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Ashes
THIS IS AN EXTREME HORROR NOVELLA. Although not as bad as some of Matt Shaw's other titles, there is still gore. There is bad language. There are scenes of a sexual nature. But hidden underneath it all is also a chilling story. Please do not purchase this book if you are easily shocked, disgusted or offended. This book is not for you.
A throwback to the video nasties of the seventies, ASHES tells the story of a group of friends who go on a beach holiday with disastrous consequences.
Please This is NOT as extreme as some Black Cover Books but there are some shocking scenes which may cause offence and disgust.
A throwback to the video nasties of the seventies, ASHES tells the story of a group of friends who go on a beach holiday with disastrous consequences.
Please This is NOT as extreme as some Black Cover Books but there are some shocking scenes which may cause offence and disgust.
101 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2015
23 people are currently reading
142 people want to read
About the author
Matt Shaw
534 books2,222 followersBiography
MATT SHAW was born, quite by accident (his mother tripped, he shot out) September 30th 1980 in Winchester hospital where he was immediately placed on the baby ward and EBay. Some twelve years later (wandering the corridors of the hospital and playing with road kill when he was on day release), the listing closed and he remained unsold, he was booted out of the hospital to start his life as a writer and hobbit – beginning with writing screenplays and short stories for his own amusement before finally getting published when he was twenty-seven years and forty-five seconds old.
Once Published weekly in a lad's magazine with his photography work, Matt Shaw is also a published author and cartoonist. Has to be said, can be a bit of a flirt and definitely, without a shadow of a doubt, somewhat of a klutz.
Favourite books
"Roald Dahl's Collection of Short Stories"
Tim Burton's Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy
Anything, really, written by himself. Because he is that good.
MATT SHAW was born, quite by accident (his mother tripped, he shot out) September 30th 1980 in Winchester hospital where he was immediately placed on the baby ward and EBay. Some twelve years later (wandering the corridors of the hospital and playing with road kill when he was on day release), the listing closed and he remained unsold, he was booted out of the hospital to start his life as a writer and hobbit – beginning with writing screenplays and short stories for his own amusement before finally getting published when he was twenty-seven years and forty-five seconds old.
Once Published weekly in a lad's magazine with his photography work, Matt Shaw is also a published author and cartoonist. Has to be said, can be a bit of a flirt and definitely, without a shadow of a doubt, somewhat of a klutz.
Favourite books
"Roald Dahl's Collection of Short Stories"
Tim Burton's Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy
Anything, really, written by himself. Because he is that good.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
December 18, 2018
Ask a group of people what’s the first thing they think about when they hear the word “cannibalism” and they will usually fall in one of three groups.
The first will think that they heard about these football players whose plane fell in the mountains somewhere and they had to eat the dead to survive. Wasn’t there a movie about it or something?
Yes, if memory serves, the plane crashed on the Andes? And the movie is called ALIVE.
The second group will very happily tell you why the think THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE is the best movie on the subject…maybe even the best horror movie ever!!
And, yes, it is absolutely one of the best. Wes Craven once described it as “a full-frontal assault of horror”. But there will also be the ones who will recall THE HILLS HAVE EYS or WRONG TURN, (maybe even RAVENOUS, which I really enjoyed) depending on their age and commitment to the genre. And let’s not forget about Dr. Hannibal Lector, the ultimate movie villain, but those movies are not really about the subject, per se.
The third group will smile and say “Yum…”
And to you I can only say: Get away from me, you sick FUCKS!
Now, you will get this fringe group – to which I belong – who will think of another movie altogether. Although I am a fan of all the above mentioned movies, none of them comes close to being the most shocking. In my mind, that place belongs to an Italian movie that came out in 1980, called CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST.
It was a “found footage” movie way before it became a thing. And it was in the mid 1990’s when I saw it on video. I had a friend at the video store, and he told me one day that this movie was absolutely real! (It wasn’t, but it was very well made). It’s not a movie I will recommend for date night, if you know what I mean.
ASHES by Matt Shaw took me right back to that movie in the very first chapter. The imagery the author created was a vivid portrayal of a shot in the film, and I’d be very surprised if this movie didn’t inspire (at least) part of this story.
Let’s get something straight: I am terrified of cannibalism. To my mind, it’s one of the scariest things that could happen. Why? Because there’s absolutely no room for negotiation. Even with serial killers, there’s this faint hope that you can perhaps do or say something to save yourself. But if you’re food, there’s nothing to talk about. It’s not personal to them, but it’s very personal to you, the fine cuisine.
And when you find yourself on a foreign island, with nowhere to go, and the cannibals don’t even understand your language, you are basically fucked. This scenario was what made Jack Kilborn’s TRAPPED his scariest book, in my opinion. But Shaw’s cannibals are even worse – their parents obviously haven’t taught them not to put something in their mouth because they don’t know where it’s been. I don’t have a well-developed palate, but shit, man, I have the ability to taste. At what point does something disgusting actually become an acquired taste?
Matt Shaw comes across as a fearless writer, especially with this. Honestly, I was grossed out a couple of times. Try this one ONLY if you are a hard-core fan of extreme horror.
The first will think that they heard about these football players whose plane fell in the mountains somewhere and they had to eat the dead to survive. Wasn’t there a movie about it or something?
Yes, if memory serves, the plane crashed on the Andes? And the movie is called ALIVE.
The second group will very happily tell you why the think THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE is the best movie on the subject…maybe even the best horror movie ever!!
And, yes, it is absolutely one of the best. Wes Craven once described it as “a full-frontal assault of horror”. But there will also be the ones who will recall THE HILLS HAVE EYS or WRONG TURN, (maybe even RAVENOUS, which I really enjoyed) depending on their age and commitment to the genre. And let’s not forget about Dr. Hannibal Lector, the ultimate movie villain, but those movies are not really about the subject, per se.
The third group will smile and say “Yum…”
And to you I can only say: Get away from me, you sick FUCKS!
Now, you will get this fringe group – to which I belong – who will think of another movie altogether. Although I am a fan of all the above mentioned movies, none of them comes close to being the most shocking. In my mind, that place belongs to an Italian movie that came out in 1980, called CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST.
It was a “found footage” movie way before it became a thing. And it was in the mid 1990’s when I saw it on video. I had a friend at the video store, and he told me one day that this movie was absolutely real! (It wasn’t, but it was very well made). It’s not a movie I will recommend for date night, if you know what I mean.
ASHES by Matt Shaw took me right back to that movie in the very first chapter. The imagery the author created was a vivid portrayal of a shot in the film, and I’d be very surprised if this movie didn’t inspire (at least) part of this story.
Let’s get something straight: I am terrified of cannibalism. To my mind, it’s one of the scariest things that could happen. Why? Because there’s absolutely no room for negotiation. Even with serial killers, there’s this faint hope that you can perhaps do or say something to save yourself. But if you’re food, there’s nothing to talk about. It’s not personal to them, but it’s very personal to you, the fine cuisine.
And when you find yourself on a foreign island, with nowhere to go, and the cannibals don’t even understand your language, you are basically fucked. This scenario was what made Jack Kilborn’s TRAPPED his scariest book, in my opinion. But Shaw’s cannibals are even worse – their parents obviously haven’t taught them not to put something in their mouth because they don’t know where it’s been. I don’t have a well-developed palate, but shit, man, I have the ability to taste. At what point does something disgusting actually become an acquired taste?
Matt Shaw comes across as a fearless writer, especially with this. Honestly, I was grossed out a couple of times. Try this one ONLY if you are a hard-core fan of extreme horror.
April 21, 2023
3.5 stars. This was ok. I appreciated Matt Shaw's introduction about simplicity. Sometimes keeping a story more simple is much better than overcomplicating a basic premise. And, as authors, its easy to fall into that trap. Each book that you pour your time, money, and heart into should be as complete and satisfying as we know it can be. However, that thought process can lead us into a path with a convoluted plot, too many characters, forced plot twists, etc. Needless to say, Shaw surely succeeded in his goal here. It's a very basic story about a group of friends on holiday who run into a group of cannibalistic tribesman. That's really about it. There are some brief backgrounds on each character, with a love triangle incorporated in, which felt a little out of place. The violence was about what you'd expect. Cannibals eat people, ya know? There was a single rape scene which I also didn't think needed to be there, but with a book as short as this, there needed to be some add ins to fill space. It's very short and could have been stretched out a bit, which would have made the story feel more substantial and complete, also reducing a rather overly quickened pace. But if you have a free 45 minutes and want to read about young people getting tortured and eaten by cannibals...here ya go!
