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PET
Less than nine hours after his supposed lethal injection, inmate Raymond Phillips wakes to find himself once again behind bars. Only this time, he isn’t in his old penitentiary cell. Cage is the only word for this type of enclosure, and this one looks like it was made for the world’s largest parakeet. Stranger still, a metal collar has been locked around his neck—one that reads "Kaiser."
Enter Stefan Hellstrom, a German aristocrat whose absurd wealth allows him to buy anything his little girl, Amelia, desires. And today, he’s surprising her with a new family pet. Of course, like all domesticated animals, it will have to be trained. It will have to be broken. But with the assistance of his loyal butlers, Stefan is confident Kaiser will learn to behave. At the mercy of his new ruthless master, Ray can feel what’s left of his sanity slipping through his fingers. And he knows his humanity won’t be far behind if he can’t figure out a way to escape. Either way, Ray will learn a lesson he will never forget:
The only thing worse than being a prisoner……is being a PET.
Enter Stefan Hellstrom, a German aristocrat whose absurd wealth allows him to buy anything his little girl, Amelia, desires. And today, he’s surprising her with a new family pet. Of course, like all domesticated animals, it will have to be trained. It will have to be broken. But with the assistance of his loyal butlers, Stefan is confident Kaiser will learn to behave. At the mercy of his new ruthless master, Ray can feel what’s left of his sanity slipping through his fingers. And he knows his humanity won’t be far behind if he can’t figure out a way to escape. Either way, Ray will learn a lesson he will never forget:
The only thing worse than being a prisoner……is being a PET.
173 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 22, 2022
31 people want to read
About the author
Asher Ellis
8 books32 followersAsher Ellis is a screenwriter, educator, and author of the novels PET, Curse of the Pigman, Cracker Jack, The Remedy, and The Therapy. He has written multiple award-winning short films, including Exit 7A, which was included in the feature-length horror anthologies, The Portal and Conjure X. His penned short film, "My Name Is Art," was featured in Amazon's first annual "All Voices Film Festival," celebrating underrepresented communities. When not writing, Asher enjoys hiking through the woods of his home state of Vermont (which he insists are not full of cryptids and cannibals, despite what his novels might suggest.)
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 24, 2024
This was a great plot in a cramped story. It reminded me to "get out" but because this book is so small, the writer didn't have time for a great deal of caracter building and everything that happend felt so rushed. Did enjoy the story and it didn't waste my time
April 21, 2020
They say opening paragraphs are important to hook the reader. The author certainly nails it here. The whole first chapter is only a few lines, and by the end of it you know that the main protagonist, Ray, has been executed by lethal injection… and then wakes up. Don’t worry, I’m not getting into spoiler territory here, we’re told this in the book’s blurb.
The premise is unlike anything I’ve read before. Ray will no long been treated as a human, but rather as a dog. Caged, trained, expected to be obedient — and punished in various painful ways if he isn’t. Around his neck is now a metal collar carrying his new name, “Kaiser.”
His ‘owner’ is a super-rich German, Stephan, who has no problem introducing his pet to his daughter Amelia, despite the fact that she’s clearly pre-teen, and Kaiser is completely naked. There’s nothing sexual about this, but it’s an example of the strange behavior we’re going to see plenty more of.
What unfolds is a well-written story of the captive’s increasingly desperate attempts to escape and, as each one fails, a descent towards madness. Ray is not the most likable guy (let’s not forget he’s been executed for murder) but he is cunning and resourceful. The insanity of his owner, and the untouchability of the hyper-wealthy, comes across well. The other characters — in particular two servants — are authentic and believable. Perhaps a little stereotypical, but certainly not just caricatures.
At times, where the author delves into Ray’s state of mind and the inhumanities force upon him, I was concerned that we might get sidetracked. It doesn’t happen. While the exploration is good for the development of the story, it’s never dull or meandering. The narrative pulls you along. It’s sometimes explosive, sometimes dark and brooding. Stephan’s increasing dehumanization keeps the pressure on.
That there will eventually be retribution you can probably guess — but it’s unlikely you’ll guess how it unfolds. Like the rest of the story, it’s well handled. There are twists and surprises to keep you intrigued almost right to the end.
Why ‘almost’? Well here’s where I have a slight problem with the book. It’s not much, but it did temper my enjoyment a little. We reach what I think will be the end, but it isn’t. There’s a final end — if you’ll excuse that cumbersome description.
In the first ending (?), while things don’t exactly turn out great, they could have been worse. It’s a bleak outcome, but I think it serves the story well. I’d have been happy if it stopped right there. Unfortunately (in my humble) it doesn’t, and we then have a soft and gentle, fluffy clouds finale where everything works out kind of all right after all… ish (you’ll have to bear with me there, any more would risk giving it away).
For me, it just took the edge off. So it gets a 3.5 rather than a 4. I would still recommend it — it’s well-paced, entertaining read — and I would look forward to the next book from Asher Ellis.
The premise is unlike anything I’ve read before. Ray will no long been treated as a human, but rather as a dog. Caged, trained, expected to be obedient — and punished in various painful ways if he isn’t. Around his neck is now a metal collar carrying his new name, “Kaiser.”
His ‘owner’ is a super-rich German, Stephan, who has no problem introducing his pet to his daughter Amelia, despite the fact that she’s clearly pre-teen, and Kaiser is completely naked. There’s nothing sexual about this, but it’s an example of the strange behavior we’re going to see plenty more of.
What unfolds is a well-written story of the captive’s increasingly desperate attempts to escape and, as each one fails, a descent towards madness. Ray is not the most likable guy (let’s not forget he’s been executed for murder) but he is cunning and resourceful. The insanity of his owner, and the untouchability of the hyper-wealthy, comes across well. The other characters — in particular two servants — are authentic and believable. Perhaps a little stereotypical, but certainly not just caricatures.
At times, where the author delves into Ray’s state of mind and the inhumanities force upon him, I was concerned that we might get sidetracked. It doesn’t happen. While the exploration is good for the development of the story, it’s never dull or meandering. The narrative pulls you along. It’s sometimes explosive, sometimes dark and brooding. Stephan’s increasing dehumanization keeps the pressure on.
That there will eventually be retribution you can probably guess — but it’s unlikely you’ll guess how it unfolds. Like the rest of the story, it’s well handled. There are twists and surprises to keep you intrigued almost right to the end.
Why ‘almost’? Well here’s where I have a slight problem with the book. It’s not much, but it did temper my enjoyment a little. We reach what I think will be the end, but it isn’t. There’s a final end — if you’ll excuse that cumbersome description.
In the first ending (?), while things don’t exactly turn out great, they could have been worse. It’s a bleak outcome, but I think it serves the story well. I’d have been happy if it stopped right there. Unfortunately (in my humble) it doesn’t, and we then have a soft and gentle, fluffy clouds finale where everything works out kind of all right after all… ish (you’ll have to bear with me there, any more would risk giving it away).
For me, it just took the edge off. So it gets a 3.5 rather than a 4. I would still recommend it — it’s well-paced, entertaining read — and I would look forward to the next book from Asher Ellis.
November 6, 2019
Pet by Asher Ellis is a horrifying tale of dehumanizing imprisonment. In a world where the elite are often outside the law, Ellis weaves a terrifying tale that is not far outside of realism.
Ellis combines psychological horror with the suspense of a horror thriller in this creative and disturbing story. While it is not quite extreme horror, some of the scenes and sequences are particularly disturbing and brutal, but it is not gratuitous. Everything in this story is relevant.
Ellis dares to have a generally unlikeable main character, then skillfully draws the reader into sympathizing with him in spite of it. The story has an intriguing group of characters who are unsettling in their representation of current social issues, and the characterization is as brutal as the story. I found the study of both humanity and the world of our pets to be especially mentally stimulating, and very unsettling.
Full of unexpected twists, compelling suspense, and a thought-provoking perspective on how our pets might feel, Pet is a great read for horror fans.
Ellis combines psychological horror with the suspense of a horror thriller in this creative and disturbing story. While it is not quite extreme horror, some of the scenes and sequences are particularly disturbing and brutal, but it is not gratuitous. Everything in this story is relevant.
Ellis dares to have a generally unlikeable main character, then skillfully draws the reader into sympathizing with him in spite of it. The story has an intriguing group of characters who are unsettling in their representation of current social issues, and the characterization is as brutal as the story. I found the study of both humanity and the world of our pets to be especially mentally stimulating, and very unsettling.
Full of unexpected twists, compelling suspense, and a thought-provoking perspective on how our pets might feel, Pet is a great read for horror fans.
December 29, 2023
I read this in one sitting - couldn’t put it down. It has everything I love in a horror book- a very unique plot, twists and turns that never feel manipulative, and a main character who is unlikeable and yet sympathetic. There are no wasted passages here- the book moves along quickly to a great ending. Would definitely recommend for horror readers.
October 13, 2019
A good quick read that keeps you guessing the whole way through. The ending is fantastic; I had a lot of ideas as to the ending, but was thoroughly surprised at how it concludes.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews