How far would you go for the offer of a lifetime? Wealth. Power. Notoriety. All that and more could be yours.
Would you mutilate? Would you defile? Would you kill? Would you submit to the call of depravity and commit unspeakable atrocities?
Boundaries get crossed and blood spills once Connor Miller is recruited by the twisted elitist cabal known as "The Executives." Morality's blurred lines are drenched in crimson as Connor rips, gnaws and slices his way into the corporate world, where there is no middle ground. The cogs of this brutal wheel turn while bones shatter, limbs are severed, and desires are fulfilled.
Sanctity of life becomes a cost benefit analysis once the carnivores have fed. The downtrodden suffer while Connor comes to grip with demons and slips further and further into lunacy.
So, will you give them your best? In turn, they'll give you the world.
I love the movie Falling Down. Michael Douglas at his best. And there were a lot of those same elements here, early on, which grabbed my full attention. The prologue was great, bringing the reader right into our lead’s, Connor, mindset in a very creative way, while also providing some excellent foreshadowing. And the way KL Allister quickly and strategically gave us all the pertinent information on him early on was solid, as well. Connor had a lot going for him, but still felt that something was missing. And what he found for himself was a new lifestyle that was privileged, exclusive, ugly, and destructive. Lots of really well-written body horror throughout, as Connor journeyed through his situation. The depth of the relationship between him and Shauna and Jason really hit some good notes, too. Fun story that was fully explored, however the conclusion was a little too Seven for my taste. Very similar to that film, and I saw it coming for miles away, which was a bit of a letdown. Still a very strong showing from the author and I am excited to see his other works.
For a debut novel, Allister knocked it out of the park!! This was so good! I was captivated from the very beginning. I could really see this as a movie. The story was well written. This went hard. The gore was described to perfection. Had a few scenes made me sick to my stomach. That ending was a wild one. This is easily in my top five favorite reads this year. Well done, sir!
I sometimes wait way too long to read a book I know I will love. Of course I ATE this one right up! (See what I did there?)
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Take one part American Psycho, another part Devil’s Advocate and throw in a dash of The Skulls and that’s what it is like to read Carnivores. Don’t get me wrong, this was totally original and fun but those three movies kept popping into my head when I read this.
When we follow hotshot Connor, I couldn’t help but to find him cocky but also kind of sexy. And when he snaps on his boss, it was a very “heck yeah, good for you dude” kind of moment.
There’s a message somewhere in this book and it isn’t the secret recipes of Jacques’ spices he uses on the meals for The Executives. (Although I’m really intrigued on what it is). What I got between the pages is just the real damage that too much money, greed, power and control can do. Especially to someone like Connor who already has an insatiable hunger for all of those things plus his proclivity for violence.
How far would you go to literally never want for anything again? The perfect house, car, job, family, friends and endless supply of money? Everything comes with a price. Connor gets to figure out what that price is and chances are when you have to sign a contract in blood, you may as well accept that you’re selling your soul to the devil.
I enjoyed this ride, and hopefully you’ll treat yourself to what K.L. has prepared and cooked up in this story. I would say sorry for all the puns here but I’m really not sorry at all.
One hell of a Debut! Carnivores is a dark, gore-ridden tale of the macabre.
After Connor’s psychotic breakdown with his boss, the CEO of his company unexpectedly shows up to his house the next day offering him an exclusive position within the group known as “The Executives”
He would go from making 78k to 380k annually. He nearly shits himself. Contracts out the ass! His blood binds the contract. Connor is instantly being showered in luxuries and he is elated with this new life he can share with the love of his life.
This story was absolutely INSANE! It had my complete attention from the very beginning and I was so focused on how this story would end and let me tell ya… it’s WILD! K.L. Allister went all in on this one. The writing was exceptional and meticulously detailed that it made me feel physically ill at times.
I read one of K.L. Allister’s short stories and determined from it that he was just the right kind of fucked up that would gel with my just the right (self-diagnosed) kind of fucked up brain. So to hear he had a whoooole cannibal story that gave BIG American Psycho (my problematic bae) vibes? I was down for dinner, with all the trimmings. Hand me a thigh, no white meat for me plz. Who made the potato salad?
Quick synopsis: Connor Miller is just some tasteless pencil pusher until something snaps in him one day. He decides that if he wants more out of life, he needs to sink his teeth into it. His insatiable hunger goes noticed by the higher-ups at his company, who invite him into their little supper club. All he has to do is sign on the dotted line if he wants to live deliciously in more ways than one. Who knew climbing the corporate ladder would be so bloody and leave so much gristle in your teeth?
“Did I mention we were cannibals?” 🫠
Like I said, the concept for Carnivores sold me but the writing was like a mental massage for me. It doesn’t happen often but when you find an author whose brain grooves match yours, hold on to them. The violence/depravity were spot on, the story had me in a chokehold, & it made me laugh at all the things I shouldn’t have. That’s basically all you need to talk me out of my mental drawls. I know, I’m a cheap date but w/e your daddy likes it. ANYHOO. Amazing use of prose. Overall a very clean presentation through and through, unlike his over-the-top-just-right death scenes. Excellent plot building, I knew we were amping up to something insane but boy howdy. 😮💨 Allister has def etched some mental images into my head with that gala scene that I wish would go away, but won’t. How dare this new & upcoming indie author make me add him to my “purchase on sight” list so quickly & easily. People might start thinking I’m easy or something. 😅
If you are looking for a deranged cannibalistic millionaires club this is it! I loved how different this book was from some other cannibal books.
It's giving Hostel (movie) had a baby with Hannibal lector vibes. Fancy, rich, and classy meets dark, gory, and gruesome.
K.L Allister knocks it out of the park on expectations on details. Not for the faint of heart or sensitive stomach.
I deff recommend for any splatter/ extreme horror lover to check out if you're hungry for a quick cannibalistic read. If this book was a series i would buy them all.
I personally have no triggers and I read pitch black on the "how f'd up is it?" scale. Check TW if you have them!
With that being said, I did predict part of the ending but it didn't take away from it at all! Will be adding this Author to my list of Favs
Carnivore is a compelling novella with a dark tone and well-developed characters. I like the author's straightforward yet evocative descriptions, which brought the events to life and kept me intrigued. Although the ending was obvious, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would strongly suggest it.
Imagine beating up your boss only to get approached by the owner of the company who wants you to work directly for him. Doing pretty much the same thing but wants to include cannibalism to that list.
Money and meat. Is there anything more important to the executives? No there’s not. Once you’re apart of the elite group there is no out.
Connor just wants to have his cake and eat it too. He wants a happy home life, happy work life, victims and blood. But we all know you can’t have it all. Isn’t that right?
This was a good debut. I think it flowed okay especially with all the carnage that happened within the book. I like the nod to other indie authors in the book that’s always nice. I’m looking forward to future books by this author!
Awesome for a debut! Good story line and the main character made me laugh a few times with the way he talked. There were twists, lots of descriptive gore. I couldn't put this one down.
"The Pleasure Hall had served its purpose. The killing floor was soaked red, and our prey was bereft of life. "
This was an incredible debut.
Filled with some of THE most creative killings and the most vile descriptions, I couldn't stop reading.
It was both heartbreaking and exciting, and I desperately wanted the MC to get out! I loved some of the characters but also hated them at the same time? 😅
Such a great idea and story, another one devoured in one sitting. Looking forward to what else can come from Allister 🤤
A little over a year ago, K.L. Allister exploded onto the splatterpunk horror scene with his bloodthirsty debut, Carnivores. Since then, he has published three novels, a collection, and earned features in several anthologies. I’ve read his other works, but today, I finally finished Carnivores and boy, do I have thoughts. Connor Miller is just your average joe, slaving away at the daily grind until he is offered the chance of a lifetime. He scores an opportunity to join a group known as “The Executives,” but instead of boardroom meetings and networking over golf, “The Executives” bond over something more dark and twisted—cannibalism. Carnivores begs the age old question—what wouldn’t you do for a chance to elevate yourself to a higher station? In a dog eat dog, er, man eat man, world, how far would you go for power? To not only not have to live paycheck to paycheck, but to actually have savings—wealth beyond your wildest dreams? Connor’s descent into the depraved serves not only to disgust and horrify readers, but as a social commentary on today’s politics. In a world of Trumps’ and Musks’, where the rich continually get richer on the backs of the common folk, it's not hard a stretch to imagine that maybe some of those backs have been flayed and turned into dinner. Hearts ripped out and served on platters dance on the edge of believability. With a view of cannibalism as just another “business decision,” Connor shows us a terrifying reality that seems attainable. You could tell me certain politicians were serving up body parts and I wouldn’t even be surprised at this point! With his trademark visceral writing, and a sharp wit, K.L. Allister takes readers on a dark descent that touches on the fringes of reality, blurring the lines between acceptable and unacceptable. Things get gorey. People are hacked and slashed, served and eaten. And you might be just as sick as Connor because this book is ENJOYABLE!!! If you love Carnivores just as much as I do, make sure to check out K.L. Allister’s other works: Last Call, The Willows, Carnal Parts, and his latest release—Absolution. They’re all five star readers. You heard it here first, K.L. is an author to keep an eye on if you prefer the extreme and splatterpunk realms of horror!
Probably not an ideal book to read while you're on your lunch break at work. For a number of reasons.
The good:
KL is a great writer, you can see that from the get go. His characters are fun and inviting. His prose is full of dark wit and in glorious technicolour.
I liken this experience to reading American Psycho if Brett Easton Ellis didn't hate his audience.
For splatterpunk, I've got to give it it's dues. I gagged a few times reading this.
The bad:
If you want gore and mayhem, and that's all, fair play to you. However I have to still find a connection with the main character in order to really feel like I'm in a three dimensional world. I found it very hard to care for anyone in this book, except for the main charvaters girlfriend.
I think I'd have been drawn into it so much more if I could have found the connection I was looking for. Although admittedly, it would be a pretty tall order since the things that go on in the story make everyone unforgivable.
The ugly:
Good LORD this gets dark in a hurry. I had to take multiple breaks to get through it and it tested my to the very limits of what I can read.
Gorehounds will be delighted!
KL, I'm gonna read Willows next and see if you can grab at my heart strings as well as you can stick your fingers down my throat.
I was new to goodreads when I read this story initially so I've come back to give this a solid review. This was 1 of 3 books I bought off Godless when I first started reading splatterpunk and this was the best of 3 by a mile (I won't name the other two as I don't wanna put down other indie authors) and it cemented my pure love for the genre. I enjoyed that the use of brutality was to undercut the mc's nice guy mentality he shows to everyone else. Going straight from the horrific depravity to a loving consensual sex scene was a beautiful showcase of the divide between his life as a carnivore vs as a loving partner. The ending still randomly hits me when I'm just chilling. I guessed the wife reveal as I noted her eye colour from an earlier scene but the baby reveal made my eyes snap open. Basically, very good read and once I catch up a bit more on my to read list, I'm gonna go give it a reread
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
A true macabre masterpiece! Imagine Christian Grey having a dinner date with Hannibal Lecter in the setting of Hostel (all films if you are unaware look them up) & you’re only just scratching the surface. Monsters truly became real as this tale unfolded - can we really have it all without selling our souls to the devil? Packed with gore, violence & stomach turning descriptions to suit any Splatter punk fan. I absolutely loved this book & didn’t want it to finish. I look forward to more from this creative genius 5/5 🩸
Finished Carnivores by K. L. Allister and holy fucking shit this one is in my top 5. It was brutal, sad and just all around a great story, this was my introduction to this author and I couldn't have asked for a better intro. This one is in my top 5 favorites of all time this was absolutely fucking genius 10/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ K.L. Allister is a fucking genius!
This was a phenomenal debut by K.L. The characters, violence, and meals were super enjoyable to read. I loved Connor's character and how far he went within the story. I'm looking forward to reading more by K.L.
I have always said that rich people eat some weird shit and man, don't you know it.
Who wouldn't want to be an executive? Yeah you heard me, give me all the money and power, well Conner feels the same. After working and giving his all he is fed up and tells his boss and CEO about it. Thinking he is going to be fired after a workplace assault Conner is presented to a world of power, money and depravity that comes with everything but eternal life. Just one catch, don't ever break the contract!
I loved this book! I couldn't put it down, literally, read once all the way through. Yessssss Give me more!!
Great story line! I throughly enjoyed reading this book. The main character had great development and the author did a good job making you feel connected to him. Pleasure Hall was definitely my favorite part with the unique kills and descriptive gore! It’s just driving me crazy that I don’t know for certain the hidden message in the book the author talks about in his acknowledgments 😂
This is the debut novel of K.L. Allister and he knocked it out of the park. I read this in one sitting! It's a classic tale of a hard-working man not feeling appreciated in his job turning dark. However for Connor Miller, he wishes that he stood humble.
Carnivores is a gut-wrenching tale that mixes splatterpunk with a thrilling story of a man willing to do anything to reach the apex of life. It was quite an insane story that I couldn't stop reading. I must warn those looking for a giddy ending, that you might want to temper your expectations.
After all, once you become an 'executive', there's no turning back!
Goddamn this book had everything I needed in it. An amazing story, a must read for extreme horror readers. The story line was equally as amazing as the brutality our MC dishes out and gets.
This one's insanely good. I flew through CARNIVORES, and now I'm eager for anything Allister publishes in the future. The writing is visceral, intense, and the ending deserves a chef's kiss. Highly recommended for fans of extreme fiction!
Connor Miller is pushed to the brink of his sanity after being given the offer of a lifetime. Overnight, he can go from his cramped New York apartment with a meager salary that barely makes ends meet to becoming a millionaire with a penthouse. All of this because he headbutts his boss in front of the CEO of his company. In return, he will forever be bonded to an elitist corporate group called "The Executives". Oh, one more thing: Connor just has to give into his darkest appetites. I loved this read! K.L. Allister is a rising star in the splatterpunk community. He is known for writing some of the most graphic gore of an up and coming author. Allister forces the reader into the same conundrum as they follow the main character through a sickening path of carnage.
What the fuck was that?! Insanity. Our character Connor has an angry moment at work when he asks for a pay rise and is fully expected to get fired. Until his boss gives him a solution! More pay and a select group of”the executives” are the rich men who do WHATEVER they want. The amount of blood and visceral in this is incredibly written and had me dying to read what happens next! So glad I chose to read this one! One of my favourites of the year!
This might be a bias review, because going into this book I had no clue one of my favorite bands would be mentioned and other small details of things I love irl, like horror movies and metal music. This book was such a fun/insane read for me. Grabbed my attention early on with those small details.
The gory scene details disgusted me, which also kept me reading to see where this was going and how it would end... AND I did not see that ending coming!
This book is quite disgusting and disturbing in all the best ways. There were no twists for me. I had a feeling I knew where it was going from the start. It barreled like a freight train right to its logical conclusion. I had so much fun reading this, K.L. Allister is definitely an author I will be reading more of.