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It Ain't No Fun, When The Rabbit Got The Gun
The Shines are a small family hidden away deep in the mountains of East Tennessee. Mitchell Shine, their father, has found an unusual way to support his two sons, with hopes they will someday follow in his footsteps. With a terrible accident leaving the family in shambles, pieces must be picked up, and life must carry on. A story of guilt, greif, abandonment, betrayal, and insanity leaves you asking, "How far can one son's love go to save his unusual family?"
- GenresSplatterpunkHorror
153 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 29, 2024
19 people are currently reading
332 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
October 24, 2025
For a debut book, this was really good. We followed the Shine family through their very isolated, abusive, and violent lifestyle on a farm. There were so many moments of utter nastiness that I found myself not wanting to eat again, but there were all relevant to the story. So the placement and context were spot on for an extreme horror. Now, I did feel that the book started off stronger than it progressed and eventually concluded. The situations between Trenton, Mitchell, and, our lead, Arliss were so good that I could've just kept reading about it all. The level of disfunction and trauma was so shocking, yet immersive. The story sort of gradually moved away from developing certain initial plot points, in lieu of creating just a nasty, nonstop bloodbath, leaving me wondering why certain important variables were just left out. And the pacing was mostly fine, but went way too quickly towards the very end, with a bit of an underwhelming conclusion. An easy fix to a lot my critiques would be to either display less plot points and focus more of the gore, or keep them all intact, but create a longer and more developed story. Not really a right or wrong approach there, but more of a preference by the author. However, despite some minor flaws, this was still a very well-written and enjoyable horror experience.
August 26, 2025
I can see where the author was going with this, and I think it could have been incredible if it had just been tightened and tidied a little. There were a few instances where things went into the downright goofy side of genre but the kills were pretty well executed so if you're in it solely for the gross factor your mileage might vary greatly from mine.
May 7, 2025
The book read similar to Edward Lee books like Header, The House, The Pig. Lots of action and gore packed into a small number of pages. I look forward to more from this author.
September 4, 2024
This debut novella has been causing quite the stir in the indie horror world, I've seen it popping up all over the place and being talked about a fair bit, and rightly so!
This story captivates you from the start and then lets the depravities unfurl, slowly and steadily, easing you in gently whilst at the same time, punching you directly in the face!! It's extremely graphic and horrific, with brilliantly detailed imagery and sharp, clear descriptions, alongside characters that you can't help but feel something for, one way or another! For example, Arliss. I kinda liked the sadistic, depraved little weirdo. I felt a little sorry for him, his upbringing leaving him not knowing how to be on his own, how to function as an adult, he's like a lost little child, trying to make his way in the world the only way he knows how. But, his way is pretty grim and fucked up and full of gagworthy moments!
Mitchell is a taxidermist, trying to hunt for food as well as models for his work, after a huge snowstorm hits, leaving him and his family with very little food and a rapidly declining chance at survival. But things take an unfortunate turn and his boys are left to fend for themselves, making Arliss the man of the house now….
His oldest son, Trenton, lives across the fields. He’s a bit of a wild one, loves being close to the animals, and partaking in a bit of moonshine, to which he tends to get a bit mean, taking his alcohol induced anger out on his younger sibling.
Arliss himself is a little different, a little slow, and a fan of all things slimey! So, when he is left to look after himself, it's only going to end in disaster. He’s confident though, he's watched his father his whole life and feels like he knows what he needs to do, and how to survive. He looked up to his father, he misses him terribly, and will do anything to have him back. He comes up with the perfect plan to recreate his fathers presence, and sets about putting it into action. All he needs is the perfect specimen, and woe betide anyone that gets in his way….
It ain’t no fun, when the rabbit got the gun, or when he's a twisted, sadistic motherfucker to boot! This was a great debut, and I am excited to read more from Nick in the future!
4.5/5
This story captivates you from the start and then lets the depravities unfurl, slowly and steadily, easing you in gently whilst at the same time, punching you directly in the face!! It's extremely graphic and horrific, with brilliantly detailed imagery and sharp, clear descriptions, alongside characters that you can't help but feel something for, one way or another! For example, Arliss. I kinda liked the sadistic, depraved little weirdo. I felt a little sorry for him, his upbringing leaving him not knowing how to be on his own, how to function as an adult, he's like a lost little child, trying to make his way in the world the only way he knows how. But, his way is pretty grim and fucked up and full of gagworthy moments!
Mitchell is a taxidermist, trying to hunt for food as well as models for his work, after a huge snowstorm hits, leaving him and his family with very little food and a rapidly declining chance at survival. But things take an unfortunate turn and his boys are left to fend for themselves, making Arliss the man of the house now….
His oldest son, Trenton, lives across the fields. He’s a bit of a wild one, loves being close to the animals, and partaking in a bit of moonshine, to which he tends to get a bit mean, taking his alcohol induced anger out on his younger sibling.
Arliss himself is a little different, a little slow, and a fan of all things slimey! So, when he is left to look after himself, it's only going to end in disaster. He’s confident though, he's watched his father his whole life and feels like he knows what he needs to do, and how to survive. He looked up to his father, he misses him terribly, and will do anything to have him back. He comes up with the perfect plan to recreate his fathers presence, and sets about putting it into action. All he needs is the perfect specimen, and woe betide anyone that gets in his way….
It ain’t no fun, when the rabbit got the gun, or when he's a twisted, sadistic motherfucker to boot! This was a great debut, and I am excited to read more from Nick in the future!
4.5/5
July 8, 2024
Ok I haven’t feel this nauseous since reading “Zola” by DE McCluskey. Seriously, the scenes with Arliss eating… 🤢. The scenes where he gets a haircut 🤮. Omg I had to power read as quickly as I could till those moments were over.
Nick really has created a vile hillbilly splatterfest story here, and it does the genre justice, that’s for sure. He’s also created a number of characters that have depth to them. Really, is Arliss a mindless, violent goon, or are his actions justified in his own mind? Should he be blamed for his behaviours even if it was the “nurture” that created a monster, rather than his “nature”?
This story will make you simultaneously vomit and think hard about who the antagonist really is lol. This is an impressive feat for any author, let alone one who has just written their solo debut novel.
Nick really has created a vile hillbilly splatterfest story here, and it does the genre justice, that’s for sure. He’s also created a number of characters that have depth to them. Really, is Arliss a mindless, violent goon, or are his actions justified in his own mind? Should he be blamed for his behaviours even if it was the “nurture” that created a monster, rather than his “nature”?
This story will make you simultaneously vomit and think hard about who the antagonist really is lol. This is an impressive feat for any author, let alone one who has just written their solo debut novel.
September 13, 2024
Ain’t No Fun When The Rabbit’s Got The Gun
A dirty stinky cabin in the middle of a dirty stinky woods there lives a dirty stinky man and his dirty stinky son…
You can smell the cabin.
There are no characters in this book you are rooting for… and that’s not a bad thing!
Debut novella from Nick Scarborough and it’s a doozy. Great location, great set up and a fantastic quick read.
Can’t wait to see this author go from strength to strength…
4/5
A dirty stinky cabin in the middle of a dirty stinky woods there lives a dirty stinky man and his dirty stinky son…
You can smell the cabin.
There are no characters in this book you are rooting for… and that’s not a bad thing!
Debut novella from Nick Scarborough and it’s a doozy. Great location, great set up and a fantastic quick read.
Can’t wait to see this author go from strength to strength…
4/5
January 12, 2025
It Ain't No Fun, When the Rabbit Got the Gun is a chilling, unsettling exploration of a dysfunctional backwoods family. The story follows the Shine family. Mitchell, and his two sons, Trenton and Arliss.
From the very beginning, the author wastes no time establishing a dark atmosphere, immersing the reader in a world of grotesque and deeply troubled characters. Trenton and Arliss are deplorable figures, their actions and motivations clouded by a twisted sense of survival. The family’s dysfunction is both tragic and terrifying.
Scarbrough does an excellent job making these characters feel repulsive. Each character’s internal torment and lack of morals and real life experience creates a sense of unease that lingers long after the book is closed. This is not a story for the faint of heart. The author crafts a perfectly depraved world where no one is safe from their own demons, and boundaries are tested in the most disturbing ways. It’s a gut-wrenching ride that stays with you.
For a debut novel this is impressive. If you're a fan of horror that digs deep into human depravity and unsettling family dynamics, this one should be on your list.
From the very beginning, the author wastes no time establishing a dark atmosphere, immersing the reader in a world of grotesque and deeply troubled characters. Trenton and Arliss are deplorable figures, their actions and motivations clouded by a twisted sense of survival. The family’s dysfunction is both tragic and terrifying.
Scarbrough does an excellent job making these characters feel repulsive. Each character’s internal torment and lack of morals and real life experience creates a sense of unease that lingers long after the book is closed. This is not a story for the faint of heart. The author crafts a perfectly depraved world where no one is safe from their own demons, and boundaries are tested in the most disturbing ways. It’s a gut-wrenching ride that stays with you.
For a debut novel this is impressive. If you're a fan of horror that digs deep into human depravity and unsettling family dynamics, this one should be on your list.
March 4, 2025
I’m pretty dichotomous when it comes to horror tropes. I can take or leave vampires in general. A girl held captive in a basement? Groundbreaking. …You know what…let me get to my point before I get my ass in trouble. 👀 ANYHOO. Killer hillbillies. Frightening? Yes. Repulsive? Yes. Am I a fan? Not necessarily. That is, unless you flip several scripts and create some pretty deep character development in a short period of time. Bonus points if you leave me in a moral dissonance regarding our MC being a product of their environment or vice versa? It Ain’t No Fun, When the Rabbit Got the Gun by Nick Scarborough did that & also that. So hats off to him for his trope-flipping debut.
Quick Synopsis:
Arliss lives out in the boonies of Tennessee. All he knows is what he’s been “taught” by his kin in the short time he’s been alive so far away from civilization. So when he is left on his own due to extenuating circumstances, he’s forced to leave what he knows behind to get some much needed “supplies.” If the culture shock wasn’t enough for Arliss, the resistance he gets for trying to retrieve the “supplies” quickly deflates his sails & so much more.
This was a tough ship to sail, but Scarborough handled it well. He gave us nauseating, detailed backstories that let us know the motives of his characters. So when the events play out as they do, we are left questioning if we necessarily blame them for their actions or not. I like a book that makes me think long after & this most certainly achieved that. Now if Nick would kindly remove these thoughts and mental pictures from my head…that would be great. I can’t even get a haircut now without thinking of *that scene.* Don’t even get me started with the maggots. Scarborough came out swinging with this debut & we must suffer now because of it. Bravo sir. 👏🏽
Quick Synopsis:
Arliss lives out in the boonies of Tennessee. All he knows is what he’s been “taught” by his kin in the short time he’s been alive so far away from civilization. So when he is left on his own due to extenuating circumstances, he’s forced to leave what he knows behind to get some much needed “supplies.” If the culture shock wasn’t enough for Arliss, the resistance he gets for trying to retrieve the “supplies” quickly deflates his sails & so much more.
This was a tough ship to sail, but Scarborough handled it well. He gave us nauseating, detailed backstories that let us know the motives of his characters. So when the events play out as they do, we are left questioning if we necessarily blame them for their actions or not. I like a book that makes me think long after & this most certainly achieved that. Now if Nick would kindly remove these thoughts and mental pictures from my head…that would be great. I can’t even get a haircut now without thinking of *that scene.* Don’t even get me started with the maggots. Scarborough came out swinging with this debut & we must suffer now because of it. Bravo sir. 👏🏽
April 19, 2025
The Shines are a small family hidden away deep in the mountains of East Tennessee. Mitchell Shine has found an unusual way to support himself and his two depraved and sadistic sons, with hopes they will someday follow in his footsteps. After an accident, the youngest son Arliss decides he needs to venture out into the world and find someone he can hunt.. in order to 'fix' his father.. chaos ensues.
𝐌𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
I love small town, back woods/mountains, scary men type books/movies, so this was so fun for me to read. It was so insane and had some really funny moments, it's visceral and I was captivated from the very beginning, especially with the trigger page 😆
You can't help but empathise with Arliss because of his horrific upbringing and abuse at the hands of his psychotic older brother but also realise that coming across him would be absolutely terrifying.
This was great for a debut. It was fast-paced, gruesome, and had several nasty gross-out moments, which obviously I loved.
Nipperoni and runny eggs, anyone? 🤤
𝐌𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
I love small town, back woods/mountains, scary men type books/movies, so this was so fun for me to read. It was so insane and had some really funny moments, it's visceral and I was captivated from the very beginning, especially with the trigger page 😆
You can't help but empathise with Arliss because of his horrific upbringing and abuse at the hands of his psychotic older brother but also realise that coming across him would be absolutely terrifying.
This was great for a debut. It was fast-paced, gruesome, and had several nasty gross-out moments, which obviously I loved.
Nipperoni and runny eggs, anyone? 🤤
July 26, 2024
4/5 ⭐️
1/1 🐇
This book was so wild. I sat here reading this wondering how many people are raised in the woods like these boys were and probably don’t know about anything in the real world like them.
Arliss was raised off the grid completely and doesn’t know about anything except hunting, being abused and death. Still a virgin in his twenties and still living with his father, his life turns upside down when his father passes away. He decides he wants to keep him forever and stuff him like his dad does with animals.
But to do that he has to find the perfect skin. To do that he has to go into town where he has barely ever been and socialize with people to try and get a woman to come home with him so he can transfer her skin to his father.
His travels into town do not bode well. This book was so interesting but the crazy part is the part that bothered me most was him eating crunchy burnt eggs.
1/1 🐇
This book was so wild. I sat here reading this wondering how many people are raised in the woods like these boys were and probably don’t know about anything in the real world like them.
Arliss was raised off the grid completely and doesn’t know about anything except hunting, being abused and death. Still a virgin in his twenties and still living with his father, his life turns upside down when his father passes away. He decides he wants to keep him forever and stuff him like his dad does with animals.
But to do that he has to find the perfect skin. To do that he has to go into town where he has barely ever been and socialize with people to try and get a woman to come home with him so he can transfer her skin to his father.
His travels into town do not bode well. This book was so interesting but the crazy part is the part that bothered me most was him eating crunchy burnt eggs.
December 17, 2024
Arliss, poor Arliss.
Arliss isn't the sharpest crayon in the box. He loves his father. He deals with his violent older brother. He also lives in the hills and has never been around society, in general.
Arliss has a problem, and the city is the only way to solve it.
I don't feel I can go into much of the story without ruining any of the fun.
So... all I can say is this, the story is brutal, vile, and hilarious.
It's quite a fun read. It has some moments that feel rushed and some that feel a little longer than they need to be. But for a debut piece of extreme horror, it is seriously a strong entry... I can't wait to see what stories Nick will write next!
Arliss isn't the sharpest crayon in the box. He loves his father. He deals with his violent older brother. He also lives in the hills and has never been around society, in general.
Arliss has a problem, and the city is the only way to solve it.
I don't feel I can go into much of the story without ruining any of the fun.
So... all I can say is this, the story is brutal, vile, and hilarious.
It's quite a fun read. It has some moments that feel rushed and some that feel a little longer than they need to be. But for a debut piece of extreme horror, it is seriously a strong entry... I can't wait to see what stories Nick will write next!
July 8, 2024
I can handle a lot of things but half burnt and half uncooked eggs is the absolute limit. You’re nasty, Nick.
He really said nipperoni… 🤣🤣
There were definitely grammatical, spelling, and formatting errors but for the most part it wasn’t enough to pull me out of the story. The writing itself was decent but could definitely benefit from being edited better.
The story was interesting and I actually felt bad for Arliss on more than one occasion.
I think this was a great debut and I can’t wait to read more of Nick’s work!
He really said nipperoni… 🤣🤣
There were definitely grammatical, spelling, and formatting errors but for the most part it wasn’t enough to pull me out of the story. The writing itself was decent but could definitely benefit from being edited better.
The story was interesting and I actually felt bad for Arliss on more than one occasion.
I think this was a great debut and I can’t wait to read more of Nick’s work!
July 17, 2024
Enjoyed this, hillbilly horror? Some gut wrenching scenes definitely a fantastic splatterpunk story every fan should read, can’t wait to read more from Nick Scarborough 😀🔪
September 23, 2024
Years ago I went with a punk friend of mine to buy a dog collar. The collar was for him not for a dog. We went to a shop that sold leather goods, both looking a mess and almost certainly stinking of cheap cider. Two old ladies served us, they were totally non-judgemental and had a super time helping my friend try on collars. (He chose a Tartan one in the end) There’s a lovely scene in this book that reminded me of that day. Arliss, the main protagonist, who is obviously a ‘wrong-un’ goes to buy some new threads and the shop keeper treats him with kindness. Something Arliss has never really known. It’s a little oasis in a squalid little tale with duelling banjos as its soundtrack. Gore and filth a plenty follow Arliss on his journey (his duvet lives rent free in my head) of redemption and misplaced love. That’s what I loved about this novella, despite all the graphic content there is a central heart to it. Just a boy trying to please his Dad. A great read and the cover art is just superb!
March 22, 2025
“Sometimes it rains in my brain.” Arliss dully said. “And other times the silence can be so loud.”
Arliss was raised on terror and neglect at the hands of his father and brother.
The sympathy you build for this soft and gentle monster has you conflicted.
You find yourself on a journey of a man that has been isolated finding himself in a world that was bright and loud.
Nick created a M/C that you felt a strange warmth towards. One that navigates a world that he isn't equipped for.
There were some moments that had me wanting to bork, the coke exchange. 🤢
There were moments that gave me the warm and fuzzies Dorris Jean. 🖤🖤
There were moments of humour and moments of horror.
I thoroughly enjoyed this and it's a 5 🐰🐰🐰🐰🐰 for me.
Arliss was raised on terror and neglect at the hands of his father and brother.
The sympathy you build for this soft and gentle monster has you conflicted.
You find yourself on a journey of a man that has been isolated finding himself in a world that was bright and loud.
Nick created a M/C that you felt a strange warmth towards. One that navigates a world that he isn't equipped for.
There were some moments that had me wanting to bork, the coke exchange. 🤢
There were moments that gave me the warm and fuzzies Dorris Jean. 🖤🖤
There were moments of humour and moments of horror.
I thoroughly enjoyed this and it's a 5 🐰🐰🐰🐰🐰 for me.
July 2, 2024
4.5 🩸🐰⭐️
I was given an arc of this in exchange for an honest review , after reading Nick’s story in Modern Grotesque I was highly anticipating his first novella . And he definitely didn’t disappoint……
Arliss Shine didn’t come from the best upbringing. When his father has an unforeseen accident,Arliss finds himself alone and wanting to follow in his father’s footsteps of taxidermy. This being Nick’s debut novella, he really knocked it out of the park. This story being only 117 pages i devoured it in one sitting . It was fast paced and so disgusting at times my jaw aches from saying Eww. Highly recommend this to those who enjoy the extreme side of 📚!
I was given an arc of this in exchange for an honest review , after reading Nick’s story in Modern Grotesque I was highly anticipating his first novella . And he definitely didn’t disappoint……
Arliss Shine didn’t come from the best upbringing. When his father has an unforeseen accident,Arliss finds himself alone and wanting to follow in his father’s footsteps of taxidermy. This being Nick’s debut novella, he really knocked it out of the park. This story being only 117 pages i devoured it in one sitting . It was fast paced and so disgusting at times my jaw aches from saying Eww. Highly recommend this to those who enjoy the extreme side of 📚!
September 19, 2025
It Ain’t No Fun, When the Rabbits Got The Gun 🐰
Omg this was so good but so naaaasty!! Thank you so much Nick for sending me this! Sorry it took a little while to get to it but my days I’m glad I eventually did!
To say this family is all kinds of messed up is an understatement 🫣 I’m talking the worst kind of actions within the PROLOGUE 😱
Arliss hasn’t had the best start in life, dragged up on a farm with his father having no education & wanting nothing to do with anyone on the outside and his brother more interested in where & what he can “sow his oats” into, It’s left him a little..erm unique and kinda grim 🤢
After his brother’s gone & he finds his father dead & frozen in the snow he’s decided he needs to step up & take better care of the home. He can’t survive off half cooked eggs & Vienna sausage juice all his life can he 👀
He’s also decided that he needs to find a way to preserve his father…new skin suit anyone? Yeahhh this is where the extreme came into the horror 🫣🤣
It’s finally time to leave the farm & take his first trip into town! It’s going to be a breeze right? 🤷🏼♀️
Oh I LOVED this!! This was an amazing debut!! I honestly gagged, laughed or winced at every single page 😅 This was one I couldn’t put down & devoured in one sitting! I cannot WAIT to see what’s next from this author 👏🏼
Thanks again to Nick for sending me it! Defo one to check out for extreme horror fans! But do check those triggers!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Omg this was so good but so naaaasty!! Thank you so much Nick for sending me this! Sorry it took a little while to get to it but my days I’m glad I eventually did!
To say this family is all kinds of messed up is an understatement 🫣 I’m talking the worst kind of actions within the PROLOGUE 😱
Arliss hasn’t had the best start in life, dragged up on a farm with his father having no education & wanting nothing to do with anyone on the outside and his brother more interested in where & what he can “sow his oats” into, It’s left him a little..erm unique and kinda grim 🤢
After his brother’s gone & he finds his father dead & frozen in the snow he’s decided he needs to step up & take better care of the home. He can’t survive off half cooked eggs & Vienna sausage juice all his life can he 👀
He’s also decided that he needs to find a way to preserve his father…new skin suit anyone? Yeahhh this is where the extreme came into the horror 🫣🤣
It’s finally time to leave the farm & take his first trip into town! It’s going to be a breeze right? 🤷🏼♀️
Oh I LOVED this!! This was an amazing debut!! I honestly gagged, laughed or winced at every single page 😅 This was one I couldn’t put down & devoured in one sitting! I cannot WAIT to see what’s next from this author 👏🏼
Thanks again to Nick for sending me it! Defo one to check out for extreme horror fans! But do check those triggers!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
July 24, 2024
Desperate times call for desperate measures…
I absolutely loved this book by Nick. There are so many different times I sat back gobsmacked because of how accurately he depicted developmental delay (Mom of 2 autistic kiddos) and how scarily similar my oldest son is to Arliss at different points.
The story follows Arliss a young man who has really had it rough throughout his life. He doesn’t know the first thing about societal norms and expectations. What Arliss does know, is when he loses his only form of love and guidance when his father passes in a TRAGIC hunting accident, his life is flipped upside down. Arliss is left to fend for himself and fighting to survive merely alone in a world he knows nothing about. Losing his father was the straw that broke the camel’s back if you will for him and he sets out to rectify the loss however he sees fit. In true splatterpunk fashion this comes at a gory and disastrous cost.
The fluidity in the writing made it incredibly easy for me to visualize what was happening from scene to scene. Never once was I left feeling like the story was flat or missing something. I thoroughly enjoyed each and every page of this book and I highly recommend it if you need a little bit of gore, humor, wit and a bit of sadness that all pack their own individual punches for a knockout debut.
I absolutely loved this book by Nick. There are so many different times I sat back gobsmacked because of how accurately he depicted developmental delay (Mom of 2 autistic kiddos) and how scarily similar my oldest son is to Arliss at different points.
The story follows Arliss a young man who has really had it rough throughout his life. He doesn’t know the first thing about societal norms and expectations. What Arliss does know, is when he loses his only form of love and guidance when his father passes in a TRAGIC hunting accident, his life is flipped upside down. Arliss is left to fend for himself and fighting to survive merely alone in a world he knows nothing about. Losing his father was the straw that broke the camel’s back if you will for him and he sets out to rectify the loss however he sees fit. In true splatterpunk fashion this comes at a gory and disastrous cost.
The fluidity in the writing made it incredibly easy for me to visualize what was happening from scene to scene. Never once was I left feeling like the story was flat or missing something. I thoroughly enjoyed each and every page of this book and I highly recommend it if you need a little bit of gore, humor, wit and a bit of sadness that all pack their own individual punches for a knockout debut.
July 22, 2024
Meet the Shine family. Mitchell, a well-respected local taxidermist, and his two sons, Trenton and Arliss, lead a secluded life in the Tennessee mountains. Following an accident, Arliss finds himself without his father. Wanting to preserve his father forever, Arliss embarks on his first journey off the mountain in search of the perfect skin.
If you enjoy backwoods horror, this is a must-read. Nick brings a fresh perspective to the genre. It's gritty, sad, and dark. Arliss is a character that will stay with you long after you finish. It is so well written that you won't stop until you finish. To say that this debut is outstanding is an understatement.
Nick Scarbrough is a name to watch.
5 severed fingers out of 5
If you enjoy backwoods horror, this is a must-read. Nick brings a fresh perspective to the genre. It's gritty, sad, and dark. Arliss is a character that will stay with you long after you finish. It is so well written that you won't stop until you finish. To say that this debut is outstanding is an understatement.
Nick Scarbrough is a name to watch.
5 severed fingers out of 5
August 13, 2024
This is an utterly twisted read from the Splatterpunk genre at its finest. I loved the creative writing and disgusting descriptions concocted with a surprisingly deep character development. The beginning of this book is a true sucker punch and it doesn’t slow down from there. To note, there were some grammatical errors that shifted my focus from the story. However, the prose was expertly written and moving. I both had moments of deep sorrow for our main character right along with the normal feelings of being grossed out and truly disturbed by the depths of his social isolation and mental illness.
October 15, 2024
I hope you like maggots
For a debut, this is amazing.
It was disgusting and fun, and I thoroughly enjoyed going along with Arliss in his complete unraveling.
For a short book, it had a big impact. I hope to read more from this author in the future!
For a debut, this is amazing.
It was disgusting and fun, and I thoroughly enjoyed going along with Arliss in his complete unraveling.
For a short book, it had a big impact. I hope to read more from this author in the future!
June 30, 2024
This is Nick's debut book. I've been following his progress ans wanted to read his debut book. It was well worth the wait.
Fans of extreme horror will enjoy this one for sure. While it has plenty of gross scenes, when you put the context of Arliss's tough childhood, it will make you feel sorry for him. At times I hated him, but as I got toward the end of the story, I couldn't help but feel sorry for him.
It's a tough lesson that kids will grow up emulating what they learned as they grew up.
I read it in one sitting. Well done, Nick!
Fans of extreme horror will enjoy this one for sure. While it has plenty of gross scenes, when you put the context of Arliss's tough childhood, it will make you feel sorry for him. At times I hated him, but as I got toward the end of the story, I couldn't help but feel sorry for him.
It's a tough lesson that kids will grow up emulating what they learned as they grew up.
I read it in one sitting. Well done, Nick!
July 31, 2024
3⭐️
I like the book but I was expecting more
I did enjoy the story- felt more “emotional” to me than just a gore fest which I did like- just a man trying to make his father proud
I also did feel sorry for arliss- I did feel like he deserved a better life
the gore was decent it wasn’t over the top just a nice touch but I just wanted that little bit more:)
I like the book but I was expecting more
I did enjoy the story- felt more “emotional” to me than just a gore fest which I did like- just a man trying to make his father proud
I also did feel sorry for arliss- I did feel like he deserved a better life
the gore was decent it wasn’t over the top just a nice touch but I just wanted that little bit more:)
August 9, 2024
I was a little late to the game on this one but I finally read it! This was a really enjoyable debut from Nick Scarbrough. I first read his short story that was featured in 'Modern Grotesque' and was impressed and eager to read his novella debut.
In this story we follow a man named, Arliss, who I felt equally sorry for as I did disturbed and disgusted in every way possible. Arliss is forced to discover the world on his own outside of his family cabin in the woods for the first time and he takes us on a ride of destruction and depravity along the way. He just wants to make his daddy proud of him.
I look forward to future projects from Nick and can't wait to see his success as a writer in the splatter community.
In this story we follow a man named, Arliss, who I felt equally sorry for as I did disturbed and disgusted in every way possible. Arliss is forced to discover the world on his own outside of his family cabin in the woods for the first time and he takes us on a ride of destruction and depravity along the way. He just wants to make his daddy proud of him.
I look forward to future projects from Nick and can't wait to see his success as a writer in the splatter community.
August 28, 2024
I really enjoyed this book & how the storyline went. Nipple-roni made me 🤣! I felt bad for the main character Arliss, he seemed so sheltered. I'd definitely recommend this to others.
August 12, 2024
hmm felt like it was missing something. not sure what exactly but something just felt *off* or incomplete. maybe it would benefit from being a tad bit longer 🙂
July 15, 2024
Fucking sick dude… I loved it! I felt so bad for the main character, yet so grossed out by him at the same time. This is such a great story!
April 5, 2025
Oh, this is grim! What a fantastic debut!
October 15, 2024
Run Rabbit, Run
I was drawn into this one by the beautiful cover!
I feel like the author trampled over all my emotions in this one. It was very worth it, though.
One minute, I was heartbroken and empathetic for the characters, and the next, I was shocked & disgusted by them. And it just kept going and going.
I felt like the author did a very good job of showing how poverty and isolation will impact one person, but then just bleed on down the line.
There's a lot of extreme scenes!
I don't want to hear the word "glob" anytime soon 🤮
While also, having moving moments, where it makes you really feel and care for what the characters are going through.
Mitchell Shine is a widowed father of two, Trenton & Arliss, They're all living in the mountains of Tennessee.
“He was the best taxidermist in the whole holler people said,”.
The mountains have helped keep the Shine's family going through the generations.
They've got almost everything they need right at home.
Daddy's hurt. It's up to Arliss now to make things right.
All these years of just standing by and watching.
He's finally gonna make Daddy proud…
“Make me handsome. Presentable, you know. I’m trying to find myself a rabbit tonight." he said with a grin, staring at himself in the mirror.”.
I was drawn into this one by the beautiful cover!
I feel like the author trampled over all my emotions in this one. It was very worth it, though.
One minute, I was heartbroken and empathetic for the characters, and the next, I was shocked & disgusted by them. And it just kept going and going.
I felt like the author did a very good job of showing how poverty and isolation will impact one person, but then just bleed on down the line.
There's a lot of extreme scenes!
I don't want to hear the word "glob" anytime soon 🤮
While also, having moving moments, where it makes you really feel and care for what the characters are going through.
Mitchell Shine is a widowed father of two, Trenton & Arliss, They're all living in the mountains of Tennessee.
“He was the best taxidermist in the whole holler people said,”.
The mountains have helped keep the Shine's family going through the generations.
They've got almost everything they need right at home.
Daddy's hurt. It's up to Arliss now to make things right.
All these years of just standing by and watching.
He's finally gonna make Daddy proud…
“Make me handsome. Presentable, you know. I’m trying to find myself a rabbit tonight." he said with a grin, staring at himself in the mirror.”.
September 7, 2024
Ain’t no fun when the rabbits got the gun.
No.. that is definitely no fun. However reading this debut by Nick Scarborough is most definitely a load of gory, gross and occasionally hit you in the feels fun.
Nick has given birth to the most revolting, backward yet somehow endearing character in Arlis. His shortcomings are more to do with a cruel and isolated upbringing from his father and older brother rather than an inherently vicious nature.
After a tragedy befalls him Arlis decides he needs to ‘do right’ by his family and head out into the wide world to rectify the situation. What ensues is violence, depravity and pathos with a little ray of sunshine in one chapter that really hits you in the warm and fuzzies within all the chaos.
This book is for lovers of the extreme/ transgressive genre and not for the squeamish as Nick can turn eggs into something gag inducing with his prose.
A powerful entry into the genre and remarkable debut.
No.. that is definitely no fun. However reading this debut by Nick Scarborough is most definitely a load of gory, gross and occasionally hit you in the feels fun.
Nick has given birth to the most revolting, backward yet somehow endearing character in Arlis. His shortcomings are more to do with a cruel and isolated upbringing from his father and older brother rather than an inherently vicious nature.
After a tragedy befalls him Arlis decides he needs to ‘do right’ by his family and head out into the wide world to rectify the situation. What ensues is violence, depravity and pathos with a little ray of sunshine in one chapter that really hits you in the warm and fuzzies within all the chaos.
This book is for lovers of the extreme/ transgressive genre and not for the squeamish as Nick can turn eggs into something gag inducing with his prose.
A powerful entry into the genre and remarkable debut.
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