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Plebs #1
Plebs
Corey Somerset, Tim Hayworth and Lee Hunter have had one hell of a good night. And it isn't over yet. Celebrating their friend's birthday with drunken debauchery and intoxicated antics they've just stumbled through a mini-wave of mindless vandalism and though they've wandered far out of the realms of civilization they are keen to keep the party vibe going. When they encounter a band of mysterious fugitive women who call a bizarre encampment deep in the woods their residence it appears a strong likelihood that continuing the party is on the cards. But it won't come without a price. The collective of unnerving lawless women are open to the suggestion but not without the threesome completing a request first, a seemingly straight forward barter proposition that will bring the boys face to face with something else that dwells in an unorthodox co-existence with the girls in the wilderness. These are the Plebs and the shocking violent encounter the trio are unwittingly pitched into with these freakish feral fiends may be their first but it won't be the last. As the shiftless young men become inextricably entwined and involved with the agenda driven dangerous women so too do their fates, with them unraveling killer secrets, duplicity, bloodshed and brutality along the way that encompasses not just them but more of their friends, new enemies and old enemies. A simple night of bad decisions escalates and snowballs into an expedition of terror spanning all the way home and beyond with Corey and his friends engulfed in a nightmare where the lines between man and monster blur. Depravity, death and destruction reign supreme and it isn't just the Plebs that want them all torn limb from limb
- GenresHorror
600 pages, Paperback
First published January 16, 2014
11 people are currently reading
594 people want to read
About the author
Jim Goforth
72 books191 followersJim Goforth is a horror author currently based in Albury, Australia. Happily married with two kids and a cat, he has been writing tales of horror since the early nineties.
After years of detouring into working with the worldwide extreme metal community and writing reviews for hundreds of bands across the globe with Black Belle Music he returned to his biggest writing love with first book Plebs published by J. Ellington Ashton Press. Along with Plebs, he is the author of a collection of short stories/novellas With Tooth and Claw, extreme metal undead opus Undead Fleshcrave: The Zombie Trigger, Riders: Plebs 2-Book One and Two, The Sleep, Carnival of Chaos, and Festival of the Flesh, co-author of collaborative novel Feral Hearts, and editor for the Rejected For Content anthology series (taking over the reins after volume one Splattergore. He also has stories in both Splattergore and Volume 2: Aberrant Menagerie).
He has also appeared in Matt Shaw’s Masters of Horror, Tales From the Lake Vol. 2, Axes of Evil, Terror Train, Autumn Burning: Dreadtime Stories For the Wicked Soul, Floppy Shoes Apocalypse, Teeming Terrors, Ghosts: An Anthology of Horror From the Beyond, Suburban Secrets: A Neighborhood of Nightmares, Doorway To Death: An Anthology From the Other Side, Easter Eggs and Bunny Boilers, MvF: Death Personified, Drowning in Gore, Trashed, Full Moon Slaughter, Moon Books Horror Anthology 2016, Dual Depravity (co-author), VS: US vs UK Horror, Bah! Humbug: An Anthology of Christmas Horror Stories, and several others including numerous anthologies in Project 26 from J. Ellington Ashton Press.
He is currently at work on Plebs 3, and a handful of other novels.
After years of detouring into working with the worldwide extreme metal community and writing reviews for hundreds of bands across the globe with Black Belle Music he returned to his biggest writing love with first book Plebs published by J. Ellington Ashton Press. Along with Plebs, he is the author of a collection of short stories/novellas With Tooth and Claw, extreme metal undead opus Undead Fleshcrave: The Zombie Trigger, Riders: Plebs 2-Book One and Two, The Sleep, Carnival of Chaos, and Festival of the Flesh, co-author of collaborative novel Feral Hearts, and editor for the Rejected For Content anthology series (taking over the reins after volume one Splattergore. He also has stories in both Splattergore and Volume 2: Aberrant Menagerie).
He has also appeared in Matt Shaw’s Masters of Horror, Tales From the Lake Vol. 2, Axes of Evil, Terror Train, Autumn Burning: Dreadtime Stories For the Wicked Soul, Floppy Shoes Apocalypse, Teeming Terrors, Ghosts: An Anthology of Horror From the Beyond, Suburban Secrets: A Neighborhood of Nightmares, Doorway To Death: An Anthology From the Other Side, Easter Eggs and Bunny Boilers, MvF: Death Personified, Drowning in Gore, Trashed, Full Moon Slaughter, Moon Books Horror Anthology 2016, Dual Depravity (co-author), VS: US vs UK Horror, Bah! Humbug: An Anthology of Christmas Horror Stories, and several others including numerous anthologies in Project 26 from J. Ellington Ashton Press.
He is currently at work on Plebs 3, and a handful of other novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
April 23, 2014
Night of the Living Dead (1968). The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974). The Hills Have Eyes (1977). Dawn of the Dead (1978). The Evil Dead (1981). All iconic horror films and inspiration for any die-hard horror fan. The fact I was visualising these movies throughout the novel is testament to Jim Goforth's work. The whole book had that blockbuster feel.
If the above doesn't clue you in, I'm a massive horror fanatic, in both books and films, and it's always a welcome and refreshing experience to find a book that homages the movies but stands alone as a solid, effective, gut-wrenching, bloody horror tale. There's a very thin line between homage and rip-off and a lot of books in the past have wobbled severely whilst walking it.
Plebs is the exception to this rule.
This book is drenched in original, inspiring horror folklore and (lovingly) contains several winks to many 70's/80's horror movies. This is down to the author who creates a palpable, visual, visceral world born out of a love for the genre itself. His rich descriptions, vivid detail and enjoyable (evil, sexy, mysterious, psychotic, realistic) characters make for a great horror story. This book is no rip-off but instantly quotable and memorable due to many horror tropes that some writers find difficult to construct, yet Jim Goforth manages to pull off perfectly.
I've had the pleasure of speaking to the author and I know he is a dedicated Richard Laymon fan. The late, great legend of horror carved a niche for himself, his combination of sexual violence and extreme gore becoming almost instantly iconic. The author pays homage to Laymon in many different ways. On every page, there is something for any Laymon fan; be it gore, sex, gorgeous women, cannibilism, monsters, psychological terror and even a bit of rape and necrophilia.
After all, this is horror at its boldest so why leave anything out? Laymon wouldn't have stood for this, writing for the true fans is what he lived for and I believe Jim Goforth had this mentality when writing Plebs. Writing true horror takes balls and finesse and Pleb's was constructed with plenty of both in tow.
So five stars? Oh yes. I doubt I'll read a more original and chaotic horror movie...sorry, book this year. That, in itself, is a massive achievement. Well done!
If the above doesn't clue you in, I'm a massive horror fanatic, in both books and films, and it's always a welcome and refreshing experience to find a book that homages the movies but stands alone as a solid, effective, gut-wrenching, bloody horror tale. There's a very thin line between homage and rip-off and a lot of books in the past have wobbled severely whilst walking it.
Plebs is the exception to this rule.
This book is drenched in original, inspiring horror folklore and (lovingly) contains several winks to many 70's/80's horror movies. This is down to the author who creates a palpable, visual, visceral world born out of a love for the genre itself. His rich descriptions, vivid detail and enjoyable (evil, sexy, mysterious, psychotic, realistic) characters make for a great horror story. This book is no rip-off but instantly quotable and memorable due to many horror tropes that some writers find difficult to construct, yet Jim Goforth manages to pull off perfectly.
I've had the pleasure of speaking to the author and I know he is a dedicated Richard Laymon fan. The late, great legend of horror carved a niche for himself, his combination of sexual violence and extreme gore becoming almost instantly iconic. The author pays homage to Laymon in many different ways. On every page, there is something for any Laymon fan; be it gore, sex, gorgeous women, cannibilism, monsters, psychological terror and even a bit of rape and necrophilia.
After all, this is horror at its boldest so why leave anything out? Laymon wouldn't have stood for this, writing for the true fans is what he lived for and I believe Jim Goforth had this mentality when writing Plebs. Writing true horror takes balls and finesse and Pleb's was constructed with plenty of both in tow.
So five stars? Oh yes. I doubt I'll read a more original and chaotic horror movie...sorry, book this year. That, in itself, is a massive achievement. Well done!
March 27, 2015
While reading this book, the story played out in my mind as vivid as if I had been watching a movie. This author's writing is amazing. The pace of this awesome story is just perfect--not too hurried and not too fast. Although it's about 600 or so pages long, there is absolutely no 'dead moment', definitely a page turner!
I'm kinda new to the horror scene and this book is definitely an awesome 'welcome to the dark side' for me. I really enjoyed how this book grabbed intensely at me. For most new authors, their debut books would either be a hit or a miss. And this is a tremendous HIT!
Horror fans, Jim Goforth is someone you have to watch out for!
I've also had the pleasure of briefly chatting with the author, letting me know that he is working on the sequel to Plebs! I can hardly wait!
I'm kinda new to the horror scene and this book is definitely an awesome 'welcome to the dark side' for me. I really enjoyed how this book grabbed intensely at me. For most new authors, their debut books would either be a hit or a miss. And this is a tremendous HIT!
Horror fans, Jim Goforth is someone you have to watch out for!
I've also had the pleasure of briefly chatting with the author, letting me know that he is working on the sequel to Plebs! I can hardly wait!
February 7, 2014
I love the horror movies of the seventies and eighties, and those are what this book feels like. It has a cinematic quality to it, and the plot to go along with it. Three young men, after a wild night on the town, end up on the shores of a secluded lake with various party favors and a desire to keep the festivities going. who should appear, then, but a handful of lovely vixens dressed in goth gear and armed with many sharp and nasty looking weapons. Despite their anxiety, the three young men are beguiled by the beauty of the strangers and agree to go by boat with them to "somewhere more private". They find themselves deep in the middle of nowhere, in a secluded camp full of Amazons who want their help rescuing some of their number from the "Plebs." And that's really all I can tell you without ruining anything.
Jim Goforth has a funny and fearless voice, and takes you on a wild ride in this, his debut novel. If you like the old grindhouse stuff like i do, this is it- in literary form. Check it out.
Jim Goforth has a funny and fearless voice, and takes you on a wild ride in this, his debut novel. If you like the old grindhouse stuff like i do, this is it- in literary form. Check it out.
February 23, 2016
Wow! I really loved this dark and terrifying book!
I demolished this book within a week, and am now mad at myself I did not read it slower to enjoy it. The lexicon of this author is excellent, and I really relished in the vocabulary used.
I haven’t enjoyed a good thrasher in a long time as all of the concepts are overdone, but this was unique and original. The plot was well thought out and definitely had many surprising twists and turns. There were parts that were completely sick and demented, and brought on a wave of nausea, which means that this was an EXCELLENT horror story that did what it was supposed to do. Also at the same time, the story was so hilarious and sweet, due to it bursting with adolescent males who aren’t quite sure how to act around beautiful women.
I will definitely read more from this author and will recommend this to all my horror loving friends.
I demolished this book within a week, and am now mad at myself I did not read it slower to enjoy it. The lexicon of this author is excellent, and I really relished in the vocabulary used.
I haven’t enjoyed a good thrasher in a long time as all of the concepts are overdone, but this was unique and original. The plot was well thought out and definitely had many surprising twists and turns. There were parts that were completely sick and demented, and brought on a wave of nausea, which means that this was an EXCELLENT horror story that did what it was supposed to do. Also at the same time, the story was so hilarious and sweet, due to it bursting with adolescent males who aren’t quite sure how to act around beautiful women.
I will definitely read more from this author and will recommend this to all my horror loving friends.
January 29, 2014
When he was still alive, Richard Laymon was largely dismissed as one of the true horror masters of his time. Many people thought his books a bit b-movieish and kind of pah-paahed over his literary talent in favour of the likes of Koontz and King instead.
Sadly Richard Laymon passed away a few years ago now on Valentines Day, but, like many under-rated artists whilst they were alive, since his death his writing has been sorely missed and there are many horror fans out there now who have begun to see just what it was Laymon brought to the table. In short, since his death, his books have increased in popularity.
Thankfully, amongst his many hundreds of fans, there are a few budding horror writers themselves who strive to carry on in his memory and create their own homages to his work. Catt Dahman is one who, despite being labelled initially as a zombie writer, has gone on to prove that she can write true horror just as well as Laymon ever did and many of her novels serve as a tribute to him.
A newcomer to the horror scene, Jim Goforth is another writer who writes very much in the style of the late, great Richard Laymon.
Plebs is his debut novel and a tremendous one it is at that!
Corey and two of his friends are coming back from a wild night out when they stumble across the local lake. It is here that they meet a group of girls, as feisty as they are attractive, who promise to show the boys a good time if they will only perform a small favour. Namely to rescue two of their number from a cult clan of creatures known as the Plebs.
Of course Corey and his two pals acquiesce and set off to perform their good deed for the night, but when their efforts end in tragedy, the group quickly find themelves in much deeper water than they expected...
As well as the Plebs, now Corey and his pals find themselves facing a rogue troop of tough-ass Amazon girls determined to kill and torture them all and an old high school enemy who has joined forces with those who want to kill them!
What started out as a wild night with the lads begins to get even more wilder as events rapidly start spiralling out of control and things are just getting started...
I loved this. Some have described it as Grindhouse horror, depicted on the page instead of the screen; others as a violent, bloody excursion into terror that takes you on a non-stop roller-coaster ride of emotional response. Me, I just thought it was very well written with well thought out characters, a tight and exciting plot and Laymon-inspired down to a tee.
Think Blood Games, Darkness, Tell Us - those sort of novels- and you will come close. Truly this is an exceptionally good book and one I wouldn't hesitate to read again!
Jim Goforth has a strong voice. He shows you what is happening, he doesn't tell you - and thsat is a great talent for a writer to have. There were many times reading this that I was right there, in the thick of it, with Corey and his mates!
I cannot recommend this enough and can't wait to read more from this author!
I definitely think he will be one to watch in the future...
Sadly Richard Laymon passed away a few years ago now on Valentines Day, but, like many under-rated artists whilst they were alive, since his death his writing has been sorely missed and there are many horror fans out there now who have begun to see just what it was Laymon brought to the table. In short, since his death, his books have increased in popularity.
Thankfully, amongst his many hundreds of fans, there are a few budding horror writers themselves who strive to carry on in his memory and create their own homages to his work. Catt Dahman is one who, despite being labelled initially as a zombie writer, has gone on to prove that she can write true horror just as well as Laymon ever did and many of her novels serve as a tribute to him.
A newcomer to the horror scene, Jim Goforth is another writer who writes very much in the style of the late, great Richard Laymon.
Plebs is his debut novel and a tremendous one it is at that!
Corey and two of his friends are coming back from a wild night out when they stumble across the local lake. It is here that they meet a group of girls, as feisty as they are attractive, who promise to show the boys a good time if they will only perform a small favour. Namely to rescue two of their number from a cult clan of creatures known as the Plebs.
Of course Corey and his two pals acquiesce and set off to perform their good deed for the night, but when their efforts end in tragedy, the group quickly find themelves in much deeper water than they expected...
As well as the Plebs, now Corey and his pals find themselves facing a rogue troop of tough-ass Amazon girls determined to kill and torture them all and an old high school enemy who has joined forces with those who want to kill them!
What started out as a wild night with the lads begins to get even more wilder as events rapidly start spiralling out of control and things are just getting started...
I loved this. Some have described it as Grindhouse horror, depicted on the page instead of the screen; others as a violent, bloody excursion into terror that takes you on a non-stop roller-coaster ride of emotional response. Me, I just thought it was very well written with well thought out characters, a tight and exciting plot and Laymon-inspired down to a tee.
Think Blood Games, Darkness, Tell Us - those sort of novels- and you will come close. Truly this is an exceptionally good book and one I wouldn't hesitate to read again!
Jim Goforth has a strong voice. He shows you what is happening, he doesn't tell you - and thsat is a great talent for a writer to have. There were many times reading this that I was right there, in the thick of it, with Corey and his mates!
I cannot recommend this enough and can't wait to read more from this author!
I definitely think he will be one to watch in the future...
July 15, 2015
WOW - I'm not usually one to write reviews so i will keep this short.
As a massive Richard Laymon fan , and a metal head this book covers it all - from gore - humour - sex - friendship - loyality - violence - and bad ass references to great bands and songs , it was a ride i didnt want to end. Jim Goforth covers it all .... officially one of my all time favourite books .
I'll be keeping my eye out for your work Mr Goforth!
Laymon would be proud!
As a massive Richard Laymon fan , and a metal head this book covers it all - from gore - humour - sex - friendship - loyality - violence - and bad ass references to great bands and songs , it was a ride i didnt want to end. Jim Goforth covers it all .... officially one of my all time favourite books .
I'll be keeping my eye out for your work Mr Goforth!
Laymon would be proud!
November 14, 2014
Wow!
I wasn't sure I was going to like this book at first, but then it grabbed me and that was it. The more I read the more engrossed I became. I didn't want to put it down, but alas I had to sleep and work.
There were so many twists and turns in this book I couldn't even predict what would happen next.
And the ending...oh my my, what an ending!! Loved it!
I wasn't sure I was going to like this book at first, but then it grabbed me and that was it. The more I read the more engrossed I became. I didn't want to put it down, but alas I had to sleep and work.
There were so many twists and turns in this book I couldn't even predict what would happen next.
And the ending...oh my my, what an ending!! Loved it!
May 30, 2014
Horror stories don't usually have such an intense story as this one. The characters and story line are well-developed. The story begins on a dark note and continues this way throughout.
Corey and his two friends innocently follow pretty girls across the water and into the woods. The women have Amazon beauty and strength. The boys--I call them boys because that's what they act like--do the women's bidding and seek out a group in the woods, who are holding some of their members. Little do they expect but this second group, the Plebs, are mutants from a science project gone wrong. The three boys go to hell and beyond for their pretty friends.
Corey, Tim and Lee grow up a little from their harrowing experience. An attraction forms between Corey and Desiree. This develops between the dark episodes of blood and gore.
This book got under my skin. I was horrified but I kept on reading. I wanted to turn away like I do for TV and movies, but then I wouldn't be able to read.
If you want a good story and want to be scared, then this book is for you.
Corey and his two friends innocently follow pretty girls across the water and into the woods. The women have Amazon beauty and strength. The boys--I call them boys because that's what they act like--do the women's bidding and seek out a group in the woods, who are holding some of their members. Little do they expect but this second group, the Plebs, are mutants from a science project gone wrong. The three boys go to hell and beyond for their pretty friends.
Corey, Tim and Lee grow up a little from their harrowing experience. An attraction forms between Corey and Desiree. This develops between the dark episodes of blood and gore.
This book got under my skin. I was horrified but I kept on reading. I wanted to turn away like I do for TV and movies, but then I wouldn't be able to read.
If you want a good story and want to be scared, then this book is for you.
September 30, 2015
This book will scare you!
A birthday, detour, mischievous boys, and strange women ... There's no reason for the party to end. What could go wrong? As the book's title becomes clear, readers will also understand the meaning of monsters as they untangle themselves from Goforth's words on the pages and infiltrate the very fibers of readers. Chills and carnage are understatements of the story's guts. This author doesn't hold back, and his characters won't let go. Even after you've read the final words ... prepare to keep shivering.
A birthday, detour, mischievous boys, and strange women ... There's no reason for the party to end. What could go wrong? As the book's title becomes clear, readers will also understand the meaning of monsters as they untangle themselves from Goforth's words on the pages and infiltrate the very fibers of readers. Chills and carnage are understatements of the story's guts. This author doesn't hold back, and his characters won't let go. Even after you've read the final words ... prepare to keep shivering.
June 6, 2015
Plebs by Jim Goforth was honestly one of the best horror books I have read in a long time.
Let me say that I don't scare easily, nor do I have a weak stomach when it comes to gore. If I did, I probably would not have been able to finish the book. At least, not with my ipad being the only source of light. Since this book had a very realistic feel to it, it was easy to place myself in the main characters shoes and feel their fears. If this had been a movie, I might have actually jumped for once. It was filled with frightening, horrifying, disturbing, and suspenseful scenes.
This well thought up story all began with a group of guys partying one night during a birthday celebration and just wanting to have a good time. In a drunken state, three of the friends separated from the birthday boy and others then wandered towards the woods were they ended up finding two random boats by the lake. While they were debating borrowing the boats, a group of attractive yet tough looking armed woman surprised them. The guys were eventually invited over to the women's place, which seemed like a good idea at the time. However, the night they imagined turned into a horrible nightmare.
After going across the lake in the boats, walking into the dark woods, and going across a bridge that looked like it was about to collapse, the group finally arrived to a hidden village. All the women who resided there needed the guys' help with something, and in return promised them a good time. The guys blindly agreed to a mission and by the time they realized exactly what it involved, it was too late.
The guys end up seeing things that made their stomachs turn and eventually flee for their lives. Just when they thought things could not possibly get any worst, it did.
In this book, you will find betrayal, murder, vengeance, vigilantes, and of course the monstrous creatures the author called Plebs. I won't take part of the fun away by divulging exactly what they are and what they like to eat, but let's just say I would not want to come face to face with any of them.
The Plebls are not the only living things I would not want to cross path with. Some of the characters were quite fucked up, and having teamed up with others with equally disturbing minds created many more horrors.
The reader is given a pause from the horror, but like the calm before the storm it comes back worsts than it was originally.
The author included many unexpected surprises throughout this original book as well as mystery which made me want to find out more. Although the book was long, it was so entertaining that I did not feel like it was dragging. Everything was interesting from beginning to end.
Plebs was very well written and had well developed characters with believable reactions and emotions. There was a lot of sexual content, but nothing was out of place. Everything flowed nicely.
If you like disturbing horror stories with a mix of gore and sexuality, this is the book for you! (Perfect read for at the cottage deep in the woods if you are brave enough.) I would not recommend it if you are sensitive to horror scenes, violence, or the subject of rape. The author invented characters that were very animalistic along with the saner ones, and this book is guaranteed to summon disturbing images in your head. While the main character kept hoping he was simply dreaming and would wake up at any time, you will be glad that this is a work of fiction and that all the horrors is not happening right in front of you.
As a fan of horror, I am now curious to read more from this author.
Let me say that I don't scare easily, nor do I have a weak stomach when it comes to gore. If I did, I probably would not have been able to finish the book. At least, not with my ipad being the only source of light. Since this book had a very realistic feel to it, it was easy to place myself in the main characters shoes and feel their fears. If this had been a movie, I might have actually jumped for once. It was filled with frightening, horrifying, disturbing, and suspenseful scenes.
This well thought up story all began with a group of guys partying one night during a birthday celebration and just wanting to have a good time. In a drunken state, three of the friends separated from the birthday boy and others then wandered towards the woods were they ended up finding two random boats by the lake. While they were debating borrowing the boats, a group of attractive yet tough looking armed woman surprised them. The guys were eventually invited over to the women's place, which seemed like a good idea at the time. However, the night they imagined turned into a horrible nightmare.
After going across the lake in the boats, walking into the dark woods, and going across a bridge that looked like it was about to collapse, the group finally arrived to a hidden village. All the women who resided there needed the guys' help with something, and in return promised them a good time. The guys blindly agreed to a mission and by the time they realized exactly what it involved, it was too late.
The guys end up seeing things that made their stomachs turn and eventually flee for their lives. Just when they thought things could not possibly get any worst, it did.
In this book, you will find betrayal, murder, vengeance, vigilantes, and of course the monstrous creatures the author called Plebs. I won't take part of the fun away by divulging exactly what they are and what they like to eat, but let's just say I would not want to come face to face with any of them.
The Plebls are not the only living things I would not want to cross path with. Some of the characters were quite fucked up, and having teamed up with others with equally disturbing minds created many more horrors.
The reader is given a pause from the horror, but like the calm before the storm it comes back worsts than it was originally.
The author included many unexpected surprises throughout this original book as well as mystery which made me want to find out more. Although the book was long, it was so entertaining that I did not feel like it was dragging. Everything was interesting from beginning to end.
Plebs was very well written and had well developed characters with believable reactions and emotions. There was a lot of sexual content, but nothing was out of place. Everything flowed nicely.
If you like disturbing horror stories with a mix of gore and sexuality, this is the book for you! (Perfect read for at the cottage deep in the woods if you are brave enough.) I would not recommend it if you are sensitive to horror scenes, violence, or the subject of rape. The author invented characters that were very animalistic along with the saner ones, and this book is guaranteed to summon disturbing images in your head. While the main character kept hoping he was simply dreaming and would wake up at any time, you will be glad that this is a work of fiction and that all the horrors is not happening right in front of you.
As a fan of horror, I am now curious to read more from this author.
December 24, 2014
Richard Laymon is one of my favorite writers and a huge Influence on my writing. What does this have to do with Plebs, you ask? Quite a bit. When Laymon passed it left a huge gaping hole that typical splatterpunk just couldn’t fill. A lot of writers claim to be influenced by Laymon and even the term Laymonesque has been thrown around to describe splatterpunk novels. Problem is that they aren’t.They may have the same type of violence, but they lack the story element that made Laymon so great. “No one writes like Laymon.” It’s a blurb written by Stephen King and it still holds true. When I read splatterpunk I like the gore and violence, but if it doesn’t have have anything to do with the story it’s violence and gore for the sake of violence and gore.
I heard about Plebs, and once again I kept hearing the Laymon terminology being thrown out there, and I was a little intrigued. Then I had a chance to talk to Jim on Facebook, and this guy is a bigger Laymon fan than I am so I had to read Plebs. Plebs could very well be a lost Laymon novel. Yes, it’s that eerie similiar. There are also a lot of other influences running throughout the book and fans of not just splatterpunk but horror can easily find them and this part of the appeal. This is a novel that contains a lot of what I love about a great horror novel. Plot, pacing, and characters that are flawed and on their own quite uninteresting, but through the course of the novel you see them change and become stronger. It’s a novel that you become immersed in, and when you read a great horror novel you can feel yourself being pulled in. Goforth has that ability.
Plebs is a huge book, clocking in at close to six hundred pages, but the book never loses its momentum. This is where Goforth shines. Like Laymon, Goforth is very detail-oriented but unlike, say, Stephen King, he never rambles or makes you feel as if you can skip a few pages and not miss anything. A book this large usually contains a great deal of filler, but Plebs doesn’t suffer the same fate. Goforth makes everything simple, and yes, it does contain a bit of violence which any decent horror novel has. This is one of those books that old school horror fans will truly enjoy simply because it’s a reminder of classic horror that’s edgy and entertaining. This is the future of extreme horror, kids, and I think we’ll be seeing a lot more from Jim Goforth.
I heard about Plebs, and once again I kept hearing the Laymon terminology being thrown out there, and I was a little intrigued. Then I had a chance to talk to Jim on Facebook, and this guy is a bigger Laymon fan than I am so I had to read Plebs. Plebs could very well be a lost Laymon novel. Yes, it’s that eerie similiar. There are also a lot of other influences running throughout the book and fans of not just splatterpunk but horror can easily find them and this part of the appeal. This is a novel that contains a lot of what I love about a great horror novel. Plot, pacing, and characters that are flawed and on their own quite uninteresting, but through the course of the novel you see them change and become stronger. It’s a novel that you become immersed in, and when you read a great horror novel you can feel yourself being pulled in. Goforth has that ability.
Plebs is a huge book, clocking in at close to six hundred pages, but the book never loses its momentum. This is where Goforth shines. Like Laymon, Goforth is very detail-oriented but unlike, say, Stephen King, he never rambles or makes you feel as if you can skip a few pages and not miss anything. A book this large usually contains a great deal of filler, but Plebs doesn’t suffer the same fate. Goforth makes everything simple, and yes, it does contain a bit of violence which any decent horror novel has. This is one of those books that old school horror fans will truly enjoy simply because it’s a reminder of classic horror that’s edgy and entertaining. This is the future of extreme horror, kids, and I think we’ll be seeing a lot more from Jim Goforth.
June 4, 2014
Plebs delivers on its scenarios promise...in spades.
In all the sub-genres in the winding hallways of horror, the grind-house, hardcore sub-genre is among my favorites. There's just something immensely satisfying about picking up a novel with absolutely no idea where its going to take you. PLEBS is that sort of book - a work of old school, shameless horror written by an author who understands and loves the genre. Its clear in every sentence that Goforth lives and breathes this stuff, and that is a good thing.
Like Laymon, (whom I'm positive is a huge influence), Goforth has a freewheeling nature to his use of structure that really lends it the feel of a fun-house. You never know where the strange plot is gonna pull you from one chapter to the next. Like a written version of the best of grind-house cinema's output, PLEBS leaves the audience dizzy with its twisting, turning, blood-soaked storyline.
The references and the inspirations are clear, (70's exploitation cinema, splatterpunk authors and the aforementioned grindhouse among others), but there's a tone to the work that is all Goforth's own. A sense of gleeful abandon that runs through both the carnage and the carnality. The cast of characters that populate PLEBS' weird and wonderful world, is every bit as colorful as the locations and the myriad scenarios of sex and bloodshed, and while the novel is a tad long at 600 pages, its never less than engaging, and is often downright gripping. Character growth is subtle but effective, and the madness and depravity has a playful heart that is hard not to be charmed by.
