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Rebecca Harpster boi się zostać sama w domu, kiedy jej mąż Gary wyjeżdża na biwak z kolegami, choć ich dom w lesie wyposażony jest w doskonały system zabezpieczeń. Owszem, każdy niespodziewany hałas przyprawi ją o palpitacje, ale niebezpieczeństwo istnieje tylko w jej głowie.
Ale Gary nie wraca w niedzielną noc. Osoba, która pojawia się w ich domu, nie jest jej mężem.
Trzymana na muszce Rebecca dowiaduje się, co się stało. Gary został porwany, a jego weekend zamieniony w piekło.
Rebecca odzyska męża pod warunkiem, że doświadczy wszystkiego, co on – przejdzie to samo piekło krok po kroku... i przeżyje...
Ale Gary nie wraca w niedzielną noc. Osoba, która pojawia się w ich domu, nie jest jej mężem.
Trzymana na muszce Rebecca dowiaduje się, co się stało. Gary został porwany, a jego weekend zamieniony w piekło.
Rebecca odzyska męża pod warunkiem, że doświadczy wszystkiego, co on – przejdzie to samo piekło krok po kroku... i przeżyje...
150 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 1, 2012
50 people are currently reading
340 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Strand
229 books2,217 followersBram Stoker Award-winning author of a bunch of demented books, including PRESSURE, DWELLER, CLOWNS VS. SPIDERS, AUTUMN BLEEDS INTO WINTER, MY PRETTIES, the official novelization of ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOMATOES, and lots of others!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
July 11, 2019
This is one of Strand's earlier books. I'd much rather call it a psychological thriller than a horror. Also, I missed the usual Strand humor.
Having said that, this is still a solid read. It gets bloody toward the end, but I think most people will be able to handle it.
LARPing. It stands for Live Action Role Playing. Believe me, it's a thing.
And while the cool people may scoff and call it 'the virgin protector', most people have this secret side where they like to play or re-enact something.
You have to know that when a guy in a Spiderman costume, with gut sticking out and belly button hair visible for all to see, is brought into the emergency room, with a broken arm, late at night, by his wife...that fucker fell off the cupboard while kinky-LARPing.
Anyway, Rebecca is not the bravest soul in the world, but when her husband doesn't come home from a camping trip, her worst fear may have come true. And what's even worse than being kidnapped by a killer to re-enact the weekend her husband had, not even sure if he is really alive or not?
If there are two killers to deal with!
Will she survive the LARPing of her life?
I have to mention that PRESSURE was a better book, but if you liked it, you will probably enjoy this one as well.
Having said that, this is still a solid read. It gets bloody toward the end, but I think most people will be able to handle it.
LARPing. It stands for Live Action Role Playing. Believe me, it's a thing.
And while the cool people may scoff and call it 'the virgin protector', most people have this secret side where they like to play or re-enact something.
You have to know that when a guy in a Spiderman costume, with gut sticking out and belly button hair visible for all to see, is brought into the emergency room, with a broken arm, late at night, by his wife...that fucker fell off the cupboard while kinky-LARPing.
Anyway, Rebecca is not the bravest soul in the world, but when her husband doesn't come home from a camping trip, her worst fear may have come true. And what's even worse than being kidnapped by a killer to re-enact the weekend her husband had, not even sure if he is really alive or not?
If there are two killers to deal with!
Will she survive the LARPing of her life?
I have to mention that PRESSURE was a better book, but if you liked it, you will probably enjoy this one as well.
June 3, 2016
**** 4.5 "Follow The Rules" Stars ****
I went into this book totally blind and from the get go...I was hooked on this book! Jeff Strand...I am a fan!!
Happily married...
He's headed on a guys camping weekend.
She's home alone...she says she is good....
but she's not. She has a very bad feeling.
Rebecca has always had a bad case of paranoia about everything and being home alone does NOT help her anxiety. She can do a weekend alone with her husband. This is easy....until she gets a knock at her door.
Opening that door puts Rebecca on the path of a game to save her and Gary's life and into the hands of two psychopaths that crave killing.
This is a fast paced gem that does not allow you to put this story down.
My only complaint....that ending...I didn't like.....to abrupt for me.
I want more. I need a few more answers.
I went into this book totally blind and from the get go...I was hooked on this book! Jeff Strand...I am a fan!!
Happily married...
He's headed on a guys camping weekend.
She's home alone...she says she is good....
but she's not. She has a very bad feeling.
Rebecca has always had a bad case of paranoia about everything and being home alone does NOT help her anxiety. She can do a weekend alone with her husband. This is easy....until she gets a knock at her door.
Opening that door puts Rebecca on the path of a game to save her and Gary's life and into the hands of two psychopaths that crave killing.
This is a fast paced gem that does not allow you to put this story down.
My only complaint....that ending...I didn't like.....to abrupt for me.
I want more. I need a few more answers.
September 2, 2022
Малко ми е криво да дам толкова ниска оценка на любим писател, но през цялото време имах чувството, че не чета повест, а експерименти с идея, които някак не успяха да достигнат до кулминация. Липсваше ми и хуморът, макар че нямаше да е на място точно в това произведение.
Една от по-ранните творби на Щранд, която се фокусира върху идеята за възможно най-лош сценарий.
Ребека е детска учителка и - поне според собственото си мнение - страхливка. Мъжът ѝ заминава на къмпинг с приятели за уикенда и изведнъж, всичките страхове на Ребека се сбъдват, когато не се прибира, а на вратата ѝ цъфва психопат. За да спаси мъжа си, Беки трябва да изживее целия му уикенд, случка по случка. Да напазарува за къмпинга, да се сбие в бар заради футболна игра, да гледа как двама души биват убити по особено жесток начин и тъй на татък обикновени неща.
Книгата става, не е лоша изобщо, но моя милост е безмилостно обработена от писанията на Ричард Леймън, Браян Смит, Дуейн Шверджински и Рат Джеймс Уайт по въпроса, та тази ми дойде леко постна. Все пак, ако искате реалистичен хорър, но не ви понасят по-гнусни и агресивни детайли, това е книжка с която можете да започнете да си вдигате нивата на поносимост.
Една от по-ранните творби на Щранд, която се фокусира върху идеята за възможно най-лош сценарий.
Ребека е детска учителка и - поне според собственото си мнение - страхливка. Мъжът ѝ заминава на къмпинг с приятели за уикенда и изведнъж, всичките страхове на Ребека се сбъдват, когато не се прибира, а на вратата ѝ цъфва психопат. За да спаси мъжа си, Беки трябва да изживее целия му уикенд, случка по случка. Да напазарува за къмпинга, да се сбие в бар заради футболна игра, да гледа как двама души биват убити по особено жесток начин и тъй на татък обикновени неща.
Книгата става, не е лоша изобщо, но моя милост е безмилостно обработена от писанията на Ричард Леймън, Браян Смит, Дуейн Шверджински и Рат Джеймс Уайт по въпроса, та тази ми дойде леко постна. Все пак, ако искате реалистичен хорър, но не ви понасят по-гнусни и агресивни детайли, това е книжка с която можете да започнете да си вдигате нивата на поносимост.
January 21, 2016
Uhhh. Mommy? Horror stories usually don't get under my skin. They're just fun, gleefully macabre tales. But this one, this one's a beast. Ketchum and Laymon influence, for sure; but Strand has his own spin. The characterization in this could not have been better. Stoker nominee for best novella should be forthcoming.
June 8, 2018
You have to set your brain to "non-critical" to consume this long novella from prolific author Jeff Strand. Because otherwise you're going to be scratching your head in confusion and then banging said head against the nearest desk/wall as protagonist Rebecca makes idiotic decision after idiotic decision in her attempt to save the love of her life.
But the book moves along at a fast enough clip, meaning there is no boredom to be experienced. And if the ending is about as predictable as these types of stories can be, at least no-one is going to walk away from Faint of Heart disappointed.
Nonplussed, maybe. But not disappointed.
2.5 Never Go Along Voluntarily with Knife-Wielding Psychopaths for Faint of Heart.
But the book moves along at a fast enough clip, meaning there is no boredom to be experienced. And if the ending is about as predictable as these types of stories can be, at least no-one is going to walk away from Faint of Heart disappointed.
Nonplussed, maybe. But not disappointed.
2.5 Never Go Along Voluntarily with Knife-Wielding Psychopaths for Faint of Heart.
February 2, 2012
Absolutely bloody brilliant! I loved this short tale by Jeff Strand. it had violence and blood, but was not overly gory and had absolutely zero gratuitous sex. In other words, it was most definitely NOT a horror story written for 16 year old boys. I'll admit, there were times I wished the kidnappers would put Rebecca out of her misery. Who would have as many phobias as this chick? Admit it, she's a bit of a pansy. But she grows stronger and stronger as the story progresses, mostly because she has no choice - do it or die. At least her love for Gary is what keeps her going and she isn't ridiculously struck with a streak of stubbornness that comes from out of nowhere. And her undying love isn't portrayed as over the top either. Brilliantly executed and a quick read.
March 20, 2012
This was a fun and fast paced novella. It's nice to see a female protagonist, even full of phobias as this one was.
There is none of Jeff Strand's signature sense of humor in this one, which I did miss, but it really would not have fit in here.
All in all, a quick fun read.
There is none of Jeff Strand's signature sense of humor in this one, which I did miss, but it really would not have fit in here.
All in all, a quick fun read.
August 17, 2017
In 'Faint of Heart', Rebecca is afraid of spending the weekend alone while her husband embarks on a camping trip with his friends but little does she know that she won't be alone for long. When Gary fails to return home and a stranger turns up on her doorstep, she's drawn into a terrifying life or death game..
Despite the interesting premise, the story just fell flat and boring pretty quickly. The main character, Rebecca was annoying from the beginning as she made a big deal about being left at home alone for TWO days. As such, I found it ironic when she said "Twenty-eight. Not six. Don't worry about me." Later in the story, she managed to redeem herself as she wasn't dumb, tried to fight back whenever an opportunity presented itself and showed that she wasn't cowardly after all.
The psychos targeting Rebecca and her husband were laughable cardboard characters who weren't convincing as villains. Their behaviour was so over-the-top hence it was hard to take them seriously. One moment they'd be acting goofy, the next they'd be threatening Rebecca. It didn't help that Gary was merely a name on paper so it was hard to care about whether he'd be able to get home in one piece. The events leading up to the ending were run-of-the-mill scenes that could have been plucked from just about any horror story.
Overall, 'Faint of Heart' was a whole lot more tame and dull than it sounds. Thankfully it's a short read.
Despite the interesting premise, the story just fell flat and boring pretty quickly. The main character, Rebecca was annoying from the beginning as she made a big deal about being left at home alone for TWO days. As such, I found it ironic when she said "Twenty-eight. Not six. Don't worry about me." Later in the story, she managed to redeem herself as she wasn't dumb, tried to fight back whenever an opportunity presented itself and showed that she wasn't cowardly after all.
The psychos targeting Rebecca and her husband were laughable cardboard characters who weren't convincing as villains. Their behaviour was so over-the-top hence it was hard to take them seriously. One moment they'd be acting goofy, the next they'd be threatening Rebecca. It didn't help that Gary was merely a name on paper so it was hard to care about whether he'd be able to get home in one piece. The events leading up to the ending were run-of-the-mill scenes that could have been plucked from just about any horror story.
Overall, 'Faint of Heart' was a whole lot more tame and dull than it sounds. Thankfully it's a short read.
October 18, 2016
I started out really disliking the main character Rebecca. The first couple of pages is pretty much Rebecca whining about her husband being away, and 'how will she ever manage'. That's not an actual quote from the book, but it might as well be. I should also state here that her husband left for a weekend camping trip. Mixed with my dislike for Rebecca, who seems unable to get through two days without her husband, was an affinity with her. I get the freaking yourself out when home alone; I do it to myself on a regular basis. That certainty there's an axe murderer behind the closed door, waiting to jump out when it's opened, is why I don't watch scary movies by myself. The only reason I kept reading was that I totally understood her fear, even if the Bella-lie whining was a little much.
As far as Jeff Strand books go, it's not his best work and it was missing a lot of blood and gore that is usually present in his writing, but it was still enjoyable. Strand does a lot in 123 pages and he's one of the few authors I've read, who is able to tell a complete and interesting story in so few pages.
As far as Jeff Strand books go, it's not his best work and it was missing a lot of blood and gore that is usually present in his writing, but it was still enjoyable. Strand does a lot in 123 pages and he's one of the few authors I've read, who is able to tell a complete and interesting story in so few pages.
March 18, 2024
najszybsza książka świata, doslownie chwilami umieralam ze smiechu, bardzo ciekawy zamysł na książkę
October 27, 2017
Faint of Heart is a fun novella and an easy one day read. Easy in terms of flow and understanding, but not so easy in terms of subject. I always feel weird using the words "enjoyable" or "easy" when it comes to books about killers, murder and other psychotic things. I guess at some point I'm just going to have to face facts and admit that I do have a morbid fascination with those things, like many other people in the world. The genres wouldn't be so popular if people weren't interested in it!
This book actually felt like a slight departure from what seems to be Strand's style. Strand is known for his horror-comedy writing, similar to the feeling of Shaun of the Dead or Zombieland. He can go a little over the top trying to be funny and grotesque at the same time, but most of the time, I love to read anything by Jeff Strand. This book really didn't have too much in the way of comedy. It seemed to focus more on the action and psychological thriller aspect. It was a pleasant surprise and very well done. Jeff Strand is very talented, in my opinion and this novella is just a little more proof of that.
I really thought I was going to hate the main protagonist, Rebecca. I was so critical of her at the beginning, assuming that she was just this little scared wiener. Looking back, I think this is probably what Strand was going for. Her journey and development were the main thing in the story. She became an excellent character and really fun to read about.
If you like Jeff Strand (or even if you don't, but why wouldn't you?), you'll like this one.
This book actually felt like a slight departure from what seems to be Strand's style. Strand is known for his horror-comedy writing, similar to the feeling of Shaun of the Dead or Zombieland. He can go a little over the top trying to be funny and grotesque at the same time, but most of the time, I love to read anything by Jeff Strand. This book really didn't have too much in the way of comedy. It seemed to focus more on the action and psychological thriller aspect. It was a pleasant surprise and very well done. Jeff Strand is very talented, in my opinion and this novella is just a little more proof of that.
I really thought I was going to hate the main protagonist, Rebecca. I was so critical of her at the beginning, assuming that she was just this little scared wiener. Looking back, I think this is probably what Strand was going for. Her journey and development were the main thing in the story. She became an excellent character and really fun to read about.
If you like Jeff Strand (or even if you don't, but why wouldn't you?), you'll like this one.
April 19, 2012
Author Jeff Strand is best known for his comedy infused horror, such as the Andrew Mayhem series, The Severed Nose, and Benjamin’s Parasite just to name a few. And though I do love me some seriously irreverent Strand, I also admit that my two favorite Strand books to date, Pressure and Dweller, are the ones in which he included the least amount of humor, instead focusing on character development and building tension.
Strand’s newest release, the novella Faint of Heart, is nothing but wall-to-wall tension. Rebecca Harpster isn’t wild about the idea of spending a weekend alone at a cabin in Alaska, but she also isn’t selfish enough to stop her husband, Gary, from going on a camping trip with his two best friends. And though she’s still adjusting to their new life in Alaska, Rebecca knows the house is safe and that Gary’s the one more likely to have an unpleasant weekend camping outside in temperatures hovering around the freezing mark.
As the weekend passes with no word from Gary, however, Rebecca becomes increasingly concerned something awful has happened. Her worst nightmare seems to have come true when a State Trooper shows up on the doorstep late Sunday evening with news there’s been a dire accident. Despite her panic, Rebecca is aware enough to realize there is something off about the Trooper. Instead of letting him in, she demands his name and badge number, intending to call and confirm his identity. And that’s when her nightmare really begins.
Her instincts correct, Rebecca discovers her phone lines have been cut and that the man’s real purpose for being there is to abduct her. Turns out he’s part of a duo who claim to be holding Gary hostage after having put him through unimaginable horrors all weekend. The only thing that kept them from killing him, Rebecca’s told, was Gary’s passionate devotion to her and his instance he’d do anything to be reunited with her. Well, now the disturbed duo want Rebecca to show the same level of devotion and prove herself worthy of having Gary returned to her. All she has to do is relive, and survive, his weekend from Hell.
Strand has designed Faint of Heart to maximize tension. The remote Alaskan location makes it easy to believe the ease with which the villains could pull off their plan undetected, and also explains why Rebecca is unable to easily summon help. Further, their refusal to provide Rebecca with proof of life unless she begins playing their game leaves real doubt in both her mind and the reader’s as to whether Gary is actually even still alive. Not willing to risk being the one responsible for his death – one she’s been assured will be prolonged and horrific – if he is alive and she doesn’t play along, Rebecca is forced to relive 48 hours of pain and panic, all while trying desperately to figure out a way to get a step ahead of the sick game she’s being forced to play.
Unlike most of Strand’s previous work, there is absolutely nothing humorous about Faint of Heart. This is 100% adrenaline-fueled tension and terror. Rebecca is a sympathetic, earnest, and believable character, one who finds herself in a seemingly no-win situation in which failure means not only her death, but the death of her husband. Over the course of a taut, relentless, harrowing weekend in the Alaskan wilderness Rebecca is forced to question everything she thought she knew about herself and learns what she’s really made of… and exactly how far she’s willing to go to save the person she loves most in the world.
What she learns and whether she’s successful, well, this is Jeff Strand. Assume nothing, but be assured of two things: Faint of Heart is not for the faint of heart (I had to, ok?), and it proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jeff Strand isn’t “just” a humor-horror writer. Strand is a big-time talent who deserves to be recognized for his amazingly diverse catalog of work (humor, horror, thriller… fairy tales!), one that only keeps getting better with every release.
Strand’s newest release, the novella Faint of Heart, is nothing but wall-to-wall tension. Rebecca Harpster isn’t wild about the idea of spending a weekend alone at a cabin in Alaska, but she also isn’t selfish enough to stop her husband, Gary, from going on a camping trip with his two best friends. And though she’s still adjusting to their new life in Alaska, Rebecca knows the house is safe and that Gary’s the one more likely to have an unpleasant weekend camping outside in temperatures hovering around the freezing mark.
As the weekend passes with no word from Gary, however, Rebecca becomes increasingly concerned something awful has happened. Her worst nightmare seems to have come true when a State Trooper shows up on the doorstep late Sunday evening with news there’s been a dire accident. Despite her panic, Rebecca is aware enough to realize there is something off about the Trooper. Instead of letting him in, she demands his name and badge number, intending to call and confirm his identity. And that’s when her nightmare really begins.
Her instincts correct, Rebecca discovers her phone lines have been cut and that the man’s real purpose for being there is to abduct her. Turns out he’s part of a duo who claim to be holding Gary hostage after having put him through unimaginable horrors all weekend. The only thing that kept them from killing him, Rebecca’s told, was Gary’s passionate devotion to her and his instance he’d do anything to be reunited with her. Well, now the disturbed duo want Rebecca to show the same level of devotion and prove herself worthy of having Gary returned to her. All she has to do is relive, and survive, his weekend from Hell.
Strand has designed Faint of Heart to maximize tension. The remote Alaskan location makes it easy to believe the ease with which the villains could pull off their plan undetected, and also explains why Rebecca is unable to easily summon help. Further, their refusal to provide Rebecca with proof of life unless she begins playing their game leaves real doubt in both her mind and the reader’s as to whether Gary is actually even still alive. Not willing to risk being the one responsible for his death – one she’s been assured will be prolonged and horrific – if he is alive and she doesn’t play along, Rebecca is forced to relive 48 hours of pain and panic, all while trying desperately to figure out a way to get a step ahead of the sick game she’s being forced to play.
Unlike most of Strand’s previous work, there is absolutely nothing humorous about Faint of Heart. This is 100% adrenaline-fueled tension and terror. Rebecca is a sympathetic, earnest, and believable character, one who finds herself in a seemingly no-win situation in which failure means not only her death, but the death of her husband. Over the course of a taut, relentless, harrowing weekend in the Alaskan wilderness Rebecca is forced to question everything she thought she knew about herself and learns what she’s really made of… and exactly how far she’s willing to go to save the person she loves most in the world.
What she learns and whether she’s successful, well, this is Jeff Strand. Assume nothing, but be assured of two things: Faint of Heart is not for the faint of heart (I had to, ok?), and it proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jeff Strand isn’t “just” a humor-horror writer. Strand is a big-time talent who deserves to be recognized for his amazingly diverse catalog of work (humor, horror, thriller… fairy tales!), one that only keeps getting better with every release.
August 15, 2020
Opowieść o wielkiej miłości i wielkim poświęceniu z pogranicza thrillera i splatterpunku.
Człowiek człowiekowi wilkiem, człowiek człowiekowi potworem – w takich historiach, pełnych pokręconych emocji, brylował jakże nieodżałowany i niedościgniony Jack Ketchum i chociaż Jeffowi Strandowi do Ketchuma trochę brakuje, to klimat jego opowieści jest znakomity. Warto tu zaznaczyć od razu, że splatterpunkowe dreszczowce, jak „Słabość serca” nie są dla wszystkich. One nie straszą jak to mają w zwyczaju klasyczne horrory, ale często przerażają daleko bardziej. Powód jest prosty – to opowieści o najniższych ludzkich instynktach i najgłębszych możliwych emocjach, pełne często skrajnej przemocy zarówno psychicznej, jak i fizycznej. To opowieści, w których bohaterowie zostają złamani na wiele różnych sposobów, poddawani okrutnym, obrzydliwym próbom, z których nie każdy wyjdzie zwycięsko.
Mowa tu również o próbie uczuć, jak w przypadku „Słabości serca”. Jeff Strand prowokuje: jeśli kochasz, to pokaż jak bardzo, udowodnij, że ta miłość faktycznie jest tak prawdziwa i tak silna, że pójdziesz dla niej do piekła i z powrotem i przeżyjesz to, co czeka po drugiej stronie. Nie jest bowiem powiedziane, że nawet jeśli przetrwasz, to na koniec i tak potwór, który to wszystko wymyślił nie zabije cię, tylko i wyłącznie dla własnej satysfakcji. Stawka zostaje podbita do nieprzytomności, rozpoczyna się nie tylko walka o życie własne, ale też ukochanej osoby.
Jeff Strand dobrze wie, jak rozkładać napięcie, jak podsuwać nadzieję, by za chwilę ją odbierać, by podsuwać rozwiązania, by znikały jak za dotknięciem czarodziejskiej różdżki. Tylko że tutaj nie ma magii – jest zło, jest przemoc, jest złośliwość losu, a „Słabość serca” chociaż niedługa i nieskomplikowana serwuje czytelnikowi moc skomplikowanych emocji i momenty bijącego głośno serducha. Lektura na jeden chaps, mocna jak mocny jest dobry thriller wieczorną porą.
Człowiek człowiekowi wilkiem, człowiek człowiekowi potworem – w takich historiach, pełnych pokręconych emocji, brylował jakże nieodżałowany i niedościgniony Jack Ketchum i chociaż Jeffowi Strandowi do Ketchuma trochę brakuje, to klimat jego opowieści jest znakomity. Warto tu zaznaczyć od razu, że splatterpunkowe dreszczowce, jak „Słabość serca” nie są dla wszystkich. One nie straszą jak to mają w zwyczaju klasyczne horrory, ale często przerażają daleko bardziej. Powód jest prosty – to opowieści o najniższych ludzkich instynktach i najgłębszych możliwych emocjach, pełne często skrajnej przemocy zarówno psychicznej, jak i fizycznej. To opowieści, w których bohaterowie zostają złamani na wiele różnych sposobów, poddawani okrutnym, obrzydliwym próbom, z których nie każdy wyjdzie zwycięsko.
Mowa tu również o próbie uczuć, jak w przypadku „Słabości serca”. Jeff Strand prowokuje: jeśli kochasz, to pokaż jak bardzo, udowodnij, że ta miłość faktycznie jest tak prawdziwa i tak silna, że pójdziesz dla niej do piekła i z powrotem i przeżyjesz to, co czeka po drugiej stronie. Nie jest bowiem powiedziane, że nawet jeśli przetrwasz, to na koniec i tak potwór, który to wszystko wymyślił nie zabije cię, tylko i wyłącznie dla własnej satysfakcji. Stawka zostaje podbita do nieprzytomności, rozpoczyna się nie tylko walka o życie własne, ale też ukochanej osoby.
Jeff Strand dobrze wie, jak rozkładać napięcie, jak podsuwać nadzieję, by za chwilę ją odbierać, by podsuwać rozwiązania, by znikały jak za dotknięciem czarodziejskiej różdżki. Tylko że tutaj nie ma magii – jest zło, jest przemoc, jest złośliwość losu, a „Słabość serca” chociaż niedługa i nieskomplikowana serwuje czytelnikowi moc skomplikowanych emocji i momenty bijącego głośno serducha. Lektura na jeden chaps, mocna jak mocny jest dobry thriller wieczorną porą.
March 7, 2013
At the direction and command of two psychos, Rebecca Harpster follows the path of her missing husband. The primary suspense and desire to keep reading is to find out whether or not Rebecca's husband is alive and if Rebecca will survive her challenge. Like almost every Strand story I've read, the pacing is fast and whatever detours that are offered are short and often satisfying. Not much humor in this one for those who enjoy Strand's humor side, but I was cool with that. The ending ties everything up. The characters are likable (protagonist) and unlikable (antagonists), but they are a bit cookie-cutter. Great dialogue, as always.
It's a decent read. Plot-wise it reads a bit like a sandwich that is a day old in the fridge. This fits somewhere in the middle of all the Strand books I've read, perhaps a couple notches below his newest novella, Stalking You Now. 3.5 stars, rounded down. 2,488 Kindle locations. Recommended.
It's a decent read. Plot-wise it reads a bit like a sandwich that is a day old in the fridge. This fits somewhere in the middle of all the Strand books I've read, perhaps a couple notches below his newest novella, Stalking You Now. 3.5 stars, rounded down. 2,488 Kindle locations. Recommended.
October 18, 2013
Faint of Heart is ironically titled, since it's probably not for the faint of heart. There is quite a lot of violence and a pair of sadistic twisted (as if there are any other kind )psychopaths that'll make you think twice about personal safety in and out of your home as well as camping. This read a lot like Richard Laymon to me, if I didn't know any better I'd say this might have been a pastiche. So imagine a Laymon book without the excessive T&A and with lots of humor and this is it. Fun, fast paced novella about the transformative power of love as in it transforms an uber cliched chick into a Sarah Connor style kickass. Thanks for the loan, Charlene. Very quick read, took me just under 2 hours. Not my favorite Strand, since this doesn't showcase his originality (although his awesome humor is definitely present), but a lot of fun to read, as all his books are. Recommended.
October 10, 2019
My introduction to Jeff Strand was about a year ago when I read his novella
Fangboy
. I was instantly a fan, having immediately loved his writing style as he was able to make me laugh and make me cringe with ease. I quickly followed Fangboy with his novel
Wolf Hunt
and found that the former wasn't just a fluke, this guy is good. And while I've picked up Dweller and
Graverobbers Wanted: No Experience Necessary
for devouring, I haven't had a chance to start either because of the reviews I have lined up for Horror DNA. So imagine how pleased I was when I saw that Strand's Faint of Heart was one of the launch titles for new publishing company Gallows Press. Score! I can read more Strand without having to put any reviews off. Win / win.
You can read Steve's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
You can read Steve's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
August 1, 2021
Wspomnę, że ostatnio ciągnie mnie do dziwnych książek. 😏 Ta przykuła moją uwagę okładką. Króciutki thriller - horror. Zapraszam na recenzje. ❤️
Rebecca i Garen to dość szczęśliwe małżeństwo. Ich sielanke przerywa wyjazd Garena, który postanowił wybrać się ze znajomymi pod namiot. Kiedy Garen nie wraca, ktoś puka do drzwi Rebecci i rząda wykonania kilku zadań. Jeśli je wykona, zobaczy męża..
💎
Oglądaliście "Piłę" ? Ta książka z tym filmem mi się skojarzyła. Oczywiście nie jest tak aż tak krwawo. Ale momentami czułam zniesmaczenie.
To moja pierwsza pozycja od tego autora. Nie spodziewałam się takiej fabuły. Autor podtrzymywał napięcie a książka trzymała w niepewności aż do samego końca.
Rebecca wykonujac zadania cały czas napotykała jakieś trudności.
Zadania były według mnie absurdalne. Ale przeczytałam książkę do końca, bo ma tylko 150 stron. Byłam bardzo ciekawa jak to się zakończy i co autor miał na myśli.
Nie ma tutaj żadnej głębszej charakterystyki osób. Rebecca przesadnie się boi, w jej głowie dzieją się dziwne rzeczy. Z jednej strony była niby przerażona, a z drugiej robiła wszystko z łatwością. Trochę jakby autor się gubił.
Oprawcy Alan i Stephen to tacy typowi psychopaci, kręci ich zabijanie i strach ofiary. Niewiadomo czemu zabijają i po co. Byłam momentami zdezorientowana.
Początek wydawał mi się naprawdę ok ale przy końcówce zawiodłam się totalnie. Chaotyczne zakończenie. Według mnie za krótkie i mało prawdopodobne. Jedyny plus za dobry początek i pokazanie, że dla ukochanej osoby można zrobić wszystko. Rebecca walczyła z miłości. Książka dla niewymagających czytelników 🤪
Rebecca i Garen to dość szczęśliwe małżeństwo. Ich sielanke przerywa wyjazd Garena, który postanowił wybrać się ze znajomymi pod namiot. Kiedy Garen nie wraca, ktoś puka do drzwi Rebecci i rząda wykonania kilku zadań. Jeśli je wykona, zobaczy męża..
💎
Oglądaliście "Piłę" ? Ta książka z tym filmem mi się skojarzyła. Oczywiście nie jest tak aż tak krwawo. Ale momentami czułam zniesmaczenie.
To moja pierwsza pozycja od tego autora. Nie spodziewałam się takiej fabuły. Autor podtrzymywał napięcie a książka trzymała w niepewności aż do samego końca.
Rebecca wykonujac zadania cały czas napotykała jakieś trudności.
Zadania były według mnie absurdalne. Ale przeczytałam książkę do końca, bo ma tylko 150 stron. Byłam bardzo ciekawa jak to się zakończy i co autor miał na myśli.
Nie ma tutaj żadnej głębszej charakterystyki osób. Rebecca przesadnie się boi, w jej głowie dzieją się dziwne rzeczy. Z jednej strony była niby przerażona, a z drugiej robiła wszystko z łatwością. Trochę jakby autor się gubił.
Oprawcy Alan i Stephen to tacy typowi psychopaci, kręci ich zabijanie i strach ofiary. Niewiadomo czemu zabijają i po co. Byłam momentami zdezorientowana.
Początek wydawał mi się naprawdę ok ale przy końcówce zawiodłam się totalnie. Chaotyczne zakończenie. Według mnie za krótkie i mało prawdopodobne. Jedyny plus za dobry początek i pokazanie, że dla ukochanej osoby można zrobić wszystko. Rebecca walczyła z miłości. Książka dla niewymagających czytelników 🤪
October 28, 2021
Rebecca panicznie boi się zostawać sama w domu, pomimo że jest wyposażony w doskonałe zabezpieczenia. Jej mąż, Gary wyjeżdża z kolegami na biwak. Zostaje sama w domu i musi jakoś przetrwać ze swoimi urojonymi lękami. Na drugi dzień Gary nie wraca o umówionej porze, za to pojawia się nieznajomy... Rebecca zostaje wciągnięta w okrutną grę. Musi doświadczyć krok po kroku to, co przeżył Gary. Ma udowodnić, że dla miłości jest w stanie zrobić wszystko. Czy Rebecce uda się przetrwać piekielną grę i odzyskać męża?
Bardzo mnie ta historia wciągnęła, nie mogłam się od niej oderwać. Trzymała mnie w napięciu do samego końca. Myślę, że to zasługa pierwszoosobowej narracji. Cały czas zastanawiałam się, jak ja bym się na jej miejscu zachowała? Kibicowałam jej cały czas.
Akcja biegnie wartko, tu nie ma zbędnych opisów. Są tu brutalne sceny, ale nie określiłabym jej mianem horroru ekstremalnego, raczej jako mocny thriller. Czuć tu narastające uczucie zagrożenia i osaczenia. Ta historia pokazuje jakie człowiek potrafi wydobyć z siebie niesamowite siły, aby uratować ukochaną osobę.
Bawiłam się przy niej świetnie. Idealna rzecz dla osób, które nie mają zbyt wiele czasu, a pragną emocjonującej historii.
Bardzo mnie ta historia wciągnęła, nie mogłam się od niej oderwać. Trzymała mnie w napięciu do samego końca. Myślę, że to zasługa pierwszoosobowej narracji. Cały czas zastanawiałam się, jak ja bym się na jej miejscu zachowała? Kibicowałam jej cały czas.
Akcja biegnie wartko, tu nie ma zbędnych opisów. Są tu brutalne sceny, ale nie określiłabym jej mianem horroru ekstremalnego, raczej jako mocny thriller. Czuć tu narastające uczucie zagrożenia i osaczenia. Ta historia pokazuje jakie człowiek potrafi wydobyć z siebie niesamowite siły, aby uratować ukochaną osobę.
Bawiłam się przy niej świetnie. Idealna rzecz dla osób, które nie mają zbyt wiele czasu, a pragną emocjonującej historii.
September 18, 2019
i really can't believe i'm rating a book 5 stars but god, this was good. very tense and suspenseful and i never once felt bored. jeff strand does a wonderful job of making you feel uncomfortable without taking the 'easy shots' and exploiting things that have no place in horror and i can't help but appreciate a book that doesn't have sexual assault or rape. the villains are iconic - pieces of shit, yes, but alan swerving so he doesn't hit a cat and stephen saying "racism isn't cute!" is just so fucking GOOD. i love how there's no tragic backstory, no tale of revenge, they're just two unhinged dudes putting on their own version of saw. and rebecca and greg's relationship? Really Iconic. you know a writer is good if he can make me, a notorious heterophobe, have emotions about two hets. i love this book. if there isn't already a movie made i'm DEMANDING one. get on it
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 1, 2018
Thoroughly enjoyed this novella by Jeff Strand.
I was gripped from the very beginning.
The main character, Rebecca Harpster, is pretty much terrified of her own shadow, and doesn't like to be left alone.
Her husband Gary goes on a weekend camping trip with some buddies.
She convinces him she'll be fine but when he doesn't return on Sunday, panic sets in.
We soon discover that Gary was kidnapped and Rebecca has to live out his terrifying camping experience if she wants to be reunited with him.
She needs to be stronger than ever.
Its one hell of a ride folks.
Jeff Strand's work is right up my street, mixing horror and humour.
He is yet to let me down.
Absolutely brilliant.
For me, Jeff Strand fills that Richard Laymon void.
I can't get enough of him.
I was gripped from the very beginning.
The main character, Rebecca Harpster, is pretty much terrified of her own shadow, and doesn't like to be left alone.
Her husband Gary goes on a weekend camping trip with some buddies.
She convinces him she'll be fine but when he doesn't return on Sunday, panic sets in.
We soon discover that Gary was kidnapped and Rebecca has to live out his terrifying camping experience if she wants to be reunited with him.
She needs to be stronger than ever.
Its one hell of a ride folks.
Jeff Strand's work is right up my street, mixing horror and humour.
He is yet to let me down.
Absolutely brilliant.
For me, Jeff Strand fills that Richard Laymon void.
I can't get enough of him.
April 19, 2021
Over too soon
I read this in one sitting. I literally lost a full day because I couldn't put it down. This author is definitely going on my list of favourites.
Only 2 complaints, well 1 complaint and 1 question: Complaint - this was over far too soon. Question: in the list of other books at the end why is Rebecca referred to as Melody?
I highly recommend this author if you are a fan of this genre. It's not just a gore fest, this guy is a master story teller. This is my 2nd book of his in 2 days and I'm off to look for a third before I go to sleep. Maybe Pressure? We shall see...
I read this in one sitting. I literally lost a full day because I couldn't put it down. This author is definitely going on my list of favourites.
Only 2 complaints, well 1 complaint and 1 question: Complaint - this was over far too soon. Question: in the list of other books at the end why is Rebecca referred to as Melody?
I highly recommend this author if you are a fan of this genre. It's not just a gore fest, this guy is a master story teller. This is my 2nd book of his in 2 days and I'm off to look for a third before I go to sleep. Maybe Pressure? We shall see...
September 12, 2019
Loved everything about it up until the point where the camping actually started. Got confused as I thought they were only away for one night, as Rebecca only slept one night alone. But apart from that minor distraction, there was just so much build up for what would happen in the woods, when in reality not much actually happened. I did feel for the main character and enjoyed the ending though!
July 28, 2022
Ciekawa książka na jeden, dłuższy wieczór. Chwilami dość okrojona i powiedziałbym, że niedopracowana, aczkolwiek zapewnia wszystko, czego od niej oczekiwałem - ekscytację i rozrywkę. Akcja bardzo wartka, co bardzo mi się spodobało.
Książka zdecydowanie nie jest jakoś wybitna, ale jako odmóżdżacz - jak najbardziej polecam.
Książka zdecydowanie nie jest jakoś wybitna, ale jako odmóżdżacz - jak najbardziej polecam.
October 9, 2022
4 stars for this one. I enjoy the way Strand combines humor with his thrills. This story wasn't much in the way of comedy, but it is very interesting. A wife is forced to play a game to save her husband's life. Some of the ways she solves problems is very clever and probably my favorite parts of the book. The ending gets pretty violent (not extreme).
March 23, 2019
This book took me by surprise, it was not what I was expecting, it's a fast read, but for me it's anticlimactic, sorry. Don't get me wrong, I love his work, i guess that not all of his stuff is paranormal, this one is paranotnormal.
November 5, 2024
I liked this short horror book, though wasn’t expecting the happy ending. I feel like the book would’ve packed a harder punch if the ending was more macabre, but overall this was a good fast-paced read.
July 10, 2025
nie podobała mi się ta książka
być może w dużej mierze jest to kwestia tłumaczenia, ponieważ dialogi były zupełnie niewiarygodne i non stop odrywały mnie od akcji
sam zamysł książki jest ciekawy, jednak na tym się skończyło...
być może w dużej mierze jest to kwestia tłumaczenia, ponieważ dialogi były zupełnie niewiarygodne i non stop odrywały mnie od akcji
sam zamysł książki jest ciekawy, jednak na tym się skończyło...
February 9, 2019
.....
Great read! Suspenseful and witty. I’ve been reading nothing but Jeff Strand the past two months and I can’t get enough!
Great read! Suspenseful and witty. I’ve been reading nothing but Jeff Strand the past two months and I can’t get enough!
July 23, 2019
Wow. I did not see that ending happening that way. Great writing as usual. Strand is top notch in story telling. Nice and bloody!!
October 3, 2020
I used to like camping
Great short story. Testing love to it's most extreme limits. Putting fear into check. I wish that this was longer.
Great short story. Testing love to it's most extreme limits. Putting fear into check. I wish that this was longer.
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