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Prince of this world
228 pages, Paperback
Published November 14, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 18, 2025
I went into this book with really high hopes. The blurb sounded so good and I was immediately intrigued. It promised the kind of extreme horror that’s hard to find on NetGalley and I was excited to see where it would go. Unfortunately, Prince of This World ended up being a massive disappointment for me.
While the concept itself was interesting, the execution just wasn’t there. The pacing was fast enough to keep me reading but honestly, if it had been even slightly longer, I probably would’ve DNFed it. I know extreme horror goes hand in hand with sexual content but here it felt like the shock factor was prioritised over any actual plot. The bizarre and explicit scenes completely overshadowed any deeper storyline that might have been there.
I also struggled a lot with the writing style. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, which made it hard to take any of the characters seriously or to feel immersed in what was happening. There were moments that had the potential to be unsettling, like the inclusion of the shadow figure, but these elements weren’t explored in any meaningful way and were left feeling incomplete and random.
By the time I reached the ending, I just felt confused and unsatisfied. I kept hoping there would be a payoff for everything I had read through, but it never came.
Overall, this book just wasn’t for me at all. I love horror, even the most disturbing kinds, but Prince of This World felt more like an attempt to be shocking for the sake of it rather than telling a genuinely terrifying story.
A thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for providing me a copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.
While the concept itself was interesting, the execution just wasn’t there. The pacing was fast enough to keep me reading but honestly, if it had been even slightly longer, I probably would’ve DNFed it. I know extreme horror goes hand in hand with sexual content but here it felt like the shock factor was prioritised over any actual plot. The bizarre and explicit scenes completely overshadowed any deeper storyline that might have been there.
I also struggled a lot with the writing style. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, which made it hard to take any of the characters seriously or to feel immersed in what was happening. There were moments that had the potential to be unsettling, like the inclusion of the shadow figure, but these elements weren’t explored in any meaningful way and were left feeling incomplete and random.
By the time I reached the ending, I just felt confused and unsatisfied. I kept hoping there would be a payoff for everything I had read through, but it never came.
Overall, this book just wasn’t for me at all. I love horror, even the most disturbing kinds, but Prince of This World felt more like an attempt to be shocking for the sake of it rather than telling a genuinely terrifying story.
A thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for providing me a copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.
January 7, 2026
Prince of This World leans hard into its promise of extreme horror, and it definitely delivers on brutality. The premise is unsettling in a genuinely effective way, Joan sitting down to watch recordings of the horrific murders committed by her own son before his suicide is a strong, disturbing hook. The emotional potential is there, especially with Joan’s sanity being pushed to the brink as demonic influence enters the picture.
That said, for me, the execution didn’t quite land. While the violence is graphic and relentless, it often feels mindless, stacked scene after scene without much of a cohesive or compelling storyline holding it all together. The shock factor is high, but character development and narrative depth take a back seat, which made it hard to stay fully invested beyond the gore.
That said, for me, the execution didn’t quite land. While the violence is graphic and relentless, it often feels mindless, stacked scene after scene without much of a cohesive or compelling storyline holding it all together. The shock factor is high, but character development and narrative depth take a back seat, which made it hard to stay fully invested beyond the gore.
July 10, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3.25)
Prince of the World had a killer premise—literally—but the execution didn’t quite slice deep enough for me. It straddles the line between psychological horror and splatterpunk, and while the blood and grime were there, I was left wanting more meat on the bones. 🪓💭
There’s this terrifying “closet guy” figure that should’ve had me sleeping with the lights on, but… I needed more. More lore. More fear. More what-the-hell-is-he explanation. He felt like a shadow of something deeper, but it never fully materialized. 👀🚪
The ending? Let’s just say I reread it twice and still sat there blinking like a raccoon in daylight. 🦝 It could’ve benefitted from a few extra chapters to tie things together and let the horror breathe.
That said, the concept is really cool—unique and full of potential. It just didn’t stick the landing for me. Still, I’d check out more from Redman because the bones of a great horror voice are there… they just need a little more blood and guts next time. 🩸
📖 For fans of: quiet dread, unspoken horrors, and stories that leave you mildly disturbed and slightly confused.
Prince of the World had a killer premise—literally—but the execution didn’t quite slice deep enough for me. It straddles the line between psychological horror and splatterpunk, and while the blood and grime were there, I was left wanting more meat on the bones. 🪓💭
There’s this terrifying “closet guy” figure that should’ve had me sleeping with the lights on, but… I needed more. More lore. More fear. More what-the-hell-is-he explanation. He felt like a shadow of something deeper, but it never fully materialized. 👀🚪
The ending? Let’s just say I reread it twice and still sat there blinking like a raccoon in daylight. 🦝 It could’ve benefitted from a few extra chapters to tie things together and let the horror breathe.
That said, the concept is really cool—unique and full of potential. It just didn’t stick the landing for me. Still, I’d check out more from Redman because the bones of a great horror voice are there… they just need a little more blood and guts next time. 🩸
📖 For fans of: quiet dread, unspoken horrors, and stories that leave you mildly disturbed and slightly confused.
July 15, 2025
Publishing date: 21.08.2025 (DD/MM/YYYY)
Thank you to NetGalley and John Redman for the ARC. My opinions are my own.
This is one of my strangest books of the year, but not necessarily in a great way. I think I realized while reading this that extreme horror is not a genre for me.
The blurb itself was what drew me to the book. Exploration of murders you didn't know about? Fascinating! But Instead I got explicit and descriptive sexual encounters, odd and wildly inappropriate thoughts about a son from the mother's perspective, and some nonconsensual scenes I wish I hadn't read.
Don't get me wrong, the murders themselves were interesting to read about, in a morbidly curious way ... I just wish it was less focused on the sexual part. No part of the blurb mentions this, and it takes up like 30% of the book.
The ending was also confusing and unsatisfactory.
I will simply settle on the fact that this isn't the book for me. Maybe it is for the usual extreme horror fans, but if you like me is branching out to other horror genres and want murders, be prepared for sex scenes. Lots of them.
Just to clarify, I am not a prude, I am very comfortable with sex in books. But sometimes they have no place in certain books, and this one felt like one of those were it would benefit from cutting them out.
Giving this 2 stars, had the potential, not what I wanted from this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and John Redman for the ARC. My opinions are my own.
This is one of my strangest books of the year, but not necessarily in a great way. I think I realized while reading this that extreme horror is not a genre for me.
The blurb itself was what drew me to the book. Exploration of murders you didn't know about? Fascinating! But Instead I got explicit and descriptive sexual encounters, odd and wildly inappropriate thoughts about a son from the mother's perspective, and some nonconsensual scenes I wish I hadn't read.
Don't get me wrong, the murders themselves were interesting to read about, in a morbidly curious way ... I just wish it was less focused on the sexual part. No part of the blurb mentions this, and it takes up like 30% of the book.
The ending was also confusing and unsatisfactory.
I will simply settle on the fact that this isn't the book for me. Maybe it is for the usual extreme horror fans, but if you like me is branching out to other horror genres and want murders, be prepared for sex scenes. Lots of them.
Just to clarify, I am not a prude, I am very comfortable with sex in books. But sometimes they have no place in certain books, and this one felt like one of those were it would benefit from cutting them out.
Giving this 2 stars, had the potential, not what I wanted from this book.
September 23, 2025
One line vibe: extreme horror about power and corruption that hits hard but not always clean
What it is: A boundary pushing horror novel where cruelty and belief are the tools of the trade. The story escalates scene by scene and follows people who think they can handle the darkness until the cost arrives. It is grim on purpose and aims to disturb.
Personal take on the lead: I connected most when the point of view admits fear without dressing it up. Those honest flashes keep a human thread, but the shock often takes center stage.
What worked for me:
• The book commits to the word extreme
• Set pieces build real dread before the hurt starts
• A clear idea about power and complicity runs through the violence
What to consider:
• Graphic content is constant and may feel numbing
• Some turns feel engineered for impact more than character truth
• A few stretches of pacing feel long and the cast can read thin
Content notes: explicit violence and gore, cruelty, abuse, possible sexual assault context, religious or occult themes, bigotry on the page, despair. Check publisher notes for full warnings.
My quote: “Evil rarely knocks. It offers you a favor and sends the bill later.” (Adell LaShawn)
Verdict: 3 out of 5. The intent is clear and some sequences land, but the balance skews toward shock over shape. Readers who want extreme content tied to a big idea may still find value here.
What it is: A boundary pushing horror novel where cruelty and belief are the tools of the trade. The story escalates scene by scene and follows people who think they can handle the darkness until the cost arrives. It is grim on purpose and aims to disturb.
Personal take on the lead: I connected most when the point of view admits fear without dressing it up. Those honest flashes keep a human thread, but the shock often takes center stage.
What worked for me:
• The book commits to the word extreme
• Set pieces build real dread before the hurt starts
• A clear idea about power and complicity runs through the violence
What to consider:
• Graphic content is constant and may feel numbing
• Some turns feel engineered for impact more than character truth
• A few stretches of pacing feel long and the cast can read thin
Content notes: explicit violence and gore, cruelty, abuse, possible sexual assault context, religious or occult themes, bigotry on the page, despair. Check publisher notes for full warnings.
My quote: “Evil rarely knocks. It offers you a favor and sends the bill later.” (Adell LaShawn)
Verdict: 3 out of 5. The intent is clear and some sequences land, but the balance skews toward shock over shape. Readers who want extreme content tied to a big idea may still find value here.
August 16, 2025
I finished Prince of this World in just three hours. I couldn’t put it down. I went in expecting something a lot more gruesome (probably because the title screams blood and mayhem), but what I got instead was a dark, twisted, and deeply compelling story that still delivered on the horror front. It
The book leans into the darkness of human nature more than outright gore, and honestly, it works. The creepy atmosphere and the slowly unravelling family secrets kept me hooked. I didn’t know what I was expecting going in, but I left feeling weirdly satisfied… and mildly disturbed. Which, in horror terms, is a success.
The paranormal angle felt a little tacked on—it didn’t ruin anything, but the story was strong enough to stand on its own as a gritty slasher or psychological horror. A serial killer story with this kind of twisted family dynamic? Already nightmare fuel. The ghostly bits just felt like extra seasoning on a dish that was already spicy enough.
That said, the writing is sharp and atmospheric. The pacing is just right—tense, but never dragging—and the ending? Didn’t see it coming. At all. It’s rare to be surprised by horror endings these days, so bonus points for that.
The book leans into the darkness of human nature more than outright gore, and honestly, it works. The creepy atmosphere and the slowly unravelling family secrets kept me hooked. I didn’t know what I was expecting going in, but I left feeling weirdly satisfied… and mildly disturbed. Which, in horror terms, is a success.
The paranormal angle felt a little tacked on—it didn’t ruin anything, but the story was strong enough to stand on its own as a gritty slasher or psychological horror. A serial killer story with this kind of twisted family dynamic? Already nightmare fuel. The ghostly bits just felt like extra seasoning on a dish that was already spicy enough.
That said, the writing is sharp and atmospheric. The pacing is just right—tense, but never dragging—and the ending? Didn’t see it coming. At all. It’s rare to be surprised by horror endings these days, so bonus points for that.
September 14, 2025
2.75 ⭐️
Okay hear me out, this book is not going to be for everyone and that’s okay. This book is as a rough ride.. a grieving mother not only loses her son but then finds out he’s a serial killer and finds all the footage on his laptop. But the mother has her own slew of issues, the whole entire family was a wreck.
This book was really fucked up.. so if you have not really read indie horror or any extreme horror for that matter, I would not suggest this as a starting point at all.
While I think the pacing was good and it made me want to keep reading, at times I feel the sections of gore were there for shock value and not actual plot so it became a bit repetitive at points. I read Walls of Torture and really loved it by this author so this will not make or break me continuing to read anything else because they definitely are one to look out for in the horror genre for us that love all the craziness that can come along with it.
Okay hear me out, this book is not going to be for everyone and that’s okay. This book is as a rough ride.. a grieving mother not only loses her son but then finds out he’s a serial killer and finds all the footage on his laptop. But the mother has her own slew of issues, the whole entire family was a wreck.
This book was really fucked up.. so if you have not really read indie horror or any extreme horror for that matter, I would not suggest this as a starting point at all.
While I think the pacing was good and it made me want to keep reading, at times I feel the sections of gore were there for shock value and not actual plot so it became a bit repetitive at points. I read Walls of Torture and really loved it by this author so this will not make or break me continuing to read anything else because they definitely are one to look out for in the horror genre for us that love all the craziness that can come along with it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.
John Redman’s Prince of This World is not a book for the faint of heart. This book is rife with disturbing language, graphic violence, and explicit sexual scenes, as well as descriptions of sexual assault. Redman’s writing style will not appeal to everyone, especially regarding his descriptive phrase choices. About ¾ of the way through the book, things get extremely disturbing, and I cannot say enough that, if you are easily put off by violence or extreme sexual situations, this book is NOT for you. The broad ideas of this book are interesting, but I feel that a lot of it misses the mark. The most interesting idea in the book for me was the shadow figure, but I do not feel as if it is explored enough. I also found the ending confusing and wish there was at least one more page explaining what was going on there.
John Redman’s Prince of This World is not a book for the faint of heart. This book is rife with disturbing language, graphic violence, and explicit sexual scenes, as well as descriptions of sexual assault. Redman’s writing style will not appeal to everyone, especially regarding his descriptive phrase choices. About ¾ of the way through the book, things get extremely disturbing, and I cannot say enough that, if you are easily put off by violence or extreme sexual situations, this book is NOT for you. The broad ideas of this book are interesting, but I feel that a lot of it misses the mark. The most interesting idea in the book for me was the shadow figure, but I do not feel as if it is explored enough. I also found the ending confusing and wish there was at least one more page explaining what was going on there.
November 29, 2024
Just WOW. John, you wrote an incredibly horrible but all the way wonderful book! This will be living in my head rent free for quite awhile I already know.
I’m still just so flabbergasted. There was so much detail i truly didn’t want it to end. Every twist, came to its end but also left you wanting more?! Elle, you’re still a sh!t sister. Trinity; you’re the lucky one or are you? Perilous, RIP you sweet tortured soul. Momma, keep raisin hell. April, you deserved it and more. And the presence throughout: just the perfect demon touch.
I’m tellin yall, if you like a real good slasher with some retribution, look no further. John, please write more and more and more. K, thank you, byeeeeee. 👹🔨
I’m still just so flabbergasted. There was so much detail i truly didn’t want it to end. Every twist, came to its end but also left you wanting more?! Elle, you’re still a sh!t sister. Trinity; you’re the lucky one or are you? Perilous, RIP you sweet tortured soul. Momma, keep raisin hell. April, you deserved it and more. And the presence throughout: just the perfect demon touch.
I’m tellin yall, if you like a real good slasher with some retribution, look no further. John, please write more and more and more. K, thank you, byeeeeee. 👹🔨
July 9, 2025
Damnnnnn. Prince of this World is about Joan, a mother grieving the death of her teenage son, Perilous. When in his room, Joan finds a laptop and uncovers disturbing videos recorded by her son. She soon discovers the reason for all these murders and her son’s suicide.
What a fun, quick read! I have enjoyed John Redman's writing in the past (Walls of Torture) and was happy to see that this one was available to read. I enjoyed Joan's POV and her description of the videos. I was visualizing it in the head as I read. A disturbingly good slasher read!
Thank you, NetGalley and John Redman | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles, for the ARC.
What a fun, quick read! I have enjoyed John Redman's writing in the past (Walls of Torture) and was happy to see that this one was available to read. I enjoyed Joan's POV and her description of the videos. I was visualizing it in the head as I read. A disturbingly good slasher read!
Thank you, NetGalley and John Redman | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles, for the ARC.
August 10, 2025
Probably the most fucked up book I've read this year, possibly ever.
Went into this knowing it was horror… but nothing could have prepared me for just how dark and disturbing it really is. This isn't just horror, this is extreme horror. Graphic violence, explicit scenes, and deeply unsettling content throughout.
Did I enjoy it? I think so? I read it in a single day,I couldn’t put it down, but it left me feeling incredibly uncomfortable. Honestly, it's probably going to give me nightmares 😅 I was also a little confused by the ending.
Not for the faint of heart. Proceed with caution.
Went into this knowing it was horror… but nothing could have prepared me for just how dark and disturbing it really is. This isn't just horror, this is extreme horror. Graphic violence, explicit scenes, and deeply unsettling content throughout.
Did I enjoy it? I think so? I read it in a single day,I couldn’t put it down, but it left me feeling incredibly uncomfortable. Honestly, it's probably going to give me nightmares 😅 I was also a little confused by the ending.
Not for the faint of heart. Proceed with caution.
July 17, 2025
Prince of This World follows Joan as she watches videos of her late teenage son committing heinous crimes.
Gripping premise, with a fast pace that I did appreciate. I wish there had been more fleshed-out depictions of the violence, rather than gross-out, bizarre sex scenes. I understand sex and horror go together, and I enjoy body horror, but this was repulsive.
There were many grammatical errors that I could not ignore. This book needs editing before its publication.
Gripping premise, with a fast pace that I did appreciate. I wish there had been more fleshed-out depictions of the violence, rather than gross-out, bizarre sex scenes. I understand sex and horror go together, and I enjoy body horror, but this was repulsive.
There were many grammatical errors that I could not ignore. This book needs editing before its publication.
December 2, 2024
This reads like a crazy indie horror movie. It’s intense and keeps you wondering and leaves you with conflicting emotions! Was he possessed by something sinister or revenge the culprit? The story is heaving on a grief trauma and hammer kills. Fun fast read! Pretty sure I made some wtf faces a few times.
July 25, 2025
Rating: 1 star
When I think "horror book", I think the ghost in the closet that's haunting the family, the possessed kid that goes around killing people of the neighborhood, the dead person doing dead persons things.. This wasn't that. This book was going after the shock factor of a horror book with really horrific events happening to our main character. It wasn't my personal cup of tea, but that doesn't mean it wont be someone else's.
Thank you NetGalley and John Redman for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
When I think "horror book", I think the ghost in the closet that's haunting the family, the possessed kid that goes around killing people of the neighborhood, the dead person doing dead persons things.. This wasn't that. This book was going after the shock factor of a horror book with really horrific events happening to our main character. It wasn't my personal cup of tea, but that doesn't mean it wont be someone else's.
Thank you NetGalley and John Redman for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
July 1, 2025
Thanks to Netgallery for this ARC.
This was a quick read and quite a intense one, gave it 4.75 as I liked it but it was just a little too sparse and also was left wondering about a few things that were left open ended to me.
This was a quick read and quite a intense one, gave it 4.75 as I liked it but it was just a little too sparse and also was left wondering about a few things that were left open ended to me.
April 23, 2025
Holy shit. This book is insane. That said, I finished it within 12 hours. It's not for the faint of heart or the weak stomached, but if you like horror then you'll want to read this one.
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