GENOCIDE

by Aaron Lebold, Candace Nola (Editor)

Victim or villian?

Born into a dysfunctional family, his mother keeps him sheltered from his father’s crack-cocaine addiction, and his uncle’s ties to a violent street gang. But once his father is desperate for money, he will do anything, including selling his own to the gang to be used as a prostitute.

After his mother’s tragic death, the young man is forced to live in a gang safe house, where they force him to “pay the rent” by continuing to trade his body for money. When he turns eighteen and escapes the gang, there is only one thing left on his mind.

Revenge.

259 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2020

About the author

Aaron Lebold is an author of psychological horror, sometimes dabbling in extreme elements. His love of the genre began at an early age with all the best slasher films. Writing has always been something of interest but he didn’t make any serious attempts at it until 2017. Since that time he has completed several novels and novellas. His short stories can be found in various anthologies by various publishers. Some of his short stories have been narrated for the Cryo-Pod Podcast. His novel “Born Sick” took second place at the Godless 666 awards for best novel of 2022.

Reviews

[Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good revenge story with loads of blood, torture, mutilation and gore-filled grisly action.

Some aspects were yes, a bit far-fetched, but this was overwhelmingly outweighed by the entertainment value alone, which made the whole experience so totally immersive.

Not the type of usual horror story by any means, but certainly rammed-packed with events that may well turn the stomach of the most avid reader of fictional carnage and depravity…but funnily enough, without ever giving a feeling of being totally ‘extreme’.

Well worth a read, and one to definitely look out for if you’re looking for a good, brutally violent story that smokes with gruesome action from beginning to end.

Rating: 4.6 dark stars of ruination, death and destruction - loved it!

[John The Crippledgimp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow... Just wow. This is my first time reading Aaron Lebold and I got to say this guy is on hell of a writer and I definitely will be reading more of his work. Genocide is a brutal, violent, gritty psychological horror revenge thriller that is told in the first person. It starts from when the main character is born and tells this realistic and horrific story of his life from the beginning to his vengeful end. If you like revenge stories this one is for you. I highly recommend this one there is no frills just a beautifully written horrifically realistic revenge story that is both tragic and savage go get this one you won't regret it.

[Lisa Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genocide is a different kind of horror story. It’s not necessarily scary, but it is horrifying. It’s a story about real-world, real-life horrors. There’s no artistic embellishment or deep symbolism, there’s only the horror and the telling of a tale about that of which we do not like to speak. It is a brutal and evocative story both in content and effect. These are the horrors that haunt us, the things we truly fear but don’t want to talk about.

Aaron Lebold has written Genocide in a very direct and simple first person. It fits the character who is telling the story perfectly. And the character’s telling of the story is eerily, disconcertingly authentic. This is much more than the revenge tale the synopsis alludes to. In fact, to me, it isn’t really a revenge tale so much as it is a horror thriller about how the mind of an abused child breaks over time, the horrors of the altered self, and the terrors that come of it. But perhaps I can relate to the character too much.

Genocide could be called a Ripped-from-the-Headlines Horror Thriller if the media dared to discuss the atrocities behind the atrocities, if people cared to care, if we were not afraid to acknowledge such things. Aaron Lebold dares to take this horror thriller to the greatest social taboo: the horrors born from the breaking of an abused child. He does it with skill and without graphic abuse scenes.

This a story about a child growing up experiencing things and emotions he cannot understand and how he ultimately deals with them. It is full of gut-wrenching sequences, nail-biting tension, and true-life horrors. It is bold and moving, a great read for those who do not shy away from non-gratuitous child abuse in horror fiction.

[✮ osanna aoki ✮ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aaron Lebold has done it for me once again. This has to be one of the most heartbreaking horror novels that I’ve read to date. My emotions were all over the place. I happened to shed a few tears, seethe with anger, and admittedly… I had some “hell yeah!” moments while I was (wrongly? idk, idc) rooting on the vigilante main character, who also remains nameless.

This one was dark. The subject of abuse is heavy here, so I advise anyone with childhood trauma to either prepare yourself for a ride of emotions (like I did), or to rain check this book for another time.

I think Genocide brilliantly tackles the controversial question of: “Can a killer be made?” Here we don’t see much nature, but a whole lot of nurture. This becomes a major factor as we watch the violently abused victim become a murderous villain. You watch a child scorned unfold into a revenge-seeking teenager with each page that you turn. And with each turned page comes more and more anticipation.

It starts off with a gut-wrenching background story from a soon-to-be eight year old boy who details his heartbreaking upbringing. Though you never learn something as personal as his name or even what he may look like, Lebold does such an amazing job at using storytelling and narration to grab us by the heart. Mine sure broke in half while reading how angry, hurt, and confused this little boy felt. I had not expected to cry during the first couple of chapters. Eventually the novel changes pace, and you’re thrown into the psyche of a tortured teenager who’s ready for a murder spree.

And a fucking murder spree it is. Whoa. Lebold throws in some crazy kills and the torture scenes are descriptive and vivid. Again, I’m not sure how morally correct I am for rooting on a teenager seeking vengeance in the form of excruciating violence, but I happily cheered him on. Honestly, you probably will too. And that is perfectly okay in my book.

Lebold has a knack for taking a theme in horror and giving it such an original, unthought-of spin. That’s why I love his books. Up until the very last page, you never know exactly what shit you’re about to get into. It’s brilliant. I highly recommend this one for all of my vigilante lovers and those who are into books with heavy kill scenes. Lebold also knows how to create a story out of violence, so there is always a depth to his work that’s highly appreciated. Genocide is a 5/5 for me.

[Jacob Salton · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Genocide' is a slow burning candle that turns into the monster roller-coaster ride that could make even the experienced horror reader question whether or not they really want to stick around to the end. But if you can get through the sad and sometimes sadistic pain of the main character as you follow him from a young boy into adult hood, you will not be disappointed with how his depravity consumes him and eventually consumes everyone.
This story will keep you interested until the very end, I found myself constantly wondering where is this going and what will happen next. Aaron Lebold takes a unique approach to the writing of this story as it is a character in and of itself - meaning the expressions are disconnected, in a good way, you become the character, and at times as I was reading this I felt uneasy, confused, sad. Aaron has a way of pulling out the emotions, leaving his readers with a melting pot of feelings to fester over the next time the go shopping at the hardware store. If your interested in Horror, Suspense, Torture, Psychology, Human Development, Revenge, Gore, or stories that push the envelope this is a read for you. Can read in a couple days, approximately 200 pages of bloody surprises.

[Kristina Gallo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is exciting and sad at the same time. Living under the threat of gang members, a young boy obeys their demands to survive. He rents his body to pay his father's debts and experiences the trauma of abuse. His only support is his mother, but when she was killed in a tragic accident, the young boy will ask for revenge.
What is interesting in this book is the way how author exposes things, so scary and disgusting events have the sense to the reader, when we realize with whom the main character is dealing. Every step is a risk, and I waited impatiently for how will a young boy get out of this hell.

[James Huck · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dark, gripping anti-hero genesis tale of poignancy and brutality. Totally worth a read.

[renee w · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ RTC

[C.L. Sidell · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Some killers aren’t born; they’re made."

Not for the faint of heart, Genocide follows an unnamed narrator who is born into unfavorable circumstances that continue to deteriorate as he grows older. Life, however, officially begins to unravel for him on his eighth birthday—when his crack-addicted father decides to sacrifice his young son’s body in exchange for his debt. Our protagonist’s tragic life turns even darker when unspeakable tragedy strikes two years later.

On the surface, Genocide is a good old-fashioned revenge story. The first half of the book may very well bring you to tears, but the second half will have you rejoicing in the screams and blood splatter of those who have wronged our central character. There is NOTHING happy about this book. But—that’s the point. With sparse prose, Aaron Lebold offers the reader cutting insight into the heartbreaking reality of what it means to be victimized. As we suffer with the protagonist, we come to understand how abused individuals sometimes perceive themselves as deserving of their punishment, while others cope with their circumstances by turning to violence. Some killers aren’t born; they’re made. And Genocide shows us this. Recommended for fans of the film The Man from Nowhere and for those who enjoy tense psychological fiction with violence tossed in the mix.

[Esther Jacoby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had ordered Genocide and by the time I round to reading it, I had forgotten what it was about. Without a clue as to what to expect, I was instantly immersed in a world that was filled with the strong yet innocent, confused yet distinct voice of a young boy who had to live through some of the most horrendous experiences imaginable. And yet, without being gruesome, Aaron manages to let the protagonist describe the events almost factually. This is the voice of a traumatised kid in a most believable way. I got so taken in, willing for a happy end I knew would not come. Still, the ending was … just. If you can handle dark and do not shrink from entering a world of violence, trauma and painful revenge, this book is for you!

[The Wintermute System · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t… I can’t… what the fuck, brain? Like I can’t even fully process this book? What just happened? And I don’t mean like plot wise, thanks, I got that just fine but I’ve never been so physically affected by a book? It’s a shame there were enough editing errors that I really, really want a pass at fixing them, p,ease, but not enough for me to knock off a star. Here and there but noticeable. Normally, I’d knock a star off but this review is going to run the same way I did while reading: 100% on emotion.

I’ve never had to take so many mini breaks to process a book. I love it and I hate how much anxiety this book gave me. I was in a constant state of flight or fight and really w anted to pick flight. I think I felt so connected to the main character that it bordered in unhealthy although there were very obvious differences. Just an absolute gut punch though.

I also am usually really good at pinpointing why I feel this emotionally connected, but I only have a tenuous grasp of it. I think this book is going to change me in ways that frighten me, but I’m scared if change even when I’m using fiction to process and heal so gut instinct says this will be good after I settle.

The main character, who remains nameless as far as I remember, is trafficked by his father and uncle. There’s a lot of thoughts about dehumanization and degradation, but when I finished without getting his name, I found this aspect to be part of that whole package. Well played, but kind of chilling. It just hit me like three fourths into the book that we never get his name and it was important to me so I’m pointing it out here.

I promised myself to stay away from books about CSA, but this book called to me. I’m glad I went there. This book hit in all the right and wrong ways and definitely left an impact. I’m thinking of maybe just binging a bunch of other trauma porn and seeing if I can work this out.

I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone who cannot deal with children getting hurt or sexually abused, but… I did love it regardless of that.

[Patti Moyer-townsend · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book catches you from the very beginning, by tugging at your emotions and making you root for the main character, right from the beginning.
From a small boy who is lost in his own world and not knowing what kind of life his family actually leads. To a deranged surviour who wants to seek revenge on the local gang who took his life from him. This book has your strangely rooting for main character, even through his gruesome, rage filled battle against the people who took his childhood.
A book you sit down to read, and end up reading it from beginning to end in one sitting. Keeps you wanting to know what is next, and crossing your fingers for the underdogs of the story.

[Jennifer Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in a little over one sitting. It starts quickly, bringing you on a journey you both don't want to be on, but feel you cannot stray from.
It's a story of a boy, who is treated with such ferocious awfulness, that he changes and becomes something so much more that he thought he would be when he was a child. It's a fate that no one wants, and few are pushed to.
It is tragic, immediate, disheartening,dark, terrifying, and strangely beautiful.
The first part of the story reminded me so very much of Kerouac's book Visions of Gerard. Both books are hauntingly told from the point of view of a child.
That is when Genocide changes, it is Count Of Monte Cristo in it its theme, and the most violent awfulness of a Saw movie all rolled into one genre bending book.
I will say this. I am NOT a fan of gratuitous violence, so those with sensitivities to violence, be warned. That being said. This violence, though shocking when it comes, is so visceral and pure. It never felt like violence for violence sake. It was a way of communication. An almost poem of the grotesque.
This is a book that will stay with you. Long after you have finished.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely not one for the squeamish; this visceral tale of a boy's abuse and violent revenge on those responsible for it is a definite page-turner - I finished this much quicker than expected.

Lebold's unnamed protagonist takes you on an emotional journey as you find yourself sympathetic to begin with but definitely questioning his moral virtue by the end. Ultimately it shows the damaging effects of child abuse on all involved. The writer takes into account the limited literacy of his protagonist who spends years hidden away from the world, which not every writer does.

If you can cope with violence more associated with the SAW franchise, you'll enjoy this. Well, maybe not enjoy, but it will definitely be a memorable experience.

[Zach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

This novel is amazing. Once the groundwork was laid, it was a runaway train that had long since passed the point of no return. This was a grisly tale of revenge and I loved every minute of this wild ride into Hell.

[Daniel Fisher]

A beautiful scorched earth emotional tale that will leave you pondering all you hold as sacred. Be warned, not for the faint of heart, but well worth the emotional tumult.

[Nick Gerrard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grit Lit....A gritty real street smart book full of violence and gore and unpleasant stuff; The slimy underbelly of society never sounded so good. There is no let-up from the Author as he takes us on a ride with the narrator from torturous beginnings to bringing things to a grizzly tortuous end.

[Rakhi (New Book Reviewer) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story starts with a young boy narrating about his life from the time he was born till he turned 8 years old, when everything changed and just one event turned his life into a living hell.

At the starting of the book, the boy introduces his father a thief, criminal, abuser, druggist who was in jail for 2 years when he was just three years old.

Then he introduces his uncle Max, the brother of his father who runs a drug ring and child prostitution.

His mother a kind soul who did everything for his cruel husband and protected him till her dying breath.

So the story continues due to sealing drugs from his own brother and owning him a debt. His father saw his 8-year-old as a great opportunity to earn more money and to pay his debt so he sold his only son to his brother for prostitution.

Uncle Max took the boy to the hotel where a man was waiting for him, who used him sexually which left a toll on him. Scared, in pain and unable to say anything or understanding the young boy was quiet and the only thing that Uncle Max told him was, that it was his fault, what he did was illegal and if say anything to anyone he would be in jail. This is how the young boy was trapped in being a sex slave.

From there the story continuous how an 8-year-old was locked alone and sexually abused every day and was forced into prostration suffering every day until he turned 17 big enough to protect himself and take revenge.

So how will he take revenge? What did happened in those 10 years? What happened to his mother and father?

My Take:

Genocide is a debut novel written by Aaron Lebold and must say I m beyond impressed by the way he has written this book.

As I started reading this book I had no idea what the story was about and what will happen, so as I started reading I found myself lost in the book and by the time I realized what the story is about I was shocked and found myself thinking don't get into the car.

The story is full of emotions and the way the author Aaron Lebold as expressed them is just the best thing you will read because one moment I felt like I am sad as they were doing bad things to a child and as I read further instantly I also felt excited and full rage at the same time.

The storyline is very addictive and written in a very creative manner which was easy to imagine and feel the emotions.

The highlight of the book is the revenge part even though there are some brutal ways that he killed them, but by the time you reach the first kill you are mentally and emotionally prepared and you will also say they deserve it.

Overall a very unique and interesting story that will grab your attention and take you to the whole new life of a child that was used as a child sex slave.

[Sandra Lopez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story of a young boy growing up with a drug-addict father and a victimized mother. A child robbed of innocence, he grapples with a growing seed of anger against his tormentors. Dark thoughts were consuming him as he lived his life in pain and fear. If he and his mother didn’t live by the gang’s rules, the punishment would be severe. Things go from bad to worse when an escape plan goes awry and the child accidentally kills his own mother. As a result, he was kidnapped and locked away by his tormentors. For years, he grew stronger and angrier. It was clear: he wanted them to pay, he wanted them dead, he wanted genocide. So he plans, makes a list of people he wanted to see dead. He becomes fascinated with killing, murder, and blood, which was further aggravated by watching horror movies like Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, and Child’s Play.

Story carries a good, simple narrative with an intriguing premise. The kid ends up going all Rambo on these guys with a lot of blood and guts. Very creepy and morbid. It got a little too gory at times, which didn’t settle too well. It was nice that this boy got some vindication for what he went through.

A nice, dreadful horror tale for those into that kind of stuff.

[Derek Muk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two thumbs up for Aaron Lebold's "Genocide", a hard hitting, gritty, dark, and brutal tale of revenge. The book follows a nameless protagonist who, at a very young age, is snatched away from normalcy and forced into a life of prostitution and being in a gang by his uncle and father.

My favorite scenes from the book were the ones that involved the protagonist and his down-to-earth mother, who is the only person who cares about him and the only one that tries to help him. I liked those two characters the best. The scenes with him and his cowboy hat, thinking of his mother, are touching.

I kept rooting for the main character along the way, hoping that he'd get his revenge on those that wronged him.

[Samantha Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well put together novel! I gave it a four-star score due to formatting issues and getting lost a few times while reading. But in a nutshell, it was very well done for sure. Loved the concept of the victim in the story becoming the true villain in the end. Did not see that coming for sure. How his life was full of twists and turns all throughout. Also towards the end, I was like wow! Like it was meant to be caught by the cops. All I can say is wow! Will not say anything else because it was well done, and I will not spoil. I recommend this book! Keeps you on the edge of your seat for sure.

[Cye Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a ride

Aaron leobold's tragic story of Max, a child brought up and prostituted by his evil father and the evil Octo loco gang, is as heart wrenching, as it is brutal.
Left alone with only a cellar as company, max is forced to do things that would make any grown adult cry.
Ultimately, his years of abuse harden him and build up a thirst for revenge.
Aaron's descriptive and rather vivid revenge story may leave some readers reaching for the vomit bowl, but even with all the bloodshed, like me, you'll probably be cheering him on.
Not one for the faint hearted, but if you can stomach the violence, this is well worth a read.

[Rachel M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this one down. It follows the life of a young boy from birth, you stay with him through the book until his teen years. He’s been brought up used and abused and the only person in the world he felt close to and could help him was his mother. But after her tragic death he is left alone made to think he is a criminal and can’t leave his uncles care. However his uncle is the leader of a street gang involved in drugs, prostitution and violence. Of course the young boy now knows nothing else and is hell bent on revenge to all that crossed his path and did him wrong.

[PJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a difficult read. For most horror, it is gory and horrifying in an almost exaggerated way that makes it easier to digest as frivolous entertainment because it is, after all, just written words. Genocide was nightmarishly real. For the most part, the events that take place in this book have and can realistically happen to children (in differing scenarios), and that makes it all the more terrifying. It did have its moments of exaggeration, but it made me feel fulfilled as I read through revenge and justice. This was devastating and freeing at the same time.

[DL Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Severe trigger warning with this one, Darklings. Child abuse, child prostitution, domestic abuse...if you can read through those then continue reading this review.

The story follows a boy whose life is made hell by his gang member father & gang leader uncle. It all started on his 8th birthday, that's 8.years.old, when his father consumed too much cocaine, accrued a debt that...

Read the rest of the review at uncomfortablydark.com under Dark Rose