There’s a human monster stalking the streets in the little town of Greyfield. He has a taste for lollipops and he keeps a collection of terrible secrets locked away in glass jars. His addiction is the suffering of others and he’ll go to any lengths to get that fix. The police don’t suspect him. He hides in plain sight, the wolf among sheep.
The only one that can stop him is a young boy named Jack, his latest victim. Jack is hopeless and dying when an unlikely savior comes to him, offering a deal that will aide him in exacting his vengeance against his kidnapper. All Jack has to do is invite the wicked visitor inside… and sacrifice a piece of himself in the process. Will Jack have his vengeance and put an end to Greyfield’s gruesome killer once and for all? Or will the pact Jack made with the visitor come back to haunt him?
Reach down into the jar of Sweet Treats and find the answers for yourself.
Sweet Treats is a fun read for splatterpunk fans who aren't afraid of trigger warnings. The author explores taboo themes in the book, but it’s a story that explores what the mind will conjure up in order to survive a traumatic experience, survival, and revenge. The story is moving, tragic, and utterly compelling.
This book is not for the faint of heart, but fans of the genre will really appreciate how immersive the story is. Personally, I considered abandoning it several times because I was so disturbed by the content, but I literally could not stop reading. The writing was so gripping that I had to get to the end. As much as I wanted to chuck the book across the room and try to salvage what was left of my sanity, but I simply could not put this down.
Jeremy Megargee was one of the new authors I recently discovered. And what a discovery it's been.
"Small towns suffer quietly, but sometimes they suffer deepest of all."
The book develops around a small American town that's been the hunting grounds of a child kidnapper for years. It's there that we meet Jack, a 12-year-old boy who is the kidnapper's latest victim. After being disposed by him, and left for dead, Jack makes a deal that will get him in a path of revenge and that, hopefully, will rid the town of its predator.
The book's structure is incredible, changing from Jack's point of view to that of the kidnapper. The way it's written gives the characters their own individuality. From Jack's innocence and youthful sarcasm, to Edgar's viciousness, to Verminator's slyness and snideness, you can tell which character the chapter is focusing on just by reading a few lines.
""Feel It, don't ya? The undercurrent of evil that emanates from that house. I pick up on it like a very powerful radio station. Edgar might as well throw up a billboard in the front yard that says SICK SHIT HAPPENS HERE.""
I can honestly say he was one of the most despicable characters I've ever read. I hated him with every single bit of my heart. I truly wanted to punch him in the face. The reason for that is that you can't stop feeling he is real.
This was an awesome book. It's horror in its rawest form, though with some supernatural in the mix, and if this is any indication of Jeremy's writing, I can't help but want to get my hands on more of his work.
Sweet treats is the story of Jack and Edgar. Edgar is a very warped sick man who likes to give pain - especially to children. Jack is a 12 year old boy who we meet in the beginning of the book who is abducted and immediately tortured and left to die. That's when the story gets going. Toss in a literal demon from hell, some really sick back story, and a path to vengeance that makes Clint Eastwood's High Plains Drifter seem tame and you've got this book. Jeremy tells the tale in first person alternating mainly between the boy and his abductor. I've met and talked with Jeremy at a convention - he's a very nice guy. You'd never guess it from the antagonist he creates. Edgar is a very ugly villain who you will utterly loathe. You'll cheer for Jack. You'll want Edgar to get what's coming to him. You'll start thinking 'hey demonic possession doesn't seem like a bad thing' until of course you learn the truth. It's a well done tale of victimization, sadism, vengeance, and heroism. There's good action, very visceral descriptions of the world sure to give you enough shudders to haunt your nights and there's even some fun 'buddy' banter between a couple characters to give your soul a break from the horror of the situation.
Okay, this book was not what I expected and I say that in the best kind of way! I think a lot of horror takes from other horror, but none of that was here. This was a very original tale told from multiple perspectives— each voice separate from the others which is quite the task to achieve, and achieve it Megargee did! The morbidity of this book is the excellent amount, which is another difficult task. I find with horror I personally am either rolling my eyes because of the shock-value attempts or I’m begging the author/director to give me something more horrific, but that was not the case here. Megargee hit that sweet spot of scary and suspenseful in a way that entices you for more, more, more, and before you know it, you’ve devoured the entire tale. I especially loved Verminort. Witty and fun and deliciously evil. In summation, READ SWEET TREATS! You will love it!
"He's been doing this for a long time, Jack. Most of these kids were much younger than you."
"I won't cry for them. Anyone can cry for them and do nothing about it. I'll avenge them instead."
This is not your average vigilante revenge horror plot-there's also a demonic possession with some interesting twists and turns! Expect lots of gory viscera and trigger warning for incestual sexual abuse with an intellectually and physically challenged individual.
If you're a fan of the splatterpunk or extreme horror genre, check this one out! I'd say it gives Rob Zombie, Hostel, and even Chuck Palahniuk vibes!
A book with great portrayal of both realistic and morbid horrors. Each character plays a key role that’s expertly told and wound together in a story that reaches the heights of depravity and revenge.
This story stirs up many different emotions in me. Jeremy created probably the most loathsome character I have ever read! Edgar's narrative will make your skin crawl. A serial killer that targets innocent children and is vile as they come. A fantastic job by the author to build so much hatred towards the antagonist. Makes his downfall all the sweeter. In contrast you have the latest victim Jack, a 12 year old boy who is left for dead. Before he shuts his eyes for good, he is offered a chance for vengeance but it will cost him. He has a choice. Accept help from Verminort, another kind of foe altogether or death. Jack wants nothing more than to bring an end to his abductor and of coarse return home to his mom. I really enjoyed Verminort and Jack's dialogue. Their banter brings humor to this dark story. Temporary allies maybe but they make one hell of a team. Jeremy Megargee is an incredible and descriptive writer. I never know where the next page will take me and I love it.
Sweet Treats is horrific in all the best ways. Every page contains something to make you tense, cringe, or grimace. As always, Megargee doesn't shy away from digging deep into the psyche of the worst of the worst. And Edgar is the worst - probably the most awful character I've read about to date. To contrast that horror, there is Jack, a twelve-year-old boy and victim of Edgar's, and a particularly humourous demonic entity. Even with a cast of only three, this book doesn't fall short to deliver emotional drive, high stakes, and make the reader increasingly uncomfortable throughout the duration of the read. There are elements to this novella that work really well. The contrast between innocence and pure evil is clear and delivered in a way that absolutely packs a punch. The comedic relief is also well done, and definitely needed with the dark themes that permeate this book.
An awesome introduction to an author's work I have been dying to check out but hadn't had a chance to until now! With just the right amount of gruesome terror that keeps a reader on the edge of their seat but their eyes firmly reading along, Sweet Treats by Jeremy Megargee is a Horror story with a captivating plot about a young boy who falls into the hands of evil incarnate, and lives. Though beaten down, Jack was not destroyed, and with the help of an unlikely acquaintance, he plots his revenge on a monster who would dare believe he could live in plain sight and get away with his heinous crimes. At times difficult to read, Sweet Treats is worth the read, especially with that plot twist I wasn't even expecting.
Oh man this fucking book rules. What a gnarly story that was non stop. There is an unbelievably monstrous character you just hate so so much. The writing of different characters perceptions was truely great. Getting the inside look from a monsters POV is difficult but again you can’t stop reading. And Jeremy is a top bloke as well.
I loved this novella so much. Jack and Verminort were the perfect duo. Couldn’t ask for more with this twisted tale with a dash of witty humor. This was the first time I’ve read anything by Jeremy Megargee, and I cannot wait to read more!
What a lovely surprise this little gem of a novella was. Could have done with a little bit less blood and gore, but all in all a fantastic read. A definite yes from me...highly recommend.
This book should be way more famous than it currently is. If child abuse is a trigger, this book may not be for you, but if it's not, do yourself a favor and read it! So good!
This book was a fun, twisted little journey. Edgar made my skin crawl and my stomach do all kinds of flip flops (but not the good kind). I felt horrible for Jack all the way through, but I do commend him on not giving up through all the horrible things he endured in this story. To be honest, even though he's vile and despicable, my favorite character has to be Verminort. For some reason, whenever I picture him, he reminds me of Luci from "Disenchantment" but only if he were 10x more sadistic. Megargee does an amazing job at imagery throughout and leaves his readers wanting more.
This novel is about sadism, vengeance and heroism. It was so good, wicked, captivating and well-written. Great amount of scary and suspenseful. The beginning was gruesome and made my insides twist. There were visceral description to give me nightmares for years to come. Yet I couldn't stop reading. I was drawn in by Jeremy's magnificent writing style that is poetical yet brutal. I love that!
I applaud the character building. So believable! Edgar's character has depth, personality and clear motivation. Only thinking of him makes me see red. I'm left in awe and I just wanna crawl inside of Jeremy Megargees head and see how he does this. How can someone create such an antagonist? Edgar is an ugly and evil villain that you'll loathe with every fiber in your body.
Then we have the demon Verminorts. He is my favorite. Funny, witty and devilously evil! Though the novel made my insides twist, Verminort always put a smile on my face.
life ain’t no damn fun if there aren’t shadows to play in.
This book definitely plays in the the shadows. It’s dark, disgusting, brutal and beautiful. Not for the faint of heart, but still containing plenty of heart. I enjoyed reading this book, even the hard core parts that weren’t so enjoyable.