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Sick Bastards #1
Perverse Schweine: Festa Extrem
Nachdem Atombomben die Erde zerfetzten ...
Alles zur Hölle ging ...
Keine Gesetze mehr gelten …
Wie weit würdest du gehen, um zu überleben?
Der Verfall einer Familie. Eiskalt erzählt von Englands erfolgreichstem Autor des Extreme Horror.
Alles zur Hölle ging ...
Keine Gesetze mehr gelten …
Wie weit würdest du gehen, um zu überleben?
Der Verfall einer Familie. Eiskalt erzählt von Englands erfolgreichstem Autor des Extreme Horror.
180 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 18, 2014
698 people are currently reading
5175 people want to read
About the author
Matt Shaw
529 books2,193 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.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 540 reviews
November 12, 2018
How twisted was that?!
Before I start, I will have to warn you that there will be cursing in this review, and if you are easily offended by it, you don't have a snowball's chance in hell of ever getting through this book. Please heed the warning on the cover - this book will shock the ever-loving piss out of you.
First, let's start with Matt Shaw. Could he be the "darkest mind in psychological horror"? For me, absolutely. This guy is very, very brave - he goes to places most wouldn't allow themselves to even ponder, let alone say out loud. Yet, his stories are psychologically driven, so they can be heavy and (to some) perhaps a bit slow, but DAMN, he writes it well!
The fans of Matt Shaw will tell you that his stories fall into two categories:
The White Covers, which has black and red writing on it, which is the "tamer" stories. Why "Tamer"? Because these stories are pretty sick. My advice to new readers of this author is to start with one of them - if you can't get through them, this guy is not for you.
The Black Covers, which are twisted and sick as Fuck! You can believe the warnings, people, there is some seriously abnormal, amoral, unethical and just plain icky shit in these stories. I believe only hardcore fans will be able to stomach it.
Which brings us to SICK BASTARDS...
Here's the scenario:
You wake up with amnesia, unable to remember even your own name. You don't know where you are or what had happened.
There are three more people with you, and you don't recognize them at all. There is a photo of the four of you, happily posing for the camera. The only logical deduction is that you are a family, with Father, Mother, Sister and you.
You take shelter in an unoccupied house. Father tells you he can recall the blast from an atomic bomb, but nothing else. Is there radiation outside that will kill you?
When the food runs out, you and Father go out searching, and discover humanoid monsters that wants to kill you.
You are trapped, about to starve to death, your only hope being that somebody will rescue you.
What happens next?
Right, as you can see, the shell of this nice family-friendly story is not that bad, right?
Then you start to read, and the first chapter opens with a scene of Brother fucking Sister, Mother interrupting them and calling them to dinner, which is a bound and gagged person who is being carved up by Father. And, oh yes, lets not forget about the hint that Mother and Son is also in a sexual relationship...
Riiiiggghhhhhttttt...
Here's the most important thing I need to say about Matt Shaw - this guy can write. His stories are good, his twists are usually great and, even though he goes to these extremely taboo places, the power of his stories does not come from the amount of gore and macabre, offensive ideas. No, this guy gives you a STORY, first and foremost.
Believe me, if you can get past the shocking things, you will not be disappointed by the direction and great twist toward the end.
I like this writer and I recommend it to those who can handle it.
Before I start, I will have to warn you that there will be cursing in this review, and if you are easily offended by it, you don't have a snowball's chance in hell of ever getting through this book. Please heed the warning on the cover - this book will shock the ever-loving piss out of you.
First, let's start with Matt Shaw. Could he be the "darkest mind in psychological horror"? For me, absolutely. This guy is very, very brave - he goes to places most wouldn't allow themselves to even ponder, let alone say out loud. Yet, his stories are psychologically driven, so they can be heavy and (to some) perhaps a bit slow, but DAMN, he writes it well!
The fans of Matt Shaw will tell you that his stories fall into two categories:
The White Covers, which has black and red writing on it, which is the "tamer" stories. Why "Tamer"? Because these stories are pretty sick. My advice to new readers of this author is to start with one of them - if you can't get through them, this guy is not for you.
The Black Covers, which are twisted and sick as Fuck! You can believe the warnings, people, there is some seriously abnormal, amoral, unethical and just plain icky shit in these stories. I believe only hardcore fans will be able to stomach it.
Which brings us to SICK BASTARDS...
Here's the scenario:
You wake up with amnesia, unable to remember even your own name. You don't know where you are or what had happened.
There are three more people with you, and you don't recognize them at all. There is a photo of the four of you, happily posing for the camera. The only logical deduction is that you are a family, with Father, Mother, Sister and you.
You take shelter in an unoccupied house. Father tells you he can recall the blast from an atomic bomb, but nothing else. Is there radiation outside that will kill you?
When the food runs out, you and Father go out searching, and discover humanoid monsters that wants to kill you.
You are trapped, about to starve to death, your only hope being that somebody will rescue you.
What happens next?
Right, as you can see, the shell of this nice family-friendly story is not that bad, right?
Then you start to read, and the first chapter opens with a scene of Brother fucking Sister, Mother interrupting them and calling them to dinner, which is a bound and gagged person who is being carved up by Father. And, oh yes, lets not forget about the hint that Mother and Son is also in a sexual relationship...
Riiiiggghhhhhttttt...
Here's the most important thing I need to say about Matt Shaw - this guy can write. His stories are good, his twists are usually great and, even though he goes to these extremely taboo places, the power of his stories does not come from the amount of gore and macabre, offensive ideas. No, this guy gives you a STORY, first and foremost.
Believe me, if you can get past the shocking things, you will not be disappointed by the direction and great twist toward the end.
I like this writer and I recommend it to those who can handle it.
April 23, 2022
“so much pain in the world - what’s a little bit more?”
🔪
this book had - cannibalism, incest, gore, murder, rape, zombies, a post-apocalyptic setting, and one very fucked up family.
the way this book started on the mother interrupting the brother and the sister fucking, to tell them “dinner is ready…”
i was like HUH????
anyway their meals were a little unconventional too, if you know what i mean…
“we had gone where - before the bomb - none of us would have ever dreamed of going. as the days and months continued to dissolve before us, all traces of humanity were going.”
this book really explores just HOW FAR humans would go to survive in an apocalypse.
honestly, none of the shit that happens in this book would surprise me that much in an actual apocalypse. humans are just that fucked up imo.
“i don’t know what i’m becoming and exactly how far i’ll go to ensure my own survival.”
would you murder someone, knowing they might be a danger to you and your family?
would you resort to cannibalism, if your only other option was starvation?
would you start fucking your own family members, when the loneliness just got a little bit too much?
just how far would you go to survive?
“before you know it you’re killing people, eating them and fucking your family as a dessert.”
this was definitely intriguing from the very beginning and the plot kept me interested throughout the whole book. the plot twists were pretty good and they basically change everything. nothing is actually as it seems…
the sick bastards might not be who you think they are. can’t say much more than that without spoiling anything though lol.
i didn’t love the actual ending as much as i wanted to, but this was still a pretty solid read overall!
“this is my family. they’re all mad. we’re all mad.”
this book had - cannibalism, incest, gore, murder, rape, zombies, a post-apocalyptic setting, and one very fucked up family.
the way this book started on the mother interrupting the brother and the sister fucking, to tell them “dinner is ready…”
i was like HUH????
anyway their meals were a little unconventional too, if you know what i mean…
“we had gone where - before the bomb - none of us would have ever dreamed of going. as the days and months continued to dissolve before us, all traces of humanity were going.”
this book really explores just HOW FAR humans would go to survive in an apocalypse.
honestly, none of the shit that happens in this book would surprise me that much in an actual apocalypse. humans are just that fucked up imo.
“i don’t know what i’m becoming and exactly how far i’ll go to ensure my own survival.”
would you murder someone, knowing they might be a danger to you and your family?
would you resort to cannibalism, if your only other option was starvation?
would you start fucking your own family members, when the loneliness just got a little bit too much?
just how far would you go to survive?
“before you know it you’re killing people, eating them and fucking your family as a dessert.”
this was definitely intriguing from the very beginning and the plot kept me interested throughout the whole book. the plot twists were pretty good and they basically change everything. nothing is actually as it seems…
the sick bastards might not be who you think they are. can’t say much more than that without spoiling anything though lol.
i didn’t love the actual ending as much as i wanted to, but this was still a pretty solid read overall!
“this is my family. they’re all mad. we’re all mad.”
March 3, 2021
Thought this was either badly written or the publishing company made a balls up of it because there's so much bad grammar and even spelling mistakes in the book; it's like it was written by a teenager.
The plot is very thin and straightforward, I guess I wanted to read this one because of the cover; it felt like I'd be reading something forbidden.
But it sucks!
There's a few bits that have shock value which are disgusting, disturbing and gory.
If you like grisly, poorly written and repetitive horror then it’s for you.
The plot is very thin and straightforward, I guess I wanted to read this one because of the cover; it felt like I'd be reading something forbidden.
But it sucks!
There's a few bits that have shock value which are disgusting, disturbing and gory.
If you like grisly, poorly written and repetitive horror then it’s for you.
May 25, 2021
5 stars
This book is basically if the Sawney Bean clan was a family of 4 living in a post-apocalyptic movie with zombies - and it was the weirdest shit I've read in my life.
⛔WARNING⛔
If you plan on reading this book I suggest going in blind. However, if you wish to know what this book is actually about, view the spoiler. I don't reveal any important information.
All in all,
It’s insane how any book by Matt Shaw always leaves me in a state of such intense emotions. This time around I am exhilarated because I didn’t just find a new favourite book but a new favourite author as well.
This author’s works are actually much deeper than a shocking story with taboo subjects. It’s psychologically twisted, beautifully written and covers topics not many are brave enough to delve into.
TRIGGERS:
This book is basically if the Sawney Bean clan was a family of 4 living in a post-apocalyptic movie with zombies - and it was the weirdest shit I've read in my life.
⛔WARNING⛔
If you plan on reading this book I suggest going in blind. However, if you wish to know what this book is actually about, view the spoiler. I don't reveal any important information.
All in all,
It’s insane how any book by Matt Shaw always leaves me in a state of such intense emotions. This time around I am exhilarated because I didn’t just find a new favourite book but a new favourite author as well.
This author’s works are actually much deeper than a shocking story with taboo subjects. It’s psychologically twisted, beautifully written and covers topics not many are brave enough to delve into.
TRIGGERS:
February 15, 2025
I wanna start off my review by saying that this book wasn’t bad. I actually quite enjoyed it. My only issue was the writing style kinda took me out of it, so much so that I couldn’t not notice it.
The writing was just a bit clunky and with so many brackets to point out such obvious things. It felt like the author didn’t think o would be smart enough to pick up on certain things.
So all in all, pretty good book but the writing style kinda killed it for me.
The writing was just a bit clunky and with so many brackets to point out such obvious things. It felt like the author didn’t think o would be smart enough to pick up on certain things.
So all in all, pretty good book but the writing style kinda killed it for me.
January 29, 2015
Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
“This is my family. They’re all mad. We’re all mad.”
I have a couple of friends who enjoy reading with me from time to time. Said friends have been extremely disappointed with my selections as of late, so I agreed to let them pick my next book. Thus began what forever will be known as the “Mitchell and Hannibal Buddy Read From Hell”. . . .
Note: It’s really freaking hard to take a selfie with multiple dead animal heads. Someone send me a selfie stick STAT!
Note 2: Mitchell and Hannibal are both men of few words and their typing skills SUCK (you know, being that they ARE ONLY HEADS and all), so this review is going to be extra giffified.
“I started the evening by eating human flesh and then I ended it with dreams of fucking my own sister. After killing someone today, too, I don’t know who I am anymore. I don’t know what I am becoming and exactly how far I’ll go to ensure my own survival.”
My reading partners have a pretty twisted taste in books . . . and that’s why I love them. The title Sick Bastards lets you know this book isn’t going to pussyfoot around. There’s even a warning on the damn thing disclaiming it to be EXTREME, so no whiny crybabies allowed. If you choose to read it and then find your fragile little psyche exploding into eleventy billion pieces, you better suck it up, buttercup.
The story opens with a . . . ahem “family moment?????” . . . if you will . . .
Which gets interrupted ‘cause it’s time for some eats, yo . . .
We find out the family are survivors of a nuclear holocaust, doing whatever it takes to survive in a new world filled with mutant humans . . .
I’m not going to give away any more of the plot. If you want something a lot different from the norm and find jokes like this to be hilarious . . .
or you're always looking for a way to expand your repertoire of cannibal memes . . .
This might be a book for you. If you’re like me and my pals, you might even read it during your lunch break . . .
“Waste not, want not.”
It gets 3 Stars simply because there wasn’t enough story. I’m not easily offended or grossed out, so having a book rely too much on shock and awe (even if it's really well-written shock and awe) isn’t going to earn 4 Stars from me. 3 Stars here on Goodreads means “I Liked It,” and I did . . . I just didn’t love it. I’ll definitely be checking out more of Shaw’s stuff in the future, though.
“This is my family. They’re all mad. We’re all mad.”
I have a couple of friends who enjoy reading with me from time to time. Said friends have been extremely disappointed with my selections as of late, so I agreed to let them pick my next book. Thus began what forever will be known as the “Mitchell and Hannibal Buddy Read From Hell”. . . .
Note: It’s really freaking hard to take a selfie with multiple dead animal heads. Someone send me a selfie stick STAT!
Note 2: Mitchell and Hannibal are both men of few words and their typing skills SUCK (you know, being that they ARE ONLY HEADS and all), so this review is going to be extra giffified.
“I started the evening by eating human flesh and then I ended it with dreams of fucking my own sister. After killing someone today, too, I don’t know who I am anymore. I don’t know what I am becoming and exactly how far I’ll go to ensure my own survival.”
My reading partners have a pretty twisted taste in books . . . and that’s why I love them. The title Sick Bastards lets you know this book isn’t going to pussyfoot around. There’s even a warning on the damn thing disclaiming it to be EXTREME, so no whiny crybabies allowed. If you choose to read it and then find your fragile little psyche exploding into eleventy billion pieces, you better suck it up, buttercup.
The story opens with a . . . ahem “family moment?????” . . . if you will . . .
Which gets interrupted ‘cause it’s time for some eats, yo . . .
We find out the family are survivors of a nuclear holocaust, doing whatever it takes to survive in a new world filled with mutant humans . . .
I’m not going to give away any more of the plot. If you want something a lot different from the norm and find jokes like this to be hilarious . . .
or you're always looking for a way to expand your repertoire of cannibal memes . . .
This might be a book for you. If you’re like me and my pals, you might even read it during your lunch break . . .
“Waste not, want not.”
It gets 3 Stars simply because there wasn’t enough story. I’m not easily offended or grossed out, so having a book rely too much on shock and awe (even if it's really well-written shock and awe) isn’t going to earn 4 Stars from me. 3 Stars here on Goodreads means “I Liked It,” and I did . . . I just didn’t love it. I’ll definitely be checking out more of Shaw’s stuff in the future, though.
November 12, 2022
I badly need a good splatterpunk book right now and this didn’t reel me in.
I love Matt Shaw and all but I just didn’t enjoy this. The plot is interesting I give it that, the apocalyptic theme actually made me wanna pick this up, however, nothing about the whole thing left an imprint like most of Matt Shaw’s works.
The gore, the sexual immorality, the incestuous relationship or the cannibalistic urges didn’t put me off, I am used to reading these kind of stuff, I just couldn’t put in words what this book is lacking for me but I didn’t really connect with the story, at all.
Well, I guess I’ll have to find another splatterpunk book to satiate this thirst for cruor and carnage. Give me one, please.
I love Matt Shaw and all but I just didn’t enjoy this. The plot is interesting I give it that, the apocalyptic theme actually made me wanna pick this up, however, nothing about the whole thing left an imprint like most of Matt Shaw’s works.
The gore, the sexual immorality, the incestuous relationship or the cannibalistic urges didn’t put me off, I am used to reading these kind of stuff, I just couldn’t put in words what this book is lacking for me but I didn’t really connect with the story, at all.
Well, I guess I’ll have to find another splatterpunk book to satiate this thirst for cruor and carnage. Give me one, please.
November 26, 2021
3.5
🍗
reminded me of R.I.P. but not stupid
reminded me of R.I.P. but not stupid
kindle
August 6, 2016I bought this one..but guess what? It's free today!! 1-20-15
http://www.amazon.com/Sick-Bastards-N...
http://www.amazon.com/Sick-Bastards-N...
July 24, 2018
4 STUPID GREED STARS
Este es el mejor libro de futuro distópico que he leído, lo cual es demasiado irónico.La ironía de este comentario solo la entenderán si ya leyeron el libro.
En el primer capítulo vemos a un hombre tener sexo con su hermana, mientras su madre les grita que bajen a comer. La comida es una persona viva.
Mientras leía este libro una pregunta saltaba a mi mente constantemente:
¿Que es peor, el canibalismo o el incesto?
Aun no me decido cual.
Esta es la única novela larga que he leído de Matt Shaw, y sin duda le hace honor a su advertencia de Horror extremo. Tiene mucho gore, mucha depravación y cierra con un gigantesco Plot twist.
Probablemente ya notaron que no he hablado mucho de la historia, y no lo voy a hacer, quiero que lean este libro sin saber de qué trata.
Léanlo, en serio léanlo, seguramente se arrepentirán de hacerme caso, pero igual LEANLO.
"I could go back to how I was; the innocent lad as opposed to the flesh eating, incestuous killer that I had grown to be. I knew I could go back. Try and put it all behind me."
Este es el mejor libro de futuro distópico que he leído, lo cual es demasiado irónico.
En el primer capítulo vemos a un hombre tener sexo con su hermana, mientras su madre les grita que bajen a comer. La comida es una persona viva.
Mientras leía este libro una pregunta saltaba a mi mente constantemente:
¿Que es peor, el canibalismo o el incesto?
Aun no me decido cual.
Esta es la única novela larga que he leído de Matt Shaw, y sin duda le hace honor a su advertencia de Horror extremo. Tiene mucho gore, mucha depravación y cierra con un gigantesco Plot twist.
Probablemente ya notaron que no he hablado mucho de la historia, y no lo voy a hacer, quiero que lean este libro sin saber de qué trata.
Léanlo, en serio léanlo, seguramente se arrepentirán de hacerme caso, pero igual LEANLO.
March 4, 2024
I love horror, extreme horror and a bit of splatterpunk now and again so I was really hoping for the next amazing book/author in this genre. I didn't get it.
This is my third Matt Shaw book and I haven't enjoyed any of them. Let's put it down to a silly OCD determination to prove to myself that there must be something decent out there?
If the aim of this book is too make you scream with indignation, it succeeds.
Positives?
- It's dystopian(ish)! Survival after nuclear fallout (with so many possibilities).
- Some of the sex scenes are graphic and compelling.
- People eat each other (I enjoyed Off Season by Jack Ketchum a LOT).
- The repeat cover designs of all these books are genius marketing. Black covers emblazoned with red or white text shouting SICK, ROTTEN or REPUGNANT F*CK at you, making you believe there's a solid body of really good extreme horror out there. I know this is adult material, but it's more like YA splatterpunk because of how rambling it is!
Although shocking and extreme, Sick Bastards isn't disturbing or psychological.
The author blurts it out as hard and fast as possible in a scattergun approach to draw attention to his work, but instead churns out substandard material, maybe to incite enough negative publicity to drive people to his books and find out for themselves? Nasty breeds nasty.
I've got a better idea, lets rename I Am Legend 'Vampire Shitheads' to sell more copies.
You know those books that are so sprawling that they need to be explained away at the end? One minute characters spit in each other's faces while munching down on human flesh, the next it's how much they love and care about each other before venturing into the beyond.
I really dislike the writing style, lack of craft and the absence of careful planning. It's amateurish, circular and bad literature.
You know why I rate Hogg by Samuel R. Delany as a decent 3-star read - probably the most disgusting book ever published - because it's well written by a very talented author. He tarnished his reputation through it, and please keep away if extreme rape or sodomy are not your thing, but it's three stars all the same.
Classified in some quarters as dystopia, if you want to experience brilliant books in this genre try 1984, Brave New World, Fahrenheit 451 or The Road, to really appreciate the bleak, dire hopelessness of it all with great storytelling and bizarre ideas. For the depth!
This is what makes post-apocalyptic horror intense and depressing because of how it makes you think. Why are we here? Is there any point in going on?
It's not just about ropey writing styles either. Cormac McCarthy expresses himself in a technically unconventional way, constantly bending the grammatical rule book, whereas his vision, accuracy and storytelling are amazing.
Matt Shaw isn't a good author because he doesn't spend enough time fleshing out his ideas, doesn't proofread sufficiently and churns out books two-a-penny in barely more than novella format. It's not the extreme content, but the poor execution! He fails to immerse you in his universe or come across as believable, feeling like you're reading personal notes rather than thriving in the mindset of characters.
Ad-libbed, unconvincing, horribly introspective and repetitive. So much waffle and rambling dialogue.
That's it for me. I gave Matt Shaw a real go, three gos, and now I'm done with blitzkrieg writing tactics with no real depth or planning. This has been a horrible review to write.
This is my third Matt Shaw book and I haven't enjoyed any of them. Let's put it down to a silly OCD determination to prove to myself that there must be something decent out there?
If the aim of this book is too make you scream with indignation, it succeeds.
Positives?
- It's dystopian(ish)! Survival after nuclear fallout (with so many possibilities).
- Some of the sex scenes are graphic and compelling.
- People eat each other (I enjoyed Off Season by Jack Ketchum a LOT).
- The repeat cover designs of all these books are genius marketing. Black covers emblazoned with red or white text shouting SICK, ROTTEN or REPUGNANT F*CK at you, making you believe there's a solid body of really good extreme horror out there. I know this is adult material, but it's more like YA splatterpunk because of how rambling it is!
Although shocking and extreme, Sick Bastards isn't disturbing or psychological.
The author blurts it out as hard and fast as possible in a scattergun approach to draw attention to his work, but instead churns out substandard material, maybe to incite enough negative publicity to drive people to his books and find out for themselves? Nasty breeds nasty.
I've got a better idea, lets rename I Am Legend 'Vampire Shitheads' to sell more copies.
You know those books that are so sprawling that they need to be explained away at the end? One minute characters spit in each other's faces while munching down on human flesh, the next it's how much they love and care about each other before venturing into the beyond.
I really dislike the writing style, lack of craft and the absence of careful planning. It's amateurish, circular and bad literature.
You know why I rate Hogg by Samuel R. Delany as a decent 3-star read - probably the most disgusting book ever published - because it's well written by a very talented author. He tarnished his reputation through it, and please keep away if extreme rape or sodomy are not your thing, but it's three stars all the same.
Classified in some quarters as dystopia, if you want to experience brilliant books in this genre try 1984, Brave New World, Fahrenheit 451 or The Road, to really appreciate the bleak, dire hopelessness of it all with great storytelling and bizarre ideas. For the depth!
This is what makes post-apocalyptic horror intense and depressing because of how it makes you think. Why are we here? Is there any point in going on?
It's not just about ropey writing styles either. Cormac McCarthy expresses himself in a technically unconventional way, constantly bending the grammatical rule book, whereas his vision, accuracy and storytelling are amazing.
Matt Shaw isn't a good author because he doesn't spend enough time fleshing out his ideas, doesn't proofread sufficiently and churns out books two-a-penny in barely more than novella format. It's not the extreme content, but the poor execution! He fails to immerse you in his universe or come across as believable, feeling like you're reading personal notes rather than thriving in the mindset of characters.
Ad-libbed, unconvincing, horribly introspective and repetitive. So much waffle and rambling dialogue.
That's it for me. I gave Matt Shaw a real go, three gos, and now I'm done with blitzkrieg writing tactics with no real depth or planning. This has been a horrible review to write.
December 19, 2014
I expected porn, horror, gore, bad writing, all without a plot. I ended up with... a decently written plot.
Don't get me wrong, this is splatterpunk, though and through, by textbook definition. But, I actually found this little book, dare I say it, fun. I know, I know. Shocking, isn't it? It's fun in a low budget B-rated horror movie kind of way.
A family wakes up in a house in the woods. They have no memories. They assume they're a family based on a photograph they found. There's monsters in the woods with yellow skin and tar coming out of their mouths. A nuclear disaster and radiation is assumed, there's evidence. And then... there's a lack of evidence.
Oh, and the brother starts banging the sister. But that's revealed on the first page, so it's not a spoiler.
Whether the author intended this or not, there's actually an underlying theme of what it means to be a monster. What it means to be human. The answer isn't obvious. In fact, it's sick. And that is the best part of the whole story.
Don't get me wrong, this is splatterpunk, though and through, by textbook definition. But, I actually found this little book, dare I say it, fun. I know, I know. Shocking, isn't it? It's fun in a low budget B-rated horror movie kind of way.
A family wakes up in a house in the woods. They have no memories. They assume they're a family based on a photograph they found. There's monsters in the woods with yellow skin and tar coming out of their mouths. A nuclear disaster and radiation is assumed, there's evidence. And then... there's a lack of evidence.
Oh, and the brother starts banging the sister. But that's revealed on the first page, so it's not a spoiler.
Whether the author intended this or not, there's actually an underlying theme of what it means to be a monster. What it means to be human. The answer isn't obvious. In fact, it's sick. And that is the best part of the whole story.
November 13, 2014
A lovely book. Share it with the kids :)
February 2, 2022
That was some f***ed up s**t, but so much fun. Cannibalism, incest, extreme violence, all the good stuff which makes Matt Shaw, one of the best in extreme horror. Towards the end of the book, I had an idea of what was going on, and memories of watching the movie ‘Jacob’s Ladder’ many moons ago, sprang to mind. The ending was not what I was expecting though! If all this crazy stuff is your ‘thing’ then give it a go.......you will not be disappointed!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2022
this book was fucked up but so good. i recommended it.
if you’re easily bothered or triggered then this book isn’t for you. ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!
can’t wait to to read more of this author’s disturbing books.
if you’re easily bothered or triggered then this book isn’t for you. ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!
can’t wait to to read more of this author’s disturbing books.
February 7, 2022
'Sick Bastards' is a pseudo-dystopian extreme adventure about a family who exist in an unknown house situated in a wooded and remote post-apocalyptic backdrop. They have no names, they have no neighbours, but they do have each other...for now!
Expect outrageous sex and violence all the way, featuring incest, cannibalism, killing and mutilation, but all kept within a really strong storyline that will keep you gripped from beginning to end.
I particularly loved the word play on the actual title itself and the first truly jaw-dropping action in the first chapter - with Matt apparently setting himself a test to prove to a close friend that he could write even 'sicker' material than his usual dark and disturbing stories. Well Matt, congratulations buddy, you sure succeeded...and I absolutely loved it!
A little overly drawn out at times and one or two repetitions, but apart from that, great action for lovers of futuristic vile and utterly gross horror nightmares that take the reader to the boundaries, and beyond, when considering mainstream human acceptability.
Much, much better than I was expecting from the title alone - I would highly recommended it to avid readers of this type of material.
'Right, off for some dinner'.
Rating: 4.3 immoral and degenerate, succulent stars of pure pleasure. Enjoy!
Expect outrageous sex and violence all the way, featuring incest, cannibalism, killing and mutilation, but all kept within a really strong storyline that will keep you gripped from beginning to end.
I particularly loved the word play on the actual title itself and the first truly jaw-dropping action in the first chapter - with Matt apparently setting himself a test to prove to a close friend that he could write even 'sicker' material than his usual dark and disturbing stories. Well Matt, congratulations buddy, you sure succeeded...and I absolutely loved it!
A little overly drawn out at times and one or two repetitions, but apart from that, great action for lovers of futuristic vile and utterly gross horror nightmares that take the reader to the boundaries, and beyond, when considering mainstream human acceptability.
Much, much better than I was expecting from the title alone - I would highly recommended it to avid readers of this type of material.
'Right, off for some dinner'.
Rating: 4.3 immoral and degenerate, succulent stars of pure pleasure. Enjoy!
Read
November 26, 2021dnf @ 30%
theres spoilers. maybe. go judge for yourself i dunno
conclusion : there are people like this nameless family that are willing to do anything to survive. and then there are people like me who’ll probably die in 2 days cuz we don’t have a steel stomach
this has the potential, if only it were shorter and we get more gruesome crazy shits rather than plot and inner monologues filled w/ unnecessary humanity, that way it'd glue my eyes to the pages. my prob here wasn’t the gross things cuz i knew what to expect going in, it's my squirrel-attention span y'all
the 1st chapter was juicy af i loved it, but once we get glimpses that Brother has a humanity after all, i was no longer interested. (cuz that just made me feel bad for him, feeling like he's a victim, and i don't want that. the only victim allowed here is the meats and the only feelings i want to experience is me being awed by how sick he is). wasn’t bad, but i just got bored over the apocalypse storyline.
theres spoilers. maybe. go judge for yourself i dunno
conclusion : there are people like this nameless family that are willing to do anything to survive. and then there are people like me who’ll probably die in 2 days cuz we don’t have a steel stomach
this has the potential, if only it were shorter and we get more gruesome crazy shits rather than plot and inner monologues filled w/ unnecessary humanity, that way it'd glue my eyes to the pages. my prob here wasn’t the gross things cuz i knew what to expect going in, it's my squirrel-attention span y'all
the 1st chapter was juicy af i loved it, but once we get glimpses that Brother has a humanity after all, i was no longer interested. (cuz that just made me feel bad for him, feeling like he's a victim, and i don't want that. the only victim allowed here is the meats and the only feelings i want to experience is me being awed by how sick he is). wasn’t bad, but i just got bored over the apocalypse storyline.
October 22, 2017
Sick
This is a 3 book series so far...that will leave you wanting more..So depraved you will be embarrassed that you enjoyed it so much.
This is a 3 book series so far...that will leave you wanting more..So depraved you will be embarrassed that you enjoyed it so much.
June 29, 2014
First off I’ll mention the marketing if you like of Sick Bastards, if I was thinking of a way to get people interested in a horror novel then this would probably be the perfect way.
1. A title that instantly grabs you.
2. A solid black cover that hints at little except for a message.
3. A Warning just to top it off. One like -
WARNING: THIS IS AN EXTREME HORROR NOVEL. There is 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.
Ok now my attention has been grabbed, did the story live up to it, I have to say it had a damn good go at it, in fact, yes it pretty much did.
This is my second read by Matt Shaw and both stories were told from a first person point of view, in this case its brother/son and the opening describes him having sex with his sister before an unwanted intrusion from Mother. An incestuous family that never leave their house.
Father, Mother, Brother & Sister have no memories of before the bomb went off, they woke and all they had was a picture and when they eventually went outside, when food got scarce, what they saw kept them from ever leaving again. What they saw were zombies, fast, strong and hungry.
Don’t worry this is not another tired zombie story, they only feature fleetingly and are more of a reason or excuse for us to explore this families deterioration from normal human beings into guilt free, sexually active and boy are they active, cannibals, all except one.
The story is told in different timelines, the present where Brother is overcome with guilt at what his family do and his desire to leave the madness. We also see the past, how they slipped into the life they now lead, the sex, the welcoming fellow survivors, only to see them as ‘meat’, food for survival.
The horror is not overwhelming considering some of the stuff out there, they are cannibals and it’s really gripping to see how they become this way, how they initially become sexually active but I have to say I’ve read stuff by Edward Lee and Wrath James White that are far more disturbing. This is more about people and what they are capable of when all other options run out.
I really enjoyed this, its clever both in the story, the unexpected twist at the end and its marketing.
I will certainly continue to read more from Matt Smith.
A 4.5 Rating.
Recommended
http://paulnelson.booklikes.com/post/...
1. A title that instantly grabs you.
2. A solid black cover that hints at little except for a message.
3. A Warning just to top it off. One like -
WARNING: THIS IS AN EXTREME HORROR NOVEL. There is 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.
Ok now my attention has been grabbed, did the story live up to it, I have to say it had a damn good go at it, in fact, yes it pretty much did.
This is my second read by Matt Shaw and both stories were told from a first person point of view, in this case its brother/son and the opening describes him having sex with his sister before an unwanted intrusion from Mother. An incestuous family that never leave their house.
Father, Mother, Brother & Sister have no memories of before the bomb went off, they woke and all they had was a picture and when they eventually went outside, when food got scarce, what they saw kept them from ever leaving again. What they saw were zombies, fast, strong and hungry.
Don’t worry this is not another tired zombie story, they only feature fleetingly and are more of a reason or excuse for us to explore this families deterioration from normal human beings into guilt free, sexually active and boy are they active, cannibals, all except one.
The story is told in different timelines, the present where Brother is overcome with guilt at what his family do and his desire to leave the madness. We also see the past, how they slipped into the life they now lead, the sex, the welcoming fellow survivors, only to see them as ‘meat’, food for survival.
The horror is not overwhelming considering some of the stuff out there, they are cannibals and it’s really gripping to see how they become this way, how they initially become sexually active but I have to say I’ve read stuff by Edward Lee and Wrath James White that are far more disturbing. This is more about people and what they are capable of when all other options run out.
I really enjoyed this, its clever both in the story, the unexpected twist at the end and its marketing.
I will certainly continue to read more from Matt Smith.
A 4.5 Rating.
Recommended
http://paulnelson.booklikes.com/post/...
February 25, 2021
Well that was bloody brilliant. Could not put it down!
July 16, 2014
I read many, many horror books. I always have and I always will. However, reading so many (good, bad, ugly, deplorable) books tends to make you become complacent and tired. Every now and then, you need a book, that one book which can bring you back from the deep and restore your faith in the written word. Don't get me wrong, I'm content with my literary horror choices but when I picked up Sick Bastards, I was having a particularly bad day.
I only have one word for this book. Wow!
I have four more. Thank you, Matt Shaw.
A warning - in case you didn't read the cover. READ THE COVER. Done? Good. Don't say I didn't warn you. Easily offended? Look away now. Sick Bastards is one of those books that has the power to divide people. Horror is a great genre for this anyway but Sick Bastards, with its brash, bold and brutal content, is heads and shoulders above the best out there. Incest - in lurid, sexual detail? Check. Cannibalism and extreme gore? Check. Characters you want to despise but love purely because they are a product of their circumstance? Check. A mysterious apocalypse that threatens to doom the world? Check.
What makes Sick Bastards unique is the moral core. Yes, we see a brother and sister engaging in unfathomable sexual acts, a mother who's obsession with her son's penis is a little...uncomfortable and not to mention several explicit scenes of cannibalism. However, this book is rooted in morality. What would humans do if the world ended and we were left to fend for ourselves? No power, no food, no utilities. There isn't an answer to this question that can be predicted, calculated or even rehearsed. Now, imagine you didn't know who you were, what social rules existed and the only thing you know is this: If you don't survive, that's it. End of story, nothing, nada.
It's all ripe for a great, if horribly disturbing novel. But that's the point. If the world ended tomorrow, we wouldn't and couldn't continue as normal. There's a good chance that events in Sick Bastards could really happen. Sure, it's not pleasant, but society is brimming with hatred and violence anyway. All it takes is to unlatch the rules, remove them, end the normality of life and everything would go downhill very quickly. Whether this was Matt Shaw's intention or not, he's created a stark, uniquely brutal and very entertaining novel with a social message that hits very close to home. I don't offend easily but there were moments when I wondered just how far the author would go. I love this in a novel and horror is always better for it.
5* - A fantastic, censor-baiting read. I peeked at the reviews before I read this and people were offended. So what? Judge the book by its cover. The author warns you of the content within. If offended, why even approach this book in the first place? It's this behaviour within the social strata that makes Sick Bastards ring true. Some might not like it, but they'll still try to wrap their curious eyes around it anyway. Some might not like the results but this only shows man's need to push the barrier and destroy themselves in the process. Pretty apt if you ask me. Sick Bastards is a great entry in the horror genre and I can't wait for more. Bring on Rotting Dead Fucks!
I only have one word for this book. Wow!
I have four more. Thank you, Matt Shaw.
A warning - in case you didn't read the cover. READ THE COVER. Done? Good. Don't say I didn't warn you. Easily offended? Look away now. Sick Bastards is one of those books that has the power to divide people. Horror is a great genre for this anyway but Sick Bastards, with its brash, bold and brutal content, is heads and shoulders above the best out there. Incest - in lurid, sexual detail? Check. Cannibalism and extreme gore? Check. Characters you want to despise but love purely because they are a product of their circumstance? Check. A mysterious apocalypse that threatens to doom the world? Check.
What makes Sick Bastards unique is the moral core. Yes, we see a brother and sister engaging in unfathomable sexual acts, a mother who's obsession with her son's penis is a little...uncomfortable and not to mention several explicit scenes of cannibalism. However, this book is rooted in morality. What would humans do if the world ended and we were left to fend for ourselves? No power, no food, no utilities. There isn't an answer to this question that can be predicted, calculated or even rehearsed. Now, imagine you didn't know who you were, what social rules existed and the only thing you know is this: If you don't survive, that's it. End of story, nothing, nada.
It's all ripe for a great, if horribly disturbing novel. But that's the point. If the world ended tomorrow, we wouldn't and couldn't continue as normal. There's a good chance that events in Sick Bastards could really happen. Sure, it's not pleasant, but society is brimming with hatred and violence anyway. All it takes is to unlatch the rules, remove them, end the normality of life and everything would go downhill very quickly. Whether this was Matt Shaw's intention or not, he's created a stark, uniquely brutal and very entertaining novel with a social message that hits very close to home. I don't offend easily but there were moments when I wondered just how far the author would go. I love this in a novel and horror is always better for it.
5* - A fantastic, censor-baiting read. I peeked at the reviews before I read this and people were offended. So what? Judge the book by its cover. The author warns you of the content within. If offended, why even approach this book in the first place? It's this behaviour within the social strata that makes Sick Bastards ring true. Some might not like it, but they'll still try to wrap their curious eyes around it anyway. Some might not like the results but this only shows man's need to push the barrier and destroy themselves in the process. Pretty apt if you ask me. Sick Bastards is a great entry in the horror genre and I can't wait for more. Bring on Rotting Dead Fucks!
August 21, 2023
3.5 stars!
This was my first Matt Shaw story, but won't be my last. While it wasn't a perfect read for me — I struggled a little with the repetitive nature at times, mostly — I thought the premise was pretty intriguing and I enjoyed the ending a lot. There isn't much you can say about this story without spoiling it, except that you should go into it with a pretty strong stomach. I know this is labeled as extreme horror, and I can see why, but the incest/sex scenes were way more fucked up than the gore/violence was to me, and I kept wishing for less of the former and more of the latter. You read that right: can I get a little more cannibalism with my story, please? Ah, well. 😂 I overall really enjoyed this and can’t wait to read more of Matt’s work!
✨ Content warnings for:
This was my first Matt Shaw story, but won't be my last. While it wasn't a perfect read for me — I struggled a little with the repetitive nature at times, mostly — I thought the premise was pretty intriguing and I enjoyed the ending a lot. There isn't much you can say about this story without spoiling it, except that you should go into it with a pretty strong stomach. I know this is labeled as extreme horror, and I can see why, but the incest/sex scenes were way more fucked up than the gore/violence was to me, and I kept wishing for less of the former and more of the latter. You read that right: can I get a little more cannibalism with my story, please? Ah, well. 😂 I overall really enjoyed this and can’t wait to read more of Matt’s work!
✨ Content warnings for:
November 7, 2018
Let me preface this review by saying two things: 1) I really enjoy horror novels and movies. The more terrifying, the better. 2) When I see a book with a warning label, my curiosity is piqued. Matt Shaw wrote book basically as a "Challenge Accepted". When a friend of his called him a "sick bastard" while reading another of Shaw's works, Shaw decided to show him what sick really was.
.
MILD SPOILER AHEAD: STOP READING NOW IF YOU'RE SENSITIVE.
.
.
.
.
.
Within the first five pages of this book, Shaw introduces us to a family of cannibals, and they are a VERY close family, if you get my meaning. At first, I got a very strong vibe similar to two of my favorite books; Ania Ahlborn's Brother and Kealan Patrick Burke's Kin. As the story progressed, I started comparing it to a favorite movie of mine, The Cabin In the Woods. Mix and stir, and you can see where some Sick B*stards may appear.
.
Shaw removed all filters in his writing, with a raw, gritty tale of the struggle to retain your humanity in the midst of absolute chaos. This book is gripping and is sure to keep you furiously flipping pages until the shocking finale.
.
MILD SPOILER AHEAD: STOP READING NOW IF YOU'RE SENSITIVE.
.
.
.
.
.
Within the first five pages of this book, Shaw introduces us to a family of cannibals, and they are a VERY close family, if you get my meaning. At first, I got a very strong vibe similar to two of my favorite books; Ania Ahlborn's Brother and Kealan Patrick Burke's Kin. As the story progressed, I started comparing it to a favorite movie of mine, The Cabin In the Woods. Mix and stir, and you can see where some Sick B*stards may appear.
.
Shaw removed all filters in his writing, with a raw, gritty tale of the struggle to retain your humanity in the midst of absolute chaos. This book is gripping and is sure to keep you furiously flipping pages until the shocking finale.
January 31, 2015
I'm don't know, maybe I'm a bit too desensitised. I didn't think this book was too bad? Yeah at the beginning it was little bit woah! But after that initial shock factor I thought that it calmed down quite a bit.
As a story I enjoyed it a bit. I'm sorry I'm going to go against the trend, I would say it was amazing, it was just ok.
I did like the authors writing style, I will definitely check more out from him. Just this particular story got a bit too repetitive for me and I found myself getting a little bit bored here and there.
All reviews can be found at http://lennonslair.blogspot.co.uk
As a story I enjoyed it a bit. I'm sorry I'm going to go against the trend, I would say it was amazing, it was just ok.
I did like the authors writing style, I will definitely check more out from him. Just this particular story got a bit too repetitive for me and I found myself getting a little bit bored here and there.
All reviews can be found at http://lennonslair.blogspot.co.uk
March 16, 2014
This is the story of a family who wake up in their car with no memory of how they got there or why they are there. They know a nuclear bomb has exploded, but that's it. They stumble upon an empty house and decide to stay there for the time being in the hopes that their memories will return. All is well until the food runs out, suddenly they find theirselves resorting to actions they would never have thought possible. How far must they go to survive?
This was gritty and raw and totally uncompromising. I found it very hard to put down. I was drawn into the families suffering, and I stayed there until the bitter end. There was a lot of gore, and some shocking scenes of incest, but that's what Matt was trying to achieve, to shock. The twist at the end was an interesting one, and posed some difficult questions. I understand Matt has a sequel planned, and if it is anything like this then I am sold already!
This was gritty and raw and totally uncompromising. I found it very hard to put down. I was drawn into the families suffering, and I stayed there until the bitter end. There was a lot of gore, and some shocking scenes of incest, but that's what Matt was trying to achieve, to shock. The twist at the end was an interesting one, and posed some difficult questions. I understand Matt has a sequel planned, and if it is anything like this then I am sold already!
March 11, 2024
A very disappointing book and extremely repetitive.
Badly written with an incredibly boring story line.
I have to be honest and admit that this has to be the worse Matt Shaw book that I have taken on.
It didn't excite me at all and I was so glad when I'd finished it.
Only 2 stars...As I can't possibly bring myself to award it any more!!!
Badly written with an incredibly boring story line.
I have to be honest and admit that this has to be the worse Matt Shaw book that I have taken on.
It didn't excite me at all and I was so glad when I'd finished it.
Only 2 stars...As I can't possibly bring myself to award it any more!!!
October 11, 2019
Spooktober 2018 Book 5
Thank Christ almighty I got this book for free because, good God, it sucked.
The problem with Sick Bastards isn’t its “sickness”. It isn’t it’s “shock value” or “extreme scenes of violence, gore, and sex”. No, Sick Bastard’s problem is that it tries way, way, way too hard to be “edgy” and “sick”. I’m all for violence. I’m all for gore. I’m all for sex and shock value, but when it’s done just for the sake of it, just to try and make your book “cool”, then it really makes your book suck. For example, the people in this book partake of cannibalism. Oh nooooo. How shocking! They decide to have dirty sex with each other even though they assume they’re all related. Oh gaaaaaasp ! (And, spoiler warning, they aren’t related, so the whole supposed incest thing isn’t even a reality).
The story itself is stupid and contrived, with literally nothing of any greatness being presented. Characters suck. Plot sucks. The authors “talent” is a joke as Shaw’s back and forth writing style is jarring as hell, jumping from present to past tense with reckless abandon and with no care to the conventions of modern English. And worse, those past/present events are barely related, and just another excuse for Shaw’s so called “shock factor”.
I get people like these kinds of books. And I’m not calling anyone out for their enjoyment of it, but personally, Sick Bastards is awful and total waste of time. Do yourself a favor and pick a real “shock value” book like The Bighead or Brain Head Stew if you really wanna get offended.
Thank Christ almighty I got this book for free because, good God, it sucked.
The problem with Sick Bastards isn’t its “sickness”. It isn’t it’s “shock value” or “extreme scenes of violence, gore, and sex”. No, Sick Bastard’s problem is that it tries way, way, way too hard to be “edgy” and “sick”. I’m all for violence. I’m all for gore. I’m all for sex and shock value, but when it’s done just for the sake of it, just to try and make your book “cool”, then it really makes your book suck. For example, the people in this book partake of cannibalism. Oh nooooo. How shocking! They decide to have dirty sex with each other even though they assume they’re all related. Oh gaaaaaasp ! (And, spoiler warning, they aren’t related, so the whole supposed incest thing isn’t even a reality).
The story itself is stupid and contrived, with literally nothing of any greatness being presented. Characters suck. Plot sucks. The authors “talent” is a joke as Shaw’s back and forth writing style is jarring as hell, jumping from present to past tense with reckless abandon and with no care to the conventions of modern English. And worse, those past/present events are barely related, and just another excuse for Shaw’s so called “shock factor”.
I get people like these kinds of books. And I’m not calling anyone out for their enjoyment of it, but personally, Sick Bastards is awful and total waste of time. Do yourself a favor and pick a real “shock value” book like The Bighead or Brain Head Stew if you really wanna get offended.
March 16, 2017
Well umm.... distubring is an accurate description of this book. I was cringing and excited at the same time on certain parts. (Don't judge me lol). The twist in the story was a total surprise and really sealed the deal for a 4 star rating.
November 15, 2018
When it comes to rating this book (after reading it last night in one go) straight off the bat I'd say 'no 2/3/4 stars nah!', not from me at least because I haven't yet (until last night) encountered anything this EXTREME. So the choice was 1 or 5.
I remember myself murmur nervously under my breath (oh shit! oh shit! oh shit!!!!!) more than a few times last night..while the plot thickenned and
finally unravelled, giving me goosebumps and eye-shutting jumpscares (they were there from the start though.)
This was my first Matt Shaw-read..and I'll not dare to read another one (I mean, not in the immideate future) thankyou (and no thankyou) to Mort for his Sick Bastards review that I stumbled upon the other day that got me all excited about reading this author and the book.
I remember myself murmur nervously under my breath (oh shit! oh shit! oh shit!!!!!) more than a few times last night..while the plot thickenned and
finally unravelled, giving me goosebumps and eye-shutting jumpscares (they were there from the start though.)
This was my first Matt Shaw-read..and I'll not dare to read another one (I mean, not in the immideate future) thankyou (and no thankyou) to Mort for his Sick Bastards review that I stumbled upon the other day that got me all excited about reading this author and the book.
November 23, 2020
The book opened with a bang (no pun intended) and the premise was interesting enough, but after a while it feel like the book is just a cycle of the same 3 conversations/events between the characters over and over again.
1. Incest between family members.
2. Family eating people / Son convincing Father that cannibalism is wrong.
3. Son leaving the families safe haven only to return later.
Its only towards the last 1/4 of the book that we break this cycle and we get something different. I am always gonna love any post-apocalyptic story, but I just would've liked a bit more variety in the subject matter.
This was my first Matt Shaw book, and although this one didnt blow me away I'm still looking forward to reading more from him.
1. Incest between family members.
2. Family eating people / Son convincing Father that cannibalism is wrong.
3. Son leaving the families safe haven only to return later.
Its only towards the last 1/4 of the book that we break this cycle and we get something different. I am always gonna love any post-apocalyptic story, but I just would've liked a bit more variety in the subject matter.
This was my first Matt Shaw book, and although this one didnt blow me away I'm still looking forward to reading more from him.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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