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Disco Rice
People don’t understand why I do what I do. I’ve always been misunderstood. I have accepted this but maybe I’ve gone too far.
I just can’t help myself. I like the soft texture, the squishing of them in my mouth. The way they pop between my teeth. And I can’t get enough.
It all started when I worked at the landfill. But that was taken away from me. So I brought my habit home. My family doesn’t understand but I think they’re coming around to seeing things my way. If only people tried it they too would grow to appreciate the feeling of squirming in their mouths. The complex flavor profile. The thrill of engaging in something so exclusive, so . . . taboo.
It’s an experience. A way of life.
Nothing hits quite like Disco Rice!
I just can’t help myself. I like the soft texture, the squishing of them in my mouth. The way they pop between my teeth. And I can’t get enough.
It all started when I worked at the landfill. But that was taken away from me. So I brought my habit home. My family doesn’t understand but I think they’re coming around to seeing things my way. If only people tried it they too would grow to appreciate the feeling of squirming in their mouths. The complex flavor profile. The thrill of engaging in something so exclusive, so . . . taboo.
It’s an experience. A way of life.
Nothing hits quite like Disco Rice!
- GenresSplatterpunkHorror
81 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 3, 2025
57 people are currently reading
361 people want to read
About the author
Robert Essig
92 books277 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 105 reviews
November 26, 2025
This was extremely vulgar and disgusting. And I would guess that was the point. Trey was a good lead and there was some really decent characterization in the earlier parts of the book. From his upbringing to his job and homelife, it all fit in the right places. But then everything sort of spiraled out of context with Trey becoming a murderer and necrophiliac, among other things. It just didn't match up, feeling very disjointed. The gore and such began to lose all meaning and was the sole focus, leaving much of a sensible premise behind. The descriptions of what Trey does will make your stomach turn, but that only went so far. Again, I'm assuming this was to show Trey's descension into insanity, but nothing was clear by the latter parts of the book. Anyone wanting a really surface-level splatterpunk experience, I'd recommend this, but, for anyone else, I'd look at some of Essig's other offerings.
April 14, 2025
Fun short gross story about a man who loves maggots, aka disco rice. I was glad when he finally added some aromatics and veggies.
I’m thinking I should try some disco rice but don’t know what wine pairs well? Any suggestions?
I’m thinking I should try some disco rice but don’t know what wine pairs well? Any suggestions?
April 1, 2025
This was a fantastic short read. Something that that is easily consumed in a single sentence.
First half of the story is spent learning about the main character, his family, and of course, his little fixation with a certain kind of food. This made the events of the second half of the story that was more impactful as the MC goes down a rabbit hole of depravity.
This was a well thought out story with a lot of heart. And I only wish it was longer cause the time spent ryan this was fantastic and I didn’t want it to end.
First half of the story is spent learning about the main character, his family, and of course, his little fixation with a certain kind of food. This made the events of the second half of the story that was more impactful as the MC goes down a rabbit hole of depravity.
This was a well thought out story with a lot of heart. And I only wish it was longer cause the time spent ryan this was fantastic and I didn’t want it to end.
March 27, 2025
"Grabbing the rotting chicken in both hands, I brought it to my face and began sucking the wiggling worms off, getting mouthfuls at a time. The feeling of them squirming across my gums filled me with an endorphin rush like no other. Chewing, I smiled and even laughed, the flavor so different from that of the roadkill maggots—more refined and sweet, the slick, putrid chicken meat adding a whole new level of flavor to this wondrous culinary delight."
JFC. It's been a minute since I've read a Splatter Gross Out and boy this one absolutely delivered on that aspect and then some. 😅😳🤢🤮
Disco Rice follows Trey. He works in a landfill. He starts to develop a craving for something putrid and beyond moral. As his craving becomes more intense he finds himself jobless while trying to hide this secret from his family. This book went an entirely different direction than I anticipated it to go. Robert Essig really came up with such a wild and absolutely disgusting idea and totally ran with it and he really hit the nail head on with this nasty little tale. I can't wait to see what nasty concoction he comes up with next!
If you don't have a strong stomach then I suggest sitting this one out. Those who are well seasoned readers within the splatterpunk genre particularly high on the gross out scale, please give this a read so we can talk about it LOL.
GOOD LUCK.😂🥴🫡
JFC. It's been a minute since I've read a Splatter Gross Out and boy this one absolutely delivered on that aspect and then some. 😅😳🤢🤮
Disco Rice follows Trey. He works in a landfill. He starts to develop a craving for something putrid and beyond moral. As his craving becomes more intense he finds himself jobless while trying to hide this secret from his family. This book went an entirely different direction than I anticipated it to go. Robert Essig really came up with such a wild and absolutely disgusting idea and totally ran with it and he really hit the nail head on with this nasty little tale. I can't wait to see what nasty concoction he comes up with next!
If you don't have a strong stomach then I suggest sitting this one out. Those who are well seasoned readers within the splatterpunk genre particularly high on the gross out scale, please give this a read so we can talk about it LOL.
GOOD LUCK.😂🥴🫡
February 17, 2025
Our main male character works for the Loudon County Landfill. After working paycheck to paycheck at several jobs, he's finally content with this job. It pays the bills and maintains his family afloat. He also has a very peculiar taste for Disco Rice, aka maggots, and the dump is a perfect place to feed his hunger. One day, his urges get the best of him, and he eats Disco Rice on the job and gets caught. He gets fired and sends him down a downhill spiral. He snaps in the worst way.
Essig delivered gross out in the best way! But on top of gross out, he created a very relatable character. We've all felt the burden of financial struggles, how miserable it makes us feel losing a job, being worried on how to take care of the family, and every other struggle that comes with being a functioning adult. Disco Rice delivers gross, reliable situations, and humour because eating maggots is wild!
A quick, fun, and gross out story that I will forever recommend! Watching our main character snap and descent into a maddening state was fun and enjoyable. Essig never fails to deliver a fast paced, enjoyable read. Pre orders are up now, and release date is March 3rd!
Essig delivered gross out in the best way! But on top of gross out, he created a very relatable character. We've all felt the burden of financial struggles, how miserable it makes us feel losing a job, being worried on how to take care of the family, and every other struggle that comes with being a functioning adult. Disco Rice delivers gross, reliable situations, and humour because eating maggots is wild!
A quick, fun, and gross out story that I will forever recommend! Watching our main character snap and descent into a maddening state was fun and enjoyable. Essig never fails to deliver a fast paced, enjoyable read. Pre orders are up now, and release date is March 3rd!
February 20, 2025
YES.
A strong YES.
The main character feels like he’s made it with his job at the landfill. He has a special appreciation for all things garbage. However, he can never seem to satisfy his appreciation, seeking out more and more …interesting… experiences.
Robert Essig is one of my favorite authors. With his books, I always can rest assured that I’ll get to read an excellently written tale that keeps me curiously on my feet.
THIS was gross and pleased me overall. Well done!
I received this book as an ARC. Be sure to check it out once it drops in March!
A strong YES.
The main character feels like he’s made it with his job at the landfill. He has a special appreciation for all things garbage. However, he can never seem to satisfy his appreciation, seeking out more and more …interesting… experiences.
Robert Essig is one of my favorite authors. With his books, I always can rest assured that I’ll get to read an excellently written tale that keeps me curiously on my feet.
THIS was gross and pleased me overall. Well done!
I received this book as an ARC. Be sure to check it out once it drops in March!
February 15, 2025
The time has finally come. DNF Review.
I love a challenge, so naturally, if someone says a book was so brutal that they couldn’t finish it, I’m picking it up and plowing through that bad boy. So, if you’re like me in that aspect, this is the book for you. I can’t do it. I can’t finish it. You can’t make me. 😂😅 With that being said, I did get 52% of the way through it and enjoyed the hell out of it. Very well written and tons of disgusting fun. Why can’t I finish it? Oh, boy. You’ll just have to read it to find out. I don’t necessarily believe in trigger warnings, but consider this review your warning. 😂🖤
Thank you for this ARC of Disco Rice! I do still absolutely love the cover. 🖤
I love a challenge, so naturally, if someone says a book was so brutal that they couldn’t finish it, I’m picking it up and plowing through that bad boy. So, if you’re like me in that aspect, this is the book for you. I can’t do it. I can’t finish it. You can’t make me. 😂😅 With that being said, I did get 52% of the way through it and enjoyed the hell out of it. Very well written and tons of disgusting fun. Why can’t I finish it? Oh, boy. You’ll just have to read it to find out. I don’t necessarily believe in trigger warnings, but consider this review your warning. 😂🖤
Thank you for this ARC of Disco Rice! I do still absolutely love the cover. 🖤
March 28, 2025
Disco Rice takes readers on an unsettling journey into the darkest corners of the human mind. The main character, Trey, has a repulsive obsession that only grows more disturbing as the story progresses. Just when you think it can't get any worse, Essig somehow manages to push the limits even further. I found myself literally talking to Trey at times, warning him not to go down a certain path only for him to do exactly what I feared. This intense emotional engagement is proof of Essig's gripping writing and twisted character development.
When it comes to Essig’s darker works, they seem to only get better. This features what may be the vilest character Essig has ever created. This book ventures into some incredibly dark and cringeworthy territory, with vivid descriptions that bring every uncomfortable moment to life. If you've ever wondered what disco rice tastes like, you're about to find out. Essig doesn’t shy away from the grotesque. The imagery and sensory details are so vivid, you’ll be seeing, smelling, and experiencing things you wish you didn’t.
For those who enjoy the darker side of reading, this is a must-read. I can’t wait to see where Essig takes Spooky Splatter Pulps next, especially if the future books are anything like this one.
When it comes to Essig’s darker works, they seem to only get better. This features what may be the vilest character Essig has ever created. This book ventures into some incredibly dark and cringeworthy territory, with vivid descriptions that bring every uncomfortable moment to life. If you've ever wondered what disco rice tastes like, you're about to find out. Essig doesn’t shy away from the grotesque. The imagery and sensory details are so vivid, you’ll be seeing, smelling, and experiencing things you wish you didn’t.
For those who enjoy the darker side of reading, this is a must-read. I can’t wait to see where Essig takes Spooky Splatter Pulps next, especially if the future books are anything like this one.
May 13, 2025
An absolutely stomach-churning and vile read in the best possible way. Disturbing, intense, and brilliantly executed novella about a guy addicted to eating maggots aka disco rice. I’m seriously starting to question my sanity with how much I enjoyed this.
August 22, 2025
This didn't gross me out as much as I thought it would, but maybe that says more about me than the book 😬 I found it a little bit boring in places if I'm honest. I liked Trey as the main character though, he definitely gave off awkward oddball vibes. The idea that they had 'done this for him' was crazy!
February 17, 2025
Wow, that’s was a disgustingly disturbing book. I’m not very squeamish to much, but this one right here made me want to gag and vomit. Absolutely loved how vile this was. Keep up the good work Robert.
December 9, 2025
When you pick up a book with a (lovely) cover such as this & a title like Disco Rice, you pretty much know what’s in store for you. Plus, to know a Robert Essig book is to know what the man is about. Just like you know it wont’t be a book that you should freely admit to reading when your therapist asks if you’ve read any good books lately. You know what you’re here for, you little weirdo. You don’t wonder why. You let the therapist do their job. So anyhoo, you’re amping up for all the abhorrence, putrescence, & repugnance. It’s all there; then Essig has the audacity to also make it soul-shatteringly bleak too? Good thing you kept that therapist around. 😪
Quick synopsis:
Trey is…going through it. Which isn’t a new concept to him. A rough childhood carved some deep paths that he found himself destined to rely on eventually. The husband & new father didn’t know how to cope. So when life offered him a respite? A mouth-watering, tastebud-tickling, flavor-popping diversion from his harsh reality? He dove in head first, despite the collateral damage this choice would set off.
This was a short read, but WHEW doggy was it impactful. Essig enticed; dazzled us at the beginning; hit us in the feels; then about halfway through, set us up for a jarring gut punch. The “BRUH pivot heard around the world,” I’d like to call it. The man did all the things. His descriptive style was on point in the best/worst ways possible. I haven’t had a “close the book slowly, blink, then stare off into the void” moment in a while, but damn if Essig didn’t deliver that with some stank on it. I couldn’t even snap out of it by thinking “oooh what’s for dindin?” cuz who tf was going to eat after THAT?? I highly recommend this one, to those who can handle some veryyy gross/heavy reading. Don’t tell your therapist tho. 👀
Quick synopsis:
Trey is…going through it. Which isn’t a new concept to him. A rough childhood carved some deep paths that he found himself destined to rely on eventually. The husband & new father didn’t know how to cope. So when life offered him a respite? A mouth-watering, tastebud-tickling, flavor-popping diversion from his harsh reality? He dove in head first, despite the collateral damage this choice would set off.
This was a short read, but WHEW doggy was it impactful. Essig enticed; dazzled us at the beginning; hit us in the feels; then about halfway through, set us up for a jarring gut punch. The “BRUH pivot heard around the world,” I’d like to call it. The man did all the things. His descriptive style was on point in the best/worst ways possible. I haven’t had a “close the book slowly, blink, then stare off into the void” moment in a while, but damn if Essig didn’t deliver that with some stank on it. I couldn’t even snap out of it by thinking “oooh what’s for dindin?” cuz who tf was going to eat after THAT?? I highly recommend this one, to those who can handle some veryyy gross/heavy reading. Don’t tell your therapist tho. 👀
March 13, 2025
A Horror Bookworm Recommendation
Disco Rice by Robert Essig
https://horrorbookwormreviews.com/
A man is let go from his job at the local county landfill. As money problems ensue for him and his family, the obsession for scavenging for food begins. However, this new fixation takes a wrong turn when a new hunger is introduced. He soon becomes a connoisseur of the dead when his strange predilection turns to little white larvae.
Robert Essig’s novella, Disco Rice, is equivalent to a demented drag race. The opening sentence sets the pungent pace by leaving the starting line before the light turns green. Disco Rice goes from zero to 100 miles per hour in 112 pages. Be it deer, cat, possum or raccoon, this fast-paced storyline of mangled roadkill, scavenging flies and writhing maggots is proof no carcass is safe. There’s no parachute big enough to slow down this culinary delight. When it comes to the gaseous odor of rotting flesh and the tantalizing taste of fat grubs…it’s recommended that you buckle up your safety harness for this endorphin rush.
The unique combination of revulsion and disgust comes across as a kind of mental shock therapy. Permeating all the neural receptors with unusual taste and textures forces the reader to leave all five basic senses at the door. Robert Essig’s sweet smell of success somehow makes the most of grisly situations into fascinating, beautiful and fit for consumption reading material.
So hang that “gone to lunch, be back in five” sign on its hook and enjoy the morbid morsels that Chef Essig has to offer. Disco Rice is gluttony displayed in its most creepiest form. A five star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Horror Bookworm Recommendation.
Disco Rice by Robert Essig
https://horrorbookwormreviews.com/
A man is let go from his job at the local county landfill. As money problems ensue for him and his family, the obsession for scavenging for food begins. However, this new fixation takes a wrong turn when a new hunger is introduced. He soon becomes a connoisseur of the dead when his strange predilection turns to little white larvae.
Robert Essig’s novella, Disco Rice, is equivalent to a demented drag race. The opening sentence sets the pungent pace by leaving the starting line before the light turns green. Disco Rice goes from zero to 100 miles per hour in 112 pages. Be it deer, cat, possum or raccoon, this fast-paced storyline of mangled roadkill, scavenging flies and writhing maggots is proof no carcass is safe. There’s no parachute big enough to slow down this culinary delight. When it comes to the gaseous odor of rotting flesh and the tantalizing taste of fat grubs…it’s recommended that you buckle up your safety harness for this endorphin rush.
The unique combination of revulsion and disgust comes across as a kind of mental shock therapy. Permeating all the neural receptors with unusual taste and textures forces the reader to leave all five basic senses at the door. Robert Essig’s sweet smell of success somehow makes the most of grisly situations into fascinating, beautiful and fit for consumption reading material.
So hang that “gone to lunch, be back in five” sign on its hook and enjoy the morbid morsels that Chef Essig has to offer. Disco Rice is gluttony displayed in its most creepiest form. A five star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Horror Bookworm Recommendation.
July 11, 2025
Poor Trey, he's got the crappiest "luck." He has a beautiful family at home, Carrie, Elise, and Trey Jr. They aren't his problem, his problem is his craving for Disco Rice. He found the perfect career, SANITATION! His career gives him the opportunity to enjoy his Disco Rice. He just can't get caught. One man's garbage is another man's treat. But as usual, his luck comes to an end. Now, it's time to figure it out for his family's sake. Sacrifices need to be made.
Disco! Disco Rice!! It's got a ring to it. I had plans for rice tonight, but yeah, it didn't happen. I think my face stayed scrunched like Renee Zellewegger (sorry) for the entire read. When I read Broth House, I could smell the story. With Disco Rice, I don't want to smell anything. I don't want to see, I can't unsee most of what I read. Please have a strong stomach when reading.
Audible review: I've read Disco Rice. When the opportunity to listen to it came, I jumped on it. Why? Apparently, I enjoy torturing myself. John Wayne Communale is an amazing narrator and was the perfect pick for this story. Listening to Disco Rice is not for those with weak stomachs. John Wayne Communale did too well at narrating. It was like he was telling his story with all the emotion involved. Give this story a try!!
Disco! Disco Rice!! It's got a ring to it. I had plans for rice tonight, but yeah, it didn't happen. I think my face stayed scrunched like Renee Zellewegger (sorry) for the entire read. When I read Broth House, I could smell the story. With Disco Rice, I don't want to smell anything. I don't want to see, I can't unsee most of what I read. Please have a strong stomach when reading.
Audible review: I've read Disco Rice. When the opportunity to listen to it came, I jumped on it. Why? Apparently, I enjoy torturing myself. John Wayne Communale is an amazing narrator and was the perfect pick for this story. Listening to Disco Rice is not for those with weak stomachs. John Wayne Communale did too well at narrating. It was like he was telling his story with all the emotion involved. Give this story a try!!
March 2, 2025
Yea that was gross 🤣
May 5, 2025
Hell yeah, what a wild ride. Great writing. I don't think he missed a trigger warning.
June 24, 2025
I cannot get the picture of maggots out of my head. The description in this book was amazing because I’m still grossed out.
April 27, 2025
Told in the first person this story sets your stomach churning from the very first sentence.
A tale of a man wired slightly differently, down on his luck, with a somewhat acquired palate, and a new enhanced hunger.
Not only do we get to see the vile results of his addiction, we also see the decline in his mental health, with his loving relationships, with his whole family, the desperation to keep things together, the panic, fear and delusion.
Like all addictions they progress, the addict needing more, until it spirals wildly out of control and rock bottom is inevitably hit!
This vividly punches all your senses square in the face. It's powerful and nasty as fuck!
Essig wastes absolutely no time getting down and dirty, the depravity kicks off immediately and just proceeds to escalate exponentially!
It just..kept..getting...worse! 🤢
The way it escalated was incredibly disturbing, and yet incredibly brilliant.
It gets more and more horrific as it goes and you are genuinely left wondering what the fuck is going to happen next, if it can possibly get any worse....it does! It really does!
And don't avert your eyes for a second, as much as you will want to, as this story took a turn I was NOT expecting, and brilliantly so.
The ultimate sacrifice is made and it broke my little black heart into a million pieces! It shocked and horrified me, I literally sat with my mouth open for a few minutes in stunned silence.
This story descends into the vilest depravity and insanity. This one will stay with you, wriggle deep into the very fibers of your soul and rot there. Powerful and grotesque but kinda beautiful and fascinating, and sad too. A new fave Essig for sure! I do love an ooey gooey Essig! 😂
Anyway, I'm off for a shower, a red hot scalding one! With bleach! *shivers*
A tale of a man wired slightly differently, down on his luck, with a somewhat acquired palate, and a new enhanced hunger.
Not only do we get to see the vile results of his addiction, we also see the decline in his mental health, with his loving relationships, with his whole family, the desperation to keep things together, the panic, fear and delusion.
Like all addictions they progress, the addict needing more, until it spirals wildly out of control and rock bottom is inevitably hit!
This vividly punches all your senses square in the face. It's powerful and nasty as fuck!
Essig wastes absolutely no time getting down and dirty, the depravity kicks off immediately and just proceeds to escalate exponentially!
It just..kept..getting...worse! 🤢
The way it escalated was incredibly disturbing, and yet incredibly brilliant.
It gets more and more horrific as it goes and you are genuinely left wondering what the fuck is going to happen next, if it can possibly get any worse....it does! It really does!
And don't avert your eyes for a second, as much as you will want to, as this story took a turn I was NOT expecting, and brilliantly so.
The ultimate sacrifice is made and it broke my little black heart into a million pieces! It shocked and horrified me, I literally sat with my mouth open for a few minutes in stunned silence.
This story descends into the vilest depravity and insanity. This one will stay with you, wriggle deep into the very fibers of your soul and rot there. Powerful and grotesque but kinda beautiful and fascinating, and sad too. A new fave Essig for sure! I do love an ooey gooey Essig! 😂
Anyway, I'm off for a shower, a red hot scalding one! With bleach! *shivers*
August 24, 2025
Ew. Ew. Ew.
This is a short read, less than a hundred pages, but it reads like the Gross-Out Contest from Hell. Prepare to gag. Often. It’s quite disgusting, even for an Essig book!
Put more politely, Essig has written the extreme horror version of Patrick Süskind’s novel, “Perfume: The Story of a Murderer”! (…Too much? Wait, hear me out!) “Disco Rice” is similarly sick and revolves around an equally disturbing obsession, culinary in nature this time. It has a visually similar and gloriously graphic ending. And it’s about murder, blood, and something you can only get organically (if you’re so inclined). Admittedly, “Disco Rice” won’t get a World Fantasy Award (though you never know these days), it’s far shorter and more single-mindedly oriented towards depravity and insanity, but it has a similar trajectory through the unsanitary mental landscape of a pervert’s array of self-congratulatory justifications and rotten beliefs. It offers a glimpse into the workings of a corrupted mind hungry for a rare sort of “delicacy”; and everything is described so calmly and innocently, that the gruesome scenes strike suddenly and hit repeatedly very hard, leaving the reader dizzy and nauseous.
Avoiding spoilers, I’ll only say a couple of things about the plot itself. Firstly, “disco rice” is what, according to the New Yorker, sanitation workers call maggots (the dancing rice in the bowl), and you’ll meet both in this story – maggots and sanitation workers – and lots of bowls, come to think of it. Secondly, the main character is somewhat mentally challenged (so no tortured geniuses here), but his simplified vision of the world allows for a tale of unparalleled cruelty, lacking all in-depth insights into any deeper motivations. He’s just hungry. And this hunger, once it’s discovered what will satisfy it, creates a domino effect unlike any I’ve seen in extreme horror literature: from necrophilia to spontaneous killing sprees.
It’s really difficult to talk about the ending without giving anything away, but I really enjoyed it. Perhaps everything happens rather too easily, without any regard for those details required by careful arrangement of a murder or the energy demanded of one to plan ahead so as not to get caught. But as an extreme horror fan, I confess I wish I could read this book again for the very first time, allowing it to hook me in and shock me with its revolting, visceral imagery. Good times!
February 21, 2025
“The next day, I dipped an apple in the gut of a rancid possum.”
Welp, apparently I took a tolerance break from the extreme gross out stuff longer than I thought because fuuuuck. I had to put my kindle down way more than once from gagging. 🤣 Thank goodness I’m sick and have no taste or smell… because ain’t no friggin way. 😭😂
Essig came through and delivered an absolutely sickening and foul story. It’s disgusting on almost every level, lol. That being said. The main character was done so freaking well, and I’ve always been a huge fan of Essig’s writing style which definitely made this story even better. 🤌🏼
You will not catch me near any dumpsters / landfills / trash cans / road kill / or anything that can produce maggots… ever… at least not on purpose because god damn. I am not okay. 💀
Well done, sir. You almost took me out and that’s truly no easy feat. 👏🏼
August 8, 2025
Disco rice 🤢
This is one that so many of us splatterpunk lovers have heard of. It’s been on my tbr forever but I don’t do well with gross eating stuff, so I put it off…until now & OMG what a story 😳
Trey works on a landfill, it’s literally a dumping ground for EVERYTHING 👀🤢 He loves his job & money is tight, so whenever he finds foods that are still packaged he would take them home for the family. It’s only food thrown away from the grocery stores & it’s still good to eat so it’s ok!
Until it’s not still good & he has his first taste of something different coating an apple…that came out of a rotten carcass, surprisingly he loved it 🫣 Which leads to a whole new gross level of what else has he been missing out on tasting….errrm maggots anyone? 🤢
After his co-worker spots him knee deep in the dump with a beard full of maggots, he’s fired on the spot. Now what’s he going to do, more importantly hows he gotta eat his favourite treat?! This is when things go past the point of no return for Trey…😬🤯
Jeeeeeze, I thought this would just be a little gross read, what I did not expect was Trey to be that unhinged/deranged to go to the lengths he did to get those maggots 😳🤯 My god, I was shocked to the core when it came to his family 🫣
No one warned me about anything other than the yak 🤣 It was so well done though, a deeper story than expected! I listened to it on audible & the narration was perfection 👌🏻 Thank you so much Essig for sending me this! Another I’ve loved from you! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Check your bloody triggers 🫣🤣🤎
This is one that so many of us splatterpunk lovers have heard of. It’s been on my tbr forever but I don’t do well with gross eating stuff, so I put it off…until now & OMG what a story 😳
Trey works on a landfill, it’s literally a dumping ground for EVERYTHING 👀🤢 He loves his job & money is tight, so whenever he finds foods that are still packaged he would take them home for the family. It’s only food thrown away from the grocery stores & it’s still good to eat so it’s ok!
Until it’s not still good & he has his first taste of something different coating an apple…that came out of a rotten carcass, surprisingly he loved it 🫣 Which leads to a whole new gross level of what else has he been missing out on tasting….errrm maggots anyone? 🤢
After his co-worker spots him knee deep in the dump with a beard full of maggots, he’s fired on the spot. Now what’s he going to do, more importantly hows he gotta eat his favourite treat?! This is when things go past the point of no return for Trey…😬🤯
Jeeeeeze, I thought this would just be a little gross read, what I did not expect was Trey to be that unhinged/deranged to go to the lengths he did to get those maggots 😳🤯 My god, I was shocked to the core when it came to his family 🫣
No one warned me about anything other than the yak 🤣 It was so well done though, a deeper story than expected! I listened to it on audible & the narration was perfection 👌🏻 Thank you so much Essig for sending me this! Another I’ve loved from you! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Check your bloody triggers 🫣🤣🤎
April 14, 2025
This book was wild. I literally finished it in one sitting, make sure when you go into this you have a strong stomach cos you won’t look at rice the same way again.
This took splatterpunk to a whole new level. It follows Trey a man who works at a landfill and gets sacked for eating maggots if you think him eating the maggots is the worse thing.. think again. Disco rice went from 0 to 100 in a matter of pages. It started giving us a backstory of Trey and his life and ended with him going completely batshit crazy (if he wasn’t already)
This was a wild fkn ride, kept me hooked throughout and made me feel a little sick ngl.
Enjoy LMAOOOO
“I wondered whether she threw herself down the stairs on purpose. For me. The more I thought about it, the more that made sense. She sacrificed herself for me to become a shrine of maggots. And I would do the honor of consuming her maggots, the maggots of our love.”
This took splatterpunk to a whole new level. It follows Trey a man who works at a landfill and gets sacked for eating maggots if you think him eating the maggots is the worse thing.. think again. Disco rice went from 0 to 100 in a matter of pages. It started giving us a backstory of Trey and his life and ended with him going completely batshit crazy (if he wasn’t already)
This was a wild fkn ride, kept me hooked throughout and made me feel a little sick ngl.
Enjoy LMAOOOO
“I wondered whether she threw herself down the stairs on purpose. For me. The more I thought about it, the more that made sense. She sacrificed herself for me to become a shrine of maggots. And I would do the honor of consuming her maggots, the maggots of our love.”
February 21, 2025
Our main character works in the local landfill, where he feels he's found his calling. This is where he wants to stay forever. Only his appreciation for garbage gets him in trouble, leading to some pretty odd life choices.
This was gross, and I loved every second of it. I won't lie, the bit with his son got to me a little, but everything else was disgustingly brilliant.
Also, just a note, don't read this while eating dinner... 😅
This was gross, and I loved every second of it. I won't lie, the bit with his son got to me a little, but everything else was disgustingly brilliant.
Also, just a note, don't read this while eating dinner... 😅
January 1, 2026
Well this was certainly quite the book for me to ring in the new year with... bc what the actual hell?! This story is disgusting... but if I am honest with myself I really enjoyed it🫣..I even kind of felt a little bad for our MC up until he made a few really bad decisions and then I felt like "nah, F him!"The man is obviously NOT okay mentally, but I mean plenty of cultures do eat bugs... I personally could never though! 🤢🤢
June 2, 2025
My goal to read unexplored genres in 2025 may soon come to an end. Why oh why have I continued to read Splatter Punk although in this case Splatter Pulp!!!
Hats off to the author for such a vivid imagination and compiling a story such as Disco Rice - I had the choice to send it to the DNF shelf but I was intrigued and had to read through to the very last page.
The content at times had me closing my eyes and concentrating on keeping the contents of my stomach at bay - then the read would re-commence....I just had to find out where it progressed to.
If you can handle gore - I do recommend this read.
Hats off to the author for such a vivid imagination and compiling a story such as Disco Rice - I had the choice to send it to the DNF shelf but I was intrigued and had to read through to the very last page.
The content at times had me closing my eyes and concentrating on keeping the contents of my stomach at bay - then the read would re-commence....I just had to find out where it progressed to.
If you can handle gore - I do recommend this read.
September 18, 2025
It's definitely an over the top experience. Trey works at a landfill, giving him opportunities for free meals. He has figured out by digging through the trash that he likes eating maggots or disco rice as he calls them. Well, that behavior escalates fairly quickly, spiraling him more into madness.
I would recommend it, but I will say this isn't for everyone. It's a gross out read. Just when you think it can't turn your stomach more, it does. However, with that said, there is a good deal of character development with Trey. His descent into madness is well done.
I would recommend it, but I will say this isn't for everyone. It's a gross out read. Just when you think it can't turn your stomach more, it does. However, with that said, there is a good deal of character development with Trey. His descent into madness is well done.
March 26, 2025
This book was absolutely DIS-GUST-ING!!!
Congrats to Robert Essig for being the only author to make my stomach twist and turn, and flip and flop!
Congrats to Robert Essig for being the only author to make my stomach twist and turn, and flip and flop!
March 22, 2025
disco rice by robert essig is a wild ride into extreme horror that had me hooked. the story dives into the unsettling obsession of the main character, who develops a taste for maggots after working at a landfill. while the book’s vibe keeps the pace intense, i found myself craving more of the family dynamics before things got ‘ricey.’ despite this, it’s a unique and thrilling read that stands out in the horror genre.
August 13, 2025
damn bro really likes maggots
February 18, 2025
In this story we follow a father and a husband, he works for his towns garbage disposal company. He finds that he has an unusual relationship with trash ( and eating it) he ends up getting caught and fired from his beloved job. Ashamed and sad about the loss of his job he’s unable to talk to his wife about it, spiraling from his addiction to rotted flesh, he begins to lose interest in normal things, like untainted food, and alive family members lol.
This was such a great read. Genuinely vile descriptions, one of the best gross out books i’ve read that still provides sustenance and a great story along with great characters.
This was such a great read. Genuinely vile descriptions, one of the best gross out books i’ve read that still provides sustenance and a great story along with great characters.
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