Tapeworm: A Vampire Novel

by A.P. Thayer

From Dusk till Dawn if the characters hooked up with The Thing in this twisted, gory horror debut, where a group of friends must confront questions of identity, aging, and desire during a vampire infestation in an isolated Californian desert.

It needs to feed.

After the recent separation from his wife Trish, Victor hopes his friends' annual weekend retreat to the Californian desert town of Superstition will loosen him up and reforge the group's fraying bonds. But something is waiting underneath Superstition, crawling its way into their group, and feeding into their desires.

Victor knows too well what it means to repress his desires. He's always attempted to be the perfect partner, yet often found himself lacking. With Trish skipping the trip, he begins falling into the wild underbelly of Superstition in new ways. When the leader of the town's Welcoming Committee approaches him with a romantic, sexually charged offer, Victor wonders if it's too good to be true.

But the Welcoming Committee expects a price to be paid for its services. One that cannot be fulfilled by willing bodies alone. By the end of the weekend, group bonding will have developed a whole new meaning.

Because something is hungry for Victor and his friends.

Genres: Horror, Vampires, Queer, Fiction, Horror Thriller

400 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication August 18, 2026

About the author

A.P. Thayer is a queer, Mexican-American writer of speculative fiction. His work has appeared in Apex Magazine, Dark Matter, Uncharted Magazine, the Los Suelos multimedia anthology, and more. He is a staff writer for Frivolous Comma and has been an editor at Constelación and Para El Pueblo magazines. His debut novel, Tapeworm, is a body horror novel set in the California desert. It is forthcoming from Evil Twin in August of 2026. Outside of writing, A.P. loves cooking for others, playing RPGs around a table or on PC, and being yelled at by a small dog for lack of attention.

Reviews

[Zana]

DNF @ 74%

When the worms started "happy screeching" as they bathed in the MMC's cum, I absolutely lost it and knew I couldn't do it lmao

This was 80% drama about a friend group and marital problems and 20% campy-verging-on-corny erotic horror. I thought that this was going to be more of a serious horror type of book, but it felt too much of a B movie made for Tubi. Also, there were too many people in the friend group and I ended up not caring for any of them.

Thank you to Evil Twin and NetGalley for this arc.

[Nikki Lee (Nikkileethrillseeker) · Rating 4 out of 5]

WHAT DID I JUST READ 😳😳😳😳
RTC

[Lora Preston · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOLY EFFING CRAP THIS BOOK IS AMAZING
I have never read anything like this ever and I am beyond obsessed. I also had the heebie jeebies the entire last 25% of the book. I could not put it down. OMG. I LOVE

[Jeffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hoping for a horror novel when I started ‘Tapeworm’ by A.P. Thayer. The cover even promised ‘A Vampire Novel’.
I did not get what I expected.
While reading this tale, I entered a nightmare that at first seemed surreal, then quickly latched onto fears and phobias that turned my fingers flipping the pages quite sweaty. Verging on repulsive at times, I barreled through the pages, eating up the carnage. I was horrified yet addicted.
A group of friends, a weekend getaway in a remote desert location, mysterious strangers - seems like tropes of well worn tales. ‘Tapeworm’ turns this scenario into a story that folds together the right portions of real life hardships, sexual fluidity, body horror, deep rooted fears, and bloodsucking creatures. The actions are just believable at each unpredictable turn, the bloodshed and gore is over the top in a glorious way, and the outcome is refreshingly bold. Bravo.

[Joshua Gomez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC copy.

A. P. Thayer has a wonderful voice in their character writing. The cast of characters felt like very real people and the dynamics of their relationships as friends, couples, the kinds of changes and experiences you’d expect from years longs friends felt very realistic.

I appreciated the “normalness” of including characters of differing kinds of queerness while also not feeling forced or as if a checklist was being ticked off for diversity. I love to see diversity of backgrounds and orientations in characters and I feel Thayer did great about making these people feel like real people you’d meet and have in an average friend group. Even the pettier issues, such as the clash of personalities and differing loyalties between Diego and Vic felt all too common having had personal experience in my own friend groups with the awkwardness that comes when two friends break up or fall out in a way that ends up impacting the friend group as a whole.

The horror of this book was a slow creep that steadily built up until it finally reveals itself in all its grotesque glory and never pulls any of its punches. Some scenes absolutely had me gritting my teeth and literally gasping out loud at times.

For all of its strengths I did find the ending to be a little rushed and somewhat predictable by the time things start taking off about 70% through the books length. I felt a certain characters motivations made sense but the how, when, why and other details of what they had done didn’t really feel very satisfying. I think the story would have benefited by having a little bit more information on that while not needing to get so detailed that it detracts from the eldritch nature of what this creature, entity, being actually is or how it came to be. I believe eldritch horror is best when it remains incomprehensible but I do think that the human efforts in the face of the unknowable shouldn’t necessarily hold to that same level of obscurity.

Overall Tapeworm is still absolutely worth the time spent reading and even if the ending didn’t match my expectations or satisfaction I’m still left impressed with Thayers writing and look forward to reading more from them in the future.

