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The Sticks
This book contains scenes of explicit violence and gore.
It was meant to be a peaceful getaway to the countryside, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. But after a run-in with the locals, things take a turn for the worse...
Who will survive a weekend in...
THE STICKS
Also features the shorts stories Trotters and Bungee Cord!
"Not messing with the locals is a backwoods philosophy passed down through the ages... a philosophy 'The Sticks' shoves down the reader's throat with the strength of backwoods justice! Gore filled and at times hilarious, 'The Sticks' is the perfect blend of horror comedy that leaves you satisfied long after the final page." - Stuart Bray, author of Violence On The Meek and Broken Pieces Of June
It was meant to be a peaceful getaway to the countryside, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. But after a run-in with the locals, things take a turn for the worse...
Who will survive a weekend in...
THE STICKS
Also features the shorts stories Trotters and Bungee Cord!
"Not messing with the locals is a backwoods philosophy passed down through the ages... a philosophy 'The Sticks' shoves down the reader's throat with the strength of backwoods justice! Gore filled and at times hilarious, 'The Sticks' is the perfect blend of horror comedy that leaves you satisfied long after the final page." - Stuart Bray, author of Violence On The Meek and Broken Pieces Of June
- GenresHorror
219 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 28, 2025
About the author
Harrison Phillips
68 books168 followersHarrison Phillips is an English author of horror, sci-fi and fantasy. His literary influences range from Clive Barker and Stephen King, to Jack Ketchum and Edward Lee. He was born and raised in Birmingham, England, where he still resides with his long-suffering wife, their two daughters, and a schnauzer named Minnie.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 15, 2026
3.5 stars. Harrison Phillips sure does stick with the extreme horror subgenre, doesn't he? This was fine but didn't do a ton for me. Pretty standard lore with hillbillies and unsuspecting tourists. Rape, torture, murder, etc. You get it. Maybe it's because I'm 40 now and have read and watched more horror fare than any hundred normal people combined, but some concepts really need something innovative to stand out, which this didn't do. Whether it was Deliverance back in the 70s of the X-Files episode Home, between those two, you can watch them and get your fill of this kind of stuff. Everything beyond is just a repeat. I think younger, less experienced horror fans will like this much more than my age group and above. Again, it was fine, but just didn't move me all that much, but I see where the audience for it lies.
April 30, 2026
Out in the middle of nowhere, or out in “The Sticks”, dwells "The Boy.” Born with a shit ton of birth defects, his mother keeps him wrapped in cling-film, quite literally. He has a morbid fascination with fire, amongst other disturbing things.
Meanwhile, out in the Welsh countryside, a group of friends are staying at the luxury Backwoods Lodge.
When “The Boy” and his inbred family, and the group of friends converge, chaos bloody chaos ensues.
With no holds barred and no fucks given...the result is beyond savage!
This was a ton of fun, with smooth flowing prose and delightfully gruesome imagery. It immediately hit with the gore, brutality and dark humour.
And….
The "British Bulldog!" 😳
There are also 2 bonus stories, for which I will write a few words below….
TROTTERS.
A short sharp bloody romp through the Welsh countryside. A little bit of folklore about Carwyn who absolutely needs his own story! 🤞
BUNGEE CORD.
Arthur is traditional valley folk. And keeps to the old fashioned valley ways… for everything! However brutal or savage that might turn out to be.
Don't go stickin' yer willy in places it don't belong, I think is the moral of this tale! 😉😂
Meanwhile, out in the Welsh countryside, a group of friends are staying at the luxury Backwoods Lodge.
When “The Boy” and his inbred family, and the group of friends converge, chaos bloody chaos ensues.
With no holds barred and no fucks given...the result is beyond savage!
This was a ton of fun, with smooth flowing prose and delightfully gruesome imagery. It immediately hit with the gore, brutality and dark humour.
And….
The "British Bulldog!" 😳
There are also 2 bonus stories, for which I will write a few words below….
TROTTERS.
A short sharp bloody romp through the Welsh countryside. A little bit of folklore about Carwyn who absolutely needs his own story! 🤞
BUNGEE CORD.
Arthur is traditional valley folk. And keeps to the old fashioned valley ways… for everything! However brutal or savage that might turn out to be.
Don't go stickin' yer willy in places it don't belong, I think is the moral of this tale! 😉😂
March 3, 2026
2.5 ⭐️
December 9, 2025
Absolute madness! Lots of carnage, very much in the vein of Edward Lee’s backwoods books. The novella is about 70% of the book and each of the shorts are roughly 15% each. I enjoyed all 3 equally. I hope Harrison writes more in this world.
November 27, 2025
Ever thought about booking a weekend away in a cosy cabin in the middle of nowhere?
I just read The Sticks, and let me tell you… it might change your mind.
In this story, we follow a group of friends who are really looking forward to a break in the Welsh countryside, in a cosy cabin with a hot tub. Sounds wonderful, doesn’t it? Well, it was until they had an encounter with the locals.
These locals are feral, with no morals, and disturbingly fond of each other (I know… eww!).
…. And did I mention that one of them has a skin condition? As in, no skin whatsoever. He’s pretty much a monster with short term memory who does whatever he’s told.
Now if that grabbed your attention, be ready for some of the most unhinged scenes I’ve ever read, mixed with dark humour and a caveman mentality.
The Sticks is a short, gory read that will make you gasp and gag all the way through. The writing is so clever that I found myself nodding or even answering the narrator, like I was right there.
Needless to say, it was a 5-star read for me.
You also get two more short stories in this book, The Trotters and Bungee Chord. Both are just as crazy, featuring the same kind of Welsh locals who like to “grow the family within the family” (if you know what I mean…).
The Sticks is going to be released tomorrow, and for me, it’s an absolute yes.
This review and more here:
Instagram | Tiktok | Youtube
I just read The Sticks, and let me tell you… it might change your mind.
In this story, we follow a group of friends who are really looking forward to a break in the Welsh countryside, in a cosy cabin with a hot tub. Sounds wonderful, doesn’t it? Well, it was until they had an encounter with the locals.
These locals are feral, with no morals, and disturbingly fond of each other (I know… eww!).
…. And did I mention that one of them has a skin condition? As in, no skin whatsoever. He’s pretty much a monster with short term memory who does whatever he’s told.
Now if that grabbed your attention, be ready for some of the most unhinged scenes I’ve ever read, mixed with dark humour and a caveman mentality.
The Sticks is a short, gory read that will make you gasp and gag all the way through. The writing is so clever that I found myself nodding or even answering the narrator, like I was right there.
Needless to say, it was a 5-star read for me.
You also get two more short stories in this book, The Trotters and Bungee Chord. Both are just as crazy, featuring the same kind of Welsh locals who like to “grow the family within the family” (if you know what I mean…).
The Sticks is going to be released tomorrow, and for me, it’s an absolute yes.
This review and more here:
Instagram | Tiktok | Youtube
February 27, 2026
I'd say never visit the Welsh countryside after reading this but honestly we aren't all like this, promise 😅
Wrong Turn meets I Spit On Your Grave.
The story was dark, grim but the gore made it a decent read.
Wrong Turn meets I Spit On Your Grave.
The story was dark, grim but the gore made it a decent read.
November 26, 2025
THE STICKS
By Harrison Phillips
“Well, he had been born with a severe birth defect … several defects, actually … he’d been born without any skin; a condition called aplasia cutis congenital (not that he knew this, of course). He’d also been born with most of his insides on the outside of his body; a condition called gastroschisis (another fact of which he was unaware).”
*cracks knuckles*
Okay I’m ready. 😅
WOOO, holy shit, it has been a while since I’ve read something like this, lol. Fuck. Okay, well for starters, I have no triggers, getting me to clutch my pearls is no easy task, and yet Harrison Phillips THRIVES at this. 😂
There’s a lot of reasons I veered away from a lot of things in this genre, Harrison Phillips is one of the reasons I continue to stay. His writing is intoxicating to my soul and he will forever be a favorite author of mine in the horror genre.
THE STICKS is an unhinged tale of idek what. Some backwoods shenanigans and a relaxing trip between friends gone really fucking wrong. If there’s anything this genre has taught me, it’s that I won’t be doing any cute little cabin getaways anytime soon… or hiking in the woods. SorryNotSorry.
What I enjoyed so much about this story is that as diabolical and unhinged as some scenes were, there was still this overall captivating story that had me in a chokehold from cover to cover.
And then when I realized both Trotters and Bungee Cord were in this book, I gasped. I re-read both but decided I would simply copy and paste my old reviews exactly as they were—for added effect, lol.
The Trotters review is from May 2024. And the Bungee Cord review is from November 2024. So between the three, it’s a little full circle (or triangle) moment.
Anyway, The Sticks is an easy five stars for me. Top read of 2025. The whole nine. It releases Friday 11/28 but is available for preorder now!!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
(Check comments for other two reviews)
—
Trotters
By Harrison Phillips
“…we don’t f*ck the livestock… the livestock f*cks us!”
Phillips starts this anthology out STRONG with his story. It was wild. 😳 accompanied by an insane plot, there are some real sick and depraved characters in this one. 🫣 I can absolutely see why he such a beloved writer in this community because his attention to detail and writing style is nothing less than incredible. I now have the sudden urge to binge read everything he’s ever written. 🤌🏼
—
Bungee Cord
By Harrison Phillips
“Well, that’s not how the hill folk do things. They do things the old-fashioned way. They solve their own problems; an eye for an eye, just like the bible says.”
Ya know when you’re born into the simple life and your dad promises your virginity to your older brother, but you’re just not feeling it? So you go a little rebellious. But your family is batshit crazy so they do the wildest shit ever to teach people lessons?! 🫠 Awesome, I have a book for you. 🫶🏼
Phillips is a writer for me that NEVER disappoints. His book Cuddle Buddies is at the top for one of my favorite reads this year, and he’s become an auto-buy author for me this year as well. So, it’s no surprise that I loved this one. 😅
Harrison forever delivers some of the most unhinged shit I have ever read. 😂 And he delivers the content perfectly. Every. Single. Time. 🤌🏼
This was one of those “what the actual f*ck did I just read?!” stories, and I really need everyone to grab it and live the horror with me. 🙏🏼🤣
By Harrison Phillips
“Well, he had been born with a severe birth defect … several defects, actually … he’d been born without any skin; a condition called aplasia cutis congenital (not that he knew this, of course). He’d also been born with most of his insides on the outside of his body; a condition called gastroschisis (another fact of which he was unaware).”
*cracks knuckles*
Okay I’m ready. 😅
WOOO, holy shit, it has been a while since I’ve read something like this, lol. Fuck. Okay, well for starters, I have no triggers, getting me to clutch my pearls is no easy task, and yet Harrison Phillips THRIVES at this. 😂
There’s a lot of reasons I veered away from a lot of things in this genre, Harrison Phillips is one of the reasons I continue to stay. His writing is intoxicating to my soul and he will forever be a favorite author of mine in the horror genre.
THE STICKS is an unhinged tale of idek what. Some backwoods shenanigans and a relaxing trip between friends gone really fucking wrong. If there’s anything this genre has taught me, it’s that I won’t be doing any cute little cabin getaways anytime soon… or hiking in the woods. SorryNotSorry.
What I enjoyed so much about this story is that as diabolical and unhinged as some scenes were, there was still this overall captivating story that had me in a chokehold from cover to cover.
And then when I realized both Trotters and Bungee Cord were in this book, I gasped. I re-read both but decided I would simply copy and paste my old reviews exactly as they were—for added effect, lol.
The Trotters review is from May 2024. And the Bungee Cord review is from November 2024. So between the three, it’s a little full circle (or triangle) moment.
Anyway, The Sticks is an easy five stars for me. Top read of 2025. The whole nine. It releases Friday 11/28 but is available for preorder now!!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
(Check comments for other two reviews)
—
Trotters
By Harrison Phillips
“…we don’t f*ck the livestock… the livestock f*cks us!”
Phillips starts this anthology out STRONG with his story. It was wild. 😳 accompanied by an insane plot, there are some real sick and depraved characters in this one. 🫣 I can absolutely see why he such a beloved writer in this community because his attention to detail and writing style is nothing less than incredible. I now have the sudden urge to binge read everything he’s ever written. 🤌🏼
—
Bungee Cord
By Harrison Phillips
“Well, that’s not how the hill folk do things. They do things the old-fashioned way. They solve their own problems; an eye for an eye, just like the bible says.”
Ya know when you’re born into the simple life and your dad promises your virginity to your older brother, but you’re just not feeling it? So you go a little rebellious. But your family is batshit crazy so they do the wildest shit ever to teach people lessons?! 🫠 Awesome, I have a book for you. 🫶🏼
Phillips is a writer for me that NEVER disappoints. His book Cuddle Buddies is at the top for one of my favorite reads this year, and he’s become an auto-buy author for me this year as well. So, it’s no surprise that I loved this one. 😅
Harrison forever delivers some of the most unhinged shit I have ever read. 😂 And he delivers the content perfectly. Every. Single. Time. 🤌🏼
This was one of those “what the actual f*ck did I just read?!” stories, and I really need everyone to grab it and live the horror with me. 🙏🏼🤣
January 17, 2026
The Sticks + 2 Bonus Stories 👏🏼🤎
Firstly I need to apologise for how long it’s taken me to get this review out! I read to 80% & got to the bonus stories, then Christmas, a new kindle & vacation took over! I finally got back to it & devoured it! This is my first ever ARC from Harrison & my days was it the best one!! 👏🏼
Buckle up because this is one hell of a ride!!
Jodie couldn’t wait for a romantic weekend away in the Welsh woods with Steve, she needed the time to relax with just them two. Frustratingly Steve had other ideas though & invited the full crew along with them to party!
Everything seems to be going ok, a few sore heads from too much booze but everyone’s getting on & they’re all having fun…what more could they want?!
Errrrm, a cabin invasion by a bunch of incest hillbillies sound good? 😬 oh & these hillbillies don’t f around, they’re here to have their own fun and they’ve got a whole new group of victims to “play” around with 🫣🫣
The depravity is real 😱
OMG HARRISON!! I am noticing that the newer reads from you are a whole new ball game in the brutal department 😱🤣 I LOVE it!!
The bonus short stories, Trotters & Bungee Cord, were equally as disturbing! I absolutely loved both of these so much! Anything hillbilly, incesty & totally depraved instantly has my attention, you just know you’re in for a crazy gross ride!
Thank you so much for the arc & of course for sending me my signed copy. This is available on all the usual platforms so do NOT sleep on it! Do check those triggers first of course! 🤎
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Firstly I need to apologise for how long it’s taken me to get this review out! I read to 80% & got to the bonus stories, then Christmas, a new kindle & vacation took over! I finally got back to it & devoured it! This is my first ever ARC from Harrison & my days was it the best one!! 👏🏼
Buckle up because this is one hell of a ride!!
Jodie couldn’t wait for a romantic weekend away in the Welsh woods with Steve, she needed the time to relax with just them two. Frustratingly Steve had other ideas though & invited the full crew along with them to party!
Everything seems to be going ok, a few sore heads from too much booze but everyone’s getting on & they’re all having fun…what more could they want?!
Errrrm, a cabin invasion by a bunch of incest hillbillies sound good? 😬 oh & these hillbillies don’t f around, they’re here to have their own fun and they’ve got a whole new group of victims to “play” around with 🫣🫣
The depravity is real 😱
OMG HARRISON!! I am noticing that the newer reads from you are a whole new ball game in the brutal department 😱🤣 I LOVE it!!
The bonus short stories, Trotters & Bungee Cord, were equally as disturbing! I absolutely loved both of these so much! Anything hillbilly, incesty & totally depraved instantly has my attention, you just know you’re in for a crazy gross ride!
Thank you so much for the arc & of course for sending me my signed copy. This is available on all the usual platforms so do NOT sleep on it! Do check those triggers first of course! 🤎
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 30, 2025
A group of friends decide to take a trip outside of the city to having a relaxing time. Things seem to be going well in the beginning. The rental is gorgeous and even has a hot tub! Things take a quick turn when some people in the group meet the locals. But they don't meet them organically, no. They meet them fornicating in the dark.
See, the locals are VERY close. A tight family some may say. And the outsiders have stuck their noses where they shouldn't. The locals are pissed and decide to formally introduce themselves to their guests. And they bring in their tall, strong weapon. These locals are not to be messed with
Phillips with another home run! This was so much fun! The dark humour mixed in with the gory scenes and the locals' speech was hilarious. Harrison really creates some amazing characters. When Colwyn was introduced, I fell in love! I love my flayed giant and need more of him. He was just misunderstood! If you can't get enough of the good ol' backwoods, then you're in luck! Two bonus short stories are included at the end, Trotters and Bungee Cord, which are also sprinkled in The Sticks. Excellent job Harrison!
See, the locals are VERY close. A tight family some may say. And the outsiders have stuck their noses where they shouldn't. The locals are pissed and decide to formally introduce themselves to their guests. And they bring in their tall, strong weapon. These locals are not to be messed with
Phillips with another home run! This was so much fun! The dark humour mixed in with the gory scenes and the locals' speech was hilarious. Harrison really creates some amazing characters. When Colwyn was introduced, I fell in love! I love my flayed giant and need more of him. He was just misunderstood! If you can't get enough of the good ol' backwoods, then you're in luck! Two bonus short stories are included at the end, Trotters and Bungee Cord, which are also sprinkled in The Sticks. Excellent job Harrison!
May 2, 2026
”It was meant to be a peaceful getaway to the countryside, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. But after a run-in with the locals, things take a turn for the worse…“
A group of friends head out to a cozy retreat in the Welsh backwoods. Hot tub, fresh air, the illusion of peace and safety. It all looks perfect when they arrive at the beautiful lodge.
It isn’t.
Out here strangers aren’t welcomed. They’re noticed. Remembered.
Nadine and Marcus wander off in search of a waterfall, to have a moment alone. On this hike they come across some locals and overhear some very disturbing facts about the family living nearby.
Back at the lodge things change. The dark presses closer. Doors are locked, but it means nothing out here in the sticks.
I really enjoyed this one. The pacing is tight, and the atmosphere shifts beautifully from carefree to deeply unsettling. Great character development.
Also included are two short stories, Trotters and Bungee Cord–both disgusting, weird, and darkly funny in the best way.
Highly recommend to my horror people.
-Vibeke 🖤
A group of friends head out to a cozy retreat in the Welsh backwoods. Hot tub, fresh air, the illusion of peace and safety. It all looks perfect when they arrive at the beautiful lodge.
It isn’t.
Out here strangers aren’t welcomed. They’re noticed. Remembered.
Nadine and Marcus wander off in search of a waterfall, to have a moment alone. On this hike they come across some locals and overhear some very disturbing facts about the family living nearby.
Back at the lodge things change. The dark presses closer. Doors are locked, but it means nothing out here in the sticks.
I really enjoyed this one. The pacing is tight, and the atmosphere shifts beautifully from carefree to deeply unsettling. Great character development.
Also included are two short stories, Trotters and Bungee Cord–both disgusting, weird, and darkly funny in the best way.
Highly recommend to my horror people.
-Vibeke 🖤
January 21, 2026
Evan ends up a human grill steak trying to find his next filming location. Suffice to say he never makes it there.
One of a few forthcoming victims shall we say.
A group of mates head on down to The Sticks or rural Wales in other words for a weekend away. But things don’t go as planned should we say when they come to the attention of some of the locals…
This story is set in my homeland of Wales and I read it in my mind with the South Walian dialect that riffs throughout this story. This one is wiiiiiild and I read it in just a day!
Trotters
A romantic weekend away takes a turn in this beastial horror. A savage short!
Bungee Cord
Arthur has a farm out in The Sticks. His daughter Sian is a thorn in his side. The unruly one, and they’re not your average family. Let’s just say they deal out punishment in their own way!
One of a few forthcoming victims shall we say.
A group of mates head on down to The Sticks or rural Wales in other words for a weekend away. But things don’t go as planned should we say when they come to the attention of some of the locals…
This story is set in my homeland of Wales and I read it in my mind with the South Walian dialect that riffs throughout this story. This one is wiiiiiild and I read it in just a day!
Trotters
A romantic weekend away takes a turn in this beastial horror. A savage short!
Bungee Cord
Arthur has a farm out in The Sticks. His daughter Sian is a thorn in his side. The unruly one, and they’re not your average family. Let’s just say they deal out punishment in their own way!
February 13, 2026
The first thing I noticed was how much Lowri reminded me of Krystal from Oscar Brady’s Bunny room. The crazy hillbilly girls always put on a show in these types of books. The thing about backwoods horror is usually if you’ve read them once, you’ve read them all! I love it though and I will always eat these horror stories up. Extreme and violent as can be, Harrison Phillips delivers to keep the backwoods terror alive!
April 12, 2026
Wow bloody and butal
This has everything you expect in an extreme horror. Blood, brutality, gore, viscous, sick and twisted, with so much more. The sticks is as it sound's out in the countryside far away from civilisation. Where people live by their own ways with non of our modern cons. A fascinating fast paced delight. Then at the end a couple of bonus brutal shorts chucked in. Excellent as always. A definite must for any extreme reader. Recommended!
This has everything you expect in an extreme horror. Blood, brutality, gore, viscous, sick and twisted, with so much more. The sticks is as it sound's out in the countryside far away from civilisation. Where people live by their own ways with non of our modern cons. A fascinating fast paced delight. Then at the end a couple of bonus brutal shorts chucked in. Excellent as always. A definite must for any extreme reader. Recommended!
March 31, 2026
Received this audio book from Big Bear Audio on reddit. This book (both the story itself and the narration) were fantastic. Somewhat reminiscent of Off Season by Ketchum, but with an Edward Lee style spin to it. The story itself was quick, but got right into the action, and the author didn't let off with the carnage throughout the book.
The short stories afterwards were also super entertaining!
The short stories afterwards were also super entertaining!
May 3, 2026
What a wild gnarly and violent ride this one was!! I went into this thinking it was gonna be a backwoods hillbilly home invasion story but good Lord did I get so much more!! It's violent gory and has so much carnage it's crazy but Harrison Phillips has this way of and putting dark comedy in these violent situations that just fit so well. This book was absolutely incredible
April 10, 2026
Unhinged backwoods in-bred horror. It's kind of like the Hills Have Eyes in book form with an Edward Lee/Aron Beauregard feel to it. Definitely made me uncomfortable. Fans of vile extreme horror will enjoy. I listened to the audiobook version - narration was great.
November 30, 2025
Brilliant!
I had a blast with this one. If you're a fan of intense horror, you can't go wrong with anything by Phillips. Highly recommended!
I had a blast with this one. If you're a fan of intense horror, you can't go wrong with anything by Phillips. Highly recommended!
December 15, 2025
review to come.
March 31, 2026
a short fun and brutal splatter novel, the audiobook narration was excellent!
May 4, 2026
This was quite literally “I spit on your grave” meets “Texas chainsaw massacre” but like good for them
March 15, 2026
I had already read Trotters (Shocking Sojourns Vol 1) and Bungee Jump (Godless exclusive) before reading Sticks, so I knew I'd love it and how it all tied in, easter eggs mentioned here and there.
One of my favourite tropes in both movies and books - incestuous backwoods redneck hicks killing off people one by one 😆
It's everything extreme horror fans love in Harrisons books - it's brutal, hilarious, spicy, and so deranged. If you're a fan of the movies "Inbred" (2011) or "I Spit On Your Grave" (2010), then you'll love this one. It's carnage.
One of my favourite tropes in both movies and books - incestuous backwoods redneck hicks killing off people one by one 😆
It's everything extreme horror fans love in Harrisons books - it's brutal, hilarious, spicy, and so deranged. If you're a fan of the movies "Inbred" (2011) or "I Spit On Your Grave" (2010), then you'll love this one. It's carnage.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews