Vicious

by Brandon Massey

THE NIGHT IS FULL OF WILD THINGS...

When Kym Phillips embarks on a road trip from Atlanta to Los Angeles to take her younger sister to college, she is anticipating an opportunity to bond with her sister and a chance to see the country. And as an accomplished, single professional with her thirtieth birthday only a week awayand no marriage prospects in sightKym is looking forward to some quiet time to reflect on the frustrating course of her love life.

WAITING FOR THEM...

He roams the lonely highways and barren canyons of the Southwest. Leader of a pack of vicious minions, he hunts the night for travelers far from home... for prey.

Deep into their journey, Kym realizes that someone is following them. Someone with an uncanny predators instinct. Someone with a sick hunger for blood. Someone who, no matter what they do to escape, is utterly relentless...

Explosive, lightning-paced, and impossible to put down, this is Brandon Massey at his thrilling best.

Genres: Horror, Werewolves, Thriller, Fiction

256 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2006

About the author

Here’s a little about me, Brandon Massey. (“Massey” is not pronounced “macy,” by the way. Think of “mass” instead.)

I was born June 9, 1973, in Waukegan, Illinois. I grew up in Zion, a suburb north of Chicago.

I originally self-published Thunderland, my first novel, in 1999. After managing to sell a few thousand copies on my own, Kensington Publishing Corp. in New York offered me a two-book contract, and published a new, revised edition of Thunderland in December 2002.

Since then, I’ve published up to three books a year, ranging from thriller novels such as The Other Brother, to short story collections such as Twisted Tales, and anthologies such as Dark Dreams.

My newest suspense thriller, Covenant, was published in November 2010.

I’ve got plenty more stories in the works that I’ll publish in the coming years.

I live with my family near Atlanta, GA.

Reviews

[Luvtoread (Trying to catch up) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this book but unfortunately it did not live up to my expectations. I must admit it was entertaining but not in a realistic style. Some of the verbal jargon was over the top (imo) and made the characters unlikable in many aspects of their personalities and their interaction with others. The ending was a little strange and weak considering the perilous journey that the story was based upon.
This was not a terrible book but not a great book either, so I have given this book a rating of 3 🌟🌟🌟 stars!!

[Mtm66]

2.5

[Ouroboros · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started out so well, fast-paced and you're immediately introduced to the principal players and then goes off track from there. I gave it three stars because I devoured it and even when I found myself groaning at some of the more fantastical parts, I still wanted to keep reading. The ending came far too soon and what tension the author managed to maintain was lost in an unbelievable conclusion that lasted all of three pages. At times I felt like I was reading a supernatural book written by Tyler Perry.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another exciting page turner by Brandon Massey. Who is the eerie Dog Man following Kym and her sister Ashley? What is the role of the black cowboy in the plot? As in 'Within the Shadows' you come across the motif 'lover incarnate'. The novel (my direct follow up to 'Within the Shadows') reads like a compelling road movie. You're on a nightmarish roller coaster ride in a black Dogde Ram trying to find out why is everything happening the way it does. This author rally can scare you shitless. Is there a happy ending? Or do all characters fall to black darkness. Highly recommended book. You won't regret it!

[Dee Cherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced story as Kym found herself caught up in a horrific situation. Storyline kept me reading although I wasn't expecting that ending. Good read

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am actually a fan of Brandon Massey. He's a good and creative author. Vicious is one of his horror novels and I must say, its not the best. I have favorites but this one was just okay for me.
The main character was an independent and strong woman that attracted a predator. But the predator won't have it easy in regards to getting her..
Massey made the novel relatable by showing the main character's interactions with her family, especially her sister. And as in any horror film, there is gore...
Overall okay horror novel. I just felt like some parts were unnecessary and prolonged things.

[Pia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall, it was okay. I couldn't get attached to the main character, and part of that might have been my own fault. I did not like the way the heroine was portrayed, nor did I like her sister. I tend to be picky about female characters, and these two didn't pass muster for me.

Without spoiling anything, the resolution was good, and I think I could've enjoyed the story if the girls were... different.

[Felicia G. · Rating 2 out of 5]

TRASH!!!!
Which is uncommon for Massey!
That’s all I got to say!

[❤ArtfullySinful❤ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hell is waitin’ out there on I-40…waitin’ for a pretty woman like you…

You could plan every single detail of your life, from your career to the company you keep, but family was something you were just born with, for better or for worst. 29 year old Kym Peters understood that notion entirely too well, as she agreed to drive the lonesome stretches from Atlanta to California with her younger sibling Ashley to get her ready for college. As a favor of sorts to her father but also to her own self interests, she was ready to set the towns ablaze as they traveled together. Hoping to rekindle or even begin to flames of sisterhood between them, she would be mistaken greatly as the two constantly failed to get along in the slightest. It would take them into almost Texas for the two to begin to bond, and only because a nightmare was chasing in their wake. Along for the ride came Ashley’s on and off again boyfriend Desmond, a man beginning to feel tensions between himself and Kym as childhood lust never really left him. It wouldn’t be until a lonely night in a hotel bar that faith would bring her Lance, a cowboy shrouded in mystery. Her dreams began being haunted by this terrifying cannibal and his Hell Hounds night after night, something Lance tried to convince her he understood. As his late wife Celia too had those dreams connecting her to the Dog Man, up until she fell from life at his hands on that horrific stretch of highway. Now as the Dog Man loomed forever nearer, she had to fight alongside her sister to escape not only Lance, but him as well. After Desmond was murdered by him, the Dog Man loomed towards their hotel where he suffered a gunshot would by Lance that should’ve been fatal, yet his pack tended to the wounds and healed him. Disgusted as she listened to the cowboy believe she was his late wife, she fooled him which gave her sister Ashely a chance to escape. Locked in the farmhouse with a madman, she watched the Dog Man descend upon them, yet she was the one to kill him. Now, his pack was accepting her as their leader and seven weeks later she would send the dogs away, letting them fade into shadows and back to the fiery forests of Hell.

The pack pressed close to him. They began to lick his wounded shoulder.  Their tongues were so, so cold. It was like being kissed by dead things.

Probably ’cause he wants you, like he wanted her.  You got a bond with him some kinda way.

He’s real.  Him and them hell hounds.

[Robin Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brandon Massey always keep you in high alert when reading his books. There are always twists and turns that you'll never expect.
This here will keep you until the end, but for me, it left some questions unanswered. Don't want to give any spoilers, but who was Kym really??? Hmmm.....
Also, this book will make you think twice about taking long road trips! LOL....

[Jenn Rickel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Initially, I wasn’t sure how I feel about this one. I’ve spent some time allowing my thoughts to form. I finally came to the conclusion that I wasn’t quite horrored because a) the virtual narrator didn’t convey any emotion and b) the story line was moreso creepy. Not scary.

I have enjoyed all of Mr. Massey’s books but this one was not a fave. I’ll stick beside him though?

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are a fan of Masseys books, feel free to skip this one. You won’t miss anything. This is not his best work by a long shot.

It starts out well enough, but the story never rounded out or made any kind of sense. I listened to this on Audible, where they used AI to narrate the book and that was MISERABLE! The narration was so bad!

[Barbra Athill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great horror story

I really enjoyed this book. The way the author told the , made it seem like I was watching a movie. What was supposed to be a road trip and a bonding moment for sisters Kym and Ashley, turned out being something they never imagined

[BraDana Hurry-Clanton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

BM writing is detailed, exciting and on point with the times. From the beginning I was intrigued. This is my second book by BM and I have enjoyed both books. I'm definitely a fan...

[Krisa Gibson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to the audio book which is narrated by virtual voice. I do not recommend. It’s good for a good laugh here and there by the inappropriate inflections which took away from the story. The story itself was fun. A fun, middle-of-the-road storyline.

[The Book Jawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not sure how I missed this release but I’m so happy I found this book. It was so good, and although the premise was different, it reminded of Black Ice by Shameek Speight. This book was good. My only dislike was the storyline between Des and Kim. It was unnecessary to the storyline.

[Nia Houston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book! I love his work and his stories.

[Christin Booker-Mutero · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it!

This book was what I needed for the weekend and I couldn’t put it down at all. Highly recommended for all of B. Massey’s books.

[Terry Markovic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Page Turner

This is my 6th Brandon Massey novel and again his edge of your seat story telling did not disappoint! Great

[Kyesha Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beginning was slow, but the pace improved significantly towards the end, becoming truly engaging.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Knew nothing about this book going into it. Picked it randomly on Audible & wasn't disappointed. Creepy werewolf-ish vibes & a feeling of familiarity in the storyline, but not overly played out.

[Tanesh Buckner · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have several books by this author, never more than 2 stars. Yeah that's it for me

[Amanda Author · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved It

This book was fantastic. I loved it from beginning to the end. The sisters tripped me out at first but glad things worked out.

[Valerie]

It's a book club pick for October. So far it's ridiculous. Hoping that it ends better than it started.

[Charisse Trotman · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was very suspenseful and kept me reading, but the ending was so anticlimactic. I really would have liked some sort of explanation for how the villain came to be

[Yolanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved this book until the end. Regardless, I will continue to support Brandon Massey!

[Tyra Hilliard · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay. I did not like the ending!!

[Kena Dean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Enough

This book is really a fast read. It kept you wanting just a little bit more. I enjoyed it mine the less.