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Breed
There is a dark underside to the sunny city of St. Augustine, Florida. An ancient evil is awakened in the Tolomato Cemetery, and is intent on stalking and destroying the citizens of the town. The evil creature, a Shiru, was believed to be a mythical beast from ancient Indian legend. The legend says the Shiru once roamed the earth attempting to mate with the women of the local Indian tribes in an effort to breed, but the Indians recognized the danger and hunted them down, destroying their hideous deformed offspring. But this legend is so old, that almost no one in modern day St. Augustine knows of it, and if they did they wouldn't believe it...that is until one, summoned by three women dabbling in black magic, crosses over from the dead. Now the Shiru is determined to get revenge on the human race, and to breed with a strong woman with an ancient blood line. Unbeknownst to her, local tourguide, half-Cherokee Ssabra Onih, is the Shiru's target. Fortunately for her, and the rest of the town, the spirit of Chief Tolomato comes to guide her, and enlists her help to hunt down the evil Shiru and send it back to the underworld.
At the same time, city police officer Jack Colvin is working hard to track down the perpetrator of a series of grisly murders. Soon Colvin's and Onih's paths cross, and they join forces with the help of Chief Tolomato and other friendly spirits, in a desperate attempt to stop the seemingly invincible Shiru.
At the same time, city police officer Jack Colvin is working hard to track down the perpetrator of a series of grisly murders. Soon Colvin's and Onih's paths cross, and they join forces with the help of Chief Tolomato and other friendly spirits, in a desperate attempt to stop the seemingly invincible Shiru.
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First published August 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
January 6, 2026
A tour guide and a spirit she can hear, but not see, set out to fight an ancient shape-shifting being called a Shiru that a witch inadvertently let into our world when attempting to teach her students how to connect with their spirit guides.
With a door open between the living and the dead, the Shiru can live it up (ha ha) while munching on humans and looking to breed. (yuck!)
This was a fun and freaky read. I loved the Native American folklore, and there are some marvelously gruesome scenes. Some spots were a bit too gross even for me. I enjoyed the humorous back and forth between Ssabra, the tour guide and the spirit who communicates with her. It's pure entertainment with a classic 80's horror feel.
My thanks to Cemetery Dance Publications for the e-copy.
With a door open between the living and the dead, the Shiru can live it up (ha ha) while munching on humans and looking to breed. (yuck!)
This was a fun and freaky read. I loved the Native American folklore, and there are some marvelously gruesome scenes. Some spots were a bit too gross even for me. I enjoyed the humorous back and forth between Ssabra, the tour guide and the spirit who communicates with her. It's pure entertainment with a classic 80's horror feel.
My thanks to Cemetery Dance Publications for the e-copy.
April 20, 2021
This one is a very fun, cheesy, campy, B-movie kind of a horror novel that doesn't take itself too seriously but is well-written and filled with enthusiastic chills. The Florida settings are very well captured. Grab the Coppertone and your flip-flops and take it to the beach.
August 6, 2024
A couple of wantabee witches conduct a spiritual ritual in a cementary and release an old shape shifting beast from the times prior to American settlement. The Beasts true form is half spider/half octopus. However, it can blend into society, taking the shape of its victims, that it devours to feed.
Ssabra, who is half Cherokee, is a ghost tour guide in the historic town of St Augustine, Florida. She is visited by the spirit of an old Cherokee warrior who warns her of the Beast and pleads for her help in putting a stop to the brutal killings plaguing the town. At first, she believes she is going crazy but the spirit shows her the link between the spirit world and hers and agrees. With the help of a police detective, they take on the Beast, who appears unstoppable in its lust to breed and kill.
This is my first book by Owl Goingback, and it is quite good. The descriptions of the killings and the Beast itself were great. Full of gore and imagination painting a picture of disgust and dread as he devours his victims. The story itself is simple and easy to follow, and I really like Ssabra, the reluctant hero of the novel and her relationship with the skeptical detective. The spirit of the Cherokee warrior kinda lost me a bit. There was a lot of humor added to his character, and at times, it was funny, but I felt it took away from the tension the plot was trying to build. It wraps up nicely with a good conclusion however overall it's still a predictable plot and isn't reinventing the wheel in any way.
I also loved the fact I knew the locations he was talking about, having been to St Augustine on a few occasions, so that was a plus for me. 3.5 stars.
Ssabra, who is half Cherokee, is a ghost tour guide in the historic town of St Augustine, Florida. She is visited by the spirit of an old Cherokee warrior who warns her of the Beast and pleads for her help in putting a stop to the brutal killings plaguing the town. At first, she believes she is going crazy but the spirit shows her the link between the spirit world and hers and agrees. With the help of a police detective, they take on the Beast, who appears unstoppable in its lust to breed and kill.
This is my first book by Owl Goingback, and it is quite good. The descriptions of the killings and the Beast itself were great. Full of gore and imagination painting a picture of disgust and dread as he devours his victims. The story itself is simple and easy to follow, and I really like Ssabra, the reluctant hero of the novel and her relationship with the skeptical detective. The spirit of the Cherokee warrior kinda lost me a bit. There was a lot of humor added to his character, and at times, it was funny, but I felt it took away from the tension the plot was trying to build. It wraps up nicely with a good conclusion however overall it's still a predictable plot and isn't reinventing the wheel in any way.
I also loved the fact I knew the locations he was talking about, having been to St Augustine on a few occasions, so that was a plus for me. 3.5 stars.
June 15, 2024
Came across this book while browsing through a second hand book store. The name of the author attracted my attention and I decided to give this one a try.
It's a supernatural thriller. The starting was really scary and raised my expectations considerably. I liked that the story was based on native American folk lore. However, I felt that the atmosphere of fear did not sustain throughout the novel. The author made it somewhat lighthearted and that did not meet my expectations. I prefer my horror reads to be terrifying.
Overall, an okayish read!
It's a supernatural thriller. The starting was really scary and raised my expectations considerably. I liked that the story was based on native American folk lore. However, I felt that the atmosphere of fear did not sustain throughout the novel. The author made it somewhat lighthearted and that did not meet my expectations. I prefer my horror reads to be terrifying.
Overall, an okayish read!
October 1, 2008
I have two words for you: beach book. And no, that’s not a bad thing. Much to the dismay of some out there, not all books are written to grant some insight into your psyche or to reveal the mysteries of life. Some books are written for the sole purpose of entertainment. There are no hidden meanings and subliminal messages; it’s just a story, plain and simple. And while Breed sure ain’t literature, it is a good time.
B-movie to the highest possible extent, the story doesn’t break any new ground, but does provide a fun, quick read. You know how it goes; haunted Native American land, main character that ignores her heritage, and the Eagle Scout cop who is all heart and understanding. You’ve heard the story before and you’ll see the outcome a mile way. Well, with one possible exception. The twist at the end broke my heart and had me praying it wasn’t so. Apparently Mr. Goingback cares none for my emotions and attachment issues.
Though, I do have to admit, I verbally abused Breed. I mean, come on, Goingback had a hundred year old spirit talking in modern slang. And it wasn’t like the spirit was just hanging around the burial grounds for those hundred years. He was on the other side. So, how in the hell does that work?? Well, he explained it towards the end of the book, but still, it couldn’t have gone in a little earlier?? While the main characters are fleshed out enough to interest you, it is the events and the atmosphere that will keep you there. Rich with description, Goingback paints a beautiful picture, but apparently ran out of ink when it came to the secondary characters. Simply outlined and screaming insignificant, the supporting players were barely there. Which is actually okay, for a beach book, because again it’s all about the action.
Now, I bet you’re wondering about the pace of the book. Okay, here is where it gets tricky. While the course of action and suspense is played out swiftly and with ease, it’s the development of the characters and believability that suffers. I mean, in just under a few days, the main character: realizes there really is a spirit world, befriends a ghost, convinces a detective that there is a very far-fetched evil roaming the grounds, solves the case and pulls the curtains on the show. Eh? I can’t even manage to clean my house in that amount of time. Be quiet, it’s a big house. So, again, as long as you don’t look to close and just thrive on the excitement, it’s all good.
Back to the atmosphere, it’s spectacular. Set in St. Augustine, Fl, Goingback nails the culture of the old city and the bloody lineage that runs through the city’s veins. Adding a bit of the city’s history whenever the opening arises, here is where you actually see why the story came to be. Which is the one and only place I was able to actually get a sense of Goingback’s style of writing and where he shines. His style of writing was hidden for the most part, only revealing itself when he took the time to touch on the detailed descriptions of the world he created. Pity he didn’t come out more often.
My rating? I give it a 3. If you're looking for a good read for a sunny day or to take with you on the bus to work, this is the book for you. Get it used next time you're out.
-As reviewed for Horror-Web.com
B-movie to the highest possible extent, the story doesn’t break any new ground, but does provide a fun, quick read. You know how it goes; haunted Native American land, main character that ignores her heritage, and the Eagle Scout cop who is all heart and understanding. You’ve heard the story before and you’ll see the outcome a mile way. Well, with one possible exception. The twist at the end broke my heart and had me praying it wasn’t so. Apparently Mr. Goingback cares none for my emotions and attachment issues.
Though, I do have to admit, I verbally abused Breed. I mean, come on, Goingback had a hundred year old spirit talking in modern slang. And it wasn’t like the spirit was just hanging around the burial grounds for those hundred years. He was on the other side. So, how in the hell does that work?? Well, he explained it towards the end of the book, but still, it couldn’t have gone in a little earlier?? While the main characters are fleshed out enough to interest you, it is the events and the atmosphere that will keep you there. Rich with description, Goingback paints a beautiful picture, but apparently ran out of ink when it came to the secondary characters. Simply outlined and screaming insignificant, the supporting players were barely there. Which is actually okay, for a beach book, because again it’s all about the action.
Now, I bet you’re wondering about the pace of the book. Okay, here is where it gets tricky. While the course of action and suspense is played out swiftly and with ease, it’s the development of the characters and believability that suffers. I mean, in just under a few days, the main character: realizes there really is a spirit world, befriends a ghost, convinces a detective that there is a very far-fetched evil roaming the grounds, solves the case and pulls the curtains on the show. Eh? I can’t even manage to clean my house in that amount of time. Be quiet, it’s a big house. So, again, as long as you don’t look to close and just thrive on the excitement, it’s all good.
Back to the atmosphere, it’s spectacular. Set in St. Augustine, Fl, Goingback nails the culture of the old city and the bloody lineage that runs through the city’s veins. Adding a bit of the city’s history whenever the opening arises, here is where you actually see why the story came to be. Which is the one and only place I was able to actually get a sense of Goingback’s style of writing and where he shines. His style of writing was hidden for the most part, only revealing itself when he took the time to touch on the detailed descriptions of the world he created. Pity he didn’t come out more often.
My rating? I give it a 3. If you're looking for a good read for a sunny day or to take with you on the bus to work, this is the book for you. Get it used next time you're out.
-As reviewed for Horror-Web.com
January 14, 2022
Fun book. Second by Goingback, and I'll definitely read more. Great characterisation, strong story-telling, cool monsters. What more do you want?
August 20, 2024
Wow, This book was a blast. The characters were great, the attacks were well done, and the pacing was fast but balanced. Now if only we would get this turned into a series.
4.25/5
4.25/5
March 25, 2021
“It all sounded like a really bad fantasy novel . . . “ It’s always a bad sign when a novel uses a phrase like this. It’s like the author is projecting his feelings of inadequacy onto the thoughts of one of the characters. Or, more likely, it’s just a cheap way to fill space.
The plot of Owl Goingback’s Breed basically involves an evil spirit that is unleashed after some wiccans disturb it by having a seance in the local cemetery. It then wants to mate with a woman to continue its legacy in the world, but after tearing a few people apart, it becomes horribly inept at getting anything done. Considering the writer is part Cherokee, part Choctaw, I was hoping that there would be some native influences on the storytelling that would help distinguish this story from any other, but the demon might as well be one of Lovecraft’s Elder Gods, and a boring one at that.
The biggest problem with the book is that very little happens. The final conflict doesn’t come until the last ten pages or so. In the meantime, readers get a formulaic plot that anyone who’s ever read a book before could predict with plenty of pointless details that seem more inclined to show off the author’s knowledge of police procedures than add anything to the story. At the same time, the book’s rules for how the supernatural can function remain remarkably obtuse.
The characterizations are as basic as could be. One of the protagonist’s (Ssabra’s) friends is described in the following way: “They had been friends for years. She was around Ssabra’s age, very levelheaded, and quite intelligent. She was also a great listener, which was another quality of a good friend.” Simple, straightforward. It even includes a handy reminder of what a good friend should be. Nothing in the book ever gets more complicated than this.
The humor is lame. The protagonist works together with the ghost of a Cherokee chief, and their interactions become like an embarrassing rendition of The Odd Couple. The trite love story that develops (if anything can be said to develop here) garners similar cringes when characters laugh at the most hackneyed jokes. Otherwise, one-liners meant to be cutesy undercut the few moments that are supposed to be scary or horrific. When a character’s coffee cup starts moving by itself, she shouts, “Stop that ! You’re going to spill coffee on my carpet!”
I’ve read stories before that are this bad, but even they eventually manage to build up to at least a few moments that are engaging. That never happens here. This is Owl Goingback’s seventh novel, and I don’t know if he was out of ideas or phoning it in or what. But after this one, I’m not sure I want to find out what else he may have written.
The plot of Owl Goingback’s Breed basically involves an evil spirit that is unleashed after some wiccans disturb it by having a seance in the local cemetery. It then wants to mate with a woman to continue its legacy in the world, but after tearing a few people apart, it becomes horribly inept at getting anything done. Considering the writer is part Cherokee, part Choctaw, I was hoping that there would be some native influences on the storytelling that would help distinguish this story from any other, but the demon might as well be one of Lovecraft’s Elder Gods, and a boring one at that.
The biggest problem with the book is that very little happens. The final conflict doesn’t come until the last ten pages or so. In the meantime, readers get a formulaic plot that anyone who’s ever read a book before could predict with plenty of pointless details that seem more inclined to show off the author’s knowledge of police procedures than add anything to the story. At the same time, the book’s rules for how the supernatural can function remain remarkably obtuse.
The characterizations are as basic as could be. One of the protagonist’s (Ssabra’s) friends is described in the following way: “They had been friends for years. She was around Ssabra’s age, very levelheaded, and quite intelligent. She was also a great listener, which was another quality of a good friend.” Simple, straightforward. It even includes a handy reminder of what a good friend should be. Nothing in the book ever gets more complicated than this.
The humor is lame. The protagonist works together with the ghost of a Cherokee chief, and their interactions become like an embarrassing rendition of The Odd Couple. The trite love story that develops (if anything can be said to develop here) garners similar cringes when characters laugh at the most hackneyed jokes. Otherwise, one-liners meant to be cutesy undercut the few moments that are supposed to be scary or horrific. When a character’s coffee cup starts moving by itself, she shouts, “Stop that ! You’re going to spill coffee on my carpet!”
I’ve read stories before that are this bad, but even they eventually manage to build up to at least a few moments that are engaging. That never happens here. This is Owl Goingback’s seventh novel, and I don’t know if he was out of ideas or phoning it in or what. But after this one, I’m not sure I want to find out what else he may have written.
December 28, 2018
… but then she realized it wasn’t an eel at all. It was a tentacle, and it was attached to the man who held her hand.
After three witches unleash a hentai-inspired monster in America’s oldest city, it’s up to a St. Augustine tour guide and her Indian spirit mentor to stop the monster in author Owl Goingback’s Breed. While I’ve enjoyed some of Goingback’s other works, this one is pretty close to the bottom of the heap as horror books go.
The plot is outright flimsy as the book plagiarizes 300-pages of St. Augustine travel brochures before ending in a rush in an overlong final chapter that kills a main character off-page before relying on an inexplicable McGuffin (baby bones?) to lay low the bad guy. This is on top of a bipolar tone that for most of the book is PG-13 – with lots of simpering banter between a girl and her ghost -- mixed with about ten pages of graphic sexual assault.
Ugh.
Final Verdict: Unless you are a huge fan of the author (and feel absolutely obligated to read everything in his bibliography), I’d skip this one.
January 9, 2026
Well, this was first published more than twenty years ago, and it shows. Occasionally flirting with horror comedy, a few times turning into a gorefest, and other times still going for a somewhat cozy style in tone and writing, "Breed" manages to deliver a solid story of the supernatural thriller type, hovering somewhere between 1990s cop movies and 1980s horror B-movies. It's the kind of book that lulls you into a false sense of security, and then hits you with absurd scenes of supernatural sexual assault, flayed faces on billboards, and even penises two meters long!
The premise is quite straightforward: a sinister entity from the beyond is inadvertedly brought into our world, and goes on a killing spree searching for a mate. It's up to a honest and benevolent cop, a female ghost tour guide, and a Native American male spirit to do battle with it, and send it back where it came from - or, better still, kill it. The entity is a creature of ancient Native American lore, the tour guide is a strong, phlegmatic, half Comanche female character (and the most interesting person in the book), whereas the cop is mostly a typical good man who can easily believe in the supernatural after stumbling upon it firsthand, and the 'Indian' spirit is a annoying, old Cherokee warrior chief, who's usually totally clueless when you really need him.
The book is an easy read, written plainly (perhaps even blandly), ultimately fun and entertaining. It's filled with absurd scenes of banter between the guide and the spirit, and has good and imaginative killings. The pacing is Hollywood-like, in the sense that very brief scenes of tension and suspense alternate with long sequences of lighthearted situations and shocking revelations taken in stride. The detailed descriptions of the historical locations in the town of St Augustine, Florida were consistently interesting, making it easy to visualize all the places mentioned in the book. The monster is cool, not scary, though its shape-shifting abilities allow for some really creepy scenes!
To be totally honest, this is mostly an airport or a beach book, except perhaps for the (surprisingly bleak) ending. Overall, a cheesy but definitely above average horror read.
The premise is quite straightforward: a sinister entity from the beyond is inadvertedly brought into our world, and goes on a killing spree searching for a mate. It's up to a honest and benevolent cop, a female ghost tour guide, and a Native American male spirit to do battle with it, and send it back where it came from - or, better still, kill it. The entity is a creature of ancient Native American lore, the tour guide is a strong, phlegmatic, half Comanche female character (and the most interesting person in the book), whereas the cop is mostly a typical good man who can easily believe in the supernatural after stumbling upon it firsthand, and the 'Indian' spirit is a annoying, old Cherokee warrior chief, who's usually totally clueless when you really need him.
The book is an easy read, written plainly (perhaps even blandly), ultimately fun and entertaining. It's filled with absurd scenes of banter between the guide and the spirit, and has good and imaginative killings. The pacing is Hollywood-like, in the sense that very brief scenes of tension and suspense alternate with long sequences of lighthearted situations and shocking revelations taken in stride. The detailed descriptions of the historical locations in the town of St Augustine, Florida were consistently interesting, making it easy to visualize all the places mentioned in the book. The monster is cool, not scary, though its shape-shifting abilities allow for some really creepy scenes!
To be totally honest, this is mostly an airport or a beach book, except perhaps for the (surprisingly bleak) ending. Overall, a cheesy but definitely above average horror read.
April 17, 2017
(solid 4.0) Good read, fun story of ghosts mixing with history a little and a monster/god from old too. Fast read, well written and easy to follow. Ending came up kind of quick though. Also I do not like when two people, who just met, then one dies, and the other is all heart broken. Still, minor point in an overall good story. Would have liked to know where her spirit guide was going to when not with her too, and a follow up on couple of other small things not really tied to the main story.
February 21, 2025
needless to say, it was actually that alarming.
Good book though! I liked the characters. I listened on audiobook, so I think you spell her name like Ssabra. She was AMAZING. I loved her as a character.
I've been wanting to read this book for a while, and I was not disappointed. Was super happy to see that Owl is also a World of Darkness author, so I'll be sure to check out his WoD stuff as well.
January 17, 2024
I honestly loved it! Definitely a beach or plane read, super easy story to follow and honestly if it weren't for the flu I'm recovering from I probably would have finished this in one day. The banter was hilarious, I was pleasantly freaked out and grossed out, cute love connection, overall great read.
December 5, 2021
Breed follows Ssabra, a Cherokee tour guide in St Augustine, Florida, when she becomes the target of an ancient evil spirit, the Shiru. This creature is on the hunt for new forms and women to breed and spread its line. And it will do so by any means necessary.
.
I’ll start with the good stuff, the characters in from Ssabra, to the ghost of Chief Tolomato, and even Detective Colvin are all really smart and logical horror characters. And Chief Tolomato’s humor is hilarious - he deserves his own novel. Ssabra and Chief Tolomato also have some really interesting conversations about colonisation and the setting of St Augustine is used to its full advantage. Even the monster horror is great.
.
Unfortunately I was just taken out of the story by all the fatphobia and misogyny underneath the surface level. Breed is a terrifying monster horror, but it doesn’t capture the same strength as Crota and relies instead on crude jokes and flat statements instead. I still want to read more Goingback though, I just won’t recommend this one 😅
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CW: Graphic Sexual Assault, Graphic VIolence, Slurs, Misogny, Fatphobia & Gore
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I’ll start with the good stuff, the characters in from Ssabra, to the ghost of Chief Tolomato, and even Detective Colvin are all really smart and logical horror characters. And Chief Tolomato’s humor is hilarious - he deserves his own novel. Ssabra and Chief Tolomato also have some really interesting conversations about colonisation and the setting of St Augustine is used to its full advantage. Even the monster horror is great.
.
Unfortunately I was just taken out of the story by all the fatphobia and misogyny underneath the surface level. Breed is a terrifying monster horror, but it doesn’t capture the same strength as Crota and relies instead on crude jokes and flat statements instead. I still want to read more Goingback though, I just won’t recommend this one 😅
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CW: Graphic Sexual Assault, Graphic VIolence, Slurs, Misogny, Fatphobia & Gore
October 20, 2017
This book was a clear 2-star book for a good bit, but won me over enough to add a star. The writing is really bad. The narrative does things like repeat sentences from one page to the next, things like "Maybe it didn't recognize the threat within the casket." From dialog to characterizations, there is a whole lot of cheese. There actually isn't a lot of horror. One element, the talking ghost of an Indian chief, is played like comedy and works well, but this does not carry over as tone into any other part of the book. However...
There are some intense and surprising moments of horror when they do occur. The book is a page-turner. The protagonist of the tour guide Ssabra is a really good character, and a few other characters are not bad at all. It's fun from start to finish in its own way. Last, but not least, if you're familiar with Saint Augustine, it's just a fun location to read about in this kind of book. Not even close to being a great horror novel, but overall it's not bad either.
There are some intense and surprising moments of horror when they do occur. The book is a page-turner. The protagonist of the tour guide Ssabra is a really good character, and a few other characters are not bad at all. It's fun from start to finish in its own way. Last, but not least, if you're familiar with Saint Augustine, it's just a fun location to read about in this kind of book. Not even close to being a great horror novel, but overall it's not bad either.
February 28, 2018
Probably closer to a 3.5.
There's no doubt Goingback is a strong writer, but this one fell a bit flat for me compared to his previous books. This one just seems to be a bit more "by the numbers," and the climax of the book seemed rushed to me.
With that said, Goingback does a nice job with characterization, and there's some great history about Flordia's St. Augustine. There's also a good bit of comedy, which was a nice addition.
This book follows two protagonists -- one a police detective, the other a tour guide -- who are dealing with an ancient evil released from Tolomato Cemetery. Goingback does establish some chills, and his descriptions are strong, but the whole thing just doesn't gel the way his best books did.
With that said, though, it was a fun, quick read, and still much better than a lot of the horror fiction out there.
There's no doubt Goingback is a strong writer, but this one fell a bit flat for me compared to his previous books. This one just seems to be a bit more "by the numbers," and the climax of the book seemed rushed to me.
With that said, Goingback does a nice job with characterization, and there's some great history about Flordia's St. Augustine. There's also a good bit of comedy, which was a nice addition.
This book follows two protagonists -- one a police detective, the other a tour guide -- who are dealing with an ancient evil released from Tolomato Cemetery. Goingback does establish some chills, and his descriptions are strong, but the whole thing just doesn't gel the way his best books did.
With that said, though, it was a fun, quick read, and still much better than a lot of the horror fiction out there.
April 23, 2020
A bit disappointing after reading Crota. The dialog was very bad at times. The story had its ups and downs and I would have given this two and a half stars if I could. I decided on three because it was fun at times, but I was was hoping for better from Mr. Goingback.
October 5, 2020
Was not expecting violent rape, really put me off an otherwise fun story.
April 27, 2024
CONTENT WARNINGS: Graphic S.a./r*pe on page, Graphic Violence on page, body/face horror, Misogny, Fatphobia, blood, Gore, death, mourning, teeth loss, infertility mentioned, gun use, funerals.
I was thrilled to find another Indigenous author out there that I hadn’t read before, and was even happier that this author was a horror writer. My libraries don’t carry Goingback’s work for some reason, so I searched Scribd/Everand to find anything I could get…. And found this novel. And I didn’t enjoy it that much.
The plot is kind of lame, the writing is pretty B-movie script-like, and the characters are pretty one dimensional. The ‘funny’ lines weren’t funny to me, the ‘romance’ is shoehorned into the storyline awkwardly and trite, and the over-the-top hentai-inspired monster descriptions seem to be written as gross as possible, just to shock us readers.
The monster flat out s.a./r*pes a couple women ON PAGE with no warning (and no content warnings at the beginning of the novel, either), and that’s not even the worst part.
I was not the only reviewer here on goodreads to have been just taken out of the story by all the fatphobia and misogyny included in this novel. And the graphic s.a./r*pe. Add in all the face/body horror, the graphic violence, death of a main character, mourning, loss, infertility talked about, teeth loss, funerals, etc, and it was all just too much for me. I did not enjoy myself while listening to this novel, and was stressed out instead of relaxed and enjoying it.
This was my first Goingback novel, and I am not impressed. I’m going to have to think about trying any more of his other works in the future, because right now I am just not certain I want to. Considering the writer is part Cherokee, part Choctaw, I was hoping that there would be some really interesting native influences on the storytelling that would help distinguish this story from any other, but that ain’t happening in this novel. And after finishing this mess, I really (AGAIN) have to wonder why t.f. Male authors feel the need to further their plots with the r*pe of their female characters. What is going on in their brains that make them think this is something that readers enjoy…. I get why Goingback had the monster do this, don’t get me wrong. (And don’t @me, because I ain’t playin). But it all could have been handled way more delicately, so it didn’t seem quite so much like torture porn to me. Idk, I wouldn’t feel quite so strongly about that particular issue if Goingback hadn’t also added in all that lovely misogyny, fatphobia, etc, etc. What am I trying to say? Idk, but I wish I knew the author personally, so I could tell if he were an sexist asshole or not.
Another reviewer here on goodreads stated that this is Goingback’s 7th novel, and not his first. Ouch….. If I were you, I would skip it. It’s forgettable.
So Heath Kizzier is the narrator of the audiobook version of this novel, and he was ok. He read the story for the most part, instead of narrating it. He also mispronounced quite a few words, most of which he should have known (I’m guessing?). The worst of which were ‘macabre’, ‘quarry’, and ‘cavalry’.
Instead of using the word ‘cavalry’ correctly in a sentence, he instead used the word ‘Calvary’ which is a completely different word all together - and it totally changed the meaning of the sentence. So when you say ‘the cavalry is finally here’ (or however the sentence went), and instead you use the word Calvary, this is a problem - because Calvary means “ open-air representation of the crucifixion of Jesus.” Then Kizzier tried to say ‘humid feeling air’ and instead said, ‘human feeling air’, and I don’t think that was correct either. This might have been dyslexia, who knows? I’m just pointing these errors out. (I have dyslexia, and I can barely speak correctly on a good day. So I would never be able to narrate a novel like these professionals do).
You may think all this is nit picking, but I don’t. Literally 90% of the novels I consume are audiobooks, and maybe more. So I have become quite good at catching things like this. I wish the editors of these audiobooks were able to catch things like this before the audiobook went out for publication, because it makes Books In Motion the publisher, look bad. And I, for one, would LOVE for there to be tons of different various audiobook publishers, so Audible would really get a run for their money… and maybe bring their prices down. More audiobooks for people who need them is a good thing!
Anyway, I’m sorry Mr. Kizzier. Please do better next time.
I’m just glad this audiobook was only 8 hours long. Any longer, and I would have gone outside to scream or something. Ugh.
Does this novel deserve one star? Two? Idk, but I will think about it for a while.
I was thrilled to find another Indigenous author out there that I hadn’t read before, and was even happier that this author was a horror writer. My libraries don’t carry Goingback’s work for some reason, so I searched Scribd/Everand to find anything I could get…. And found this novel. And I didn’t enjoy it that much.
The plot is kind of lame, the writing is pretty B-movie script-like, and the characters are pretty one dimensional. The ‘funny’ lines weren’t funny to me, the ‘romance’ is shoehorned into the storyline awkwardly and trite, and the over-the-top hentai-inspired monster descriptions seem to be written as gross as possible, just to shock us readers.
The monster flat out s.a./r*pes a couple women ON PAGE with no warning (and no content warnings at the beginning of the novel, either), and that’s not even the worst part.
I was not the only reviewer here on goodreads to have been just taken out of the story by all the fatphobia and misogyny included in this novel. And the graphic s.a./r*pe. Add in all the face/body horror, the graphic violence, death of a main character, mourning, loss, infertility talked about, teeth loss, funerals, etc, and it was all just too much for me. I did not enjoy myself while listening to this novel, and was stressed out instead of relaxed and enjoying it.
This was my first Goingback novel, and I am not impressed. I’m going to have to think about trying any more of his other works in the future, because right now I am just not certain I want to. Considering the writer is part Cherokee, part Choctaw, I was hoping that there would be some really interesting native influences on the storytelling that would help distinguish this story from any other, but that ain’t happening in this novel. And after finishing this mess, I really (AGAIN) have to wonder why t.f. Male authors feel the need to further their plots with the r*pe of their female characters. What is going on in their brains that make them think this is something that readers enjoy…. I get why Goingback had the monster do this, don’t get me wrong. (And don’t @me, because I ain’t playin). But it all could have been handled way more delicately, so it didn’t seem quite so much like torture porn to me. Idk, I wouldn’t feel quite so strongly about that particular issue if Goingback hadn’t also added in all that lovely misogyny, fatphobia, etc, etc. What am I trying to say? Idk, but I wish I knew the author personally, so I could tell if he were an sexist asshole or not.
Another reviewer here on goodreads stated that this is Goingback’s 7th novel, and not his first. Ouch….. If I were you, I would skip it. It’s forgettable.
So Heath Kizzier is the narrator of the audiobook version of this novel, and he was ok. He read the story for the most part, instead of narrating it. He also mispronounced quite a few words, most of which he should have known (I’m guessing?). The worst of which were ‘macabre’, ‘quarry’, and ‘cavalry’.
Instead of using the word ‘cavalry’ correctly in a sentence, he instead used the word ‘Calvary’ which is a completely different word all together - and it totally changed the meaning of the sentence. So when you say ‘the cavalry is finally here’ (or however the sentence went), and instead you use the word Calvary, this is a problem - because Calvary means “ open-air representation of the crucifixion of Jesus.” Then Kizzier tried to say ‘humid feeling air’ and instead said, ‘human feeling air’, and I don’t think that was correct either. This might have been dyslexia, who knows? I’m just pointing these errors out. (I have dyslexia, and I can barely speak correctly on a good day. So I would never be able to narrate a novel like these professionals do).
You may think all this is nit picking, but I don’t. Literally 90% of the novels I consume are audiobooks, and maybe more. So I have become quite good at catching things like this. I wish the editors of these audiobooks were able to catch things like this before the audiobook went out for publication, because it makes Books In Motion the publisher, look bad. And I, for one, would LOVE for there to be tons of different various audiobook publishers, so Audible would really get a run for their money… and maybe bring their prices down. More audiobooks for people who need them is a good thing!
Anyway, I’m sorry Mr. Kizzier. Please do better next time.
I’m just glad this audiobook was only 8 hours long. Any longer, and I would have gone outside to scream or something. Ugh.
Does this novel deserve one star? Two? Idk, but I will think about it for a while.
January 21, 2026
A supernatural thriller with an addictive writing style, Breed kept me entertained from start to finish despite it being a little overly descriptive and slower on the pacing at times.
The story immediately captured my attention, introducing the evil in a appropriately creepy way. Then we are introduced to a cast of characters that will take the spotlight the rest of the book. Owl does a great job in establishing them and their personalities, though I found these parts a little slower than I'd like. The main character is a half Comanche ghost tour guide who is chosen by a Native American Spirit to try and end the evil entity that has been accidentally summoned in a ritual gone wrong at the start of the book. Together, they are joined by a detective who is investigating a string of murders that the entity has caused and they team up to put an end to the evil.
There are some interesting twists and turns in this one and a good mix of gore, mystery and dread with dollops of humour added to change things up. It almost falls into the Hollywood B-movie category with its campiness at times which isn't a bad thing. The book is lengthy but entertaining and is a easy read, perfect for a Sunday afternoon.
The story immediately captured my attention, introducing the evil in a appropriately creepy way. Then we are introduced to a cast of characters that will take the spotlight the rest of the book. Owl does a great job in establishing them and their personalities, though I found these parts a little slower than I'd like. The main character is a half Comanche ghost tour guide who is chosen by a Native American Spirit to try and end the evil entity that has been accidentally summoned in a ritual gone wrong at the start of the book. Together, they are joined by a detective who is investigating a string of murders that the entity has caused and they team up to put an end to the evil.
There are some interesting twists and turns in this one and a good mix of gore, mystery and dread with dollops of humour added to change things up. It almost falls into the Hollywood B-movie category with its campiness at times which isn't a bad thing. The book is lengthy but entertaining and is a easy read, perfect for a Sunday afternoon.
May 18, 2022
Setting:
This book takes place in modern day Florida.
Characters:
Ssabra: Ssabra is a tour guide with native American heritage.
Jack: Jack is a cop with the local police department.
Plot:
A trio of would-be witches get far more than they bargained for when a ritual they are conducting brings forth something they were entirely unprepared for. Once freed the monster seeks to do what it does best; make more monsters by finding a suitable human woman to breed with.
My Thoughts:
This is one of those books that's hard to review because there's so little to say about it.
It's fine. The characters are fine. The plot is fine. There is of course a romance subplot crowbarred in but that's as fine as its entirely needless presence can be because it's at least not disruptive to anything else going on.
It's a very well trod horror story. Some pack of idiots release an ancient evil and the evil goes around eviling until the intrepid heroes stop it. That's all this story is. There is nothing new here. It's perfectly serviceable. It's perfectly forgettable.
If you're really into native American culture this is based on that. If not, it's tough to recommend this specifically over a thousand other choices.
This book takes place in modern day Florida.
Characters:
Ssabra: Ssabra is a tour guide with native American heritage.
Jack: Jack is a cop with the local police department.
Plot:
A trio of would-be witches get far more than they bargained for when a ritual they are conducting brings forth something they were entirely unprepared for. Once freed the monster seeks to do what it does best; make more monsters by finding a suitable human woman to breed with.
My Thoughts:
This is one of those books that's hard to review because there's so little to say about it.
It's fine. The characters are fine. The plot is fine. There is of course a romance subplot crowbarred in but that's as fine as its entirely needless presence can be because it's at least not disruptive to anything else going on.
It's a very well trod horror story. Some pack of idiots release an ancient evil and the evil goes around eviling until the intrepid heroes stop it. That's all this story is. There is nothing new here. It's perfectly serviceable. It's perfectly forgettable.
If you're really into native American culture this is based on that. If not, it's tough to recommend this specifically over a thousand other choices.
January 3, 2026
This book is a bit of a mixed bag, but overall it's a fun (but sometimes horrifying) read. It's best not to take it seriously to be able to enjoy it. There are some truly nasty things that happen, but then there's some silly stuff, too. There's one key character whose dialogue feels frequently out of place, but it does add some needed levity. The beginning hooked me because it was nostalgic of horror I read/watched when I was younger, and is probably from the same era.
If you're a fan of the TV shows Supernatural and The X-Files, you will probably appreciate this book.
If you're a fan of the TV shows Supernatural and The X-Files, you will probably appreciate this book.
August 16, 2023
1.5
Based on Goingback's other work I've read, Crota I never expected Breed to be anything more than a fast, campy horror. What I found however was a story that repeatedly had me rolling my eyes and thinking really, that's what you're going with.
I loved the choice of location and the final human casualty was a surprise that I approved of but by and large this was a disappointing read.
Based on Goingback's other work I've read, Crota I never expected Breed to be anything more than a fast, campy horror. What I found however was a story that repeatedly had me rolling my eyes and thinking really, that's what you're going with.
I loved the choice of location and the final human casualty was a surprise that I approved of but by and large this was a disappointing read.
March 22, 2023
Yard work listen; low expectations
Entertaining though the several storylines didn't come together easily
Dark Side violent spirit rape/murder did not sit nicely beside Light Side ghost banter
Light Side ghost banter narrated like Jason Mendoza from The Good Place
Entertaining though the several storylines didn't come together easily
Dark Side violent spirit rape/murder did not sit nicely beside Light Side ghost banter
Light Side ghost banter narrated like Jason Mendoza from The Good Place
January 10, 2026
I absolutely loved this. This book kept me on my toes. I loved the ghosts, the banter, the mystery. This book had a lot of moving parts that fit together quite smoothly, keeping me interested in where the story was leading.
August 9, 2020
love this writer and all his books.
February 9, 2021
Think Indian ghost with a sense of humor. I loved this book, I can't wait to read more from Owl! And I so much love his name!!
December 2, 2021
Story starts out slow. I was going to stop reading this about half-way through. But then it picked up and I ultimately enjoyed it.
December 11, 2021
This guy took time out his day to sign my books of his, he even was nice enough to take pics holding them. The man is a champ, I can’t thank him enough.
February 14, 2024
About as scary as a "Tremors" movie,
Rape scene warning!
Would not call it serious horror,
Fun in that 80-90s B flick horror kind of way.
Rape scene warning!
Would not call it serious horror,
Fun in that 80-90s B flick horror kind of way.
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