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Jacobian
Edward Jacobian is a child of abuse.
For most of his existence, he has experienced only sadness and pain.
The only source of joy has been his loving mother.
Until he discovers the awful truth.
With no escape in sight, Edward turns to God in the hopes of finding an end to his torment.
God does not answer Edward, but something else does.
Now, Edward is left with a decision that could see an end to the abuse, but to do so would cost him his soul.
*Warning*
Jacobian is the tale of an abused child and while the subject matter is dealt with in a serious fashion, the psychological aspects may not be suitable for all readers.
For most of his existence, he has experienced only sadness and pain.
The only source of joy has been his loving mother.
Until he discovers the awful truth.
With no escape in sight, Edward turns to God in the hopes of finding an end to his torment.
God does not answer Edward, but something else does.
Now, Edward is left with a decision that could see an end to the abuse, but to do so would cost him his soul.
*Warning*
Jacobian is the tale of an abused child and while the subject matter is dealt with in a serious fashion, the psychological aspects may not be suitable for all readers.
- GenresSplatterpunkHorror
Unknown Binding
47 people want to read
About the author
Mark M.J. Green
15 books83 followersBald, bearded and bumbling, Mark likes the spooky side of life and things that go bump in the night. Although that's usually him wandering into something, as he didn't bother to turn a light on.
Mark writes horror stories in a variety of styles within the genre and enjoys spending time with his family - including his dog, who may, or may not, be demonic.
He's also a bit of a nerd and when he hasn't got his face buried in a book can be found playing video games and board games.
Take one, Mr Potato Head. Attach his angry eyes - preferably placing one of them at a slightly different angle to the other. Affix a beard and leave the head barren of growth.
Congratulations. You now have your very own Mark M.J. Green.
Caution: Product may swear at random moments and for no apparent reason.
Mark writes horror stories in a variety of styles within the genre and enjoys spending time with his family - including his dog, who may, or may not, be demonic.
He's also a bit of a nerd and when he hasn't got his face buried in a book can be found playing video games and board games.
Take one, Mr Potato Head. Attach his angry eyes - preferably placing one of them at a slightly different angle to the other. Affix a beard and leave the head barren of growth.
Congratulations. You now have your very own Mark M.J. Green.
Caution: Product may swear at random moments and for no apparent reason.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 17, 2026
4.5 stars. Holy Christ! This was a really amazing horror experience. Our lead, Edward, went through such atrocities that I couldn't even begin to fathom. Like literally some of the most horrible and traumatic situations that a child could be thrust into. I felt a lot of parallels with my infamous Blackheart antagonist from the Preternatural trilogy. But Mark MJ Green made you feel every bit of Edward's plight. And he did so, handling the very sensitive content in a masterful way. Detailed enough to bring you into the scene, but not overly focused on, which wasn't necessary at all. The latter portion of the book, which was pure nightmare fuel and vengeance-heavy was satisfying and ugly. All the wrongs were righted, but none of it was to be happy about. A very morose conclusion which, again, made the reader's experience perfectly match Edward through his transition and ambitions. I really can't say enough good things about this story. Mark MJ Green, you have a new fan in Peter Topside.
May 20, 2025
A cracking short, supernatural tale involving child abuse and depraved, sexual exploitation that should not be missed by all lovers of the dark and disturbed.
Very sad, but expertly written and handled to perfection, despite the delicate nature of the subject matter .
'Thoroughly enjoyed,' as was also the case with Mr Green's quite wonderful 'Birdsong'.
Without a doubt I will be reading much more from this supreme fictional writer of horror and all things 'Human Noire'. Excellent - more please!
Rating: 4.7 brightly glowing dark stars of hopeless death and despair.
March 18, 2025
Jacobian was a disturbing tale that made my eyes water and my teeth knash together. I honestly felt that I was desentisized as a reader but this proved I'm not, which I am beyond grateful for-I was starting to think I was some kind of deviant toad!
Edward Jacobian is an abused child. He has the most horrific of childhoods. Some scenes had me physically retching and swearing at the same time and grasping my kids tight for yet another cuddle. It makes you emotional, it makes you feel everything and I loved it exactly for that reason. What is literature, if not to bring out a reaction in you. Feeling is living and this book is a mastercraft in the revenge tale.
