Der Bund der Bestien

A Gathering of Evil #1

by Gil Valle

Sarah und Jennifer sind zwei junge Frauen aus New York. Sie ahnen nicht, dass sie ins Visier einer Gruppe von reichen Sadisten geraten sind.
Die Gruppe trifft sich im Darknet, um ihre ungewöhnlichen sexuellen Wünsche zu teilen. Diese kranken Fantasien wollen sie endlich in die Realität umsetzen und eine Frau zu Tode foltern …

Eine verstörende Geschichte, die selbst den hartgesottensten Fan von extremem Horror zum Winseln bringen wird.

Genres: Horror

288 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 4, 2018

About the author

University of Maryland alum and Ex-NYPD cop turned author with a wrongful arrest and prosecution in between. Now fully exonerated, I've turned to writing in the hopes of making this a new career.

RAW DEAL (2/9/17) is my memoir about the "Cannibal Cop" case. I talk into the world dark and violent sexual fantasies, my family life, my wrongful arrest, my time in prison, rampant misconduct by FBI agents and the US Attorney's office, and my eventual acquittal and full exoneration.

A GATHERING OF EVIL (1/14/18) is my debut extreme horror novel, and it is not for the squeamish or faint of heart. It is the story of two New York women leading seemingly normal lives, completely unaware that they have been targeted by a group of wealthy and violent sadists. This group, who met through the Dark Web, share some rather unusual sexual desires, along a desire to turn those twisted fantasies into reality.

THE SOCIAL CATALOGUE OF #PREY (1/15/19) is the sequel of A Gathering of Evil. It centers on the dangers of the Age of Social Media, and how users unknowingly make themselves easy targets for depraved predators by posting the details of their day-to-day lives. This brutally realistic extreme horror novel may change the way you use social media.

I've appeared on Inside Edition, Crime Watch Daily with Chris Hansen, People Magazine, Cracked.com, Slate, The New York Post, The New York Daily News, The New York City Crime Report, True Murder with Dan Zupansky, Daily Mail TV, Soft Focus with Jena Friedman, and many other places.

This summer, I will be a guest at CrimeCon in New Orleans. I'll also be attending KillerCon in Austin, Texas as my novel A GATHERING OF EVIL was nominated for best extreme horror novel of 2018.

Twitter: @gilvalle3
Instagram: @gilvalle14
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gil.valle.7

Reviews

[Mort · Rating 1 out of 5]

No.

[renee w · Rating 5 out of 5]

5🩸⭐️ This is the story of a couple named Bruce and Marilyn. They have some seriously fucked up fetishes. They decide they want to bring not only these fetishes to life but allow others to join. I like to consider myself beyond a seasoned extreme horror reader. This book is definitely not for the faint of heart. The torture is beyond extreme . Ranging from rape to cannibalism. This is the only book I’ve read in over 20 years that has me 👀 over my shoulder. Nothing has ever scared me until this book. I highly recommend this if you can handle it . PROCEED WITH CAUTION ⚠️

[KillerBunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goddamn. Please don't read this if you're not an experienced extreme reader. Torture Porn and despair is all you will find in this book.

[Jeremy Maddux · Rating 3 out of 5]

No sense in mincing words. This was written by the man who stood accused of horrific crimes of wanting to cannibalize his wife. He was exonerated by the judge presiding over his case and since then has proven to be understanding of the public scorn and derision offered him. On a side note, he can also be good humored about it as he titled his memoirs Raw Deal. It's been said that he was such a great storyteller that they tried to lock him away for the rest of his life. I rated his previous effort of nonfiction five stars. This one, while a good start, I had some problems with.

It's written in third person narration and offers a panoramic view of a shy, reserved young woman starting her new job at a veterinarian's office and a bored couple who decide they want to kidnap, torture, eat her and film the results to sell on the dark web. Nothing seasoned (no pun intended) vets of the horror genre's murkier waters haven't seen from Edward Lee, Matt Shaw, Shane McKenzie, Wrath James White or Richard Laymon. The problem isn't the subject matter. The disappointment I felt at the end is that the character development seems to come to a screeching halt as the nefarious plot of cannibalism and snuff cinema is hatched. The victim(s) never have a chance to escape. Most authors would at least allow them the benefit of trying and failing. Also, the couple who brainstormed this sadistic scheme tend to fade into the background as the torture takes mainstage. I'm no stranger to torture in literature. I just felt as if more attention should have been paid to the couple who masterminded the entire operation. It was strange the way they faded into the background like a song fading out before it's over. I do think Gil has a long career in horror fiction ahead of him if he can successfully navigate or outright ignore the political bickering of the horror authors.

My advice to Gil: Stay away from the Horror Writers Association. Don't 'pay your dues' as so many in the field will urge you. You already have the kind of feverish publicity they couldn't buy.

[Traci · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know how to rate this book. (Ok so I did in some way because I gave it 4 stars.) It was by far one of the most twisted, disturbing, cringe-worthy books I have ever read to the point that I immediately found something light and fun to try and wipe the images from my mind. This book is most certainly not for the fainthearted or anyone that doesn't have a strong stomach. I can read some twisted stuff but this one definitely pushed the boundaries for me, and there were a few moments I didn't think I would be able to finish it...and this is coming from a horror buff. I feel like it's possible some speedreading happened towards the end because I know my mouth dropped open, and I may or may not have tightly closed my eyes. It did make me cringe from time to time through the entire thing; not that I didn't suspect this would happen based upon the synopsis. I kept holding onto a sliver of hope that it would not end the way I feared it would (someone had to break free or something....right????),...but it did. All in all if you can keep an open mind, like a good scare and not from ghosts or hokum, and are considering this book, I would say go for it.

[Caitlin Haley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book started off slow due to the preparation and such of the kidnapping, however, during the last fifty pages or so, the book became severely BRUTAL. I love gory, detailed books but this made me slightly squeamish, I almost could not finish it! I’ll be having nightmares after reading this!

[Annie Friedbacher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely NOT for the faint of heart! I’m a big extreme horror fan, and some parts were a little much for even me. Still, I really enjoyed this book! I started it this afternoon and finished it in a couple hours - it’s a page turner and I couldn’t put it down. The story moved along great and never felt too slow or got boring. I would definitely recommend this for any fan of obscure or extreme horror.

[Karolina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is not for the faint of heart. If you are new to this genre, reader beware.

A well written story, great pace, but holy hell, that was super disturbing. It’s been a while since a book created so much mental anguish in me. It’s terrifying to think there could be people like this out there amongst us.

[Becky Narron · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Gathering of Evil blew me away. This isn’t the first book I have read by this author but the first one was pretty much an autobiographical account of something that occurred in his life. I can tell you I will not be the last. Even though I thought I knew what would happen it turned out I was way wrong. I was shocked at the ending. The characters are so real and you feel like you know them. This really really needs to be made into a movie. It would be a block buster for sure!!!

There are a few story lines in this book but they all join together seamlessly. You go from the first story line about a husband and wife who have quite the unusual desire. This desire is what fuels the rest of the story. They want to kidnap and torture someone until they die. After much discussion they decided to start an online group to see who would be interested in participating and viewing this event. They used the deep dark web to send invites to the group they were with and soon they received several responses. The idea was to watch and kidnap a woman bring her to their home and torture and kill. They got a crew of 4 men interested in doing the heavy lifting and they decided that one girl was just not enough so they started looking for two. They follow several women and decisions are made. Along the way they meet a man that has a talent and he offered them a trial run. Do they take it? What is his talent? I won’t tell, read the book. The book also sees things from the girl that was kidnapped. The characters are real and you will want to save some and hurt others. This book evoked a lot of emotion from me as well. I was heart broken and mad as hell. To tell that I couldn’t put it down was an understatement. This is a barn burner of a book, not for the faint of heart. Well written and thought out. The plot was tight and scenes described perfectly. I understand there will be a sequel and I can assure you that I will be getting and reading it as soon as it’s published. To say well done Mr. Valle doesn’t quite seem fitting but maybe Hell Yeah does!!!

[Rajeev Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, written by the wrongly accused ''cannibal cop'' Gil Valle, is the oddest of the extreme horror books I have read. There is a load of gore, torture-porn and cannibalism (as expected) on the platter but the way everything builds up to it, the horrible fate awaiting two women, is what makes it more chilling. The author wants to shock and titillate but he doesn't do that by shoving all the twisted stuff in your face. He goes about it in a clinical fashion, like preparing for and executing an intricate surgical operation. Anyone can write about women being abducted and brutalized but Valle goes several steps ahead and seems to present a blueprint for actually doing it successfully in real life - such is the level of thoroughness with which our dark-web clique of sickos work. I wonder if this thoroughness is what landed him in hot water when his wife stumbled upon his chat conversations and informed the police.

The characterization is mostly solid. The unfortunate women, Sarah and Jennifer, are fleshed out nicely, so that the reader can't help caring for them when the wolves with hard willies and perverted minds descend upon them. I can take the Saw brand of bloodshed almost without batting an eyelid but the scene of Sarah's barbecuing turned my stomach. It's long and painstakingly described, adding to the effect and setting a record for cannibal fiction that might be hard to break, for someone other than Gil Valle, of course.

[Final✘Girl✘Magick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to read something a little "extra" for the month of October and this was....um.. definitely extra. I watch movies like Saw and Hostile and this book made me uncomfortable. A Gathering of Evil is written by Gil Valle aka Cannibal Cop. He was arrested when his wife found his fantasies of torturing and cannibalizing people he knew, including his wife. He was acquitted and became an author. I'm pretty sure this book isn't just a work of fiction. It's one of his fantasies and its disturbing to know there are really people out there like this. It's even scarier to think this stuff can really happen. To read this book you need a tough stomach! I bought this book since I couldn't rent it from the library (not suprised) and now my paranoid self is thinking, "Dude, this guy use to be a cop. What if he pulls out his detective skills, finds you and tries to kidnap and torture you??!) WELL, let me tell you buddy. I smoke, am fat (cannibals dont like that according to this book) and I have tattoos. (I heard Jeffery Dahmer didnt like tattooed skin.) So good luck trying to eat me. (Giggidy)

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not for the faint hearted. Do not read it your not an extreme reader.
It is well written and very graphic.

[Stephanie M · Rating 4 out of 5]

What. Did. I. Just. Read? I read the whole book in one setting because I couldn't put it down. It started off creepy, then got vile, then got diggity downright damaging. On a scale from 1 to 10, I give this book an "R" for ROUGH 😂. If you're into some serious, dark, twisted horror this will be right up your alley. If you're easily triggered, or even moderately sensitive, I would recommend you give this book a hard pass. Once you're able to look past the obviously graphic content, you can read between the lines and see there are hidden lessons to be learned. This book isn't for the faint hearted though so take your blood pressure pill before you start it.😂

[Lumiel H. Nox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was für ein großer Auftritt in Sachen Extrem Literatur.
In meiner folgenden Rezension möchte ich euch kranken Lesern dort draußen, dieses Buch besonders nah legen, da es einfach so wunderbar verstörend ist.
Basisinformation:
Erzählerperspektive
Vergangenheitsform
________________
Worum geht es ?
Beginnen tun wir diesen kranken Verlauf mit einem vorerst völlig normalen Ehepaar ( so scheint es ).
Beide sind nun schon seit einigen Jahren miteinander verheiratet, der Alltag hat seinen Platz längst eingenommen und somit kommt genau das Monster ans Tageslicht, welches eigentlich schon eine Ewigkeit in beiden schlummert. Denn sie beide haben exakt die gleichen sexuellen Fantasien und diese beschließen sie nun zu verwirklichen.
Marylin und Bruce schimpft sich das wohl gestörteste Traumpaar überhaupt und das traurige an der ganzen Sache? Marylin und Bruce wird es höchstwahrscheinlich wirklich irgendwo dort draußen geben. Denn die Monster des realen Leben lauern überall dort draußen und das DarkNet strömt nur so von kranken Fantasien.
Gemeinsam starten sie einen Aufruf. Sie haben über eine etliche Zeit bereits einige Leute im Internet kennengelernt, mit denen sie sich dieses Projekt vorstellen können. Natürlich läuft all dies unter einer beachtlichen Summe in Sachen Bezahlung. Dafür bietet das Ehepaar jedoch die höchste Form der Sicherheitsstufe, die nötigen Räumlichkeiten und die darauf folgende Putzkolonne auf die man ebenfalls vertrauen muss.
Somit scheint alles in trockenen Tüchern. Der Auftrag kann beginnen. Es ist ein Akt der über Monate geht und von Tag zu Tag immer realer und absurder wird. Nach wochenlanger Spionage sind die richtigen jungen Frauen für diesen grausamen Tod endlich gefunden.
Sie werden gekonnt verschleppt und entführt und somit beginnt für die eine Seite der schönste Tag des Lebens - ein gar wahrgewordener Traum und für die anderen der pure Alptraum.
Folter - Sex - Kannibalismus - Snuff bis hin zum bitteren Tod. Ich denke diese Stichpunkte beschreiben diese perfide Geschichte am besten.
Die Truppe an Interessenten findet zusammen, an diesem große Tag. Die meist bietenden unter den Gästen erhalten den vollen V.I.P Bonus und dürfen sich austoben. Die anderen schauen still und erregt dabei zu. Doch das Ehepaar kann nicht genug bekommen und feiert bereits schnell den Gewinn des Events und deren Anerkennung. Somit entscheiden sie sich ebenfalls alles aufzunehmen und das Videomaterial später im Dark Net zu verkaufen. Ihr merkt schnell dieses Buch nimmt kein Blatt vor den Mund.
Demnach möchte ich ausdrücklich davor warnen, das dieses Werk garantiert nichts für schwache Nerven ist. Meiner Meinung nach eines der wirklich heftigen Bücher aus der Extrem Literatur, die der Festa Verlag zu bieten hat.
Umso mehr man sich in den Verlauf der Story einfindet, umso grausamer und unmenschlicher wirkt all dies. Diese Selbstverständlichkeit der Folter, dieses monströse Handeln. Trotz der absoluten Abstrusität wirkt alles so authentisch und nah. Ich denke genau deshalb hat dieses Buch mich auf eine ganz besondere Art und Weise geschockt.
Es könnte allen von uns passieren, befindet man sich einfach nur zur falschen Zeit am falschen Ort. Natürlich gab es ebenfalls Szenarien die einfach nur dem extremen Horror zuzuschreiben sind, jedoch gab es einen ganz besonderen Teil der mich einfach nur maßlos verstört hat. Ich hatte jeden Gesichtsausdruck exakt vor Augen, jedes Gefühl konnte ich erschreckend direkt nachempfinden. Ich habe mich einfach komplett innerhalb der Seiten verloren und wollte eigentlich nur die Flucht ergreifen, doch dafür war es bereits viel zu spät.
Im Großen und Ganzen muss man jedoch sagen, hat der harte Verlauf etwas auf sich warten lassen. Der wirkliche Hauptteil ( über die Hälfte des Buches ) beschäftigt sich mit der Entwicklung des Protagonisten, sprich dem vorgestellten Ehepaar.
Es geht um die ganze Vorbereitung des großen Plans und ich denke dieser Schachtzug war wirklich ein gekonnter. Denn auch wenn ich zu Beginn dachte, der eigentliche Horror lässt viel zu lange auf sich warten, dafür war er am Ende umso intensiver. Denn wir haben von Anfang an alles detailreich mitbekommen. Wir konnten Schrecken, Unglaubwürdigkeit und Mitleid empfinden. Teilweise alles Gefühle die mir in anderen Büchern nicht gewährt werden, da es direkt zur Sache geht. Demnach gerade für ein Band aus der Extrem Literatur eine wirklich feine Sache.
Ich erwähne diesen Aspekt nur, damit ihr dieses wirklich gute Buch nicht wie ich zu Beginn als langatmig empfinden könntet. Denn das Warten lohnt sich und alles wirkt umso intensiver - soviel kann ich euch versprechen.
Für einen selber als Leser wird der Leidensweg der beiden jungen Frauen mit jeder Seite immer unerträglicher. Die Hoffnung die langsam schwindet, der Glaube der immer weiter davon driftet.
Dadurch das wir nebenbei private Einblicke in das Leben der Opfer bekommen, wurde alles nochmal umso persönlicher. Sie führen beinahe das Gleiche Leben wie ich. Bauen sich eine Partnerschaft auf, haben einen tollen Job gefunden und dann nimmt alles solch eine grauenhafte Wendung die niemand verdient hat. Ich denke besonders dieser Fakt hat mich während des Lesens auch etwas aus der Bahn geworfen.
Wie ihr bereits merkt war ich emotional gefesselt und involviert.
Ich selber war am Ende mehr als nur heilfroh das ich hier auf meinem gemütlichen Sofa sitze und diese Seiten nur lesen muss anstatt sie zu erleben. Dankbarkeit macht sich breit.
Der Schreibstil war super einfach gehalten und man kommt flüssig und entspannt durch den Lesestoff. Die Kapitellängen sind optimal und ermöglichen das entspannte Lesen für zwischendurch.
Am Ende hat mich besonders die Vorstellung und das Nachwort des Autoren nochmal ordentlich geschockt, denn dieser scheint auch kein wirklich unbeschriebenes Blatt zu sein.
Schaurig - schaurig.
Fazit: Wow, was für ein starkes Buch, das ich all den Extrem Lesern da draußen nur wärmstens ans Herz legen kann. Eine harte, authentische Geschichte die mich von Seite zu Seite immer mehr gepackt hat. Ich habe es beinahe in eins verschlungen und saß danach etwas verstört auf dem Sofa. Der Autor schafft es auf eine unglaublich packende Art und Weise uns die verstörten Protagonisten näher zu bringen. Täter sowie Opfer werden von allen Fassetten gezeigt und bieten dem Lesern den optimalen detailreichen Einblick. Somit bauen wir unter anderem Empathie, Mitleid, Hass, Grauen, Schrecken, Todesangst und Ekel auf. Darüber hinaus dürften alle anderen dort draußen auch noch ganz anderen grauenvolle Gefühle entwickeln die einen erschaudern lassen. Einige Stellen sind unglaublich ausdrucksstark und ziehen einen in die Tiefe der menschlichen Psyche.
Für mich eine ganz klare Leseempfehlung. Von mir bekommt dieses Buch 5/5 Fledermäuse.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am very interested and intrigued by Gil's story (in his real life). Its a very fine line to walk between fantasy and reality. I followed the media quite a bit and have just now started into his books. After reading a lot of the reviews I really wasn't sure what I was going to get with this one. Being someone that doesn't get squeamish very often, this was right up my alley. You really love the victims, their back stories were well executed. The writing was decent and i really couldn't put it down. I'm looking forward to reading Gil's Memoir and more of his fiction! If you're interested in obscure, off the wall stuff, I would suggest this one. Definitely not for a weak stomach.

[HOPE MICHELLE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I have been looking for a different kind of horror story...and now I have found it! The usual horror books always failed to creep me out. Really how scary is a vampire or wherewolf? I have found out that the scariest monster of all is HUMAN.
It amazed me at how calm the couple was at planning this "event." Almost like a tea party.Then BAM..HOLY HELL!
To Gil Valle: Thank you so much for sending me a copy of this book. You did it! 😉

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely a strange read, to say the least. I would have liked to see more of Bruce and Marilyn in the book; considering this whole idea was theirs. It was almost *too* easy with everything that happened, but I guess that helped in making it a short read. Not crazy over this one, but it wasn't terrible. The irony behind it all is quite comical.

[Asseyah Briones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read some of the reviews here. Saying it was a disturbing and twisted story. It just means that the authors, Gil Valle and Brian Whitney, weren't joking around when they wrote this. They made the story for those who wan't to read horror stories that are different from your common Ghost story or some mass murderer on the loose.

This story is NOT for the feint-hearted because some scenes here are super detailed wherein it's up to your imagination on how brutal they are which might just make you faint or barf. I highly recommend this for the people with strong stomachs who are craving for something different, something interesting, something that can send shivers down they spine and make their hairs stand.

All the stuff I write here are my own honest opinions. Thank you Mr. Gil Valle for sending me a copy to read.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

No happy endings here. Just a very impressive and deeply disturbing debut!
This is a bit of a difficult situation. While my overall review is based on his skills as an author its pretty much impossible not to bring up his past legal troubles. (On the off chance you are unfamiliar with the case I definitely recommend doing your homework. Its just one of those cases...) I'm glad the justice system prevailed, albeit slowly and that Valle is free to write. Will definitely be watching and hoping for more releases.

[Jason Medina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damn, Gil! That was hard to read, at some points. I will be waiting for your next book to be published. Incidentally, after reading this, I think you will like my second novel, The Diary of Audrey Malone Frayer.

[Christian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starts off slow and ends brutally. Hostel for a new generation. I can see why it got nominated for a Splatterpunk Award.

[David Tamarin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this sick masterpiece. It builds up to an intense climax!! Written by the so called (and exonerated) Cannibal Cop, Gil Valle. Definitely looking forward to more from this writer!

[Susi Aly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Auf ” Der Bund der Bestien” von Gil Valle hab ich mich wirklich extrem gefreut. Weil der Klappentext einfach unglaublich gut klang und schwupps war das Buch auch schon beendet.
Doch spricht das für sich?
Das es sich super lesen ließ auf jeden Fall.
Denn den Schreibstil empfand ich wirklich als sehr angenehm und absolut einnehmend.
Leider war es das aber so ziemlich. Denn die Geschichte verlief leider absolut vorhersehbar und wenig aufregend.
Hatte ich anfangs noch Hoffnung, dass sich alles noch wenden würde, so hat sich das relativ schnell verloren.
Richtig gut fand ich, dass man verschiedene Perspektiven erfahren hat.
Dadurch kam man besonders Sarah menschlich sehr nahe. Jennifer dagegen blieb für mich seltsam blass und nichtssagend.
Aber Sarah hat mich menschlich wirklich berührt. Weil man mit ihren Ängsten und Empfindungen konfrontiert wurde.
Weil man erlebt hat, dass sie eine verletzliche junge Frau ist, die nichts mehr möchte als Liebe und Glück.
Und ja, sie bekam es auch. Und genau da dachte ich auch, ja vielleicht spielt das noch eine wichtige Rolle. Vielleicht verändert sich dadurch etwas Entscheidendes.
Aber genau dieses Potential das immer wieder auftauchte, wurde ungenutzt gelassen.
Was extrem schade war, weil die Spannung dadurch erheblich gelitten hat.
Auch die Antagonisten waren für mich absolut austauschbar. Wenig einprägsam. Weil man absolut gar nichts über sie erfährt.
Wäre das ganze nicht so makaber, dann hätte es fast etwas von einem Kindergeburtstag gehabt.
Die Handlungen waren zwar gut durchorganisiert, aber gleichzeitig auch irgendwie plump, unausgereift und etwas wirr.
Zugute halten muss ich dem Ganzen wirklich, dass der Autor klar macht, wie leicht es ist Opfer zu finden und zu entführen. Das ist wirklich beängstigend und erschütternd.
Das gleiche gilt für die Vorlieben der Menschen.
Er versucht sie den Lesern näher zu bringen, in dem er uns teilweise an ihrem Alltag teilhaben lässt. Doch das gelingt ihm nicht wirklich. Sie blieben einfach zu oberflächlich.
Es fehlte einfach der Elan und das gewisse Etwas.
Und trotzdem.
Man sieht es Ihnen nicht an, es könnte die nette Hausfrau oder Oma von nebenan sein, oder der nette Bankdirektor.
Sie verbergen diese dunkle Seite in sich und das reißt einem einfach, den Boden unter den Füßen weg.
Das ist einfach ein Punkt, der mir nahe ging und mich wirklich beschäftigt hat.
Dafür das es aber ein Extrem Band ist, fand ich es eigentlich gar nicht brutal. So schnell wie es begonnen hatte, war es auch schon wieder vorbei.
Da hätte ich mir ganz klar mehr Details gewünscht, damit man das wahre Ausmaß des Grauens und der Ausweglosigkeit spüren und erleben kann.
Es ist ganz klar sadistisch und vielleicht gerät man bei dieser Thematik auch an seine Grenzen des Belastbaren. Aber selbst das konnte mich innerlich einfach überhaupt nicht bewegen. Ganz einfach aus dem Grund, weil es zu banal und oberflächlich ausgearbeitet und umgesetzt wurde.
Ich kann es nur wiederholen, es wurde eine Menge an Potential verschenkt. Es wäre so viel mehr möglich gewesen, um einfach viel mehr zum klingen zu bringen.
Damit es überhaupt spannend wird.
So ist es eine nette Geschichte für zwischendurch, aber leider nicht mehr.

Fazit:
“Der Bund der Bestien” besticht durch ein absolut geniales Cover. Ich liebe es wirklich sehr.
Leider kann die Story selbst da gar nicht mithalten.
Zu wenig Spannungselemente ,zu viel ungenutztes Potential.
Eine Story, die leider absolut vorhersehbar ist, sich aber wirklich gut lesen lässt.
Einzig Sarah konnte mich wirklich begeistern.
Weil man ihr menschlich näher kam. Weil sie mich mit ihrer ganzen Art berührt hat.
Umso erschreckender was der Autor mit diesem Werk klar macht.
Wie leicht es ist, Opfer zu finden und zu entführen und viel wichtiger, wie wenig man vermutet, in welchen Menschen diese dunkle Seite steckt.
Ganz nett für zwischendurch, aber leider auch nicht mehr.

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marilyn and Bruce are co-creators of a sick and twisted menagerie of snuff. They hunt down victims and then torture them to death, while filming and charging to both witness the events in person (along with participate) or, you can own a 30 minute video mashup of said torture/murder.

We meet Jennifer and we meet Sarah – both are young and have their whole lives ahead of them, but they were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. You see, Marilyn and Bruce have no ties to either woman - and these women became their playthings for money, power and pleasure.

 —————-
 
This is one of those heavy stories that I needed to put down quite often because it got to be too much. What made this story gut-wrenching was we got to know the “playthings” and we like the “playthings.” It felt all too real while reading this – and it very well is a believable story that COULD take place. That’s why it’s heavy and that’s why I was looking around a lot when I was outside by myself - being hyper aware of my surroundings.
 
The writing style was pretty damn good. The storyline flipped back and forth between characters - the good and the evil - and gave us a taste of both sides to the story.

Will I pick this up again for a reread? Probably not, but I do not regret reading it at all. It’s scary, sickening, and all too real, and that makes for a polarizing story - which I happen to love.

If you’re looking for happy endings, I guess you can say there is a non-traditional happy ending to this. Someone makes out in the end, but is it the good or the evil?

[Kevin C · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is so fucked up...you can't help but keep turning the page to find out what happens next. This has it all...rape, mutilation, cannibalism...just torture!!!
All that happens in this story could happen today. Be aware of trigger warnings. This is not your everyday horror novel. Read totally at your own risk!!!

[Rajdeep Ganguly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The writing does send shivers down the spine. The straightforward graphic explanation of cannibalism and the discussions surrounding it by the interested parties really have been presented in a very appropriate manner.

[Rhian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oof!!!

[Reader · Rating 1 out of 5]

175 pages of meticulous, step-by-step planning and 50 or so pages of vaguely described torture. Nothing about this book was interesting, horrifying or even slightly enticing. The writing, in a similar vein to Aron Beauregard, is juvenile. Pages upon pages of digital communications on the dark web - and, of course, there’s a ridiculously detailed explanation of how the dark web works on 3 separate occasions, fret not. Repeated chapters of the victims going to and from work. Nothing remarkable happens in these chapters, it’s simply to pad out the length of the book. As a short story, this would have some promise. There were definitely several moments that had me squirming, but the descriptive elements that really bring the visceral disgust weren’t there. My quest for a Saw (2001)-esque novel continues.

[Yvette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Omg! What did I just read! 😳 It was a
disturbing and twisted story, I was expecting a bit more from Bruce and Marilyn tho. Definitely looking at people a little differently now. You just don't know who you come across with those types of fantasies. Afraid to give it more stars because I don't want to like it.

[Tam French · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!

If you have a dark, twisted mind you will love this book!! Very impressive attention to details. Excellent writing! Read this in one sitting... couldn't put it down!! Keep writing and I'll keep reading!!!