Sabbath of the Fox-Devils

by Sam Richard

After learning about the existence of a powerful grimoire through a cartoon, 12-year-old Joe is determined to find it and change his lot in life. But in doing so, he'll also uncover a local priest's dark secret and how it may be connected to Joe's brother abruptly leaving town five years ago.

Part homage to the small-creature horror films of the 80s (Ghoulies, Gremlins, The Gate) and part Splatterpunk take on a Goosebumps book, Sabbath of the Fox-Devils is a weird, diabolical coming-of-age horror story of self-liberation in an oppressive religious environment set during the Satanic Panic.

Prepare your soul to revel in the darkness.

Genres: Horror, Novella, Fiction

158 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 15, 2020

About the author

Sam Richard is the author of several books including The Still Beating Heart of a Dead God and the award-winning To Wallow in Ash & Other Sorrows. He has edited ten anthologies, including the cult hits Profane Altars: Weird Sword & Sorcery and The New Flesh, and his short fiction has appeared in over forty publications. Widowed in 2017, he slowly rots in Minneapolis where he runs Weirdpunk Books. You can stalk him @SammyTotep across most socials or at weirdpunkbooks.com

Reviews

[Danger · Rating 5 out of 5]

What if your Saturday morning cartoons were trying to brainwash you with satanic messages, and what if, on your journey forward from childhood to adulthood, a little satanism is exactly what you needed? A very gory ride, full of heavy emotional beats, and a central character you could really root for. Moves quickly, with lots of wicked twists and turns. I thought this was great.

[Jo Quenell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short, brutal story about religious abuse written with a sense of technicolor mayhem. Think Skipp and Specter's 'The Scream' as an after-school special your parents definitely didn't let you watch. Those who grew up reading '80s splatterpunk and horror need this book.

[William Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love love love love....did I mention love?.....this book. I can only hope there will be a part two some day.

[Steve Stred · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third and final book sent to me to check out from Weirdpunk Books is ‘Sabbath of the Fox-Devils’ by Sam Richard. Look at that cover! I mentioned previously in my review for ‘Seventeen Names for Skin’ the first of the three Weirdpunk releases I reviewed that I simply read that one first as it showed on my Kindle screen first. After reading all three, any one could’ve easily read the three in a random order and had a blast with each release. Three very different releases but three absolutely stellar releases.

I’ve previously read Sam’s haunting collection ‘To Wallow in Ash and Other Sorrows,’ so going in I wasn’t too sure if this would be another grief based read or if the cover was hinting at some fun to come.

What I liked: ‘Sabbath of the Fox-Devils’ is a bonkers coming-of-age horror novella. Our young main character lives in a house ruled by his parents and their crushing religious beliefs. We find out that Joe is struggling with his older brother leaving and having no contact with him. A cartoon seems to connect some dots and from there Joe is able to unravel his brothers abrupt departure and just what secrets the priest is hiding.

This book is full on fun. We get emotional depth as Joe struggles with dealing with his brother leaving as well as trying to unravel the depths the lies go in the town.

Richard’s does a fantastic job of bouncing between religious “insight” and moving the story along. The bridges, which is the most accurate term I can think of for the religious side bits, really deepen the fervor which the priest has cast over the congregation. As well, the arrival of the Fox-Devils plot point was fantastic and the folklore bent that Sam delivers was really well done.

What I didn’t like: It’s a minor thing, but at the start I felt like Joe was a younger character than he appears in the second half. Maybe it was the length of the novella that made it feel rushed, but it seemed as though Joe aged and matured rapidly in a short amount of time. Didn’t affect the story at all, but it was something I noticed.

Why you should buy this: A) Weirdpunk Books is putting out stunning releases. This is the fourth book from them I’ve read and all have been top notch and very different from each other, which is an achievement all on its own. B) Richard can really capture a lot of different feelings and emotions with his writing. This goes from sorrow to horror to grief to ballistic missile over and over and it truly was a work of art watching him control these characters. C) If that cover and that synopsis intrigues you – what the book delivers is 10x better than you’ll ever expect going in.

This was another great book from a publisher I’m so happy to have discovered this year.

[Alex (The Bookubus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sabbath of the Fox-Devils follows twelve-year-old Joe. Five years ago his older brother had been getting into trouble and eventually left home. Or was kicked out by his parents. Joe isn't quite sure exactly what happened. But from that point Joe's parents really ramped up the religion and bought into the Satanic Panic of the era which means no more sugary breakfast cereal or Saturday morning cartoons for Joe. Increasingly frustrated with being bullied at school and being denied simple pleasures that the other kids get to enjoy, Joe sneakily watches a cartoon called Creepies and is inspired to borrow an occult book from the local library and perform a ritual to summon the fox-devils. It's really the only option at this point.

While this was a fun read filled with 80's nostalgia it was also a serious story dealing with some heavy topics. The splatterpunk nature of the story does not hold back and is an excellent addition to the mix. (Even though the protagonist is twelve this book is not for kids! It gets very violent and bloody!) The fox-devils are equal parts cute and sinister and I loved the idea of them and their involvement in the story. Sabbath of the Fox-Devils is a really well written horror tale following a relatable child character who goes to extreme lengths to try to claim back some control over his life.

[Brian Bowyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping, Fiendish Entertainment

I had a blast with this one! It's brutal, fast, and compelling from the first page to the last. If you like '80s horror, splatterpunk, or coming-of-age tales, you'll love SABBATH OF THE FOX-DEVILS. Highly recommended!

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

AWESOME page turner for sure I want more I want Fox-Devils in my world forever ALL HAIL THE FOX_DEVILS

[C.J. Bow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here we have Joe, a young boy who just wants to live a normal life, but cannot under his famiIy's oppressive, religious thumb. He seeks out other avenues as a means of escape and finds what he is looking for but doesn't know what the cost is of it all.

I just want to say DAMN. We have a slow build up for the first part of the book but when it jumps off - IT JUMPS OFF! Any and everyone can get it when the fox devils come to play. Highly recommend for those who want blood splatter in every nook and cranny. Sam is doing big things right now with Weird Punk Books and I am here for it.

[Zac Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

To say this novella hit me in wounds so healed over I forgot they where even there is an understatement. Sam has written a genuine classic of modern horror here and for that very reason, it hits you where its raw, and visceral. Really goddamn great book.

[Nikki (Spine Tinglers) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m ashamed to admit that I wasn’t expecting the full blown weird that Sabbath of the Fox-Devils became, despite the fact that it is published by a company called Weirdpunk Books. For a self-described coming of age story featuring a pre-teen, this book is not afraid to coat its characters in blood, gore, and various emotional viscera to an almost uncomfortable point.

Richard starts the book strong with an interesting characterization for the lead character, Joe. The story folds open easily as you get a sense of Joe’s world, the ups and downs of his life splayed clearly before you. By the end of the book, I was a little confused by the bloodbath that occurred, but the beauty of the writing kept me intrigued despite the uncertainty of what was going on at certain times.

The thing that stands out most about Sabbath of the Fox-Devils is just how inventive the story is. Even though the writing at the end is frenetic, the ideas, imagery, and story are unique in a way that sticks with you long after you close the book.

I recommend Sabbath of the Fox-Devils to give gory chills up an exposed spine.

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book clawed its way out of the author's brain, much like how the foxes scraped their way out of Joe's throat. This book was an amazing homage to my childhood; I could clearly picture each scene, the Hanna-Barbera version of Creepies playing out in my head as if though I was actually watching. Brilliant, gruesome, emotional; this book will stay with me and be re-read in the years to come.

[Ben Long · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review coming soon!

[Finch "Phobia" Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I had read this book when I was Joe's age, I hate to say I would have gotten ideas. A strangely cathartic splatterpunk novella written superbly. My main reason for 4 stars over 5 is the fact I wish this was a full novel, but I can still hold onto my hopes for a sequel. I really found myself wondering, as I do with many child-protagonists of horror, how they will mature as adults. I would kill for that book. Not actually, though.

EDIT- Thank you Mr Richard for liking my review I can't wait to see what you write next

[Maisy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Growing up in a super conservative religious home as a horror-obsessed queer, I related so strongly to this story. It very much delivered on its promise of being a love letter to satanic panic era horror and I will definitely return to it often as a comforting story of finding yourself and belonging amidst a blood-soaked rage and revenge bender.

[S.D. Hintz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this brutally violent read! I found myself rooting for the fox-devils, wanting them to throw down more vengeance. Loved this book!

[Ali Seay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A coming of age tale like nothing you've ever read. Fun and brutal and memorable! I highly recommend sprawling on your sofa with this book. Turn off your phone, run everyone out of the room, and enjoy. 🦊

[Brennan LaFaro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sam Richard describes this book as part splatterpunk take on a Goosebumps book and part homage to 1980s small-creature horror, and yeah, that’s about it. I don’t typically quote (or paraphrase, you nitpickers) from the back cover, but this is the ultimate description of Sabbath of the Fox-Devils.

We follow the path of twelve-year-old Joe, growing up in an excessively religious household in the heyday of the Satanic Panic. Much of Joe’s journey revolves around his absent brother, banished from the household for (read the book). Any person who grew up in the 90s will love the way Joe learns about the existence of a grimoire and sets to finding it and unleashing the (read the book).

Sabbath of the Fox-Devils has the exploration of lost innocence best explored through coming-of-age horror. Sam Richard also has no qualms about throwing the red stuff around. I got to a certain point in the book and thought “Wasn’t this supposed to be splatterpunk? Where’s that splattery goodness?”

And then it hit. And hit. And hit. And hit.

It’s make-you-grimace gruesome, but also oddly satisfying and funny in a way that only horror aficionados will understand. This book has a lot of aesthetics for a novella, but Sam makes them all feel lived-in. It punches and it bites, but it’s a lot of fun as well.


I received a copy from the author for review consideration.

[Matt Neil Neil · Rating 5 out of 5]

A blood-drenched coming of age tale set against the backdrop of the Satanic Panic™, where an unhappy kid whose family's been torn apart by religious fundamentalism summons some VERY hungry fox-devils after watching an illicit punk rock version of Scooby Doo. It's as bonkers as it sounds, and is a very dark love letter to the creature features of the '80s - it's a blast from start to finish, and a great flip side to Sam's short fiction. And, like everything put out by Weirdpunk Books, absolutely rock solid.

[Maddux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Held down and suffocating by overbearing religious parents, Joe decides to makes some changes in hopes to set himself free.

I will just be totally honest with you about this one. THIS BECOMES PURE NUTS.

The last 4 or 5 chapters becomes this scary fast paced ride and you’re not strapped in or wearing a helmet.

But before we get there, let’s chat a little about the story behind the chaos.
The description of the book mentions Joe is just 12 years old. I got the feeling by the end of the book Joe was much older. It’s like our Lil’ Joe grew up right before our eyes.

You see Joe is in this very over the top religious family. In fact there was some sort of falling out between Joe’s older brother Stan and Joe’s parents which ultimately lead to Stan no longer in the house.

Being in this over the top religious family prevents Joe from doing kid things. Doing the things that make kids be kids. That includes watching cartoons.

He’s trapped. He can’t really experience life. And he doesn’t know the circumstances surrounding his brother Stan leaving. So he has no one to look out for him and to help him. He gets beat up at school. His parents punish him by making him take more Bible study, which I found ironic, using religion as a punishment.

Sam Richard paints a nice picture about the setting of the basement. This is crucial because it’s the basement where we get a big revelation, Joe finds an important piece of information.

After Joe manages to watch an episode of a questionable cartoon, he sets off to look for this Grimoire which he believes will take him away from this world and make things better.

And this is where the book goes hog shit crazy. It really does pay homage to the horror films of the 80’s like the Ghoulies or the Gremlins, but turns these movies up to 11. Because what we get next is a major blood bath so extreme, it’s enough for Quentin Tarantino to blush.

The brutality these Fox-Devils unleash is on par with any Splatterpunk book you may have read. No one is safe. The gruesome details of how these Fox-Devils are summoned will make anyone “Gag.”
It really does get very chaotic, and the last handful of chapters don’t let up, making it impossible to put down. This is more on the extreme side of Coming of Age stories.

[Matt Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stories about coming of age set against the backdrop of the Satanic Panic always feel personal to me and Sabbath of the Fox-Devils is no exception. What surprised me is how intensely Sam's novel related to my own childhood experiences. When you grow up in a strict household things like horror movies, monster magazines, Saturday morning cartoons, and even sugary cereals can take on this nearly totemic significance. Additionally, since you are being told that demonic forces operating in the world are real - you're never quite certain if relatively innocent "scary" entertainment is actually more sinister. The details are important here and I think Sam nails them. The other thing that struck me is that much like Joe in Fox-Devils, I too turned to the library and found things there that both scared and thrilled me (books seemed to fly under the radar slightly more easily than more obvious transgressions). There are a few examples I can think of, but most notably was Meet the Werewolf which contained a description of a werewolf transformation ceremony in the back! If I had access to a wolf pelt when I was 9 I would certainly have performed that ritual. Fox-Devils perhaps gives me some sense of what would have happened if I had.

Beyond my personal connection to the narrative this is a fun, gore-soaked read about finding your pack and becoming your own person. Recommended October reading for sure.

[Wyrd Witch · Rating 4 out of 5]

A theme seems to be appearing in much of my reviews lately. Maybe, with the latest wave of attempted queer and trans genocide, the religious nature of this damaging legislation has resurrected the latent religious trauma of my life. Nevertheless, when I saw that Sabbath of the Fox-Devils was about the Satanic Panic and inspired by small creature features like Gremlins, I had to take the chance to read this baby.

Sabbath of the Fox Devils doesn’t disappoint. Sam Richard has created a sad, fantastical tale that hits close to home. Its homages to Saturday morning cartoons and 80s horror films are fun, but it can’t hide the atmosphere of overwhelming hysteria in an evangelical household and the stifling emotional abuse of a young boy.

Read the rest of the review here.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully empathetic for the main character, pulling you into his world as he navigates family, growing up, religion, and a natural curiosity for life. Buckle up for the avalanche of events that follow. Discoveries of himself, discoveries in the world around him, and gore. So much foxy gore. I can’t say much else without spoilers but I will say this was a book I just could not put down. Well written, heartfelt, and powerfully hitting.

[Kari Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a dark, fun book which will entertain children of the 80s, horror and gore enthusiasts and anyone who has ever had an internal dialogue about living up to ridiculous religious expectations. The fox devils bring an air of playfulness and are an awesome manifestation of Joe’s need to take control of his life and save his soul.

[Ben Fitts · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first two-thirds of this novella were a touching coming of age story dealing with themes of alienation, religious trauma, and dysfunctional home life. The final third was an absolutely insane, balls-to-the-walls, occult-fueled, gore-ridden horror ride that was a blast to read. Although the two may seem at odds, the different segments of this book come together to form a truly great story that score on multiple fronts.

[Keith James · Rating 5 out of 5]

truly bad ass.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in one sitting which wasn't hard because it's not a long book but even if it was 500 pages I would not have been able to put it down. After finishing it I hugged it to my chest. It was that kind of book for me. I found myself rooting for the Fox-Devils, rooting for Joe and after I finished the book I imagined him making his way to Seattle, finding his brother and living a happy life. In a few pages Sam Richards was able to create a well rounded sympathetic character in Joe. I loved the 80's vibes of the tv programs and wish we learned how that episode of The Creepies ended.

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first splatterpunk novel after being introduced to the genre by Sam Richard himself at the book fair for adults when he kindly helped explain the sub-genres offered by Weirdpunk books. I picked this one out before he told me he was the author, I do appreciate a humble author that lets the work speak for itself. It was exactly want I wanted in a horror read, and can’t wait to pick up more stories from Weirdpunk books!

[Jonah Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wild ride from start to finish, tapping into religious childhood trauma and a love for 80’s creature features. It’s a fun, bloodsplattering helluva ride, like a movie that was never made.

[Justin Lutz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was exactly what I needed. A coming of age splatterpunk creature feature full of occult leanings? Yes please! This is a promising debut novella, and I am fully on board for Sam's next steps.