Easily in my top 5 books of the year so far!
Edward Jacobian is an abused child. He has the most horrific of childhoods. Some scenes had me physically retching and swearing at the same time and grasping my kids tight for yet another cuddle. It makes you emotional, it makes you feel everything and I loved it exactly for that reason. What is literature, if not to bring out a reaction in you. Feeling is living and this book is a mastercraft in the revenge tale.
Easily in my top 5 books of the year so far!
May 15, 2025
Holy shit! This is incredible! If Mark's book ‘Songbird' got to you, this one ramps it up even more. I was in awe the whole way through, I couldn't get enough! Mark crams so much emotion into his work, and right from the off this one packs an emotional punch.
A tale of despair, abuse, suffering, survival, and deeply, desperate hope. The abuse and mental anguish the MC endures is relentless and so very sad.
Utterly addictive, fantastic storytelling that you can't help but devour, relishing every disturbing morsel. It's exquisite in its powerfulness and ability to chill you to your core.
So detailed and vivid, I cannot praise this story highly enough. It relentlessly tears your heart out in part 1, then proceeds to serve it up on a beautiful platter of revenge in part 2.
A young boys unconditional, and naive, love for his mother, results in his abuse and when that young, tortured man's prayers are finally answered, absolute hell awaits his tormentors. Endless agony and torment are the very least these abusers deserve and the revenge meted out in this story is absolutely, grotesque genius!
This one is going to resonate for a long while, it's going to pop up in my nightmares, and haunt my soul day and night…
It is also going straight into my top reads for 2025, and I have to say, the very last sentence in this book was my favourite! 🖤
A tale of despair, abuse, suffering, survival, and deeply, desperate hope. The abuse and mental anguish the MC endures is relentless and so very sad.
Utterly addictive, fantastic storytelling that you can't help but devour, relishing every disturbing morsel. It's exquisite in its powerfulness and ability to chill you to your core.
So detailed and vivid, I cannot praise this story highly enough. It relentlessly tears your heart out in part 1, then proceeds to serve it up on a beautiful platter of revenge in part 2.
A young boys unconditional, and naive, love for his mother, results in his abuse and when that young, tortured man's prayers are finally answered, absolute hell awaits his tormentors. Endless agony and torment are the very least these abusers deserve and the revenge meted out in this story is absolutely, grotesque genius!
This one is going to resonate for a long while, it's going to pop up in my nightmares, and haunt my soul day and night…
It is also going straight into my top reads for 2025, and I have to say, the very last sentence in this book was my favourite! 🖤
March 15, 2025
Edward is abandoned, neglected and desperate to be loved and belong. He has suffered horrors all of his life, terror and pain are his everyday but he is stoic and accepting until a devastating loss leads to realisation and his search for meaning moves from parent to god but something else answers.
The soul destroying cruelty in this takes your breath away and some of the torture inflicted on Edward is hard to stomach. Just when you think he has reached the absolute bottom, more horrors ensue and the truly gruesome enters the story.
This is spectacular storytelling, heartbreaking and impossible to turn away from. When the gore arrives it is breathtakingly visceral and the brutality of Edward’s reality is crushing. A deeply haunting real life horror with supernatural elements, this proves that the real monsters are very human.
The soul destroying cruelty in this takes your breath away and some of the torture inflicted on Edward is hard to stomach. Just when you think he has reached the absolute bottom, more horrors ensue and the truly gruesome enters the story.
This is spectacular storytelling, heartbreaking and impossible to turn away from. When the gore arrives it is breathtakingly visceral and the brutality of Edward’s reality is crushing. A deeply haunting real life horror with supernatural elements, this proves that the real monsters are very human.
April 1, 2025
Dark, Disturbing and Deep.
A story of a young boy facing horrendous torture at the hands of his mother and her clientele.
Green has this amazing talent of giving us some of the most horrendous scenes without delving too much into the graphic details, it gives you this huge sense of dread and tension without pushing you to repulsion.
Jacobian has an extremely dark and hard to read subject matter and at times I fought through pages, but the need for revenge kept me going and boy did I get what I needed in the end.
