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Master of Bodies
What if you could bring the dead back to life?
What would you do?
Kipp discovers his special talent at his grandmother’s funeral. And oh what a talent it is. No one ever looks at him the same afterward. Eventually he forgets about what he can do . . . until tragedy strikes again and again.
Kipp is a magnet for tragedy.
Sometimes bringing the dead back to life isn’t what it’s all chalked up to be. With great power is great responsibility, but Kipp isn’t the most responsible guy out there. He tries. He’s even found a woman who is crazy about him, despite the oddness in his demeanor. You’d be a little odd too if you could do what Kipp does.
Everything is great until the moment tragedy strikes, and it always seems to be there hiding in the shadows of Kipp’s twisted reality.
What would you do if YOU could bring the dead back to life?
What would you do?
Kipp discovers his special talent at his grandmother’s funeral. And oh what a talent it is. No one ever looks at him the same afterward. Eventually he forgets about what he can do . . . until tragedy strikes again and again.
Kipp is a magnet for tragedy.
Sometimes bringing the dead back to life isn’t what it’s all chalked up to be. With great power is great responsibility, but Kipp isn’t the most responsible guy out there. He tries. He’s even found a woman who is crazy about him, despite the oddness in his demeanor. You’d be a little odd too if you could do what Kipp does.
Everything is great until the moment tragedy strikes, and it always seems to be there hiding in the shadows of Kipp’s twisted reality.
What would you do if YOU could bring the dead back to life?
- GenresHorror
105 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2024
7 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
About the author
Robert Essig
94 books282 followersRobert Essig is the author of 30 books such as Baby Fights, Disco Rice, and Master of Bodies, which was nominated for a Splatterpunk Award. He has published over 130 short stories and edited three anthologies. Robert lives with his family in east Tennessee.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
December 16, 2024
"And what a disaster it had been. Jesus Christ on a stick, what a fucking disaster."
I generally enjoyed my time with this book, I just wish there was a little more about how Kipp went from point A to point C in his character arc. That being said, it was bleak, a little gross (well quite gross but only in a couple of scenes) and a generally interesting story.
I generally enjoyed my time with this book, I just wish there was a little more about how Kipp went from point A to point C in his character arc. That being said, it was bleak, a little gross (well quite gross but only in a couple of scenes) and a generally interesting story.
October 1, 2024
"I told you we would be a happy family."
Damn....I am kind of speechless. This was phenomenal. Twisted and gory, definitely a wild ride from start all the way to the bitter end.
It's easily my favorite book from Essig so far!
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Damn....I am kind of speechless. This was phenomenal. Twisted and gory, definitely a wild ride from start all the way to the bitter end.
It's easily my favorite book from Essig so far!
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 20, 2024
"𝐈 𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐞 𝐚 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲."
This novella packs a punch as it delves into the age-old wonder, "What if the dead could come back to life?" After reading this, I was reminded of Dean Winchester's wisdom in telling his brother Sam, "What's dead should stay dead."
Kipp first learned of true grief when he was young and lost his grandmother. He didn't know how to process these feelings, and he certainly wasn't prepared to look at her body displayed in a casket at the funeral home. Overcome with emotion, he reaches in to hug her, and the unthinkable happens--his grandmother sits up in the coffin. What happens immediately after will follow Kipp for the rest of his life.
He uses his strange gift again years later, and I felt so much empathy for him while reading this particular scene. But when someone new enters his life, someone that Kipp thinks he can see himself with, he feels like his dream of having a family is about to come true. The new woman in his life needs to be prepared to stay for a long time.
This was an emotional, horrific read that will have you feeling so many confliction emotions! Thank you so much to the author for my early copy. At the time this review was written, this title was expected to publish October 1, 2024.
This novella packs a punch as it delves into the age-old wonder, "What if the dead could come back to life?" After reading this, I was reminded of Dean Winchester's wisdom in telling his brother Sam, "What's dead should stay dead."
Kipp first learned of true grief when he was young and lost his grandmother. He didn't know how to process these feelings, and he certainly wasn't prepared to look at her body displayed in a casket at the funeral home. Overcome with emotion, he reaches in to hug her, and the unthinkable happens--his grandmother sits up in the coffin. What happens immediately after will follow Kipp for the rest of his life.
He uses his strange gift again years later, and I felt so much empathy for him while reading this particular scene. But when someone new enters his life, someone that Kipp thinks he can see himself with, he feels like his dream of having a family is about to come true. The new woman in his life needs to be prepared to stay for a long time.
This was an emotional, horrific read that will have you feeling so many confliction emotions! Thank you so much to the author for my early copy. At the time this review was written, this title was expected to publish October 1, 2024.
October 5, 2024
Essig's new book is a must-read! Nightmarish, yet full of heart and heart-palpitating intensity.
Kipp can bring the dead back to life. He has no idea how he does it. The dead come back as people, not as zombies. But their bodies are rotting. It's heartbreaking. They have feelings, thoughts, preferences. Did they want to come back, though?
The book did not go as I expected. I liked Kipp from the start, and felt emotionally invested into his plight. The first third of the book presents him as a soul tormented by the power of a gift he never asked for, never understood its mechanics, never realized fully its repercussions. Essig treats him with the empathy and the patience such a man deserves: after all, the trauma of resurrecting one's beloved grandmother during her own funeral, is not easy to overcome; let alone what came immediately after. Kipp has every reason to feel bitterness, anger, and despair with a gift such as this: noone told him what it means to literally bring the dead back to life. I spontaneously related to Kipp's troubles when his girlfriend died, when his dog died, when his dog died again.
But I totally missed Kipp's moments of selfishness. Kipp resurrects the dead, but nobody asked the dead if they want to come back to life. Kipp decides for them.
The rest of the book (it jumps 10 years) put me in my place. A single mother befriends Kipp; he reciprocates. She has no idea what she's getting herself into. Neither do we. And Kipp is so good to her young daughter.
The imagery as we reach the end becomes more and more disturbing. In fact, Essig does not hold back, and he casually tackles a most shocking moment a dozen pages before the end - after which, it's the point of no return for Kipp: because of him, the story becomes a sickening trip into a mother's hell.
A QR code provides an alternative ending. I myself prefer the original. It has far more impact and will stay with me for some time.
Highly recommended for Essig's solid writing, the unsettling visuals, and the brutal treatment of the characters.
Kipp can bring the dead back to life. He has no idea how he does it. The dead come back as people, not as zombies. But their bodies are rotting. It's heartbreaking. They have feelings, thoughts, preferences. Did they want to come back, though?
The book did not go as I expected. I liked Kipp from the start, and felt emotionally invested into his plight. The first third of the book presents him as a soul tormented by the power of a gift he never asked for, never understood its mechanics, never realized fully its repercussions. Essig treats him with the empathy and the patience such a man deserves: after all, the trauma of resurrecting one's beloved grandmother during her own funeral, is not easy to overcome; let alone what came immediately after. Kipp has every reason to feel bitterness, anger, and despair with a gift such as this: noone told him what it means to literally bring the dead back to life. I spontaneously related to Kipp's troubles when his girlfriend died, when his dog died, when his dog died again.
But I totally missed Kipp's moments of selfishness. Kipp resurrects the dead, but nobody asked the dead if they want to come back to life. Kipp decides for them.
The rest of the book (it jumps 10 years) put me in my place. A single mother befriends Kipp; he reciprocates. She has no idea what she's getting herself into. Neither do we. And Kipp is so good to her young daughter.
The imagery as we reach the end becomes more and more disturbing. In fact, Essig does not hold back, and he casually tackles a most shocking moment a dozen pages before the end - after which, it's the point of no return for Kipp: because of him, the story becomes a sickening trip into a mother's hell.
A QR code provides an alternative ending. I myself prefer the original. It has far more impact and will stay with me for some time.
Highly recommended for Essig's solid writing, the unsettling visuals, and the brutal treatment of the characters.
February 19, 2025
A dark and disturbing tale of necromancy, love, desperation and delusion.
The way this story upped the ante at every turn was great and kept my attention gripped in its rotting claws throughout. It was a tough one to put down, so addictive, and the narrative was slick and made for an easy, quick and fun read.
With lots of brilliantly unexpected turns, alongside sickening, sinister and shocking ones, this genuinely just gets more and more horrific. It gets weirder, more messed up and so insane, and fucking brilliantly so!
And that extra little something, that was awesome…
A necromantic fever dream, with a side dish of fucked up smut. Showing even death gives no respite…🖤💀🖤
The way this story upped the ante at every turn was great and kept my attention gripped in its rotting claws throughout. It was a tough one to put down, so addictive, and the narrative was slick and made for an easy, quick and fun read.
With lots of brilliantly unexpected turns, alongside sickening, sinister and shocking ones, this genuinely just gets more and more horrific. It gets weirder, more messed up and so insane, and fucking brilliantly so!
And that extra little something, that was awesome…
A necromantic fever dream, with a side dish of fucked up smut. Showing even death gives no respite…🖤💀🖤
October 1, 2024
Kipp has a very special talent but he doesn't know about it until his grandmas funeral. He has the ability to bring people back to life. But they never come back the way he remembers them. He goes through several tragedies in life but he can't seem to just let them go
Shannon is working at a job to provide for her daughter Sienna. At her job she meets Kipp, and is instantly intrigued by him. They go on a couple of dates, which go well, and then it's time to introduce him to Sienna. The dinner seems to be going fine and everyone gets along, but the night ends up taking a really odd turn.
This was a fun read! Would you bring back someone you lost, even if there were consequences? I could smell the foul smells at times and poor Sienna. She was innocent in all this! Definitely an interesting take and I highly suggest this one!
Shannon is working at a job to provide for her daughter Sienna. At her job she meets Kipp, and is instantly intrigued by him. They go on a couple of dates, which go well, and then it's time to introduce him to Sienna. The dinner seems to be going fine and everyone gets along, but the night ends up taking a really odd turn.
This was a fun read! Would you bring back someone you lost, even if there were consequences? I could smell the foul smells at times and poor Sienna. She was innocent in all this! Definitely an interesting take and I highly suggest this one!
September 2, 2025
I have read a few books by Robert before this one, I am a big fan of This Damned House.
I was given this one in exchange for a honest review, so be not afraid, I have read other books by him, so this review is legit.
Kip finds out in what could possibly be the worst ways possible that he has a cool special talent, the issue is its bringing back the dead, and he figures it out at his grandma's funeral...
That would be enough to send me straight to therapy forever, but kip manages to walk it off, and forget about it, until he cant anymore.
My guy is a glutton for punishment because he's like a tuning fork for all things tragic.
This was so good in such a weird twisted way, I loved Kip, he just a series of weird circumstances, and lets be honest he was doing his best, what would we do in this situation??
Okay so maybe not that, but to be fair, and Robert does not hold back in how absolutely unhinged Kip gets to get his happy family.
Remember what he said?
"I told you we would be a happy family."
and I heard the words echo, no matter what, and the chills...
I was given this one in exchange for a honest review, so be not afraid, I have read other books by him, so this review is legit.
Kip finds out in what could possibly be the worst ways possible that he has a cool special talent, the issue is its bringing back the dead, and he figures it out at his grandma's funeral...
That would be enough to send me straight to therapy forever, but kip manages to walk it off, and forget about it, until he cant anymore.
My guy is a glutton for punishment because he's like a tuning fork for all things tragic.
This was so good in such a weird twisted way, I loved Kip, he just a series of weird circumstances, and lets be honest he was doing his best, what would we do in this situation??
Okay so maybe not that, but to be fair, and Robert does not hold back in how absolutely unhinged Kip gets to get his happy family.
Remember what he said?
"I told you we would be a happy family."
and I heard the words echo, no matter what, and the chills...
November 4, 2024
This is a book that starts off strong and stays strong all the way through! A very creative look at zombies in the "normal" day to day life of someone who has a "gift" to bring dead back to "life". This book makes me want to read all of Robert Essig's work!
October 1, 2024
Wow
Wow is all you can say about this wicked novella. A boy finds out he has the ability to bring back the dead at his grandma's funeral and that caused quite a scene. However how does a boy with that kind of ability grow up? Because what he brings back doesn't come back as a normal living being but as something else.
Highly recommended, just surprises you at every turn. A real gut punch of a read.
Wow is all you can say about this wicked novella. A boy finds out he has the ability to bring back the dead at his grandma's funeral and that caused quite a scene. However how does a boy with that kind of ability grow up? Because what he brings back doesn't come back as a normal living being but as something else.
Highly recommended, just surprises you at every turn. A real gut punch of a read.
October 6, 2024
Kip is a quiet, nice guy who mostly keeps to himself but has an interesting secret that could raise the dead!
Another gory and fun story by Robert Essig, this one has some zombie-like qualities and interesting twists I did not expect.
