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KNUCKLE SUPPER
Los Angeles' drugs are run by the undead. When the LA heroin-addicted vampire and gang leader named RJ reluctantly takes in a twelve year-old prostitute called Bait, humanity is introduced to his otherwise lifeless existence. An unforgiving, vicious and realistic horror story, Knuckle Supper explores chemical dependency, inner-city brutality, religion, molestation, abortion and the very nature of evil itself. “In some strange alternate reality, Iceberg Slim wrote a splatterpunk riff on Less than Zero and Knuckle Supper was the unholy spawn.” Gabe Soria / Author - Life Sucks "Stepek's blistering, punk infused prose pumps life and heart into street denizens we usually hurriedly walk past and/or around. An audacious street epic with heat and grit so carefully crafted and realized, you'll want to take a shower." Paul Zimmerman / Geek Monthly Magazine; Femme Fatales "Drew Stepek's Knuckle Supper hits you like a sucker punch to the gut. It's smart and downright sick which makes it an utterly engrossing read. Leave it to Stepek to create the anti-Twilight." Mark A. Altman / Producer/Writer – Castle; The Unknowns; Elvis Van Helsing "They say write what you know. God, I hope not. This junkie vampire street-addled epic weighs in at only ounces less than Anna Karennina, and would no doubt rewrite the part where she goes under the train in sickening, bone-vaporizing detail. Drew Stepek is a splatterpunk Mickey Spillane, doling out rough justice to the creeps you'd meet on Hollywood Boulevard, and taking back the night one star at a time. He learned to write like this at Larry Flynt's Film Threat, and it If there's such a thing as geek vigilante porn, this is it. You wouldn't know it, but there are many of us who've come up the same path, and like Knuckle Supper's damaged avenger, we're out there watching you. Do better -- or else." Paul Cullum / L.A. Weekly; Film Threat; Arthur "Drew Stepek's novel, Knuckle Supper, takes us on a dark, headlong rush of a ride as RJ, a vampire, searches the drug and gang-riddled streets of Hollywood for his next blood-soaked high. The novel's breakneck prose propels us along at hellish speeds and is by turn violent, sickening, nasty and laugh-out-loud funny. Though painfully evil, beneath the turbulence and wanton drug abuse, you'll find a searing indictment aimed at addiction and sexual exploitation. By the end, we find ourselves reminded about human misery and the price of the soul. Knuckle Supper makes us wonder who the monster is here - the human or the vampire...? Gut-wrenching stuff..." Simon Marshall-Jones / Book Geeks
354 pages, Hardcover
First published November 15, 2010
6 people are currently reading
198 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
March 7, 2021
Pinball was one of the last pure things in my universe and Stepek took it from me forever. Oh, God.
July 21, 2018
Just when you think vampire stories have been bled dry, here comes Stepek with his vampire thug series, Knuckle Supper. Part Menace to Society, part Drugstore Cowboy and part The Lost Boys, this novel is filled with ghastly brutality but touched with enough comical wit to keep it from becoming overly grotesque.
We follow the misadventures of R.J., leader of the vampire gang The Knucklers, one of many rivaling, undead gangs in L.A. He lives in the home of a disgraced child actress with his dipshitty sidekick, and steals, deals and does dope in order to make it through life. But there is no brooding here. Stepek's vampires don't sparkle and pout. They mutilate you and use your body to feed themselves heroin. The book actually pokes fun at the mopey goth types and sets up its own rules and even origins of the vampire.
R.J. rescues a teenage runaway affectionally referred to as Jailbait, and her presence causes a rift in the Knucklers, one that threatens to dethrone R.J. as their leader. Things get even more screwed up when his gang decides to rip off a large amount of heroin belonging to the most dangerous gang in town—guys who make bongs out of human skulls.
This is the first in a series chronicling the bloody madness of these drugged-out cabals, and I'm excited to move on to the next one. Stepek's writing is crisp and clever, dripping with enough violence to satiate the horror fanataic while keeping the story moving along, and touched with enough dark humor to make you laugh aloud. Highly recommended.
We follow the misadventures of R.J., leader of the vampire gang The Knucklers, one of many rivaling, undead gangs in L.A. He lives in the home of a disgraced child actress with his dipshitty sidekick, and steals, deals and does dope in order to make it through life. But there is no brooding here. Stepek's vampires don't sparkle and pout. They mutilate you and use your body to feed themselves heroin. The book actually pokes fun at the mopey goth types and sets up its own rules and even origins of the vampire.
R.J. rescues a teenage runaway affectionally referred to as Jailbait, and her presence causes a rift in the Knucklers, one that threatens to dethrone R.J. as their leader. Things get even more screwed up when his gang decides to rip off a large amount of heroin belonging to the most dangerous gang in town—guys who make bongs out of human skulls.
This is the first in a series chronicling the bloody madness of these drugged-out cabals, and I'm excited to move on to the next one. Stepek's writing is crisp and clever, dripping with enough violence to satiate the horror fanataic while keeping the story moving along, and touched with enough dark humor to make you laugh aloud. Highly recommended.
June 26, 2024
Awful, awful, awful, awful. Worst book I've read this year. The only excuse for a book this bad existing is if the author is a 15-year-old boy who has never written before. And also has never met a woman in his life. Embarrassing. I'd be embarrassed if I'd have written this. The only reason that I finished it was because I was hoping the character "Bait" died.
Besides the story being nonsensical and overtly disgusting for gore's sake, all of the characters are horrible irredeemable people--including our main character. RJ behaves like he's above it all, but is just as selfish, idiotic, and horrible as every other character in the book. He's homophobic, misogynistic, and racist. The only thing that sets him apart morally from everyone else is that he would NOT r*pe a child. The bar for morals is set so low that it's in hell.
The character of "Bait" is supposed to be RJ's link to humanity, but she is annoying, irredeemable, stupid, charmless, and only hinders herself and everyone around her. The book became more tolerable once she was not a part of it. And it was still a terrible read.
A major skip.
Besides the story being nonsensical and overtly disgusting for gore's sake, all of the characters are horrible irredeemable people--including our main character. RJ behaves like he's above it all, but is just as selfish, idiotic, and horrible as every other character in the book. He's homophobic, misogynistic, and racist. The only thing that sets him apart morally from everyone else is that he would NOT r*pe a child. The bar for morals is set so low that it's in hell.
The character of "Bait" is supposed to be RJ's link to humanity, but she is annoying, irredeemable, stupid, charmless, and only hinders herself and everyone around her. The book became more tolerable once she was not a part of it. And it was still a terrible read.
A major skip.
July 27, 2019
Brilliant
December 30, 2017
RJ Reynolds is head of a vampire gang called the Knucklers addicted to heroin. They, and all the other vampire gangs, are under the rule of King Cobra, who sets all of the boundaries and jobs in LA. Dez, one of RJ's underlings, has an idea when they find a huge amount of unexpected heroine to sell it and undermine King Cobra. At the same time, a human girl named Bait latches herself to RJ, making him care for the first time about something other than drugs. Can RJ keep this scheme from the other gangs and keep control of his own while caring for a human child?
Knuckle Supper is a brutal disgusting book with heart. These creatures aren't the angsty Twilight vampires or the beautifully tragic vampires of The Vampire Chronicles. All of the vampires are photophobic, have superhuman strength and fast healing, and need to drink blood to survive. They are also addicted to some form of drug, forcing them to either mix the drug with blood or have a person ingest it before drinking from them. Most vampire lore is false like the effect of mirrors, anything religious, and fangs. Their origin is fascinating, twisted, and deeply topical to today's politics.
The cast of characters is an odd bunch. RJ Reynolds is a reprehensible person who thinks nothing of tearing people apart, stealing, or treating his own gang like garbage. His past is a blank as he only remembers scavenging in the streets as a teen. When Bait comes on the scene, he immediately refuses to kill her, an odd choice for him. Over time, he grows to really care about her and treat her better than he's pretty much ever treated anyone. Bait herself is a 12 year old runaway and sex worker who is attention seeking and kind of annoying. RJ keeps trying to show her how horrible his life is, but she's only amused and delighted. They have kind of a brother/sister relationship that brings RJ to really look at his life.
Knuckle Supper is a fun novel that isn't afraid to go to extremes. Bodily fluids are spewed on many a page in cartoonish quantities, so it's definitely not for the faint of heart. The only problem I had was how the one of the gangs were portrayed. This particular gang has members that are transgender, but are described by many other inaccurate terms, played for laughs, and all killed brutally. In the current climate when transpeople are the target of disproportionate violence and intolerance, this portrayal is tonedeaf. I get that it's from RJ's point of view, not the most sensitive person, but it left a bad taste in my mouth. Other than that, Knuckle Supper is a bold start to a new vampire series.
Knuckle Supper is a brutal disgusting book with heart. These creatures aren't the angsty Twilight vampires or the beautifully tragic vampires of The Vampire Chronicles. All of the vampires are photophobic, have superhuman strength and fast healing, and need to drink blood to survive. They are also addicted to some form of drug, forcing them to either mix the drug with blood or have a person ingest it before drinking from them. Most vampire lore is false like the effect of mirrors, anything religious, and fangs. Their origin is fascinating, twisted, and deeply topical to today's politics.
The cast of characters is an odd bunch. RJ Reynolds is a reprehensible person who thinks nothing of tearing people apart, stealing, or treating his own gang like garbage. His past is a blank as he only remembers scavenging in the streets as a teen. When Bait comes on the scene, he immediately refuses to kill her, an odd choice for him. Over time, he grows to really care about her and treat her better than he's pretty much ever treated anyone. Bait herself is a 12 year old runaway and sex worker who is attention seeking and kind of annoying. RJ keeps trying to show her how horrible his life is, but she's only amused and delighted. They have kind of a brother/sister relationship that brings RJ to really look at his life.
Knuckle Supper is a fun novel that isn't afraid to go to extremes. Bodily fluids are spewed on many a page in cartoonish quantities, so it's definitely not for the faint of heart. The only problem I had was how the one of the gangs were portrayed. This particular gang has members that are transgender, but are described by many other inaccurate terms, played for laughs, and all killed brutally. In the current climate when transpeople are the target of disproportionate violence and intolerance, this portrayal is tonedeaf. I get that it's from RJ's point of view, not the most sensitive person, but it left a bad taste in my mouth. Other than that, Knuckle Supper is a bold start to a new vampire series.
July 30, 2012
The other day I was telling Drew Stepek, fellow HWA member and the author of a new vampire book, Knuckle Supper, that despite the fact that his vampire-canon-busting novel is one of the most disgusting, unrelentingly violent and horrifying horror works I have ever read, the over-the-top violence and gore are not gratuititous.
Without giving away the story (which I won't), the leader of a group of heroin-addicted vampires, RJ, has the normal abnormalcy of his own chaotic, blood-and-drug-hazed existence challenged when he reluctantly takes in a 12-year-old runaway girl, Bait Jenkins.
When a drug deal goes south and RJ's gang, The Knucklers, winds up with an unexpected windfall, it isn't long before rival gangs (from Rastas to transvestite prostitutes to argyle-wearing preppies) start taking revenge and jockeying for the pole position in the vampire-run L.A. drug trade.
And to make matters worse, seemingly pulling the strings behind the L.A. vamps is a group of breakaway religious fanatics called The Cloth and a wannabe nun and psychopath nicknamed The Habit, who not only seem to know everything about where R.J. and his junkie gangster allies and rivals actually come from but who want to pull the plug on their twisted experiment.
In the book, R.J. says: "I don't know why we're alive or what purpose we have besides delivering misery and death, I can tell you one thing though; there is something human in us all."
And true enough to R.J.'s revelation, while various types of exploitation form the lives or the backgrounds of almost all of the players in this bloodfest, Stepek is masterful in enabling us to actually feel sorrow and empathy for a few of the characters (not only R.J. and Bait) and to see the human in the monsters and the monster in the humans.
With gangs reminiscent of the crews in Walter Hill's 1979 film, The Warriors, there are intentional and unintentional homages to a range of movies and horrific classics from A Clockwork Orange to Trainspotting.
Knuckle Supper is a game changer, to be sure, and this has got to be one of the most original vampire works ever created; with it, Stepek turns the entire vampire mythos on its head and fully slays the almost-dead,angst-ridden, sparkly vampire once and for all.
Without giving away the story (which I won't), the leader of a group of heroin-addicted vampires, RJ, has the normal abnormalcy of his own chaotic, blood-and-drug-hazed existence challenged when he reluctantly takes in a 12-year-old runaway girl, Bait Jenkins.
When a drug deal goes south and RJ's gang, The Knucklers, winds up with an unexpected windfall, it isn't long before rival gangs (from Rastas to transvestite prostitutes to argyle-wearing preppies) start taking revenge and jockeying for the pole position in the vampire-run L.A. drug trade.
And to make matters worse, seemingly pulling the strings behind the L.A. vamps is a group of breakaway religious fanatics called The Cloth and a wannabe nun and psychopath nicknamed The Habit, who not only seem to know everything about where R.J. and his junkie gangster allies and rivals actually come from but who want to pull the plug on their twisted experiment.
In the book, R.J. says: "I don't know why we're alive or what purpose we have besides delivering misery and death, I can tell you one thing though; there is something human in us all."
And true enough to R.J.'s revelation, while various types of exploitation form the lives or the backgrounds of almost all of the players in this bloodfest, Stepek is masterful in enabling us to actually feel sorrow and empathy for a few of the characters (not only R.J. and Bait) and to see the human in the monsters and the monster in the humans.
With gangs reminiscent of the crews in Walter Hill's 1979 film, The Warriors, there are intentional and unintentional homages to a range of movies and horrific classics from A Clockwork Orange to Trainspotting.
Knuckle Supper is a game changer, to be sure, and this has got to be one of the most original vampire works ever created; with it, Stepek turns the entire vampire mythos on its head and fully slays the almost-dead,angst-ridden, sparkly vampire once and for all.
August 1, 2021
Knuckle Supper made me want to lose my supper AND I LOVED IIIIIT. It graphic & full of details that drip with grit & blood. There was a point in the tale where I literally nearly fainted (I was listening to the audio) & MY GOD I had to sit down & pause it. I was so impressed. I ate some crackers & slammed some Gatorade before I hit play again! I would absoLUTELY give it another go & will some day when Im feeling the itch. I recommend it to everyone who says they love horror because this one is for a true fan of gore, revenge & everything between.
I LOVE the macabre & Knuckle Supper is a steak to the heart kinda read- it leaves an impact you can feel in your chest.
I LOVE the macabre & Knuckle Supper is a steak to the heart kinda read- it leaves an impact you can feel in your chest.
June 28, 2018
This is not for those with weak hearts or easily scared. And is for adults only! It one of the most fantastical vampire stories I have ever read it almost has a haunting effect of doom. So well written by Drew Stepek you just can't put it down. I loved it.
January 14, 2026
I decided to reread this book and update my rating... it's so horribly gruesome/foul/atrocious that it scratches an itch that I just can't find anywhere else. I hope the series continues.
August 5, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley for access to this book , tbh I don’t even know where to start , it was gory alright and I liked that you honestly had no idea what to expect at any given moment, but I was honestly just meh about it , RJ is said to have discovered humanity through Bait but he still calls himself a serial killer and kills Bait’s parents , I understand that her parents were horrible people , I just don’t get why go all the way there to kill them if Bait is already dead , maybe he was trying to avenge her I don’t really know tbh , another thing that doesn’t make sense is the whole how they were created part , so they were still born babies from drug addicts and due to the experimentation of “growth hormones” and more drugs they were able to bring them back to life ??? Then after watching them for a few years they just dumbed them on the streets to figure themselves out ??? Huh?? Also if the rest of them were created by the Cloth where did Eldrich come from?? He says he lived in the mountains with Lycans ( which nobody ever addressed their existence either ) how would that have worked? Because they need human blood a lot of the time to function?? Also speaking of Eldrich , there was this whole scene where RJ goes on a rant about him sacrificing his life and all that , wishing he had told him that he was his best friend then fast forward he is alive ??? And RJ doesn’t even question how??? And just gets in the car like as if he didn’t just see Eldrich literally get trampled on??
Also the Racism , homophobia and transphobia go crazyyyyy in this book and it pissed me off so much because a lot of the time it wasn’t even necessary, also the hard ER??!! Crazy
I honestly don’t think I can recommend this book to anyone unless like I’m sure the person can handle whatever mind fuck this was , well I guess this is my intro into like splatter punk horror ig
Also the Racism , homophobia and transphobia go crazyyyyy in this book and it pissed me off so much because a lot of the time it wasn’t even necessary, also the hard ER??!! Crazy
I honestly don’t think I can recommend this book to anyone unless like I’m sure the person can handle whatever mind fuck this was , well I guess this is my intro into like splatter punk horror ig
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2019
This might hurt a bit but I want you to take a second and think of the vampires from the Twilight series in all their emo sparkly nonsense. Got the image in your head? Now think of the complete opposite and you have the vampires in Knuckle Supper, the new book by Drew Stepek. The closest thing that Stepek's vampires get to sparkling is if they accidentally swallow a diamond ring after they bite off a victim's fingers and pass it in their stool. Knuckle Supper is not for everyone. In fact it comes with a warning in the foreward by Gabe Soria. The book contains some seriously nasty stuff and there is no sugar coating of any kind. That makes it all the more refreshing to read, albeit on an empty stomach.
You can read James' full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
You can read James' full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
February 24, 2023
I listened to this book on the Chilling Tales for Dark Nights podcast, Horror Hill, and it was great! Jason Hill did an amazing job narrating Stepek’s novel. I enjoyed the fresh take on the vampire genre and the way that Drew is able to create characters that you feel strongly about is a testament to the awesomeness of this novel and talent of the author. I enjoyed the gritty and “realness” of the story. Highly recommend to those who enjoy dark action themed books. I would not have listened or read this novel without the Horror Hill podcast, but I am glad I did! Only downside is that it is incredibly graphic and should be enjoyed by a mature audience. In some cases, I wished it wasn’t so gore-y, but it fits into the genre and theme of the novel. Looking forward to the sequel!
July 21, 2024
If it’s in your body, this book will make sure it comes out of someone’s body that is for sure. I went into this completely blind, I was unaware this was a vampire story, I am not a fan of vampires, that being said, this is likely the greatest version of a vampire story ever written. There are drugs, there are gangs, addiction, violence, sex workers, redemption, and even love? Now this is highly irreverent at times, some would call it tr@nsphobic so you are aware of triggers. This is a full length horror novel, not a novella, so buckle up, this really isnt for the faint of heart. This is fast paced and hard-hitting with nods to many classic Horror movies.
3.5 Stars
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a complimentary ARC
3.5 Stars
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a complimentary ARC
January 22, 2020
If I had to use one word to sum up my experience reading this book, it would be ‘unpleasant.’ Not that novels have to be comfortable or softly written to be worthwhile, but I found myself cringing at what I thought were frankly unlikable characters as well as the sheer ugliness of all other aspects of the world building. I typically love horror and fantasy but I think there are many other choices out there that will foster discomfort in the reader while also providing some sense of payoff or satisfaction.
February 20, 2024
The premise is interesting: heroin-addicted vampires in L.A. must endure turf wars and internal gang struggles; amidst all this, our anti-hero (RJ Reynolds), rescues an underage prostitute and tries to keep her safe amongst his hungry vampire underlings.
This is my first sojourn into splatterpunk and I got through it thanks to the former host of The Horror Jill Podcast, Joe Hill (not Stephen King’s son), because so much of the intimate descriptions of rape and abortion were so superfluous. Interesting cast of characters, though.
This is my first sojourn into splatterpunk and I got through it thanks to the former host of The Horror Jill Podcast, Joe Hill (not Stephen King’s son), because so much of the intimate descriptions of rape and abortion were so superfluous. Interesting cast of characters, though.
February 8, 2023
A very interesting take on vampires. Very graphic at points and not for the squeamish. The MC definitely had impressive hero armor and while the end does wrap up the story it was also a cliffhanger. I'm curious about what happens next, but at the same time can't stomach more at the moment... I'll read (or listen) to the second eventually.
Read
March 27, 2021Dnf
June 24, 2022
Very graphic, very disturbing but also very engaging. You have been warned!
July 8, 2023
Its a hard read to stomach but is none the less a great read with a really unique concept. I feel it serves as a great commentary on all the graphic topics within the story.
June 23, 2024
Cool take on vampires. Pretty sad
July 20, 2024
Nah. This just isn't for me. I bad a hard time getting on board with it and I kept falling asleep every time I picked it up.
December 18, 2024
I loved this book so much I read it three times!
dnf
August 18, 202512 minutes in and I can't handle it. Drugs and mention of thinking raping a 12 year old? Plus those detailed descriptions of dismemering a person?
No, thanks.
No, thanks.
December 3, 2010
Originally posted on Dread Central.
Vampires have taken a beating lately at the hands of the film and book industries alike. The majority of them are played as poofy, foppish emo guys who scout high schools looking for true love (we're looking at you, Twilight). But then there's the other, darker end of the spectrum that contains the brutal killers seen in 30 Days of Night and Stake Land. Somewhere in-between sits Drew Stepek's novel, Knuckle Supper.
In the Los Angeles of the Knuckle Supper world, drugs are run by vicious street gangs of vampires who bear absolutely no resemblance to Lestat or even Dracula. They get high by overdosing victims, then drinking their drug-laced blood, or they'll use their freshly-murdered heads like a crackpipe. These gangs (Knucklers, Battlesnakes, and Batwangers) are run by vamps and staffed by wannabes and street kids. RJ, the leader of the Knucklers, comes across an twelve-year-old runaway and prostitute, whom he names "Bait," which triggers a struggle for power that ends up with all-out gang war. For added fun and mayhem, a church organization called "The Cloth" seems bent on the destruction of the vampires as well.
The first thing that needs to be pointed out about this book is that it is definitely NOT for children or people with weak stomachs or even tender dispositions. It's raw, bloody, often times disgusting, uncomfortable, and brutal. From the graphic depictions of unmitigated violence to the off-screen gang-bang of an twelve-year-old prostitute, there's a lot in this book that makes the reader cringe. But that's the way Stepek wanted it. This book is supposed to explore a magnified view of life on the street for children without glamour, glitz, or mollycoddling. Through the eyes of the two main characters, the reader is introduced to a world where no one cares about age, race, or anything else but getting high and protecting their turf.
The main two characters, RJ and Bait, have real depth to them. From RJ's filthy living arrangements to Bait's whining, Stepek paints a vivid picture of a pair of lost souls. The story becomes all the more painful as Bait's naive preconceptions are ripped away one at a time until she becomes more of a monster than the vampires themselves. RJ's heroin habit is more of a minor inconvenience as he looks for the truth about what he is and how he came to be. The other characters may as well be set-dressing because they tend to ride one emotion through the whole story, but their shallowness plays well with what the author was trying to accomplish.
Another reason to buy this book is that a percentage of the proceeds (10% of hardback royalties, $1 from every e-copy sold) is donated to the Children of the Night foundation, which is dedicated to rescuing children who have been forced into prostitution in order to survive. Their work to help care for these forgotten children has saved thousands of lives of children who are as young as eleven years old.
Knuckle Supper is not a perfect book. There are a great many editing errors that should've been caught before it went to press, and there are a few continuity jumps that will leave readers wondering if they skipped a few lines, but as this was an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy), one hopes those errors will be fixed in the final edit. Still, the overall impact is like being hit between the shoulder blades with a cannon.
Vampires have taken a beating lately at the hands of the film and book industries alike. The majority of them are played as poofy, foppish emo guys who scout high schools looking for true love (we're looking at you, Twilight). But then there's the other, darker end of the spectrum that contains the brutal killers seen in 30 Days of Night and Stake Land. Somewhere in-between sits Drew Stepek's novel, Knuckle Supper.
In the Los Angeles of the Knuckle Supper world, drugs are run by vicious street gangs of vampires who bear absolutely no resemblance to Lestat or even Dracula. They get high by overdosing victims, then drinking their drug-laced blood, or they'll use their freshly-murdered heads like a crackpipe. These gangs (Knucklers, Battlesnakes, and Batwangers) are run by vamps and staffed by wannabes and street kids. RJ, the leader of the Knucklers, comes across an twelve-year-old runaway and prostitute, whom he names "Bait," which triggers a struggle for power that ends up with all-out gang war. For added fun and mayhem, a church organization called "The Cloth" seems bent on the destruction of the vampires as well.
The first thing that needs to be pointed out about this book is that it is definitely NOT for children or people with weak stomachs or even tender dispositions. It's raw, bloody, often times disgusting, uncomfortable, and brutal. From the graphic depictions of unmitigated violence to the off-screen gang-bang of an twelve-year-old prostitute, there's a lot in this book that makes the reader cringe. But that's the way Stepek wanted it. This book is supposed to explore a magnified view of life on the street for children without glamour, glitz, or mollycoddling. Through the eyes of the two main characters, the reader is introduced to a world where no one cares about age, race, or anything else but getting high and protecting their turf.
The main two characters, RJ and Bait, have real depth to them. From RJ's filthy living arrangements to Bait's whining, Stepek paints a vivid picture of a pair of lost souls. The story becomes all the more painful as Bait's naive preconceptions are ripped away one at a time until she becomes more of a monster than the vampires themselves. RJ's heroin habit is more of a minor inconvenience as he looks for the truth about what he is and how he came to be. The other characters may as well be set-dressing because they tend to ride one emotion through the whole story, but their shallowness plays well with what the author was trying to accomplish.
Another reason to buy this book is that a percentage of the proceeds (10% of hardback royalties, $1 from every e-copy sold) is donated to the Children of the Night foundation, which is dedicated to rescuing children who have been forced into prostitution in order to survive. Their work to help care for these forgotten children has saved thousands of lives of children who are as young as eleven years old.
Knuckle Supper is not a perfect book. There are a great many editing errors that should've been caught before it went to press, and there are a few continuity jumps that will leave readers wondering if they skipped a few lines, but as this was an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy), one hopes those errors will be fixed in the final edit. Still, the overall impact is like being hit between the shoulder blades with a cannon.
January 21, 2012
My reluctance to purchase vampire books for fear that it will be another ‘same story, different cover’ experience, or worse, a mislabeled romance novel, has made it difficult for me to recommend vampire books for those wanting something new. Knuckle Supper, however, may have lit the spark that was needed in pursuing such tales because it once again made me realize how much I actually enjoy reading vampire novels, especially ones that break the stereotypical mold of the vampire, yet still have creatures that can legitimately be called vampires (a very fine line that many authors can’t balance themselves upon). That said I must warn readers that this novel doesn’t hold back, and while many fans of vampire fiction may be accustomed to the gruesome nature of such horror stories, they may not be used to the brutally honest inner city street life that is displayed upon these pages. Nothing is left to the imagination with this one, and for some it may be too much to handle, especially given the realization that without the vampire elements this story could easily be one of many true life tales of drug addicted adults and the gritty landscapes they call home, landscapes that many choose to turn a blind eye too everyday as they go about their lives.
September 26, 2013
I'm a vampire buff, so I read a lotta vampire books. And this is not like any of the books I've read. This is not Anne Rice. Not Bram Stoker. It sure as all blue hells ain't Meyer and her candy-ass crapola. It's a tough, gritty, disturbingly messed-up, in-your-face horror novel with scenes of violence that would make Tarantino cringe, and it's a harrowing reinvention of a monster that has suffered unnatural mutations because of badly labeled genres. If you're looking for a tough read that'll make your stomach knot, with a bad-ass antihero and brutal horror scenes, KNUCKLESUPPER is for you.
January 1, 2011
Stepek's writing is excellent: picturesque, page-turning, brutal. He has the ability to take an antihero and make you care about him.
Read more at Feo Amante's Horror Thriller http://www.feoamante.com/Stories/Revi...
Read more at Feo Amante's Horror Thriller http://www.feoamante.com/Stories/Revi...
November 1, 2010
I couldn't finish it. Interesting story, but it's not for me.
August 5, 2011
EXCELLENT! I honestly couldn't put it down! a very unique twist on the vampire genre! I highly recommend it! I'm anxious to read the sequel!
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