Rivka: A haunting exploration of friendship, betrayal, and the dark shadows of the past

by Scoota D Kendesh

Rivka delves into a gripping tale that unravels the complexities of bullying, grooming, and manipulation. Set against the backdrop of the summer of 1988 in Brisbane, best friends Bobby Bracavic and Spiro Galas find their lives forever altered when they encounter Spiro's enigmatic older sister. A chance meeting that sets off a chain of events leading to unforeseen consequences. Fast forward ten years, and Bobby returns to Brisbane, hoping for a fresh start.

However, his past resurfaces with the emergence of a serial killer, casting a shadow of fear over the town. As Bobby confronts his past, he must navigate through the maze of memories and secrets that have haunted him for years. Rivka is a compelling and emotionally charged novel that will leave you questioning the power of the past and the choices we make.

235 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 22, 2025

Reviews

[Kaila · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this book and all I can say is wow! Scooter D. Kendesh gifted us with something special. This is one of the best books I've read in a very long time. If I could rate it 10 stars, I would!

This book is a very intense and emotionally charged read. There are several trigger warnings such as child abuse, rape, self-harm, bullying, and violence. There were several times I found myself needing a break because of how intense things got in this book. The things Bobby went through as a child, no child should ever go through. It gets deep.

The book jumps back and forth to two timelines - back when Bobby was in school and to his adult years. Bobby had never had it easy. As a Croatian living in Briabane, Bobby knew he was different. He knew he would never fit in. Going to school every day was torture for him. He would get brutally bullied and abused every day, not only by the students but by adults as well. He had it rough, to say the least.

After some time, Bobby finally makes friends with another outsider, a Greek boy named Spiro. Bobby had no idea that after meeting Spiro and his sister, Rivka, his life would never be the same.

Fast forward to his young adult years, Bobby is suffering. He suffers from depression, anxiety, and unhealed childhood trauma, and as a result, he turns to drugs, alcohol, sex, and self-mutilation as a means of coping. He is, and has always been, just barely surviving. All because of Rivka. He finally decides to face his past, and it's not at all what he expected.

This book is deep. It's a very heavy, unsettling, yet heart-wrenching read, and you will feel something with almost every sentence. The author touches on several topics, many of which are very common in today's society. Bobby's story is a story of childhood trauma and how it can greatly impact someone, even way into their adult years. A 5+ stars read!

Thank you NetGalley, BuzzBooks, and Scoota D. Kendesh for such a captivating ARC!

[Jennifer]

"This is a pretty fucked up story but it's my story. So Fuck It.

I had rushed full speed into the boy's bathroom and ran up to the long steel urinal, dying for a leak. At twelve years old, I always waited until the last minute, pulling my dick out just in time, usually leaving piss stains inside my pants. I shoved up against the trough, pulled my dick out, and started to go."

These are the first lines of the book and made me want to nope out of it immediately. If they sound good to you then you might enjoy this story. I tried to give it a chance and barely made it to 20% before I couldn't do it anymore. Not because of the content, but the writing was not good. Not for me. Evoked no emotions like it should. I thought this was going to be an emotional, tough read but it was not.

[Abigail L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rivka is an intense, unsettling, and completely gripping novel that digs deep into the long-lasting impact of manipulation and trauma. Set in Brisbane, it follows Bobby and Spiro, whose youthful friendship is shattered by the presence of Spiro’s mysterious older sister—an event that spirals into devastating consequences. A decade later, Bobby returns home only to find his past isn't ready to let him go. The suspense builds like a slow-burning fuse, leading to shocking revelations that had me flipping pages late into the night. This book had me thinking about how childhood experiences shape us, long after I turned the last page.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Rivka" is a disturbing novel that should come with a warning. It doesn’t and I don’t think the writer cares either. But in saying that It’s done masterfully, it weaves a narrative that is both unsettling and thought-provoking, delving deep into lead characters trauma, isolation, and the dark corners of the mind. I haven’t pick up a book this interesting in years and even though it was hard to read in parts I couldn’t put the book down. If you like books by Chuck Palahniuk or Hubert Selby Jr. Add this nutcase to the list.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listen, Rivka is NOT for the faint of heart. This book grabbed me by the collar, whispered unsettling truths in my ear, and refused to let go. It’s got childhood trauma, a serial killer lurking in the shadows, and the kind of psychological twists that make you question everyone and everything. Brisbane in the ’80s? Creepy nostalgia! The slow-burn tension? Pure gold! And Bobby? Poor guy never stood a chance. If you love dark, gritty, and disturbingly good reads, this one’s for you. Just maybe don’t read it alone at night. 😱🔪

[Kasey Lambert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grotesque and gripping are two words to describe this book… you want to toss the book aside but also can’t put it down! There was so much underlying pent up anger and violence and trauma; I just don’t think this book was for me. It had some grammar/formatting oddities and also was quite short, but there were some good storylines that would be worth exploring further. Definitely a good start for the author!

[Viola Turco · Rating 5 out of 5]

My God the things this writer wants to explore is next level. In a twisted way I loved it. So glad I came across the writer. This isn’t for everyone. ‘Rivka’ is full of eccentric and interesting character that leave you begging for something good to happen. It does and doesn’t. It’s disturbing and haunting and hard to put the book down. I was left thinking about this book long after I finished it.

[Rich Samuels · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Rivka” succeeds not only as a gripping thriller but as a very personal, moving indictment of the long-term impact of childhood trauma. Bobby is a tragic protagonist whose adult life and self-image are shadowed by his past.

Scoota Kendesh accomplishes the rare feat of crafting a thriller with a protagonist the reader genuinely cares about.

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written from a refreshing, brutally honest perspective, this dark thriller is suspenseful and daring. It kept me hooked through and through, revealing dark truths and harsh realities in this gripping storey, with a twist that I didn’t see coming!
This is the best thriller I have read in a long time.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not the biggest fan of horror, more of a thriller but I was hooked from the start. This book had me it tears because I related to being bullied at school. This writer is pretty daring making you uncomfortable but desperate to read more. As much as I liked the book I needed something lowkey after to clam down.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keeps you guessing, and the whole 80s/90s Brisbane scene that makes up the novel’s setting is hip. Some of the suspense is just so damn crazy with this claustrophobic thriller that I had to look over my shoulder at times to make sure that I was alone. The darker moments overshadow the lackluster ending though. Hopefully we’ll get a prequel?

[CARINA GIGLIOTTI · Rating 5 out of 5]

This debut novel is a powerful and captivating story into the darkest sides of humanity. I found it shockingly graphic and an emotionally challenging read, yet surprisingly relatable.

Highly recommended to those who have ever been bullied.

[Laura Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

RIVKA BY SCOOTA D. KENDESH
This book is the author's debut novel.
It's a dark, disturbing and captivating book based around childhood trauma that shows the impact in his adult life.
Thank you so much for allowing me to be a ARC Reader for this book
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s

[NGAIRE WOODS-PURINS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rivka is as intriguing as it is disturbing. Bobby's journey...though traumatic and horrific at times ...is a clear reminder that experiences are a certainty on our path of evolving.
I hope..and look forward to any continuations that may arise from Rivka.

[Nick Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulously dark thriller and I was instantly transported to the world of the characters. Scoota does an excellent job of suspending the reader's reality and allowing us to explore the darker parts of the world.

[Amanda A · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story had me in its grip from the first sentence and did not let go until the end! The story is full of twists I did not expect and took me down some dark paths that were always unsettling but kept me turning pages for the outcome.
Cannot wait for the next offering from this author.

[Anita Manicfan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I looked forward to getting my copy and reading it! Superb!

[edson gazani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommended!

[Kahlile Barringer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark and disturbing but kept me hooked and the ending didn’t disappoint. It’s always great to read a novel set in your home town.