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Runts
Skylar, Jackson, Emmett, and Trenton want nothing more than to get home for winter break, but
a blizzard changes their plans. As the roads worsen, they have no choice but to seek refuge in the
town of Braxton.
But Braxton is a town with a dark secret. For decades, many of the children born to unsuspecting
parents wore horrific mutations. Some parents did the unthinkable, killing the innocent, while
others surrendered them to an old woman known only as Grammy.
With the snow piling up and food short, Grammy and her Runts are desperate to eat, whether it
be man or beast.
Will the college students brave the storm and make it home or will they become victims of the
cursed town?
a blizzard changes their plans. As the roads worsen, they have no choice but to seek refuge in the
town of Braxton.
But Braxton is a town with a dark secret. For decades, many of the children born to unsuspecting
parents wore horrific mutations. Some parents did the unthinkable, killing the innocent, while
others surrendered them to an old woman known only as Grammy.
With the snow piling up and food short, Grammy and her Runts are desperate to eat, whether it
be man or beast.
Will the college students brave the storm and make it home or will they become victims of the
cursed town?
- GenresHorror
163 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 18, 2025
15 people are currently reading
231 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
May 1, 2025
There better be a sequel to this, more time with the Runts is needed!
May 9, 2025
KrisCorp is in trouble.
After the government learns that CEO Kristina Tropiano is housing multiple barrels of some wild, toxic substance— she immediately needs to get rid of it, or she’ll face a lifetime in the penitentiary.
She hires two guys to dump the barrels in a creek in the small, mountain town of Braxton.
And from this, the Runts are born.
Deformed babies are now a curse on the town. Being born with missing limbs, organs on the outside, unshapely heads, sores, clubbed feet and more— no parent wants the burden of having a ‘Braxton baby.’
So, Grammy takes them in.
But food is scarce, it’s hard for one old woman to provide, and people are terrified of helping the Runts—keeping their distance. The odd, distorted, redneck family needs to stock up on winter goods.
Good thing there are four, spry college kids stuck in the town during a rampant snowstorm.
The Runts may just go on a hunt for something, or somebody— to eat.
This book was so much fun, and a follow-up story on the Runts is needed. The characters are developed and detailed, the premise has a unique spin, and it’s a gory good time.
Runts is a solid ★ ★ ★ ★ star read and again, WE NEED TO SEE A SEQUEL of this completely insane family.
After the government learns that CEO Kristina Tropiano is housing multiple barrels of some wild, toxic substance— she immediately needs to get rid of it, or she’ll face a lifetime in the penitentiary.
She hires two guys to dump the barrels in a creek in the small, mountain town of Braxton.
And from this, the Runts are born.
Deformed babies are now a curse on the town. Being born with missing limbs, organs on the outside, unshapely heads, sores, clubbed feet and more— no parent wants the burden of having a ‘Braxton baby.’
So, Grammy takes them in.
But food is scarce, it’s hard for one old woman to provide, and people are terrified of helping the Runts—keeping their distance. The odd, distorted, redneck family needs to stock up on winter goods.
Good thing there are four, spry college kids stuck in the town during a rampant snowstorm.
The Runts may just go on a hunt for something, or somebody— to eat.
This book was so much fun, and a follow-up story on the Runts is needed. The characters are developed and detailed, the premise has a unique spin, and it’s a gory good time.
Runts is a solid ★ ★ ★ ★ star read and again, WE NEED TO SEE A SEQUEL of this completely insane family.
August 22, 2025
RUNTS really didn't disappoint and I couldn't put it down.
It held eye opening surprises in each chapter long with humour, gore and utter disgusting vile destruction.
The characters were interesting and became well developed as the story line became stronger and stronger.
Daniel J Volpe wrote a cracker here and I hope he writes a sequel...I need some more of these freaks...Maybe Skylar will reproduce some more little FREAKY RUNTS with her new family??? Here's Hoping!!!
It has to be 5🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟's as this was an awesome read.
It held eye opening surprises in each chapter long with humour, gore and utter disgusting vile destruction.
The characters were interesting and became well developed as the story line became stronger and stronger.
Daniel J Volpe wrote a cracker here and I hope he writes a sequel...I need some more of these freaks...Maybe Skylar will reproduce some more little FREAKY RUNTS with her new family??? Here's Hoping!!!
It has to be 5🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟's as this was an awesome read.
April 12, 2025
Wrong Turn and The Hills Have Eyes come together in this cracked out brutal Novella by Daniel. A colony of "freaks" discarded by their parents are left in the care of Grammy. As they grow (in age and numbers), they require more food to survive the harsh winters up in the mountains. It just so happens that a group of college kids are on their way home on break and have opted to take the scenic route... right... through... Braxton. But the freaks of Braxton aren't random. Kristina, a shrewd businesswoman, had some foul practices at play in order for Braxton to turn out the way it did. But you know what they say, who gives a shit as long as there's money to be made.
April 5, 2025
Could not put this down! Such a fun read!
December 1, 2025
Four friends are heading home but a nasty winter storm is brewing. They are advised to head to the town of Braxton and wait until the storm passes. Not happy with the detour, they end up listening and head to Braxton anyway. What was supposed to be an easy road trip, ends up in carnage due to The Runts.
The town of Braxton holds dark secrets. For years, there have been babies born with severe defects. Some families can handle raising the kids, while others can't stand to look at them. There is a well known lady in town who cares for the unloved runts and she raises them. But as the runts get older, their appetite grows and food is hard to find. They usually hunt for animals big and small, but tonight they hunt for human meat. And thankfully for them, there's enough on the road to feed them.
Such a quick and fun read! The Runts are super fun, scary, ruthless, and yet have a sweetness about them. Hammer is a great character and I loved him as the leader. I also loved how he was insanely strong. I really liked the snow storm that was happening throughout. To me, it felt more intense and I love that feeling. Survival mode at it's finest! Volpe never misses and this was great.
The town of Braxton holds dark secrets. For years, there have been babies born with severe defects. Some families can handle raising the kids, while others can't stand to look at them. There is a well known lady in town who cares for the unloved runts and she raises them. But as the runts get older, their appetite grows and food is hard to find. They usually hunt for animals big and small, but tonight they hunt for human meat. And thankfully for them, there's enough on the road to feed them.
Such a quick and fun read! The Runts are super fun, scary, ruthless, and yet have a sweetness about them. Hammer is a great character and I loved him as the leader. I also loved how he was insanely strong. I really liked the snow storm that was happening throughout. To me, it felt more intense and I love that feeling. Survival mode at it's finest! Volpe never misses and this was great.
April 19, 2025
Daniel J. Volpe really knows how to tell a good story. The characters were very well written and the author truly made me care for them. I also liked how unpredictable some parts of the story have been and how everything still always made sense . It's a very fun, fast-paced read that I would highly recommend to Splatterpunk fans.
October 12, 2025
"𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐦, 𝐑𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐬. 𝐓𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭, 𝐰𝐞 𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐭."
This nasty novella was so much fun! If you crossed The Hills Have Eyes with Hansel and Gretel, this story just may be the result! Braxton is a small town with a polluted water supply, and the opening chapters tell you everything you need to know about that. For decades, many of the children born to unsuspecting parents wore horrific mutations. Some parents couldn't bear the monstrosity that was supposed to be a chubby, cuddly baby and took matters into their own hands, while others had mercy and surrendered the creatures to an old woman known only as Grammy.
A group of four college students are trying to get home for winter break, but a blizzard changes their plans. As the driving conditions worsen, they have no choice but to seek refuge in Braxton. They have no idea that they're surrounded by creatures who are hungry and desperate to survive the winter. This was a gloriously fun, action packed, disgusting read with an ending that was just perfectly done. I'll read anything this author writes! I purchased a signed copy direct from the author. RUNTS is available now.
This nasty novella was so much fun! If you crossed The Hills Have Eyes with Hansel and Gretel, this story just may be the result! Braxton is a small town with a polluted water supply, and the opening chapters tell you everything you need to know about that. For decades, many of the children born to unsuspecting parents wore horrific mutations. Some parents couldn't bear the monstrosity that was supposed to be a chubby, cuddly baby and took matters into their own hands, while others had mercy and surrendered the creatures to an old woman known only as Grammy.
A group of four college students are trying to get home for winter break, but a blizzard changes their plans. As the driving conditions worsen, they have no choice but to seek refuge in Braxton. They have no idea that they're surrounded by creatures who are hungry and desperate to survive the winter. This was a gloriously fun, action packed, disgusting read with an ending that was just perfectly done. I'll read anything this author writes! I purchased a signed copy direct from the author. RUNTS is available now.
June 26, 2025
This was raunchy, gory, funny at times, and had the survival element that I really enjoy!
December 5, 2025
Runts is great!
August 13, 2025
Volpe has easily become one of my favorite authors in this genre. Runts does not disappoint - in typical DJV fashion, it is gory and grotesque, and I couldn’t put it down.
July 1, 2025
runts may have just taken the spot for my favorite volpe. it was so good. if you are a volpe fan and havent read it. you are missing out
November 19, 2025
Very much reminded me of Wrong Turn which is a great thing. Loved the little monstrous freaks
May 21, 2025
review to come.
November 9, 2025
This was a quick and fun-ish read despite there being a few lines being reused. If you like freaks, caustic shit, and bloody gore, then this is for you.
August 8, 2025
Boy are them outcasts, the titular Runts, hungry!
Abandoned by their families due to severe physical deformities they are taken in by Grammy who raises them with no help from the outside world. Often lacking enough food they have occasionally dabbled in cannibalism.
Four friends are heading home from college when a blizzard forces them to stop in a small town — the very town that has been discarding their deformed babies with Grammy. These two groups are on a path that will end in blood — lots of blood.
Daniel J. Volpe wastes no time in cranking up the splatterpunk in this wild ride into a cold winter night. The pace is fast but not chaotic. The violence is brutal and isn’t for the faint of heart. The book doesn’t linger too long and is always thundering to the climax. For me the ending was absolutely delicious in the most ghoulish way.
I cannot recommend this book enough for those who enjoy extreme horror/splatterpunk. It isn’t a terribly long book and as I said before it moves briskly from the jump. If you are looking to dip your toes in the pool of offal and blood of this genre you won’t be disappointed in RUNTS.
Abandoned by their families due to severe physical deformities they are taken in by Grammy who raises them with no help from the outside world. Often lacking enough food they have occasionally dabbled in cannibalism.
Four friends are heading home from college when a blizzard forces them to stop in a small town — the very town that has been discarding their deformed babies with Grammy. These two groups are on a path that will end in blood — lots of blood.
Daniel J. Volpe wastes no time in cranking up the splatterpunk in this wild ride into a cold winter night. The pace is fast but not chaotic. The violence is brutal and isn’t for the faint of heart. The book doesn’t linger too long and is always thundering to the climax. For me the ending was absolutely delicious in the most ghoulish way.
I cannot recommend this book enough for those who enjoy extreme horror/splatterpunk. It isn’t a terribly long book and as I said before it moves briskly from the jump. If you are looking to dip your toes in the pool of offal and blood of this genre you won’t be disappointed in RUNTS.
April 19, 2025
🔨 What’s the book about?
Runts is the story of a small town called Braxton with a big, dark secret. For years some children born in Braxton are born with unusual and otherworldly mutations. When their parents or the town won’t help them they are dropped off at Grammy’s to be raised and cared for. Grammy loves her “Runts” and when she takes in a new family member her older children must figure out some new methods of survival.
🔨 My thoughts:
WOW! This was such a fun and entertaining story! I’ve only read Left to You and For the Better by Daniel Volpe so it was great to see this side of his storytelling. The characters were so uniquely written and I loved the twist at the end! What a creative story that I’ll think of for a long time!
🔨 Should you read it?
This is an extreme horror book! So as usual, check the trigger warnings and treat lightly if extreme horror isn’t for you! For those that love extreme horror- stop what you’re reading and start this 😂 You won’t regret it!
Runts is the story of a small town called Braxton with a big, dark secret. For years some children born in Braxton are born with unusual and otherworldly mutations. When their parents or the town won’t help them they are dropped off at Grammy’s to be raised and cared for. Grammy loves her “Runts” and when she takes in a new family member her older children must figure out some new methods of survival.
🔨 My thoughts:
WOW! This was such a fun and entertaining story! I’ve only read Left to You and For the Better by Daniel Volpe so it was great to see this side of his storytelling. The characters were so uniquely written and I loved the twist at the end! What a creative story that I’ll think of for a long time!
🔨 Should you read it?
This is an extreme horror book! So as usual, check the trigger warnings and treat lightly if extreme horror isn’t for you! For those that love extreme horror- stop what you’re reading and start this 😂 You won’t regret it!
July 16, 2025
Let me first say that this book is vile, disgusting, not for the weak of heart. With that out of the way, I loved every minute of its Wrong Turn & Basketcase blend with some Toxic Avenger thrown in for good measure. This is a fun and quick read that builds a huge universe in such a short time that you will want more after you read this one. This is the first book I have read from Daniel J Volpe but certainly wont be the last. And by reading I mean I listened to this book as I do most books these days and John Wayne Comunale adds such depth to the characters with a tremendous narration. If you like your books dirty and grimy that leave you feeling less clean then when you first started the book then do not miss this one.
September 19, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💀
Runts is claustrophobic, brutal, and unflinchingly grotesque in all the best ways. Four college students trapped in a blizzard stumble into a small town hiding a terrible secret: children born there don’t always come out “normal.” What follows is a fast-paced descent into survival horror where morality blurs and the line between victim and monster isn’t always clear.
Volpe balances atmosphere with shocking body horror, delivering a story that’s both chilling and disturbingly thought-provoking. At just over 160 pages, it wastes no time and pulls no punches. Perfect for readers who enjoy extreme horror with a dash of moral ambiguity.
⚠️ Not for the faint of heart — but if you’re a fan of The Hills Have Eyes or Off Season, this is a must-read.
Runts is claustrophobic, brutal, and unflinchingly grotesque in all the best ways. Four college students trapped in a blizzard stumble into a small town hiding a terrible secret: children born there don’t always come out “normal.” What follows is a fast-paced descent into survival horror where morality blurs and the line between victim and monster isn’t always clear.
Volpe balances atmosphere with shocking body horror, delivering a story that’s both chilling and disturbingly thought-provoking. At just over 160 pages, it wastes no time and pulls no punches. Perfect for readers who enjoy extreme horror with a dash of moral ambiguity.
⚠️ Not for the faint of heart — but if you’re a fan of The Hills Have Eyes or Off Season, this is a must-read.
April 25, 2025
This one was a fun ride 👀
After toxic barrels are dumped into a small town lake, many babies are born with deformities/ mutations & given to Grammy to care for.
But after being blamed for others wrong doings the town stop supplying them with food & essentials to survive but this hillbilly family crave human meat & will do anything to get it 💀
Ah this was a hell of a ride, reading the graphic descriptions of each “mutant” means you visualise them & how they walk/talk. I wouldn’t want to meet “The hammer” anyway 🫣 (size does matter) 🤣
It was brutal, gory, gaggy & all the extremes that you expect from Volpe 😂💀 loved it 4⭐️ check your triggers!!
After toxic barrels are dumped into a small town lake, many babies are born with deformities/ mutations & given to Grammy to care for.
But after being blamed for others wrong doings the town stop supplying them with food & essentials to survive but this hillbilly family crave human meat & will do anything to get it 💀
Ah this was a hell of a ride, reading the graphic descriptions of each “mutant” means you visualise them & how they walk/talk. I wouldn’t want to meet “The hammer” anyway 🫣 (size does matter) 🤣
It was brutal, gory, gaggy & all the extremes that you expect from Volpe 😂💀 loved it 4⭐️ check your triggers!!
July 15, 2025
I have returned to the splatter punk vileness of Daniel J Volpe in his book, "Runts." Returning to splatter punk after a few months, this book made me feel at home; so much gore, horror, and disfigurement.
This book moves quickly and boy the pay-offs are worth hanging in there for. While others' mileage may vary, I felt there was a social commentary about how we treat people differently in our society and how when they respond we double down; how people form allegiances and what can happen when survival becomes rabid.
I absolutely enjoyed this book and maybe if we're lucky, we can see some of these characters again.
This book moves quickly and boy the pay-offs are worth hanging in there for. While others' mileage may vary, I felt there was a social commentary about how we treat people differently in our society and how when they respond we double down; how people form allegiances and what can happen when survival becomes rabid.
I absolutely enjoyed this book and maybe if we're lucky, we can see some of these characters again.
July 23, 2025
*hears the theme for deliverence in the background* This was a fun short read it not my favorite book by this author and I found the character a little meh especially Skyler and Trenton it's giving stereotypes and unrealistic of how gays and women act. I feel like the end was rushed a little bit because the book went from these teens getting harassed at a bar to the harassers hunting the teens down to the runts fucking shit up to a forced twist in the epilogue . With that being said I enjoyed the setup to the evens the kills were gruesome and gross even with all the flaws I was still able to enjoy the story for what it was
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2025
This book is very much Hills Have Eyes meets Wrong Turn in the most wicked and grotesque way imaginable. I didn't want to put it down!
A group of 4 college kids get stranded in the small town of Braxton during a snow storm. They have to choose to stick around and be berated by the locals or risk driving through the blizzard.
Grammy is the head of a family of mutants that were handed over by their birth parents. Their families couldn't bear to care for a child so deformed. As the years went by, the family grew in numbers, making food scarce. To provide for their family, they go on a hunt that ends in carnage.
A group of 4 college kids get stranded in the small town of Braxton during a snow storm. They have to choose to stick around and be berated by the locals or risk driving through the blizzard.
Grammy is the head of a family of mutants that were handed over by their birth parents. Their families couldn't bear to care for a child so deformed. As the years went by, the family grew in numbers, making food scarce. To provide for their family, they go on a hunt that ends in carnage.
May 18, 2025
* TRIGGER WARNINGS for everything you can imagine and a few things that you probably couldn’t (or shouldn’t) - Take all this into consideration and read this EXTREME HORROR at your own discretion *
It’s *The Hills Have Eyes* meets Jack Ketchum’s *Off Season* It’s a “Joy Ride* after taking a *Wrong Turn*
I had so many conflicting feelings reading this book… Ultimately, as entertained, disturbed and disgusted as I sometimes was while reading, I enjoyed the roller coaster ride that it took me on.
It’s *The Hills Have Eyes* meets Jack Ketchum’s *Off Season* It’s a “Joy Ride* after taking a *Wrong Turn*
I had so many conflicting feelings reading this book… Ultimately, as entertained, disturbed and disgusted as I sometimes was while reading, I enjoyed the roller coaster ride that it took me on.
August 5, 2025
⚠️Check Your Triggers ⚠️No spoilers for this one, just my opinion. I find myself really enjoying these types of books. This was entertaining, gory, explicit. The characters were fun and exciting.. others were brutal and disgusting. The Plot is good and I am reminded of the Hills Have Eyes and Wrong Turn movies. Which I really enjoyed. This was just really well written. I often find myself thinking, Indie Authors write better than the hyped up ones sometimes. This author wrote this and I loved it. I hope there is a sequel to this and I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.
May 5, 2025
If you like books about deformed backwoods type freaks, you'll love this one. Something is wrong with some of the children born in the town of Braxton they are born with deformities. These runts are left to live with Grammy when their families don't want them. Grammy is running out of food, and a snowstorm is coming, so the runts decide to go out and get the food they need. If you are traveling or visiting the town of Braxton, be careful because the runts are hungry and they're coming for you.
May 6, 2025
This was an absolutely fun and super disturbing, disgusting and grotesque but entertaining ride. I want more of the RUNTS!
A toxic dump that caused a mutation that resulted in the Runts.
Abandoned by their families they are only trying to survive. 😢
🥩THEY ARE HUNGRY!🥩
Don’t wonder into the wrong town you may just become a meal. 🍽️🍖
(The runts descriptions I kept picturing those things from The Hills Have Eyes 🫣 ughh they gross me out so bad)
A toxic dump that caused a mutation that resulted in the Runts.
Abandoned by their families they are only trying to survive. 😢
🥩THEY ARE HUNGRY!🥩
Don’t wonder into the wrong town you may just become a meal. 🍽️🍖
(The runts descriptions I kept picturing those things from The Hills Have Eyes 🫣 ughh they gross me out so bad)
November 10, 2025
This was my second Daniel Volpe book and it did not disappoint. I expected grotesque levels of gore and it delivered. If the book cover grosses you out, then walk away now because the contents are wonderfully stomach churning. All of that aside, the story was believable, which made it so much more disturbing.
June 9, 2025
For fans of Hills Have Eyes, and Wrong Turn franchise, this is story of cannibals who live up in the mountains and are very deformed. This was a fight for survival on both sides. The victims and the cannibals.
August 24, 2025
Think bad horror movie with over the top gore and vile dialogue and you've got yourself splatter punk.
This was a fun, quick read. Interesting idea and overall not a bad story for what it is.
Splatter punk just isn't for me.
This was a fun, quick read. Interesting idea and overall not a bad story for what it is.
Splatter punk just isn't for me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews