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Low Blasphemy: an extreme horror novel
Something evil is coming to Kissing-Brooke, Missouri.
Reece Karkoff's life was derailed when her mother killed her father. Now, she lives on a defunct farm in Missouri, with her Aunt and her older cousin --who has become her sister. Reece thinks that her mother's violence is long behind her...
...but she's unaware of the cult that has moved into the woods beside her farm. Comprised of vagabonds and psychopaths, they worship a demon-god. A demon-god with blood capable of infecting those that ingest it with Hellish traits!
They are mutating the good people of Kissing-Brooke... house by house, shop by shop, person by person.
And before long, Reece and her new family will have to fight for survival... before they too fall victim to the demonic entity called The Fallen One!
WARNING: This book contains extreme gore, violence, abuse, and blasphemy! Read with caution!
Reece Karkoff's life was derailed when her mother killed her father. Now, she lives on a defunct farm in Missouri, with her Aunt and her older cousin --who has become her sister. Reece thinks that her mother's violence is long behind her...
...but she's unaware of the cult that has moved into the woods beside her farm. Comprised of vagabonds and psychopaths, they worship a demon-god. A demon-god with blood capable of infecting those that ingest it with Hellish traits!
They are mutating the good people of Kissing-Brooke... house by house, shop by shop, person by person.
And before long, Reece and her new family will have to fight for survival... before they too fall victim to the demonic entity called The Fallen One!
WARNING: This book contains extreme gore, violence, abuse, and blasphemy! Read with caution!
- GenresHorrorSplatterpunk
264 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 28, 2022
23 people are currently reading
360 people want to read
About the author
Judith Sonnet
89 books1,328 followersUsed to write extreme horror but now I write WEIRD horror and I'm having a blast with it! Check out OUR SARNATH on November 22nd!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
December 30, 2023
I can't get enough of Judith's work right now, and this is no exception. Even though this one starts off more creepy than brutal like the others I've read by her so far, it's still an awesome story and shows that Judith isn't all about the extreme brutality, although there is plenty of that in here too! 😁
Reece was 5 years old when her parents were brutally taken from her. Her Mum was always a bit odd, and she goes on to do something very strange, leaving Reece an orphan and opening this book with a sad and disturbing prologue, setting up the scene for the rest of the book beautifully!
Reece ends up being adopted, her adoptive sister Paisley and her get on well. Paisley has a boyfriend called Russell, who, on his way home after a secret rendezvous with Paisley, finds a strange symbol carved on a nearby tree, and then things just escalate from there, getting more and more fucked up….
When Officers Tobin and Chilton go to check out a call about something in the woods, things turn nasty! Real nasty! They come across a creepy carving and then meet the people who worship it! Complete with rituals, zombies, demons, zombie-demons, fallen angels and a very messed up cult, I found this story very eerie, creepy, haunting and horrifying. The atmosphere throughout was tense and enthralling, grabbing my attention completely!
Like I mentioned earlier, this starts off more like a supernatural horror, and then things ramp up and the shit truly hits the fan, Sonnet Style!! It's brilliantly brutal and savage. A high adrenaline, action packed, intensely insane ride! Beautifully twisted nightmare fuel! The descriptions for the wounds inflicted on the zombies, and the way they evolved and mutated, were visceral and vivid, and reminded me a lot of Clive Barker's Cenobites!! 🖤 I love the many twists and turns Judith's stories take, keeping you on your yellow-nailed toes the whole way!! Fantastic stuff! More Judith please!!!!
Reece was 5 years old when her parents were brutally taken from her. Her Mum was always a bit odd, and she goes on to do something very strange, leaving Reece an orphan and opening this book with a sad and disturbing prologue, setting up the scene for the rest of the book beautifully!
Reece ends up being adopted, her adoptive sister Paisley and her get on well. Paisley has a boyfriend called Russell, who, on his way home after a secret rendezvous with Paisley, finds a strange symbol carved on a nearby tree, and then things just escalate from there, getting more and more fucked up….
When Officers Tobin and Chilton go to check out a call about something in the woods, things turn nasty! Real nasty! They come across a creepy carving and then meet the people who worship it! Complete with rituals, zombies, demons, zombie-demons, fallen angels and a very messed up cult, I found this story very eerie, creepy, haunting and horrifying. The atmosphere throughout was tense and enthralling, grabbing my attention completely!
Like I mentioned earlier, this starts off more like a supernatural horror, and then things ramp up and the shit truly hits the fan, Sonnet Style!! It's brilliantly brutal and savage. A high adrenaline, action packed, intensely insane ride! Beautifully twisted nightmare fuel! The descriptions for the wounds inflicted on the zombies, and the way they evolved and mutated, were visceral and vivid, and reminded me a lot of Clive Barker's Cenobites!! 🖤 I love the many twists and turns Judith's stories take, keeping you on your yellow-nailed toes the whole way!! Fantastic stuff! More Judith please!!!!
August 6, 2024
At first I rated it 4 stars but I've added another as it was just that good. I so far have always loved Judith Sonnets horror book and this was no diffrent. I got really attached to the characters in the beginning so it was very tense to read as I hoped they all would survive. Great storyline, characters and gore.
December 1, 2025
I’m somewhat of a contrarian by nature, so tell me to do something & I’ll probably deliver my most demure “or what” face in response. There’s very few that are immune to this *personality quirk* of mine, however it just so happens that Judith MF Sonnet is at the top of that list. So when I heard Low Blasphemy was the one that she wished more people would read—-knowing that feeling all too well now—even my stubborn ass couldn’t refuse. Not to mention, as the self-appointed president of the Judith Sonnet book club, it was my duty.
Quick synopsis:
If you think you’ve had a rough childhood, you should try having a trauma-bond contest with Reese. You’d get your ass beat by a 5 year old, who witnessed an unspeakable act & was still understandably dealing with it 5 years later. Now she’s in a new home with a new chosen family, praying her past doesn’t come back to haunt her…or turn the small town she resides in into a festering cyst of unholy homicidal zombies. WELP, she maybe should have prayed a little harder. 🤷🏽♂️
Sonnet injects pesky human emotions/deep back stories like a thick, goopy custard in the puckered sphincter of a depravity-flavored eclair with blood frosting & gore sprinkles. She puts so much of herself into her stories & that’s why I think she is such an effective, evocative writer. Like most of her books, they harken back to a film genre of horror that doesn’t get the attention that it deserves; done in a way that reads like you’re watching a splattery blast from the past play out before your mind’s eye. Low Blasphemy is 100% her most cinematic work to date, expertly told & spell-binding from the first page. As much as I hate to acquiesce; even I have to agree wayyyyy more people should be reading this masterpiece!
Quick synopsis:
If you think you’ve had a rough childhood, you should try having a trauma-bond contest with Reese. You’d get your ass beat by a 5 year old, who witnessed an unspeakable act & was still understandably dealing with it 5 years later. Now she’s in a new home with a new chosen family, praying her past doesn’t come back to haunt her…or turn the small town she resides in into a festering cyst of unholy homicidal zombies. WELP, she maybe should have prayed a little harder. 🤷🏽♂️
Sonnet injects pesky human emotions/deep back stories like a thick, goopy custard in the puckered sphincter of a depravity-flavored eclair with blood frosting & gore sprinkles. She puts so much of herself into her stories & that’s why I think she is such an effective, evocative writer. Like most of her books, they harken back to a film genre of horror that doesn’t get the attention that it deserves; done in a way that reads like you’re watching a splattery blast from the past play out before your mind’s eye. Low Blasphemy is 100% her most cinematic work to date, expertly told & spell-binding from the first page. As much as I hate to acquiesce; even I have to agree wayyyyy more people should be reading this masterpiece!
February 1, 2024
This is, without a doubt, my favorite Sonnet book. Absolutely top tier horror, with so much emotion, vivid imagery, & wall to wall gore.
There are so many elements of this story that I could not get enough of. You quickly fall in love with the Karkoff’s: somewhat of a chosen family, made up of Reece, Paisley and their mom, Hollie. Reece is uprooted and moved to the small Missouri town of Kissing-Brooke after her mother begins acting strangely…leading to a murder-suicide of her parents. Hollie mourns the loss of her sister, but is quick to welcome Reece as her own. Malcolm, a friendly Neighbor and long-term friend of Hollie, is not only a dear friend but an integral part of the family. After finding a crude statue of Christ in the woods behind their home, all hell breaks loose. An entity known as The Chosen One has come to claim what he believes is rightfully His in a non-stop gore fest.
One of my favorite characters in the story is Keegan, the non-binary best friend of Reece’s sister Paisley. The love that each character feels for one another is so big and you really cannot stop rooting for them the entire time. This was so well written, and the story flowed perfectly. Next to Beasts of Burden, I think this is Judith’s best novel and has entered my top 5 favorite books! I love her novellas and relentless splatter, but stories like Low Blasphemy shoots Sonnet’s work into a whole next level of indie horror.
Regardless of all the above…do you want to read about a 10-year-old girl rightfully kicking demon ass? Read this, you won’t regret it!!
There are so many elements of this story that I could not get enough of. You quickly fall in love with the Karkoff’s: somewhat of a chosen family, made up of Reece, Paisley and their mom, Hollie. Reece is uprooted and moved to the small Missouri town of Kissing-Brooke after her mother begins acting strangely…leading to a murder-suicide of her parents. Hollie mourns the loss of her sister, but is quick to welcome Reece as her own. Malcolm, a friendly Neighbor and long-term friend of Hollie, is not only a dear friend but an integral part of the family. After finding a crude statue of Christ in the woods behind their home, all hell breaks loose. An entity known as The Chosen One has come to claim what he believes is rightfully His in a non-stop gore fest.
One of my favorite characters in the story is Keegan, the non-binary best friend of Reece’s sister Paisley. The love that each character feels for one another is so big and you really cannot stop rooting for them the entire time. This was so well written, and the story flowed perfectly. Next to Beasts of Burden, I think this is Judith’s best novel and has entered my top 5 favorite books! I love her novellas and relentless splatter, but stories like Low Blasphemy shoots Sonnet’s work into a whole next level of indie horror.
Regardless of all the above…do you want to read about a 10-year-old girl rightfully kicking demon ass? Read this, you won’t regret it!!
September 19, 2022
My first, but definitely not my last, Judith Sonnet novel.
Have you ever had one of those days? You know, you go to church, you draw a turtle, your dad watches football and your mom found a murder cult and kills herself and your dad while you are on the toilet? That is what happened to Reece during her fifth year on this earth. This novel takes place during the tenth year and let's just say that her fifth year was the easy mode.
Do not read if you do not like blasphemy, blood, guts, yellow fingernails (like seriously does everyone in this book have them?) or evil murder zombie puppets.
Generally, I've never read much from indie authors. The few books I've picked up were badly written, full of mistakes and gave you a good idea of why they were indie novels.
Not so with this book.
Reading through it I had to re-check the first page just to verify that yep I didn't buy this from a major book seller. I did find a few small typos but they did nothing to distract from the quality of the story.
Book Publishers, get this girl a contract before she becomes too expensive for you.
If you like gore then there is a pretty good chance you will like this novel.
If you want a well written story then this one also has you covered.
Have you ever had one of those days? You know, you go to church, you draw a turtle, your dad watches football and your mom found a murder cult and kills herself and your dad while you are on the toilet? That is what happened to Reece during her fifth year on this earth. This novel takes place during the tenth year and let's just say that her fifth year was the easy mode.
Do not read if you do not like blasphemy, blood, guts, yellow fingernails (like seriously does everyone in this book have them?) or evil murder zombie puppets.
Generally, I've never read much from indie authors. The few books I've picked up were badly written, full of mistakes and gave you a good idea of why they were indie novels.
Not so with this book.
Reading through it I had to re-check the first page just to verify that yep I didn't buy this from a major book seller. I did find a few small typos but they did nothing to distract from the quality of the story.
Book Publishers, get this girl a contract before she becomes too expensive for you.
If you like gore then there is a pretty good chance you will like this novel.
If you want a well written story then this one also has you covered.
October 19, 2022
This story is an absolute sucker punch. It starts off with tons of atmosphere and plenty of hook, but it was pretty lowkey. Then, before you realize what has happened, Sonnet has grabbed you by the balls and dragged you down a path of depravity. The book was rich, well written, and absolutely brutal. I could not put it down!
July 28, 2024
As always I LOVED Judith Sonnets main characters. She is absolutely fantastic in writing them believable and unique. I cared for them immediately and wanted them all to survive.
The story is great and there's a nice little twist towards the end that I didn't see coming at all. The only thing I didn't like about the book were the chapters with the cult members POV's. They sometimes felt a little too long for me personally.
But still, I recommend it.
The story is great and there's a nice little twist towards the end that I didn't see coming at all. The only thing I didn't like about the book were the chapters with the cult members POV's. They sometimes felt a little too long for me personally.
But still, I recommend it.
July 3, 2024
Looking for small town horror with a cult? Look no further. In “Low Blasphemy”, the reader is transported to Kissing-Brooke, Missouri, where evil lurks in the woods. There is something eerily creepy about the woods, where the supernatural lurks.
This story opens with a hair raising proloque that introduces Reece Brampton and her parents . After the murder-suicide of her parents, Reece goes to live with her aunt Holly and cousin Paisley. Officers Tobin and Chilton are called to investigate sounds in the woods. Oh man! They discover a crude statue and a group of followers worshipping it. This is no ordinary statue. Sonnet uses vivid imagery to describe its height, girth and crude features. Something is not right about this statue of Christ. These are just a few of the characters in this layered story. Shortly after finding it, an entity known as “The Chosen One” wreaks havoc on Kissing-Brooke.
One of the things that stands out in Judith Sonnet’s stories are her characters. In an extreme horror novel, most chracters are disposable. She creates chracters with depth and I always end up caring for them. Sonnet takes time to flesh out each character of this extreme horror novel, with a few that stood out: The creepy cult members. the officers and the group of friends. The demonic zomies! Oh how I loved the descriptions of their bodies, mutations ad wounds. Truly terifying creatures.
\
Sonnet makes several nods towards the Argento movie "Suspira". If you have not seen it, the movie is an Italian masterpiece. The movie is the first in a trilogy and is very influential in the horror genre. Both the movie and Sonhnet’s book are filled with body horror. There is no shortage of gore from the zombies wounds to each kill. It is a visceral experience.
Sonnet does not shy away from gore and macabre. Chracters are slaugtered, shot with wooden arrows and lose body parts. The reader is left with heart break as thebuilds up to an intense conclusion. The reader is left wondering if everyhting will be ok for these chracters.
"Low Blasphemy", a cult story with demonic zombies, is filled with enough gore to statisfy any horror reader.
This story opens with a hair raising proloque that introduces Reece Brampton and her parents . After the murder-suicide of her parents, Reece goes to live with her aunt Holly and cousin Paisley. Officers Tobin and Chilton are called to investigate sounds in the woods. Oh man! They discover a crude statue and a group of followers worshipping it. This is no ordinary statue. Sonnet uses vivid imagery to describe its height, girth and crude features. Something is not right about this statue of Christ. These are just a few of the characters in this layered story. Shortly after finding it, an entity known as “The Chosen One” wreaks havoc on Kissing-Brooke.
One of the things that stands out in Judith Sonnet’s stories are her characters. In an extreme horror novel, most chracters are disposable. She creates chracters with depth and I always end up caring for them. Sonnet takes time to flesh out each character of this extreme horror novel, with a few that stood out: The creepy cult members. the officers and the group of friends. The demonic zomies! Oh how I loved the descriptions of their bodies, mutations ad wounds. Truly terifying creatures.
\
Sonnet makes several nods towards the Argento movie "Suspira". If you have not seen it, the movie is an Italian masterpiece. The movie is the first in a trilogy and is very influential in the horror genre. Both the movie and Sonhnet’s book are filled with body horror. There is no shortage of gore from the zombies wounds to each kill. It is a visceral experience.
Sonnet does not shy away from gore and macabre. Chracters are slaugtered, shot with wooden arrows and lose body parts. The reader is left with heart break as thebuilds up to an intense conclusion. The reader is left wondering if everyhting will be ok for these chracters.
"Low Blasphemy", a cult story with demonic zombies, is filled with enough gore to statisfy any horror reader.
March 23, 2024
Low Blasphemy is a harrowing tale of a little girl who is raised by her aunt. Reece was a small child when a horrifying trauma occurred which resulted in living with her aunt and cousin.
Reece is a good kid with a secret past that very few know about. She is accepted into her new family and has a good childhood until strange symbols start appearing in the forest. As the adults try to piece it all together, Reece and her cousin are shielded and protected at all costs.
What do these symbols mean? Who put them there? Why in this small town? Lots of questions have to be answered but you are gonna have to read to find out.
Sonnet does a great job setting up the characters and developing them. I found myself rooting for certain characters and devastated on the fates of others. This is my first book that I have read by Judith Sonnet. I felt like the story was dragging me along and I wasn’t sure I wanted to finish it, but I’m glad I did. She takes her time setting up because when the action starts, you have to understand the setting to keep up with what’s going on in both the environment and the characters. That’s a lot to unfold quickly!
This is SplatterPunk for sure. So if you cannot handle gore, it’s gonna be hard to get through. Well worth the read for sure. I hope to read more by Judith Sonnet soon! Check out this wicked cover too!
Reece is a good kid with a secret past that very few know about. She is accepted into her new family and has a good childhood until strange symbols start appearing in the forest. As the adults try to piece it all together, Reece and her cousin are shielded and protected at all costs.
What do these symbols mean? Who put them there? Why in this small town? Lots of questions have to be answered but you are gonna have to read to find out.
Sonnet does a great job setting up the characters and developing them. I found myself rooting for certain characters and devastated on the fates of others. This is my first book that I have read by Judith Sonnet. I felt like the story was dragging me along and I wasn’t sure I wanted to finish it, but I’m glad I did. She takes her time setting up because when the action starts, you have to understand the setting to keep up with what’s going on in both the environment and the characters. That’s a lot to unfold quickly!
This is SplatterPunk for sure. So if you cannot handle gore, it’s gonna be hard to get through. Well worth the read for sure. I hope to read more by Judith Sonnet soon! Check out this wicked cover too!
June 25, 2024
Low Blasphemy is a quick dark cult tale that will keep you wondering the entire time. With likable characters to carry you through a small town you'll feel for everyone. I listened to the audio book and not only was the production top notch but the narrator was amazing! She really brought it alive and also has such a calming voice but knew when to throw it into high gear to get you really into certain scenes. This one isn't as extreme as Judith's other books so just about everyone can get into this one. If you like small town horror, a mystery, and an interesting take on a cult then this one is for you! 10 out of 10!
September 28, 2022
Incredibly well written!
This book is really good! It does have adult content, but it also has a lot of amazing character development and a great story with gory bits that I loved! The first part really nailed the feelings of grief a child experiences at the loss of their mother and I cried because I lost my mom at the same age, though through different circumstances, the same feelings were there. Very well done. ♡
This book is really good! It does have adult content, but it also has a lot of amazing character development and a great story with gory bits that I loved! The first part really nailed the feelings of grief a child experiences at the loss of their mother and I cried because I lost my mom at the same age, though through different circumstances, the same feelings were there. Very well done. ♡
June 25, 2024
This is one of the longer Judith Sonnet books that I've read/listened to. It did not disappoint, but Judith Sonnet never does. The story, the twists and turns, and the remarkable Lila Kerry narrating made it🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈. My son even sat quietly, listening intently at the end. He usually tells me to turn off my weird books. He asked questions when it was over. That says a lot about this book because he is a video game and anime addict.
March 18, 2024
worthy of being a horror movie
Reading this masterpiece was like sitting in a dark theater with your fingers covering your eyes loosely. I love Ms. Sonnets art. That’s what this book and all her others have been to me. Extreme Art! Thank you again Judith. You never fail to enthrall me.
Reading this masterpiece was like sitting in a dark theater with your fingers covering your eyes loosely. I love Ms. Sonnets art. That’s what this book and all her others have been to me. Extreme Art! Thank you again Judith. You never fail to enthrall me.
November 23, 2025
Equal parts horror and fun, so this was definitely right up my street. When the Fallen One arrives in a small rush; nothing will ever be the same.
June 1, 2025
Judith Sonnet has never let me down. This was a gory reverse religious blood fest. I enjoyed the structure and the flow of the story, and of course, the violence🤣
February 16, 2024
Do you like a great main character? Religious horror and demonic possession. Then this book is for you, because we know that Judith knows how to write an epic story. Reece has not had the easiest life, we learn this from the very get-go. I mean the psychological fall out from her mother’s actions and the trauma of losing both parents. But to go through all this at five years old, it's an impressive testament to her as a character. Which means you love her even more as a main character, because she has basically matured very quickly and adjusted incredibly well after what happened. Even though it was only five years ago for her, the family dynamic she has with Hollie and Paisley gives her stability. Hollie loves the 10 year old like her own daughter and Paisley takes the role as the older sister. So when shit starts to build up with the symbols in the woods. You already have a connection with the characters involved, though we are talking about Judith. I always find it really easy to connect to her writing and her ability to develop a good character selection.
I loved the relationship between Malcolm and Hollie, it was so nice to see two people as just good friends. Nothing complicated, they just really respect and care about each other. I love the simplicity of this relationship and the fact that there is no romance involved. But these are complex and interesting characters, especially Hollie who is clearly still struggling with the guilt of not intervening when her sister was struggling in her marriage.
Judith sure knows how to amp up the tension in her books, straight after chapter 6 things hit hard. With horror aspects of gore and religious horror that feels almost Argento in the descriptions. So if you're heavily religious the depictions may cause some offence. But for me I always find the occult and demonic stories fascinating and this one was packed with action. This story twists the Bible on its head and brings forward a whole new style. With possession and supernatural goodness, mixed with amazing characters. As the town gets taken over by demons wearing the skins of loved ones. There are moments that will break you, because the characters leave such an impression on you. Then we have the badass that is Reece, who takes a messed up and horrifying situation and owns it like a boss. A thrilling and enticing read. That will leave you on the edge of your seat with all the horror and gore goodness. This is why I love Judith Sonnet!
I loved the relationship between Malcolm and Hollie, it was so nice to see two people as just good friends. Nothing complicated, they just really respect and care about each other. I love the simplicity of this relationship and the fact that there is no romance involved. But these are complex and interesting characters, especially Hollie who is clearly still struggling with the guilt of not intervening when her sister was struggling in her marriage.
Judith sure knows how to amp up the tension in her books, straight after chapter 6 things hit hard. With horror aspects of gore and religious horror that feels almost Argento in the descriptions. So if you're heavily religious the depictions may cause some offence. But for me I always find the occult and demonic stories fascinating and this one was packed with action. This story twists the Bible on its head and brings forward a whole new style. With possession and supernatural goodness, mixed with amazing characters. As the town gets taken over by demons wearing the skins of loved ones. There are moments that will break you, because the characters leave such an impression on you. Then we have the badass that is Reece, who takes a messed up and horrifying situation and owns it like a boss. A thrilling and enticing read. That will leave you on the edge of your seat with all the horror and gore goodness. This is why I love Judith Sonnet!
February 9, 2024
“Be my third mouth! Be my third mouth! AND SING MY PRAISES! SING OF LOW BLASPHEMY AND HIGH HORROR!
Demons, mutants, body horror, and blasphemy (depending on your point of view). Sonnet’s 2023 novel is fast paced, energetic and wildly inventive.
10-year-old Reece, having survived a tragedy that saw both her parents dead, now lives with her Aunt and cousin, and whilst they’ve done their best to protect her from the horrors in her past, parts of it linger. But all her old wounds are reopened when a depraved cult moves into the woods near their home. The worshippers of ‘The Fallen One’ are intent on rebuilding the world in his image by any means necessary. And as the world around them descends into bloodshed, Reece and her family are forced into a life and death struggle against a terrifying entity and his legion of violent, zombified congregants.
Sonnet has a fervent love of horror, which she wears adoringly on her sleeve. Throughout the book I caught a number of references to some classic horror films, and I greatly enjoyed the affectionate nod to the work of the late George Romero in the last act, although the antagonists here are far more dangerous.
Blistering, bloody and intense, it’s chaotic at times but it’s exhilarating. Every sequence builds on the intensity of the one before it, leading up to an apocalyptic conclusion that leaves you wondering if anything will ever really be ok for these characters again. How could it be, when they’ve witnessed actual Hell. And again, feel I should convey at least some casual words of caution for readers not familiar with the genre.
There are a couple of eye-watering moments so I do recommend that you check your trigger warnings before diving in. But if you enjoy extreme horror, especially with a supernatural seasoning, like I do, you’re going to love this!
Demons, mutants, body horror, and blasphemy (depending on your point of view). Sonnet’s 2023 novel is fast paced, energetic and wildly inventive.
10-year-old Reece, having survived a tragedy that saw both her parents dead, now lives with her Aunt and cousin, and whilst they’ve done their best to protect her from the horrors in her past, parts of it linger. But all her old wounds are reopened when a depraved cult moves into the woods near their home. The worshippers of ‘The Fallen One’ are intent on rebuilding the world in his image by any means necessary. And as the world around them descends into bloodshed, Reece and her family are forced into a life and death struggle against a terrifying entity and his legion of violent, zombified congregants.
Sonnet has a fervent love of horror, which she wears adoringly on her sleeve. Throughout the book I caught a number of references to some classic horror films, and I greatly enjoyed the affectionate nod to the work of the late George Romero in the last act, although the antagonists here are far more dangerous.
Blistering, bloody and intense, it’s chaotic at times but it’s exhilarating. Every sequence builds on the intensity of the one before it, leading up to an apocalyptic conclusion that leaves you wondering if anything will ever really be ok for these characters again. How could it be, when they’ve witnessed actual Hell. And again, feel I should convey at least some casual words of caution for readers not familiar with the genre.
There are a couple of eye-watering moments so I do recommend that you check your trigger warnings before diving in. But if you enjoy extreme horror, especially with a supernatural seasoning, like I do, you’re going to love this!
August 3, 2024
Bibliophilia Templum review
https://bibliophiliatemplum.wordpress.com/2024/08/03/low-blasphemy/
Low Blasphemy by Judith Sonnet is a dark and suspenseful extreme horror novel of a demonic cult and a young girl with an ominous past. Unlike some of Sonnet’s shorter, more extreme work, this one is built on intrigue as much as horror, and it’s done with brilliant results.
The book begins with a chilling prologue, and the story that follows is complex and compelling and full of tension and engaging characters. It’s dark and evocative and wrenching, but yes, there is graphic content and subject matter, there is gruesomeness, there are disturbing horrors and warped concepts.
And there’s a cult. And there’s a demon-god. And there’s mutations and mutilations and monsters and horrifying imagery! And these things are all integral parts of this disturbing tale.
Low Blasphemy is a story of both substance and atrocity, flowing with a pervasive dread that keeps you turning the page. A shelf-worthy, highly recommended read, but extreme horror fans only, please.
https://bibliophiliatemplum.wordpress.com/2024/08/03/low-blasphemy/
Low Blasphemy by Judith Sonnet is a dark and suspenseful extreme horror novel of a demonic cult and a young girl with an ominous past. Unlike some of Sonnet’s shorter, more extreme work, this one is built on intrigue as much as horror, and it’s done with brilliant results.
The book begins with a chilling prologue, and the story that follows is complex and compelling and full of tension and engaging characters. It’s dark and evocative and wrenching, but yes, there is graphic content and subject matter, there is gruesomeness, there are disturbing horrors and warped concepts.
And there’s a cult. And there’s a demon-god. And there’s mutations and mutilations and monsters and horrifying imagery! And these things are all integral parts of this disturbing tale.
Low Blasphemy is a story of both substance and atrocity, flowing with a pervasive dread that keeps you turning the page. A shelf-worthy, highly recommended read, but extreme horror fans only, please.
September 21, 2022
I finished Low Blasphemy by Judith Sonnet.
This book is all killer, no filler! I was immediately sucked into the story with it’s amazingly creepy opening.
The characters were amazing! They were so well developed that I could have just kept reading about their lives forever without any horror element. But this is a horror book, with a very strong horror element. When the shit hits the fan, it really hits the fan.
The villains are just as memorable and their method of operation is fantastic. I don’t want to spoil anything.
When a little girl’s parents die in a murder suicide, she is raised by her aunt. Just when she begins to settle into normalcy with her adoptive family, a cult with an unholy interest in her take up residence in the woods by her house.
Epic!!!
This book is all killer, no filler! I was immediately sucked into the story with it’s amazingly creepy opening.
The characters were amazing! They were so well developed that I could have just kept reading about their lives forever without any horror element. But this is a horror book, with a very strong horror element. When the shit hits the fan, it really hits the fan.
The villains are just as memorable and their method of operation is fantastic. I don’t want to spoil anything.
When a little girl’s parents die in a murder suicide, she is raised by her aunt. Just when she begins to settle into normalcy with her adoptive family, a cult with an unholy interest in her take up residence in the woods by her house.
Epic!!!
February 8, 2024
Fun Blasphemy
This one takes Sonnet’s usual blood and guts approach and applies it to religion, cults, and demons. If I was religious in any sense I’d be deeply offended but thankfully I’m not and this was a fun and dark read!
This one takes Sonnet’s usual blood and guts approach and applies it to religion, cults, and demons. If I was religious in any sense I’d be deeply offended but thankfully I’m not and this was a fun and dark read!
January 27, 2024
Finished another great read by the talented author Judith Sonnet. This book is similar combination of the Exorcist and the Walking Dead.
May 9, 2024
The only part of this book that disappointed me was the fsct that it ended. I wanted more of the story more of the... well. Just more haha. Such a fantastic book.
March 5, 2023
I've been enjoying Judith Sonnet's writing over the past year. They are generally quick (both in reading time and in plot speed) and fearless in their description of scenarios that hit that sweet spot between horrifying and darkly humorous. So, I was looking forward to this book with a slight caveat - while it's not a "long" book by any stretch, it is pretty lengthy compared to the other works of Judith Sonnet that I have read. Will the extra length wear down the recipe that they have been perfecting over the years?
Well, turns out there's nothing to worry about there. The book does take longer to introduce characters and set up relationships than the other books of theirs that I have read. However that helps payoff the second half where the book starts moving at a breakneck pace. We follow Reece, a child who - as a toddler - is a witness to tragedy. She ends up moving in with an Aunt and now considers her to be a mother figure. But the tragedy is never far from her mind (or her Aunt's).
Now a few years later, there are some very strange things happening around town. Creepy sigils are being carved into trees. Tales of a group of people living in the woods are being discussed in hushed tones. What could they want? And now a storm has come through that is stronger than anything that the town's inhabitants can recall in recent history.
The build up progresses nicely and we can see that something is going to snap - and snap it does. There's no turning back once the plan is put into motion and this could be the end of the world as we know it.
I don't know Judith Sonnet's religious beliefs. However there's a strong feeling that this was written by someone who, while maybe not a religious person currently, was raised with a Christian outlook throughout their childhood which has imprinted a fear of Hell/Demons/Possession/Damnation that still cannot be fully overcome - even when they don't believe in it anymore. My childhood, being raised Catholic, now atheist, has certainly molded me this way. Without trying to spoil anything, I'd suggest this very strongly to anyone who liked John Carpenter's Prince of Darkness, which is the closest comparison I can think of. Anyone else who still feels uncomfortable with these topics will certainly enjoy the horror to be found in this book.
So, curl up with a good book and have a Hell of a time.
Well, turns out there's nothing to worry about there. The book does take longer to introduce characters and set up relationships than the other books of theirs that I have read. However that helps payoff the second half where the book starts moving at a breakneck pace. We follow Reece, a child who - as a toddler - is a witness to tragedy. She ends up moving in with an Aunt and now considers her to be a mother figure. But the tragedy is never far from her mind (or her Aunt's).
Now a few years later, there are some very strange things happening around town. Creepy sigils are being carved into trees. Tales of a group of people living in the woods are being discussed in hushed tones. What could they want? And now a storm has come through that is stronger than anything that the town's inhabitants can recall in recent history.
The build up progresses nicely and we can see that something is going to snap - and snap it does. There's no turning back once the plan is put into motion and this could be the end of the world as we know it.
I don't know Judith Sonnet's religious beliefs. However there's a strong feeling that this was written by someone who, while maybe not a religious person currently, was raised with a Christian outlook throughout their childhood which has imprinted a fear of Hell/Demons/Possession/Damnation that still cannot be fully overcome - even when they don't believe in it anymore. My childhood, being raised Catholic, now atheist, has certainly molded me this way. Without trying to spoil anything, I'd suggest this very strongly to anyone who liked John Carpenter's Prince of Darkness, which is the closest comparison I can think of. Anyone else who still feels uncomfortable with these topics will certainly enjoy the horror to be found in this book.
So, curl up with a good book and have a Hell of a time.
January 12, 2023
Judith Sonnet's Low Blasphemy (2022) is an entertaining and engaging novel. Extreme horror fans will enjoy the gore and shocking moments.
The purpose of horror is to make the reader uncomfortable. And this is where Judith Sonnet thrives. Low Blasphemy has a strong body-horror focus, especially during the final third. There are graphic descriptions of gnarly bodies and a heavy emphasis on the destruction of the human body. Each word chosen intends to evoke discomfort and repulsion. The horror begins subtly in the early chapters, becoming more prevalent as the narrative reaches the climax. By slowly introducing horror throughout the story, Sonnet draws the reader into the story and builds anticipation.
Low Blasphemy also differs from Sonnet's previous work in its pacing and thematic approach to the story. Sonnet prioritizes setting and characterization over action. Most of the novel explores the connections and motivations of the characters. Violence, when it occurs, is unrestrained and often unexpected. Several of the book's moments might affront and upset, a common characteristic of Sonnet's writing and extreme horror. Some might consider the novel tasteless, but the depravity supports the narrative's critique of religion and mob mentality.
Judith Sonnet is a talented author known for her dark, grotesque, and often shocking stories. Like Sonnet's other work, Low Blasphemy tackles taboo subjects. Overall, the novel is a decent extreme horror text and solidifies Sonnet's place as an upcoming horror writer. Judith Sonnet writes effectively, creating memorable stories, and is a figure to watch in the extreme horror and Splatterpunk genres.
The purpose of horror is to make the reader uncomfortable. And this is where Judith Sonnet thrives. Low Blasphemy has a strong body-horror focus, especially during the final third. There are graphic descriptions of gnarly bodies and a heavy emphasis on the destruction of the human body. Each word chosen intends to evoke discomfort and repulsion. The horror begins subtly in the early chapters, becoming more prevalent as the narrative reaches the climax. By slowly introducing horror throughout the story, Sonnet draws the reader into the story and builds anticipation.
Low Blasphemy also differs from Sonnet's previous work in its pacing and thematic approach to the story. Sonnet prioritizes setting and characterization over action. Most of the novel explores the connections and motivations of the characters. Violence, when it occurs, is unrestrained and often unexpected. Several of the book's moments might affront and upset, a common characteristic of Sonnet's writing and extreme horror. Some might consider the novel tasteless, but the depravity supports the narrative's critique of religion and mob mentality.
Judith Sonnet is a talented author known for her dark, grotesque, and often shocking stories. Like Sonnet's other work, Low Blasphemy tackles taboo subjects. Overall, the novel is a decent extreme horror text and solidifies Sonnet's place as an upcoming horror writer. Judith Sonnet writes effectively, creating memorable stories, and is a figure to watch in the extreme horror and Splatterpunk genres.
July 9, 2024
[This review was based on the Madness Heart Press reprint with cover art by the incredible Luke Spooner (Carrion House).]
Low Blasphemy is a novel of feverish, incredible violence and depictions of foulness that casual readers may find repugnant. It's dark, bleak and it's a solid narrative that revels in its influences while maintaining its own identity. Grab it now!
In this novel, we follow Reece. From a young age, Reece's life was hurtling towards the abyss. Her mother brutally murdered her father and then savagely immolated herself, which forces Reece to be moved in with her aunt and cousin (who have adopted her as daughter and sister, respectively). A few years later, Reece's past comes back to hunt her down. A cult who worships an entity called The Fallen One crawls out of the woodwork and begins terrorizing the town, all in the name of bringing their deity to full power. They achieve this by poisoning their victims with blood contaminated by the Fallen One's DNA. Will Reece and her family be able to stop the Fallen One's decrepit disciples or shall the horror hoist itself into a hellish heaven of its own devising?
This novel wears a burlap sack made of Judith Sonnet's influences around its mangled, gnarled cranium. Bentley Little and Jack Ketchum are the hemp and nylon tying the fabric of Richard Laymon together around the beast's head. Fortunately for us, the beast can breathe just fine through the mask and wreak havoc without being suffocated by its ancestral scripts. This was a fresh spin on the classic cult horror, fallen-angel antagonist and zombie tropes.
I'm giving this monstrosity a much deserved ☠️x5!
Low Blasphemy is a novel of feverish, incredible violence and depictions of foulness that casual readers may find repugnant. It's dark, bleak and it's a solid narrative that revels in its influences while maintaining its own identity. Grab it now!
In this novel, we follow Reece. From a young age, Reece's life was hurtling towards the abyss. Her mother brutally murdered her father and then savagely immolated herself, which forces Reece to be moved in with her aunt and cousin (who have adopted her as daughter and sister, respectively). A few years later, Reece's past comes back to hunt her down. A cult who worships an entity called The Fallen One crawls out of the woodwork and begins terrorizing the town, all in the name of bringing their deity to full power. They achieve this by poisoning their victims with blood contaminated by the Fallen One's DNA. Will Reece and her family be able to stop the Fallen One's decrepit disciples or shall the horror hoist itself into a hellish heaven of its own devising?
This novel wears a burlap sack made of Judith Sonnet's influences around its mangled, gnarled cranium. Bentley Little and Jack Ketchum are the hemp and nylon tying the fabric of Richard Laymon together around the beast's head. Fortunately for us, the beast can breathe just fine through the mask and wreak havoc without being suffocated by its ancestral scripts. This was a fresh spin on the classic cult horror, fallen-angel antagonist and zombie tropes.
I'm giving this monstrosity a much deserved ☠️x5!
August 4, 2025
A really solid little horror novel. This was my first Judith Sonnet book, and I'm very excited to check out more of her work. Judith describes this book as being part Evil Dead, part Hereditary. I can see the most influence from the Evil Dead, though the themes of Hereditary are also here too (sins of the mother in this case, and satanic cults).
Reese's mother killed her father before she killed herself when Reese was only five years old. She's ten now, and living with her aunt Hollie's family in a very small town in Missouri. It's a quaint but very wholesome environment. But there's a satanic cult living in the woods, and they're connected to Reese's mother. Their goal, "convert" everyone in town and take Reese with them.
I knew of Judith Sonnet as I've been slowly introducing myself to more extreme horror and have heard her name thrown around in those circles. I was expecting very extreme content, which usually doesn't bother me and it did deliver on that front. What I didn't expect was for the characters to be extremely likeable and relatable. Judith builds these characters you can picture and feel as if they're real people, just before putting them through some truly horrific events. I did find myself scared for the characters, which doesn't happen for me in most of the extreme horror books I've read thus far. I almost didn't want to continue once I could tell the the final act was about to begin, because I knew that all of these characters weren't going to survive until the end.
If you're a fan of the Evil Dead, cult horror, religious horror, and want a book where you can actually care about the characters, this one is a great choice.
Reese's mother killed her father before she killed herself when Reese was only five years old. She's ten now, and living with her aunt Hollie's family in a very small town in Missouri. It's a quaint but very wholesome environment. But there's a satanic cult living in the woods, and they're connected to Reese's mother. Their goal, "convert" everyone in town and take Reese with them.
I knew of Judith Sonnet as I've been slowly introducing myself to more extreme horror and have heard her name thrown around in those circles. I was expecting very extreme content, which usually doesn't bother me and it did deliver on that front. What I didn't expect was for the characters to be extremely likeable and relatable. Judith builds these characters you can picture and feel as if they're real people, just before putting them through some truly horrific events. I did find myself scared for the characters, which doesn't happen for me in most of the extreme horror books I've read thus far. I almost didn't want to continue once I could tell the the final act was about to begin, because I knew that all of these characters weren't going to survive until the end.
If you're a fan of the Evil Dead, cult horror, religious horror, and want a book where you can actually care about the characters, this one is a great choice.
February 2, 2025
Judith Sonnet is one of my favorite authors in the extreme horror/splatterpunk subgenres. Low Blasphemy has been a book I've been looking forward to for a long time now.
Something evil is on its way to the small town of Kissing-Brooke, Missouri and nothing can stand in its way. Reece Karkoff's life has always been a tragic one; when she was five, her mother murdered her father and nobody knows why, least of all Reece herself, she's always wondered, but to everyone around her it just seems like mother went insane. Now she's adopted and living with her lovely aunt and cousin, who she now considers being her actual mother and sister. A cult that looks up to a false god in its way to Kissing-Brooke and with them they bring chaos and carnage. It's time for Reece to find out what happened when she was 5 years old.
Judith Sonnet has written an incredible small town horror story that is equally horrific as it is heartbreaking. This story further criticizes religion and its susceptibility to distortion by cruel individuals seeking to form cults. The villain of this story is absolutely terrifying and what he does to his victims is very unsettling and tragic. There's a great cast of characters in this story. The heroes of our tale are all very likable and enduring, so when they end up getting killed off, it breaks your heart, especially when you consider everything our main protagonist has already been through.
Overall: Its an incredible story that's really well-written and put-together. It's a heartbreaking read with some really horrifying and disturbing imagery. 10/10
Something evil is on its way to the small town of Kissing-Brooke, Missouri and nothing can stand in its way. Reece Karkoff's life has always been a tragic one; when she was five, her mother murdered her father and nobody knows why, least of all Reece herself, she's always wondered, but to everyone around her it just seems like mother went insane. Now she's adopted and living with her lovely aunt and cousin, who she now considers being her actual mother and sister. A cult that looks up to a false god in its way to Kissing-Brooke and with them they bring chaos and carnage. It's time for Reece to find out what happened when she was 5 years old.
Judith Sonnet has written an incredible small town horror story that is equally horrific as it is heartbreaking. This story further criticizes religion and its susceptibility to distortion by cruel individuals seeking to form cults. The villain of this story is absolutely terrifying and what he does to his victims is very unsettling and tragic. There's a great cast of characters in this story. The heroes of our tale are all very likable and enduring, so when they end up getting killed off, it breaks your heart, especially when you consider everything our main protagonist has already been through.
Overall: Its an incredible story that's really well-written and put-together. It's a heartbreaking read with some really horrifying and disturbing imagery. 10/10
September 7, 2024
Well this was a wild ride...
This one started off with a bang. I didn't really know which direction this story was going to go in the beginning. And boy was I pleasantly surprised.
I'm a huge fan of small town/cult horror, and this delivered. I feel like I went through all of the emotions in this story, the gore was definitely gory and I grew attached to the characters as if they were my own family.
The thing I LOVE about Judith's stories is how she makes you truly feel for her characters. It could be a 90 page novella or a full length novel and I guarantee that I will end up connecting with anyone she writes.
From the beginning I was rooting for Reece, Paisley and Hollie. I can only imagine how much strength it takes to take on not only a 5 year old orphan, but a very traumatized 5 year old orphan.
My favorite character was definitely Keegan. They stood by their friends through thick and thing. One would expect them to run when shit hit the fan, but they did not and that really spoke wonders for their character.
Overall I really really enjoyed this one, and so far it's my favorite of Sonnets work!
I can't wait to get to more!
4.5⭐️
This one started off with a bang. I didn't really know which direction this story was going to go in the beginning. And boy was I pleasantly surprised.
I'm a huge fan of small town/cult horror, and this delivered. I feel like I went through all of the emotions in this story, the gore was definitely gory and I grew attached to the characters as if they were my own family.
The thing I LOVE about Judith's stories is how she makes you truly feel for her characters. It could be a 90 page novella or a full length novel and I guarantee that I will end up connecting with anyone she writes.
From the beginning I was rooting for Reece, Paisley and Hollie. I can only imagine how much strength it takes to take on not only a 5 year old orphan, but a very traumatized 5 year old orphan.
My favorite character was definitely Keegan. They stood by their friends through thick and thing. One would expect them to run when shit hit the fan, but they did not and that really spoke wonders for their character.
Overall I really really enjoyed this one, and so far it's my favorite of Sonnets work!
I can't wait to get to more!
4.5⭐️
June 20, 2024
Pretty sure I have found the mythological horror novel I've been looking for all my life. The one that takes the bat-shit, schlocky zaniness of pulpy paperback originals and jolts it with a sense of heart and amazement like the sweeping epics from the likes of McCammon and Tryon. The characters don't just feel like fodder, they feel alive and real, and every death you come across is heartbreaking and world-shattering.
This is the type of story I look for when I go hunting for horror novels. An intriguing mix of The Body by Stephen King mixed with The Nursery by William W. Johnstone, if I can make an analogy. (And I only make this analogy because words escape me right now at how brilliantly crafted this story is.)
I feel the Evil Dead influence, but I was so happy to discover it wasn't like a rip-off, and these horrors are their own machine of evil. Brutal, heartless, and with a sole purpose.
Judith Sonnet, you had my curiosity, now you have my attention! If you can stomach the gore, look for this one to read, you will not regret it in the least bit!
This is the type of story I look for when I go hunting for horror novels. An intriguing mix of The Body by Stephen King mixed with The Nursery by William W. Johnstone, if I can make an analogy. (And I only make this analogy because words escape me right now at how brilliantly crafted this story is.)
I feel the Evil Dead influence, but I was so happy to discover it wasn't like a rip-off, and these horrors are their own machine of evil. Brutal, heartless, and with a sole purpose.
Judith Sonnet, you had my curiosity, now you have my attention! If you can stomach the gore, look for this one to read, you will not regret it in the least bit!
October 10, 2022
Poor Reese grows up with the memory of what her mother did. But she found a good home with her auntie and her cousin. But then something starts to be seen in the woods near their house and they are not sure what it is.
The gore in this story at some points really took my breath away. The very specific detail of it was mind blowing.
Towards the end of this book I found myself yelling at what was happening the same way you would a movie and not only that but this is the first time I have experienced a jump scare in a book and if you read it you will know which part I mean.
This story kept me gripped right to the very end and the gore needs to be mentioned again. It was just so inventive and so intense. I have yet to be even slightly disappointed by this author and don’t think I ever will be.
The gore in this story at some points really took my breath away. The very specific detail of it was mind blowing.
Towards the end of this book I found myself yelling at what was happening the same way you would a movie and not only that but this is the first time I have experienced a jump scare in a book and if you read it you will know which part I mean.
This story kept me gripped right to the very end and the gore needs to be mentioned again. It was just so inventive and so intense. I have yet to be even slightly disappointed by this author and don’t think I ever will be.
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