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Sunshine: An Extreme Horror Novella
This story is also available as part of the Perpetual Darkness horror novella collection.
Janet and Paul are on holiday in the States in an attempt to work through their marital difficulties.
When the poolside erupts in carnage they soon find themselves fighting for their lives against the other hotel guests who have been driven into a horrific frenzy of violence and bloodshed.
Will they make it out of the hotel alive?
And if they do will there be anything worth escaping for?
For listeners
Horror fiction Splatterpunk Apocalyptic horror Violence and gore Zombie horror
Janet and Paul are on holiday in the States in an attempt to work through their marital difficulties.
When the poolside erupts in carnage they soon find themselves fighting for their lives against the other hotel guests who have been driven into a horrific frenzy of violence and bloodshed.
Will they make it out of the hotel alive?
And if they do will there be anything worth escaping for?
For listeners
Horror fiction Splatterpunk Apocalyptic horror Violence and gore Zombie horror
- GenresHorror
Audible Audio
First published January 8, 2014
9 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 10, 2014
First of all, I would like to thank Jacob for the free copy of his debut novella Sunshine. That was very generous of you. I read this in a day and a half, but I am just now getting to do some reviews today.
I would like to say that I did like Jacob's story; there was a tightness and economy to the flow and the pacing was perfect. I am a fan of both apocalyptic horror and gore, so these two elements helped to endear me to the plot.
The story begins at a resort where a man and his wife are determined to iron out some marital indiscretions perpetrated by the husband; seems he was getting freaky with the secretary on the sly and got busted. That always happens!
Right away, the attack begins. Suddenly, the other vacationers have gone berserk, and the couple, along with another guy that they befriended during their stay, are fighting for their lives against a seemingly insurmountable onslaught of brutality. There is little time for character development, as these poor souls are constantly presented with new hoards of mindless killing machines to contend with, but Jacob does inject some humanity into the situation when opportunities present themselves. They also encounter a bevy of other "survivors" along the way, most of whom don't stick around very long for varying reasons.
I was unfamiliar with some of the British terminology, which sort of hindered the flow for me a little, and I believe that this could have been edited down just a bit, as some of the fight scenes began to feel just a tad bit repetitive. I didn't find many likeable characters, but for some reason, that actually seemed to work to the stories benefit for me.
Overall, I liked this novella for what it was. I think Jacob Rayne most certainly has talent and I look forward to reading more of his work in the future.
If you are looking for a pleasant stroll in the sunshine, I recommend running for your life. If you are in the mood for a gore-fest ... get cracking! This book is for you.
I would like to say that I did like Jacob's story; there was a tightness and economy to the flow and the pacing was perfect. I am a fan of both apocalyptic horror and gore, so these two elements helped to endear me to the plot.
The story begins at a resort where a man and his wife are determined to iron out some marital indiscretions perpetrated by the husband; seems he was getting freaky with the secretary on the sly and got busted. That always happens!
Right away, the attack begins. Suddenly, the other vacationers have gone berserk, and the couple, along with another guy that they befriended during their stay, are fighting for their lives against a seemingly insurmountable onslaught of brutality. There is little time for character development, as these poor souls are constantly presented with new hoards of mindless killing machines to contend with, but Jacob does inject some humanity into the situation when opportunities present themselves. They also encounter a bevy of other "survivors" along the way, most of whom don't stick around very long for varying reasons.
I was unfamiliar with some of the British terminology, which sort of hindered the flow for me a little, and I believe that this could have been edited down just a bit, as some of the fight scenes began to feel just a tad bit repetitive. I didn't find many likeable characters, but for some reason, that actually seemed to work to the stories benefit for me.
Overall, I liked this novella for what it was. I think Jacob Rayne most certainly has talent and I look forward to reading more of his work in the future.
If you are looking for a pleasant stroll in the sunshine, I recommend running for your life. If you are in the mood for a gore-fest ... get cracking! This book is for you.
June 24, 2014
Sunshine follows the story of married couple Janet and Paul who have taken a holiday at a seaside beach resort to repair their broken marriage. Unfortunately for the couple, they soon find themselves in the fight for their lives when the guests start turning into crazed maniacs and start attacking each other. Now on the run and with no clue what's causing the outbreak the couple must turn to each other to survive or risk being consumed by the madness themselves.
One of the best things about this book is the afflicted. A Sunshine apocalypse is definitely something I've never seen but it made for a great premise. Sunshine is like the poster child for wearing sunscreen. Then again, if you do, you'll be one of the hunted and well that really sucked for the survivors in this tale so maybe my diligence in applying sunscreen isn't so great after all.
Another thing I liked were the characters. The story easily could've just focused solely on the couple as they made their escaped but instead we get to meet a couple of survivors along the way. Poor Sam though, that made me sad. I also liked the crazy cook. He was terrifying.
Lastly, I really loved how fast paced the book was. Sunshine is an adrenaline fueled story if ever there was one. Events unfold in "real time" so it's like were running for our lives alongside the characters. In fact, the tension level is so high that I found myself only relaxing when all was said and done.
Now even though I really enjoyed this story, I do have one small complaint and that is the end. While events unfolded as expected, I wish it had been a bit less predictable in doing so. A couple of extra pages outside the view of the characters would of been so welcome and also set up a potential sequel down the road nicely. Now granted not all Authors write with sequels in mind but Sunshine needs one. It's a great story and I can see the potential should the Author choose to continue it.
Final Thoughts
Sunshine was a fast paced, adrenaline filled, slasher fest of epic proportions. If you liked movies like The Crazies or Dogpound then you'll like Sunshine. Sure it's a quick read and may never have a sequel but it was a great story and one I'm happy to have read. With that being said, I'll be rating Sunshine by Jacob Rayne ★★★★.
Originally reviewed@Blood,Sweat and Books
One of the best things about this book is the afflicted. A Sunshine apocalypse is definitely something I've never seen but it made for a great premise. Sunshine is like the poster child for wearing sunscreen. Then again, if you do, you'll be one of the hunted and well that really sucked for the survivors in this tale so maybe my diligence in applying sunscreen isn't so great after all.
Another thing I liked were the characters. The story easily could've just focused solely on the couple as they made their escaped but instead we get to meet a couple of survivors along the way. Poor Sam though, that made me sad. I also liked the crazy cook. He was terrifying.
Lastly, I really loved how fast paced the book was. Sunshine is an adrenaline fueled story if ever there was one. Events unfold in "real time" so it's like were running for our lives alongside the characters. In fact, the tension level is so high that I found myself only relaxing when all was said and done.
Now even though I really enjoyed this story, I do have one small complaint and that is the end. While events unfolded as expected, I wish it had been a bit less predictable in doing so. A couple of extra pages outside the view of the characters would of been so welcome and also set up a potential sequel down the road nicely. Now granted not all Authors write with sequels in mind but Sunshine needs one. It's a great story and I can see the potential should the Author choose to continue it.
Final Thoughts
Sunshine was a fast paced, adrenaline filled, slasher fest of epic proportions. If you liked movies like The Crazies or Dogpound then you'll like Sunshine. Sure it's a quick read and may never have a sequel but it was a great story and one I'm happy to have read. With that being said, I'll be rating Sunshine by Jacob Rayne ★★★★.
Originally reviewed@Blood,Sweat and Books
January 17, 2014
This is the story of Paul and Janet. They are on holiday in the United States to try and patch up their marriage following Paul's affair with his secretary. One day while sitting round the pool, some of the holiday makers turn into murderous psychopaths and go on a rampage attacking anyone and everyone in their path. What has caused this dramatic change and can Paul, and Janet make it out alive?
I enjoyed this, it was a nice easy read with a great flow to it. The tension was kept up throughout the length of the book, and culminated in the sudden and unexpected ending. The characters were solid and believable, and their fear was tangible. This was a great horror novella from a bright new talent on the horror scene.
I enjoyed this, it was a nice easy read with a great flow to it. The tension was kept up throughout the length of the book, and culminated in the sudden and unexpected ending. The characters were solid and believable, and their fear was tangible. This was a great horror novella from a bright new talent on the horror scene.
February 12, 2014
What starts out as a holiday turns into a fight for life and what a bloody battle it is.This was a true horror story with all the blood and guts you can handle. I was literally on the edge of my seat reading this book holding onto it for dear life.It was like watching the best horror movie with all the carnage that goes along with it. Jacob Rayne has a finger on the pulse of horror and the concept of this story is so awesome because it is something that can really happen.My insides are still quivering uncontrollably, that is the effect this book had on me. It scared me to death and as a horror fan this book is a definite winner.
October 13, 2025
Brutal
This story was total carnage from start to finish. It literally didn't let up. Janet and Paul head off on holiday to fix their marriage, but let's just say it doesn't go to plan.
People around them start going crazy. They are hellbent on death and destruction in the most brutal ways. Can the couple and a few other survivors make it? Well there's only one way to find out. I highly recommend you check out Sunshine, and if extreme is your thing, I suggest you check out Jacob Rayne's other novels, because this guy is brutal!
This story was total carnage from start to finish. It literally didn't let up. Janet and Paul head off on holiday to fix their marriage, but let's just say it doesn't go to plan.
People around them start going crazy. They are hellbent on death and destruction in the most brutal ways. Can the couple and a few other survivors make it? Well there's only one way to find out. I highly recommend you check out Sunshine, and if extreme is your thing, I suggest you check out Jacob Rayne's other novels, because this guy is brutal!
October 15, 2023
It was quite fun.
I didn't much like the writing. It was very repetitive (not language-wise, but the shocking bits were barely reskinned, if that makes any sense), there was too much telling and, somehow, it felt both padded and rushed at the same time.
It did, however, get me looking like "😨" once, the premise is cool () and...
I didn't much like the writing. It was very repetitive (not language-wise, but the shocking bits were barely reskinned, if that makes any sense), there was too much telling and, somehow, it felt both padded and rushed at the same time.
It did, however, get me looking like "😨" once, the premise is cool () and...
"[...] an orgy of broken glass and twisted metal."
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews