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Jester
Reno is forced to make his captors happy–no matter what it takes
In this post-apocalyptic extreme horror book, we meet Reno, a rough-around-the-edges loner who harbors a secret love. Foraging for food one day, he is captured by a band of raiders. They take him back to their village and torture him, using him for their amusement as a mere piece of a Jester. Reno has no choice but to play along, just trying to survive and looking for any chance to escape.
Reno’s community abandons him, but one man won’t give up hope. Nasir, a village doctor who Reno has known since childhood, will stop at nothing to free Reno from his suffering. Nasir’s efforts to rescue the captive go awry, however, and the two are trapped together in the Raider’s settlement.
A brutal story of twisted passions and hidden desires, Jester will make you think about love–and the freedom to love–in a brand new way.
In this post-apocalyptic extreme horror book, we meet Reno, a rough-around-the-edges loner who harbors a secret love. Foraging for food one day, he is captured by a band of raiders. They take him back to their village and torture him, using him for their amusement as a mere piece of a Jester. Reno has no choice but to play along, just trying to survive and looking for any chance to escape.
Reno’s community abandons him, but one man won’t give up hope. Nasir, a village doctor who Reno has known since childhood, will stop at nothing to free Reno from his suffering. Nasir’s efforts to rescue the captive go awry, however, and the two are trapped together in the Raider’s settlement.
A brutal story of twisted passions and hidden desires, Jester will make you think about love–and the freedom to love–in a brand new way.
81 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 8, 2026
About the author
Aiden E. Messer
43 books162 followersAiden E. Messer does not exist. Are they an illusion, a ghost, a mere thought? No one knows. If we are to believe one of the children they seem to work with, if they were a teacher, they would be as tall as a human. They are not a teacher. According to various sources, they have studied psychology, and have always had a penchant for horror and the macabre. They like to combine these subjects in their books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
What a brutal ride.
This place takes place some time after an apocalypse and our main character start the story with a patrol task, that as you can guess goes horribly wrong.
Reno is not a well like guy in his community meaning he truly cares about the few people who show him kindness. But being disliked is tame compare to how his new community will use him once he is stuffed into a jesters costume. He will have to endure some unspeakable thing and perform worse actions. It all becomes worse when these thing happing in front of the last person he wants to be seen in the lowest point of his life.
This book gets started and brake neck speed and it dose not stop! It goes from action to horror to gore and back to action in a way that makes it imposable to put down. Lucky it is short enough that I can be read in one sitting.
While that is a good thing. I do wish this was longer. There are some interesting character and a world I want to see more of and explore. I hope the author writes more about this apocalypse and the people living though it, because I could easy spend days reading about it.
This place takes place some time after an apocalypse and our main character start the story with a patrol task, that as you can guess goes horribly wrong.
Reno is not a well like guy in his community meaning he truly cares about the few people who show him kindness. But being disliked is tame compare to how his new community will use him once he is stuffed into a jesters costume. He will have to endure some unspeakable thing and perform worse actions. It all becomes worse when these thing happing in front of the last person he wants to be seen in the lowest point of his life.
This book gets started and brake neck speed and it dose not stop! It goes from action to horror to gore and back to action in a way that makes it imposable to put down. Lucky it is short enough that I can be read in one sitting.
While that is a good thing. I do wish this was longer. There are some interesting character and a world I want to see more of and explore. I hope the author writes more about this apocalypse and the people living though it, because I could easy spend days reading about it.
September 20, 2026
I know better than to get attached to the characters in these kinds of books, but I really couldn’t help it.
Despite the book being relatively short, I felt so bad for our two MMCs - especially Reno, though my heart broke for them both.
The story wasn’t as gory and detailed as some other extreme horror / splatterpunks I’ve read, but it was still brutal. You should definitely check the trigger warnings at the end of the book if you have any triggers.
With it’s 82 pages, it’s a book that you could finish in one day.
This was my first Aiden E. Messer book, and this absolutely makes me want to read more of their work.
(I received this book as an ARC and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)
Despite the book being relatively short, I felt so bad for our two MMCs - especially Reno, though my heart broke for them both.
The story wasn’t as gory and detailed as some other extreme horror / splatterpunks I’ve read, but it was still brutal. You should definitely check the trigger warnings at the end of the book if you have any triggers.
With it’s 82 pages, it’s a book that you could finish in one day.
This was my first Aiden E. Messer book, and this absolutely makes me want to read more of their work.
(I received this book as an ARC and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is, quite simply, a terrifyingly realistic portrayal of what would happen if an apocalypse ever became our reality. When people find themselves in a crisis, their true nature comes to light. If someone already has sadistic tendencies, those traits can become even more extreme, leading them to seek out others who share their twisted mindset so they can continue hurting people.
This book is filled with physical, psychological, and emotional t*rture. The scenes are graphic and immersive, making you feel almost like you’re right there, witnessing everything unfold. It evokes pain, anxiety, and genuine fear for our protagonists’ lives, especially when something completely unexpected happens.
This book is an absolute splatterpunk gem, just like everything this author brings us. I’m genuinely in awe of their work!
Thank you so much once again for giving me the opportunity to be an ARC reader for another one of your gems. I wholeheartedly recommend this book, but as with all of this author’s books, please make sure to check the trigger warnings beforehand.
This book is filled with physical, psychological, and emotional t*rture. The scenes are graphic and immersive, making you feel almost like you’re right there, witnessing everything unfold. It evokes pain, anxiety, and genuine fear for our protagonists’ lives, especially when something completely unexpected happens.
This book is an absolute splatterpunk gem, just like everything this author brings us. I’m genuinely in awe of their work!
Thank you so much once again for giving me the opportunity to be an ARC reader for another one of your gems. I wholeheartedly recommend this book, but as with all of this author’s books, please make sure to check the trigger warnings beforehand.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Super messed up…. I LOVED IT!! Horror with a romance subplot, and I ate it up!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Can we please take a moment to appreciate this cover?!
The apocalypse really knows how to bring out the best in some and the worst in others.....
I don't know how Messer manages to write stories that make me hate humans and also love them at the same time. They really know how to write about the worst of the worst and yet still provide just a glimmer of hope.
Our two MCs had a hell of a go, I mean....just awful, but there was still something beautiful about their love and resilience....
I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.
The apocalypse really knows how to bring out the best in some and the worst in others.....
I don't know how Messer manages to write stories that make me hate humans and also love them at the same time. They really know how to write about the worst of the worst and yet still provide just a glimmer of hope.
Our two MCs had a hell of a go, I mean....just awful, but there was still something beautiful about their love and resilience....
I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.
September 20, 2026
Jester by Aiden, a dystopian horror love story, proves once again why Aiden is one of my favorite authors. It isn't as gory as some of Aiden's other works, but it's still brutal and delivers an intense, unforgettable mmc romance. At only 82 pages, it's a quick read that you can easily finish in a day. If you have any triggers, be sure to check them before starting this book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review of advance copy received from Author
When Reno is captured by a group of raiders, he’s turned into a jester for their own personal amusement, reduced to nothing but a plaything to be used and abused how his captors see fit. But there’s one man from Reno’s home village who refuses to give up hope, and will stop at nothing to free the jester from his captivity.
Jester is a heartbreaking, post-apocalyptic queer love story with a whole lot of torture - and it was a wild ride from start to finish. This is a short one, but the pacing is kept up really well and you easily connect and sympathise with the main characters. The moments of tenderness amongst all the brutality really leave a mark.
Despite horror being an intrinsically queer genre, there’s still a surprising lack of queer horror out there in my opinion, so I’m always happy to see queer depravity thriving.
When Reno is captured by a group of raiders, he’s turned into a jester for their own personal amusement, reduced to nothing but a plaything to be used and abused how his captors see fit. But there’s one man from Reno’s home village who refuses to give up hope, and will stop at nothing to free the jester from his captivity.
Jester is a heartbreaking, post-apocalyptic queer love story with a whole lot of torture - and it was a wild ride from start to finish. This is a short one, but the pacing is kept up really well and you easily connect and sympathise with the main characters. The moments of tenderness amongst all the brutality really leave a mark.
Despite horror being an intrinsically queer genre, there’s still a surprising lack of queer horror out there in my opinion, so I’m always happy to see queer depravity thriving.
October 11, 2026
Jester is a punchy read; quick pacing and flinch-inducing brutality make for a killer combination. This book is queer horror but not a romance. While there's definitely something sparking between Reno and Nasir, it's left to simmer while they have to prioritize survival.
Like many of Messer's other stories, Jester takes place in a post-apocalyptic world with towns and factions that feel more familiar with each new book. I'm really curious to see if these two make a reappearance in stories to come.
Thanks so much to Aiden for sending an advance copy my way. I'm leaving this review of my own accord.
Like many of Messer's other stories, Jester takes place in a post-apocalyptic world with towns and factions that feel more familiar with each new book. I'm really curious to see if these two make a reappearance in stories to come.
Thanks so much to Aiden for sending an advance copy my way. I'm leaving this review of my own accord.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was brutal...
At surface level, this story is about shock value. However, on a deeper level, it's so much more than that. I feel like the author poured so much love in the development of his main characters that, as a reader, you're so invested in them. Their fate, their pain and their insecurities break your heart over and over again.
I was a bit disappointed by the ending, though. It felt a bit.... common, for lack of a better word.
Still, a great read, which I finished in 1 sitting. I just had to know how things would turn out for the MC's.
Thanks for providing me with an ARC!
At surface level, this story is about shock value. However, on a deeper level, it's so much more than that. I feel like the author poured so much love in the development of his main characters that, as a reader, you're so invested in them. Their fate, their pain and their insecurities break your heart over and over again.
I was a bit disappointed by the ending, though. It felt a bit.... common, for lack of a better word.
Still, a great read, which I finished in 1 sitting. I just had to know how things would turn out for the MC's.
Thanks for providing me with an ARC!
October 10, 2026
Well that was fucked up. I liked it.
October 11, 2026
An extreme horror set in a post-apocalyptic world, split into factions, and an MM romance that goes through hell and back. Jester is brutal and will tear your heart apart.
After being captured by a group of Raiders, Reno is forced into becoming the Jester and obeying whatever is demanded of him. Including abuse and torture.
Until Nasir, the village doctor, comes to visit the settlement to try and work out a deal with other members of their community. Upon seeing Reno, he decides to risk everything and help him escape.
This book is not for the faint-hearted. And I’m not just talking about the graphic scenes. The mental abuse these characters go through, and the helplessness they experience, are sometimes too hard to process.
And amidst it all, there’s a romance that blossoms and a feeling of belonging.
Jester will raise your anger levels, crush all hope, and make you question the future.
Just don’t forget to check the trigger warnings. There’s a lot!
📝 This review and more here:
Instagram | Tiktok | Youtube | Facebook
After being captured by a group of Raiders, Reno is forced into becoming the Jester and obeying whatever is demanded of him. Including abuse and torture.
Until Nasir, the village doctor, comes to visit the settlement to try and work out a deal with other members of their community. Upon seeing Reno, he decides to risk everything and help him escape.
This book is not for the faint-hearted. And I’m not just talking about the graphic scenes. The mental abuse these characters go through, and the helplessness they experience, are sometimes too hard to process.
And amidst it all, there’s a romance that blossoms and a feeling of belonging.
Jester will raise your anger levels, crush all hope, and make you question the future.
Just don’t forget to check the trigger warnings. There’s a lot!
📝 This review and more here:
Instagram | Tiktok | Youtube | Facebook
Review of advance copy received from Author
I went into Jester expecting something brutal, and it definitely delivers on that front, but what surprised me was how much heart there is underneath all the violence.
Reno was easily the strongest part of the book for me. The way he uses humor, flirtation, and the whole jester persona to survive what is happening around him gave him much more depth than I expected. He never felt like he was just there to endure horrible things for shock value. There is a real person underneath the performance, and watching pieces of that person come back out as the story progresses was probably my favorite part of the book.
I also really enjoyed the relationship between Reno and Nasir. Their connection gives the story some much-needed tenderness without suddenly making everything okay. Both of them carry their own insecurities and trauma, and I appreciated that the book allows recovery to remain messy. The quieter moments between them ended up hitting me harder than some of the more extreme scenes.
And yes, this gets nasty. There are some genuinely gruesome moments here, including a few images that are going to stick with me for a while. If you read extreme horror for creative violence and uncomfortable situations, there is plenty of that. What worked for me, though, was that the horror usually felt connected to Reno's emotional journey instead of existing purely as a gore showcase.
The ending was surprisingly sweet considering everything that comes before it. I especially liked that the story doesn't treat love as some magical cure for trauma. Reno is still dealing with what happened to him, but there is finally a sense that he might have a life beyond simply surviving.
There were a few places where I wanted a little more worldbuilding and more time with some of the supporting characters, but overall this was a fast, brutal, unexpectedly emotional read.
If you like extreme horror with a strong character focus, queer romance, survival themes, and a surprising amount of tenderness buried underneath the blood, Jester is absolutely worth checking out.
Reno was easily the strongest part of the book for me. The way he uses humor, flirtation, and the whole jester persona to survive what is happening around him gave him much more depth than I expected. He never felt like he was just there to endure horrible things for shock value. There is a real person underneath the performance, and watching pieces of that person come back out as the story progresses was probably my favorite part of the book.
I also really enjoyed the relationship between Reno and Nasir. Their connection gives the story some much-needed tenderness without suddenly making everything okay. Both of them carry their own insecurities and trauma, and I appreciated that the book allows recovery to remain messy. The quieter moments between them ended up hitting me harder than some of the more extreme scenes.
And yes, this gets nasty. There are some genuinely gruesome moments here, including a few images that are going to stick with me for a while. If you read extreme horror for creative violence and uncomfortable situations, there is plenty of that. What worked for me, though, was that the horror usually felt connected to Reno's emotional journey instead of existing purely as a gore showcase.
The ending was surprisingly sweet considering everything that comes before it. I especially liked that the story doesn't treat love as some magical cure for trauma. Reno is still dealing with what happened to him, but there is finally a sense that he might have a life beyond simply surviving.
There were a few places where I wanted a little more worldbuilding and more time with some of the supporting characters, but overall this was a fast, brutal, unexpectedly emotional read.
If you like extreme horror with a strong character focus, queer romance, survival themes, and a surprising amount of tenderness buried underneath the blood, Jester is absolutely worth checking out.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Dearest Gentle Reader,
One has to wonder if Jester is set in the same world as Burden (also authored by Aiden E Messer). If it is, I highly recommend, dear reader, familiarizing yourself with Burden before diving into Jester.
I found the torture sequences in Burden to be far more graphic (and frequent) than the ones in Jester. Or perhaps I was just better prepared to handle the content this go around?
I’ve read quite a number of books that involve captivity, and without fail, the victim always falls for their captor. That’s something I can appreciate with Messer’s works. There are clear black and white villains (who always meet a satisfying ending). The romance is never between the villain and his victim. There’s no Stockholm syndrome to parse through. I can enjoy hating on the actual bad guys while rooting for the good guys.
One thing not lacking in Messer’s style of writing, is their crafting of compelling characters. The decisions these characters make is what, thankfully, drives the story. Reno is definitely made of stronger stuff to have endured months of torture and rape and still have the ability to turn on the charm. Readers will find it difficult not to like Reno or want to reach through the pages to protect him. And while Nasir is a fucking idiot, he’s so sincere that one can’t help but find him endearing.
The relationship Reno and Nasir have after being rescued is so tender. I appreciated that Nasir didn’t immediately want to fuck Reno. Not that I wouldn’t have enjoyed reading a cute little love scene between the two; but these boys definitely need physical and emotional healing before they connect on a deeper level. The cuddling is exactly what I would prescribe.
Dear reader, please check your trigger warnings and read safely. And again, for those of you who enjoy a bit of torture porn with your MM romance; happy reading!
Your Esteemed Reviewer, Lady M
One has to wonder if Jester is set in the same world as Burden (also authored by Aiden E Messer). If it is, I highly recommend, dear reader, familiarizing yourself with Burden before diving into Jester.
I found the torture sequences in Burden to be far more graphic (and frequent) than the ones in Jester. Or perhaps I was just better prepared to handle the content this go around?
I’ve read quite a number of books that involve captivity, and without fail, the victim always falls for their captor. That’s something I can appreciate with Messer’s works. There are clear black and white villains (who always meet a satisfying ending). The romance is never between the villain and his victim. There’s no Stockholm syndrome to parse through. I can enjoy hating on the actual bad guys while rooting for the good guys.
One thing not lacking in Messer’s style of writing, is their crafting of compelling characters. The decisions these characters make is what, thankfully, drives the story. Reno is definitely made of stronger stuff to have endured months of torture and rape and still have the ability to turn on the charm. Readers will find it difficult not to like Reno or want to reach through the pages to protect him. And while Nasir is a fucking idiot, he’s so sincere that one can’t help but find him endearing.
The relationship Reno and Nasir have after being rescued is so tender. I appreciated that Nasir didn’t immediately want to fuck Reno. Not that I wouldn’t have enjoyed reading a cute little love scene between the two; but these boys definitely need physical and emotional healing before they connect on a deeper level. The cuddling is exactly what I would prescribe.
Dear reader, please check your trigger warnings and read safely. And again, for those of you who enjoy a bit of torture porn with your MM romance; happy reading!
Your Esteemed Reviewer, Lady M
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 Stars
This was my first time reading Aiden E. Messer, and WHAT an introduction. Jester is brutal, bleak, disturbing, and absolutely not interested in holding your hand through the experience. Reno is captured by raiders and turned into their personal source of entertainment, forced to endure unimaginable cruelty just to stay alive. This one earns that extreme horror label.
But what surprised me most was how much HEART existed underneath all that brutality. Nasir refuses to accept that Reno is simply gone, and the love and devotion woven through such a horrifying story gave it an emotional weight I honestly wasn't expecting. Those moments of tenderness hit even harder because of everything surrounding them.
Reno was such an easy character to care about. Watching someone be stripped of control, dignity, and nearly everything that makes him who he is was incredibly difficult, but his will to survive kept me completely invested. And Nasir? Give me someone willing to walk straight into hell for the person they love and apparently I'm done for.
I also really enjoyed the post-apocalyptic setting and the ugliness of this world. Aiden doesn't just use extreme content for shock value. There are ideas here about survival, freedom, love, and what people are willing to endure or risk for another person. And at under 100 pages, this story packs a LOT into a very small space.
Jester was vicious, heartbreaking, queer, bloody, and unexpectedly tender. I came for the extreme horror and walked away genuinely caring about these characters. For my first Aiden E. Messer book, I'd say this was one hell of an introduction, and I will absolutely be reading more.
Thanks to Aiden E. Messer for gifting me an eARC of Jester. I am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was my first time reading Aiden E. Messer, and WHAT an introduction. Jester is brutal, bleak, disturbing, and absolutely not interested in holding your hand through the experience. Reno is captured by raiders and turned into their personal source of entertainment, forced to endure unimaginable cruelty just to stay alive. This one earns that extreme horror label.
But what surprised me most was how much HEART existed underneath all that brutality. Nasir refuses to accept that Reno is simply gone, and the love and devotion woven through such a horrifying story gave it an emotional weight I honestly wasn't expecting. Those moments of tenderness hit even harder because of everything surrounding them.
Reno was such an easy character to care about. Watching someone be stripped of control, dignity, and nearly everything that makes him who he is was incredibly difficult, but his will to survive kept me completely invested. And Nasir? Give me someone willing to walk straight into hell for the person they love and apparently I'm done for.
I also really enjoyed the post-apocalyptic setting and the ugliness of this world. Aiden doesn't just use extreme content for shock value. There are ideas here about survival, freedom, love, and what people are willing to endure or risk for another person. And at under 100 pages, this story packs a LOT into a very small space.
Jester was vicious, heartbreaking, queer, bloody, and unexpectedly tender. I came for the extreme horror and walked away genuinely caring about these characters. For my first Aiden E. Messer book, I'd say this was one hell of an introduction, and I will absolutely be reading more.
Thanks to Aiden E. Messer for gifting me an eARC of Jester. I am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was given an ARC in exchange for a chance to review this story.
3 Stars!
I'm a long-time fan of horror, but still new to the extreme horror subgenre. If I was more well-versed in the subgenre, then I may have rated it higher.
If you want a story that'll make you turn away in disgust, while still peaking behind from your fingers for more, then you need to read this. Threaded throughout is an adorable MM romantic subplot that made my heart melt.
On the pacing-level, I think I would've liked to see more of the characters before the hook of the story. I did feel that that was glossed over quite quickly. However, I understand why the author didn't feel the need to focus on it.
I appreciated how different the internal monologues were, while still mirroring one another. That's a tricky thing to pull off, and to make it believable is a different beast entirely. There were some moments early on where it felt more as if the characters were explaining themselves to the reader, but I again understand that.
With the tight word count, and all that happens in the rest of the story, I was left feeling mostly satisfied but wanting just a bit more from the beginning. This is just a personal preference! It also might be something that isn't prioritized in the extreme horror subgenre.
Overall, this was delightfully unnerving. Escaping the horrors by reading the horrors was a great way to spend my afternoon.
PLEASE check trigger warnings.
Thank you for the ARC!
3 Stars!
I'm a long-time fan of horror, but still new to the extreme horror subgenre. If I was more well-versed in the subgenre, then I may have rated it higher.
If you want a story that'll make you turn away in disgust, while still peaking behind from your fingers for more, then you need to read this. Threaded throughout is an adorable MM romantic subplot that made my heart melt.
On the pacing-level, I think I would've liked to see more of the characters before the hook of the story. I did feel that that was glossed over quite quickly. However, I understand why the author didn't feel the need to focus on it.
I appreciated how different the internal monologues were, while still mirroring one another. That's a tricky thing to pull off, and to make it believable is a different beast entirely. There were some moments early on where it felt more as if the characters were explaining themselves to the reader, but I again understand that.
With the tight word count, and all that happens in the rest of the story, I was left feeling mostly satisfied but wanting just a bit more from the beginning. This is just a personal preference! It also might be something that isn't prioritized in the extreme horror subgenre.
Overall, this was delightfully unnerving. Escaping the horrors by reading the horrors was a great way to spend my afternoon.
PLEASE check trigger warnings.
Thank you for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Author
For any of those who have read any of the previous novels that have been released and written by Aiden Messer Author , you know that they can be quite graphic. Jester on the other hand is not quite that; it is still in the same sort of post apocalypse setting, that I believe he said all the stories are part of. (I would love to see a map of how they are laid out). Jester is not over the top graphic but it is brutal at moments.
Reno is the towns outcast, for various reasons and while him and a group are out foraging, he gets taken prisoner by some raiders. This is where the Jester persona comes into the story.
Nasir, his sort of secret admirer and towns doctor, wants the council to go rescue Reno. A bit of the reasoning is a little on the selfish side.
Isn't there a saying about good intentions? The plan doesn't go the way they had hoped.
After the troubles, let's say they have a happy ending. Of sorts, not that kind, get your mind out of the gutter.
I have to say that I enjoyed this story the most out of the ones that I have had the opportunity to read. The slightly pulled back 'gore', etc, this one seemed to have a much deeper story to it. I suppose my only complaint was that I wish that the story had been a lottle longer.
4.5 out of 5.
Would highly recommend this, especially for a quick read.
Reno is the towns outcast, for various reasons and while him and a group are out foraging, he gets taken prisoner by some raiders. This is where the Jester persona comes into the story.
Nasir, his sort of secret admirer and towns doctor, wants the council to go rescue Reno. A bit of the reasoning is a little on the selfish side.
Isn't there a saying about good intentions? The plan doesn't go the way they had hoped.
After the troubles, let's say they have a happy ending. Of sorts, not that kind, get your mind out of the gutter.
I have to say that I enjoyed this story the most out of the ones that I have had the opportunity to read. The slightly pulled back 'gore', etc, this one seemed to have a much deeper story to it. I suppose my only complaint was that I wish that the story had been a lottle longer.
4.5 out of 5.
Would highly recommend this, especially for a quick read.
October 10, 2026
Sorry its late
⚠️⚠️⚠️ Content Warning: This book is true extreme horror/splatterpunk. It contains graphic themes including explicit violence, intense captivity, and non-consensual trauma. It is strictly intended for mature readers who enjoy uncompromising, dark fiction.
Looking for a read that is completely unapologetic, dark, and deeply emotional?
🎭
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Jester is a brutal, post-apocalyptic extreme horror novel that hooks you from page one. The story is about Reno, a rough loner captured by a ruthless group of raiders. Stripped of his freedom, he is subjected to severe torment and forced to act as their literal "Jester" for basic survival. All while the community he was with turned their back on him except one person risked everything to find him but things don't go as planned...
At its core, it is a dark, twisted exploration of passion, hidden desires, and what it truly means to fight for the freedom to love. Features raw, queer representation navigating the absolute extremes of human cruelty and connection.
Honestly haven't found a book by Aiden Messer Author that I haven't loved
So please go show them so love and check out Jester and some of my other favs like pet ,embracing the predator,absurd
⚠️⚠️⚠️ Content Warning: This book is true extreme horror/splatterpunk. It contains graphic themes including explicit violence, intense captivity, and non-consensual trauma. It is strictly intended for mature readers who enjoy uncompromising, dark fiction.
Looking for a read that is completely unapologetic, dark, and deeply emotional?
🎭
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Jester is a brutal, post-apocalyptic extreme horror novel that hooks you from page one. The story is about Reno, a rough loner captured by a ruthless group of raiders. Stripped of his freedom, he is subjected to severe torment and forced to act as their literal "Jester" for basic survival. All while the community he was with turned their back on him except one person risked everything to find him but things don't go as planned...
At its core, it is a dark, twisted exploration of passion, hidden desires, and what it truly means to fight for the freedom to love. Features raw, queer representation navigating the absolute extremes of human cruelty and connection.
Honestly haven't found a book by Aiden Messer Author that I haven't loved
So please go show them so love and check out Jester and some of my other favs like pet ,embracing the predator,absurd
Review of advance copy received from Author
Jester was a trip down the gore rabbit hole, I’m no stranger to splatterpunk and this fit right in with being descriptive and disturbing. Some scenes had me pausing and having a break because of how f’d up they were.
I enjoyed the MM romantic subplot and liked seeing their relationship grow. Each MMC’s POV highlighted their personality and you could easily tell who was who just from the way each bit was written.
A lot of the time I was wondering WTF am I reading but morbid curiosity kept my chugging through! A brilliant depraved novella for a gore lover, do check TWs though.
I definitely think I’ll be revisiting this authors other work because I loved their writing style and their ability to show the characters personalities well.
The story’s pace is extremely quick but doesn’t feel overall rushed. It packs a whole lot of world building and characters into a short space of time and I’d love to see more about the world and characters in it.
Overall 3.5 rounded up to 4.
I did receive this book as an ARC but all opinions are my own and I am freely leaving this review.
Thank you for the opportunity to read early and review!
I enjoyed the MM romantic subplot and liked seeing their relationship grow. Each MMC’s POV highlighted their personality and you could easily tell who was who just from the way each bit was written.
A lot of the time I was wondering WTF am I reading but morbid curiosity kept my chugging through! A brilliant depraved novella for a gore lover, do check TWs though.
I definitely think I’ll be revisiting this authors other work because I loved their writing style and their ability to show the characters personalities well.
The story’s pace is extremely quick but doesn’t feel overall rushed. It packs a whole lot of world building and characters into a short space of time and I’d love to see more about the world and characters in it.
Overall 3.5 rounded up to 4.
I did receive this book as an ARC but all opinions are my own and I am freely leaving this review.
Thank you for the opportunity to read early and review!
October 15, 2026
Review of advanced copy received from author.
If you’re a slow build up story fan, this book is gonna have you in chokehold way too quick. From chapter one we have blood and action and you are not prepared for any of this.
Didn’t know what to expect so dived into it head first and oh my what a ride.
Story is placed in some crazy apocalyptic setting. As usual we have normal folks (kinda) and of course the crazy ones that cause havoc wherever they show up. Our two male main characters are absolutely amazing. Do not expect lovey dovey though. There’s a lot of blood, pain, psychical and mental abuse. Their story is captivating but also made my heart break for them and what they had to go thru.
I was quite disappointed that it was so short though.
Please read all trigger warnings before reading. This is not silly love story.
Thank you for giving me a chance to read Jester so early.
I’m waiting for more of your work.
If you’re a slow build up story fan, this book is gonna have you in chokehold way too quick. From chapter one we have blood and action and you are not prepared for any of this.
Didn’t know what to expect so dived into it head first and oh my what a ride.
Story is placed in some crazy apocalyptic setting. As usual we have normal folks (kinda) and of course the crazy ones that cause havoc wherever they show up. Our two male main characters are absolutely amazing. Do not expect lovey dovey though. There’s a lot of blood, pain, psychical and mental abuse. Their story is captivating but also made my heart break for them and what they had to go thru.
I was quite disappointed that it was so short though.
Please read all trigger warnings before reading. This is not silly love story.
Thank you for giving me a chance to read Jester so early.
I’m waiting for more of your work.
Review of advance copy received from Author
this is absolutely not a reflection of the author & i love me some dark dark stories but i think met my match with this one in terms of genre specific...
it was a really hard read, and i think it was mainly the sexual violence throughout that made me uncomfy, don't get me wrong, i don't think i can finish, i got up too 70% & it's hard man, it made me feel sick, in the worst way. i also think aswell the characters are such likeable characters that it makes it even worse, i dont quite know what to think if im honest im just nauseous lol
if you can handle the extent of the sexual violence depicted then i say go for it, but the gore coupled with the sexual violence was too much for me personally. genre specific i think that's me done with extreme horror🫠🫨😵💫
don't read this whilst you're eating💀‼️
it was a really hard read, and i think it was mainly the sexual violence throughout that made me uncomfy, don't get me wrong, i don't think i can finish, i got up too 70% & it's hard man, it made me feel sick, in the worst way. i also think aswell the characters are such likeable characters that it makes it even worse, i dont quite know what to think if im honest im just nauseous lol
if you can handle the extent of the sexual violence depicted then i say go for it, but the gore coupled with the sexual violence was too much for me personally. genre specific i think that's me done with extreme horror🫠🫨😵💫
don't read this whilst you're eating💀‼️
October 16, 2026
I've had my eye on a couple other of Messer's works (e.g. Murder Twinks, The Predator) for some time now and when I saw the opportunity to be provided an ARC of Jester, I moved swiftly and was not disappointed. Jester shows us some of the worst and the best human behavior through the brutal depictions of savage abuse endured by Reno and Nasir, however, this story carries a lot of spirit through Nasir's endearing journey towards Reno in his attempts to save his life and his heart. Messer quickly provides the opportunity to become attached to the protagonists but you won't realize it until the end when you realize you've been rooting for their survival the entire time. This is not your typical MM romance, but the streams of consciousness that exist between our two MC's will leave you wanting to follow them further through their budding relationship.
October 26, 2026
"ᴡɪᴛʜ ɴᴀsɪʀ, ɪ ғᴇᴇʟ ʟɪᴋᴇ ɪ ᴄᴀɴ ʙᴇ ᴠᴜʟɴᴇʀᴀʙʟᴇ ᴡɪᴛʜᴏᴜᴛ ʙᴇɪɴɢ ᴊᴜᴅɢᴇᴅ."
ᴊᴇsᴛᴇʀ mesmerized me from the very beginning with its brilliant cover, and the captivating storyline only made me love this tale even more deeply. After I just DNF'd a book previously, this was the absolute perfect read to dive into. I can always count on Aiden's books to cheer me up after a disappointing novel and this wasn't an exception either. I truly had the best time.
Nasir was the sweetest, I loved his personality so much and Reno's too, it broke my heart what he had to endure, what they both went through but Nasir was so gentle and patient with him. Both of them were there for each other at their darkest moments and they never gave up. They both grew close to my heart and I absolutely loved reading their thoughts.
I highly recommend checking out this story for spooky season!
ᴊᴇsᴛᴇʀ mesmerized me from the very beginning with its brilliant cover, and the captivating storyline only made me love this tale even more deeply. After I just DNF'd a book previously, this was the absolute perfect read to dive into. I can always count on Aiden's books to cheer me up after a disappointing novel and this wasn't an exception either. I truly had the best time.
Nasir was the sweetest, I loved his personality so much and Reno's too, it broke my heart what he had to endure, what they both went through but Nasir was so gentle and patient with him. Both of them were there for each other at their darkest moments and they never gave up. They both grew close to my heart and I absolutely loved reading their thoughts.
I highly recommend checking out this story for spooky season!
September 29, 2026
Jester wasn’t like anything I’ve read before and it was honestly a breath of fresh air in that aspect. It’s a dystopian horror and it has allllll the triggers so it is not for the weak. It was a really great read from beginning to end and if you can hang in there through all the horrors these poor guys go through (especially Reno) it does end with a lovely HEA.
Would you be willing to do whatever it takes to stay alive no matter what?! Reno decides he doesn’t want his life to end after being captured by the enemy clan so he will be their perfect Jester to keep them from disposing of him. But can he keep to his new Jester persona when his only friend, Nasir, shows up to negotiate a peace treaty between clans while being served up as entertainment?
Would you be willing to do whatever it takes to stay alive no matter what?! Reno decides he doesn’t want his life to end after being captured by the enemy clan so he will be their perfect Jester to keep them from disposing of him. But can he keep to his new Jester persona when his only friend, Nasir, shows up to negotiate a peace treaty between clans while being served up as entertainment?
September 27, 2026
As a person somewhat to more extreme horror, I really enjoyed this! I liked Reno a lot as a main character, and Nasir was great, too. The setting was interesting, too, though I would have liked to learn a bit more about it.
The story did feel a tad bit rushed, but it almost added to the urgency the characters felt.
Definitely some pretty disturbing sections – I had to convince myself push on a bit during one scene – but that’s what I signed up for!
Excellent descriptions, great depiction of trauma, and Reno's desperation to live was a little too relatable.
The story did feel a tad bit rushed, but it almost added to the urgency the characters felt.
Definitely some pretty disturbing sections – I had to convince myself push on a bit during one scene – but that’s what I signed up for!
Excellent descriptions, great depiction of trauma, and Reno's desperation to live was a little too relatable.
September 30, 2026
Wow this book!
For a small book 82 pages it packs a punch!
We meet Reno he’s not very liked in camp, when he’s out foraging he gets taken, he’s there for months and horrible things are done to him but he does not break!
Nasir the camp doctor, oh I loved him well I loved both! Just wants to find Reno.
Don’t want to spoil it but bad things happen to him to, I’m so happy they got the ending they did, they just need more time to heal💙
Cirail he got what he deserved👊🏼
The only reason this book is not a 5⭐️ is because Dornao deserved so much more than just banishment!
Thank you to the author for letting me arc read this book
For a small book 82 pages it packs a punch!
We meet Reno he’s not very liked in camp, when he’s out foraging he gets taken, he’s there for months and horrible things are done to him but he does not break!
Nasir the camp doctor, oh I loved him well I loved both! Just wants to find Reno.
Don’t want to spoil it but bad things happen to him to, I’m so happy they got the ending they did, they just need more time to heal💙
Cirail he got what he deserved👊🏼
The only reason this book is not a 5⭐️ is because Dornao deserved so much more than just banishment!
Thank you to the author for letting me arc read this book
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow! I loved the dual POV, that really gave it an extra layer of depth to the story.
While this is a bit more tame than other stories, it’s still an enjoyable one! I finished it in one sitting and in less than an hour. I couldn’t put it down.
You truly do feel like you’re going crazy with how described the environment and other characters are.
It’s a nice balance of horror and just plain scariness.
With the way the story’s world is set up, I feel like these characters could be friends with some of the other beloved characters from other books!
Thank you for the ARC, all opinions are my own.
While this is a bit more tame than other stories, it’s still an enjoyable one! I finished it in one sitting and in less than an hour. I couldn’t put it down.
You truly do feel like you’re going crazy with how described the environment and other characters are.
It’s a nice balance of horror and just plain scariness.
With the way the story’s world is set up, I feel like these characters could be friends with some of the other beloved characters from other books!
Thank you for the ARC, all opinions are my own.
September 30, 2026
Darker than my typical cup of tea. Darker and more sadistic than even Judith sonnet, but a little less gooey ( if you know what I mean? ) I thought the Jester theme was fun and interesting but I wish the pacing had been better? The beginning was rushed, I think this could have benefitted from 50 more pages to make smoother transitions between scenes and better flesh out the characters and establish their tel pre capture.
Very original and unique! Thank you to the author for producing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review!
Very original and unique! Thank you to the author for producing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I wanna start off by saying definitely read the triggers for this one. It’s an Aiden E. Messer original, so I already knew that it was going to be brutal and surprisingly wholesome. I throughly enjoy Aiden’s books because of the fact that they always end up being satisfyingly brutal and wholesome. Jester is no different, the gore is very descriptive and the acts of violence are very brutal. I read this one in one sitting because I enjoyed the story so much. I definitely recommend Jester by Aiden E. Messer. If you like extreme horror and great storytelling then you’ll enjoy this story!
October 12, 2026
Words can not describe how good this book was! This is a post apocalyptic read! Reno is out trying to find anything that he can and is found by raiders! Reno is being used to make his capture happy no mater what the consequences are. Reno is used to entertain and be a jester in all ways that the want. Reno thins that he will always be there even though he’s trying to find a way out. Nasir is trying to save Reno and in the mist of doing that they are both caught. This book will have you in your feels so enjoy reading!
October 12, 2026
Another fantastic story by Aiden E. Messer!! I was instantly pulled into this world and fell for the characters! I don’t typically read post-apocalyptic settings but this just might have changed my mind. I felt so many damn emotions while reading with the top being heartbroken, hopeful, and horrified. The dual povs were so much fun to be able to get into Reno and Nasir’s minds. I loved the revenge and I loved the happily ever after even more. This was so raw, incredibly dark and yet so beautiful.
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