[Gainze · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.8 The book was good, the story dragged a bit, the characters were okay, and I was just wanting more. The writing shines for itself. A.P. Thayer knows his craft and gets you into his world no matter what. The main character was annoying, but the whole friend dynamic was so real and fresh to see. I think it needed more, but to be a debut, it is really impressive work. Again, the writing: chef's kiss.

Thank you, evil twin, for the arc. This is my honest review of the book.

[Natalia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feasted on every single page of this book. The story revolves around Victor and his feelings of grieve consuming him due to his failed marriage; but as the story goes we duels over the emotions crawling and feasting on this group of friends on a vacation weekend at superstition; the story is heavy on emotions, the suppressed feelings, resentment, desires, insecurities and all this happens while the best gory nightmare/fever dream/ other realm/ hell it self… is boiling down the surface, through the perfect sand storm and lots of worms predicting the rotting of the plot. The way every single detail is described to me was the perfect way to simmer a story that slowly infest you to the core and I’m not even mention the weirdly but deeply erotic and smutty orgy you get invited to, seducing you into a jaw dropping finale. I’m still like wtf I just read but I never been this satisfied at being this “confused and chocked”. Is not only a solid debut for me, but also one of my favorite reads of this year so far 🪱🌵
GO PRE-ORDER this book NOW!

Arc by NetGalley, all my thoughts are my own.

[Bella Coulter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This piece was well-written, lacked redundancy, and contained a thoroughly complex plot. Moreover, there were elements of fantasy, erotica, alongside realistic fiction, which contrasted one with one another. In direct relation, it was oddly descriptive and described sexual matters uniquely. Overall, I lack critiques for this novel.

[Chewable Orb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tapeworm by A.P. Thayer
4.10 rounded down to 4🔮orbs
Est. Pub. Date: Aug. 18, 2026
Zando/Evil Twin

Beneath the surface…

💡 Orbs Prologue: The yearly friend excursion is a time for excesses, and our exuberance for debauchery clutches our reality. Standing outside our home away from home, I gaze into the distant California desert sky, scorching beams of light descending upon the town of Superstition. And through this blinding illumination, darkened figures appear, surfacing from beneath the cracks of the surface, erupting as though in search of something or someone. Fields of distortion blur our vision. A large dusting of pheromone clouds envelops the land, where feathery mists of chaotic abundance writhe in scenes of mayhem…

🧐 A small glimpse: Victor’s marriage has hit the skids. Troubles have been brewing for quite some time, but as of now, this has not been conveyed to their immediate friend group. Therein lies the problem. You see, they are part of the same circle of “friends,” yes, just like the show. Victor and Trish were an odd match from the start, and this disconnection has put a dent in Victor’s confidence. So, how does one solve this problem, wallowing in self-pity amidst a breakup? Of course, the yearly getaway to Superstition would help unwind, but with its own set of problems, how to explain the absence of Trish? In the end, author A.P. Thayer sees fit to send Victor on a retreat to find himself and move on with his life. So with friends by his side, he endures. From the onset, readers become quite aware of the bizarreness of Superstition. In what could only be described as a horrifically good time, the novel clasps our hands and leads us into the pitch-dark recesses of unknown spaces. Places where seduction meets naivety until the moment strikes like a venomous cobra, and the vile creatures' thirst can be adequately quenched. Time twists, landscapes change, and the mind bends. For what is true anymore?

👍 Orbs Pros: The pacing! How can something so deranged and psychotic be so cohesive? And yet, here I am to say, yes indeed, it worked marvelously. Thayer lends readers some helpful insight while withholding other breadcrumbs, which kept me engaged throughout. The setting of Superstition! The town name is awesome enough, and Superstition lives up to its name. Victor! Our MC is emotional, fragile, and single, looking to mingle with either sex. However, he is broken, which allows for some very interesting turbulence with his friends. Zesty fun! I will mark this as a pro, as plenty of people love their stories zesty these days! Same-sex marriages, bisexual happenings, and revelry lay waste under the California sun! Impulsive wants and desires float to the surface, and you, dear reader, have a front-row seat.

👎 Orbs Cons: Sexy time! Is this a con? I suppose it might be if you are uncomfortable with carnal desires in handwritten form. Randomness! Thayer does an excellent job of keeping the train on the track, but there were times when I was like, "What in the world..." However, I do love me a strange tale... If you love a more straightforward affair, there might be times of unsettlement.

Highly Recommended: This was a great time. I embraced the uncomfortableness and rode it all the way to a satisfying conclusion. The bar scene of “From Dusk till Dawn” kept recurring in my mind throughout portions of this book. The same wacky feelings that I enjoyed so much in the movie were on display here. I will be reading more of Thayer’s work going forward!

💡 Orbs Epilogue: Choking within the mist of a pollen-like fog, liquid emotions spilled from our orifices and were quickly lapped up by organisms never meant to bless the Earth. The ripe smell of our sinewy flesh draws them nearer. Coaxing us, beckoning our common sense to desist, to relinquish our power, and to succumb to something greater. Indeed, we are needed, but not for friendship, no, but to ensure they survive here in this place of isolation. Finding solace within the safety of the home, the voices surround me, loved ones since deceased, but still heard… Come outside, Orb, come outside!

Many thanks to Zando/Evil Twin for the ARC through NetGalley. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Krista B · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm so sorry, I really wanted to like this book. I LOVE a good horror novel about WORMS. Which, as a concept, greatly horrify me to begin with, so we were starting out at an advantage.

From the outset, we learn that Vic (Victor) has just separated from his wife Trish, whom we learned in the prologue was infected by a Creature/worm monster. (I don't consider this a spoiler, as we learned this in the first few pages.) Vic heads off for a getaway in the town of Solitude, as he and Trish are taking turns spending time with their shared friends.

Immediately things started taking a turn for the worse. Vic meets some extremely sketchy people in the gas station, who are so blatantly untrustworthy and cartoon villain creepy that we know immediately that this must be The Bad Guy. However, instead of being extremely sketched out that people are touching his vehicle at the gas station, Vic immediately gets... turned on and starts thinking very graphically about the girl who is hitting on him.

HUH? Sir, you just got divorced. I know the rebound energy is big, but why are we like this? Why are we slavering over a complete stranger who is touching your VEHICLE?

I hate to report that the rest of the book went similarly. Vic is a singularly unlikeable character, and so is everyone else at the cabin. Vic spends half of his time thinking lustfully about various people, especially his best friend Matty, who is a MARRIED MAN, and the other half snarkily thinking mean comments about how everyone else is so mean, awful, and surely must be cheating on their significant other. I lied, I guess Vic also spends time thinking self-pityingly about the end of his relationship with Trish.

We get some truly awful segments just detailing the awful corrosive "friendships" between these "friends", who are all so awfully unlikeable. I really didn't think I'd make it through this book, because of all the ridiculously horny and unimpressively explicit trains of thought, and by the time I was at like 65%, I was like, ARE there still any worms in this book? Or am I just being subjected to watching these horrible people in their shitty relationships arguing, being catty, and not even liking each other? Idk, they get drunk some.

Vic argues with Diego, who has accused him of being physically abusive to Trish, which Vic denies. Shenanigans happen, and Diego's boyfriend Charles breaks up with him, then everyone drives off angrily. Diego and Charles, who call each other 'babe' with grating frequency, break up over this accusation. And then not a FEW PAGES LATER????? One of them calls the other babe again? Are we broken up? Did they get back together? HUH?????

Finally Vic kicks off the plot by going back to town and hooking up with the sketchy biker girl, whom at this point we've been told has been possessed by the worm creature. And then when he returns, everything has gone to hell. Except I literally don't care. I was power reading through the ending, and I was so grateful when the worm monster got each of them. I was EXCITED that I never had to hear from any of them again.

A couple of nitpicks that stuck out to me, in my frustration - someone's laughter is described as gibbous. Did you mean gibbering? Gibbous refers to the state of a moon. Then the Worm Monster is described as a great 'chitinous horror'. I googled this, and discovered that worms do indeed have chitin. But at the time that I was reading it, I was completely thrown because I was imagining a bug with a prominent exoskeleton, not a worm.

At the very end we are treated to Vic in the afterlife with... a mysterious woman (Trish?) in black, and there is the implication that they've both died and are trapped with the consequences of their actions while living...?

I wanted to like this book more, especially because I was thrilled to see non-white characters represented in horror, but everyone was just so ridiculously horned up and cruel to each other that I could not care less about any of them or their gruesome fates.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[elli ⛧ yourspookymom · Rating 5 out of 5]

“She came into my world as a tourist. I should have made her stay one. I pulled her in and then used her to pull myself out.”

Right from the beginning, Tapeworm hooks its fleshy tendrils into some soft, wounded part of you. Vic and Trish’s marriage has crumbled, made evident by a venomous fight that closes out their annual trip to the California desert with friends. While it feels like the final nail in the coffin of their union, something else — ravenous and yearning — awakens just below the surface. What follows is an intimate, catastrophic and unyielding free-fall into Vic’s return to the dusty lands and looming mountains of Superstition one year later. This time single and tired, but holding on to the sliver of hope that a weekend away with his friends (new and old) will rejuvenate some flaccid, dead part of him.

To Vic’s surprise, it does.

Thayer builds a bouquet of feelings and, around it, crafts an atmosphere, injecting both into his characters — some likable, some insufferable. But there’s a fragility there. So much of this book is deeply feeling, honest and human. It doesn’t shy from the way that people use and discard one another in a desperate effort to relinquish some deeply insecure parts of themselves, parts not even a smoldering temptress could heal. Vic teeters at the threshold of taking responsibility for the part he played in the inevitable downfall but never quite crosses it. Yet he is consciously, painfully aware of it. Panics at the weight of it. It’s somewhat maddening to read, but it is an honest look at what happens when things just don’t work out. Resentment, anger, and the sense of failure take over. No one wins. No one comes out unscathed on the other side.

But we also see the tenderness of healthy masculine relationships, the deep intimacies of honoring cultural identity, and the freedom found within queerness. All of which is woven between the intense nature of living with a constant, nagging voice in your head. It is then that I clocked Vic’s likely neurodivergence. And well…it takes one to know one. There’s a level of exhaustion that looms over everything you’re doing, feeling, thinking, and navigating when you are in a continuous state of not feeling safe in your own skin. I have never seen it captured as well as it has been in Tapeworm.

The last 25% of this book had me pacing my kitchen with such a maddening fervor that I am surprised I did not dig my way into the caves of Superstition myself. The pus-seeping, sinewy and worm-infested body horror mixed with guided tours through the heated throes of a good, earth-shattering fuck…was delicious. I am shameless in my adoration of it. And amongst some of the most bizarre, fevered sex scenes you’ve ever read, you’re hit with heartbreaking revelations written in beautiful prose. It is there that you find one of the many truths: there is no right or wrong in the messy aftermath of once being in love. It is uncomfortable, liminal, ugly. I’m not sure I’d like what Thayer is on, but I’m glad he wrote such a book.

This, the good and the bad and the bloody ugly, is what horror is all about.

Thank you to @eviltwin.reads @zandoprojects for sharing an opportunity to read early. What a debut.

Tapeworm is out 8.18.2026.

[Kimberly Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

If you love disgusting body horror and a quirky take on vampires, this book is for you. Think Nick Cutter's The Troop meets smutty vampires meets Gen Z's the Big Chill for a weedend of sex, drama, and worms.

Main character Vic is facing divorce from his wife Trish at the same time as the annual trip out west to spend the weekend with their friend group rolls around. Trish insists that Vic go alone, to try to enjoy time with their closest friends while she packs up her things in peace. While he's reluctant to go, he relents and heads to the house owned by friends Becky and Linda where they will be joined by Matty and Estela, and Charles and Diego. So it's three couples and Vic, and it seems like once everyone finds out about the split, they will be picking sides. What no one knows is that the entire town of Superstition, CA is infested with vampire worms that take human form.

What was great about this story: vampire worms, I mean come on! The body horror was INTENSE. There was plenty of LGBTQ+ representation and fluid sexuality was included as just part of the characters' personalities and totally normal, which I really liked. I loved the desert setting and the way dust storms were used to reshape the town and create an ever-changing environment that kept Vic second guessing himself.

Things that didn't work as well for me: No real chapter breaks. The narrative was told over the course of the maybe three days they were in Superstition. The writing had clear breaks from one scene to another which would have been natural chapter breaks and would have propelled the story forward more quickly, at least for me. I love a book with a bunch of short chapters rather than extremely long blocks with no separation. And my absolute biggest complaint was the overly excessive use of the work McRanchsion, which was what Vic called the house where they stayed. While I can appreciate that the author probably got a real kick out of coming up with this, for a good portion of the book I felt like that term was on every single page. It was way, way too much.

However, the intense body horror, truly disgusting vampires, and the tension the author created around whether any of the friends would escape certain death overcame the small things and I ended up really enjoying my time with Vic and the gang.

Thank you to NetGalley and Zando for the eArc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Elle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those books that make you say, “what did I just read?”

This was incredibly bizarre and gory, especially at the end. The pacing was a bit slow for a good chunk of this book but once it picked up, it really picked up. The horror slow burn became worth it in the end. I thought this was an interesting take on "vampirism" too. This felt like a loose interpretation to me, but that's not necessarily an insult. It made this book unique.

While practically all of this book revolved around the interactions between Victor's group of friends, they all still felt pretty bland to me. A lot were verging on being unlikeable, but I mostly felt indifferent about all of them. I didn't feel any sort of connection to any of them which led to a strong sense of apathy once the real conflict began. I wish I had a stronger emotional investment in some of the characters so that when the trauma began, I would've felt that deeper connection.

There were some parts where I found myself confused. This book felt a bit like a fever dream so I think that played into some of my confusion. But it also appeared to be intentional. Victor himself was confused, therefore I was confused. It did all come together in the end mostly.

This was an entertaining read as long as you can stomach the content. Tons of body horror, death, and gore in the last 20% of the book. Also, this should be obvious, but please don't read this if you can't handle to read about worms. You're going to have a horrible time otherwise.

Thank you to NetGalley and Zando for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

CW: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Cannibalism, Murder, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail

[j · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I guess I'll just get right into it...why was this called a vampire novel? In what world is this vampiric? Just like the endless hunger, or what? I mean, we definitely get worms and a lot of them, but I'm not really following the whole "vampire" aspect.

The story starts with Vic, a recently divorced 35ish-year-old, who is driving to Superstition, California, to hang out with his similarly aged friends. Right from the get-go, this man has been divorced for nigh 2 weeks, and he is INSTA lusting over this girl who came into the gas station. I mean, like instant raging boner from just seeing her. I knew this story was going to have some lust aspect, but I was not prepared for the sheer totality of it. I mean, this book does not shy away from hook-ups, orgies, and exhibition. I was kind of shocked reading this (is this how we should act at that age? Is it normal for friend groups to just have sex in front of one another?). Maybe it's the fact that they all met raving (seems like a stereotype, but ok), but Vic is just a weird guy. He is incredibly lustful towards not only this random woman, but also his married friend.

I think the author does a good job of describing the almost "trip-like" experiences that Vic has because of his close interactions with this worm creature. He knows how to make the reader feel like they are feeling an extreme disorienting and unsettling experience, so I'll give him kudos for that.

Otherwise, this book was just bizarre and not in the way I wanted; I wanted MORE worms and LESS lust. Honestly, I see how it feeds off emotions and ramps them up, but why is the worm so horny?

[Desiree Gamboa · Rating 5 out of 5]

So impressed. Thank you NetGalley, Evil Twin/Zando and the author for this advanced copy.

Release Date: 8/18/26

Set in the desert town of Superstition, California, the story follows eight longtime friends, four couples who reunite every year for their annual getaway. The focal point on the MMC and FC Vic & Trish. What starts as a familiar tradition slowly unravels into something dark, disturbing, and literally unforgettable.

I went into this “mostly” blind knowing only that there were elements of vampires and worms involved, and honestly, I had no idea how those were going to come together. Somehow, they blended perfectly. The character development was one of the strongest parts of this book for me. Even without “multiple” POVs, I felt deeply connected to every character and invested in all of their relationships and dynamics. The MMC Vic really capativating me the entire time.

It has to be said that the writing was immersive and incredibly vivid. This felt less like reading a book and more like watching a horror film unfold scene by scene. The atmosphere, tension, and imagery were so well done, and I could easily see this becoming an amazing movie adaptation someday. (Really hoping)! Theres a perfect balance of gore and also lots of sexual undertones that really fit with the story. I appreciated the story encapsulating lgbtq and the diversity. You might even learn a few spanish words along this journey.

Yes it involves worms but that’s a layer of the foundation to a deeper story! I am not big on bugs and I handled this just fine. If you enjoy horror with vampires, ancient gods, relationship drama, emotional depth, and body horror, I highly recommend adding this one to your pre-order tbr.

[Shelly Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ebook ARC from NetGalley.

Vic is recently separated from his wife Trish. She talks him into going to their annual friend-group trip out into the desert. Vic is lost between self hatred for letting his marriage fail and wanting to show their friends he’s going to be alright. A dangerous, sexy stranger seems to have a strong desire for him, he’s so desperate to restore his ego, he doesn’t ask questions and, as tempers flair amongst his friends, he learns that the stranger may be after more than what he’s willing to give.

The writing is good, great even. The story built this beautiful, nightmare world, I felt claustrophobic and it did have a very From Dusk to Dawn isolation vibe. The characters are flawed humans, meaning they weren’t very likable, but that too is similar to From Dusk to Dawn.

The Monster is interesting, I wish we learned a little more about its origins or why it needed the fog or what the fog even was, the sex (when at first it seemed to enjoy negative emotions more) or the people.

The last hour or so of the book was very fast paced and intense, I wish we had had more of that throughout, but I think the author preferred the fever dream aspect, not sure what’s real or not.

I’m not sure if it’s just me, but when I think body horror, I don’t think “a lot of sex”. Really karma sutra sex, but I guess I’m at the age where performative sex in entertainment causes an eye roll. The sex parts were a bit too much like stories in penthouse, so I skimmed and wish they had been minimized or at least a reason for their necessity given.

Overall, I think plenty of people will enjoy this read, it just wasn’t quite for me, yet I’ve rated it as I did because I did not get bored and the last hour was good and bloody.

[Mikey ಠ◡ಠ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up

If I had to sum up this book in one sentence it would be:
“Have you ever tried this one?” - the worms, right before they tear a body in half and have a threesome with it.

Anyways in all seriousness the body horror in this book goes really hard, in all senses of the word. It does take minute to build up to it but once you get there, you better hang on tight! It’s been a while since I read a book with some really nasty body horror. Plus it’s WORM body horror so you know it’s going to be disgustingly and fun. Take a shot every time I say body horror.

And the POV switches where we get the worm’s POV were some of my favorite parts of the book. Honestly, I kind of wish the whole book was written from the worm’s POV, that would have been absolutely amazing. I just loved the terror I felt reading from an ancient horror, so patient in its plans. Fun I say, FUN!

Additionally I really liked the natural exploration of queerness. I enjoy reading about characters who are just simply queer, you feel me? Our MMC was a total bi-con who never struggled with his feelings, they were simply his feelings period and I absolutely loved that,

However there were a few things that stopped me from rating this book higher:
1. For me it was too painfully horny. I’m sorry I know some of y’all love you a spicy book but I have a low spice tolerance. I support everyone and letting your freak flag fly but I’m going to support you from over here. I never once wrinkled my nose at the gore, but the sex scenes? Writhing out of my chair with disgust. SORRY! It’s just not for me.

2. Victor is kind of insufferable. He spends the whole time moping and whining about his soon to be ex wife Trish. And even though Vic’s mopiness adds to the toxic and messy dynamics of his friend group, after while I got a little bored of his constant moaning. Figuratively and literally.

3. Even though the prologue was my favorite part of the book, it kind of ruins the ending. There is an element of The Thing in this book but it would have hit harder if you the reader didn’t know who was infected and who wasn’t. Just a thought!

4. The hummingbirds, they were intriguing but there wasn’t enough about them? Almost feels like they should have been cut from the story, honestly, even though I thoroughly enjoyed them.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review an advance DRC, all opinions are my own.

[Jensen McCorkel · Rating 2 out of 5]

A Lovecraftian-style vampire horror set in an isolated desert town called Superstition, where a group of friends reunite for an annual retreat that quickly turns into something invasive and predatory.

The concept is deeply unsettling, desire as something parasitic or something that feeds on you rather than frees you. The catch is the more the characters give in to it, the less control they seem to have over themselves. It’s body horror but also steeped vulnerability and this vulnerability becomes something dangerous. You can truly feel the emotional repression that fuels the story causing the lines between intimacy and consumption to blur. The body horror serves a purpose. This isn’t just gore for shock value. The physical horror reflects emotional states such as repression, longing, and shame.

That said, the book is far more interested in atmosphere over plot. The story unfolds in a slow, almost dreamlike drift, prioritizing mood over momentum making it feel like the narrative never fully locks in. The characters feel distant and though I think that is intentional, it makes it hard to connect emotionally with them. And then there is so much ambiguity. Which I can admit adds to the feeling of dread but also leads to less understanding.

Overall, Tapeworm is a strong concept that is carried by atmosphere but held back by emotional distance from the characters and not enough clarity. If you prefer slow, unsettling horror that prioritizes mood over action you might give this one a try.

[Bookish Beanss · Rating 4 out of 5]

thankyou netgallery for the advance audiobook arc.
well.. What did i read?? this book was a perfect example of all the weird things that can happen to you while youre on your mental peace journey. This was one of those reads that left me slightly stunned and with my jaw dropped, this book had some strangest scenes. This book is a deeply character driven horror layered with heavy metaphors, blending a breakup, friendship tensions, and a desert trip that spirals into something far darker. Beneath the chaos, it quietly explores grief, identity, and emotional discomfort in a way that lingers.
While parts of the story felt a bit slow and the main character wasn’t always easy to connect with, and some parts i had to reread because it was written in a very fancy way. lol. the friend group dynamic felt authentic and grounded. The tension, claustrophobia, and unease are incredibly well-crafted, pulling you into its unsettling atmosphere. i hvent read this kind of book in quite while. and there's just something that makes you differentiate between a male author and a female author. this was one of those.
but will i rec this to others? Absolutley. it was a RIDEEEE!!!

It’s an intense mix of body horror and symbolic storytelling, filled with bizarre, disturbing, and thought-provoking moments that aren’t easy to shake off. Not a light or casual read by any means, but if you enjoy horror that pushes boundaries and challenges you, it’s worth experiencing.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

thank you to Evil Twin for the early copy in exchange for an honest review!

I had a very good feeling about this book from the moment I opened it. maybe before that, when I read Clay McLeod Chapman's blurb calling it an eldritch orgy—he was not exaggerating. it's true about the story, but it's also like Lovecraft, John Carpenter, Clive Barker, and David Cronenberg had said eldritch orgy and birthed A.P. Thayer's storytelling style. the author has a true gift for storytelling in a way that is incredibly personal—a beautiful dive into Latinx identity—while also being both perverse (compliment) and holy. there is something almost revenant about the way he writes his characters and their descent into the madness that is decaying relationships. as we descend with them (both literally and figuratively), I was tapping my foot a tad at the beginning waiting for it to pick up, but I shouldn't have bothered. when it picks up, it picks UP, and you are taken on the ride of a lifetime. I can't remember the last time I was so viscerally disgusted by a book!

while reading this I kept thinking of David Cronenberg's Shivers (1975), and the relationship between sex, hunger, and horror (might just write a Substack piece on this). if I was able to be concise I would make this review "make horror horny again", but concise has never been used to describe me. you'll just have to read it to see what I mean!

[Willie Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

EvilTwin came out the gate swinging with their inaugural title, "Tapeworm" and A.P. Thayer has set the bar pretty high for his future novels with this d͓̽e͓̽b͓̽u͓̽t͓̽. 🤘

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

🏆 This was a Fₑᵥₑᵣ Dᵣₑₐₘ masterpiece!

It’s described as “𝘍𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘋𝘶𝘴𝘬 𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘋𝘢𝘸𝘯 𝘪𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘶𝘱 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨” and that couldn’t be more accurate. 💯

🪱 🄲🅁🄴🄰🅃🅄🅁🄴/🄱🄾🄳🅈 🄷🄾🅁🅁🄾🅁 🪱
​
Full of G̾r̾u̾e̾s̾o̾m̾e̾ scenes so gηαяℓу I put a dent in my book from squeezing it so hard.
(ᵇᵃᵗʰʳᵒᵒᵐ, ⱽⁱᶜ, ˢʰᵒᵘˡᵈᵉʳ, ᵏⁿⁱᶠᵉ) IYKYK 😱

❗And the writing❗
🅷🅾🅾🅺, 🅻🅸🅽🅴, 🅰🅽🅳 🆂🅸🅽🅺🅴🆁
The only way I know to describe it is comparing it to how cartoon characters are floating towards a pie, being dragged there by the smell that’s pulling them by the nose…
Can you picture that?
〰️ Yeah, that’s me with how this story pulled me in.


🤌💋 The Ending!

🤓 Ya’ll, I just don’t have the creative mind or talent to write a review that can do this book justice. All I can say is 𝕋𝕣𝕦𝕤𝕥 𝕄𝕖.


ⓅⓈⒶ
🩸 Don’t be thinking you’re gunna get a Dracula type vampire here.
You’ve got an eldritch creature that’s the leader of a hive mind.
And they are ​🇭​​🇺​​🇳​​🇬​​🇷​​🇾​.


🙌 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐘𝐨𝐮 Zando & EvilTwin for the gifted book.

🙏 I am so grateful to be part of the founding readers and I’m really excited to see what the future holds for EᐯIᒪTᗯIᑎ

[Sarah D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bookseller ARC review:

Okay… this is one of those books that’s honestly hard to review for me because it’s just so weird—in a good way, but also like… what did I just read? Lol

Tapeworm is very much a character-driven, metaphor-heavy horror with a lot going on under the surface. On paper it sounds chaotic (friends, breakup, desert trip gone wrong), but it touches on grief, identity, and all the messy stuff people don’t like to sit with.

The writing is probably my favorite part—it’s super vivid and the prose is beautiful, even when what’s happening is gross. It definitely pulls you in. That said, it did drag a little for me in a few parts, and I didn’t always love the main character, but the friend group dynamic felt really “real” and added a lot to the story for me.

Overall, it’s intense, creepy, and very metaphor-heavy. Not an easy or casual read, and definitely not for everyone—but if you like horror that’s a little strange, a little uncomfortable, and makes you think, it’s worth picking up.

I’m glad I read it… it’s out of my typical genre. But would I recommend? Yes, if you like horror. If it’s not your typical genre like me… just know what you’re getting into lol

3.75/5 rounded to 4 for Goodreads

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC

[Charteir (InkEncountersPaper) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy.

I gave this story a 3.75.
This story had plenty of body horror and grimdark imagery written all throughout it. Being released in 2026, if From Dusk Till Dawn and The Thing had a baby Tapeworm would be that vibe. The story centers on Victor, a man spiraling from a recent divorce, who joins his friends for their annual retreat in the California desert town of Superstition. 

The story starts as a slow-burn psychological exploration of grief and repressed desire before exploding into visceral body horror involving a vampire worm swarm, who has overthrown the town. The prose is very descriptive and vivid yet has the ability to balance the atmosphere with reflections on past loss, future wants, and extreme sexual tension. It was a whirlwind kind of read, flowing from one vivid description to another—sometimes not fully understanding what was real or now. Moments of second guessing and “is this even real?” type of feeling..

It features elements of queer identity, the pain of aging, moving on from past friend groups, plus plenty of orgies to go around. If you like dark horror, vivid imagery and plenty of sex scenes this would be for you.

[Kathleen Herren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do not like using the phrase “this book drew me in”, but that’s exactly what happened. A.P. Thayer lured me in, in such a seductive manner I truly felt like I was Victor being pulled through Superstition. For the first time ever I felt what it was like to be lured about by the evil force in the horror movie. Absolutely loved this! In all seriousness this book infected my soul with my need to read it.

The “chapter” breakdown bothered me at first (not a long chapter fan) but it makes perfect sense for the overall story so I quickly got over it.

The eeriness of this work is top notch and while the foreshadowing is strong it keeps you on your toes throughout with a few little plot/perception twists. And oh my gosh the gruesome violence at the end. It’s rare a book turns my stomach but Thayer accomplished just that.

Spoiler ahead:

I enjoy a good “no one survives” story; feels more realistic. The development of that in Tapeworm was masterfully portrayed. Thayer had me questioning how on earth they were going to survive this mess and I was very pleased there wasn’t so halfhearted heroic, right place right time, resolution. The fact there were consequences to everyone’s actions just made me happy. (While I may or may not have been fighting the urge to vomit)

[The Undercurrent Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝒐𝒇 𝒂𝒅𝒗𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒑𝒚 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝑵𝒆𝒕𝒈𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒚

This was a wild ride. I adore a good vampire novel, and Tapeworm didn't disappoint.

"After the recent separation from his wife Trish, Victor hopes his friends' annual weekend retreat to the Californian desert town of Superstition will loosen him up and reforge the group's fraying bonds."
The uncanny valley feeling of this novel roped me in from the very beginning. It's rare that an author can make you care about what happens to a cast of pretty unlikeable characters. But, A.P. Thayer achieved that beautifully.
I normally don't enjoy books that are smut heavy, but it felt appropriate here. The overwhelming need for the characters to reclaim their youth, obviously manifests itself through sex. That being said, tread carefully if descriptive sex scenes really aren't your thing.
The gore and body horror was perfection. It was very reminiscent of from Dusk til Dawn blended with the feral razor-tooth vampires from 30 Days of Night. I am so glad I was able to read an advanced copy of this. It's been my most surprising read of the year so far.

I'd like to thank A.P. Thayer, Zando Publishing, and Netgalley for an ARC copy in exchange for a review.

[Megan Magee · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's truly a touch difficult to review this book- bits of it are so outlandish, disgusting, or acidic that mere words escape the experience 0f reading Tapeworm.
Victor and Trish are splitting up, which means their shared friend group must help them pick which of the coupling attends their annual California desert rendezvous. When Victor ends up being the winner of the two, he struggles to shake the memory of his ex, and the super.... hostile attentions of the small town's "welcoming" committee.
I would classify this as a very intense character study alongside gruesome body horror and metaphorical grief monsters/ worms. I think there is definitely so much going on within these pages, but also a lot UNDERNEATH if you spend some time with It. Super creepy and I enjoyed very much so the utter mind twists Tapeworm provided, as well as the entirely unique horror reading experience it provided. Thayer provides lushly evocative descriptions that are equal parts gorgeous, mesmerizing, and terrifying- hats off to them! Thanks so much to Zando and Evil Twin for the free copy. All opinions are entirely my own.

[Joan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Review of Uncorrected Proof

An earthquake releases It from the captivity far below the ground. Remaining beneath the sand during daylight, it waits for darkness . . . and freedom.

Every year, Vic and Trish join their friends for a weekend retreat in Superstition, a California desert town. This year, as a result of their recent separation, Trish will not accompany him.

What will his weekend reveal?

=========

Sadly, the characters populating this story are particularly unlikeable; the best that can be said for their actions is that they are distasteful. Unfortunately, those actions are, for the most part, downright reprehensible. The characters’ overly-explicit sexual thoughts and actions [of which there are many] do not add anything to the unfolding tale and readers may find themselves wishing that the vampire worms would come and collect everyone.

Additionally, the overuse of a particularly loathsome expletive is likely to offend many readers and lowers the rating for this book.

I received a free copy of this eBook from Zando / Evil Twin and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving this review.
#Tapeworm #NetGalley

[Brianne Klodowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, this book made my skin crawl. I picked this one up because it's not one of my typical genres. I've been leaning more into horror recently and Tapeworm was such a unique read that I found to be very intriguing. It was deeply disturbing and disorienting in a way that made my stomach hurt, but I couldn't turn the pages quickly enough. The heebie jeebies are strong with this one. The creepy crawly body horror reminded me of Itch! by Gemma Amor, so I think readers within that niche will love this book. I will say that the "vampire novel" blurb on the cover is slightly misleading, although the worms are vampiristic in nature and I truly don't know what else we would call these monsters. While we're speaking about the cover, let's just say it gave me the willies. This book will leave you incredibly unsettled asking yourself "what did I just read?" A fantastic intro for Zando into the Evil Twin imprint space.

Many thanks to Zando/Evil Twin and A.P. Thayer for sending an advanced galley in the mail. My opinions are my own.

[M. Iliad · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book. I did. I was looking for something icky, like Nick Cutter’s “The Troop”, not… THAT.

NetGalley gave me this ARC, and I was the one who asked for it, so it is only myself I have to blame. I didn’t enjoy this book until the very end where there was a mild spark of joy at the fact there was FINALLY SOMETHING HAPPENING (hence the two stars bc THAT part was decent, the last literal maybe 50 pages).

The characters are horrible people, especially the main, and there’s no one to root for as they ruin the story at every turn, or they just die. The story also dragged so hard I wanted to give up and simply couldn’t on principle. It’s just someone bitching, then being a bitch to other people, then having increasingly disgusting sexual encounters. I wish I was lying but I’m not.

This feels, RESPECTFULLY, like someone’s erotic horror sex dream vent and it’s not for me. There’s a demographic for this, I’m sure; but it missed me by miles.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tapeworm is A CREEPY AF BOOK. I mean this as a compliment.

Vic goes on a trip with his friend group post divorce from his ex wife who shares the same friends. Creepy things happen right away and nothing seems very trustworthy. Early in the book, Vic meets a woman at a gas station who is into some weird stuff. Like “let’s go hang out with my friends in weird tunnels underground” weird. Things start getting harder to keep track of and many suspicious things are happening.

Only, tensions in Vic’s friend group that he shared with his ex are high and there are distractions from the possible danger or red flags coming up.

Tapeworm is not your average vampire story. It’s gross and creepy and also very good! I really liked Vic’s characters. His friend group felt like how may adult friend groups would function after a divorce, and I think a bisexual main character is also great. Thanks to Evil Twin/Zando for the gifted copy.