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Storyslave
STORYSLAVE
Three novelettes and a memoir from Splatterpunk Award-nominated and Godless Award-winning horror author Brian Bowyer.
SCARLETT
A serial killer uses the blood of his victims to make art—while a haunted painting made with the blood of a murdered child tells its owner that the artist is planning another painting.
COUNTDOWN TO OBLIVION
An alcoholic father, out to rescue his daughter from a psychopath, finds himself in the middle of an extinction event.
BLACK CAT BONES
A young girl and her mother escape the mother’s abusive lover to the safety of a remote cabin—where life descends further and unravels around them, as addiction and starvation lead to drastic measures that challenge both their stomachs and their minds.
Three novelettes and a memoir from Splatterpunk Award-nominated and Godless Award-winning horror author Brian Bowyer.
SCARLETT
A serial killer uses the blood of his victims to make art—while a haunted painting made with the blood of a murdered child tells its owner that the artist is planning another painting.
COUNTDOWN TO OBLIVION
An alcoholic father, out to rescue his daughter from a psychopath, finds himself in the middle of an extinction event.
BLACK CAT BONES
A young girl and her mother escape the mother’s abusive lover to the safety of a remote cabin—where life descends further and unravels around them, as addiction and starvation lead to drastic measures that challenge both their stomachs and their minds.
- GenresHorror
152 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 31, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 1, 2025
This was a creepy little horror anthology! Worth picking up for anyone who enjoys extreme and/or short horror stories. Sometimes I think short horror is the best, although it is difficult not to love it all.
Storyslave is 3 short stories and an autobiographical short story. In one, a serial killer at large uses the blood of children that he will imminently kill to create paintings. Our protagonist forms a bond, if you will, with one of these paintings and uses it to locate the killer, and ultimately, her own artistic inspiration. In another, a meth-fueled family feud turns into something even more intense, if you can believe it. In the third, a little girl and her mother go to great lengths to hide from the police after our young protagonist takes out her real-life boogeyman. The kindness of a stranger, and strange he is indeed, helps her to move on. In the final story, we get a glimpse into the youth of author Brian Bowyer's own life, and it informs the stories that came before.
Honestly, on reading the first 3 stories, I had a hard time following the motivations of the main characters. At times their actions, and reactions seemed extreme, or permissive, or unusual. That was the biggest hang up for me here. I still think that my opinion holds, although I do believe that Brian's own experience sheds light on a very different upbringing and background, one in which people are subjected to circumstances in which they might act in extreme ways, from an outsider's perspective.
These stories stuck with me. It's been 10 days and one will surface in my mind from time to time. Thank you for sharing a little bit of your world with us Brian. It was very cool to put together that you grew up not too far from where I'm living now, in Huntington. I'm glad to read that you found a place that you like much better and that you are creating these stories to share with us.
Thank you to Brian, NetGalley, and RDS Publishing for the eARC!
Storyslave is 3 short stories and an autobiographical short story. In one, a serial killer at large uses the blood of children that he will imminently kill to create paintings. Our protagonist forms a bond, if you will, with one of these paintings and uses it to locate the killer, and ultimately, her own artistic inspiration. In another, a meth-fueled family feud turns into something even more intense, if you can believe it. In the third, a little girl and her mother go to great lengths to hide from the police after our young protagonist takes out her real-life boogeyman. The kindness of a stranger, and strange he is indeed, helps her to move on. In the final story, we get a glimpse into the youth of author Brian Bowyer's own life, and it informs the stories that came before.
Honestly, on reading the first 3 stories, I had a hard time following the motivations of the main characters. At times their actions, and reactions seemed extreme, or permissive, or unusual. That was the biggest hang up for me here. I still think that my opinion holds, although I do believe that Brian's own experience sheds light on a very different upbringing and background, one in which people are subjected to circumstances in which they might act in extreme ways, from an outsider's perspective.
These stories stuck with me. It's been 10 days and one will surface in my mind from time to time. Thank you for sharing a little bit of your world with us Brian. It was very cool to put together that you grew up not too far from where I'm living now, in Huntington. I'm glad to read that you found a place that you like much better and that you are creating these stories to share with us.
Thank you to Brian, NetGalley, and RDS Publishing for the eARC!
June 8, 2025
“Storyslave” is a collection of terrifying fiction & also part wild memoir by the author. Bower’s book is totally captivating. His life events and imagination transform & elevate his prose into fantastic scary stories. I really appreciated the insight into how his experiences show through in his work.
Within these pages readers learn to beware of black cat bones, follow a family of addicts during the last hours of humanity, and meet a grieving mother who is willing to help the spirit of a child.
I enjoyed each one for its randomness, interesting characters, and endings.
This was just plain good storytelling.
Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and RDS Publishing/ Uncomfortably Dark Horror for a copy!
Within these pages readers learn to beware of black cat bones, follow a family of addicts during the last hours of humanity, and meet a grieving mother who is willing to help the spirit of a child.
I enjoyed each one for its randomness, interesting characters, and endings.
This was just plain good storytelling.
Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and RDS Publishing/ Uncomfortably Dark Horror for a copy!
June 28, 2025
When I saw the description (three novelettes and a short memoir packed into just 152 pages)I was instantly intrigued. No thoughts, no expectations. I didn’t even read the summaries, just dove in from the cover page.
Normally, I rate collections story by story (and don’t worry, I still will), but this one felt different. Bowyer’s writing style is concise, matter-of-fact, and no-bullshit. And honestly? I respect that, personally and professionally.
The stories are wild, chaotic even, but they never lose their core: they’re painfully, brutally human.
Addiction. Death. Divorce. Grief. Mental illness. Abuse. Sexual assault. These aren’t neat topics, and Bowyer doesn’t try to make them neat. He gives you 50 pages per story, no fluff, and somehow it works. It really works. The writing mirrors life: messy, sharp, disorienting, and honest.
As the stories unfold, you start to notice a thread connecting them. By the second story, something feels familiar, and by the third, it clicks. Then comes the memoir, and it seals the deal.
'I Have No Idea' perfectly encapsulates what it feels like when life just happens to you: the randomness, the horror, the pain, and the absurdity of it all.
This type of storytelling won’t appeal to everyone. It’s raw, blunt, and refuses to romanticize. But for me? That’s precisely what made it brilliant.
Individual Ratings
Scarlett – 5/5
Countdown to Oblivion – 5/5
Black Cat Bones – 5/5
I Have No Idea: A Memoir – 5/5
August 7, 2025
Three novelettes and a memoir from Splatterpunk Award-nominated and Godless Award-winning horror author Brian Bowyer.
Scarlett
A woman buys a pair ting k owing the artist was a serial killer who used the blood of his young victims as paint. Loved this story and how she learned about revenge.
Countdown to Oblivion
A father saves his daughter from death at the hands of a drug dealer just in time for the end of existence of the earth. I have to admit that the end of this one choked me up a little.
Black cat bones
Another story of a child living a horrible existence that is her normal. Her mother is a drug addict and the young girl goes from abuse from the mother's boyfriend and hunger. A sad tale for lots of reasons.
The Memoir. This dude kinda scares the hell out of me! If his memoir is even 10% true, he has seems and done some s**t! It is easy to see where these disturbing stories come from.
This is a book of horror. Do not expect the watered-down stuff that calls itself horror here. You are warned.
It's highly recommended if you are a die-hard horror fan who does not shy from splatterpunk and doesn't look for trigger warnings.
Published May 31, 2024
Thanks to @netgalley and RDS Publishing | Uncomfortably Dark Horror for the opportunity to read this eArc in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion
Scarlett
A woman buys a pair ting k owing the artist was a serial killer who used the blood of his young victims as paint. Loved this story and how she learned about revenge.
Countdown to Oblivion
A father saves his daughter from death at the hands of a drug dealer just in time for the end of existence of the earth. I have to admit that the end of this one choked me up a little.
Black cat bones
Another story of a child living a horrible existence that is her normal. Her mother is a drug addict and the young girl goes from abuse from the mother's boyfriend and hunger. A sad tale for lots of reasons.
The Memoir. This dude kinda scares the hell out of me! If his memoir is even 10% true, he has seems and done some s**t! It is easy to see where these disturbing stories come from.
This is a book of horror. Do not expect the watered-down stuff that calls itself horror here. You are warned.
It's highly recommended if you are a die-hard horror fan who does not shy from splatterpunk and doesn't look for trigger warnings.
Published May 31, 2024
Thanks to @netgalley and RDS Publishing | Uncomfortably Dark Horror for the opportunity to read this eArc in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion
June 1, 2025
I picked this up off Netgalley but I really saw a review from Danielle and knew I needed to read it, and lucked into it there.
This was wonderful, and will be getting purchased by me when it released.
Do I have a new to me author I will be checking, out?
Yes !
Three novelettes and I need to pick a favorite, or do I ?
Scarlett ( I know, I know this is what caught my eye)
This one is a wild take on a serial killer, and how one person hunts them down, I loved it in the same way I loved The Shining Girls and Black Phone, if you know what I mean, that weird, crazy, story that unfolds and you are like, holy crap what is happening, but you can’t stop reading it. I was gripped the entire time.
Countdown to Oblivious
Maybe it was the family feud, maybe it was the drug use, and how it makes everything worse, but something about this story just hit hard for me, and I loved it, when that comes together in a down to the wire type situation, it just had all the elements I love in horror, the “people pressure” I like to call it where its not just the things going on around you that make shit scary, its the people, the ones you can’t tell what they will do next, that make the real horror in the story.
Black Cat Bones ( I am a liar, this was my favorite lol )
I enjoyed this one as well, how could I pass up a kid destroying her actual real monster??
I dont want to spoil too much, but while on the run with her mother, they run into someone or something and well, when your a kid, that not only endured the monster, but also slayed it, well it leaves some marks that you can’t just roll on past, and somehow this stranger, helps her out with that.
I loved this, and will be checking out more by Brian, this is the kind of author I love running across.
This was wonderful, and will be getting purchased by me when it released.
Do I have a new to me author I will be checking, out?
Yes !
Three novelettes and I need to pick a favorite, or do I ?
Scarlett ( I know, I know this is what caught my eye)
This one is a wild take on a serial killer, and how one person hunts them down, I loved it in the same way I loved The Shining Girls and Black Phone, if you know what I mean, that weird, crazy, story that unfolds and you are like, holy crap what is happening, but you can’t stop reading it. I was gripped the entire time.
Countdown to Oblivious
Maybe it was the family feud, maybe it was the drug use, and how it makes everything worse, but something about this story just hit hard for me, and I loved it, when that comes together in a down to the wire type situation, it just had all the elements I love in horror, the “people pressure” I like to call it where its not just the things going on around you that make shit scary, its the people, the ones you can’t tell what they will do next, that make the real horror in the story.
Black Cat Bones ( I am a liar, this was my favorite lol )
I enjoyed this one as well, how could I pass up a kid destroying her actual real monster??
I dont want to spoil too much, but while on the run with her mother, they run into someone or something and well, when your a kid, that not only endured the monster, but also slayed it, well it leaves some marks that you can’t just roll on past, and somehow this stranger, helps her out with that.
I loved this, and will be checking out more by Brian, this is the kind of author I love running across.
May 21, 2025
Brian Bowyer is easily one of my top authors in this genre. His writing can literally do no wrong. I became obsessed after reading Flesh Rehearsal, and never once has one his books disappointed. This new collection showcases his impeccable writing. If you’ve ever read anything by him, or know who he is, it’s safe to say you know what I mean when I say the guy is just a total vibe… and so is this collection. On that note, let’s take the stories one by one.
Scarlett:
“Yes. Some whisper, and others scream, but all works of art must say something. And I definitely want my first painting to say something. I’m waiting for a story to tell.”
Ah. Perfect story to start a collection. Quick one sitting read and really shows off what I love about Brian. His ability to tell a hell of a story whether it’s 20 pages or 200+. I love a good haunting story, and this is top tier.
Countdown to Oblivion:
“The drugs made her hideous, but pain made her beautiful. She’s flying with all the angels now.”
This little gem was absolutely perfect. Less than 50 pages; so a nice quick read but everything you could want and more from plot, character, detail, etc. It’s a heavy hitter and packs a punch. I read this story in the past as a standalone and it was one that actually got me out of a reading slump. Fantastic story.
Black Cat Bones:
“The mind’s an awfully big place. There’s a lot of places people can go and hide inside their minds.”
Brutal. Brilliant. Beautiful. Around 40 pages and like the others, packs a hell of a punch. Definitely a page turner. I love how his stories can be read in one sitting and be so impactful. This story is a perfect example of that with his writing.
Scarlett:
“Yes. Some whisper, and others scream, but all works of art must say something. And I definitely want my first painting to say something. I’m waiting for a story to tell.”
Ah. Perfect story to start a collection. Quick one sitting read and really shows off what I love about Brian. His ability to tell a hell of a story whether it’s 20 pages or 200+. I love a good haunting story, and this is top tier.
Countdown to Oblivion:
“The drugs made her hideous, but pain made her beautiful. She’s flying with all the angels now.”
This little gem was absolutely perfect. Less than 50 pages; so a nice quick read but everything you could want and more from plot, character, detail, etc. It’s a heavy hitter and packs a punch. I read this story in the past as a standalone and it was one that actually got me out of a reading slump. Fantastic story.
Black Cat Bones:
“The mind’s an awfully big place. There’s a lot of places people can go and hide inside their minds.”
Brutal. Brilliant. Beautiful. Around 40 pages and like the others, packs a hell of a punch. Definitely a page turner. I love how his stories can be read in one sitting and be so impactful. This story is a perfect example of that with his writing.
August 14, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and RDS Publishing for providing me with an eARC.
This is a great set of creepy short stories. It had an underlying creepiness without having to go into pages and pages of gore. I really liked the first story, "Scarlett", especially the ending. The other two were nice too but some details felt a bit repetitive. Initially I was confused about the presence of a memoir in the anthology but it clarified a lot of things about how the stories were structured and the primary elements used were connected to Brian Bowyer's past, especially the part about basements. Honestly that part was almost another horror story in itself. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a short horror story collection that will give you the creeps for a while.
This is a great set of creepy short stories. It had an underlying creepiness without having to go into pages and pages of gore. I really liked the first story, "Scarlett", especially the ending. The other two were nice too but some details felt a bit repetitive. Initially I was confused about the presence of a memoir in the anthology but it clarified a lot of things about how the stories were structured and the primary elements used were connected to Brian Bowyer's past, especially the part about basements. Honestly that part was almost another horror story in itself. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a short horror story collection that will give you the creeps for a while.
May 19, 2025
Thank you to the publisher for providing a complimentary copy of this book.
Wow. This was messed up, but in a good way. The stories were interesting, they kept me engaged. We have a haunted painting, an Armageddon-type situation, and a child following the Antichrist. These stories are raw, original, and disturbing. A lot of trigger warnings, so definitely check that before you decide to read this.
Other than that, I really enjoyed these horror novellettes. My favorite was Scarlett. I also enjoyed the little autobiography at the end - you definitely get a sense of where these stories originated from by learning about the author's young life. I liked that aspect because I was wondering how he came up with these stories. I'll definitely be interested in reading other stories by Brian Bowyer.
Wow. This was messed up, but in a good way. The stories were interesting, they kept me engaged. We have a haunted painting, an Armageddon-type situation, and a child following the Antichrist. These stories are raw, original, and disturbing. A lot of trigger warnings, so definitely check that before you decide to read this.
Other than that, I really enjoyed these horror novellettes. My favorite was Scarlett. I also enjoyed the little autobiography at the end - you definitely get a sense of where these stories originated from by learning about the author's young life. I liked that aspect because I was wondering how he came up with these stories. I'll definitely be interested in reading other stories by Brian Bowyer.
July 14, 2025
This book holds three fast-moving stories of brutal horror infused with drugs, abuse, booze, and death. Brian Bowyer is pretty much the master of this type of horror.
An excellent read.
Bonus material includes some insights into the author’s life. Super interesting.
An excellent read.
Bonus material includes some insights into the author’s life. Super interesting.
April 20, 2026
Brian NEVER disappoints. The horror, the fear, the thrill...he always grips his reader tight and refuses to let them go. He's one of the best avant garde horror writers out there.
October 2, 2025
If you like a good scare and the feeling of trepidation with the ick factor combined then these stories are perfect for quick and nerve wracking reads.
My favourites were the 1st and 3rd ones which really highlighted the evil within people as well as the fight for survival for the main characters involved in each story and their resilience in each of their respective situations.
A must read for all horror fans.
Thankyou to Net galley and RDS Publishing for an arc of this novella.
My favourites were the 1st and 3rd ones which really highlighted the evil within people as well as the fight for survival for the main characters involved in each story and their resilience in each of their respective situations.
A must read for all horror fans.
Thankyou to Net galley and RDS Publishing for an arc of this novella.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 27, 2025
Enjoyed this collection by Brian Bowyer. First time reading him, and it definitely didn't disappoint. I enjoyed the characters in each story, and the plot/pacing for each one. Even the non-fiction story was enjoyable, and not usually my thing. Scarlett was my favorite of the three. Will definitely look for other titles by Brian Bowyer. #STORYSLAVE #NetGalley
September 28, 2025
Haha do you ever read a book and then find yourself checking to make sure there aren't any people behind you? There were multiple stories here and they were really different but the people felt really enough and I got so creeped out. This is why I read horror.
July 27, 2025
This is a difficult one to review for me. The author is talented, but something is missing in each story. Can't put my finger on it. The flow is weird, the endings fell a little flat for me. Too abrupt and not really imaginative. Problem is, I've read too many horror stories all my life, so maybe for the average reader it might hit harder. So I just decided to take it as it is and enjoy the ride.
The real story is the 4th, the author's note. Don't skip that one as it explains a lot about where he comes from. No spoilers, but I was wondering about the girls' ending each time, and this explains a lot.
I truly think if he could flesh his characters out a little more, or focus on where the story is heading, or build the story up a little more, stay away from cliché's, a little more tension, or.... Maybe I should just shut up and take it as it is.
All in all, I enjoyed the second and third stories the most.
I have to say, I don't enjoy horror anymore like I used to. Life happened and it's difficult to not let it taint my reviews when I do read horror. So that's why I try to be as honest as possible. It wasn't for me, but there is something there for others.
Thanks Netgalley for the book.
The real story is the 4th, the author's note. Don't skip that one as it explains a lot about where he comes from. No spoilers, but I was wondering about the girls' ending each time, and this explains a lot.
I truly think if he could flesh his characters out a little more, or focus on where the story is heading, or build the story up a little more, stay away from cliché's, a little more tension, or.... Maybe I should just shut up and take it as it is.
All in all, I enjoyed the second and third stories the most.
I have to say, I don't enjoy horror anymore like I used to. Life happened and it's difficult to not let it taint my reviews when I do read horror. So that's why I try to be as honest as possible. It wasn't for me, but there is something there for others.
Thanks Netgalley for the book.
May 21, 2025
Wow! What a delightful collection of short horror stories! I have not read anything by Brian Bowyer before and I'm glad this collection was my introduction to his work. My favorite story was COUNTDOWN TO OBLIVION- a drug-fueled, end of the world ride with a touch of depravity. I was hoping for a bit more extreme horror, but these were a joy to read. I will definitely be reading more from Bowyer!
Thank you, NetGalley and RDS Publishing | Uncomfortably Dark Horror, for the ARC.
Thank you, NetGalley and RDS Publishing | Uncomfortably Dark Horror, for the ARC.
May 28, 2025
I didn't love this one.
The writing felt curt—short sentences, sparse details, basic language. There wasn't much tension or intrigue. And the characters acted in ways that made willing suspension of disbelief very difficult.
Overall, the book felt rather flat. Not my cup of tea.
The writing felt curt—short sentences, sparse details, basic language. There wasn't much tension or intrigue. And the characters acted in ways that made willing suspension of disbelief very difficult.
Overall, the book felt rather flat. Not my cup of tea.
June 11, 2025
Bowyer has a unique voice and that's on display in these tales. Three stories and a memoir, each of which can be read in one sitting (although the brute force of them will you have stepping away for a breather). Excellent.
October 3, 2025
Brian Bowyer always hits it out of the park! He never disappoints and this collection definitely doesn’t disappoint! They’re fast and brutal at times! Highly recommend! Read all the Bowyer you can!
June 8, 2025
📖 Book Review: Storyslave by Brian Bowyer
⭐️ 4/5 | 💀💀💀💀 Gore Level
🧠 Psychological · 🔪 Extreme · 🕯️ Occult · 💥 Apocalyptic
Three creepy novellas that felt like American Horror Story minis — each with its own twisted flavour of dread. From grief-soaked spirals and unsettling art curators, to cult countdowns and folk magic gone wrong… this was dark, disturbing, and weirdly beautiful in places.
It was my first horror book and my first NetGalley ARC, and it absolutely delivered. Bloody, brutal, and oddly poetic — a great intro to the genre if you're into emotional chaos and a touch of the grotesque.
🖤 Definitely not for the faint of heart.
📲 Read on eReader | NetGalley ARC
📌 CW: Gore, death, grief, addiction, emotional trauma, violence
⭐️ 4/5 | 💀💀💀💀 Gore Level
🧠 Psychological · 🔪 Extreme · 🕯️ Occult · 💥 Apocalyptic
Three creepy novellas that felt like American Horror Story minis — each with its own twisted flavour of dread. From grief-soaked spirals and unsettling art curators, to cult countdowns and folk magic gone wrong… this was dark, disturbing, and weirdly beautiful in places.
It was my first horror book and my first NetGalley ARC, and it absolutely delivered. Bloody, brutal, and oddly poetic — a great intro to the genre if you're into emotional chaos and a touch of the grotesque.
🖤 Definitely not for the faint of heart.
📲 Read on eReader | NetGalley ARC
📌 CW: Gore, death, grief, addiction, emotional trauma, violence
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews