the character. The supporting characters you don't get that much insight into, except for Vera and The Dragon, but that's ok, they still steal the scenes they're in. Some of the names alone make them interesting and had me laughing.
A bloody vigilante story that is kind of like reading a graphic novel without the illustrations. Loved the "sound effects"! It also felt like Reformo could have been Deadpool's distant cousin.
A bloody vigilante story that is kind of like reading a graphic novel without the illustrations. Loved the "sound effects"! It also felt like Reformo could have been Deadpool's distant cousin.
Read
March 26, 2024DNF at 66%
This book has many, many 5 stars so I think it’s a “me” problem. The writing style just wasn’t for me. The author was incredibly kind and sweet when approaching me to review his book so I’m devastated it didn’t work for me. In order to be fair, I am not setting a star rating.
I will add that Simon (the MC) was a sweetheart and I hope he got a proper closure that was due to him considering his childhood trauma.
This book has many, many 5 stars so I think it’s a “me” problem. The writing style just wasn’t for me. The author was incredibly kind and sweet when approaching me to review his book so I’m devastated it didn’t work for me. In order to be fair, I am not setting a star rating.
I will add that Simon (the MC) was a sweetheart and I hope he got a proper closure that was due to him considering his childhood trauma.
March 23, 2024
Well what can I say? This book is absolutely brilliant.
It's the perfect blend of humour, horror, action and depiction of a character that has a mental illness based off trauma but fights for what he believes is right.
Simon is a reformed guy, fresh out of jail and returns to town to find it overrun with crime. People are scared and lock themselves away inside, the town is filled with drug dealers and people who have lost hope and pride in their town and don't bother to do the right thing because of it.
Simon brings his childhood fantasy about becoming a superhero to life and begins the task of cleaning up the town.
The first half of the book features humour that had me laughing out loud. With names like Bum-Fluff, and Butter Balls to name a few as the bad guys, how could you not?
It's also a story of someone who is battling mental illness and the depiction of it is fantastic. Not only does he have a huge battle to clean up the town starting from scratch with no superhero abilities, he has to battle his past and face his own redemption and there are quite a moments where it pulled at my heart strings as he battles almost impossible odds.
I hope this book gets the attention it deserves and hopefully, we can look forward to more Reformo in the future!
It's the perfect blend of humour, horror, action and depiction of a character that has a mental illness based off trauma but fights for what he believes is right.
Simon is a reformed guy, fresh out of jail and returns to town to find it overrun with crime. People are scared and lock themselves away inside, the town is filled with drug dealers and people who have lost hope and pride in their town and don't bother to do the right thing because of it.
Simon brings his childhood fantasy about becoming a superhero to life and begins the task of cleaning up the town.
The first half of the book features humour that had me laughing out loud. With names like Bum-Fluff, and Butter Balls to name a few as the bad guys, how could you not?
It's also a story of someone who is battling mental illness and the depiction of it is fantastic. Not only does he have a huge battle to clean up the town starting from scratch with no superhero abilities, he has to battle his past and face his own redemption and there are quite a moments where it pulled at my heart strings as he battles almost impossible odds.
I hope this book gets the attention it deserves and hopefully, we can look forward to more Reformo in the future!
March 29, 2024
Never before has a book managed to make me cry with laughter; cry with pity; and hold my breath simultaneously.
It seamlessly combines multiple genres, horror, fantasy, thriller, crime - and of course - Towsey’s fantastic humour!
Simon (or Reformo, as he prefers), the main character is fantastically drawn. Scarred by his upbringing he makes a pact to clean up the streets and stop the chaos. He is wonderfully pathetic, poignant and the funniest wannabe superhero you would ever wish to patrol your town!
Releases in March; but is available for preorder now. You don’t want to miss this one!!
I received an ARC from the author. This is my honest review.
It seamlessly combines multiple genres, horror, fantasy, thriller, crime - and of course - Towsey’s fantastic humour!
Simon (or Reformo, as he prefers), the main character is fantastically drawn. Scarred by his upbringing he makes a pact to clean up the streets and stop the chaos. He is wonderfully pathetic, poignant and the funniest wannabe superhero you would ever wish to patrol your town!
Releases in March; but is available for preorder now. You don’t want to miss this one!!
I received an ARC from the author. This is my honest review.
December 15, 2025
Chasing the Dragon by Mark Taos, Simon is excited when he gets off of work he’s picking up his superhero costume and although he can’t pick a name he definitely has a plan. Thanks to his mom‘s voice constantly in his head Simon is going to clean up his poor dirty bedraggled town. Just for an example of how bad the town is a boy was robbing Simon and the cops pulled up in the 15-year-old boy told the cop Simon wanted to fondle him and the cop believe them and then assisted in the robbery. all his life his mom berated his dad for not being a man not going outside and telling the neighbors they were being rude for playing ball games in the street, the music too loud etc and she hated her brother-in-law even more. This is what Simon is thinking about when he starts his career as a superhero his first attempt is to get the neighbor who always plays his music loud who he learns name is Terry to learn those consequences to his actions. This is when I knew this book was going to be a great one it was already funny I was laughing so much then he dawns his costume into me it got even funnier. His attempts at cleaning up his town is hit or miss he deals with everything from abuse to bagging your dogs excrement littering and on and on he is mainly after a drug dealer called Bumfluff but it doesn’t take him long and with the help of the new love of his life Vera he finds out the Bumfluff is a minor player. does Reformo have what it takes or assignment just playing pretend? This book was so very good it was so so so so so funny if you love a good book that’s hilarious and will have you laughing the whole time you definitely need to read this book. I really am hoping the author does another book because at the end it kind of alluded to or at least kept the option open for a second one and I hope he does it because this book was awesome.#TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview,
January 1, 2024
Holy cow! I am not big into superhero stories aside from watching Marvel and whatnot with the kids, but Chasing the Dragon by Mark Towse won me over!
Reformo goes through quite a transformation while establishing himself as a local hero and bringing hope back to his town. I had no idea where this story was headed, but I’m a huge fan of all the twists and turns. My brain did the little explosion bit (🤯) over one of the kickass reveals I DID NOT see coming.
Five out of five POWS for this superhero arc.
💥💥💥💥💥
Reformo goes through quite a transformation while establishing himself as a local hero and bringing hope back to his town. I had no idea where this story was headed, but I’m a huge fan of all the twists and turns. My brain did the little explosion bit (🤯) over one of the kickass reveals I DID NOT see coming.
Five out of five POWS for this superhero arc.
💥💥💥💥💥
March 21, 2024
"I’m intoxicated with hate and high on trauma, the lines between reality and fantasy a blur."
This was pretty brilliant. Superhero horror? 👌👌 yes, please.
Full review coming soon.
This was pretty brilliant. Superhero horror? 👌👌 yes, please.
Full review coming soon.
January 1, 2024
We’ve got ourselves a new superhero friends. A story about one Big man, his too-tight leotard, and the haunting voice in his head screaming at him to clean up the streets.
Chasing the Dragon is hands down, the most fun I’ve ever had with an ARC.
Mark Towse has given us a new humanitarian hero narrative; a perfect mix of satire and sincerity. It's a kick-ass blend of Sin City's dark atmosphere and the unconventional heroism of Unbreakable. Beneath the comedic surface, the novel tackles some serious themes like domestic abuse and poverty and while it clearly pokes fun at certain elements, it never loses sight of the weightier subjects it addresses.
“Chasing The Dragon is a hybrid of all genres, a fever-dream mash-up of horror, fantasy, comedy, crime, thriller, mystery, and even a bit of bloody romance.”
A Huge THANK YOU to the author @towsewrites for the opportunity to read Chasing The Dragon as an eArc. It publishes in March ‘24. I'm looking forward to seeing more love for Reformo.
Chasing the Dragon is hands down, the most fun I’ve ever had with an ARC.
Mark Towse has given us a new humanitarian hero narrative; a perfect mix of satire and sincerity. It's a kick-ass blend of Sin City's dark atmosphere and the unconventional heroism of Unbreakable. Beneath the comedic surface, the novel tackles some serious themes like domestic abuse and poverty and while it clearly pokes fun at certain elements, it never loses sight of the weightier subjects it addresses.
“Chasing The Dragon is a hybrid of all genres, a fever-dream mash-up of horror, fantasy, comedy, crime, thriller, mystery, and even a bit of bloody romance.”
A Huge THANK YOU to the author @towsewrites for the opportunity to read Chasing The Dragon as an eArc. It publishes in March ‘24. I'm looking forward to seeing more love for Reformo.
July 15, 2024
Full review at Happy Goat Horror:
https://happygoathorror.com/2024/07/1...
This is a great genre mash-up. It's horror, thriller, adventure, comedy, a little romance thrown in there, and more!
Reformo is.... er... not quite the hero you might hope for, but he's surprisingly effective and just wants to clean up the streets, damn it! His encounters don't usually go to plan, with comical consequences, but his heart's in the right place. His efforts are paired with an underlying traumatic backstory that kept me guessing about whether or not he was actually responsible for said traumatic backstory.
A fun read with a lot of heart!
https://happygoathorror.com/2024/07/1...
This is a great genre mash-up. It's horror, thriller, adventure, comedy, a little romance thrown in there, and more!
Reformo is.... er... not quite the hero you might hope for, but he's surprisingly effective and just wants to clean up the streets, damn it! His encounters don't usually go to plan, with comical consequences, but his heart's in the right place. His efforts are paired with an underlying traumatic backstory that kept me guessing about whether or not he was actually responsible for said traumatic backstory.
A fun read with a lot of heart!
July 20, 2024
I wanted to like this book. The overall writing was good. The things that made me DNF were how utterly annoying Simon was and the constant argument in his head with his deceased mother. Always the same things repeated. It became too much.
December 31, 2023
Thank you Mark for letting me be an ARC reader for your book.
Chasing the Dragon is such a unique book. Mixed genre, you'll certainly find yourself laughing, crying and on edge wondering what will happen.
Mark has created such a memorable character here. A man desperate to bring hope back to town, creating his own super hero image and doing his best to save the streets. His experiences are varied but his attitude stays positive to keep going with his plan even when it backfires and he quite literally gets kicked in the balls / laughed at for his costume or name.
Despite the dark humour, this is an emotional book that looks at the trauma that follows us through life, shaping us and haunting us. A perfect example of how childhood memories can linger whether we like it or not. Simon's internal / intrusive thoughts could be intense, but it really built who he was, his background and what he was trying to achieve. It seemed so real among the dangerous chaos he landed himself in. Although this book was unique, alongside Mark's writing style, these intrusive thoughts he incorporated did give me some Stephen King vibes which was super cool.
I can imagine this so perfectly as a movie or a TV show. Mark created such a memorable character and such a vivid world that it's one of those books that when I wasn't reading, it would linger in my mind and I would think "Hold on now, is this a book I am reading or a show I am watching?" it was almost like I could hear Simon's voice in my head.
Mark is an excellent writer and I have enjoyed many of his books... Crows, Hope Wharf and Gone To The Dogs among my favourites. He is has the ability to create the most terrifying old people and has ruined (but in a great way) my desire to want to stay in a B&B! However, I do believe this book here is Mark's best writing and character development. I think you'll be thinking of this one long after it's finished. I'm always looking forward to reading more of Mark's books and I highly suggest you check out his work!
Chasing the Dragon is such a unique book. Mixed genre, you'll certainly find yourself laughing, crying and on edge wondering what will happen.
Mark has created such a memorable character here. A man desperate to bring hope back to town, creating his own super hero image and doing his best to save the streets. His experiences are varied but his attitude stays positive to keep going with his plan even when it backfires and he quite literally gets kicked in the balls / laughed at for his costume or name.
Despite the dark humour, this is an emotional book that looks at the trauma that follows us through life, shaping us and haunting us. A perfect example of how childhood memories can linger whether we like it or not. Simon's internal / intrusive thoughts could be intense, but it really built who he was, his background and what he was trying to achieve. It seemed so real among the dangerous chaos he landed himself in. Although this book was unique, alongside Mark's writing style, these intrusive thoughts he incorporated did give me some Stephen King vibes which was super cool.
I can imagine this so perfectly as a movie or a TV show. Mark created such a memorable character and such a vivid world that it's one of those books that when I wasn't reading, it would linger in my mind and I would think "Hold on now, is this a book I am reading or a show I am watching?" it was almost like I could hear Simon's voice in my head.
Mark is an excellent writer and I have enjoyed many of his books... Crows, Hope Wharf and Gone To The Dogs among my favourites. He is has the ability to create the most terrifying old people and has ruined (but in a great way) my desire to want to stay in a B&B! However, I do believe this book here is Mark's best writing and character development. I think you'll be thinking of this one long after it's finished. I'm always looking forward to reading more of Mark's books and I highly suggest you check out his work!
January 13, 2024
This book was a fantastic way to start my 2024 reading challenge. Towse takes us through a dark and dreadful city plagued by fear and despair. The residents have mostly tuned out, they hide behind thick curtains and triple locked doors. Abandoned buildings with boarded-up windows and graffiti line the streets. Drug lords have taken over, but things are going to change around here thanks to Simon Dooley or should I say Reformo. He’s bringing hope back to town. You’ll see!
I love the environment Towse created. His descriptions really give a great look at how far gone the city is and why Reformo wants to make it better. His ways may be a tad off, but if it gets the job done, who cares? Reformo’s antics were highly entertaining, which made him a wonderful character I won’t forget. He is a character that everyone needs to meet. He’s broken yet hilarious. The voice of his mother that haunts him throughout the book reminds me a bit of the movie Psycho. The “conversations” between him and his mother really add so much to this book. There are so many layers to pick apart in this one and each layer brings on something new, whether it’s tragedy, struggle, friendship or all the other things Towse offers in this novel. Parts of it are hard hitting, which only strengthened my attachment to Reformo. The goof in the leotard has feelings too, you know.
I feel like Towse really outdid himself with this one. Everything about it is highly enjoyable. He has always done an excellent job with his characters, but I think Reformo has officially replaced Nana as my favorite character. Sorry Nana. The humor I have grown to love in the author’s books is sprinkled heavily throughout this one. I enjoy what it brings to the story and the main character. It’s not easy being a superhero, but Reformo gives it his all.
Chasing the Dragon is a great mix of genres that seamlessly flow and deliver an ending you won’t see coming. This book is one that should be on every reader’s list this year.
I love the environment Towse created. His descriptions really give a great look at how far gone the city is and why Reformo wants to make it better. His ways may be a tad off, but if it gets the job done, who cares? Reformo’s antics were highly entertaining, which made him a wonderful character I won’t forget. He is a character that everyone needs to meet. He’s broken yet hilarious. The voice of his mother that haunts him throughout the book reminds me a bit of the movie Psycho. The “conversations” between him and his mother really add so much to this book. There are so many layers to pick apart in this one and each layer brings on something new, whether it’s tragedy, struggle, friendship or all the other things Towse offers in this novel. Parts of it are hard hitting, which only strengthened my attachment to Reformo. The goof in the leotard has feelings too, you know.
I feel like Towse really outdid himself with this one. Everything about it is highly enjoyable. He has always done an excellent job with his characters, but I think Reformo has officially replaced Nana as my favorite character. Sorry Nana. The humor I have grown to love in the author’s books is sprinkled heavily throughout this one. I enjoy what it brings to the story and the main character. It’s not easy being a superhero, but Reformo gives it his all.
Chasing the Dragon is a great mix of genres that seamlessly flow and deliver an ending you won’t see coming. This book is one that should be on every reader’s list this year.
January 1, 2024
My favorite superhero is back with a story about a superhero. One, forged of trauma and the iron will to fix all that is wrong with this world. Including collecting your litter and dog poo.
Ladies and gentlemen, brace yourself for another Mark Towse shining diamond of a story. Novel length and packed with equal amounts of sublime humor, heart pounding action and good old fashioned romance.
Although not horror, this delicious story portrays in a unique and utterly beautiful way the horrors of the mind.
Enter 'Chasing the Dragon'. The new superhero opus by Mark Towse featuring a new kind of a protagonist. A new breed of a superhero.
A twat in a leotard with a hobo sidekick and the power of the voices in his head.
Will he slay all the bad apples, save the damsel in distress and save the world from littering, dog poo, loud music and mob bosses? Or will he lose his life and perhaps his own mind trying?
Are you intrigued yet? Oh believe me dear reader, you definitely should be.
The author masterfully blends genres and puts his artfully crafted characters in a wild story where Norman Bates meets Wade Wilson meets Luke Skywalker.
The result is a prime example of cinematic entertainment and a maelstrom of emotions through the pages of a book. A phenomenal blend of 'Psycho' and 'Deadpool' shot in a film noir style romance.
Highly entertaining, hilarious and devastating, this new release by the author sits proudly among my top 3 reads for 2023. Hell, even 2024 since it will be released in March.
Dear reader, you need this book as much as you need air and water. And you definitely need Reformo haunting your city streets at night.
Pre-order now at the links below.
Ps.: no Tomei's or Dragons were hurt during the process of writing this story. I hope.
https://www.eerieriverpublishing.com/...
https://www.eerieriverpublishing.com/...
Ladies and gentlemen, brace yourself for another Mark Towse shining diamond of a story. Novel length and packed with equal amounts of sublime humor, heart pounding action and good old fashioned romance.
Although not horror, this delicious story portrays in a unique and utterly beautiful way the horrors of the mind.
Enter 'Chasing the Dragon'. The new superhero opus by Mark Towse featuring a new kind of a protagonist. A new breed of a superhero.
A twat in a leotard with a hobo sidekick and the power of the voices in his head.
Will he slay all the bad apples, save the damsel in distress and save the world from littering, dog poo, loud music and mob bosses? Or will he lose his life and perhaps his own mind trying?
Are you intrigued yet? Oh believe me dear reader, you definitely should be.
The author masterfully blends genres and puts his artfully crafted characters in a wild story where Norman Bates meets Wade Wilson meets Luke Skywalker.
The result is a prime example of cinematic entertainment and a maelstrom of emotions through the pages of a book. A phenomenal blend of 'Psycho' and 'Deadpool' shot in a film noir style romance.
Highly entertaining, hilarious and devastating, this new release by the author sits proudly among my top 3 reads for 2023. Hell, even 2024 since it will be released in March.
Dear reader, you need this book as much as you need air and water. And you definitely need Reformo haunting your city streets at night.
Pre-order now at the links below.
Ps.: no Tomei's or Dragons were hurt during the process of writing this story. I hope.
https://www.eerieriverpublishing.com/...
https://www.eerieriverpublishing.com/...
May 19, 2025
Okay.... I wasn't sure about this book to start. It kind of jumped into this weird dude leaving his job at a fast food chicken place. He immediately starts to set the scene for the city. It is a desperate place that needs a hero! Push play on the comedy at this point. The characters are quirky. They come to life off the page, they make you laugh out loud, I love little Jayden! Simon hears the voice of his mother in his head, she belittles him, and you can tell he had a life of trauma and abuse. Mix that in with a weak father he was compared to, and Simon creates REFORMO! Exactly what the city needs they just don't know it yet. A crazy superhero! Someone who just wants to stop the chaos! But Reformo has to face chaos itself in The Dragon! The man behind the crime in the city! Reformo must do this all while falling in love. Can he save the day? Save the girl? And save the city in this.... seriously funny, anti-hero, must read novel!!!
March 28, 2025
I'm giving this 4 stars, but I'm also filing this under WTF did I just read? It definitely wasn't the book I thought it was going to be as I expected a little more levity and instead it went down a really dark path.
The main character has a Norman Bates type thing going on that I had hoped he'd triumph over. I'm not sure if he actually succeeded or not in the end.
Overall this is not a typical read for me, yet for some reason I just couldn't bring myself to DNF it either. I'm not sorry I finished it. I think I even might have liked it, but I'm still processing it. This was my first book by Mark Towse so at some point I'll try another one for comparison.
The main character has a Norman Bates type thing going on that I had hoped he'd triumph over. I'm not sure if he actually succeeded or not in the end.
Overall this is not a typical read for me, yet for some reason I just couldn't bring myself to DNF it either. I'm not sorry I finished it. I think I even might have liked it, but I'm still processing it. This was my first book by Mark Towse so at some point I'll try another one for comparison.
January 1, 2024
This book was a great read, it truly is a master of all trades, a dark hybrid of horror with a noir crime thriller feel with plot twists, love interests and just whacky fight scenes! genuinely fell in love with Reformo, whether he was doing the wrong thing for the right reasons or the right things for the wrong reasons, he is a loveable, hateable superhero all in one
would highly reccomend pre ordering this, Oh, and there are really dragons in this book
would highly reccomend pre ordering this, Oh, and there are really dragons in this book
April 5, 2024
This was by far my second favorite book of the year. Reformo, is a wonderfully crafted vigilante character with a personality that you want to love to hate, but just can’t. In a way, he reminds me of Deadpool. When I say I ate this book up, I mean I ate this book up like it was my last supper. I have work in four hours, it’s 2 am. Do I regret this? No. Not at all. This is a novel you do NOT want to miss.
January 11, 2025
This one was… interesting. My UNHINGED book club pick, and indie author recommendation from a psychological thriller/horror book group I’m in on Facebook. I’m honestly not sure what genre to officially classify this as? It’s got all the elements… crime, mystery, thriller, horror, even a splash of romance. It is an antihero story… the unlikely superhero and his dedication to rid his town of chaos and restore hope. But this superhero? He’s got a LOAD of baggage. Read it in one full sitting. Exciting and gripping. Easy to read and full of dad joke humor.
March 23, 2024
Towse has written some of my favorite horror novellas, so when the opportunity to read his first novel came up, I couldn’t pass that up. 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗼𝗻 is everything you expect from Towse, there’s dread, gore, humor, but way more! The atmosphere was perfect, he really set the scene for a town in shambles and run by criminals and I was rooting for Simon the whole way through, even though he didn’t have his shit quite together. This one was a lot of fun and I can’t wait to read whatever he writes next. If you’re a fan of Mark Towse or enjoy some humor with your drama, you have to pick this one up. You won’t be disappointed. Many thanks to Mark Towse for sending me an eARC! 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗼𝗻 is available today!
January 13, 2025
Lovedddd this story! The description from the author is spot on. The ending I would have NEVER saw coming. The romance that rips your heart out, and finding friendship through the trauma of ending the chaos gripped my soul! Wonderful story.
March 20, 2024
*Huge thanks to Mark and Eerie River for sending me a digital ARC of this one!*
I’ll be honest here. I had no idea what I was getting into with this one. I knew it was a pseudo-superhero type story, but I saw snippets and some things online about it being humorous. Oh dear. I truly struggle with reading humour. Doesn’t matter if it’s fiction or non-fiction, there’s just something that really doesn’t connect with me. Saying that, I’m a massive fan of British/UK humour when it comes to series. The Inbetweeners, Cuckoo, Psychoville, and even the dark humour of The Misfits series are some of my most favourite shows I’ve ever watched. So, I went into this hoping that it would read kind of like one of those shows and to my delight, it was essentially a mix of all of them.
What I liked: The story follows Simon, struggling to make his horribly abusive mother proud. She’s dead, but her constant tearing down of him that she delivered over his entire life has left deep scars and now, he’s out to show her that he can do good. This is coupled with the reality that where he lives is now a cesspool. Crime is rampant, residents fear for their lives while drug use skyrockets and the streets are ran by Kingpins and the cops could care less.
Bolstered by a few cheesy sayings his mother used to say, Simon decides that the only way for things to turn around is for someone to take the lead and start the change themselves. So, Reformo is born – Simon in a custom made suit – and he takes to the streets to try and make the wrongs go away.
Towse does a wonderful job of walking the line between silly and serious. We see Simon constantly battling that inner monologue of his mother ripping him to shreds. The truth is, while Simon cares, he is getting stronger and starting to understand that what she says no longer matters. He falls for a streetwalker, one who he promises to help her leave the life behind. And he slowly, incident after incident, gets the towns people on his side.
Simon is a wonderfully flawed character. Big heart, bigger dreams and for a long time, going head first with no fear. As things pick up and he makes his way from low level to thug, to mid level and ultimately to the highest of the high, his body gets beaten down, but his mind never falters. It makes for a highly engaging story, one that had me rooting for Simon all the way through.
The ending is great, a true bright spot when considering everything that Simon goes through and ultimately does the very rare job of giving the reader the idea that anything is possible and hope can light the darkest of days.
What I didn’t like: I did struggle with some of the ‘sillier’ aspects. I’m looking at you, names-of-thugs. Butter Balls and Bum Fluff and the like. I know it’s designed as a mood-lightener and a funny, tongue-in-cheek look at crime, but when it kept happening, it lost it’s hilarious touch and became an eye roller.
Why you should buy this: When an action-adventure book is done well, you’ll race through it and be whole-heartedly invested in the story and characters and this was 100% one of those books. Towse has created such an amazing figure with Simon/Reformo and it worked well to act as purely a story, but also as a larger piece on the state of the world. This was a really fun read and one that I’m glad to have tackled, as normally this wouldn’t be something I would ever seek out.
I’ll be honest here. I had no idea what I was getting into with this one. I knew it was a pseudo-superhero type story, but I saw snippets and some things online about it being humorous. Oh dear. I truly struggle with reading humour. Doesn’t matter if it’s fiction or non-fiction, there’s just something that really doesn’t connect with me. Saying that, I’m a massive fan of British/UK humour when it comes to series. The Inbetweeners, Cuckoo, Psychoville, and even the dark humour of The Misfits series are some of my most favourite shows I’ve ever watched. So, I went into this hoping that it would read kind of like one of those shows and to my delight, it was essentially a mix of all of them.
What I liked: The story follows Simon, struggling to make his horribly abusive mother proud. She’s dead, but her constant tearing down of him that she delivered over his entire life has left deep scars and now, he’s out to show her that he can do good. This is coupled with the reality that where he lives is now a cesspool. Crime is rampant, residents fear for their lives while drug use skyrockets and the streets are ran by Kingpins and the cops could care less.
Bolstered by a few cheesy sayings his mother used to say, Simon decides that the only way for things to turn around is for someone to take the lead and start the change themselves. So, Reformo is born – Simon in a custom made suit – and he takes to the streets to try and make the wrongs go away.
Towse does a wonderful job of walking the line between silly and serious. We see Simon constantly battling that inner monologue of his mother ripping him to shreds. The truth is, while Simon cares, he is getting stronger and starting to understand that what she says no longer matters. He falls for a streetwalker, one who he promises to help her leave the life behind. And he slowly, incident after incident, gets the towns people on his side.
Simon is a wonderfully flawed character. Big heart, bigger dreams and for a long time, going head first with no fear. As things pick up and he makes his way from low level to thug, to mid level and ultimately to the highest of the high, his body gets beaten down, but his mind never falters. It makes for a highly engaging story, one that had me rooting for Simon all the way through.
The ending is great, a true bright spot when considering everything that Simon goes through and ultimately does the very rare job of giving the reader the idea that anything is possible and hope can light the darkest of days.
What I didn’t like: I did struggle with some of the ‘sillier’ aspects. I’m looking at you, names-of-thugs. Butter Balls and Bum Fluff and the like. I know it’s designed as a mood-lightener and a funny, tongue-in-cheek look at crime, but when it kept happening, it lost it’s hilarious touch and became an eye roller.
Why you should buy this: When an action-adventure book is done well, you’ll race through it and be whole-heartedly invested in the story and characters and this was 100% one of those books. Towse has created such an amazing figure with Simon/Reformo and it worked well to act as purely a story, but also as a larger piece on the state of the world. This was a really fun read and one that I’m glad to have tackled, as normally this wouldn’t be something I would ever seek out.
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