From Matt Shaw, the author of Sick B*stards and How Much To...? comes a new horror to sink your teeth into!
Thomas lives a simple life, alone and comfortable in his little home. He only really goes out to teach his classes and, of course, abduct people from the streets in order to feast upon their flesh. There is something about human meat which makes it taste so much better than the flesh of the animals. An added bonus for Thomas is, he feels he is doing his part for the world too by reducing his carbon footprint by consuming his fellow human. Yes, Thomas lives a simple life... That is, until he starts to develop feelings for a colleague at work...
WARNING: There are scenes of a graphic and violent nature.
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.
This was a deliciously ugly little tale of love, cannibalism, and trauma. Everything a sick nutjob like Peter Topside loves to see in a good book! This reminded me at times of Toxic Love by Kristopher Triana, which I also am a big fan of, but was less sexually graphic. The opening of the book wasted no time with Thomas already a very busy little bee with his latest victim. The details of how he dissected, prepared, and ate the victim was done really well. I can’t say that it made me hungry, but also didn’t make me lose my appetite either. Once again, my beautiful wife asked me what the book was about, and shook her head in total disgust, leaving the room quickly after I told her. She’s less open-minded than me, I guess! Anyway, I knew that the ending was going to get wild, but it was not at all what I was expecting. How Matt Shaw refocused the story, linked to the one character’s PTSD and ended with a bang was masterfully done. This was my first book by Shaw, but will surely be far from my last.
Another good read from Mr Shaw. Great storyline with lots of nasty, bloody horrors. Great character in Thomas and Ruth both whom you come to enjoy and see what becomes of them. Nice twist at the end. All in all a good read.
I am a huge fan of Matt Shaw and have read many of his books, both 'regular' horror and black covered. "Hunger" really earned its black cover. At the beginning I thought the author had finally found my weak spot, and that I was going to throw up. However, as I got further in to the story, I found two lonely educators who are experiencing conflicting emotions, blossoming love, ultimate horror, and turnabout. I read the entire book in one sitting. Couldn't put it down.
For anyone who likes extreme horror, this book is for you. Very deserving of five stars.
As I said, I am a huge fan of Matt Shaw. Although this book came close to my limit (at first), I look forward to reading more of his books - black covers included - in future.
First off I have been stuck in an ARC purgatory due to requesting to many ARCs. I know, I know… that is my own doing. However, I finally finished my last ARC for the year, and I was extremely excited to be able to choose what to read next! I was really aching for some gruesome Splatterpunk (extreme horror). I also have really been needing a Matt Shaw fix!
For those of you unfamiliar with Shaw’s work he is an absolute genius in writing brutal, depraved, sickening, and at times comical horror. Matt writes dialogue so very well it is insane! He also imagines some of the most disturbing acts of violence, sex, and gore and puts it on paper! If you are a huge fan of extreme horror and have yet to read any of Matt Shaw’s published works stop what you are doing and buy some now!
As far as the book Hunger is concerned it satiated my appetite for some blood, gore, and depravity! Once again Matt did not disappoint! I thought the plot sounded rather simple, but I couldn’t put it down! In fact I do not believe I’ve been able to put down anything he has written that I have read.
I digress. Hunger center’s mainly around a story of a simple, everyday man in his mid-thirties named Thomas James. James is a creative writing teacher, although he finds the job to be shit. Thomas seems to live a very simplistic life all by himself. However, once a pupil goes missing at the school where he teaches suspicions are raised.
During the time that the student Jake Bowery goes missing a fellow educator named Ruth proposes that Thomas and herself should go on a date. Even though Thomas is reluctant at first feeling his privacy will be encroached upon he acquiesces since he really fancies Ruth.
However, can Thomas continue to live his closeted private life and carry on a relationship he desires? Or will his private life, his Hunger, win over Ruth? As Shaw unfolds the story it is intoxicating to attempt to see how this will all end! As mentioned before, the story sucks you right in, and doesn’t let go! As far as the ending… well, you will have to check it out yourself. I can personally say I didn’t see what was coming at all! Matt got me again with a switch-up left hook, but not an unpleasant one!
Overall, I give Hunger by Matt Shaw 5 stars out of 5 stars! I cannot find anything to criticize about the story. Honestly! Only that if you are faint of heart, and cannot stand extremely disturbing/gruesome horror you might want to avoid this one. Matt delivers on so many levels with Hunger. Great dialogue, a love interest, secrets, horrific segments, and some fun and dark humor.
This book had me going from page 1 and the twist made it much better. I really enjoyed the story. Tip of the story if you are a cannibal its better to not be in a relationship.
Gripped from the first page, Matt knows how to keep the attention of the reader. When you think the disturbing storyline couldn't possibly get darler, it does.
If you like highly disturbing and disgusting, gut-wrenching novels then this was written just for you. Beautifully written by a mad man, this novel leaves the reader wanting more and dissatisfied when it ends (only because we want more). 4.5/5 - personally, I loved it however I wanted so much more than the ending gave. It was not nearly as grotesque as I thought it would be (or maybe I just am too desensitized). Bravo Matt Shaw.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.