The revenge in this book is unlike any other and I really enjoyed the form that it came in (hard to say anything on this, without ruining it for new readers).
I really enjoyed Greens writing and will certainly be checking out some of his other titles.
Thank you again for sending me a copy of your book Mark.
A story of a young boy facing horrendous torture at the hands of his mother and her clientele.
Green has this amazing talent of giving us some of the most horrendous scenes without delving too much into the graphic details, it gives you this huge sense of dread and tension without pushing you to repulsion.
Jacobian has an extremely dark and hard to read subject matter and at times I fought through pages, but the need for revenge kept me going and boy did I get what I needed in the end.
The revenge in this book is unlike any other and I really enjoyed the form that it came in (hard to say anything on this, without ruining it for new readers).
I really enjoyed Greens writing and will certainly be checking out some of his other titles.
Thank you again for sending me a copy of your book Mark.
March 10, 2025
Edward Jacobian’s story is not for the faint hearted. This story broke my black little heart, as we follow his longing to belong and desperation to be loved. He tries to come to terms with his father's abandonment, wondering what he was missing out on. The way Mark writes the narrative is like a first hand account from a real teenage boy. Who had only ever known a life of horrors and pain, he learned from a very young age that monsters were real. Mark writes a truly horrifying and realistic story, where your heart will ache for Edward.
Seriously, this is almost as hard to read as Girl Next Door. It leaves a bitter taste in your mouth and a twisting sensation in your gut. Some sentences stick with you as they make you feel physically sick, considering he has endured this life since he was a small child. Just when you think it cannot get any worse, Edward finally learns the truth of his situation and Mark delivers the reader a hell of a gut punch. Having lost the one thing that keeps him tethered and able to withstand the pain and torture he endures.
So we follow his journey to find any way to fill the void in his soul. Turning his attention from seeking parental guidance to that of spiritual guidance. This is where things get interesting, as Mark builds the reader up to the darkest day in Edwards life. This story showcases some incredible writing on Mark's part, and his unrelenting creativity goes full force in this tale. Honestly the way the story takes an almost Hellraiser style turn with it's violence and horror aspects. As we go into another state of storytelling which unfolds an otherworldly presence and something akin to the lovely bones narrative. Mark has always been amazing at crafting these deep and intricate worlds. However, this has to be one of his most brutal and gut wrenching pieces so far.
Seriously, this is almost as hard to read as Girl Next Door. It leaves a bitter taste in your mouth and a twisting sensation in your gut. Some sentences stick with you as they make you feel physically sick, considering he has endured this life since he was a small child. Just when you think it cannot get any worse, Edward finally learns the truth of his situation and Mark delivers the reader a hell of a gut punch. Having lost the one thing that keeps him tethered and able to withstand the pain and torture he endures.
So we follow his journey to find any way to fill the void in his soul. Turning his attention from seeking parental guidance to that of spiritual guidance. This is where things get interesting, as Mark builds the reader up to the darkest day in Edwards life. This story showcases some incredible writing on Mark's part, and his unrelenting creativity goes full force in this tale. Honestly the way the story takes an almost Hellraiser style turn with it's violence and horror aspects. As we go into another state of storytelling which unfolds an otherworldly presence and something akin to the lovely bones narrative. Mark has always been amazing at crafting these deep and intricate worlds. However, this has to be one of his most brutal and gut wrenching pieces so far.
March 22, 2025
Edward has never known love. Abandoned by his father and exploited by his mother, he sees only those who come to his locked room. His personal prison. When prayers become futile, his torment provides salvation.
The narration, focused on the impact, not the activity of Edward’s abuse makes this a hard-hitting and emotional read. The inner turmoil, suffering and isolation it evokes is unforgettable.
I’ve read most of this author’s books, and this is beyond question his finest to date.
The narration, focused on the impact, not the activity of Edward’s abuse makes this a hard-hitting and emotional read. The inner turmoil, suffering and isolation it evokes is unforgettable.
I’ve read most of this author’s books, and this is beyond question his finest to date.
March 23, 2025
I'm still thinking about this 😔 The idea of the aftermath of Edward is unlike anything I've read and I loved that aspect of it. It's beyond just a simple revenge story. It's torment, and deserved. This had me jn a chokehold.
March 28, 2025
Last December, author Mark M.J. Green kindly reached out to my fledgling tiktok channel and offered to send over an ARC of his festive horror
Do You Hear What I Hear
, which just happened to provide an experience I was looking for at exactly the right time. Despite no longer having the time (or, if we're being honest, the compulsion) to maintain my tiktok channel, Green was still nice enough to reach out and offer an ARC of his latest literary offering Jacobian. This certainly offers a different experience, but still maintains Green's ability to craft a compelling atmosphere.
I feel it's necessary to begin with a fair warning - Jacobian is a bleak tale. We follow Edward Jacobian, a young boy who does not live a particularly happy life, his existence spent largely trapped in a single room. Green wisely doesn't expend endless words graphically depicting the horrors that Edward endures, but instead gives just enough and then allows for the reader's imagination to fill in the rest. Green's restraint here only adds to the atmosphere of dread that pervades these pages.
I won't divulge anything else that happens in the plot, but the sense of unease that Green evokes is pretty relentless. This feels like a story that is more endured than enjoyed, which I do not say to criticise, but more to prepare. The final act see's Green relinquish his restraint in a way that works purely because of that unrelenting build-up. It's smart storytelling.
I'm certainly intending to read more of Green's work, but for now my only comparison is Do You Hear What I Hear which is a very different beast. Personally, I preferred the sense of fun and the group dynamics at play in Green's festive horror, but those components would be wildly out of place here. Jacobian is very effective at what it sets out to do, and compelling enough that I read in one sitting, but damn is this dark. Despite reading this whilst sat in a bubble bath drinking a Jack Daniels and coke and eating cookies this still managed to be a bummer of a read... which really is just testament to Green's writing!
3/5
I feel it's necessary to begin with a fair warning - Jacobian is a bleak tale. We follow Edward Jacobian, a young boy who does not live a particularly happy life, his existence spent largely trapped in a single room. Green wisely doesn't expend endless words graphically depicting the horrors that Edward endures, but instead gives just enough and then allows for the reader's imagination to fill in the rest. Green's restraint here only adds to the atmosphere of dread that pervades these pages.
I won't divulge anything else that happens in the plot, but the sense of unease that Green evokes is pretty relentless. This feels like a story that is more endured than enjoyed, which I do not say to criticise, but more to prepare. The final act see's Green relinquish his restraint in a way that works purely because of that unrelenting build-up. It's smart storytelling.
I'm certainly intending to read more of Green's work, but for now my only comparison is Do You Hear What I Hear which is a very different beast. Personally, I preferred the sense of fun and the group dynamics at play in Green's festive horror, but those components would be wildly out of place here. Jacobian is very effective at what it sets out to do, and compelling enough that I read in one sitting, but damn is this dark. Despite reading this whilst sat in a bubble bath drinking a Jack Daniels and coke and eating cookies this still managed to be a bummer of a read... which really is just testament to Green's writing!
3/5
August 21, 2025
TW. Child abuse. Sexual abuse.
The author is right in his note at the end, that I need a rest after reading this.
This was a hard hitting story where Edward Jacobian suffers sexual abuse his entire lifetime until he finally gets revenge on those that inflicted him.
I was heartbroken at the beginning for Edward. A poor little boy that that just wanted his mother's love and to protect her, only to realise she would never love him. I hate her. I will never understand how a mother can let bad things happen to their child.
I do wish the revenge was more detailed and drawn out. Things were over too quickly for the people that hurt him, especially when Edward had lived so long with what was happening to him.
The author is right in his note at the end, that I need a rest after reading this.
This was a hard hitting story where Edward Jacobian suffers sexual abuse his entire lifetime until he finally gets revenge on those that inflicted him.
I was heartbroken at the beginning for Edward. A poor little boy that that just wanted his mother's love and to protect her, only to realise she would never love him. I hate her. I will never understand how a mother can let bad things happen to their child.
I do wish the revenge was more detailed and drawn out. Things were over too quickly for the people that hurt him, especially when Edward had lived so long with what was happening to him.
November 9, 2025
Hauntingly beautiful and completely and utterly soul destroying.
Mark, this book was so incredible and to cover a topic such as this and to be able to use the word 'beautiful' as an adjective, speaks volumes to how amazing it truly was.
Thank you for addressing these issues with the utmost levels of respect and giving Edward the dignity of death.
Mark, this book was so incredible and to cover a topic such as this and to be able to use the word 'beautiful' as an adjective, speaks volumes to how amazing it truly was.
Thank you for addressing these issues with the utmost levels of respect and giving Edward the dignity of death.
May 22, 2025
Mark has done it again - he's made me cry, but then left me literally punching the air as Edward got his sweet revenge. I loved, loved, loved every depraved word in Jacobian.
A story of a child of torment and abuse, both sexual and physical - if you can get through the first brutal chapter, the story unfolds into absolute triumph. Although darkly disturbing, I feel like this is a story that needs to be read. Sometimes, the true horrors in life need addressing, and Mark plays this out so well. A story full of emotion, from your heart breaking in two, to your gut hoping he makes the decision we all want him to. This story takes you on a roller coaster of a ride.
While some of the torture Edward endures is hard to read, it is a spectacular story of abandonment, neglect, and desperation. Desperate for love, desperate for escape.
*SPOILERS*
Annabel couldn't have gotten a better send-off. The best sentence in the whole book? "The supernatural fire burning inside her sought out other exits from her body. They erupted from her breasts, using the milk ducts as points of escape. " I'm not sure if I was meant to, but I cackled while reading that sentence. A huge "yes" spurtled out from inside of me as I imagined her melting away. For all the torment and abuse that she put her own son through, karma found her in the best way.
For fans of Mark's work, this will not disappoint. Think Birdsong ramped up to 10, and you're there. It's definitely one of my top books of the year, and one that won't leave my mind for a while.
A story of a child of torment and abuse, both sexual and physical - if you can get through the first brutal chapter, the story unfolds into absolute triumph. Although darkly disturbing, I feel like this is a story that needs to be read. Sometimes, the true horrors in life need addressing, and Mark plays this out so well. A story full of emotion, from your heart breaking in two, to your gut hoping he makes the decision we all want him to. This story takes you on a roller coaster of a ride.
While some of the torture Edward endures is hard to read, it is a spectacular story of abandonment, neglect, and desperation. Desperate for love, desperate for escape.
*SPOILERS*
Annabel couldn't have gotten a better send-off. The best sentence in the whole book? "The supernatural fire burning inside her sought out other exits from her body. They erupted from her breasts, using the milk ducts as points of escape. " I'm not sure if I was meant to, but I cackled while reading that sentence. A huge "yes" spurtled out from inside of me as I imagined her melting away. For all the torment and abuse that she put her own son through, karma found her in the best way.
For fans of Mark's work, this will not disappoint. Think Birdsong ramped up to 10, and you're there. It's definitely one of my top books of the year, and one that won't leave my mind for a while.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2025
He endured a life of abuse to protect his mum. But what if she isn’t who he thinks she is?
Edward is now a teenager, and he has lost count of the number of people who come in and out of his bedroom to use him as they please, a recurring nightmare since he was a young boy.
But his love for his mum gives him the strength to endure all the torture… until one day everything changes, and he turns to faith as a way to survive.
Jacobian is an emotionally charged book that, without relying on extremely graphic scenes, will break your heart and make you want to hold this boy who tries to find hope where none exists.
... and the way Mark writes will squeeze your heart and leave you breathless.
It is a brutal read but one I absolutely recommend.
This review and more here:
Instagram | Tiktok | Youtube
Edward is now a teenager, and he has lost count of the number of people who come in and out of his bedroom to use him as they please, a recurring nightmare since he was a young boy.
But his love for his mum gives him the strength to endure all the torture… until one day everything changes, and he turns to faith as a way to survive.
Jacobian is an emotionally charged book that, without relying on extremely graphic scenes, will break your heart and make you want to hold this boy who tries to find hope where none exists.
... and the way Mark writes will squeeze your heart and leave you breathless.
It is a brutal read but one I absolutely recommend.
This review and more here:
Instagram | Tiktok | Youtube
April 24, 2025
Yet again, Mark has thrown me into another bleak, heartbreaking tale.
This time, we meet Edward, a young lad who lives an unimaginable life of torture and abuse, brought to him by his mother and the company she chooses to keep. This story can be quite hard hitting, which is to be expected, but it's worth it, trust me.
As with all Mark's work, as bleak and dark as the subject matter can be, he has a beautiful way of telling stories. His detailing is superb, and the writing flows impeccably. I love that Mark covers all different sub-genres of horror. No matter what your taste, there is always going to be something you enjoy in his work.
This time, we meet Edward, a young lad who lives an unimaginable life of torture and abuse, brought to him by his mother and the company she chooses to keep. This story can be quite hard hitting, which is to be expected, but it's worth it, trust me.
As with all Mark's work, as bleak and dark as the subject matter can be, he has a beautiful way of telling stories. His detailing is superb, and the writing flows impeccably. I love that Mark covers all different sub-genres of horror. No matter what your taste, there is always going to be something you enjoy in his work.
May 10, 2025
A dark deeply disturbing story.
Edward Jacobian is 14 and has been stuck in an endless cycle of abuse and depravity.
Until the day he gets to truly seek revenge.
A hard hitting tale that makes you want to scream and cry and hate humanity a little more.
It is extremely dark and disturbing and tragically the topics depicted in this book are very real which only makes this even more disturbing.
The writing style was great and the pacing and descriptions were vivid.
I will definitely be checking out more of the Authors writing.
Edward Jacobian is 14 and has been stuck in an endless cycle of abuse and depravity.
Until the day he gets to truly seek revenge.
A hard hitting tale that makes you want to scream and cry and hate humanity a little more.
It is extremely dark and disturbing and tragically the topics depicted in this book are very real which only makes this even more disturbing.
The writing style was great and the pacing and descriptions were vivid.
I will definitely be checking out more of the Authors writing.
December 5, 2025
Jacobian is the hard hitting story of Edward, who suffers horrific abuse at the hands of vile adults, one of which is his own mother
Edward prays to God. He prays God will stop his pain, sadness and suffering but God never answers. Edward is losing hope, that is until something does answer his prayers...
I read this in one sitting, it was so brutal and emotional but I couldn't put it down
There is very few books that hit me in the emotions, but damn, this one got me. There was a certain scene that I struggled to read due to the lump in my throat
Even though we already know the fate of our main character, Edward, from the very start, it still hit really hard and it's one of the reasons I adore Mark MJ Green's writing style. He can write something so raw and emotional like Jacobian but then other books of his have you belly laughing even though it's insanely gory and utterly ridiculous, so ridiculous that it's fantastic. If you haven't read a Mark MJ Green book, you're missing out!
Check your triggers for this
Edward prays to God. He prays God will stop his pain, sadness and suffering but God never answers. Edward is losing hope, that is until something does answer his prayers...
I read this in one sitting, it was so brutal and emotional but I couldn't put it down
There is very few books that hit me in the emotions, but damn, this one got me. There was a certain scene that I struggled to read due to the lump in my throat
Even though we already know the fate of our main character, Edward, from the very start, it still hit really hard and it's one of the reasons I adore Mark MJ Green's writing style. He can write something so raw and emotional like Jacobian but then other books of his have you belly laughing even though it's insanely gory and utterly ridiculous, so ridiculous that it's fantastic. If you haven't read a Mark MJ Green book, you're missing out!
Check your triggers for this
December 31, 2025
The writing is so strong that you feel that you are experiencing what the characters are going through, this is very uncomfortable with this book. Bleak is painted through Edward's tale with extreme measures taken to escape his day to day horrors. A slight switch with a missing girl swiftly connects the two children through an entity that gives them the escape they pleaded for and a chance to enact revenge.
A difficult read but excellently portrayed story.
A difficult read but excellently portrayed story.
April 14, 2025
Darkly haunting and beautifully written tale of tragedy, pain, and vengeance. Edward's tortured existence is wonderfully presented in the mesmerizing prose. Your eyes stay glued to the page even as your brain screams to look away. The unspeakable horrors unfold one after another until a very satisfying and violent conclusion.
April 12, 2025
The subject matter can make it a tough read, but it's a very satisfying one for those who see it to the end. Mr. Green takes you on quite a ride. Another great tale by this author.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews