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The Putrescent Vein
Tumble into a world of dark, homoerotic porno-gore, shot through with moments of pure chemical transcendence. Meet gay vampires horrified by the vulgar, futuristic trash-world their coffin opens into, while another wannabe immortal is fuelling his DNA with the copious ejaculate of strangers. Over in Hollywood, Dorian Gray is as young and beautiful as ever, let loose in the 21st century, where the party never stops, and debauchery often kills… Wander through a Sex Addicts Anonymous meeting, and learn all about giving your car a semen-spilling good time, before you take one hell of a trip inside the Vagina of Apocalypse. Span endless centuries alongside an opium-addled immortal, trudging bitterly down the crushing path of the War on Drugs. Finally, reach your destination at lucky number thirteen; take a deep breath, and call out to the vampire who truly exists…
286 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 16, 2018
23 people are currently reading
328 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 25, 2018
This book was fantastic! By the end of the book I had been made nauseous, laughed, and cried. I longed to hug some of the characters. This books had a good variety of short stories. From two gay lovers life's being cut short when the angels come for them, vampires who probably should have never had been turned, to a ghost that helps a writer rise to fame, a more modern Dorian Gray and frankenstein trying to create the perfect friend.
Dorian expertly crafts stories that make you feel and pulls you deep into the minds of his characters.
Foetus was the worst for me. It was gross and disturbing to the point I was nauseous and like actually kind of yelled out startling the people in the car with me. The Angels are coming broke my heart and had me crying my eyes out as well as the opium sanctuary. The car story was weird that's for sure but I know a LOT of weird people and it wouldn't surprise me if some of them were secretly doing the same thing the character was doing.
All in all I throughly enjoyed this book and I really hope that Dorian puts out more of his work because I would love to read more.
Dorian expertly crafts stories that make you feel and pulls you deep into the minds of his characters.
Foetus was the worst for me. It was gross and disturbing to the point I was nauseous and like actually kind of yelled out startling the people in the car with me. The Angels are coming broke my heart and had me crying my eyes out as well as the opium sanctuary. The car story was weird that's for sure but I know a LOT of weird people and it wouldn't surprise me if some of them were secretly doing the same thing the character was doing.
All in all I throughly enjoyed this book and I really hope that Dorian puts out more of his work because I would love to read more.
August 8, 2023
This book is disgusting. I mean that positively. Sometimes it's hilarious and sometimes it's comparable to bad fanfiction, and other times it's really beautifully written. It was unlike anything else I've read and I enjoyed it immensely. Three stars because...when it's bad it's bad.
June 27, 2021
5 ⭐️for creativity and originality
5 ⭐️ for writing voice
I'll admit I've only ever seen a couple of Dorian's youtube videos, but through them, I discovered their book. I wasn't sure at first if it was fiction or maybe some kind of memoir, but being that Dorian seems to be a very introspective and well-spoken person, I was drawn to reading their writing.
My only issue with this book is that it needs more editing and polishing, and that's it. I think with the right feedback and development, it would be incredible. I haven't read anything so original and visceral in a long time, but there were a lot of missed opportunities for development.
If I could offer Dorian any advice, it would be to find some trusted CPs or betas (as a horror author myself, I would gladly volunteer) and polish up those areas where the stories lean toward telling over showing. Do a little work on the structure of some of the stories, trim out some fluff here and there. Basic stuff, ya know? There's a lot of great writing here that just needs some adjusting and tweaking.
Is the book still worth checking out as is? Yeah absolutely. And I'd definitely read more work from Dorian in the future. I also think that with the right amount of time and work invested, Dorian could be a very successful traditionally pubbed author.
5 ⭐️ for writing voice
I'll admit I've only ever seen a couple of Dorian's youtube videos, but through them, I discovered their book. I wasn't sure at first if it was fiction or maybe some kind of memoir, but being that Dorian seems to be a very introspective and well-spoken person, I was drawn to reading their writing.
My only issue with this book is that it needs more editing and polishing, and that's it. I think with the right feedback and development, it would be incredible. I haven't read anything so original and visceral in a long time, but there were a lot of missed opportunities for development.
If I could offer Dorian any advice, it would be to find some trusted CPs or betas (as a horror author myself, I would gladly volunteer) and polish up those areas where the stories lean toward telling over showing. Do a little work on the structure of some of the stories, trim out some fluff here and there. Basic stuff, ya know? There's a lot of great writing here that just needs some adjusting and tweaking.
Is the book still worth checking out as is? Yeah absolutely. And I'd definitely read more work from Dorian in the future. I also think that with the right amount of time and work invested, Dorian could be a very successful traditionally pubbed author.
Read
March 24, 2021Didn't finish every story in the collection so won't give a rating.
There were a couple of stories I enjoyed ('Beef Elvis' & 'In Cars' notably) but overall the collection felt in desperate need of editing. Way too many super-long sentences which just made me feel bogged down in words, and a lot of the characters across different stories felt very same-y. It had low-budget horror movie vibes through out, with gross out scenes trying to make up for some technical short fallings.
Dorian definitely has some good ideas here but the collection fell flat for me. I enjoy their YouTube channel (OfHerbsAndAlters), and would be interested to try reading some more of their work in the future, so for now I'd recommend their YouTube but not this book.
There were a couple of stories I enjoyed ('Beef Elvis' & 'In Cars' notably) but overall the collection felt in desperate need of editing. Way too many super-long sentences which just made me feel bogged down in words, and a lot of the characters across different stories felt very same-y. It had low-budget horror movie vibes through out, with gross out scenes trying to make up for some technical short fallings.
Dorian definitely has some good ideas here but the collection fell flat for me. I enjoy their YouTube channel (OfHerbsAndAlters), and would be interested to try reading some more of their work in the future, so for now I'd recommend their YouTube but not this book.
February 2, 2019
One of my favourite books. This collection of short stories is so incredibly unique, weird and wonderful. Dorian’s style of writing is awesome. Definitely looking forward to more!
Favourite stories:
Beef Elvis
Thé Opium Sanctuary
The Frankenstein Experiment
Favourite stories:
Beef Elvis
Thé Opium Sanctuary
The Frankenstein Experiment
November 9, 2023
In the least amount of words, I love these stories. Not one of them fell short from the other. Some are disgusting, some are funny as hell, and others left me contemplating what I just read for hours. Highly recommend.
June 11, 2022
I absolutely loved it. Each story was a pleasant and unique shock. The way she writes really grabs you. The humor and macabre is my cup of tea. I hope she writes more.
August 31, 2025
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Thoroughly enjoyed the debauchery, gruesome and macabre tales. Highly recommend!
February 20, 2023
Drugs, sex and lots of gore
July 2, 2025
The Putrescent Vein totally delivers on all of the horror, weirdness, and honesty that it promises.
Spoilers below!!!
—
The first chapter I read, (as I read them somewhat out of order) 'The Angels Are Waiting', SCARED THE SHIT OUT OF ME at 1am on a weeknight. I finished it and went to close my blinds.
'The Vagina Of Apocalypse' was hilariously disgusting to read. 'Beef Elvis' is such a weird concept, it's fantastic. The Portrait of Dorian Gray re-telling is one I'd read before on their blog, and I think it's an interesting take! Billy and Eddie's story (I don't remember the name, sorry!) is kind of sweet, and I have half a mind to write a fanfiction about it, Lol. Also, 'The Opium Sanctuary'!! I loved it! I'd really like to see a continuation some day, or maybe some of the not-pictured scenes with Lucas and Byron in the main story?
'Purple Ghost' really resonated with me — it's a poem, not a story, and Dorian's portrayals (is that the right word?) of nostalgia and loss have always enchanted me. It's also quite interesting, when you've read Millennium Gothic (and slightly worrying...does Dorian remember including that? The poem lacks ANY of the disguise that the Nostalgia Project and recent videos have used for the person that poem is about).
Eden's fourth-wall-breaking vampyre madness really charmed me. It's funny as hell, too. That... "song", his friend was singing? The Lion King parody? I was giggling to myself the whole time.
The main flaw in this book, I think, is the amateur writing style and repetitive themes. I find those same problems quite often in Dorian's other stories (looking at you, Exit Note :/). Some of the stories in this book fail to deliver on their strange and interesting premises for that, and it's seriously a shame!
*Also, the abundance of fatphobia present in nearly every short story is off-putting and disappointing. It goes way beyond plain sexual or personal preferences. Fat characters are described using gross and degrading language every time. It's unnecessary and mean, and I really hate this trend in Dorian's writing.
All that said, if you're not bothered by necrophilia and assorted sexual perversions — if you're *into* any of this weird shit, even? I definitely recommend you give this a read!
Spoilers below!!!
—
The first chapter I read, (as I read them somewhat out of order) 'The Angels Are Waiting', SCARED THE SHIT OUT OF ME at 1am on a weeknight. I finished it and went to close my blinds.
'The Vagina Of Apocalypse' was hilariously disgusting to read. 'Beef Elvis' is such a weird concept, it's fantastic. The Portrait of Dorian Gray re-telling is one I'd read before on their blog, and I think it's an interesting take! Billy and Eddie's story (I don't remember the name, sorry!) is kind of sweet, and I have half a mind to write a fanfiction about it, Lol. Also, 'The Opium Sanctuary'!! I loved it! I'd really like to see a continuation some day, or maybe some of the not-pictured scenes with Lucas and Byron in the main story?
'Purple Ghost' really resonated with me — it's a poem, not a story, and Dorian's portrayals (is that the right word?) of nostalgia and loss have always enchanted me. It's also quite interesting, when you've read Millennium Gothic (and slightly worrying...does Dorian remember including that? The poem lacks ANY of the disguise that the Nostalgia Project and recent videos have used for the person that poem is about).
Eden's fourth-wall-breaking vampyre madness really charmed me. It's funny as hell, too. That... "song", his friend was singing? The Lion King parody? I was giggling to myself the whole time.
The main flaw in this book, I think, is the amateur writing style and repetitive themes. I find those same problems quite often in Dorian's other stories (looking at you, Exit Note :/). Some of the stories in this book fail to deliver on their strange and interesting premises for that, and it's seriously a shame!
*Also, the abundance of fatphobia present in nearly every short story is off-putting and disappointing. It goes way beyond plain sexual or personal preferences. Fat characters are described using gross and degrading language every time. It's unnecessary and mean, and I really hate this trend in Dorian's writing.
All that said, if you're not bothered by necrophilia and assorted sexual perversions — if you're *into* any of this weird shit, even? I definitely recommend you give this a read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 11, 2025
I absolutely loved this book! After having really enjoyed Millenium Gothic by Dorian, I decided to buy this book and I am so glad that I did. A series of short stories, The Putrescent Vein is a horrific, gorey, and gripping book that I enjoyed every story in. Definitely not for the squeamish, this book has some very intense themes- but if you enjoy more extreme horror this is definitely the book for you. Sex, drugs, horror, vampires and ghosts are all explored thoroughly in these stories !
The Putrescent Vein consists of 13 short stories of varying lengths:
Beef Elvis- very cool concept, gay vampires angry at the changes of the modern world
Foetus- disgusting in the best possible way, a story about sex and bodily fluids
The Opium Sanctuary- an immortal watching the war on drugs and chasing the high of opium eternally
The Angels Are Waiting- Strange, supernatural, hypnosis type vibe
In Cars- VERY entertaining story about a sex addict addicted to having sex… with cars
The Vagina Of Apocalypse- the story of a straight man terrified of vaginas
Huge Lumps Of Flame- a story about a rather troublesome ghost
Purple Ghost- a poem about people changing
Like Loving The Dead- freaky, gorey ghost story
The Frankenstein Experiments- a boy creates his own undead friends
Gemini- The Decadent Life Of Dorian Gray- a very cool recreation of the story of Dorian Gray, using a twin
Always Watching- A Stalker Story
Final Words, From A Demon- a longer story that explores the darker sides of being a vampire, feeding on people, and an immortal who struggles with his immortality
This book was extremely entertaining, I was gripped through every single page!
The Putrescent Vein consists of 13 short stories of varying lengths:
Beef Elvis- very cool concept, gay vampires angry at the changes of the modern world
Foetus- disgusting in the best possible way, a story about sex and bodily fluids
The Opium Sanctuary- an immortal watching the war on drugs and chasing the high of opium eternally
The Angels Are Waiting- Strange, supernatural, hypnosis type vibe
In Cars- VERY entertaining story about a sex addict addicted to having sex… with cars
The Vagina Of Apocalypse- the story of a straight man terrified of vaginas
Huge Lumps Of Flame- a story about a rather troublesome ghost
Purple Ghost- a poem about people changing
Like Loving The Dead- freaky, gorey ghost story
The Frankenstein Experiments- a boy creates his own undead friends
Gemini- The Decadent Life Of Dorian Gray- a very cool recreation of the story of Dorian Gray, using a twin
Always Watching- A Stalker Story
Final Words, From A Demon- a longer story that explores the darker sides of being a vampire, feeding on people, and an immortal who struggles with his immortality
This book was extremely entertaining, I was gripped through every single page!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 19, 2024
made the maybe rookie mistake of reading a much more recent book by bridges first, and in comparison this one seems less tightly edited. "foetus" and "in cars" were the two standouts of this collection for me. bridges' prose is lurid and spares no detail, which really worked for me in those stories. in others it's not quite enough buoy the story, i guess. i think the biggest issue is bridges is a character-focused writer, and the short story form makes character writing harder to do well. while not really a horror story, i thought "huge lumps of flame" was a fun romp as well. the theme of supernatural communication between fiction writer and subject appears at several points during the collection and is an interesting concept to see different variations on. i guess this one wasn't really for me but it was still time well spent. even when the stories were falling short the passion for them in the voice of the collection was heartfelt.
November 7, 2022
A thoroughly enjoyable and changeable book. Every story left me wanting more, of that story, the next, or both. Found it through Dorian's YouTube channel, and hoped to enjoy it due to my enjoyment of their narration, was pleasantly surprised that it was even more amazing than I had imagined.
Read
December 4, 2024Freeeaakkkaaaay and dark and twisted and depraved and weird and bloody and sick and disgusting. Great read, interesting way of writing that I've never seen before. But what else did we expect from Dorian 😉
October 8, 2024
I really enjoyed this collection of short stories! Some I enjoyed more than others, the last one had me hooked! I'd love to have more stories about Eden!
October 17, 2024
Although some stories in this collection were stronger than others, I enjoyed most of them! They are strange, gory, and disturbing — exactly what I loved.
November 1, 2024
Ideal reading for Halloween time. It very much has Dorian's voice, which is lovely as well.
April 4, 2025
feels a bit like wattpad
September 28, 2025
I was super impressed with this! it was fun, wacky, disturbing and beautiful. Some sections read less proofed than others, but I enjoyed ever second of it.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews