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Dead River Series #2
Offspring
The local sheriff of Dead River, Maine, thought he had killed them off ten years ago —a primitive, cave-dwelling tribe of cannibalistic savages. But somehow the clan survived. To breed. To hunt. To kill and eat. And now the peaceful residents of this isolated town are fighting for their lives.
293 pages, Paperback
First published November 15, 1991
470 people are currently reading
4676 people want to read
About the author
Jack Ketchum
201 books2,993 followersDallas William Mayr, better known by his pen name Jack Ketchum, was an American horror fiction author. He was the recipient of four Bram Stoker Awards and three further nominations. His novels included Off Season, Offspring, and Red, which were adapted to film. In 2011, Ketchum received the World Horror Convention Grand Master Award for outstanding contribution to the horror genre.
A onetime actor, teacher, literary agent, lumber salesman, and soda jerk, Ketchum credited his childhood love of Elvis Presley, dinosaurs, and horror for getting him through his formative years. He began making up stories at a young age and explained that he spent much time in his room, or in the woods near his house, down by the brook: "[m]y interests [were] books, comics, movies, rock 'n roll, show tunes, TV, dinosaurs [...] pretty much any activity that didn't demand too much socializing, or where I could easily walk away from socializing." He would make up stories using his plastic soldiers, knights, and dinosaurs as the characters.
Later, in his teen years, Ketchum was befriended by Robert Bloch, author of Psycho, who became his mentor.
Ketchum worked many different jobs before completing his first novel (1980's controversial Off Season), including acting as agent for novelist Henry Miller at Scott Meredith Literary Agency.
His decision to eventually concentrate on novel writing was partly fueled by a preference for work that offered stability and longevity.
Ketchum died of cancer on January 24, 2018, in New York City at the age of 71.
A onetime actor, teacher, literary agent, lumber salesman, and soda jerk, Ketchum credited his childhood love of Elvis Presley, dinosaurs, and horror for getting him through his formative years. He began making up stories at a young age and explained that he spent much time in his room, or in the woods near his house, down by the brook: "[m]y interests [were] books, comics, movies, rock 'n roll, show tunes, TV, dinosaurs [...] pretty much any activity that didn't demand too much socializing, or where I could easily walk away from socializing." He would make up stories using his plastic soldiers, knights, and dinosaurs as the characters.
Later, in his teen years, Ketchum was befriended by Robert Bloch, author of Psycho, who became his mentor.
Ketchum worked many different jobs before completing his first novel (1980's controversial Off Season), including acting as agent for novelist Henry Miller at Scott Meredith Literary Agency.
His decision to eventually concentrate on novel writing was partly fueled by a preference for work that offered stability and longevity.
Ketchum died of cancer on January 24, 2018, in New York City at the age of 71.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 417 reviews
November 27, 2019
Well, SHIT, yeah!!
This is the follow up to the book OFF SEASON and it was written about 11 years after the first one.
I read said book last year and thought it was utterly brilliant.
Dead River has almost put the massacre of more than a decade ago behind them. George Peters retired as Sheriff after that night. Now a widower, he is still haunted by nightmares of everything he had witnessed and done himself - you can never find peace if you keep blaming yourself.
But, when the new Sheriff knocks on his door at 3:36 AM, he knows it is going to be bad.
He was sure they had wiped out the tribe of primitive savages.
He was wrong.
The killing has started again, and he must ask himself only one thing:
Does he have enough sense to stay the hell away from it this time.
This story starts off with a bang. If you don't know Ketchum's work, I think he was the first fearless horror writer. He doesn't sugarcoat it, or soften it, or even generalize it. He tells it exactly like this story was meant to be told.
So, there is death in the first chapter. Ugly, savage, brutal death.
The Family is back again - and they are on the hunt.
Why? That's easy to answer - food. They are cannibals and they know nothing besides breeding, hunting, killing and eating.
They even hold a man captive, the one they call Cow, who is used for procreation and torture only.
What makes this book so scary - and scary it is my friends: I was tense for the last three quarters of the book. It never lets up! - is the idea that you have these (hunters) killers who see humans as nothing other than food. You can't bargain with them, much like a carrot can't bargain with you to rather eat the peas. If there is no reason for them NOT to kill you, what hope do you have left?
Ketchum was a master - I couldn't care less about what his critics had to say. He takes me on that ride, the one every reader wishes for every time a book is opened, and he spat me out at the end, exhausted but totally satisfied with the experience. Yes, it is cruel and gory, but he manages to make it all so very REAL.
Horror fans - true horror fans, the ones who wants to be scared - read this book. For me it was right up there with the original.
This is the follow up to the book OFF SEASON and it was written about 11 years after the first one.
I read said book last year and thought it was utterly brilliant.
Dead River has almost put the massacre of more than a decade ago behind them. George Peters retired as Sheriff after that night. Now a widower, he is still haunted by nightmares of everything he had witnessed and done himself - you can never find peace if you keep blaming yourself.
But, when the new Sheriff knocks on his door at 3:36 AM, he knows it is going to be bad.
He was sure they had wiped out the tribe of primitive savages.
He was wrong.
The killing has started again, and he must ask himself only one thing:
Does he have enough sense to stay the hell away from it this time.
This story starts off with a bang. If you don't know Ketchum's work, I think he was the first fearless horror writer. He doesn't sugarcoat it, or soften it, or even generalize it. He tells it exactly like this story was meant to be told.
So, there is death in the first chapter. Ugly, savage, brutal death.
The Family is back again - and they are on the hunt.
Why? That's easy to answer - food. They are cannibals and they know nothing besides breeding, hunting, killing and eating.
They even hold a man captive, the one they call Cow, who is used for procreation and torture only.
What makes this book so scary - and scary it is my friends: I was tense for the last three quarters of the book. It never lets up! - is the idea that you have these (hunters) killers who see humans as nothing other than food. You can't bargain with them, much like a carrot can't bargain with you to rather eat the peas. If there is no reason for them NOT to kill you, what hope do you have left?
Ketchum was a master - I couldn't care less about what his critics had to say. He takes me on that ride, the one every reader wishes for every time a book is opened, and he spat me out at the end, exhausted but totally satisfied with the experience. Yes, it is cruel and gory, but he manages to make it all so very REAL.
Horror fans - true horror fans, the ones who wants to be scared - read this book. For me it was right up there with the original.
January 25, 2025
There are some sequels that are bangers! Christie’s Murder on the Links, Sanderson’s Words of Radiance, and Dahl’s Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator, to name a few. I wouldn’t say Offspring is as good as any of the aforementioned in terms of storytelling or tact, but what it does get right, perhaps better than any other I have read before, is it gives a pulsing heart to the savages that rain down terror in the charming Dead River area.
If you’ve read the synopsis of Offspring, JK’s sequel to Off-season, you’ll probably notice it sounds pretty similar, and it is. It’s ten years later; there are new victims, plenty of fluids that rhyme with flood are spilled, and you can almost hear Hammer Smashed Face playing as a lullaby for the cave dwellers.
There is beauty in the macabre. One only has to look at some of the later works of Goya to feel an unsettling jolt or fall back on tried and true literary masters such as Poe. JK uses similar sensibilities to add such a grand voice to the savages in this book. I wouldn’t say you get attached to them, but you understand their way of life, the demented camaraderie they share, and a common belief system within the pact. It’s a welcoming addition to a story that would otherwise just be your average splatterific story. I guess I’m making up words now. 😆
There is also an interesting dichotomy here. On one hand, I believe any horror hound would most certainly eat this up (no pun intended), but on the other, I feel like the perverseness of the content might turn off a large majority of readers from the first few paragraphs. If you stick with it, and get to the meat and potatoes of the story, it is very well written indeed.
It’s a rough read any way you try to spin it. Harsh, even. A buffet I would never return to, but surprised at how exploratory the literary offerings were.
4/5
If you’ve read the synopsis of Offspring, JK’s sequel to Off-season, you’ll probably notice it sounds pretty similar, and it is. It’s ten years later; there are new victims, plenty of fluids that rhyme with flood are spilled, and you can almost hear Hammer Smashed Face playing as a lullaby for the cave dwellers.
There is beauty in the macabre. One only has to look at some of the later works of Goya to feel an unsettling jolt or fall back on tried and true literary masters such as Poe. JK uses similar sensibilities to add such a grand voice to the savages in this book. I wouldn’t say you get attached to them, but you understand their way of life, the demented camaraderie they share, and a common belief system within the pact. It’s a welcoming addition to a story that would otherwise just be your average splatterific story. I guess I’m making up words now. 😆
There is also an interesting dichotomy here. On one hand, I believe any horror hound would most certainly eat this up (no pun intended), but on the other, I feel like the perverseness of the content might turn off a large majority of readers from the first few paragraphs. If you stick with it, and get to the meat and potatoes of the story, it is very well written indeed.
It’s a rough read any way you try to spin it. Harsh, even. A buffet I would never return to, but surprised at how exploratory the literary offerings were.
4/5
April 4, 2022
"“Ketchum has become a kind of hero to those of us who write tales of terror and suspense. He is, quite simply, one of the best in the business.”—Stephen King"
⭐⭐⭐1/2
Initial Thoughts
Offspring, the sequel to Jack Ketchum's horrific but unforgettable debut novel Off Season. I read the original about fifteen years ago when I wasn't an avid reader and was just after as much extreme horror as I could get my hands on. Yes I was young and impressionable but that novel gave me everything I was looking for and then some.
Offspring takes place ten years after the events of Off-season, where a group of friends on a weekend break in the country were set upon by a family of sadistic cannibals. The bunch in Hills Have Eyes had nothing on these guys. The last half of that book was a brutal attack on my senses and stomach and some of the most unrelenting and brutal horror I've come across. But how would the sequel measure up? I went into this one expecting maximum violence.
The Story
Offspring has a pretty much identical set up to the first book. The first half establishes a set of core characters in the town of Dead River, Maine, who are then terrorised in the remainder of the story by those nasty cannibals. But this one had a number of differences that kept things fresh enough to still be an enjoyable read.
"He was terrified of the man. The man was horrible. Worse than Jason, worse than Freddy Krueger—worse than anybody."
The remaining character from the original, Sheriff George Peters, believed that he and other cops had wiped out the full tribe and are unaware of one remaining girl who escaped. Having spent a decade rebuilding her clan, she's now ready to release them on the unsuspecting town to brutal effect. Events start with one unlucky household coming under attack and it's a battle to see if they can survive the night and see who gets out alive...maybe missing a few limbs in the process. A cannibal has to eat.
The Writing
This is a proper pulp horror book that's definitely a step up from the likes of Richard Laymon. If you want to know why I keep bashing on Laymon just check out one of the guys stories. Ketchum has a very natural tone that has you immersed in the story utilising great pacing. His prose are very matter of fact and cruel. Whereas other authors go over the top and make it come across as fake or silly (cough Laymon), his is very realistic and often scary.
Ketchum spends the first half setting up the book with some decent character work and identifying sub plots before the brown stuff hits the fan and things go absolutely bonkers in the second half. It's a good formula and makes things very tense and exciting as the story progresses.
Word of warning, he does tone the gore down from the first book and it is noticeable. Comparing it to standard, generic horror this is very violent and brutal. But it's just not as frequent as in Offseason. It did leave me wanting a little bit more in terms of carnage.
The Characters
After reading Ketchum's The Girl Next Door, I know this man can write characters. He's certainly not on a Stephen King level, but who is. But he can create believable and relatable characters. But those in Offspring while being good enough to service the plot are not going to blow you away.
The author employs multiple viewpoints in this one and it worked really well. It allows us to get a much fuller, richer story than if he stuck to one character and helps ramp up the pace and excitement. It did mean we do not get as much character development from a central character however.
As I've already stated, we have the one returning character from Offseason in retired ageing ex-sheriff Peters. Recruited by the Dead River PD he's struggling to keep up with the carnage and haunted by the past. He's the only one who has a clue what's going down and a likeable character.
But onto the really good stuff. In this one Ketchum gives us chapters from the cannibals' perspectives. He's not trying to create sympathy here, which would have ruined the story in my opinion, but does it to give us real insight and develop individual personalities. We learn aspect of their closed off society and what comes across as a religion. I found this fascinating.
Final Thoughts
At first I was worried by how similar this one was to my previous experience with the Dead River cannibal association. But as I got stuck into it, like a succulent piece of prime human rib, I discovered a number of key differences. Differences that make this one worth checking out if you're a fan of extreme horror. However, if you're after something drastically different you will be disappointed.
"His eyes were thin narrow slits. They glittered in the moonlight. Behind them, in pain, hid the wolf. She would draw the wolf out, snapping."
So is this better than the first installment? To be honest I have to say that where the writing is slightly improved in this one, I preferred the pure nihilism and brutality of Off Season. Sick of me to say, but I wanted more violence. For that reason it's a 3.5 stars from me. Good, but better examples of Mr Ketchum's work out there. Thanks for reading. Cheers!
October 19, 2020
After being terrified by the first book to the point where I was mortified by certain scenes that stuck with me for months, I didn’t find the follow-up to be as frightening. There were still a lot of horrific moments, but I don’t know if it’s because the first book was so crazy that this one seemed relatively tame in comparison. I liked the development of the Woman, and how she grew from the first book, but I don’t think the author took as many risks with the characters like he did in the first. Or maybe I’m just desensitised after the sheer horror and gore of the first one.
June 9, 2024
It was good to give pain and good to receive pain because that was what life was,
I liked this book, not loved but liked. Offspring does not hold the same fear, depravity or carnage as the first book. Yet, it still stands as one of the most disturbing things I've ever read-so far.
I liked the characters in this one a bit more than the ones in the first. The inclusion of a sociopath along with this feral family, took the book to another level.
The book carries a weight of fear and something truly unsettling. When you really take in just how depraved and evil this clan is, showing no mercy and choosing to inflict maximum amounts of pain, it just sends shivers down your spine.
Ketchum doesn't just write the story, he pulls you into it too. Placing you front and center amongst all the bloody violence.
You want to look away but you can't, you know you shouldn't be enjoying this but you do. It was another wild, though not as thrilling ride. However, I am still completely invested in this series.
I liked this book, not loved but liked. Offspring does not hold the same fear, depravity or carnage as the first book. Yet, it still stands as one of the most disturbing things I've ever read-so far.
I liked the characters in this one a bit more than the ones in the first. The inclusion of a sociopath along with this feral family, took the book to another level.
The book carries a weight of fear and something truly unsettling. When you really take in just how depraved and evil this clan is, showing no mercy and choosing to inflict maximum amounts of pain, it just sends shivers down your spine.
Ketchum doesn't just write the story, he pulls you into it too. Placing you front and center amongst all the bloody violence.
You want to look away but you can't, you know you shouldn't be enjoying this but you do. It was another wild, though not as thrilling ride. However, I am still completely invested in this series.
September 16, 2016
I listened to this one on audio and it was f*cking great. Jack Ketchum is a twisted dude. And a hell of a writer to pull off these brutal tales with such skill. Or maybe I am just as twisted as he is for liking them so much.
It has been 11 years since the Sheriff had wiped out the family of cannibals that terrorized the small town of Dead River, Maine in “Off Season”.
Guess he missed some.
Crap.
Now, the Family is back for more bloody, flesh eating mayhem.
Let the feast commence!
I liked everything about this one. Even more so than the first. I don’t know if it was because I listened to it on audio, or was just in the mood for something a wee violent, but this one really gelled for me right of the bat. The narration was spot on and the story moved along at a quick pace. Very well done all the way around.
When Ketchum is on his game there are few that can rival his brand of sphincter puckering horror. 4.5 Stars and Highly Recommended!
It has been 11 years since the Sheriff had wiped out the family of cannibals that terrorized the small town of Dead River, Maine in “Off Season”.
Guess he missed some.
Crap.
Now, the Family is back for more bloody, flesh eating mayhem.
Let the feast commence!
I liked everything about this one. Even more so than the first. I don’t know if it was because I listened to it on audio, or was just in the mood for something a wee violent, but this one really gelled for me right of the bat. The narration was spot on and the story moved along at a quick pace. Very well done all the way around.
When Ketchum is on his game there are few that can rival his brand of sphincter puckering horror. 4.5 Stars and Highly Recommended!
October 18, 2021
Una testata sul naso fa meno male...
Peccato per la traduzione che rende la lettura un po' macchinosa, altrimenti sarebbero state 5 stelle piene.
Peccato per la traduzione che rende la lettura un po' macchinosa, altrimenti sarebbero state 5 stelle piene.
December 4, 2013
Four and a half stars. Almost as good as the original.
I am always leery of sequels. There seems to be two types of sequel writers. Those who are in it for the money. "Shake that moneymaker! Keep them wanting more". Then there is the reluctant writer who is nagged by his publisher to write a sequel to his best selling novel. "OK! OK! just leave me alone. I'll write a sequel then complain to the press that I never wanted to do it".
Then there is the rare writer who goes back to his novel because he legitimately has something more to say. Of course I can never be sure, but Ketchum's Offspring, a sequel to his ground breaking horror novel, Off Season seems to be that type of novel. He starts it 14 years later. The now retired alcoholic sheriff is brought into a murder that copies those by the strange cannibal family from the first novel. They were thought to be killed off but that would have been too simple. Right?.
There is the expected blood and gore. No one writes heart-pounding action like Ketchum. Yet he spends more time fleshing out his characters in this one; both the villagers and the cannibals. It is a worthy successor to Off Season. Should give it five stars but it is a sequel.
I am always leery of sequels. There seems to be two types of sequel writers. Those who are in it for the money. "Shake that moneymaker! Keep them wanting more". Then there is the reluctant writer who is nagged by his publisher to write a sequel to his best selling novel. "OK! OK! just leave me alone. I'll write a sequel then complain to the press that I never wanted to do it".
Then there is the rare writer who goes back to his novel because he legitimately has something more to say. Of course I can never be sure, but Ketchum's Offspring, a sequel to his ground breaking horror novel, Off Season seems to be that type of novel. He starts it 14 years later. The now retired alcoholic sheriff is brought into a murder that copies those by the strange cannibal family from the first novel. They were thought to be killed off but that would have been too simple. Right?.
There is the expected blood and gore. No one writes heart-pounding action like Ketchum. Yet he spends more time fleshing out his characters in this one; both the villagers and the cannibals. It is a worthy successor to Off Season. Should give it five stars but it is a sequel.
January 26, 2019
You kind of have to take Stephen King endorsements with a grain of salt; but when he says, "Who's the scariest guy in America? Probably Jack Ketchum.", he is spot on. No other author has had the ability to get under my skin quite like Ketchum. This book is a prime example. It's both brutal and brilliant. If you like horror which makes you feel uneasy, this story is your Disneyland. RIP Jack Ketchum.
February 13, 2024
Offspring is the 'sequel' to Jack Ketchum's first book, Off Season. The surviving Woman from the first book and her new family come back 11 years later to wreak havoc (again).
Offspring is shocking, gory, hits dozens of trigger warnings and functions as a great splatterpunk book in its own right.
But it isn't quite as mad or scary as the original:
- Personal expectations were higher.
- You can sense what's coming and it feels a bit predictable, even tired.
- Italics are used to regularly leap back into the past, making the book feel short of fresh ideas.
- The Offspring clan are more 'humanized' in a presumed attempt to connect readers to their plight?
- It's just not as scary or wild as the first book.
- The writing era is contemporary (at least when it was written) and often mentions technology and fads from that period that makes it seem dated - floppy disks, Super Mario Bros, etc., you know those old-fashioned movies with blocky monitors and massive cell phones?
For all these reasons, Offspring doesn't work quite as well.
There is something completely horrifying about a group of people being locked away in an isolated cabin and having to SURVIVE THIS! That's the first book in a nutshell, reminiscent of Sam Raimi's The Evil Dead, besieged on all sides by the ungodly forest (very scary in its day). Offspring on the other hand is a bit too planned and crafted, retraces its steps too often and doesn't really feel like a new experience.
However, a six-feet-two matriarchal Woman who pack leads crazy cannibal loons to annihilation is a pretty good start. She's terrifying.
"To be an artist," said Kurosawa, "means never to avert one's eyes."
And just what is it about the State of Maine? That creepy stretch of coastline connecting the USA to Canada that enables creepy packs of wild human (things) to hide for decades in caves, out of the reach of local authorities? The isolated northeast, freezing cold in the winter and home to Stephen King!
Jack Ketchum knows how to do horror action scenes really well! These parts of the book are amazing. If you enjoy this, I really recommend Off Season and The Girl Next Door.
Offspring is shocking, gory, hits dozens of trigger warnings and functions as a great splatterpunk book in its own right.
But it isn't quite as mad or scary as the original:
- Personal expectations were higher.
- You can sense what's coming and it feels a bit predictable, even tired.
- Italics are used to regularly leap back into the past, making the book feel short of fresh ideas.
- The Offspring clan are more 'humanized' in a presumed attempt to connect readers to their plight?
- It's just not as scary or wild as the first book.
- The writing era is contemporary (at least when it was written) and often mentions technology and fads from that period that makes it seem dated - floppy disks, Super Mario Bros, etc., you know those old-fashioned movies with blocky monitors and massive cell phones?
For all these reasons, Offspring doesn't work quite as well.
There is something completely horrifying about a group of people being locked away in an isolated cabin and having to SURVIVE THIS! That's the first book in a nutshell, reminiscent of Sam Raimi's The Evil Dead, besieged on all sides by the ungodly forest (very scary in its day). Offspring on the other hand is a bit too planned and crafted, retraces its steps too often and doesn't really feel like a new experience.
However, a six-feet-two matriarchal Woman who pack leads crazy cannibal loons to annihilation is a pretty good start. She's terrifying.
"To be an artist," said Kurosawa, "means never to avert one's eyes."
And just what is it about the State of Maine? That creepy stretch of coastline connecting the USA to Canada that enables creepy packs of wild human (things) to hide for decades in caves, out of the reach of local authorities? The isolated northeast, freezing cold in the winter and home to Stephen King!
Jack Ketchum knows how to do horror action scenes really well! These parts of the book are amazing. If you enjoy this, I really recommend Off Season and The Girl Next Door.
November 1, 2018
Oh, yeah, this is some sick shit... and I mean that in a good way. Wait, is that possible? If you don't have the stomach for the, no punches pulled, splatter-gore, bizarro type horror, then you definitely need to avoid this one. If you do, then enjoy Ketchum at his finest.
If you've read this you'll understand where I'm coming from when I say this; I just finished this on Halloween, and I got to tell ya, little kids coming to my door dressed as ghoulies takes on a whole new meaning.
July 21, 2010
After reading Off Season, which was gripping, tight and savage I was ready for the sequel! The first book left a very strong impression and made me cringe more than usual when but this one was a bit softer and less terrifying. Was it worth the read? Yes, of course, it read very quickly and I enjoyed the story, well I mainly enjoyed rooting for my main characters and their survival but overall there was nothing too new that spiced things up. One novelty I can point out was the foul character of Steven, a nasty husband with no respect for his family that enraged me by the time I was almost done. I must admit I couldn't wait to see what was in store for him from the same brutes who were imprisoning his friends and family.
When Amy and David invite their troubled friend Claire and her eight year old son Luke to their country house to meet their infant daughter Melissa they have no idea that terrors from the past are going to change their plans. Little filthy beasts with sharpened teeth and weapons inflict permanent damage to the family in ways that are better no thought about for too long, some things are just too much to bear. Their struggle to survive is the main focus of the story, with the help of the police the tale flowed well but these kids seemed too strong, I cant imagine having a problem defending myself against kids...
As the title suggest, the offspring takes off in the task of terrifying us in this tale, eleven years after the original massacre the children are ready to strike back and continue to mate with each other and steal infants from houses nearby to make their clan bigger and meaner. The story starts off with a bang and shows the reader that even thought it's the kids and teens doing the killings, they are no less savage and there is no softness and mercy. Good read and fast one too, I would love to read more of this strange clan of barbarians but unless they change the settings then it will just be a major rehash. Perhaps they should strike the city next, if dinosaurs from Jurassic Park 3 can than so can little dirty brats with big hungry tummies.
When Amy and David invite their troubled friend Claire and her eight year old son Luke to their country house to meet their infant daughter Melissa they have no idea that terrors from the past are going to change their plans. Little filthy beasts with sharpened teeth and weapons inflict permanent damage to the family in ways that are better no thought about for too long, some things are just too much to bear. Their struggle to survive is the main focus of the story, with the help of the police the tale flowed well but these kids seemed too strong, I cant imagine having a problem defending myself against kids...
As the title suggest, the offspring takes off in the task of terrifying us in this tale, eleven years after the original massacre the children are ready to strike back and continue to mate with each other and steal infants from houses nearby to make their clan bigger and meaner. The story starts off with a bang and shows the reader that even thought it's the kids and teens doing the killings, they are no less savage and there is no softness and mercy. Good read and fast one too, I would love to read more of this strange clan of barbarians but unless they change the settings then it will just be a major rehash. Perhaps they should strike the city next, if dinosaurs from Jurassic Park 3 can than so can little dirty brats with big hungry tummies.
January 26, 2024
Thrilling, suspenseful, made me squeamish, shocking, and wince-inducing scenes—excellent writing by the late Jack Ketchum.
February 18, 2015
This is a sequel to Off Season, but I could be wrong. Being that this is a sequel (I think) you have certain expectations that need to be met. For me Ketchum met these expectations and certainly surpassed them. This is my third or fourth book I've read from this author and I just know that I'm in for something great. In Offspring we are met with another clan of horrible offspring that are trying to survive, but they are vile and disgusting. They have a belief that they need a baby. I won't elaborate but I thought this concept was interesting. So they target another family to feast on. Once this plan is set into motion it is an emotional roller coaster ride! I loved it! It certainly rivals Offseason. There was also a character that I really wanted the children of this clan to off in a most despicable way that I didn't feel in Off Season, so that was a neat little twist. I think in Offseason you just hoped that ppl survived. Anyway, can't wait to read The Woman which I know will be better than the movie even though the movie was pretty great:)
September 6, 2016
This is the first Jack Ketchum book I’ve read, and his reputation for visceral horror is well-deserved. Forget about building the suspense slowly. It’s carnage from beginning to end. In a matter-of-fact tone, he writes: “Her arms were drying in the sink. Along with the dishes.” There’s power in Ketchum’s storytelling which draws the reader in. It’s the same palpable magic in Wes Craven’s The Hills Have Eyes. You smell the fear, the blood, the excrement. Urine, too. Offspring is a well-told story about a wandering tribe of cannibals and how some of the characters from Ketchum’s previous book, Off Season, fight them off.
August 13, 2017
I am quite happy to be done. I expected it to be more gory than Off Season and I am pretty relieved it wasn't because I think I went into shock when shit hit the fan in Off Season. I mean, I can't get the image out of my head of Marjories savaged boob and I think I can feel it at times and it has scarred my brain.
Only part I skipped over in Offspring was the part of that asshole savage f*** and the kitten. I can stomach almost anything, but not animals being hurt. Especially cats. Lost one star because of that pointless paragraph.
But I enjoyed the book none the less. Wish Steven was tortured more because he is such a dick.
After you pick up your first extreme horror / splatterpunk / sadistic thriller or delve into true crime surrounding the minds of serial killers and psychos, you have the need to dig deeper every time. Give me a romance novel and I would probably finish it in 3 years time (like 50 shades of Grey). Maybe it is just me.
Even though Ketchum novels are the most disturbing novels you would ever probably read, it does make you appreciate the fact that your life could have been similar to the characters in his novels.
Stephen King said it best: "Who's the scariest man in America? Probably Jack Ketchum."
Lets get cracking on "The Woman."
Only part I skipped over in Offspring was the part of that asshole savage f*** and the kitten. I can stomach almost anything, but not animals being hurt. Especially cats. Lost one star because of that pointless paragraph.
But I enjoyed the book none the less. Wish Steven was tortured more because he is such a dick.
After you pick up your first extreme horror / splatterpunk / sadistic thriller or delve into true crime surrounding the minds of serial killers and psychos, you have the need to dig deeper every time. Give me a romance novel and I would probably finish it in 3 years time (like 50 shades of Grey). Maybe it is just me.
Even though Ketchum novels are the most disturbing novels you would ever probably read, it does make you appreciate the fact that your life could have been similar to the characters in his novels.
Stephen King said it best: "Who's the scariest man in America? Probably Jack Ketchum."
Lets get cracking on "The Woman."
July 23, 2012
Ketchum's follow-up to the graphically violent Off Season is an interesting but unfortunately doesn't equal the predecessor.
The story starts out very graphically and disturbingly and in some ways it is better written. The sense of dread and horror are lesser within the pages but the violent episodes in some ways stay on your mind a bit longer than the first. There is one scene which includes biting that really ingrains into the subconscious and causes a shudder to the reader.
The family that is attacked are well drawn and there seems to be more of a millennium female character in this than the original. I guess to explain this would be that in 70 - 90's horror, women were weak and screamed and were chased and were pretty much helpless in most situations. In the mid-90's to know, thanks partly to the Scream films, but women fight back and are a lot stronger. In Offspring, the females have more fight and vigour than the original which gives the story an extra lift.
This book is a fantastic page turner than once you start, you can not put it down and you race to its conclusion at an incredibly fast pace.
I would have given an extra star but there were a couple of things that kind of niggled me about this sequel. Firstly, the character of Steven kind of escapes me and maybe Ketchum was trying to make a social comment that totally by passed me. Secondly, returning to a setting eleven years previously, doesn't really hold true to me and it seemed like a reason to bring a minor character from the first back again. The last reason, there seemed to be a lot of repeating going on and it felt a little like a Friday the 13th than Alien sequel.
Noting the above, it is an exciting read and I was totally engrossed. If this was written by a lesser author, I would have been totally impressed but because it is Ketchum, I probably expected more. If your a fan of Ketchum's it is very good and if you are a fan of the series, it is probably a good middle before the excellent third instalment.
The story starts out very graphically and disturbingly and in some ways it is better written. The sense of dread and horror are lesser within the pages but the violent episodes in some ways stay on your mind a bit longer than the first. There is one scene which includes biting that really ingrains into the subconscious and causes a shudder to the reader.
The family that is attacked are well drawn and there seems to be more of a millennium female character in this than the original. I guess to explain this would be that in 70 - 90's horror, women were weak and screamed and were chased and were pretty much helpless in most situations. In the mid-90's to know, thanks partly to the Scream films, but women fight back and are a lot stronger. In Offspring, the females have more fight and vigour than the original which gives the story an extra lift.
This book is a fantastic page turner than once you start, you can not put it down and you race to its conclusion at an incredibly fast pace.
I would have given an extra star but there were a couple of things that kind of niggled me about this sequel. Firstly, the character of Steven kind of escapes me and maybe Ketchum was trying to make a social comment that totally by passed me. Secondly, returning to a setting eleven years previously, doesn't really hold true to me and it seemed like a reason to bring a minor character from the first back again. The last reason, there seemed to be a lot of repeating going on and it felt a little like a Friday the 13th than Alien sequel.
Noting the above, it is an exciting read and I was totally engrossed. If this was written by a lesser author, I would have been totally impressed but because it is Ketchum, I probably expected more. If your a fan of Ketchum's it is very good and if you are a fan of the series, it is probably a good middle before the excellent third instalment.
October 12, 2024
OFFSPRING [1990] By Jack Ketchum
My Review 4.5 Stars
I finished reading Ketchum's second installment of his "Dead River" series. "Offspring" [1991] (Dead River, #2), is written a decade after its controversial predecessor "Off Season” (1980).
“Offspring” was published as an original Paperback in 1991. Overlook Connection Press reprinted the book in 2005. The Kindle Edition I downloaded was published by 47 North in the Spring of 2013.
The spiel for the less popular and certainly less praised sequel is predictably brief and basically accurate, i.e. “reprises characters and themes from its predecessor” and “…survivors of the feral flesh-eating clan” “…are back and chowing their way through the locals again”.
I opted to re-read this book in order to join a Buddy Read on the Splatterpunk Book Club this month. I was a day late and a dollar short, I think. Anyway, I had reread it in 2014 and issued a paltry 3 Star Rating. I owned the book so I figured I would go ahead and re-read it anyway, it had been 10 years after all. I am so glad I did so because I appreciated the novel sadly enough for the first time.
It is not initially but rather only gradually that the reader divorces himself of the erroneous notion that "Offspring" is just the "same old, same old" of Ketchum's unforgettable debut novel "Off Season". After all, a group of cannibals from the wilderness descend from the caves in the hills and attack a group of unwary civilians over a 24-hour time frame. It is true to say that the plot of the sequel certainly mirrored the original at first blush.
The former sheriff Peters is retired, now alone after losing his wife to cancer, and tries to quell his gut-eating guilt over the raid on the cannibalistic savages in the cave ten years ago. Mistakes were made that night that still live in his nightmares, steals his sleep, and results in his depression and drinking. Readers of “Off Season” will recall the similarity to the police using a hail of bullets to annihilate the living dead in Romero’s classic zombie flick. It is Peters that the current Sheriff contacts when he finds a gruesome murder scene.
Gradually the reader becomes aware that the author is fleshing out the characters of the folks who will be involved in the 24 hours of terror that approaches the small town like black clouds on the horizon. “Offspring” is a more thoughtful book that is well written and provides a venue for the author to demonstrate his talent for rich character development. The MCs are a closed knit group and the reader gets to know them enough to care about them. Ketchum additionally etches out shadowy profiles and names for the uncivilized butchers who are stalking human prey. It was interesting to me as a reader to additionally be afforded information on their collective belief system. That may be better termed their customs and superstitions.
The plot may have looked like a twin, but the pacing and the pay off were both quite different. The focus is shifted away from "shock and awe" (though you get plenty of horror, bloody gore, and maiming in my opinion) to the main characters that occupy the book. It is a fair statement that the unit of cannibals that have rebuilt their ranks over the preceding eleven years are also more developed as individuals. The novel evoked emotions as a result of the human reactions that these good people were experiencing as a result of a visitation from the inhabitants of Hell itself. I really liked the fact that Ketchum juxtaposed the threat of the truly evil character of Claire’s estranged husband Steven, a sociopath who murders with impunity. It was interesting to compare the evil of the butchers against the lethal treachery of a man in a suit who pretended his motives were benign.
In short, I was impressed by the noticeable and palpable depth of "Offspring" as a vehicle for horror beyond imagination. Similarly, I was moved by how character driven the sequel happened to be when compared to its origin story. I found that I experienced a feeling of being emotionally disturbed when the protagonists were being tortured and worse.
There is a noticeably lower body count so extreme horror fans will likely compare it unfavorably to the “no holds barred” bloodbath of the original. I feel gratified that I reread "Offspring" because it is clear to me that I failed to appreciate its emotional depth and Ketchum's literary aptitude for fleshing out his cast of characters to the extent they easily impacted the reader's emotions. Rated 4.5 Stars.
Perhaps for the reasons outlined above I really liked the ending, and the redemption of former Sheriff Peters. “Offspring” was fast paced, served up “oodles” of suspense as Hannibal Lector would say, and intelligently written.
Those reasons are not nearly enough based upon a number of reviews I took time to read (after I re-read the book). It is perhaps partly Ketchum’s fault that the extreme horror fans wanted more. Lest we forget that Jack Ketchum spearheaded the long list of talented writers we have decades down the path of exploration and “pushing the envelope”.
Ketchum was nominated for numerous Bram Stoker Awards and won the Bram Stoker trophy on many separate occasions. He was the 2011 Winner of the coveted World Horror Convention Grand Master Award (a yearly distinction given to an author who has contributed greatly to the field of horror literature). It is my intention to read as many novels and works of the early Masters of Horror as possible. Ketchum is definitely one of those early masters who paved the way the amazing bench of talent we have to enjoy in the sub-genre of Extreme Horror, Splatterpunk.
JACK KETCHUM WAS ONE SCARY DUDE AND ONE OF THE EARLY GREATS WHO USHERED IN A NEW ERA OF EXTREME TERROR, HORROR, AND SPLATTERPUNK
My Review 4.5 Stars
I finished reading Ketchum's second installment of his "Dead River" series. "Offspring" [1991] (Dead River, #2), is written a decade after its controversial predecessor "Off Season” (1980).
“Offspring” was published as an original Paperback in 1991. Overlook Connection Press reprinted the book in 2005. The Kindle Edition I downloaded was published by 47 North in the Spring of 2013.
The spiel for the less popular and certainly less praised sequel is predictably brief and basically accurate, i.e. “reprises characters and themes from its predecessor” and “…survivors of the feral flesh-eating clan” “…are back and chowing their way through the locals again”.
I opted to re-read this book in order to join a Buddy Read on the Splatterpunk Book Club this month. I was a day late and a dollar short, I think. Anyway, I had reread it in 2014 and issued a paltry 3 Star Rating. I owned the book so I figured I would go ahead and re-read it anyway, it had been 10 years after all. I am so glad I did so because I appreciated the novel sadly enough for the first time.
It is not initially but rather only gradually that the reader divorces himself of the erroneous notion that "Offspring" is just the "same old, same old" of Ketchum's unforgettable debut novel "Off Season". After all, a group of cannibals from the wilderness descend from the caves in the hills and attack a group of unwary civilians over a 24-hour time frame. It is true to say that the plot of the sequel certainly mirrored the original at first blush.
The former sheriff Peters is retired, now alone after losing his wife to cancer, and tries to quell his gut-eating guilt over the raid on the cannibalistic savages in the cave ten years ago. Mistakes were made that night that still live in his nightmares, steals his sleep, and results in his depression and drinking. Readers of “Off Season” will recall the similarity to the police using a hail of bullets to annihilate the living dead in Romero’s classic zombie flick. It is Peters that the current Sheriff contacts when he finds a gruesome murder scene.
Gradually the reader becomes aware that the author is fleshing out the characters of the folks who will be involved in the 24 hours of terror that approaches the small town like black clouds on the horizon. “Offspring” is a more thoughtful book that is well written and provides a venue for the author to demonstrate his talent for rich character development. The MCs are a closed knit group and the reader gets to know them enough to care about them. Ketchum additionally etches out shadowy profiles and names for the uncivilized butchers who are stalking human prey. It was interesting to me as a reader to additionally be afforded information on their collective belief system. That may be better termed their customs and superstitions.
The plot may have looked like a twin, but the pacing and the pay off were both quite different. The focus is shifted away from "shock and awe" (though you get plenty of horror, bloody gore, and maiming in my opinion) to the main characters that occupy the book. It is a fair statement that the unit of cannibals that have rebuilt their ranks over the preceding eleven years are also more developed as individuals. The novel evoked emotions as a result of the human reactions that these good people were experiencing as a result of a visitation from the inhabitants of Hell itself. I really liked the fact that Ketchum juxtaposed the threat of the truly evil character of Claire’s estranged husband Steven, a sociopath who murders with impunity. It was interesting to compare the evil of the butchers against the lethal treachery of a man in a suit who pretended his motives were benign.
In short, I was impressed by the noticeable and palpable depth of "Offspring" as a vehicle for horror beyond imagination. Similarly, I was moved by how character driven the sequel happened to be when compared to its origin story. I found that I experienced a feeling of being emotionally disturbed when the protagonists were being tortured and worse.
There is a noticeably lower body count so extreme horror fans will likely compare it unfavorably to the “no holds barred” bloodbath of the original. I feel gratified that I reread "Offspring" because it is clear to me that I failed to appreciate its emotional depth and Ketchum's literary aptitude for fleshing out his cast of characters to the extent they easily impacted the reader's emotions. Rated 4.5 Stars.
Perhaps for the reasons outlined above I really liked the ending, and the redemption of former Sheriff Peters. “Offspring” was fast paced, served up “oodles” of suspense as Hannibal Lector would say, and intelligently written.
Those reasons are not nearly enough based upon a number of reviews I took time to read (after I re-read the book). It is perhaps partly Ketchum’s fault that the extreme horror fans wanted more. Lest we forget that Jack Ketchum spearheaded the long list of talented writers we have decades down the path of exploration and “pushing the envelope”.
Ketchum was nominated for numerous Bram Stoker Awards and won the Bram Stoker trophy on many separate occasions. He was the 2011 Winner of the coveted World Horror Convention Grand Master Award (a yearly distinction given to an author who has contributed greatly to the field of horror literature). It is my intention to read as many novels and works of the early Masters of Horror as possible. Ketchum is definitely one of those early masters who paved the way the amazing bench of talent we have to enjoy in the sub-genre of Extreme Horror, Splatterpunk.
JACK KETCHUM WAS ONE SCARY DUDE AND ONE OF THE EARLY GREATS WHO USHERED IN A NEW ERA OF EXTREME TERROR, HORROR, AND SPLATTERPUNK
April 13, 2021
I loved Off Season so I had to get this and read it. And it didn’t disappoint. There was one scene that even gave me shivers - which hardly ever happens. A great successor and I might even go as far to say it was better than the first!!!
May 23, 2018
Breathtaking, as powerful as Off Season, perhaps even more so. A masterpiece of horror.
January 1, 2024
I liked it but not as much as the first one. The part of the cannibals and the creepiness of them was the best of the book. Still interested to read the next book.
February 13, 2014
There is simply something mesmerising about the writing of Jack Ketchum. There are more literary ways to say the following, but for me his word selection, sentence construction, and economy of expression all ooze class. While reading Offspring, I found myself imagining him kicking back in the corner of a bar somewhere, tall glass of scotch on the rocks half-finished in front of him, cigarette dangling from his off-hand, and telling this story to a group of his fellow barflys. They, of course, are hanging off every word. Exactly as I was once Offspring picked up the pace.
This sequel to the notorious Off Season is set a decade or so after the events in that novel. The set up is very similar, but obviously with a mostly new set of characters providing the fodder, err, thrust of the narrative. Unlike the first novel, Offspring begins with a savage attack and spends much more time with the various members of the new clan of feral cannibals - most of whom are children. Otherwise, it's a very similar beast. Time is taken to establish the range of characters, then Ketchum let's them all off the leash, and mayhem ensues.
Except - and this is a big exception - events aren't quite so big, bold and nasty in the sequel. Published ten years after the original novel, I can't help but wonder if Ketchum mellowed a bit in the intervening decade. Terrible things still do happen - many of them to the sympathetic characters - but
So I went in expecting this sequel to up the carnage factor, but Ketchum subverted my expectations and as I tapped the screen to flip to 100% complete, I could not help but feel a little cheated. Between that and the retread factor readily apparent here, this ends up being just a decent read, even if from a master craftsman.
3 Sneaky Swigs on the Job for Offspring.
This sequel to the notorious Off Season is set a decade or so after the events in that novel. The set up is very similar, but obviously with a mostly new set of characters providing the fodder, err, thrust of the narrative. Unlike the first novel, Offspring begins with a savage attack and spends much more time with the various members of the new clan of feral cannibals - most of whom are children. Otherwise, it's a very similar beast. Time is taken to establish the range of characters, then Ketchum let's them all off the leash, and mayhem ensues.
Except - and this is a big exception - events aren't quite so big, bold and nasty in the sequel. Published ten years after the original novel, I can't help but wonder if Ketchum mellowed a bit in the intervening decade. Terrible things still do happen - many of them to the sympathetic characters - but
So I went in expecting this sequel to up the carnage factor, but Ketchum subverted my expectations and as I tapped the screen to flip to 100% complete, I could not help but feel a little cheated. Between that and the retread factor readily apparent here, this ends up being just a decent read, even if from a master craftsman.
3 Sneaky Swigs on the Job for Offspring.
February 26, 2025
Brutal and exciting follow-up to Off Season is a worthy sequel to the cannibal classic. Rich characterization and a sustained, action-filled second half separates this book from most horror sequels. The first half of the book is largely build-up but once the murderous cannibals attack, it’s a fast-paced nightmare. Lots of blood and maybe doesn’t quite hit the heights of the first book, but might actually be better written. My only real complaint is that the structure is largely the same as the first, in a way that gives a little bit of sequel-itis. It’s different enough, with a larger focus on female characters, but this is definitely Off Season part 2. Though, in this case, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
May 21, 2016
3.5
Jack Ketchum is underrated.
Bringing every primal fear to life and covering the pages in blood, he forces you to face the extremes of the human spectrum.
Jack Ketchum is underrated.
Bringing every primal fear to life and covering the pages in blood, he forces you to face the extremes of the human spectrum.
November 30, 2021
3.5 stars rounded up. It was good, but really seemed like a recycling of Off Season’s plot, and not as brutal by miles. I flew through it, but am left feeling less than satisfied. Full review to come!!
July 30, 2019
Yet another gore extravaganza from an author whose work I’ve come to love. I read OFF SEASON last month and gave it all the stars. It was perfect.
This book is great, too. Ketchum can turn a phrase that makes me gasp and my stomach clench in revulsion. This one is just a touch less graphic than its predecessor, but it’s still heavy.
I’m not sure what it says about me that I prefer the ending to Off Season over this one (if you’ve read it you’ll know, no spoilers here) but I do. I quite enjoyed the characters of Amy and Claire in this book. It provided a depth that was needed.
As usual, content warnings for just about anything you can imagine. This is brutal and lines are crossed. And I am here for it. I’m looking forward to reading the third book, THE WOMAN. I need to get a copy of it soon.
This book is great, too. Ketchum can turn a phrase that makes me gasp and my stomach clench in revulsion. This one is just a touch less graphic than its predecessor, but it’s still heavy.
I’m not sure what it says about me that I prefer the ending to Off Season over this one (if you’ve read it you’ll know, no spoilers here) but I do. I quite enjoyed the characters of Amy and Claire in this book. It provided a depth that was needed.
As usual, content warnings for just about anything you can imagine. This is brutal and lines are crossed. And I am here for it. I’m looking forward to reading the third book, THE WOMAN. I need to get a copy of it soon.
May 30, 2023
This story definitely had its moments, the characters were solidly built, the ending was satisfying and it had a nice pacing overall. Unfortunately there were not enough new elements and scenarios to strongly distinguish this book from its predecessor Off Season; new characters were included, a sociopath, a kid and few babies, and they did bring some new flavor and conflicts to the story, still the development arcs and scenes remained far too similar to Off Season's ones... the runs, the police search, the stalking good guy on the beach, I felt like having a series of déjà vus as the chapters unfolded. I had fun listening to the first book and because of that I was expecting something more from this one. Nevertheless I recommend reading / listening to one of the stories, getting both might feel a bit redundant, but as stand-alone tales they are definitely worth checking out if you're ok with cannibalism. For the amazing action descriptions by the end and the shocking scene of the weaponized evil baby I give this one three solid stars (or, to borrow Dona's rating system, three solid evil babies 👶👶👶).
July 29, 2015
Another lighthearted romp with Maine's favorite cannibal family, Offspring was an entertaining single-sitting novel that, while not reaching the nauseatingly violent highs (and lows) of the first entry, managed to keep my attention riveted for its 300+ pages. I don't know if I've become even more desensitized to weird shit in the three or so years since I read Off Season but this one actually seemed a bit more, hmm, wholesome or something? The amount of people horribly dying and then getting chopped up and eaten seems way decreased and there's even a likable little-kid-hero protagonist. I guess to put it simply, I now see why they ended up filming this one and not Off Season--there's no truly original, mind-scarring scenes on the level of the first one. There's some true thrills to be had here and there, but the brutal originality and novelty of the first book is obviously gone from the series, at least for me.
The characters were, as in the first book, not fantastic. To be honest I've already forgotten most of the motherfuckers' names, I mean it's truly obvious that they're just there to be minimally-developed meat puppets for Ketchum to sic his savage cannibals on. Ketchum makes these people just human enough to make you feel bad for them when they get it. To be fair I did like the aforementioned boy hero Luke, but he was the only one. Really, he and The Woman (the clan's leader and sole survivor from the cave massacre at the end of Off Season) were the only truly memorable and interesting characters. I did like how Ketchum went to an effort to paint The Woman as a resourceful survivor (who admittedly eats people) and leader and not as some mindlessly evil cartoon. I could even see rooting for her and hoping for her survival--which is kind of a given at this point given that Ketchum has released a third book called The Woman. That said, I never could truly root for her because Eating People Is Bad and I am a pathetic moralist sheep...at least when it comes to grubbing human flesh and that kind of thing.
I'll probably end up finishing the trilogy at some point in the future, but Offspring has not motivated me to make that day come anytime soon. This is a fun book and reliable source of cheap thrills, but probably doesn't actually need to exist. I know Ketchum can do better because I recently read the truly moving and powerful Red, which I still need to review. I guess the silver lining is that looking back I can really appreciate Off Season for the truly original piece of fucked-up-shit that it is. I don't remember, but I was probably kind of lukewarm on it...much as I am on this one. I'd probably recommend it for fans of the first book, but they don't need to rush out and rob an old lady for the money for it or anything. I also have to be fair and say that my opinion of this novel was probably colored by the fact that I read it in between The Wasp Factory and Child of God, two truly original and great pieces of writing about people that do weird/horrible shit.
The characters were, as in the first book, not fantastic. To be honest I've already forgotten most of the motherfuckers' names, I mean it's truly obvious that they're just there to be minimally-developed meat puppets for Ketchum to sic his savage cannibals on. Ketchum makes these people just human enough to make you feel bad for them when they get it. To be fair I did like the aforementioned boy hero Luke, but he was the only one. Really, he and The Woman (the clan's leader and sole survivor from the cave massacre at the end of Off Season) were the only truly memorable and interesting characters. I did like how Ketchum went to an effort to paint The Woman as a resourceful survivor (who admittedly eats people) and leader and not as some mindlessly evil cartoon. I could even see rooting for her and hoping for her survival--which is kind of a given at this point given that Ketchum has released a third book called The Woman. That said, I never could truly root for her because Eating People Is Bad and I am a pathetic moralist sheep...at least when it comes to grubbing human flesh and that kind of thing.
I'll probably end up finishing the trilogy at some point in the future, but Offspring has not motivated me to make that day come anytime soon. This is a fun book and reliable source of cheap thrills, but probably doesn't actually need to exist. I know Ketchum can do better because I recently read the truly moving and powerful Red, which I still need to review. I guess the silver lining is that looking back I can really appreciate Off Season for the truly original piece of fucked-up-shit that it is. I don't remember, but I was probably kind of lukewarm on it...much as I am on this one. I'd probably recommend it for fans of the first book, but they don't need to rush out and rob an old lady for the money for it or anything. I also have to be fair and say that my opinion of this novel was probably colored by the fact that I read it in between The Wasp Factory and Child of God, two truly original and great pieces of writing about people that do weird/horrible shit.
December 30, 2015
I am officially a Jack Ketchum fan. This book was a great sequel to Off Season. It didn't seem forced to me and it never went TOO dark. Of course it was dark, but there was always hope.
So what we have is some of the cannibals surviving from the original book and returning to wreak havoc. There's a little more to the story, but that's the plot in a nutshell. There was a somewhat unusual subplot regarding one of the character's ex-husband, but I think he was thrown in as the "guy you want to see the bad guys kill".
If you enjoyed Off Season, give this one a read.
So what we have is some of the cannibals surviving from the original book and returning to wreak havoc. There's a little more to the story, but that's the plot in a nutshell. There was a somewhat unusual subplot regarding one of the character's ex-husband, but I think he was thrown in as the "guy you want to see the bad guys kill".
If you enjoyed Off Season, give this one a read.
October 18, 2015
Reseña en español en mi blog: Click Aquí
After finishing Off Season I felt sick, disgusted, disturbed and amused at the same time. It was a book that really impressed me not only because of the gore but for its unpredictability, so my expectations for Offspring were really high. The sequel was entertaining but it doesn't come even close to the first instalment of the Dead River trilogy.
Offspring takes place eleven years after the events of the first book. Former sheriff Peters is still haunted by the memories of his encounter with the cannibals and he is full of regrets because of how everything ended up. Unfortunately for him, a new cannibal tribe lead by The Woman an extremely cunning psychopath, is stealing newborn children in order to increase the family. The police ask Peters to join them in the hunt of this new family of cannibals, the retired cop will have to deal with his worst nightmare again...
What I did like of this book was that the beginning was very intense, the story is really fast paced and like the previous one, it's impossible to put down once the cannibals appears. Also the story shifts from different points of view constantly so we get to know a wide range of characters which are more complex than the protagonists of the previous book, my favourite POVs (although it may sound sadistic) were those of the cannibals since Ketchum put us inside of his twisted minds and we get to know their tactics and plans, those were by far the more disturbing aspects of this book.
Sadly the story was wasted: it was extremely predictable, the character are more complex but Ketchum spent more time building them up and forgot the gore and disturbing scenes that were the strong point of the last book. Don't get me wrong, there are some pretty nasty scenes but they don't come even close to the cruelty and detail shown in Off Season, I found some of these scenes to be tuned down copies of some of the previous book.
So all in all it was an entertaining horror book ideal for a weekend read but don't expect it to be at the same level of Off Season. It's predictable, recycled some of the scenes of the previous book and the ending was kind of lame in my opinion.
After finishing Off Season I felt sick, disgusted, disturbed and amused at the same time. It was a book that really impressed me not only because of the gore but for its unpredictability, so my expectations for Offspring were really high. The sequel was entertaining but it doesn't come even close to the first instalment of the Dead River trilogy.
Offspring takes place eleven years after the events of the first book. Former sheriff Peters is still haunted by the memories of his encounter with the cannibals and he is full of regrets because of how everything ended up. Unfortunately for him, a new cannibal tribe lead by The Woman an extremely cunning psychopath, is stealing newborn children in order to increase the family. The police ask Peters to join them in the hunt of this new family of cannibals, the retired cop will have to deal with his worst nightmare again...
What I did like of this book was that the beginning was very intense, the story is really fast paced and like the previous one, it's impossible to put down once the cannibals appears. Also the story shifts from different points of view constantly so we get to know a wide range of characters which are more complex than the protagonists of the previous book, my favourite POVs (although it may sound sadistic) were those of the cannibals since Ketchum put us inside of his twisted minds and we get to know their tactics and plans, those were by far the more disturbing aspects of this book.
Sadly the story was wasted: it was extremely predictable, the character are more complex but Ketchum spent more time building them up and forgot the gore and disturbing scenes that were the strong point of the last book. Don't get me wrong, there are some pretty nasty scenes but they don't come even close to the cruelty and detail shown in Off Season, I found some of these scenes to be tuned down copies of some of the previous book.
So all in all it was an entertaining horror book ideal for a weekend read but don't expect it to be at the same level of Off Season. It's predictable, recycled some of the scenes of the previous book and the ending was kind of lame in my opinion.
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