June 14, 2015
Creepy goodness
I definitely loved this story and even had a little nightmare-yay!! Great characters intertwined in a horrific plot, thanks again Shaw!
I definitely loved this story and even had a little nightmare-yay!! Great characters intertwined in a horrific plot, thanks again Shaw!
August 23, 2015
Don't you just love happy endings?
I really enjoyed that book. It did exactly what it said it would do in the introduction.
A full on old school cannibal horror story.
You won't be disappointed
I really enjoyed that book. It did exactly what it said it would do in the introduction.
A full on old school cannibal horror story.
You won't be disappointed
March 17, 2023
If the captured person is a women a 7 foot sharp pole is inserted in the vagina through the organs and out of the mouth. She is then cooked for hours over a fire. That's what the tribe do on this small volcanic island with one tourist hotel. 4 friends decide to expore the Island and leave the hotel. An arrow flies through the air, the whoosing sound thumped into a man's back impaling him into a tree. The other 3 escape and the man alive has his ear bitten off and the tribesman greedily devours it. His tongue will be ripped out as well as his eyeball. Through his poor listening and sight he will watch his own tongue and eye wrapped like a rolled sandwich and enjoyingly eaten. There has to be a better way to die. The tribe continue pleasing their God. A tribute to cannibal holocaust.
June 8, 2015
Horrific!
This is the best horror book I have ever read! Matt Shaw never disappoints. If you are looking for chills and thrills this is it! Wow I am totally horrified! Definitely recommend !
This is the best horror book I have ever read! Matt Shaw never disappoints. If you are looking for chills and thrills this is it! Wow I am totally horrified! Definitely recommend !
July 1, 2015
This made me squirm very graphic, but you have to continue to read to find out what happens, good story great author!!
February 18, 2020
Cannibals + Holidaying friends = Extreme horror
Overall the story is pretty good. Yes the horror/gore at times was over-the-top. Yes I know its an extreme horror story but still, keep it credible.
Yes I was dissatisfied with the ending.
But I do like Matt's writing, his stories always run a good pace and you are always left wanting more.
3.5 stars.
Overall the story is pretty good. Yes the horror/gore at times was over-the-top. Yes I know its an extreme horror story but still, keep it credible.
Yes I was dissatisfied with the ending.
But I do like Matt's writing, his stories always run a good pace and you are always left wanting more.
3.5 stars.
March 8, 2023
I used to love the video nasties of the 70s/80s & this story is a love letter to movies such as Cannibal Holocaust.
A perfect book just to dive into and enjoy for what it is. Unashamedly brutal and unforgiving.
Great story and I really enjoy this author's style of writing.
Highly Recommended!
A perfect book just to dive into and enjoy for what it is. Unashamedly brutal and unforgiving.
Great story and I really enjoy this author's style of writing.
Highly Recommended!
October 9, 2015
Matt Shaw may have set off to just give readers a fun exploitation ride, but ASHES: A novella of horror, gore and cannibalism is so much more than that!
The story's flashbacks that lead to present day circumstances had me fully invested in the characters - rooting for one, while hoping for another's grisly demise. (Don't judge me - there are always characters that deserve to die horribly! Look at The Cat In The Hat...)
The story's flashbacks that lead to present day circumstances had me fully invested in the characters - rooting for one, while hoping for another's grisly demise. (Don't judge me - there are always characters that deserve to die horribly! Look at The Cat In The Hat...)
August 7, 2018
Matt Shaw's tribute to late 70's cannibal movies, such as the likes of the brilliant "Cannibal Holocaust". Lets just say he more than succeeds in this! If they made a movie of this books it would be right up there with the best of the bunch (Cannibal Holocaust and The Green Inferno come to mind).
Another of Shaw's novels that I just had to read in one sitting because I just couldn't put it down.
Another of Shaw's novels that I just had to read in one sitting because I just couldn't put it down.
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August 4, 2019Get an editor
March 6, 2021
I'm loving his books, so dark and need to know what happens next. Definitely a 5 star!
April 24, 2023
Matt Shaw does it again !!!!!!?
He has the ability to make you forget all the gore and sex, drags you into a fantastic story. You just can't put down.
He has the ability to make you forget all the gore and sex, drags you into a fantastic story. You just can't put down.
September 22, 2023
OMG boy was that a ride!!
October 16, 2023
So gross....
If you like disgusting, this is for you. The only thing that really gets to me is when animals are hurt. I am only mentioning that so you can opt out if need be.
If you like disgusting, this is for you. The only thing that really gets to me is when animals are hurt. I am only mentioning that so you can opt out if need be.
March 13, 2024
Ashes
A blackened morsel...
I enjoyed reading it, a surprise ending, definitely not wanting a holiday any time soon. Thanks 😊
A blackened morsel...
I enjoyed reading it, a surprise ending, definitely not wanting a holiday any time soon. Thanks 😊
October 19, 2025
Again
Matt Shaw does it again. Well write. Well paced, with a twist I didn't see coming. Time to choose another Matt Shaw book to read.
Matt Shaw does it again. Well write. Well paced, with a twist I didn't see coming. Time to choose another Matt Shaw book to read.
February 12, 2023
A little over a month ago, as of the writing of this review, the world lost one of the most infamous directors of all time. Ruggero Deodato, of Cannibal Holocaust and Last Cannibal World fame - with whom I feel certain that Matt Shaw is familiar with based on Ashes.
If you are familiar with the Italian Cannibal films of the 70s/80s, this may well feel like a love letter to that genre. We have 4 people on a vacation at an all inclusive resort. One of them is bored with the free drinks and family friendly entertainment and wants to do something else. After hearing that he can borrow a local's jeep and visit a white-sands beach that is well hidden from even the locals. So, to placate the guy who wants adventure, all four head out.
And, as you would expect, they encounter a not-so-friendly tribe that has plans for them. Amusingly, the summary blurb mentions that this is not as brutal as most of Matt Shaw's books, but don't be too downtrodden, it's still pretty strong stuff. But if you're familiar with the films that this emulates, you won't have any surprises. It's very straightforward, but so were those movies. The characters are not really interesting, but neither were they in those movies. The plot begins right before things get bad and so did those movies.
I hate to just keep mentioning those exploitation "classics", but that's really the high-water point for what Matt Shaw is attempting here. It's a quick read with a simple plot that has most of the same strengths and limitations that are expected in the genre. If you enjoy those films, this will feel as comfortable as a good set of slippers. If you watched one of those and worried about the racism, sexism, exploitation, and other thinly veiled nationalism- and/or found the emphasis on violence over plot tedious, this won't change your mind.
If you are familiar with the Italian Cannibal films of the 70s/80s, this may well feel like a love letter to that genre. We have 4 people on a vacation at an all inclusive resort. One of them is bored with the free drinks and family friendly entertainment and wants to do something else. After hearing that he can borrow a local's jeep and visit a white-sands beach that is well hidden from even the locals. So, to placate the guy who wants adventure, all four head out.
And, as you would expect, they encounter a not-so-friendly tribe that has plans for them. Amusingly, the summary blurb mentions that this is not as brutal as most of Matt Shaw's books, but don't be too downtrodden, it's still pretty strong stuff. But if you're familiar with the films that this emulates, you won't have any surprises. It's very straightforward, but so were those movies. The characters are not really interesting, but neither were they in those movies. The plot begins right before things get bad and so did those movies.
I hate to just keep mentioning those exploitation "classics", but that's really the high-water point for what Matt Shaw is attempting here. It's a quick read with a simple plot that has most of the same strengths and limitations that are expected in the genre. If you enjoy those films, this will feel as comfortable as a good set of slippers. If you watched one of those and worried about the racism, sexism, exploitation, and other thinly veiled nationalism- and/or found the emphasis on violence over plot tedious, this won't change your mind.
August 25, 2015
I’d been curious about reading one of Matt Shaw’s books for quite a while. I’ve seen plenty of them with just a black cover and a disclaimer on the front. I know it’s a marketing ploy but it had me intrigued to sample his work. What forbidden delights might be housed inside? So, I bought ASHES which doesn’t actually have one of those covers daring you to read it, but the book had gore and cannibalism in the title, so call me an old romantic, but I chose that one.
Four twenty-somethings, Jack, Stuart, Corinna, and Holly are on holiday at an all-inclusive resort on a remote volcanic island, looking for a calm and relaxing vacation. Well, except for the adrenalin junkie, Jack, who convinces them to leave the resort for a day of exploring. As you might imagine, this is a terrible idea. The group runs into some native tribesmen and an homage to the Italian cannibal films of the eighties unfolds. You’ll definitely see some Cannibal Holocaust references.
The characters are great and you get pulled into their complicated relationships among each other. Stuart is the most likeable of the men. Jack is uniformly a selfish asshole throughout and if anyone has it coming it’s him. Maybe that’s a bit harsh. I don’t think anyone has this kind of cruelty coming. One of my favorite aspects of the book is the interplay between flashbacks tying the present situation to one in the past. It could be with a sentence or an action, but it’s very cleverly done and repeated throughout to great effect. It’s plenty gory and, as the title suggests, there is cannibalism. The dramatic disclaimer on the book is not altogether unwarranted.
All in all, this is a fun ride and an homage to the cannibal films of yesteryear. You get what you’d expect and that’s what I was looking for with this book. If cannibals are your thing, also be sure to check out Adam Cesare’s Tribesman.
Four twenty-somethings, Jack, Stuart, Corinna, and Holly are on holiday at an all-inclusive resort on a remote volcanic island, looking for a calm and relaxing vacation. Well, except for the adrenalin junkie, Jack, who convinces them to leave the resort for a day of exploring. As you might imagine, this is a terrible idea. The group runs into some native tribesmen and an homage to the Italian cannibal films of the eighties unfolds. You’ll definitely see some Cannibal Holocaust references.
The characters are great and you get pulled into their complicated relationships among each other. Stuart is the most likeable of the men. Jack is uniformly a selfish asshole throughout and if anyone has it coming it’s him. Maybe that’s a bit harsh. I don’t think anyone has this kind of cruelty coming. One of my favorite aspects of the book is the interplay between flashbacks tying the present situation to one in the past. It could be with a sentence or an action, but it’s very cleverly done and repeated throughout to great effect. It’s plenty gory and, as the title suggests, there is cannibalism. The dramatic disclaimer on the book is not altogether unwarranted.
All in all, this is a fun ride and an homage to the cannibal films of yesteryear. You get what you’d expect and that’s what I was looking for with this book. If cannibals are your thing, also be sure to check out Adam Cesare’s Tribesman.
February 16, 2016
This one was OK, from Matt. For the first time since reading his works i actually didnt enjoy the, go back in time, relationship stuff, which had zero meaning for the story. Lets just do this one in 50 pages and be done with it or give us a much more complex story. Perhaps i have been spoiled by him and now have a certain level of expectation when reading Shaw. Im not sure. I have never given him only 3 stars before. This was a fun read and quick, but would have been much better had it been cut even more.
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May 31, 2016This was definitely a modern day Cannibal Holocaust and Mat Shaw describes everything in solid, living colour...not necessarily a good thing, especially if you have a weak stomach.
I wasn't entirely sure why we had to have the 'budding romance' thread woven through the story. I don't think it added anything to the events described especially as all the characters were pretty unlikeable from the outset.
All in all, a fantastic read. Matt Shaw back on form. :P
I wasn't entirely sure why we had to have the 'budding romance' thread woven through the story. I don't think it added anything to the events described especially as all the characters were pretty unlikeable from the outset.
All in all, a fantastic read. Matt Shaw back on form. :P
June 19, 2015
Excellent story written at a good fast pace so once you pick it up it is hard to put down.
What starts off as an ideal holiday in paradise ends in something far more primal it takes you back to the days of cannibal holocaust
What starts off as an ideal holiday in paradise ends in something far more primal it takes you back to the days of cannibal holocaust
January 15, 2016
Brilliant
Another brilliant book by Matt Shaw could not put it down. Matt is an exceptional writer,he holds nothing back and gives everything to the story.I highly recommend this book.
Another brilliant book by Matt Shaw could not put it down. Matt is an exceptional writer,he holds nothing back and gives everything to the story.I highly recommend this book.
June 4, 2015
OMG Matt Shaw does it again! Gore galore! It just reminds me when I go on my next vacation I will NOT go off the beaten path exploring!
June 8, 2015
Enjoyed this one. Nice and gory, end was unexpected! Not one for the faint hearted.
June 7, 2015
The ending was soooo frustrating, but I expected it. No happy endings from Matt!
November 29, 2015
Another one that I couldn't put down!
December 27, 2016
this is an old school cannibal horror story with all the blood and guts to match.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews