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VS #2
VS X: US vs UK Extreme Horror
Sequel to the hugely popular VS anthology for animal welfare, VS:X brings together Extreme Horror heavyweights in a head-to-head battle for world domination. Who writes the best Extreme Horror: the US or the UK? Judged by horror enthusiasts and you: the reader.
The contenders:
Jonathan Edward Ondrashek vs Matt Hickman
Michael Bray vs Duncan Ralston
Graeme Reynolds vs William Malmborg
T.S. Woolard vs Dani Brown
David Owain Hughes vs John Ledger
Essel Pratt vs Duncan P Bradshaw
Michael Noe vs Toneye Eyenot
Chad Lutzke vs Rich Hawkins
Jaime Johnesee vs J.L. Lane
Glenn Rolfe vs Kit Power
Wrath James White vs Jasper Bark
Jack Ketchum vs Jim Goforth
Featuring pre-fight hype from Jeff Strand and Daniel Marc Chant!
The contenders:
Jonathan Edward Ondrashek vs Matt Hickman
Michael Bray vs Duncan Ralston
Graeme Reynolds vs William Malmborg
T.S. Woolard vs Dani Brown
David Owain Hughes vs John Ledger
Essel Pratt vs Duncan P Bradshaw
Michael Noe vs Toneye Eyenot
Chad Lutzke vs Rich Hawkins
Jaime Johnesee vs J.L. Lane
Glenn Rolfe vs Kit Power
Wrath James White vs Jasper Bark
Jack Ketchum vs Jim Goforth
Featuring pre-fight hype from Jeff Strand and Daniel Marc Chant!
- GenresHorrorAnthologies
457 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 4, 2017
50 people are currently reading
109 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 15, 2017
This book is a special piece. It consists of a competition between US and UK writers, round by round one writer becomes the winner with their short story.
You can find different kinds of subjects, from gore extreme sex to bloody revenge and dark conspiracies. Big names show up in this book, competing against each other.
Most stories focus on fury and revenge, taking the author to the limit. Others are lighter, like a dark thriller.
I enjoyed very much the rounds seven, twelve and thirteen.
The book opens with a quite light round, but if you keep on reading you get to the extreme ones. In my case, what I was looking for (so if you love extreme like I do, do not give up in the first round (great stories, just a bit lighter), it gets much more sweetly disturbing). The idea of a competition is very interesting, although for the reader the important is getting a lot of great gore stories. The book already tells you who wins (through judge's choice), so it takes you a bit away from the point of the "fight" between writers. But you don't care because the material you hold in your hands is great, and if you like extreme horror, you'll love this book.
Short stories without connection between each other, make very easy the read, and great to combine with a crazy busy life like mine. Lots of terrific authors, a little taste of every depraved mind you can imagine, high and low level of gore, this book is made for a wide audience. Love it or love it. This title is sick awesome. Plus, all proceeds go to a charity cause. What else could you ask for? That said, Congrats to the authors!
You can find different kinds of subjects, from gore extreme sex to bloody revenge and dark conspiracies. Big names show up in this book, competing against each other.
Most stories focus on fury and revenge, taking the author to the limit. Others are lighter, like a dark thriller.
I enjoyed very much the rounds seven, twelve and thirteen.
The book opens with a quite light round, but if you keep on reading you get to the extreme ones. In my case, what I was looking for (so if you love extreme like I do, do not give up in the first round (great stories, just a bit lighter), it gets much more sweetly disturbing). The idea of a competition is very interesting, although for the reader the important is getting a lot of great gore stories. The book already tells you who wins (through judge's choice), so it takes you a bit away from the point of the "fight" between writers. But you don't care because the material you hold in your hands is great, and if you like extreme horror, you'll love this book.
Short stories without connection between each other, make very easy the read, and great to combine with a crazy busy life like mine. Lots of terrific authors, a little taste of every depraved mind you can imagine, high and low level of gore, this book is made for a wide audience. Love it or love it. This title is sick awesome. Plus, all proceeds go to a charity cause. What else could you ask for? That said, Congrats to the authors!
February 1, 2018
These stories are not for the uninitiated, the newbs or the faint of heart. If the reader is squeamish, this may not be the anthology to pick up. Me, I refuse to be scared or grossed out so yeah, I read extreme horror, always looking for a way to overcome my fears and push the limits of my bravery. So, this anthology didn't really seem that 'extreme.' Don't get me wrong there are many stories in this large collection which are truly disturbing, but there are a few that have plots that are more of a study in unfortunate events and tragic outcomes.
I have to applaud the interactive/competitive format of this anthology, pitting US authors against UK authors (heheh next time throw in some Aussies, hint, hint). It was refreshing and fun to read every round, make my own decision for a winner and then find out who actually got chosen. Did I agree with all the results? Not necessarily, but they do leave the option for readers to weigh in on votes.
You have some the heavy hitters involved with this project, like Michael Bray, Jim Goforth, Jack Ketchum, Wrath James White and others. However, Edward Lee, the king (as he is mentioned in the book)...Hmm, I hope he's still alive...Anyway, his presence if kinda missed. Still, this collection was solid and entertaining, chilling but highly creative!! Its a fundraising effort for animals in need...so really they should raise the price, but that was the only fault really.
I have to applaud the interactive/competitive format of this anthology, pitting US authors against UK authors (heheh next time throw in some Aussies, hint, hint). It was refreshing and fun to read every round, make my own decision for a winner and then find out who actually got chosen. Did I agree with all the results? Not necessarily, but they do leave the option for readers to weigh in on votes.
You have some the heavy hitters involved with this project, like Michael Bray, Jim Goforth, Jack Ketchum, Wrath James White and others. However, Edward Lee, the king (as he is mentioned in the book)...Hmm, I hope he's still alive...Anyway, his presence if kinda missed. Still, this collection was solid and entertaining, chilling but highly creative!! Its a fundraising effort for animals in need...so really they should raise the price, but that was the only fault really.
December 20, 2017
Brutal!
You love extreme? You wanna be shocked? You like violent no hold back horror then I suggest this book. The stories are top notch and will provide hours of gut churning spew filled reading. There are some stories in here that even made me flinch and I love extreme horror! Also the proceeds go to charity. Pick up a copy.
You love extreme? You wanna be shocked? You like violent no hold back horror then I suggest this book. The stories are top notch and will provide hours of gut churning spew filled reading. There are some stories in here that even made me flinch and I love extreme horror! Also the proceeds go to charity. Pick up a copy.
March 7, 2018
Uneven, like most anthologies.
Wrath James White is stunning as usual.
Jack Ketchum adds a touch of class.
A handful of authors while many leave you wanting to get to the next story.
Wrath James White is stunning as usual.
Jack Ketchum adds a touch of class.
A handful of authors while many leave you wanting to get to the next story.
February 23, 2018
Disturbing and gruesome
One of the most gruesome and disturbing horror anthologies I have read. Its not for everyone, even seasoned horror readers may find this book horrific, especially those with sensitive subject matter and content.
One of the most gruesome and disturbing horror anthologies I have read. Its not for everyone, even seasoned horror readers may find this book horrific, especially those with sensitive subject matter and content.
February 5, 2018
Excellent
A gripping anthology. Yes horrific and gruesome but fantastically well written. A book you'll want to read in one go. Whatever your tastes there is going to be atleast one story that will stay with you.
A gripping anthology. Yes horrific and gruesome but fantastically well written. A book you'll want to read in one go. Whatever your tastes there is going to be atleast one story that will stay with you.
May 4, 2018
Very good mixed bag
No bad ones here and nothing to skip. Plenty of reading for everyone,. Some are a bit gruesome, others are mind provoking but all are readable and interesting. You can’t go wrong with this.
No bad ones here and nothing to skip. Plenty of reading for everyone,. Some are a bit gruesome, others are mind provoking but all are readable and interesting. You can’t go wrong with this.
August 8, 2018
I've learned the hard way that having well known authors names attached to something doesn't mean you won't get a dud. Thankfully not the case here. This is what I consider a successful anthology. Well thought out and executed. I am a bit curious about the technical side of things. (For example just how the winners were chosen. Was it by popular vote or were there a specific set of judges (and if so, what was the criteria set fourth? Who were the judges? Etc.) None of this affects my opinion of the stories however. (There is also a site listed at the end of the book so I may well get my answers once I peruse the site.)
For the most part I agreed with the winners chosen. The two big ones I disagree with were;
Round 3: With all due respect to Bray, Duncan Ralston should be the winner with his story, 'The Boats'
And
Round 5: David Owain Hughes should have won with, 'Mr. Crusty And The Troll'-(How devastating was that ending? Brutal!)
So! Would love to see more. Hopefully there will be more with winners battling winners, etc.
For the most part I agreed with the winners chosen. The two big ones I disagree with were;
Round 3: With all due respect to Bray, Duncan Ralston should be the winner with his story, 'The Boats'
And
Round 5: David Owain Hughes should have won with, 'Mr. Crusty And The Troll'-(How devastating was that ending? Brutal!)
So! Would love to see more. Hopefully there will be more with winners battling winners, etc.
May 2, 2018
Extreme horror at it's best. Enjoyed every page of it.
April 2, 2021
Dark brutal and everything I love!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews