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Headhunters
Edgar Toom's summer vacation is cut short by a supernatural home invader, a ten-foot-tall praying mantis!
The voracious beast, an ancient Mesopotamian demon, is after Edgar's grandfather, a housebound ghost with no body. After escaping the creature's claws, Edgar realizes that the gigantic mantis will never stop. Luckily, the demon's entry into our world sparks a mystic transformation within Edgar, giving him a fighting chance.
Boosting Edgar's odds are the addition of his best friend Clara Diaz, and her quirky Aunt Ginnie, and the enigmatic professor Sol Balam who all bring their own special gifts to the fight. But hope fades when an even more powerful demon joins the hunt for Edgar's grandfather.
Now, Edgar must travel to the Underworld to seek help from a banished race of creatures hungry for revenge against their Mantid overlords. Time isn't on Edgar's side as the cunning demons close in for a final showdown that threatens his friends and family.
Will their combined efforts be enough to save Edgar's beloved grandfather or will everyone lose their heads?
The voracious beast, an ancient Mesopotamian demon, is after Edgar's grandfather, a housebound ghost with no body. After escaping the creature's claws, Edgar realizes that the gigantic mantis will never stop. Luckily, the demon's entry into our world sparks a mystic transformation within Edgar, giving him a fighting chance.
Boosting Edgar's odds are the addition of his best friend Clara Diaz, and her quirky Aunt Ginnie, and the enigmatic professor Sol Balam who all bring their own special gifts to the fight. But hope fades when an even more powerful demon joins the hunt for Edgar's grandfather.
Now, Edgar must travel to the Underworld to seek help from a banished race of creatures hungry for revenge against their Mantid overlords. Time isn't on Edgar's side as the cunning demons close in for a final showdown that threatens his friends and family.
Will their combined efforts be enough to save Edgar's beloved grandfather or will everyone lose their heads?
- GenresHorror
292 pages, ebook
Published August 1, 2024
26 people want to read
About the author
Luis Paredes
6 books13 followersLuis Paredes is a speculative fiction writer and author of Headhunters and Out On a Limb, an urban noir fantasy.
His genre-blending work appears in Tangled Web Magazine, the Kaidankai Horror Podcast, Crow & Cross Keys, Black Sheep: Unique Tales of Terror and Wonder, Max Blood's Mausoleum, and Tall Tale TV.
Fun fact: Luis's favorite animal is the platypus.
His genre-blending work appears in Tangled Web Magazine, the Kaidankai Horror Podcast, Crow & Cross Keys, Black Sheep: Unique Tales of Terror and Wonder, Max Blood's Mausoleum, and Tall Tale TV.
Fun fact: Luis's favorite animal is the platypus.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 10, 2024
‘Headhunters’ has a lot going for it. It’s inventive, fun, funny and moving. The book has a great found family unit at its heart, and they’re a delight to read. With hero Edgar, the ghost of his grandfather and his best friend and her aunt up against a bunch of demons. The fact that the demons have a family dynamic of their own also makes things fun. There’s action, magic and thrills throughout and the characters (human and demon) really shine.
The challenge I had with the book is that it’s not really my kind of thing. At its heart it’s a well crafted dark fantasy tale that would suit a young audience well. As an older reader I found a lot to enjoy here, but didn’t really connect with the book as much as I’d have liked to.
So maybe not a perfect choice for me, but if you’re a dark fantasy fan you may well love it.
3.5/5
The challenge I had with the book is that it’s not really my kind of thing. At its heart it’s a well crafted dark fantasy tale that would suit a young audience well. As an older reader I found a lot to enjoy here, but didn’t really connect with the book as much as I’d have liked to.
So maybe not a perfect choice for me, but if you’re a dark fantasy fan you may well love it.
3.5/5
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July 27, 2024Luis Paredes hits it out of the ballpark once again with his imaginative world-building in his new novel Headhunters, publishing on August 1st. I love how real the characters feel, even the fantastical ones like the main character's grandfather's floating ghost head and the evil giant bugs. It gave me a craving for some Metamorphosis by Kafka, which brings me to my next point: this is a YA novel which I did not expect it to be (minus one curse word & an unexpected whiskey-smelling kid vomit scene) but this read very simple like a YA does. Short chapters. The vocab was not very challenging. I wish the character would have honed in on his origins more, he was obviously of an ethnic background that went into no further explanation. It was a nice, kids' adventure. Not my regular cup of tea. The author's novella, Out on a Limb, was phenomenal. This was a PG version of the author's writing, unfortunately. It threw me off.
Thank you to the author for an ARC of this book for my honest opinion.
Thank you to the author for an ARC of this book for my honest opinion.
September 18, 2024
What a fun ride Headhunters is! Luis Paredes has managed to create a YA horror novel that combines tremendous world building, a kick-ass sense of humor, just the right amount of gore, and a whole lot of heart. Think Goosebumps with bugs.
We meet Edgar, a kid who sees things that other people don’t – like his dead grandfather’s head floating around the house as bold as you please. But that’s the least of Edgar’s troubles. Try gigantic praying mantises for a start, which has us off to the races in this fast-paced romp.
Paredes has a real gift for depicting kids. There’s joy and irreverent humor that makes this book fun to read, regardless of age. I couldn’t help but laugh out loud more times than I can count. I particularly loved the three-dimensional characters, both human and otherwise – not easy to do while keeping things moving. It’s tempting to dumb down a narrative when one’s intended audience is YA. That’s not the case here.
If you’re looking for a lighthearted read with just enough horror to grab your attention, BUY THIS BOOK. So much fun. Can’t wait for Luis Paredes’ next.
We meet Edgar, a kid who sees things that other people don’t – like his dead grandfather’s head floating around the house as bold as you please. But that’s the least of Edgar’s troubles. Try gigantic praying mantises for a start, which has us off to the races in this fast-paced romp.
Paredes has a real gift for depicting kids. There’s joy and irreverent humor that makes this book fun to read, regardless of age. I couldn’t help but laugh out loud more times than I can count. I particularly loved the three-dimensional characters, both human and otherwise – not easy to do while keeping things moving. It’s tempting to dumb down a narrative when one’s intended audience is YA. That’s not the case here.
If you’re looking for a lighthearted read with just enough horror to grab your attention, BUY THIS BOOK. So much fun. Can’t wait for Luis Paredes’ next.
June 12, 2024
Headhunters by Luis Paredes
Release: August 1st, 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The artwork along with hearing The Thief of Always meets Eight Legged Freaks made me know I had to read this, and it did not disappoint!
Attacked by a monstrous mantis demon coming for his grandfather's ghost, young Edgar Tooms realizes abilities he didn't know he had, and must fight to protect him at all costs. With the help of his best friend Clara, her Aunt Ginnie, and Professor Sol Balam his odds are increased but things intensify when even more creatures come for him. With his friends and family in trouble Edgar will do anything to protect them.
Bugs... This book will make your skin crawl! Fast paced but not feeling rushed, at 292 pages this was a short read but amazingly done. It had me hooked from the beginning and rooting for Edgar and Clara the entire time! I loved the different worlds and the imagery throughout was fantastic and makes you feel like you are right in it.
For fans of fantasy and horror, Luis Paredes has done an amazing job and I give it a 5/5 stars! Highly recommended!
Release: August 1st, 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The artwork along with hearing The Thief of Always meets Eight Legged Freaks made me know I had to read this, and it did not disappoint!
Attacked by a monstrous mantis demon coming for his grandfather's ghost, young Edgar Tooms realizes abilities he didn't know he had, and must fight to protect him at all costs. With the help of his best friend Clara, her Aunt Ginnie, and Professor Sol Balam his odds are increased but things intensify when even more creatures come for him. With his friends and family in trouble Edgar will do anything to protect them.
Bugs... This book will make your skin crawl! Fast paced but not feeling rushed, at 292 pages this was a short read but amazingly done. It had me hooked from the beginning and rooting for Edgar and Clara the entire time! I loved the different worlds and the imagery throughout was fantastic and makes you feel like you are right in it.
For fans of fantasy and horror, Luis Paredes has done an amazing job and I give it a 5/5 stars! Highly recommended!
June 29, 2024
Headhunters by Luis Paredes is a creature-feature lover’s delight! I continue to be impressed by this author’s imaginative world-building, setting this story IRL with many “otherworldly” twists. The main character, Edgar, is a precocious boy who can see things no one else can see, like the disembodied head of his dead grandfather floating around the home he shares with his single mother. Surrounding Edgar’s world is another, filled with threatening creatures that resemble bugs in our own universe. Except these bugs are huge, they can kill, and they’re hunting Edgar and his Opa Chuck. This story is filled with Paredes’ wonderfully skewed sense of humor, and his uncanny way of capturing what it’s like to be a gifted child growing up in a world that doesn’t understand you. This is a lighthearted horror fantasy filled with serious drama, splashes of gore and laugh-out-loud humor, making the book highly entertaining for adults while also tame enough for a younger audience. I highly recommend it!
July 29, 2024
Thank you so much to the author, Luis Paredes, for an advanced copy of Headhunters in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Headhunters was extremely unique. It had the writing style and vibe of R.L. Stine's Goosebumps series, but was most definitely made for adults. It had the nostalgia factor, but wasn't too childish or goofy to come across as cringey, which was a nice balance. I enjoyed the gross body horror, which I wasn't expecting 🤣🙌🏼.
Edgar and his friend Clara are in for the adventure of a lifetime when demonic bugs from the underworld try to steal the soul of Edgar's ghost grandfather.
The world Luis created for these creatures was absolutely fascinating. I really liked how we learned along with the children, without having to suffer from pages of long descriptions. It was all part of the plot, which prevented the pacing from being awkward or removing you from the story. I loved all the mythology that went into it as well. The multiple POVs was a nice touch too. You could see the story unfold from the children's POV, as well as the POV of several of the bugs. There was a lot of action, a lot of heart, and a satisfying conclusion.
This is definitely an enjoyable read if you love (or hate) bugs, enjoy mythology and world-building, and grew up loving Goosebumps. This won't disappoint you.
Headhunters was extremely unique. It had the writing style and vibe of R.L. Stine's Goosebumps series, but was most definitely made for adults. It had the nostalgia factor, but wasn't too childish or goofy to come across as cringey, which was a nice balance. I enjoyed the gross body horror, which I wasn't expecting 🤣🙌🏼.
Edgar and his friend Clara are in for the adventure of a lifetime when demonic bugs from the underworld try to steal the soul of Edgar's ghost grandfather.
The world Luis created for these creatures was absolutely fascinating. I really liked how we learned along with the children, without having to suffer from pages of long descriptions. It was all part of the plot, which prevented the pacing from being awkward or removing you from the story. I loved all the mythology that went into it as well. The multiple POVs was a nice touch too. You could see the story unfold from the children's POV, as well as the POV of several of the bugs. There was a lot of action, a lot of heart, and a satisfying conclusion.
This is definitely an enjoyable read if you love (or hate) bugs, enjoy mythology and world-building, and grew up loving Goosebumps. This won't disappoint you.
September 17, 2024
Off with His Head!
Headhunters
Author: Luis Parades
Publisher: Platypus Book Press
Edgar Tooms is enjoying his holidays back home until danger comes in the form of a a ten-foot-tall praying mantis; a Mesopotamian demon hellbent on a mission to get the boy's grandfather - a ghost.
Luckily for him, he has bff Clara Diaz and her weird Auntie, and professor Sol Balam.
This middle grade horror/dark fantasy includes trips to the Underworld, demons, a banished race hoping to escape their overlords and the best of family and friends.
There's action, danger, adventure, grief, tender moments, quirky fun, and a strong diaspora voice who embraces the zest of old fashioned fantasy films such as Warlords of Atlantis with diversity and a modern point of view.
Despite the peril, there's a sense of joy to this book and a wonderful blend of the archaic with the fantastic.
A fun and dark book for younger readers.
Headhunters
Author: Luis Parades
Publisher: Platypus Book Press
Edgar Tooms is enjoying his holidays back home until danger comes in the form of a a ten-foot-tall praying mantis; a Mesopotamian demon hellbent on a mission to get the boy's grandfather - a ghost.
Luckily for him, he has bff Clara Diaz and her weird Auntie, and professor Sol Balam.
This middle grade horror/dark fantasy includes trips to the Underworld, demons, a banished race hoping to escape their overlords and the best of family and friends.
There's action, danger, adventure, grief, tender moments, quirky fun, and a strong diaspora voice who embraces the zest of old fashioned fantasy films such as Warlords of Atlantis with diversity and a modern point of view.
Despite the peril, there's a sense of joy to this book and a wonderful blend of the archaic with the fantastic.
A fun and dark book for younger readers.
May 6, 2024
A great read for those who love fantasy, supernatural/horror, mystery, humor and a little adventure. The story starts quick and never slows down. We are taken to worlds that are beyond what we thought we knew and we connect with all the characters in some way whether they are the heros or villains.
Luis has an amazing talent for description of the worlds and its characters (As a person who doesn't like insects... I shuddered reading the descriptions of some of the insects he has in the stories lol) and you truly immerse yourself in his world. He does an amazing job with explanation and backstory so you are never going to be lost and are always caught up.
The jokes are funny, the fights intense, the mysteries keep you guessing until the end and the adventure is real. Hard to put down once you start!
Luis has an amazing talent for description of the worlds and its characters (As a person who doesn't like insects... I shuddered reading the descriptions of some of the insects he has in the stories lol) and you truly immerse yourself in his world. He does an amazing job with explanation and backstory so you are never going to be lost and are always caught up.
The jokes are funny, the fights intense, the mysteries keep you guessing until the end and the adventure is real. Hard to put down once you start!
March 2, 2025
Wow! What a crazy story! I love thé idea of other realms and what happens in the next world, but being taking to an underworld of bugs? That isn’t something I would think could happen! Luis Paredes brings to life a wild world of new creatures all set on capturing the lost decapitated soul of Opa Chuck and his grandson Edgar who might just be the newest “seer” on the block. What that you ask? You’ll have to read the book to find out!
I’m rating this as 4 stores because I really wanted more. I wanted to hear more about the history and the reason this underworld functioned as it does. Maybe that will be book #2 in this series?
I’m rating this as 4 stores because I really wanted more. I wanted to hear more about the history and the reason this underworld functioned as it does. Maybe that will be book #2 in this series?
June 22, 2024
This had that fantasy horror element that I enjoyed from when I was a kid, it was wonderfully done. I was invested in the concept and how it worked in this storyline. It uses the horror and demon elements in a way that I was hoping for, and thought the characters worked in this universe. Luis Paredes has a strong writing style and was glad I got to read this. I was on the edge of my seat from this read and hope there is more in this world.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 27, 2024
This was such a fun read. It grabbed me right from the start and kept me up half the night reading. The way this author created this other world of insects and how the hierarchy worked there was wonderful. I'm not a big fan of bugs and yet I really felt for some of the insect characters. The pace of this book keeps you wanting more and the writing style is nice and easy on the brain. I will definitely be reading more from this author.
May 27, 2024
What an awesome read this was!!! Full of exciting characters and good world building. Violence was well written and not over the top.
Follow Edgar, Clara and the head of Edgar's deceased grandfather as they fight the Phantids. We are introduced to Aunt Ginny and Sol as the elder adults who help them navigate the Phantid world.
Triggers: Bugs and lots of bugs in the Phantid world, including praying mantis, roaches and other creepy crawlers.
Follow Edgar, Clara and the head of Edgar's deceased grandfather as they fight the Phantids. We are introduced to Aunt Ginny and Sol as the elder adults who help them navigate the Phantid world.
Triggers: Bugs and lots of bugs in the Phantid world, including praying mantis, roaches and other creepy crawlers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2024
Another fantastic book from Luis! I really loved the character imagery and the descriptions of the underworld in Headhunters. I was hooked right from the start with Edgar and Opa Chuck and enjoyed the twists and turns along the way. Definitely won’t be looking at a Praying Mantis the same way again.
July 9, 2024
This is a wild creature feature and so imaginative. I absolutely loved it. It has some goosebump vibes mixed it with total originality. Plus the cover is great.
You’ll definitely look at bugs a different way after reading this one, that’s for sure.
You’ll definitely look at bugs a different way after reading this one, that’s for sure.
August 4, 2024
Edgar just wants to enjoy his summer vacation. The aliens have other plans.
Did Not Finish
September 28, 2024DNF @ 21%
December 14, 2024
An epic battle, fantastical characters, touching moments — The author manages to create an entire world and a great story in such a short book!
It would be easy to see Headhunters turned into a series a la Stranger Things and Goosebumps.
I need the story to continue!
It would be easy to see Headhunters turned into a series a la Stranger Things and Goosebumps.
I need the story to continue!
December 23, 2024
4.23
soooo good
interesting, unique, fascinating
what a concept, I'm not giving anything away here in cazse tyou want to read it
soooo good
interesting, unique, fascinating
what a concept, I'm not giving anything away here in cazse tyou want to read it
August 2, 2024
Loved it! Crazy good in a good way. Loved the VERY unusual plot and all the various characters and interactions with each other. Wasn't real sure who would come out on top since those Mantises were pretty darn vicious. I appreciate them in nature but would not want to face them the size of this story. This is one of those books that take you right out of reality and you love every minute of it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews