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fester
Hope Park’s early years are somewhat of a mystery. Now, as a teenager isolated to one bedroom in her hosts' apartment, she is trying to make sense of the little information she has about her family and her past. She had never been shown or experienced love and affection. Failed by her new guardians and society, and bullied in school; it’s no wonder this environment causes the teen to struggle with bouts of paranoia and depression. Meanwhile, people all around her are falling victim to some very odd ailments.
With the help of a mysterious visitor from afar and some other outcast friends, Hope learns much about what she really is, about what fuels her, and about her mission. She will have to choose between performing some disturbing dark deeds or risk banishment, or worse. She also faces similar consequences if her forbidden crush is discovered. Will she act as commanded by her kind? Will she choose to frolic down the forbidden path of earthly human emotion or will she let her love fester instead?
WARNING; graphic sexual situations, disgusting and disturbing violence. No animals were harmed.
With the help of a mysterious visitor from afar and some other outcast friends, Hope learns much about what she really is, about what fuels her, and about her mission. She will have to choose between performing some disturbing dark deeds or risk banishment, or worse. She also faces similar consequences if her forbidden crush is discovered. Will she act as commanded by her kind? Will she choose to frolic down the forbidden path of earthly human emotion or will she let her love fester instead?
WARNING; graphic sexual situations, disgusting and disturbing violence. No animals were harmed.
312 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2022
2 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
Merrill David
31 books61 followersMerrill David is a brain tumor survivor who now resides in East Texas with his wife and their Chiweenie dog Vinny. Merrill's list of works includes his Wicked Awake zombie novel series, a splatterpunk sci-fi novel called Fester, a paranormal amusement park novel called Season Pass, a horror / mafia crime novella called Lasagna, two collections of my own disgusting stories called Appendage and Every THING You Love, extreme horror anthologies Head Blown and Head Blown Too, and a Western Horror anthology called Tumble Bleed.
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 9, 2022
In the Allegheny Mountains lies the Monongahela National Forest, where there is an abundance of weirdness, cryptids, folklore, ufos, human like creatures, and strange and horrible illnesses.
Skip to Providence, Rhode Island, and we meet Hope. Hope finds herself orphaned at 5 years old, and left with a strange new 'family'. One day she escapes outside and things just get even more strange, so its back to being 'different' and continuing her weird upbringing!
This was a real slow burn, supernatural, cosmic, coming of age story. It was a bit like a rollercoaster ride in that there was a slow build up, then it would take off and become pretty damn horrific and gross, then more slow build up and then off we go again! It got the old adrenaline pumping when it did take off though, and the stomach churning, especially the Poop Soup! 😉
Merrill managed to keep the mystery and intrigue going throughout the book, and the story had a great eerie atmosphere the whole way too!
I loved the concept, alien/human hybrids that feed off others illnesses, and then use them in another way! There were some really great, gory, gross, horrifying, skin crawling scenes in this, and there's a pretty good twist too! The story also comes full circle at the end, which is pretty satisfying!
If you're a fan of a slow burn, then this could be one for you! I thoroughly enjoyed it, even though I normally like my reads more fast paced!
Skip to Providence, Rhode Island, and we meet Hope. Hope finds herself orphaned at 5 years old, and left with a strange new 'family'. One day she escapes outside and things just get even more strange, so its back to being 'different' and continuing her weird upbringing!
This was a real slow burn, supernatural, cosmic, coming of age story. It was a bit like a rollercoaster ride in that there was a slow build up, then it would take off and become pretty damn horrific and gross, then more slow build up and then off we go again! It got the old adrenaline pumping when it did take off though, and the stomach churning, especially the Poop Soup! 😉
Merrill managed to keep the mystery and intrigue going throughout the book, and the story had a great eerie atmosphere the whole way too!
I loved the concept, alien/human hybrids that feed off others illnesses, and then use them in another way! There were some really great, gory, gross, horrifying, skin crawling scenes in this, and there's a pretty good twist too! The story also comes full circle at the end, which is pretty satisfying!
If you're a fan of a slow burn, then this could be one for you! I thoroughly enjoyed it, even though I normally like my reads more fast paced!
August 10, 2022
Merrill David was awesome enough to send me an audio copy of his deliciously terrifying new novel 'Fester' for review and managed to rock my world.
After having read the phenomenal 'Wicked Awake' series (if you love zombies, check it out, it's the new Zombie Gospel, utterly fantastic), I was more that happy to dive into this one... and oh boy what a magnificent slab of horror this one is.
Meet Hope Park, a teenager isolated to one bedroom in her hosts' apartment with little information on her family and her past.
Bullied at school and failed by her new guardians and society, she never had the chance to experience love and affection and struggles with paranoia and depression.
Her past will soon catch up with her as terrifying secrets will come to light. Secrets that will bring her closer to her true nature and propel a series of tragic and terrible events.
Will she follow orders or her heart? Will she choose to frolic down the forbidden path of earthly human emotion or will she let her love fester instead?
If you want layers upon layers of horror, suspense and mystery, then you are at the right place. Horror at its finest as the author manages to craft a terrific and terrifying story that blends tragedy and brutality unleashed over well written characters.
The story is intense, beautifully narrated, and flows great as the body count increases chapter by chapter until the very satisfying end of this horror delight that will keep you nailed on your seat.
Definitely one of my favorite horror stories of the year. Gripping and scary.
Merrill David continously keeps me amazed with his writing skills.
After having read the phenomenal 'Wicked Awake' series (if you love zombies, check it out, it's the new Zombie Gospel, utterly fantastic), I was more that happy to dive into this one... and oh boy what a magnificent slab of horror this one is.
Meet Hope Park, a teenager isolated to one bedroom in her hosts' apartment with little information on her family and her past.
Bullied at school and failed by her new guardians and society, she never had the chance to experience love and affection and struggles with paranoia and depression.
Her past will soon catch up with her as terrifying secrets will come to light. Secrets that will bring her closer to her true nature and propel a series of tragic and terrible events.
Will she follow orders or her heart? Will she choose to frolic down the forbidden path of earthly human emotion or will she let her love fester instead?
If you want layers upon layers of horror, suspense and mystery, then you are at the right place. Horror at its finest as the author manages to craft a terrific and terrifying story that blends tragedy and brutality unleashed over well written characters.
The story is intense, beautifully narrated, and flows great as the body count increases chapter by chapter until the very satisfying end of this horror delight that will keep you nailed on your seat.
Definitely one of my favorite horror stories of the year. Gripping and scary.
Merrill David continously keeps me amazed with his writing skills.
March 15, 2022
I wasn’t really sure what to expect, given the warning label! He wasn’t kidding. Not far into the story you meet a scum bag character who truly deserves what he gets. But geez, picturing the scene made me want to gag it was so gross. So of course, I had to keep reading on to see what else was going to happen! You have this poor girl getting abused by her guardians and school mates, all while dealing with normal teenage girl issues and then the “not so normal issues”. That’s where it gets really good/gross. The nasty diseases, a pencil stabbed up the butt, and a total shit show (no kidding, literally crap everywhere in a totally gross, obscene, and hilarious way!) Revenge is sweet!
October 23, 2022
[3.5/5]
The first book which made me actually vomit (thanks Chapter 10 -- iykyk). It was a brilliantly written story otherwise...unlike anything I have ever read before. Hope was a likable character and one I could relate to in small degrees. I felt bad for her and what she's gone through. Plenty of horror and disgusting elements to go around. Being this was my first Merrill David book, I was unsure what to think initially, but in the future, I will proceed with caution and not eat anything before reading his works!
The first book which made me actually vomit (thanks Chapter 10 -- iykyk). It was a brilliantly written story otherwise...unlike anything I have ever read before. Hope was a likable character and one I could relate to in small degrees. I felt bad for her and what she's gone through. Plenty of horror and disgusting elements to go around. Being this was my first Merrill David book, I was unsure what to think initially, but in the future, I will proceed with caution and not eat anything before reading his works!
May 27, 2024
Not what I was thinking this book would be about I actually enjoyed it quite a bit. I wasn't sure if I was going to like it but the more I read the more invested in the story I became. I needed to find out exactly what was going on and I wasn't disappointed.
Kind of a bizarro sci-fi extreme book that had me a bit confused in the beginning, but it all came together in the end. The ending kinda made me wonder if there will ever be a sequel though.
It's a slow burn story so you have to stick with it but it's a heck of a ride.
Kind of a bizarro sci-fi extreme book that had me a bit confused in the beginning, but it all came together in the end. The ending kinda made me wonder if there will ever be a sequel though.
It's a slow burn story so you have to stick with it but it's a heck of a ride.
March 15, 2022
Just WOW
What a ride! Merrill David has found a way to creep me out, gross me out and yet keep me riveted to this book. The story is very interesting and the quirky characters are something else. All I can say is that be careful who you make mad, because you never know who you might be dealing with! Bravo Merrill, another great one. I kind of wish there was a second book so I'd know what happened to some of the characters. I highly recommend this book, just as I do all of Merrills others. He's a gifted storyteller who really has a way of making you visualize what's going on. Sometimes even if you don't want that vision LOL!
Amy
What a ride! Merrill David has found a way to creep me out, gross me out and yet keep me riveted to this book. The story is very interesting and the quirky characters are something else. All I can say is that be careful who you make mad, because you never know who you might be dealing with! Bravo Merrill, another great one. I kind of wish there was a second book so I'd know what happened to some of the characters. I highly recommend this book, just as I do all of Merrills others. He's a gifted storyteller who really has a way of making you visualize what's going on. Sometimes even if you don't want that vision LOL!
Amy
March 15, 2022
Very wicked story
This book is amazing just like his wicked awake series!
This book was one of the most different books I have read. I stayed on the edge of my seat threw the whole thing. It kept me guessing just what would come next. I loved waiting to see what was next for hope. I also enjoyed knowing one of the characters jack. If you like things a little twisted and warped this book will do it. Give it a read.
This book is amazing just like his wicked awake series!
This book was one of the most different books I have read. I stayed on the edge of my seat threw the whole thing. It kept me guessing just what would come next. I loved waiting to see what was next for hope. I also enjoyed knowing one of the characters jack. If you like things a little twisted and warped this book will do it. Give it a read.
February 23, 2023
A horror/sci fi hybrid, Fester starts off a little confusing, but gets really good as the pieces fall into place and the action gets going. I loved the balance of creepy elements along with humor and Gross out stuff as well.
June 11, 2024
Loved every minute of this book!
August 25, 2022
"People are not animals."
"We will have to agree to disagree."
By the end of the unique, sometimes disgustingly gross, yet brilliant Fester by best independent horror author Merrill David you may realize how animalistic we humans really are; especially to each other.
Though going in blind is the best way to experience this epitome of the perfect blend of science fiction and horror I think this story's detailed violence, depravity and gastrointestinal escapades may not be for everyone.
We meet Hope as a five year old that seems to be placed in foster care after her parents die in a fatal car accident. But something is off when she is kept locked in a room, never goes to school and is fed mostly sugary treats. When she becomes a teen slowly, very slowly, the truth of how special Hope is comes to light and it is mind blowing, vengeful, original and so much effing fun!
In the meantime we meet some horrible humans like a greedy slimy landlord, a rich snobby teen rapist, and mean girls (and boys) that would make Carrie's bullies look like best friends. When abusers let their victims' hate "Fester" the resulting "just desserts" they often receive is five stars worthy. Like a festering disease revenge can feed the soul. For the record my word choice is very deliberate in this review.
Debut narrator Violet Ashford is a phenom with her often soft spoken voice that then reveals the most disgusting scene in a vividly descriptive hard core tone. Her acting from timid victim to cruel abuser in a heartbeat is an unearthly performance. Again, very specific words in this review.
Like his phenomenal zombie Wicked Awake series (all 5 stars) Fester is a wickedly fun, gory, gross and shocking twisty sci fi horror thriller totally worth the ride.
I received a free copy of this audiobook from the author for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
***This Review Is For The Audiobook***
"We will have to agree to disagree."
By the end of the unique, sometimes disgustingly gross, yet brilliant Fester by best independent horror author Merrill David you may realize how animalistic we humans really are; especially to each other.
Though going in blind is the best way to experience this epitome of the perfect blend of science fiction and horror I think this story's detailed violence, depravity and gastrointestinal escapades may not be for everyone.
We meet Hope as a five year old that seems to be placed in foster care after her parents die in a fatal car accident. But something is off when she is kept locked in a room, never goes to school and is fed mostly sugary treats. When she becomes a teen slowly, very slowly, the truth of how special Hope is comes to light and it is mind blowing, vengeful, original and so much effing fun!
In the meantime we meet some horrible humans like a greedy slimy landlord, a rich snobby teen rapist, and mean girls (and boys) that would make Carrie's bullies look like best friends. When abusers let their victims' hate "Fester" the resulting "just desserts" they often receive is five stars worthy. Like a festering disease revenge can feed the soul. For the record my word choice is very deliberate in this review.
Debut narrator Violet Ashford is a phenom with her often soft spoken voice that then reveals the most disgusting scene in a vividly descriptive hard core tone. Her acting from timid victim to cruel abuser in a heartbeat is an unearthly performance. Again, very specific words in this review.
Like his phenomenal zombie Wicked Awake series (all 5 stars) Fester is a wickedly fun, gory, gross and shocking twisty sci fi horror thriller totally worth the ride.
I received a free copy of this audiobook from the author for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
***This Review Is For The Audiobook***
August 6, 2022
3.5 rounded up
I loved the synopsis of this story. Who doesn't want to read a story of a young girl, one with a sad life (obvious from the book description)?. I have a cold heart (LOL), or so I've been told, so if I think there's a character that I can sympathize for, I jump on the chance to do so.
This book didn't really hold my interest until many pages into the story, but when X arrived and everything started making more sense, I was flipping pages wanting to see how everything ended. Is that what they call a slow burn? There were a few gross scenes, but some (one in particular the rich boys sick to their bellies and hungry) felt out of place and only thrown in for sake of grossness. I didn't feel that it added much to the actual plot. Still, the overall story is decent. I don't read too many alien invasion stories so it was a nice change of pace
I loved the synopsis of this story. Who doesn't want to read a story of a young girl, one with a sad life (obvious from the book description)?. I have a cold heart (LOL), or so I've been told, so if I think there's a character that I can sympathize for, I jump on the chance to do so.
This book didn't really hold my interest until many pages into the story, but when X arrived and everything started making more sense, I was flipping pages wanting to see how everything ended. Is that what they call a slow burn? There were a few gross scenes, but some (one in particular the rich boys sick to their bellies and hungry) felt out of place and only thrown in for sake of grossness. I didn't feel that it added much to the actual plot. Still, the overall story is decent. I don't read too many alien invasion stories so it was a nice change of pace
May 2, 2022
Engaging story from the start.
Plot twists not expected (at least for me).
I was so absorbed in the story and what was going on that everything just punched me in the gut as I read.
I LOVED/ liked some characters and really, really hated others.
That’s good writing in my opinion.
I read it during the month of April.
Given the time I would have read it in one sitting.
Life happened 🤷♀️.
I’ve just started reading WICKED AWAKE.
The first in Merrill David’s series of four books-Zombie Armageddon. It’s amazing so far!
Plot twists not expected (at least for me).
I was so absorbed in the story and what was going on that everything just punched me in the gut as I read.
I LOVED/ liked some characters and really, really hated others.
That’s good writing in my opinion.
I read it during the month of April.
Given the time I would have read it in one sitting.
Life happened 🤷♀️.
I’ve just started reading WICKED AWAKE.
The first in Merrill David’s series of four books-Zombie Armageddon. It’s amazing so far!
March 15, 2022
If you loved wicked awake then you will totally enjoy fester its totally kickass brilliant and gory gruesome horror personified ...main character hope is a young girl doesn't know who she is and where she is from your are then lead down a path of unadulterated filth and totally horrific horror as the plot unravels a must have book and highly recommend this book if you are a fan of merrill enjoyed it first page to last 👏👏👏
January 23, 2023
I went in completely blind to this book. Saying that I was pleasantly surprised. A completely original story, great character development, keeps you guessing. That’s all I am going to say with fear of giving anything away.
June 18, 2022
It's gruesome, horrific yes but it also tells that story of Hope who's trying to find out exactly who she is ... great read !
April 8, 2023
Fester was a beautifully disgusting coming of age tale that will make you want to pray to the porcelain god in certain parts. A very unique splatter (quite literally) horror, not for the easily squeamish reader.
It’s ironically the story of a girl named Hope, who goes to live with foster parents after her parents die in a rumored accident. These foster parents are the worst of the worst, more like captors, for they treat Hope like she is a prisoner. The beginning was extremely sad, and infuriating, the thought of a child in those conditions singed me. But you soon realize Hope is smart, and resourceful, and learns to adapt to her not so welcoming environment. Once she starts venturing out, she learns quickly that the world isn’t as it seems, those in her life aren’t who they appear to be, there’s much more to her than she could have ever imagined, and the fate of mankind is directly connected to her.Will mankind prove worthy enough for her to care?
Merrill David is an amazing writer who really knows how to gross you out in all the right ways. He is especially good at building worlds and scenarios that will make you question your outlook on humanity. Hope learns some pretty profound lessons. And when she meets X there is one conversation in particular that really made me think about how we as humans treat our animals and each other. At the end of the day we are all Earthlings.
It’s ironically the story of a girl named Hope, who goes to live with foster parents after her parents die in a rumored accident. These foster parents are the worst of the worst, more like captors, for they treat Hope like she is a prisoner. The beginning was extremely sad, and infuriating, the thought of a child in those conditions singed me. But you soon realize Hope is smart, and resourceful, and learns to adapt to her not so welcoming environment. Once she starts venturing out, she learns quickly that the world isn’t as it seems, those in her life aren’t who they appear to be, there’s much more to her than she could have ever imagined, and the fate of mankind is directly connected to her.Will mankind prove worthy enough for her to care?
Merrill David is an amazing writer who really knows how to gross you out in all the right ways. He is especially good at building worlds and scenarios that will make you question your outlook on humanity. Hope learns some pretty profound lessons. And when she meets X there is one conversation in particular that really made me think about how we as humans treat our animals and each other. At the end of the day we are all Earthlings.
January 17, 2024
An interesting, compelling tale with likable characters.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews