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Slithers
On a remote country road, heading out to a weekend party, Tobe West and his friends pick up two hitchhikers. It seemed like the right thing to do.
No-one could have predicted the freak car accident that is about to change their lives.
Stranded in the middle of nowhere, Tobe and the others are faced with a landscape suddenly unfamiliar, in a universe that has come loose from its moorings. Strange things slither in the woods, and spectral lights hover just off the road. A petrol station, shining brightly in a world otherwise dark and frightening, promises safe haven, but Tobe learns the biggest threat to their survival lies within the very people he’s trying to protect.
As reality breaks down and dangers multiply, Tobe must uncover the hidden agenda of one of the survivors... and keep the rest of them safe from something lurking in the darkness.
Something that is hunting them all.
If they are to survive the night, Tobe must face the horrifying truth—that nothing is as it seems, and that they are all part of a larger plan, part of someone else's unfinished business...
No-one could have predicted the freak car accident that is about to change their lives.
Stranded in the middle of nowhere, Tobe and the others are faced with a landscape suddenly unfamiliar, in a universe that has come loose from its moorings. Strange things slither in the woods, and spectral lights hover just off the road. A petrol station, shining brightly in a world otherwise dark and frightening, promises safe haven, but Tobe learns the biggest threat to their survival lies within the very people he’s trying to protect.
As reality breaks down and dangers multiply, Tobe must uncover the hidden agenda of one of the survivors... and keep the rest of them safe from something lurking in the darkness.
Something that is hunting them all.
If they are to survive the night, Tobe must face the horrifying truth—that nothing is as it seems, and that they are all part of a larger plan, part of someone else's unfinished business...
190 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 29, 2017
143 people are currently reading
140 people want to read
About the author
W.W. Mortensen
4 books33 followersWW Mortensen is the international #1 bestselling author of EIGHT and other thrillers.
He draws his inspiration from a number of genres, and his stories are a high-octane blend of action, adventure, and sci-fi horror.
For more information about the writer and his books visit wwmortensen.com
He can be emailed at wwmortensen@gmail.com
He draws his inspiration from a number of genres, and his stories are a high-octane blend of action, adventure, and sci-fi horror.
For more information about the writer and his books visit wwmortensen.com
He can be emailed at wwmortensen@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
March 7, 2018
This is a great suspenseful horror story. Well put together and very well written. It is such a pleasure to read books when they are edited properly. This story is reminiscent of some of the eighties and nineties stories yet it is very current. Many twists and turns abound and just when you think you know how it ends, the writer threw in a very unexpected and thrilling ending! I really enjoyed this book and love the fact it was not your typical creature feature. Highly recommend for horror and science fiction lovers! I rate this story 4 1/2 🌟🌟🌟🌟⭐.
October 30, 2017
Review: SLITHERS by W. W. Mortensen
Oh my oh my oh my, I loved this perfect novel. I love a book carrying my imagination into wider realms, and this is exactly what the author has done here. Mr. Mortensen takes the "what if's" common to us all, and for 9 characters, spins out their probabilities. If you've ever been in a "close call, a "near miss," or pondered "There but for the grace of God go I," read SLITHERS. If "What If?" has ever occurred to your mind, read SLITHERS. Curious about "the road not traveled"? Read SLITHERS. I think you owe it to yourself. I can definitely see rereading SLITHERS again and again; and I am off to read this exceptional author's debut novel, EIGHT.
Oh my oh my oh my, I loved this perfect novel. I love a book carrying my imagination into wider realms, and this is exactly what the author has done here. Mr. Mortensen takes the "what if's" common to us all, and for 9 characters, spins out their probabilities. If you've ever been in a "close call, a "near miss," or pondered "There but for the grace of God go I," read SLITHERS. If "What If?" has ever occurred to your mind, read SLITHERS. Curious about "the road not traveled"? Read SLITHERS. I think you owe it to yourself. I can definitely see rereading SLITHERS again and again; and I am off to read this exceptional author's debut novel, EIGHT.
November 1, 2017
Now this was a big suprise.
If I could I would give 6 stars.
This book will blow you away, especially the end ...
Makes you think about life and that's a good thing.
Loved it !!!
If I could I would give 6 stars.
This book will blow you away, especially the end ...
Makes you think about life and that's a good thing.
Loved it !!!
November 21, 2018
There are so many things to like about Slither! Perfect setting, a tense atmosphere, wrought with fear, great writing, and good pacing. See what I mean, LOTS of things to like. That said, the ending is so huge and complex, I feel the author should have dedicated more time to explaining it better. I mean, I get the gist, but with such existential ideas to contemplate, readers would benefit from a more thorough conclusion.
This is the first book by Mortensen I've read, and this one didn't put me off. On the contrary, I'm quite intrigued by his other titles, especially EIGHT. He's clearly very talented, and based on the mood he creates in this story alone, I'm more than keen to read more.
Some other things worth mentioning; I loved all the creepy crawlies in this story. They very much reminded me of King's creatures in The Mist, which is high praise because that is one of my favourite short stories, and the gory scenes were also brilliant! I just loved how vivid and descriptive they were, so well done sir. Ugh... I'm shuddering just thinking about some of them.
Ultimately, I think the theme is about the universal question "What if?", and Slithers is an original, and entertaining approach to answering it. It may not be for everyone but many of you will really enjoy it!
Rating... B or 3.75 gooey truck drivers out of 5!
This is the first book by Mortensen I've read, and this one didn't put me off. On the contrary, I'm quite intrigued by his other titles, especially EIGHT. He's clearly very talented, and based on the mood he creates in this story alone, I'm more than keen to read more.
Some other things worth mentioning; I loved all the creepy crawlies in this story. They very much reminded me of King's creatures in The Mist, which is high praise because that is one of my favourite short stories, and the gory scenes were also brilliant! I just loved how vivid and descriptive they were, so well done sir. Ugh... I'm shuddering just thinking about some of them.
Ultimately, I think the theme is about the universal question "What if?", and Slithers is an original, and entertaining approach to answering it. It may not be for everyone but many of you will really enjoy it!
Rating... B or 3.75 gooey truck drivers out of 5!
December 1, 2017
Great read!
This book was Great! It kept you guessing as to what was going to happen next. Great scarefest. Lots of twists and turns. Surprise ending.
This book was Great! It kept you guessing as to what was going to happen next. Great scarefest. Lots of twists and turns. Surprise ending.
March 28, 2018
This book is on a much smaller scale than the author’s first book, EIGHT. This means fewer characters and locations and plot streams. To me, horror stories are generally better when not bloated. I want to get to the scary parts quick and roll with it. I liked a lot of things about SLITHERS. The writing style and character descriptions and pacing were good. What was off for me was the big reveal and conclusion. They were so mind-bending, that I needed more explanations and connections to the earlier parts of the story. I found the book to be 15 pounds of rocks in a 10 pound bag.
January 21, 2018
A FAR OUT TALE OF WHAT IFS IT IS....
Hello, this story was pretty good. It seemed to do an awful lot of rambling to fill up space. Sorry, but it just didn't do it for me. Thanks.
Hello, this story was pretty good. It seemed to do an awful lot of rambling to fill up space. Sorry, but it just didn't do it for me. Thanks.
November 26, 2018
I downloaded SLITHERS for my Nook, attracted by the premise, the cover, and the price ($1.99). I always love a good horror novel. This one is pretty short, and the pace was quick. Got right to the action. Writing drew me in right away.
Five friends on their way to a late night party get side-swiped by a semi-truck. Their car totaled, the five, plus two hitchhikers they picked up earlier, start walking toward the nearest gas station for help. But nothing is right. The stars, the forest, the sounds in the air, the texture of the rain, the absence of people, the giant bugs.
Things really take a bad turn when they discover the truck driver, whose body ruptures emitting some strange new creature. After that, all that is on their minds is survival.
SLITHERS, for most of the book, seriously satisfies. The author knows how to write, how to hook a reader's attention and hold it tight. I had a hard time putting this book down.
Unfortunately, as happens with way too many plot driven horror novels, the end kind of fell apart. Well, not so much fell apart as got garbled and confusing. What was a pretty gorey, terrifying ride trying to escape human-devouring monsters suddenly transformed instead into some weird time-travel, other-dimension journey that took way too much explaining on the author's part for me to completely grasp. It was a clever twist, I'll give him that, but the execution felt rushed and mind-numbing. Overall, the satisfaction I felt through 3/4 of the book dissipated by the last couple of chapters. I was truly sorry it didn't quite deliver because Mortensen is a great writer, enough so that I might still take a gamble on his earlier book, EIGHT.
Five friends on their way to a late night party get side-swiped by a semi-truck. Their car totaled, the five, plus two hitchhikers they picked up earlier, start walking toward the nearest gas station for help. But nothing is right. The stars, the forest, the sounds in the air, the texture of the rain, the absence of people, the giant bugs.
Things really take a bad turn when they discover the truck driver, whose body ruptures emitting some strange new creature. After that, all that is on their minds is survival.
SLITHERS, for most of the book, seriously satisfies. The author knows how to write, how to hook a reader's attention and hold it tight. I had a hard time putting this book down.
Unfortunately, as happens with way too many plot driven horror novels, the end kind of fell apart. Well, not so much fell apart as got garbled and confusing. What was a pretty gorey, terrifying ride trying to escape human-devouring monsters suddenly transformed instead into some weird time-travel, other-dimension journey that took way too much explaining on the author's part for me to completely grasp. It was a clever twist, I'll give him that, but the execution felt rushed and mind-numbing. Overall, the satisfaction I felt through 3/4 of the book dissipated by the last couple of chapters. I was truly sorry it didn't quite deliver because Mortensen is a great writer, enough so that I might still take a gamble on his earlier book, EIGHT.
November 13, 2018
I just didn't get it
This book seemed interesting. I say seemed because it moved right along, but the problem I had with it was that I could not understand what was happening as it was happening. Despite descriptions of actions I often got confused as to what was going on. Even more confusing was the why and even as it was hashed out at the end by a couple characters, I still couldn't figure out what happened. There was what seemed to be lots of improbable action entwined with improbable motivations. After a while it began to seem silly.
This book seemed interesting. I say seemed because it moved right along, but the problem I had with it was that I could not understand what was happening as it was happening. Despite descriptions of actions I often got confused as to what was going on. Even more confusing was the why and even as it was hashed out at the end by a couple characters, I still couldn't figure out what happened. There was what seemed to be lots of improbable action entwined with improbable motivations. After a while it began to seem silly.
November 1, 2018
I love enjoyed the style of writing, and character development. Half way through I would have given the book a 5 star rating. And then the writing changed, it started to ramble and lose focus. Flashback after flashback, too many explanations of some things with rambling unnecessary descriptions and paragraphs (many) that seemed to be just to fill space. And no explanations for other BIG questions.
And then, it became a sob story of what ifs.
Not impressed.
And then, it became a sob story of what ifs.
Not impressed.
November 2, 2018
If you want weird but good
Strange book that starts out really good. Stays great too until three quarters in then just goes off track for several chapters to almost the end. The author does do us a favor by explaining inside the last few chapters what actually occurred in the story. Book was made into a movie a long time ago and it was great. The book ,like I said, to me could be left on the shelf. Just my opinion.
Strange book that starts out really good. Stays great too until three quarters in then just goes off track for several chapters to almost the end. The author does do us a favor by explaining inside the last few chapters what actually occurred in the story. Book was made into a movie a long time ago and it was great. The book ,like I said, to me could be left on the shelf. Just my opinion.
October 3, 2024
This was weird. I was intrigued but I feel that the genres of "horror" and "monster" weren't quite accurate. This was much more sci-fi and mind-bending than I was expecting. The ending had my brain ready to explode, trying to piece together all of the connections.
It was okay, but not my favorite and definitely not what I was hoping for.
It was okay, but not my favorite and definitely not what I was hoping for.
November 6, 2017
All full 5 stars for a unique and engrossing story, unexpected twist, and the inability to put the book down until I was finished reading the entire thing. Mortensen knows how to reel the reader in, and keep his novels interesting, without filling them with irritating fluff.
April 19, 2018
Something of a "horror" tale, but also something more. Don't want to spoil it. Definitely a bit different and I actually enjoyed it. A good stand-alone story. It did grab and held my interest and curiosity throughout. Loved the 2 main characters, and as it turned out, they truly were special.
December 23, 2021
wow
Most definitely not what I was expecting at all. I must say that regardless of what you think is going on through the book, you don’t! There are very very few books that this can be said about.
Definitely recommend.
Most definitely not what I was expecting at all. I must say that regardless of what you think is going on through the book, you don’t! There are very very few books that this can be said about.
Definitely recommend.
January 17, 2022
The story wasn’t my cup of tea I thought I’d like it since also wrote the Eight series but the story was to meta-psychology in that had deeper meaning for events and there symbolism for why it had to happen that way. Just to cut short the novel was to smart thinking for my enjoyment.
September 18, 2024
Huh?
Author should stick to action oriented books about big, killer spiders. Instead, he decides to change course and delve deep into the heavy topics that are best left for real authors to tackle. Not sure if I have another Mortensen book in me after this train wreck.
Author should stick to action oriented books about big, killer spiders. Instead, he decides to change course and delve deep into the heavy topics that are best left for real authors to tackle. Not sure if I have another Mortensen book in me after this train wreck.
January 10, 2018
What a great read. Intensely satisfying. I was up all night reading this. Great characters great plot. I would definitely recommend this book.
January 25, 2018
Very interesting story. The concept was totally confusing at first then it started sinking. I'm not sure I truly grasped the ending but getting there was fun....
February 3, 2018
Another fun horror read from Mortensen, this time involving alternate universes and monsters.
Definitely a writer to check out.
Definitely a writer to check out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2018
Good sci fi story
But hard to follow at times but good story.I felt it had shades of Stephen Kings The Langoliers,would definitely recommend
But hard to follow at times but good story.I felt it had shades of Stephen Kings The Langoliers,would definitely recommend
November 6, 2018
Unputdownable. Good old fashioned monster horror. :)
February 26, 2019
Ethereal!
Slithers starts off like your typical run of the mill kind of Weekend horror thriller, but ends up becoming complicated, endearing and ethereal!
Slithers starts off like your typical run of the mill kind of Weekend horror thriller, but ends up becoming complicated, endearing and ethereal!
March 27, 2019
Terrible
The book started with an interesting premise but the author clearly had no idea what to do with it, so he made up some metaphysical nonsense and called it a day.
The book started with an interesting premise but the author clearly had no idea what to do with it, so he made up some metaphysical nonsense and called it a day.
June 18, 2022
Started strong, .but then kinda went nowhere.
January 17, 2018
Well done. Well written with a some suspense and surprise included. Kudos.
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March 16, 2018Read for judging in Australian Shadows Awards.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews