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Made a Monster
Adrian and Kendra are a match made in Hell.
Adrian's dark past left him with a twisted imagination that takes him deep into the forest where he does unspeakable things.
Kendra is new to town. She has a dark secret of her own and an unhealthy obsession with a boy she hasn't even met yet.
Until Adrian met Kendra, he had his deviant urges under control. When she comes to him for help, his capacity for violence goes beyond anything either of them could have imagined.
Adrian's dark past left him with a twisted imagination that takes him deep into the forest where he does unspeakable things.
Kendra is new to town. She has a dark secret of her own and an unhealthy obsession with a boy she hasn't even met yet.
Until Adrian met Kendra, he had his deviant urges under control. When she comes to him for help, his capacity for violence goes beyond anything either of them could have imagined.
241 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 11, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 358 reviews
September 25, 2025
Real talk, I picked up this book fully prepared to absolutely hate it, I've seen praises for it in the places that normally mean either the book or the author is complete garbage and since I haven't seen any signs that Nelson is a garbage human, I was forced to assume that his book probably was. I'm pleased to report that there is redeeming value to this book, at least if you enjoy excessive violence and gore.
My snake, Noodle-Mayonnaise, certainly thinks this guy ought to be almost as cancelled as James Oliver for the whole writing about ruining perfectly good food thing but she's a teenager and we all know how they feel about food, make of that what you will. I'm not, just, saying that because I enjoy pissing off people who think I talk about my pets too much, I'm also doing so because one of these scenes had me ugly cackling, Nelson knows how to insert a funny turn of phrase here and there and I loved that.
The kills scenes were fairly creative and definitely a little baroque in their excess which I was absolutely here for.
I hate to say it, because I do love me a "she's not like the other girls, she's much much worse" moment but I almost wish the author had pulled a manic pixie dream girl from hell sort of deal with Kendra, if her inner life hadn't been on page and left for us to speculate on it would have made her story so much more tragic and confusing.
My snake, Noodle-Mayonnaise, certainly thinks this guy ought to be almost as cancelled as James Oliver for the whole writing about ruining perfectly good food thing but she's a teenager and we all know how they feel about food, make of that what you will. I'm not, just, saying that because I enjoy pissing off people who think I talk about my pets too much, I'm also doing so because one of these scenes had me ugly cackling, Nelson knows how to insert a funny turn of phrase here and there and I loved that.
The kills scenes were fairly creative and definitely a little baroque in their excess which I was absolutely here for.
I hate to say it, because I do love me a "she's not like the other girls, she's much much worse" moment but I almost wish the author had pulled a manic pixie dream girl from hell sort of deal with Kendra, if her inner life hadn't been on page and left for us to speculate on it would have made her story so much more tragic and confusing.
April 2, 2025
What a fantastic debut splatterpunk novel from Rob Nelson. In short it’s a diabolical, gruesome story of revenge, but upon deeper examination it is a sad tale of those in our society, primarily children abused by their parents, who do not receive the proper treatment and care they deserve.
It is a cautionary tale of what can happen to the human psyche when trauma, of various kinds, to all different kinds of people, is not properly dealt with. Most of the story is filled with horrendous gore, making me want to barf, but I also found myself feeling so sad for so many of the characters also wanting cry at times.
The structure and functioning of our society brushes so much off, it’s time to for a major revamp. Next time you see someone suffering or in pain say something! Hopefully one day soon we live in a society where we give a shit about each other and our health care system functions as it should.
I look forward to what comes next from this rising author in the splatterpunk genre.
It is a cautionary tale of what can happen to the human psyche when trauma, of various kinds, to all different kinds of people, is not properly dealt with. Most of the story is filled with horrendous gore, making me want to barf, but I also found myself feeling so sad for so many of the characters also wanting cry at times.
The structure and functioning of our society brushes so much off, it’s time to for a major revamp. Next time you see someone suffering or in pain say something! Hopefully one day soon we live in a society where we give a shit about each other and our health care system functions as it should.
I look forward to what comes next from this rising author in the splatterpunk genre.
May 1, 2025
MADE A MONSTER: A SPLATTERPUNK NOVEL [2025] By Rob Nelson
My Review 3.5 Stars Rounded To 4.0 Stars
This debut novel by newcomer Rob Nelson was an overnight sensation. It was published April 11, 2025 (19 days ago at the time of this review). It has garnered forty-one (41) global ratings on Amazon which consist of 70% 5-Star Ratings which are literally gushing praise from every pore of the prose. An additional 24% of adoring accolades with 4-Star Ratings. One of the “wow!” reviewers compared the novel to Beauregard’s “Playground”. I cannot boast that I have read a number of Beauregard’s works, but I HAVE read “Playground”. There is virtually no comparison to be made. It is a master class in the genre.
It was no surprise when this nomination appeared on Splatterpunk Horror Book Club’s vote for the May Group Read. It was no surprise when it overwhelmed the competition, which included the horror classic “Succulent Prey” by horror legend WJW. There is a popular idiom which came to mind (“If it seems to be too good to be true, it probably is”). I read the novel over the last few days of April, the month it was released.
The author (Rob Nelson) is young, handsome guy who enjoys the adrenaline rush of racing cars, surfing, and playing video games. Like most of us for him horror has always been a major fascination which he compares with “spiking his adrenaline”. And, like some of us his “(dive) into the world of splatterpunk and extreme horror” has been “quite recently”. It would seem that he discovered the right venue for his creative writing “a place where (his ideas) could truly take residence”.
So, I read the book. First, it would surprise me if “Made a Monster” fulfilled the lofty expectations of the Amazon cluster of readers who have christened it as a “Splatterpunk Masterpiece” or others who have portended that it is the “Best Splatterpunk 2025”. I noted that the author made a specific point to designate the book as “Splatterpunk” (the violence must have a point) versus “Extreme Horror” (Violence IS the point. Full stop.) It is this distinction which I had the most difficulty reconciling with the storyline as written.
I was impressed by his bold strikes in creating a canvass of blood splatter that covers a comprehensive scope of real estate in the lexicon of extreme horror “tropes”. I did not notice a nod to necrophilia involving humans, but the main character’s fascination with dead things and his talent for rendering the mutilated corpses of rats into grotesque pieces of artwork in a mockery of taxidermy likely counts.
The novel was "sensational" in its relentless depiction of extreme violence, sexual deviance, and sadistic torture prior to, during, and following the sexual violence. I felt compelled to acknowledge his imagination in attempting to “knockout” as many “Triggers” as humanly possible in his first foray onto the stage filled with fans of splatterpunk/extreme horror. Vivid descriptions of frankly somewhat unbelievable parental physical and sexual abuse inflicted upon innocent children was appropriately sickening if not nauseating. The 241 pages of the book was akin to a slideshow of horrors that showed behind your eyes with no pause or opportunity to hit the stop button.
I rated him high in craftsmanship and imagination. Character development was suboptimal in my opinion, albeit not entirely absent. The teenage duo who highlighted this trip through the halls of the worst sexually sadistic torture kills in one novel I have ever read were predictable soulless. The backstory and fleshing out of the character of the boy Adrian was fairly decent, the operative word “fairly”. The depiction of the kid left a "sketch" drawn just well enough to see the shadow of the dead eyed youth in a man's body as he moved through the paces of the storyline. The Jekyll/Hyde transformation of his devoted father following the man’s physical devastation, subsequent alcohol abuse, and compounded loss in a rigged civil suit for justifiable monetary damages was offered up as adequate reason for his horrible physical abuse and sexual depravity visited on his own young boy was a reach for me. Conversely, the author impressed with his skill in describing both the atrocities and Adrian’s descent into a 17-year-old victim who looked at the world with a thousand-yard stare after he became dead inside.
Kendra, the 17-year-old teenage girl who moves to town and is drawn to Adrian's darkness is less developed and more of a cipher. Similar to Adrian her childhood innocence was stolen by her beautiful sociopathic mother. She allowed her little girl to be sexually violated and later physically abused as well as sexually. The daughter Kendra at 17 years old is similarly dead inside but this is accompanied by a fiery hatred for her mother and a passionate need to wreak havoc.
This book is a sordid non-stop trip through sharply detailed sexual sadism and torture kills. There are "call outs" to so many sexual fetishes I lost count after a while. There is in my opinion "just enough" humanization of Adrian to exempt the novel from deeming it the straight up torture porn of an unapologetic extreme horror novel. I felt empathy for “Made a Monster” Adrian, and particularly his awareness from the beginning that the girl he might have cared about was using his pain for her own sick fulfillment of the psychopathy which afflicted her. That was a nice touch by the talented new author.
Finally, this is a good “Splatterpunk Novel” for a debut book. The plotting and pacing could both stand improvement, but especially character development. I would award 3.5 Stars if this novel was the product of an established author. The rating was rounded to 4.0 Stars because it is this young guy’s first walk down the runway. The young Rob Nelson has the time and motivation to hone his craft because he shows imagination, creativity, and a definite way with words.
GOOD DEBUT NOVEL FROM NEWCOMER ROB NELSON IN THE CROWDED FIELD OF SPLATTERPUNK/EXTREME HORROR
My Review 3.5 Stars Rounded To 4.0 Stars
This debut novel by newcomer Rob Nelson was an overnight sensation. It was published April 11, 2025 (19 days ago at the time of this review). It has garnered forty-one (41) global ratings on Amazon which consist of 70% 5-Star Ratings which are literally gushing praise from every pore of the prose. An additional 24% of adoring accolades with 4-Star Ratings. One of the “wow!” reviewers compared the novel to Beauregard’s “Playground”. I cannot boast that I have read a number of Beauregard’s works, but I HAVE read “Playground”. There is virtually no comparison to be made. It is a master class in the genre.
It was no surprise when this nomination appeared on Splatterpunk Horror Book Club’s vote for the May Group Read. It was no surprise when it overwhelmed the competition, which included the horror classic “Succulent Prey” by horror legend WJW. There is a popular idiom which came to mind (“If it seems to be too good to be true, it probably is”). I read the novel over the last few days of April, the month it was released.
The author (Rob Nelson) is young, handsome guy who enjoys the adrenaline rush of racing cars, surfing, and playing video games. Like most of us for him horror has always been a major fascination which he compares with “spiking his adrenaline”. And, like some of us his “(dive) into the world of splatterpunk and extreme horror” has been “quite recently”. It would seem that he discovered the right venue for his creative writing “a place where (his ideas) could truly take residence”.
So, I read the book. First, it would surprise me if “Made a Monster” fulfilled the lofty expectations of the Amazon cluster of readers who have christened it as a “Splatterpunk Masterpiece” or others who have portended that it is the “Best Splatterpunk 2025”. I noted that the author made a specific point to designate the book as “Splatterpunk” (the violence must have a point) versus “Extreme Horror” (Violence IS the point. Full stop.) It is this distinction which I had the most difficulty reconciling with the storyline as written.
I was impressed by his bold strikes in creating a canvass of blood splatter that covers a comprehensive scope of real estate in the lexicon of extreme horror “tropes”. I did not notice a nod to necrophilia involving humans, but the main character’s fascination with dead things and his talent for rendering the mutilated corpses of rats into grotesque pieces of artwork in a mockery of taxidermy likely counts.
The novel was "sensational" in its relentless depiction of extreme violence, sexual deviance, and sadistic torture prior to, during, and following the sexual violence. I felt compelled to acknowledge his imagination in attempting to “knockout” as many “Triggers” as humanly possible in his first foray onto the stage filled with fans of splatterpunk/extreme horror. Vivid descriptions of frankly somewhat unbelievable parental physical and sexual abuse inflicted upon innocent children was appropriately sickening if not nauseating. The 241 pages of the book was akin to a slideshow of horrors that showed behind your eyes with no pause or opportunity to hit the stop button.
I rated him high in craftsmanship and imagination. Character development was suboptimal in my opinion, albeit not entirely absent. The teenage duo who highlighted this trip through the halls of the worst sexually sadistic torture kills in one novel I have ever read were predictable soulless. The backstory and fleshing out of the character of the boy Adrian was fairly decent, the operative word “fairly”. The depiction of the kid left a "sketch" drawn just well enough to see the shadow of the dead eyed youth in a man's body as he moved through the paces of the storyline. The Jekyll/Hyde transformation of his devoted father following the man’s physical devastation, subsequent alcohol abuse, and compounded loss in a rigged civil suit for justifiable monetary damages was offered up as adequate reason for his horrible physical abuse and sexual depravity visited on his own young boy was a reach for me. Conversely, the author impressed with his skill in describing both the atrocities and Adrian’s descent into a 17-year-old victim who looked at the world with a thousand-yard stare after he became dead inside.
Kendra, the 17-year-old teenage girl who moves to town and is drawn to Adrian's darkness is less developed and more of a cipher. Similar to Adrian her childhood innocence was stolen by her beautiful sociopathic mother. She allowed her little girl to be sexually violated and later physically abused as well as sexually. The daughter Kendra at 17 years old is similarly dead inside but this is accompanied by a fiery hatred for her mother and a passionate need to wreak havoc.
This book is a sordid non-stop trip through sharply detailed sexual sadism and torture kills. There are "call outs" to so many sexual fetishes I lost count after a while. There is in my opinion "just enough" humanization of Adrian to exempt the novel from deeming it the straight up torture porn of an unapologetic extreme horror novel. I felt empathy for “Made a Monster” Adrian, and particularly his awareness from the beginning that the girl he might have cared about was using his pain for her own sick fulfillment of the psychopathy which afflicted her. That was a nice touch by the talented new author.
Finally, this is a good “Splatterpunk Novel” for a debut book. The plotting and pacing could both stand improvement, but especially character development. I would award 3.5 Stars if this novel was the product of an established author. The rating was rounded to 4.0 Stars because it is this young guy’s first walk down the runway. The young Rob Nelson has the time and motivation to hone his craft because he shows imagination, creativity, and a definite way with words.
GOOD DEBUT NOVEL FROM NEWCOMER ROB NELSON IN THE CROWDED FIELD OF SPLATTERPUNK/EXTREME HORROR
June 23, 2026
“And now? You get to witness first hand what happens when you push a broken human beyond the realms of recovery."
April 11, 2025
What an incredible cover! It’s so disgusting yet … beautiful?!
The story itself is so, so great! The perfect example of splatterpunk horror in my opinion. If you haven’t read this genre before, you’re in for either a treat or a trauma haha.
Aiden’s dioramas totally had me picturing the ones from the “World Famous Gopher Hole Museum”, which is a quirky and bizarre place found in Alberta, Canada. Except, you know, Aiden’s were rancid and R rated. So wild 🤪
I definitely felt like hurling during a few scenes, but was very invested in the main characters and couldn’t put the story down. Damn! Kendra was ruthless too and I felt simultaneously bad for her, but also elated as she gave her abusers their karma. That ending blew my mind 🤯
Great job to the author Rob Nelson and cover artist Tony Diaz (ps you guys should totally collab on an adult splatterpunk seek and find book for real!!)
The story itself is so, so great! The perfect example of splatterpunk horror in my opinion. If you haven’t read this genre before, you’re in for either a treat or a trauma haha.
Aiden’s dioramas totally had me picturing the ones from the “World Famous Gopher Hole Museum”, which is a quirky and bizarre place found in Alberta, Canada. Except, you know, Aiden’s were rancid and R rated. So wild 🤪
I definitely felt like hurling during a few scenes, but was very invested in the main characters and couldn’t put the story down. Damn! Kendra was ruthless too and I felt simultaneously bad for her, but also elated as she gave her abusers their karma. That ending blew my mind 🤯
Great job to the author Rob Nelson and cover artist Tony Diaz (ps you guys should totally collab on an adult splatterpunk seek and find book for real!!)
September 7, 2025
Out of the 206 books I've read so far this year, made a monster is one of only 8 five stars I've given out. It's that good. Definitely check trigger warnings and go into this ready for anything
This was fucked up in such a depressing yet gory way, a book has never made me cry one moment and then simultaneously screw my face up in revulsion the next. That's a testament to how skilful the writing is, being able to create such depraved torture scenes whilst still giving them meaning beyond just shock value. Kendra and Adrians revenge was cathartic for both them and I, though I can't say I share their sexual proclivities lol
I must say the ending threw me for a loop, I felt completely betrayed even though this is literally fiction and I'll never know these characters because THEY DON'T EXIST. Though real people have also gone through similar abuse to the type shown in the book, so are these characters really fake? Are they just people who've done what other victims of abuse wish they could? This story will stick with and haunt me for a long time to come, I'm grateful to have gotten the chance to read it :)
This was fucked up in such a depressing yet gory way, a book has never made me cry one moment and then simultaneously screw my face up in revulsion the next. That's a testament to how skilful the writing is, being able to create such depraved torture scenes whilst still giving them meaning beyond just shock value. Kendra and Adrians revenge was cathartic for both them and I, though I can't say I share their sexual proclivities lol
I must say the ending threw me for a loop, I felt completely betrayed even though this is literally fiction and I'll never know these characters because THEY DON'T EXIST. Though real people have also gone through similar abuse to the type shown in the book, so are these characters really fake? Are they just people who've done what other victims of abuse wish they could? This story will stick with and haunt me for a long time to come, I'm grateful to have gotten the chance to read it :)
May 29, 2025
An Ordeal in Every Page
Made A Monster by Rob Nelson, is so saturated with violence, and such relentless physical and psychological torment, that I felt a genuine sense of relief upon reaching the final page. If you’re in search of a narrative steeped in unspeakable brutality, depicted with excruciating detail from beginning to end, then this is undoubtedly the book for you.
If the reader isn’t prepared for that kind of sustained darkness, the story could feel more like a psychological assault than a cathartic or reflective experience. Which is,
entirely intentional in this case, i suppose.
I knew i was reading extreme horror, but many aspects of the story exhausted and unsettled me more, than entertaining me.
Made A Monster by Rob Nelson, is so saturated with violence, and such relentless physical and psychological torment, that I felt a genuine sense of relief upon reaching the final page. If you’re in search of a narrative steeped in unspeakable brutality, depicted with excruciating detail from beginning to end, then this is undoubtedly the book for you.
If the reader isn’t prepared for that kind of sustained darkness, the story could feel more like a psychological assault than a cathartic or reflective experience. Which is,
entirely intentional in this case, i suppose.
I knew i was reading extreme horror, but many aspects of the story exhausted and unsettled me more, than entertaining me.
May 6, 2025
This is Dead Inside vibes plus Rob Zombie's Michael Myers and a young demented Harley Quinn!!! I'm all for it!!!
June 9, 2025
Holy shit
April 16, 2025
Rob…. What the F.
I don’t know who I’m judging more, myself for enjoying this or you for writing it.
Adrian & Kendra are nasty individuals and even more heinous together. Both growing up from nightmarish childhoods, it is no wonder they feel the way they do about the individuals they target. While I have complete empathy for these two and what they have endured, the way they go about exacting their revenge is absolutely stomach churning. I love a revenge story but this one I have to cheer from afar and look away as the revenge is in progress. With that being said, I also found some of the language and interactions pretty funny. I’m convinced there’s something wrong with me now.
Well, I’m off to say a few Hail Marys and ask for forgiveness! Can’t wait to see what else you come up with. I will be only reading sweet, cute and innocent books until then to cleanse my palate.
I don’t know who I’m judging more, myself for enjoying this or you for writing it.
Adrian & Kendra are nasty individuals and even more heinous together. Both growing up from nightmarish childhoods, it is no wonder they feel the way they do about the individuals they target. While I have complete empathy for these two and what they have endured, the way they go about exacting their revenge is absolutely stomach churning. I love a revenge story but this one I have to cheer from afar and look away as the revenge is in progress. With that being said, I also found some of the language and interactions pretty funny. I’m convinced there’s something wrong with me now.
Well, I’m off to say a few Hail Marys and ask for forgiveness! Can’t wait to see what else you come up with. I will be only reading sweet, cute and innocent books until then to cleanse my palate.
September 25, 2025
I wanted to like this more than I did. The actual writing is decent. The concept was interesting. But the continuity errors and focus on minors having detailed, graphic sex constantly killed this for me. I would love an extreme horror novel that doesn't rely on sexual violence for its main shock factor.
The actual exploration of abuse and its effects on people was really well done imo. Kunst's backstory and character was particularly interesting to me. The last 10-15% or so focusing on Adrian was great.
The actual exploration of abuse and its effects on people was really well done imo. Kunst's backstory and character was particularly interesting to me. The last 10-15% or so focusing on Adrian was great.
July 27, 2025
This was repulsive, disgusting, and raunchy. I’m gonna read it again.
October 18, 2025
Read it in one sitting and holy moly that was so tragic, brutal and terrifying. What a plot twist at the end I absolutely loved it 100% favourite splatterpunk
April 13, 2025
Holy crap, for being a debut novel. He made splatterpunk flow so well! Def rated R!
This book is highly gory and graphic, take caution.
This book is highly gory and graphic, take caution.
April 26, 2025
Just absolutely top tier garbage start to finish, lol. Is Rob Nelson the pseudonym of some edgelord middle schooler who set out to write the dumbest stuff possible?
legitimately-the sentence structure is worse than something my 7 year old would string together. Just awful...who cares about the subject matter when everything else is this bad?
It's worth reading the first couple chapters just to get to the dead squirrel screwing LOLOLOLOL.
legitimately-the sentence structure is worse than something my 7 year old would string together. Just awful...who cares about the subject matter when everything else is this bad?
It's worth reading the first couple chapters just to get to the dead squirrel screwing LOLOLOLOL.
May 2, 2025
the cover art is good ...
Read
August 3, 2025this was fucked
March 28, 2026
Brutal in a delightful WTF kind of I should look away, but can't way.
The monster isn't born...
Kendra's mother made a sadist who treats trauma like an aphrodisiac, while Adrian's father engineered a sociopathic weapon that is set to self destruct.
The whole book is a nightmare of trauma bonding in blood, guts, and cum.
Are you still a monster, if you are only killing what made you one to begin with?
Loved it.
The monster isn't born...
Kendra's mother made a sadist who treats trauma like an aphrodisiac, while Adrian's father engineered a sociopathic weapon that is set to self destruct.
The whole book is a nightmare of trauma bonding in blood, guts, and cum.
Are you still a monster, if you are only killing what made you one to begin with?
Loved it.
July 16, 2025
Made A Monster is one hell of a ride — raw, twisted, and oozing with splatterpunk madness. I picked this one up for a group read and was not prepared for how gnarly it would get. Rob Nelson doesn’t hold back. From the first page, you’re dragged into a depraved world of trauma, rage, and gruesome revenge, all anchored by two unforgettable characters: Aiden and Kendra.
Aiden’s obsession with creating dioramas from dead things is equally disgusting and fascinating — pure nightmare fuel. And Kendra? She’s a hurricane of vengeance. You’ll want to cheer and cringe all at once as she unleashes hell on those who wronged her. The violence is brutal, but it never feels excessive for shock’s sake. It’s the kind of story that punches you in the gut and then dares you to ask for more.
The ending hit hard. Totally unhinged and somehow…perfect.
Aiden’s obsession with creating dioramas from dead things is equally disgusting and fascinating — pure nightmare fuel. And Kendra? She’s a hurricane of vengeance. You’ll want to cheer and cringe all at once as she unleashes hell on those who wronged her. The violence is brutal, but it never feels excessive for shock’s sake. It’s the kind of story that punches you in the gut and then dares you to ask for more.
The ending hit hard. Totally unhinged and somehow…perfect.
June 5, 2025
So much blood. So much gore. which was the perfect character development for this story... lots of violence, therefore lots of character dev...
July 3, 2025
god dayum
August 17, 2025
Full review to come in Scream Horror Magazine. What a debut!
May 16, 2025
Genre: Splatterpunk
Pages: 241
.
Movies like it: Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer
(1986)
.
Books like it: Dead Inside
.
Includes a ‘Blood Eagle’ 🦅 🩸
.
Holy WOW! 🤮 What a fun and depraved debut novel from Rob Nelson! Buckle up, because this one’s a rollercoaster of gore, vomit and rotting flesh. The MCs Adrian and Kendra remind me of my favorite psychopaths, Mickey and Mallory from the movie ‘Natural Born Killers.’
.
Around 50% in we get a mind blowing climax- but wait, there’s more! Our MCs then continue on their path of destruction as if the first slaughter wasn’t enough.
.
This novel pulls at our human desire to think that inside every monster is something redeemable or good. Think again.
.
I definitely recommend reading this novel if you love splatterpunk and extreme horror novels. It has ALL the triggers- so please check CW before reading! Enjoy the ride!
Pages: 241
.
Movies like it: Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer
(1986)
.
Books like it: Dead Inside
.
Includes a ‘Blood Eagle’ 🦅 🩸
.
Holy WOW! 🤮 What a fun and depraved debut novel from Rob Nelson! Buckle up, because this one’s a rollercoaster of gore, vomit and rotting flesh. The MCs Adrian and Kendra remind me of my favorite psychopaths, Mickey and Mallory from the movie ‘Natural Born Killers.’
.
Around 50% in we get a mind blowing climax- but wait, there’s more! Our MCs then continue on their path of destruction as if the first slaughter wasn’t enough.
.
This novel pulls at our human desire to think that inside every monster is something redeemable or good. Think again.
.
I definitely recommend reading this novel if you love splatterpunk and extreme horror novels. It has ALL the triggers- so please check CW before reading! Enjoy the ride!
May 12, 2025
There may be something wrong with me, but I really enjoyed this book. It was intense, brutal, gory, and it does not hold back!!!
April 12, 2025
Before i begin my review, i would like to say, regardless of how sick and depraved Rob's writing is, this guy seems like such a sweetheart. OMG!!!
If you happen to read the acknowledgments at the end of the book, youll know that Rob is as genuine as they come, humble, and so HUMAN and im so happy to say that hes one indie author ill be putting on autobuy....
Now, onto the review...
I've been hanging out to read this since the day I got it from Rob. Let’s just say—the anticipation was killing me. I picked it up first thing Saturday morning at 5 a.m. after tossing and turning… and wow. If I was hoping for some light reading? LOL, boy, was I wrong!
This book jolted me wide awake. It made me sit up, take notice, and even forget I was busting for a pee. That’s how intense it was.
Rob’s writing drags you into the madness and doesn’t let go. I was completely consumed.
Adrian and Kendra are a match made in Hell—twisted, obsessive, dangerous—and I couldn’t look away.
Adrian’s violent urges, Kendra’s dark fixation… the way their paths collide, is straight-up disturbing in the best way. Think True Romance with Patricia Arquette and Christian Slater by Tarantino but even more fkd up and depraved.
From the first page, I was sucked into their twisted dynamic and couldn't look away. Adrian's violent urges simmer just beneath the surface, and Kendra’s obsession is as dangerous as it is intriguing.
Watching them spiral together was like watching a car crash in slow motion—gruesome, fascinating, and impossible to stop.
Rob doesn't just write horror; he drags you into it, wraps it around your throat, and dares you to keep reading. This story is dark, disturbing, and deeply compelling—exactly what I was hoping for and more.
Still reeling. Still disturbed. Still impressed.
Huge thanks to Rob for granting me early access to this wickedly addictive ARC. Thank you so fkn much!
If you happen to read the acknowledgments at the end of the book, youll know that Rob is as genuine as they come, humble, and so HUMAN and im so happy to say that hes one indie author ill be putting on autobuy....
Now, onto the review...
I've been hanging out to read this since the day I got it from Rob. Let’s just say—the anticipation was killing me. I picked it up first thing Saturday morning at 5 a.m. after tossing and turning… and wow. If I was hoping for some light reading? LOL, boy, was I wrong!
This book jolted me wide awake. It made me sit up, take notice, and even forget I was busting for a pee. That’s how intense it was.
Rob’s writing drags you into the madness and doesn’t let go. I was completely consumed.
Adrian and Kendra are a match made in Hell—twisted, obsessive, dangerous—and I couldn’t look away.
Adrian’s violent urges, Kendra’s dark fixation… the way their paths collide, is straight-up disturbing in the best way. Think True Romance with Patricia Arquette and Christian Slater by Tarantino but even more fkd up and depraved.
From the first page, I was sucked into their twisted dynamic and couldn't look away. Adrian's violent urges simmer just beneath the surface, and Kendra’s obsession is as dangerous as it is intriguing.
Watching them spiral together was like watching a car crash in slow motion—gruesome, fascinating, and impossible to stop.
Rob doesn't just write horror; he drags you into it, wraps it around your throat, and dares you to keep reading. This story is dark, disturbing, and deeply compelling—exactly what I was hoping for and more.
Still reeling. Still disturbed. Still impressed.
Huge thanks to Rob for granting me early access to this wickedly addictive ARC. Thank you so fkn much!
March 20, 2026
I know this is splatterpunk and I knew going into it that it would be messed up. It was, it did what it intended, BUT it was also just written badly. The dialogue all sounded so horribly fake. Most of the writing felt like it was rushing through what was happening just to get to all the gore. There was a nice twist at the end and there was some foreshadowing to it, but all the foreshadowing felt like it was added after the ending was written, like it was just tucked in there to try and make the story more complex and not because it was intentional. Every flashback story was brought up the same way and felt shoved into the story just to bring up a violent gore scene. Again, I understand the book is violent and filled with gore. But it's also a book and a story and it felt like there was barely any story and it was all just a vehicle to get to the violence and just turned into violent fetish content.
October 10, 2026
I come to this review as a horror reader and fellow storyteller. I am NOT someone who frequents splatterpunk or extreme so know that before coming at me.
Rob Nelson’s MADE A MONSTER was told to me (after I had already begun reading it) that it was the deep end of depravity. These warnings were not wrong.
This is tough to get into without spoiling, but we’re gonna give it a go.
The contents of this title treat a trigger warning list like a to-do list. While violating every boundary, and crossing every line in the sand drawn by readers, this book goes places that are sick enough to make a maggot blush. Rob… my dude… what the ffff… this is not very ‘ya boy’ behavior. 🤣
Where this book does well to gross out, hang out in scenes that could’ve been cut short on-page, the violence and over-the-top extremity of this story were never held back. Rob mashes his foot on the gas and laughs the entire time as the wall speeds toward him.
To say I enjoyed this book would be a lie. That’s because I endured it. While I may have recognized within myself that I would’ve probably loved this as a teen/early twenties, I am older now and my tastes have changed. This book is one to challenge yourself with and isn’t for the weak. Like the great philosopher Ice Cube once said… “if you a scared muthaf***a go to church!”
As I read this book in my car, it didn’t take long to feel like it was 2001 and I stumbled onto the parts of the internet we only heard about. I shouldn’t be allowed to have this book. SA, CSA, R word that rhymes with grape, toxic environments, abuse, animal cruelty, baby stuff, lots and lots of teen sex. This one WENT THERE!
Okay, it’s at this point I must say, I read this, but in no way am condoning. In case that wasn’t obvious, because holy shhh…
Somehow through the mess of vile nature and morality bending sensibilities, Rob managed to sneak in an emotional story that encapsulates exactly what the title suggests, and that is how a monster is made. For the things that happen in this book that make you go wtf to happen, they have to culminate from somewhere. Rob does a fantastic job setting that up while never being boring and also being a pretty good writer somewhere in all that.
If character depth is your thing, excessive violence and a rampage that starts with a rat being turned into a flesh light and ends with things much much worse, then this one might be for you. If it is, I’m judging you respectfully. But also… remember, I read this too.
Great job, Rob.
But also… dude… you must be stopped, because what the heck man!? 🤣
Rob Nelson’s MADE A MONSTER was told to me (after I had already begun reading it) that it was the deep end of depravity. These warnings were not wrong.
This is tough to get into without spoiling, but we’re gonna give it a go.
The contents of this title treat a trigger warning list like a to-do list. While violating every boundary, and crossing every line in the sand drawn by readers, this book goes places that are sick enough to make a maggot blush. Rob… my dude… what the ffff… this is not very ‘ya boy’ behavior. 🤣
Where this book does well to gross out, hang out in scenes that could’ve been cut short on-page, the violence and over-the-top extremity of this story were never held back. Rob mashes his foot on the gas and laughs the entire time as the wall speeds toward him.
To say I enjoyed this book would be a lie. That’s because I endured it. While I may have recognized within myself that I would’ve probably loved this as a teen/early twenties, I am older now and my tastes have changed. This book is one to challenge yourself with and isn’t for the weak. Like the great philosopher Ice Cube once said… “if you a scared muthaf***a go to church!”
As I read this book in my car, it didn’t take long to feel like it was 2001 and I stumbled onto the parts of the internet we only heard about. I shouldn’t be allowed to have this book. SA, CSA, R word that rhymes with grape, toxic environments, abuse, animal cruelty, baby stuff, lots and lots of teen sex. This one WENT THERE!
Okay, it’s at this point I must say, I read this, but in no way am condoning. In case that wasn’t obvious, because holy shhh…
Somehow through the mess of vile nature and morality bending sensibilities, Rob managed to sneak in an emotional story that encapsulates exactly what the title suggests, and that is how a monster is made. For the things that happen in this book that make you go wtf to happen, they have to culminate from somewhere. Rob does a fantastic job setting that up while never being boring and also being a pretty good writer somewhere in all that.
If character depth is your thing, excessive violence and a rampage that starts with a rat being turned into a flesh light and ends with things much much worse, then this one might be for you. If it is, I’m judging you respectfully. But also… remember, I read this too.
Great job, Rob.
But also… dude… you must be stopped, because what the heck man!? 🤣
August 9, 2025
Adrien was just a kid that needed a friend. Someone to pull him back from the brink after everyone and everything else in his life failed him. Someone to be in his corner. Kendra came along and everything changed.
Let’s take a step back into the past to when Adrien was just a little boy. His family was close, loving, the picture of perfection. Then, the accident happened.
His father sustained a serious injury on the job, rendering him disabled and unable to work and provide for his family. Court proceedings to get his disability coverage from the company were unfortunately, fruitless.
This sends Adrien’s father down a path of self destruction, featuring heavy alcoholism, substance abuse, and the start of Adrien’s own vicious lifelong abuse.
One day it all finally comes to a head, and as a result, Adrien loses both parents at once. Instead of putting him into the system at 17 years old, the local authorities leave him to his devices. What a terrible idea that was.
Along comes Kendra, who has a brutal past of her own. But she finds Adrien’s story to be compelling, and she shoots herself directly into his absolutely messed up orbit.
The two find themselves confiding their horrendous secrets in one another, which emboldens them to show their enemies, and the world exactly what it means to be… made a monster.
Let’s take a step back into the past to when Adrien was just a little boy. His family was close, loving, the picture of perfection. Then, the accident happened.
His father sustained a serious injury on the job, rendering him disabled and unable to work and provide for his family. Court proceedings to get his disability coverage from the company were unfortunately, fruitless.
This sends Adrien’s father down a path of self destruction, featuring heavy alcoholism, substance abuse, and the start of Adrien’s own vicious lifelong abuse.
One day it all finally comes to a head, and as a result, Adrien loses both parents at once. Instead of putting him into the system at 17 years old, the local authorities leave him to his devices. What a terrible idea that was.
Along comes Kendra, who has a brutal past of her own. But she finds Adrien’s story to be compelling, and she shoots herself directly into his absolutely messed up orbit.
The two find themselves confiding their horrendous secrets in one another, which emboldens them to show their enemies, and the world exactly what it means to be… made a monster.
June 23, 2025
THAT ENDING.... I'm still reeling. Wow.
Made A Monster follows Adrian. Adrian has had a terrible life. Growing up abused by his father and then tragedy happens whenever his mother tries to stand up to his father. Kendra is the new girl in town. She has her own traumas and hell she is currently living in with her awful mother. Kendra and Adrian instantly bond after meeting one another. Together, they act on their urges more-so Adrian helping Kendra escape her situation. Things take a wild turn though and quite unexpectedly.
This was a great Splatterpunk debut. Absolutely brutal and not for the faint of heart.
Made A Monster follows Adrian. Adrian has had a terrible life. Growing up abused by his father and then tragedy happens whenever his mother tries to stand up to his father. Kendra is the new girl in town. She has her own traumas and hell she is currently living in with her awful mother. Kendra and Adrian instantly bond after meeting one another. Together, they act on their urges more-so Adrian helping Kendra escape her situation. Things take a wild turn though and quite unexpectedly.
This was a great Splatterpunk debut. Absolutely brutal and not for the faint of heart.
May 3, 2025
This was the nominated book for Splatterpunk groups May read here on discord. It is a grisly debut from Rob Nelson that just about screams "full house" on an extreme horror bingo card. The violence and abuse in this one is very strong and unsettling, both of the lead characters in this one have been to hell and back. What follows is a twisted romance and a punishing revenge story. All in all well recommended and hope to see further stories from Rob Nelson in the future.
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