Par to Essig's stories, this was gory and detailed enough that I could smell the smells and see the gross factors so well in my mind! There was stench described so well I could literally smell it!
Be aware of triggers: death, gore, a type of animal cruelty (not actually killing or hurting them)
Another gory and fun story by Robert Essig, this one has some zombie-like qualities and interesting twists I did not expect.
Par to Essig's stories, this was gory and detailed enough that I could smell the smells and see the gross factors so well in my mind! There was stench described so well I could literally smell it!
Be aware of triggers: death, gore, a type of animal cruelty (not actually killing or hurting them)
October 5, 2024
Man, the faces I made throughout this book! I think I've found something even worse than a man with commitment issues......it's a man with over-commitment issues.
Kipp has struggled with death and his inability to accept it since his Grandma died when he was young, and he discovered his power to wake the dead. But something isn't right with those he reanimates, and his new flame, Shannon, and her daughter, Sienna, are about to get up close and personal with all of Kipp's secrets.
Something that Robert did that was particularly impactful was reminding the reader that those who were reanimated were once individuals with thoughts and feelings, and that didn't go away in their rebirth. Once you understand that as a reader, Master of Bodies becomes so horrifyingly sad. I can't imagine what it must be like to exist in that in-between state, able to do nothing but rot and keep living despite it.
I really felt for Shannon and Sienna, too. They really got dealt a bad hand here, but as Robert said, it all comes down to the choices that are made. Shannon made the choice she thought was right, and, unfortunately, they suffered the consequences of those choices. It's all very tragic.
Read this, if you dare (Robert, I loved that!), but be ready for a story to simultaneously disgust you and squeeze your heart to bits.
Kipp has struggled with death and his inability to accept it since his Grandma died when he was young, and he discovered his power to wake the dead. But something isn't right with those he reanimates, and his new flame, Shannon, and her daughter, Sienna, are about to get up close and personal with all of Kipp's secrets.
Something that Robert did that was particularly impactful was reminding the reader that those who were reanimated were once individuals with thoughts and feelings, and that didn't go away in their rebirth. Once you understand that as a reader, Master of Bodies becomes so horrifyingly sad. I can't imagine what it must be like to exist in that in-between state, able to do nothing but rot and keep living despite it.
I really felt for Shannon and Sienna, too. They really got dealt a bad hand here, but as Robert said, it all comes down to the choices that are made. Shannon made the choice she thought was right, and, unfortunately, they suffered the consequences of those choices. It's all very tragic.
Read this, if you dare (Robert, I loved that!), but be ready for a story to simultaneously disgust you and squeeze your heart to bits.
November 3, 2024
Master of Bodies by Robert Essig
4/5
Master of Bodies is pure VHS late eighties/early nineties horror. Let's get something straight, the author is not here to make friends with this one. This is his vision, right or wrong and you're going to have to deal with the consequences of your choice to take this ride on the ghost train.
Excellent writing, I didn't feel that this was just gore for the sake of gore or trying too hard to shock me. In fact, I don't know quite where to place it as I think it rode the line of splatterpunk and traditional horror with great skill.
This is something for people who want to dip their toes in something dark but don't fancy having to read 100 pages of people eating cack or rattling their dead nana. Trust me, you will see some things in this book that will be hard to forget, awful things really. Those things are warranted though and you have to work to get to them.
I will say that I wasn't sure at first, the opening scene is a little wild, but once we settle into the main characters life and how they grow knowing about the power they possess, I was hooked.
This was my first book by Essig, and it won't be my last. I think im gonna try this damned house next.
4/5
Master of Bodies is pure VHS late eighties/early nineties horror. Let's get something straight, the author is not here to make friends with this one. This is his vision, right or wrong and you're going to have to deal with the consequences of your choice to take this ride on the ghost train.
Excellent writing, I didn't feel that this was just gore for the sake of gore or trying too hard to shock me. In fact, I don't know quite where to place it as I think it rode the line of splatterpunk and traditional horror with great skill.
This is something for people who want to dip their toes in something dark but don't fancy having to read 100 pages of people eating cack or rattling their dead nana. Trust me, you will see some things in this book that will be hard to forget, awful things really. Those things are warranted though and you have to work to get to them.
I will say that I wasn't sure at first, the opening scene is a little wild, but once we settle into the main characters life and how they grow knowing about the power they possess, I was hooked.
This was my first book by Essig, and it won't be my last. I think im gonna try this damned house next.
September 20, 2024
Okay... full disclosure:
I knew from the first couple of lines that this was going to be a 5-star read...
So, the real question is how much of this is going to be a review vs how much of this is just going to be a bromantic ode to Essig...
To me, Rob's pretty much the Mark Twain of Macabre, a true blue American storyteller.
Like Twain, even the darkest commentaries are laced with humor and satire. Basically, even when there isn't splatter, our boy keeps it punk as fuck.
This was a really fun little "Well... THAT escalated quickly..." read. Smashed it out in a single sitting (and he even has a sexy little summin' summin' waiting for you, if you're willing to see where this story takes you).
As much as I love his gross out and hardcore horror reads, it's in these borderline sardonic tales of the uncanny where Essig's writing truly shines.
Man, it's hard to talk about this one without spoilers.
I guess I'll just say that this if a story about love, loss, and new beginnings.
If you read Red Lagoe's In Excess of Dark, and were looking for something equally as existential and heartbreaking, I'd highly recommend picking this up ASAP
I knew from the first couple of lines that this was going to be a 5-star read...
So, the real question is how much of this is going to be a review vs how much of this is just going to be a bromantic ode to Essig...
To me, Rob's pretty much the Mark Twain of Macabre, a true blue American storyteller.
Like Twain, even the darkest commentaries are laced with humor and satire. Basically, even when there isn't splatter, our boy keeps it punk as fuck.
This was a really fun little "Well... THAT escalated quickly..." read. Smashed it out in a single sitting (and he even has a sexy little summin' summin' waiting for you, if you're willing to see where this story takes you).
As much as I love his gross out and hardcore horror reads, it's in these borderline sardonic tales of the uncanny where Essig's writing truly shines.
Man, it's hard to talk about this one without spoilers.
I guess I'll just say that this if a story about love, loss, and new beginnings.
If you read Red Lagoe's In Excess of Dark, and were looking for something equally as existential and heartbreaking, I'd highly recommend picking this up ASAP
December 11, 2024
What a heartwarming story! Ok maybe not quite. This book is gruesome in the best way. This was my first by Essig but won’t be my last. It’s a shorter novella but went into some completely unexpected places.
In Master of Bodies we find Kipp who discovers at a young age that he has the ability to reanimate the dead. His reanimation skill, unfortunately, is a bit limited and his subjects lack speech, emotion and reflexes. They also remain dead by continuing to decay and are only awarded the most basic of functions. His religious extended family mostly shuns him and his decision making process gets a bit wonky as he ages. Roughly 2/3 of the way through the story things take a very strange turn and the book ramps up both the disgust factor and the bizarro vibe.
The story was solid and I was completely unable to see where it was headed. The pacing is quick and the characters felt relatable. Essig also includes an alternate ending and I’m still unsure which I preferred.
If you appreciate a shorter macabre novella with some twisted reanimation vibes then I would give this one a shot. It can easily be read in one sitting and was a solid read.
In Master of Bodies we find Kipp who discovers at a young age that he has the ability to reanimate the dead. His reanimation skill, unfortunately, is a bit limited and his subjects lack speech, emotion and reflexes. They also remain dead by continuing to decay and are only awarded the most basic of functions. His religious extended family mostly shuns him and his decision making process gets a bit wonky as he ages. Roughly 2/3 of the way through the story things take a very strange turn and the book ramps up both the disgust factor and the bizarro vibe.
The story was solid and I was completely unable to see where it was headed. The pacing is quick and the characters felt relatable. Essig also includes an alternate ending and I’m still unsure which I preferred.
If you appreciate a shorter macabre novella with some twisted reanimation vibes then I would give this one a shot. It can easily be read in one sitting and was a solid read.
January 13, 2025
Kipp learns at his Grandmothers funeral (of all places) that he can somehow raise the dead. This might sound like a cool ability, a blessing even, that is until the consequences of reversing death come to light. Though Kipp’s “creations” are considered alive, they still rot and decay as if they were never brought back.
Now, despite this strange “quirk”, I believed Kipp to be fairly “normal” throughout the story. That is, until later scenes in the latter half of the story, a few of which made me go, “Wtf, Kipp?!?”
Example A: “A moment later, the steak began to breathe.”
Along with a few more scenes that I won’t spoil because they were fantastic.
So, yeah, Kipp’s pretty weird.
I don’t want to spoil too much as this is a fairly short book, but overall, it was a really great read. Up until this point I’ve only read Essig’s more “extreme” titles (which I’ve enjoyed very much), but I surprisingly enjoyed this tamer story quite a bit, I’m actually surprised that it hasn’t gained more attention.
So yeah, go read it!
Now, despite this strange “quirk”, I believed Kipp to be fairly “normal” throughout the story. That is, until later scenes in the latter half of the story, a few of which made me go, “Wtf, Kipp?!?”
Example A: “A moment later, the steak began to breathe.”
Along with a few more scenes that I won’t spoil because they were fantastic.
So, yeah, Kipp’s pretty weird.
I don’t want to spoil too much as this is a fairly short book, but overall, it was a really great read. Up until this point I’ve only read Essig’s more “extreme” titles (which I’ve enjoyed very much), but I surprisingly enjoyed this tamer story quite a bit, I’m actually surprised that it hasn’t gained more attention.
So yeah, go read it!
November 3, 2024
Master of Bodies is a gripping and unique tale that showcases Essig’s amazing storytelling. From the very beginning, the author pulls you into a world filled with disturbing and gory details that keep you on the edge of your seat.
A standout for me is the author’s ability to manipulate your feelings towards the characters. Just when you think you have a character figured out, he flips the script with a shocking twist that leaves you questioning everything. Kipp is a character who will linger in your mind long after you’ve finished the book. His character is truly an experience, and his behaviors really enhance this story.
Master of Bodies is some of Essig’s best work, in my opinion. He wastes no time immersing you in a story that is both horrifying and grossly fascinating. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys a thrilling and disturbing tale.
A standout for me is the author’s ability to manipulate your feelings towards the characters. Just when you think you have a character figured out, he flips the script with a shocking twist that leaves you questioning everything. Kipp is a character who will linger in your mind long after you’ve finished the book. His character is truly an experience, and his behaviors really enhance this story.
Master of Bodies is some of Essig’s best work, in my opinion. He wastes no time immersing you in a story that is both horrifying and grossly fascinating. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys a thrilling and disturbing tale.
February 3, 2026
as a young boy, kipp discovers that he can bring the dead back to life; he decides to lean into this talent and become a revolting monster. i found the intro super fun and i thought the high school girlfriend bit was thoughtful and intriguing.. and then i felt like there was an abrupt turn and the rest of the book did not do much for me at all. i couldn't tell if the female protag whose pov we got in the second half of the book was written from a genuine place of "this is what i think women are like" or if she was meant to come across as a mockery, which was off-putting. by the time i got to the climax i was just already over it and knew what was about to happen. idk. not my jam. also, word of warning, there's a lot of animal shit that i found really upsetting so if you're sensitive to that kind of thing maybe steer clear. 2/5.
September 25, 2024
There were so many things I loved about this story. It was unusual and original and had a bone rattler of an opening.
The ever present dark humour of Mr Essig was as marvellous as ever.
I think my favourite part was reminiscent of a certain scene from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and if you read it you will know which one.
The main character has a very interesting development throughout the story and it certainly is unexpected.
I flew through this in a few hours and towards the end I was reading on my phone and a notification scared the hell out of me.
I enjoyed every second of this and as always can’t wait for Mr Essig’s next story.
The ever present dark humour of Mr Essig was as marvellous as ever.
I think my favourite part was reminiscent of a certain scene from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and if you read it you will know which one.
The main character has a very interesting development throughout the story and it certainly is unexpected.
I flew through this in a few hours and towards the end I was reading on my phone and a notification scared the hell out of me.
I enjoyed every second of this and as always can’t wait for Mr Essig’s next story.
October 16, 2024
Heartbreak and horror!
Kipp is a man with a unique ability. The ability to reanimate corpses. After a lifetime of heartbreak and loneliness, Kipp meets Shannon and her daughter, Sienna. After falling in love with Shannon, Kipp decides he will do whatever he must to keep his new family together... Forever.
This was my first book by Robert, but it definitely won't be my last! He has a writing style that scratches and claws at your emotions, and makes you feel for both the victims AND the villain!
Kipp is a man with a unique ability. The ability to reanimate corpses. After a lifetime of heartbreak and loneliness, Kipp meets Shannon and her daughter, Sienna. After falling in love with Shannon, Kipp decides he will do whatever he must to keep his new family together... Forever.
This was my first book by Robert, but it definitely won't be my last! He has a writing style that scratches and claws at your emotions, and makes you feel for both the victims AND the villain!
October 8, 2024
I love bringing back the dead stories and this one did not disappoint. You follow Kipp and he figures out at a young age that he can bring back the deceased. The end of the first chapter really had me addicted to this book and sets it in motion. You will also meet Shannon who ends up really liking Kipp and you will see the many red flags that Shannon ended up ignoring. The story does not let up and you will see the many lives Kipp has brought back to life.
October 23, 2024
Listen. The first part of this book had me completely fooled. As the story progressed, I laughed, I cried, I looked at my kindle with the side-eye. Then things took a turn. I threw up in the back of my mouth a little, I cussed a lot, BUT… I couldn’t put it down. I had to know what came next and then I promptly regretted my need to know.
This was so incredibly well done! I couldn’t have guessed exactly where this was going, although I had some suspicions.
This was so incredibly well done! I couldn’t have guessed exactly where this was going, although I had some suspicions.
November 9, 2024
I was thrilled I got Master of Bodies in time for my vacation! However, I did not expect to cry a bit on the plane followed with a WTF look on my face as my skin was crawling!! Thankful no one asked what my book was about.
As Robert Essig does well in his other works, this story is emotional and takes you for a couple of twists and turns.
I highly recommend if you like unusual, gory stories!!
As Robert Essig does well in his other works, this story is emotional and takes you for a couple of twists and turns.
I highly recommend if you like unusual, gory stories!!
September 24, 2024
Okay I’ve had time to process this.
Kipp has a special ability. His grandmother passed and when he sees her in her casket he feels the need to give her a hug. When she AWAKES FROM THE DEAD. Yes I know I felt the same. He uses this ability for future encounters too. This was one action packed book that had me feeling ALL sorts of things and I couldn’t take my eyes off the pages! Absolutely love this book
Kipp has a special ability. His grandmother passed and when he sees her in her casket he feels the need to give her a hug. When she AWAKES FROM THE DEAD. Yes I know I felt the same. He uses this ability for future encounters too. This was one action packed book that had me feeling ALL sorts of things and I couldn’t take my eyes off the pages! Absolutely love this book
October 1, 2024
Phew!! What a quick wild ride this one was!! Essig has done it again, this one is a cunning, dark, twisted, grotesque love story, that takes love to a whole new level.
Follow Kipp as he recounts his story of his child hood and beyond. The "power" he has learned he has and what he does with it through the years....
I'd highly recommend picking this one up, you won't be disappointed!
Follow Kipp as he recounts his story of his child hood and beyond. The "power" he has learned he has and what he does with it through the years....
I'd highly recommend picking this one up, you won't be disappointed!
November 7, 2024
Wow! That was an absolute gore fest and I loved it. Kipp is a character that will stick with me a looong time. His special gift was like no other. The ending was great. What was even better, was the QR code to read an alternate ending. That was fantastic. I love that idea so much. Well done Robert Essig I look forward to reading even more books from you.
February 9, 2026
This was a fun short read! Similar to Pet Sematary, but more gruesome. Always appreciate horror that blurs the lines between life and death. I liked how I didn’t find it predictable, the main character was especially unpredictable. I also thought it was well done how it slowly got more and more gory. The length was perfect! I’m definitely going to read more by this author!
4.5/5
4.5/5
October 6, 2024
Holy wow! This book started off as a kind of sweet/creepy mix of Pet Sematary and the Green Mile. Then the twist happened! No longer was I reading a feel goodish story, sh*t got CRAZY! I really really enjoyed this book. The writing was excellent and the story was even better!
November 2, 2024
Not your average zombie story
This was a very refreshing twist on zombies. The way they're created, how they act and react, and how they decay.
Loved it so much and cannot wait for my next read by Essig!
This was a very refreshing twist on zombies. The way they're created, how they act and react, and how they decay.
Loved it so much and cannot wait for my next read by Essig!
October 7, 2024
Easily one of my favorite books of the year, if I could give it 6/5 I would have. Emotional, violent and downright cruel- this book was a Rollercoaster of emotions.
October 13, 2024
Emotionally and viscerally brutal. I'll never look at a slab of steak the same way.
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