I personally love this kind of book. A book that sets out to simply thrill the reader and show them a good time. Its refreshing to see the new wave of horror authors out there show so much open love to the sources of their inspiration, (cinematic-ally and literary), while grooving to their own tunes. The genre is very much alive and well.
To conclude, PLEBS is a very confident and no-holds barred debut that sets the groundwork for what should be a successful career for the author, and a good time guaranteed for his readers. Have at it!
In all the sub-genres in the winding hallways of horror, the grind-house, hardcore sub-genre is among my favorites. There's just something immensely satisfying about picking up a novel with absolutely no idea where its going to take you. PLEBS is that sort of book - a work of old school, shameless horror written by an author who understands and loves the genre. Its clear in every sentence that Goforth lives and breathes this stuff, and that is a good thing.
Like Laymon, (whom I'm positive is a huge influence), Goforth has a freewheeling nature to his use of structure that really lends it the feel of a fun-house. You never know where the strange plot is gonna pull you from one chapter to the next. Like a written version of the best of grind-house cinema's output, PLEBS leaves the audience dizzy with its twisting, turning, blood-soaked storyline.
The references and the inspirations are clear, (70's exploitation cinema, splatterpunk authors and the aforementioned grindhouse among others), but there's a tone to the work that is all Goforth's own. A sense of gleeful abandon that runs through both the carnage and the carnality. The cast of characters that populate PLEBS' weird and wonderful world, is every bit as colorful as the locations and the myriad scenarios of sex and bloodshed, and while the novel is a tad long at 600 pages, its never less than engaging, and is often downright gripping. Character growth is subtle but effective, and the madness and depravity has a playful heart that is hard not to be charmed by.
I personally love this kind of book. A book that sets out to simply thrill the reader and show them a good time. Its refreshing to see the new wave of horror authors out there show so much open love to the sources of their inspiration, (cinematic-ally and literary), while grooving to their own tunes. The genre is very much alive and well.
To conclude, PLEBS is a very confident and no-holds barred debut that sets the groundwork for what should be a successful career for the author, and a good time guaranteed for his readers. Have at it!
February 18, 2014
I was granted the great fortune to read Jim Goforth’s new book PLEBS and I have to say, Jim is a remarkable author who grabs you from the first moment you enter his world and holds you mesmerized until the final word is read. PLEBS is the name of a mutant group living in the woods created by a science project gone wrong. Also living in these woods is a troop of emotionally damaged women who have gathered to support each other. The fact that they are all super-hotties makes the story that much more interesting. Three friends run into this group of ladies and help them rescue two of their friends. What ensues is chaos and death, love, sex and extreme violence!
The thing about PLEBS, if you love Grindhouse, you are gonna get a firsthand lesson on how to write it effectively with this book. I felt like Jim had channeled Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino and well, most of the 70s and 80s exploitation films I used to watch. His extraordinary writing skills let this book run like a movie from a New York or San Francisco back alley theater in your mind. It is filled with violence, sex and bizarre subject matter. Jim’s imagination goes loco and we benefit when he bleeds all over the page!
All his characters are awesomely developed, the plot line is awe-inspiring and the grindhouse feel is intense. Jim is an author the reading public needs to watch out for because he has made an impressive outing with this book which just demonstrated what this young man is capable of. I read a lot of books and some are very good, some are great and some, well there is not a word descriptive enough of how fantastic this book is. Thanks to Jim Goforth for letting his story take me on an adventure of a lifetime. He is without a doubt an incredible author. Look for this book as it is the one with the fabulous cover and 600 pages of tasty story in the middle. I give it 5/5 stars!
The thing about PLEBS, if you love Grindhouse, you are gonna get a firsthand lesson on how to write it effectively with this book. I felt like Jim had channeled Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino and well, most of the 70s and 80s exploitation films I used to watch. His extraordinary writing skills let this book run like a movie from a New York or San Francisco back alley theater in your mind. It is filled with violence, sex and bizarre subject matter. Jim’s imagination goes loco and we benefit when he bleeds all over the page!
All his characters are awesomely developed, the plot line is awe-inspiring and the grindhouse feel is intense. Jim is an author the reading public needs to watch out for because he has made an impressive outing with this book which just demonstrated what this young man is capable of. I read a lot of books and some are very good, some are great and some, well there is not a word descriptive enough of how fantastic this book is. Thanks to Jim Goforth for letting his story take me on an adventure of a lifetime. He is without a doubt an incredible author. Look for this book as it is the one with the fabulous cover and 600 pages of tasty story in the middle. I give it 5/5 stars!
July 1, 2016
4 1/2 stars. Beginning at first in a slow burn, the premise begins with a group of guys not quite done partying for the night encountering a group of hot women who would love to continue the merriment- for a price. It seemed to be an amusing satire on how far young men will go to get laid. Something about the narrative cadence made me hear the story in Malcolm McDowell's voice a la Clockwork Orange (but I consider this to be a good thing.)
Anyway, the tale is told through the point of view of Corey Somerset, a mild-mannered, likable fellow who does experience quite the growth arc as he and his "Droogies" quickly discover that the price for a piece of tail is quite steep. The women have an isolated camp as a sort of safe-house, until one of them stages a deadly coup by forming an alliance with a pack of deranged mutants in the woods. The tale amps up from there-- along with the body count.
Somehow the character development shines through far more during the action than in the somewhat plodding intro, which is an admirable talent on the author's part. As the battle continues with Corey, his "droogs," and a group of deadly warrior women opposing the traitor women, more odd alliances are made in preparation for the final showdown, which keeps the reader turning the pages at a breakneck pace.
One more thing that I enjoyed was that the women actually turned out to be strong characters, some even better developed than some of the males, despite their initial introduction as simply hot seductresses with obvious ulterior motives... except for one of the women, whose attraction to Corey proved to be genuine. Bravo, Jim for bucking tradition!
For readers who like a lot of action with their horror, PLEBS is not to be missed!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Anyway, the tale is told through the point of view of Corey Somerset, a mild-mannered, likable fellow who does experience quite the growth arc as he and his "Droogies" quickly discover that the price for a piece of tail is quite steep. The women have an isolated camp as a sort of safe-house, until one of them stages a deadly coup by forming an alliance with a pack of deranged mutants in the woods. The tale amps up from there-- along with the body count.
Somehow the character development shines through far more during the action than in the somewhat plodding intro, which is an admirable talent on the author's part. As the battle continues with Corey, his "droogs," and a group of deadly warrior women opposing the traitor women, more odd alliances are made in preparation for the final showdown, which keeps the reader turning the pages at a breakneck pace.
One more thing that I enjoyed was that the women actually turned out to be strong characters, some even better developed than some of the males, despite their initial introduction as simply hot seductresses with obvious ulterior motives... except for one of the women, whose attraction to Corey proved to be genuine. Bravo, Jim for bucking tradition!
For readers who like a lot of action with their horror, PLEBS is not to be missed!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 12, 2014
**I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for my fair and honest review.**
“Plebs” by Jim Goforth… oh, where do I start? I’m a huge horror fanatic, my first delve into the genre being with Stephen King. Since then, my expectations of horror have been set incredibly high. From the outset, Plebs met every expectation I have and so much more. The entire book took me back in time to some awesome rock n’ roll 80’s old school horror. What else can a horror fanatic ask for? The author is incredibly effective in his writing style and it makes the length of the book seem like nothing, especially since I was having so much fun getting scared!
The three male characters are typical of that era of horror, the ones that intoxicate themselves right into a bad situation. Yet the idea of them didn’t detract from the story; in fact, it lent to a wonderful feel of the book. The characters were all incredibly well-developed and the story was woven perfectly to capture my attention from the first page and keep me guessing about the fate of these three wayward young men. I knew from the start there was lots of danger, but when they run into a crazy camp of women in the middle of the woods, I just knew there would be hell to pay. What followed was a crazy almost Tarantino-ish ride that was worth every minute of reading this book.
“Plebs” by Jim Goforth… oh, where do I start? I’m a huge horror fanatic, my first delve into the genre being with Stephen King. Since then, my expectations of horror have been set incredibly high. From the outset, Plebs met every expectation I have and so much more. The entire book took me back in time to some awesome rock n’ roll 80’s old school horror. What else can a horror fanatic ask for? The author is incredibly effective in his writing style and it makes the length of the book seem like nothing, especially since I was having so much fun getting scared!
The three male characters are typical of that era of horror, the ones that intoxicate themselves right into a bad situation. Yet the idea of them didn’t detract from the story; in fact, it lent to a wonderful feel of the book. The characters were all incredibly well-developed and the story was woven perfectly to capture my attention from the first page and keep me guessing about the fate of these three wayward young men. I knew from the start there was lots of danger, but when they run into a crazy camp of women in the middle of the woods, I just knew there would be hell to pay. What followed was a crazy almost Tarantino-ish ride that was worth every minute of reading this book.
March 5, 2014
Ancient Romans called ugly looking, social outcasts Plebs. Jim Goforth has brought these atrocities into the 22nd century as genetically engineered or rather mis-engineered creatures. You go into the book with Corey and his crazy, drunk crowd and meet up with some total Hell’s Angels type of kickass women. What they hope would be a rocking night turns out to be a cry for help.
While having to deal with the various horrific and life threatening situations, Corey finds strength in himself that he didn’t know he possessed. Goforth has developed the character of Corey from a bystander in the cool crowd, to the person who is able to take charge when the need arises.
Interwoven is the bittersweet love that grows between Corey and Desiree, skillfully woven, and beautifully written while never straying from the plot of the story. You are rooting for them and hoping they make it out alive and make it together.
And as a final twist, we understand the Plebs! (I don’t want to add anything further here and spoil the story for others.) An engrossing story of horror, secrets and ultimately vengeance! This book had me up most of the night and I had to sleep with my light on for the rest of it Five stars all the way! I hope we hear more about the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse!
While having to deal with the various horrific and life threatening situations, Corey finds strength in himself that he didn’t know he possessed. Goforth has developed the character of Corey from a bystander in the cool crowd, to the person who is able to take charge when the need arises.
Interwoven is the bittersweet love that grows between Corey and Desiree, skillfully woven, and beautifully written while never straying from the plot of the story. You are rooting for them and hoping they make it out alive and make it together.
And as a final twist, we understand the Plebs! (I don’t want to add anything further here and spoil the story for others.) An engrossing story of horror, secrets and ultimately vengeance! This book had me up most of the night and I had to sleep with my light on for the rest of it Five stars all the way! I hope we hear more about the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse!
May 7, 2014
Jim Goforth delivers in his chilling, and often gruesome, horror novel "Plebs". Reminiscent of Tarantino's "Grindhouse" flicks and bloody slasher movies of the '70s and '80s, Goforth tells the tale of three slacker friends (Corey, Tim and Lee) who, after a night of drinking and petty vandalism, happen upon a group of leather and lace beauties who invite them to 'party'. The boys, not believing their good fortune, follow these damsels back to their place, across the lake by rowboat, where even more women await them. However, before the party can begin, the girls ask the guys to do them one itsy-bitsy favor - rescue two of their compatriots who have been kidnapped by a strange group of men called 'the Plebs'. The boys, told the mission would be a piece of cake, acquiesce and then - let the games begin!
From here forward, Goforth takes the reader on a roller coast ride of terror and, believe me, the last hundred pages are not for the faint of heart. Woven throughout is a little romance as we watch our protagonist, Corey, grow as a man and discover a purpose to his previous vacuous existence.
If you're a fan of good old-fashioned bloody horror, this book will have you sitting up late at night reading and, perhaps, wondering what that sound was just outside your bedroom window!
From here forward, Goforth takes the reader on a roller coast ride of terror and, believe me, the last hundred pages are not for the faint of heart. Woven throughout is a little romance as we watch our protagonist, Corey, grow as a man and discover a purpose to his previous vacuous existence.
If you're a fan of good old-fashioned bloody horror, this book will have you sitting up late at night reading and, perhaps, wondering what that sound was just outside your bedroom window!
April 29, 2018
This book is painfully slow. The author wastes pages by by describing every minute detail of what the characters are doing. Why would someone spend pages describing the house, the furnishings, the kithen appliances, closets...Then page after page retelling the friends the full accounting of the first 30% of the book. After all that I just don't care. The story is basically a killer slut lesbian who was adopted and raised by a mad scientist who wants to claim a certain girl as her own. The girl is half of the duo called the "Toxic Twins" who brutally kill evil child molestors. Killer lesbian slut girl and her half wit genic psychotic mutant cohorts chase some party guys and stunningly beautiful, mini skirt, g-string wearing hot wild mountain girls around town. Not what I call a horror book, this thing isn't even suspensful it's just silly.. I think all the positive reviews of this book must be friends and relatives. this is honestly the worst book i have ever read in my whole life! haha and i have read almost 500 books! its just gawd awful!
March 23, 2014
What starts out as a drunken end to a night of minor bad-ass behavior swiftly escalates into something far more dark when Corey and two of his buddies run into a band of foxy ladies. Probably in the cold light of day the trio would not have been smashed and high, so would not have gone off in boats with these chicks, but this was night.
They allow themselves to be talked into recuing two other girls from the Plebs and are led to believe sex will be the reward. Only when they get at the place of confinement do they realize they have been set up to be the lure.
The plebs are a band of scientifically created mutants, living in isolation. The girls are a band of emotionally damaged, if hot chicks. Caught in the action between the factions, Corey and his friends are in a life or death situation. Everything they thought they knew about life and each other is put to the test. Who will live and who will die? Read the book to find out.
They allow themselves to be talked into recuing two other girls from the Plebs and are led to believe sex will be the reward. Only when they get at the place of confinement do they realize they have been set up to be the lure.
The plebs are a band of scientifically created mutants, living in isolation. The girls are a band of emotionally damaged, if hot chicks. Caught in the action between the factions, Corey and his friends are in a life or death situation. Everything they thought they knew about life and each other is put to the test. Who will live and who will die? Read the book to find out.
December 8, 2014
What an awesome ride! I am a huge fan of horror especially the slasher flicks of the eighties and this book definitely had that feel.
The book starts with three guys ending a night of drunken debauchery to go hang at the lake and chill. While at the lake they meet these gorgeous gothic girls who entice them to come finish up the party at their place.So begins a wild ride of murder, revenge, and justice.
I am definitely glad I picked up this book, for it is not one to be forgotten anytime soon!
The book starts with three guys ending a night of drunken debauchery to go hang at the lake and chill. While at the lake they meet these gorgeous gothic girls who entice them to come finish up the party at their place.So begins a wild ride of murder, revenge, and justice.
I am definitely glad I picked up this book, for it is not one to be forgotten anytime soon!
August 10, 2014
I had never heard of Jim Goforth before I picked this book up, but I will be searching out new stuff by him after this one. If you like writers like Richard Laymon and good old horror flicks from the 80's, you will love this book. Mr. Goforth brings and new and refreshing voice to the world of horror and fits in right among the ranks of the new faces of the genre. If you're looking for fun, gore and a good read, this is one you need to pick up.
January 15, 2018
Great book, Great Read!
March 14, 2014
When I started reading Plebs…I knew it was a horror story by the blurb about it but I NEVER expected the horrors that would unfold on the pages of this book! This had me so engrossed in it that I could not put it down! The main characters are three friends who had just wandered down to the lake to keep on partying and where they met five foxy ladies who they thought would party on into the night with them once they went back to the ladies place. The party place is across the lake…by row boat…and other tricky paths. Right there should have told them that something wasn’t right but with the looks of the ladies, it never crossed their minds. As they reach the other side much to their happiness and not believing their luck…there are more sexy women waiting there! Promised a night of fun with all of the ladies if they would do a “favor” for their new friends…Corey, Tim and Lee set off to get two girls who belonged to the group from…the Plebs! Being told it wasn’t a dangerous task and that all they would have to do is trade something with the Plebs to get the girls back our trio of rescuers set off and THAT is where their nightmare begins!
With a big cast of characters…some likeable and some…not so likeable…Mr. Goforth kept the action and terror going in this story right to the very last page. With so many horror filled moments I found myself holding my breath until I turned the next page to see if one of my favorite characters had made it to the next scene! Yes…this is an on the edge of your seat…hold your breath…what the hell type story told in such detail you will see the blood and feel the emotions of the characters.
What I truly enjoyed about this book was that it was indeed a book! Not a short story…not a novella…not a cliffhanger. No…this was a book with six hundred…gore filled pages of pure entertainment! I will definitely be on the lookout for future stories by this author who now has a new fan and I highly recommend Plebs to anyone who is looking for a deep....true horror story.
With a big cast of characters…some likeable and some…not so likeable…Mr. Goforth kept the action and terror going in this story right to the very last page. With so many horror filled moments I found myself holding my breath until I turned the next page to see if one of my favorite characters had made it to the next scene! Yes…this is an on the edge of your seat…hold your breath…what the hell type story told in such detail you will see the blood and feel the emotions of the characters.
What I truly enjoyed about this book was that it was indeed a book! Not a short story…not a novella…not a cliffhanger. No…this was a book with six hundred…gore filled pages of pure entertainment! I will definitely be on the lookout for future stories by this author who now has a new fan and I highly recommend Plebs to anyone who is looking for a deep....true horror story.
November 18, 2016
I started this book back on the last day of August. It's taken me up to November to finish it. That is never good for this avid reader. I wanted so much to love this book. It was my first book I have ever tasted from horror author Jim Goforth and I loved the sound of the plot, was encouraged and bought the book and readied myself to be scared to death.
I wasn't.
I just wasn't scared. There are some good "shock" scenes that are really good and they stood out through the book, but overall I didn't have that terrified, chilled feeling I get when I read some horror. I kept wanting things to go that way, you know? It is a long book too, I struggled to keep engaged (as you can tell).
I have another quibble. Well a big moan really. The sexualisation of the women in the book, the constant hormonal sex talk from the males in the book, the mix of lust and horror just did not float my boat. I found it hugely distracting. I have never read a book with so many males that I disliked at early stages before. It just got a bit over the top. It just wasn't my thing.
Despite this one not really working for me I would happily try more of Jim's work to see if other books go a different way. I know some readers have also loved this book so my suggestion is decide for yourself if this is for you. There are a lot of 5 star reviews. I must be on another planet.I love my horror, so hate writing this review. 3 stars.
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I wasn't.
I just wasn't scared. There are some good "shock" scenes that are really good and they stood out through the book, but overall I didn't have that terrified, chilled feeling I get when I read some horror. I kept wanting things to go that way, you know? It is a long book too, I struggled to keep engaged (as you can tell).
I have another quibble. Well a big moan really. The sexualisation of the women in the book, the constant hormonal sex talk from the males in the book, the mix of lust and horror just did not float my boat. I found it hugely distracting. I have never read a book with so many males that I disliked at early stages before. It just got a bit over the top. It just wasn't my thing.
Despite this one not really working for me I would happily try more of Jim's work to see if other books go a different way. I know some readers have also loved this book so my suggestion is decide for yourself if this is for you. There are a lot of 5 star reviews. I must be on another planet.I love my horror, so hate writing this review. 3 stars.
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August 24, 2015
Reading all of these 5 star reviews lead me to believe that I'm perhaps just not the targeted audience for this type of book. It certainly does read like an 80's gory slasher movie, which I imagine would be enjoyable for fans of old horror, but alas, I found this book to be a complete chore to go through. I regrettably stopped at chapter 14, which is something I hate doing so I may pick it up again later.
Absolutely none of the main characters are likable, they have zero personality other than "Guys, let's party and have sex woohoo we're such cool dudes" and was I supposed to be rooting for the plebs here? Tim is the popular one, Lee is the background one and Corey is the plain average one. The main motivation for them is the fact that they may get to have sex with the obviously manipulative and dangerous women they encountered earlier. Corey, the main guy, is deeply in love with one of them after having spoken maybe twelve lines to her and having known her for less than 2 hours, but she's sexy and kinda slutty so it's totally understandable! He even gets over the death of his 'best' friend in record time, because she's there to be his 'rock'. What a standout dude.
An editing error made me stop reading because I was at the end of my leash anyway and was looking for any excuse to put this book down. At one point, telling the girls apart becomes so difficult (there's like 12 of them) that even the author got confused and used the name of one of the dead ones at an action that you clearly need to be alive to do.
A harsh review, but I'm the kind of person to nitpick every single dumb thing that happens in horror movie and you may find it more enjoyable if you're the type that has a higher threshold for suspension of disbelief than me.
Absolutely none of the main characters are likable, they have zero personality other than "Guys, let's party and have sex woohoo we're such cool dudes" and was I supposed to be rooting for the plebs here? Tim is the popular one, Lee is the background one and Corey is the plain average one. The main motivation for them is the fact that they may get to have sex with the obviously manipulative and dangerous women they encountered earlier. Corey, the main guy, is deeply in love with one of them after having spoken maybe twelve lines to her and having known her for less than 2 hours, but she's sexy and kinda slutty so it's totally understandable! He even gets over the death of his 'best' friend in record time, because she's there to be his 'rock'. What a standout dude.
An editing error made me stop reading because I was at the end of my leash anyway and was looking for any excuse to put this book down. At one point, telling the girls apart becomes so difficult (there's like 12 of them) that even the author got confused and used the name of one of the dead ones at an action that you clearly need to be alive to do.
A harsh review, but I'm the kind of person to nitpick every single dumb thing that happens in horror movie and you may find it more enjoyable if you're the type that has a higher threshold for suspension of disbelief than me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2014
It's like the Hills Have Eyes and every 80s horror movie I've ever seen in my youth, decided to get together to have one dirty and perverted baby. This. Was. AWESOME. You got an imperfect hero, some bad chicks with knives and guns, and some pals who get caught along for the ride. Sex and drugs, but no rock and roll unfortunately. This book had everything from vivid detail, to character growth and a gripping storyline that kept me riveted. I'm a lover of horror. Hell, I've been watching horror movies since I was 4 and reading it since 8. I know what I like, and I liked this tale.
Corey Somerset is kind of a loser at the start, but you see growth from him and the awesome chicks that become his friends. You learn about these tough women who have formed their own clan, why they did it, and you start to feel for them. I felt a shiver run down my spine as I read about the Plebs, who are as gross as disgusting little maggots can be. What I loved most was Desiree, Blaise, and the other girlies who didn't NEED a man to save them. They do quite a bit of saving themselves. They were girls I could look up to with fighting prowess that made me giddily clap my hands.
The sex is well written without being gaudy erotica. I had my reservations since I have never read a sex scene by a male author that I enjoyed. This was enjoyable and steamy without being smut. By the time I reached the end of the novel I couldn't wait to find out how the survivors made it through. Some of my favorite characters didn't make it, but hey, at least they went out with a fight.
Corey Somerset is kind of a loser at the start, but you see growth from him and the awesome chicks that become his friends. You learn about these tough women who have formed their own clan, why they did it, and you start to feel for them. I felt a shiver run down my spine as I read about the Plebs, who are as gross as disgusting little maggots can be. What I loved most was Desiree, Blaise, and the other girlies who didn't NEED a man to save them. They do quite a bit of saving themselves. They were girls I could look up to with fighting prowess that made me giddily clap my hands.
The sex is well written without being gaudy erotica. I had my reservations since I have never read a sex scene by a male author that I enjoyed. This was enjoyable and steamy without being smut. By the time I reached the end of the novel I couldn't wait to find out how the survivors made it through. Some of my favorite characters didn't make it, but hey, at least they went out with a fight.
October 26, 2016
Not going to lie, I struggled reading this initially. It wasn't the story line itself that made it difficult for me to find the desire to turn the pages it was the retelling of events in the beginning of the book which discouraged me, if the description of events were majorly shortened or 'Corey quickly filled such and such in on the events that had occurred' it may have been different. HOWEVER though it took time I did persevere and Mr Goforth you greatly improved your writing from the act of Corey and Desiree having sex it was like your writing became more of a story and less of a conversation with my mum repeating herself. You had a touch of everything in there and reading the description of a few of the plebs having dog like snouts instantly made me remember Beast House, your description if everything is in such great detail it did make it hard for myself to give characters a chance with my own imagination and how I wanted to picture them, and effectively give them a life in my mind, this is also something I find with the likes of Stephen King's writing though so it's not entirely a bad thing. You were quiet clearly just trying to get your readers to see as you saw in your own mind. I will admit once I did get through the first quarter of the book and everything started picking up I burnt through the book quickly. I decided I would continue reading your work based on how you finished this up and I wasn't disappointed. As a first book I applaud you and I look forward to reading more of your work
July 17, 2014
Ahhhhh! I’m not going to be able to sleep with the lights out for weeks after finishing this book. I’ll admit, if it wasn’t on my kindle, I would’ve put the book in the freezer for a few nights to keep the horror inside of it away from me. The author did an incredible job at scaring the crap out of me, and I’m positive that horror stories are what he should be writing.
In the beginning of the book, I loved the classic guy mentality these drunken boys had. The story was fun, and intriguing, and I couldn’t wait to see what kind of messed up crap these guys were going to get themselves into. And then, being typical men, they get lured by some good looking vixens with trouble up their sleeve. Bad decisions cause these guys to get way more than they bargained for, and the rest of the story is basically made up of some scary as hell situations and these guys trying escape it all.
I use to looooooooove the old horror movies, and then I got old and became a baby. This book reminded me of who I used to be, and what I loved about those stories. The scariest things in this world are maybe the ones we don’t know about yet….. Enter Plebs. I will recommend this novel to my many horror fanatic friends, and after I diminish the fear in my blood from this story, I hope to have the courage to read another one of his books.
In the beginning of the book, I loved the classic guy mentality these drunken boys had. The story was fun, and intriguing, and I couldn’t wait to see what kind of messed up crap these guys were going to get themselves into. And then, being typical men, they get lured by some good looking vixens with trouble up their sleeve. Bad decisions cause these guys to get way more than they bargained for, and the rest of the story is basically made up of some scary as hell situations and these guys trying escape it all.
I use to looooooooove the old horror movies, and then I got old and became a baby. This book reminded me of who I used to be, and what I loved about those stories. The scariest things in this world are maybe the ones we don’t know about yet….. Enter Plebs. I will recommend this novel to my many horror fanatic friends, and after I diminish the fear in my blood from this story, I hope to have the courage to read another one of his books.
December 1, 2014
A Splendid Adventure!
This is an excellent book written by a superlative author. Goforth is a consummate story teller who easily ensnares the reader in the opening scenes. The story starts out like a classic horror tale with growing suspense, titillation, and an impending sense of doom. However, rather than fall into cliched patterns it quickly twists into a thrilling adventure that is fast paced, exciting, and intriguing. Later, when you think you know where the story will go, you are surprised and horrified again. The climax builds toward a perfect storm of “sanguinary destruction” [I stole that delightful phrase from the author.] and vigilante justice that is guaranteed to satisfy readers who like horror stories or thrillers. Not to mention the likable leading man or the exciting, competent and sexy female characters, and the hot sex scenes. I would give this story more than five stars if I could. This was the first Jim Goforth story that I have read, but certainly not my last. I hope he writes a sequel to Plebs.
This is an excellent book written by a superlative author. Goforth is a consummate story teller who easily ensnares the reader in the opening scenes. The story starts out like a classic horror tale with growing suspense, titillation, and an impending sense of doom. However, rather than fall into cliched patterns it quickly twists into a thrilling adventure that is fast paced, exciting, and intriguing. Later, when you think you know where the story will go, you are surprised and horrified again. The climax builds toward a perfect storm of “sanguinary destruction” [I stole that delightful phrase from the author.] and vigilante justice that is guaranteed to satisfy readers who like horror stories or thrillers. Not to mention the likable leading man or the exciting, competent and sexy female characters, and the hot sex scenes. I would give this story more than five stars if I could. This was the first Jim Goforth story that I have read, but certainly not my last. I hope he writes a sequel to Plebs.
March 31, 2014
I read all of the reviews before ordering Plebs and for me the attraction to this book was the assertions by readers that this story was original, and reminiscent of old-school 1970s horror.
I wasn't disappointed. Plebs had an edge to it that many contemporary Indie horror novels lack. The author uses his unique voice to quickly and uncomfortably immerse the reader into an arena of "'WTF' is going on?!". One minute you are waiting to see if the drunk idiots are going to get a piece of sexy tail, and suddenly you're in a world of hurt, begging for mercy.
I enjoyed the lack of restraint by the author. It reminded me of early Tarantino. It felt to me like the author was going to tell the story the way he wanted to tell it and if some people were turned off, then so be it. Plebs is a visceral experience that all horror fans should experience. There are also some important themes that I found interesting lurking in the subtext of the violence and debauchery, but I will leave that for each reader to discover on their own.
I wasn't disappointed. Plebs had an edge to it that many contemporary Indie horror novels lack. The author uses his unique voice to quickly and uncomfortably immerse the reader into an arena of "'WTF' is going on?!". One minute you are waiting to see if the drunk idiots are going to get a piece of sexy tail, and suddenly you're in a world of hurt, begging for mercy.
I enjoyed the lack of restraint by the author. It reminded me of early Tarantino. It felt to me like the author was going to tell the story the way he wanted to tell it and if some people were turned off, then so be it. Plebs is a visceral experience that all horror fans should experience. There are also some important themes that I found interesting lurking in the subtext of the violence and debauchery, but I will leave that for each reader to discover on their own.
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