Beware of Reddit Recommendations

COWS by Matthew Stokoe was recommended to me on the Reddit horror sub. While the story kept me hooked like a slab of beef, this is waaay out of my comfort zone. The cows were a complete surprise to me...I thought the author was going to introduce cannibalism. I think people eating people would have been more mild than what the workers did to the cows, or what the cows did to folks in retaliation. Not to mention, Stephen's home life is a graphic nightmare.

If you're into extreme horror, read this. If you're just a tourist like me, consider this a warning.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Body Horror | Extreme Horror Review | AstraDaemon

POWER by C.S. Alleyne centers on a young woman trying to improve her station in life without prostituting herself. Unfortunately, one customer refuses to acknowledge the no-touching policy after she models for some photographs. Maude decides then and there to take revenge for herself and all the other girls who have been victimized.

This short is full of brutal scenes, including rape and torture, so consider this a content warning. However, the author is careful not to go into detail about the violations against Maude and the other girls, but rather focuses on the fallout, after she makes the monster her prisoner.

This definitely qualifies as body horror, and I don't recommend this to anyone with a weak stomach or casual tourists of the genre. However, if extreme horror is your thing, you're going to love the ending.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Villain Origin Story | Extreme Horror Review

After a terrible family tragedy, what seems like a peaceful Thanksgiving meal turns into a meal of horror.

Angie has hit the breaking point with her family. That doesn't deter her from wanting to spend a holiday with her family.

The guests soon find out that Angie didn't invite them out of kindness.

This is a bloody horror story. There are scenes of extreme violence. Not for children.

This story is based on fiction. If this is anything like your family holidays, I apologize.

AN EXTREME TURKEY DINNER by Sea Caumissar is brutal and full of graphic violence. As horrific as Angie's behavior is, when her reason for her plan is finally fully revealed, all I could think is, "Larry got off waaay too lightly."

This story is not for weak stomachs or people who are sentimental about the holidays. This could possibly be a villain origin story...but not necessarily for Angie.

As always,

AstraDaemon

The Last Lie | Horror Review | AstraDaemon

THE CALL by Matt Shaw is based on his film of the same name, not the other way around. This is definitely extreme horror...I thought I could handle the story, since it's not one of the author's black-cover books, but I struggled.

While Shaw has the class not to go into graphic detail with certain scenes of violence, the author has a unique way of showing without telling by using the reactions of his characters and describing the bits and pieces which capture their attention. In this way, Jaime Lee's POV is just as horrifying as, if not more than, the torture visited upon the others dragged into her bad decision.

Not only are the death scenes shocking, but the explanation of how one is prepared to inflict that level of pain and suffering is a gruesome process. In this way, Shaw illustrates how one selfish decision can change the lives of many, and drives his message home like hammer to the head.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Pass the Bucket | Extreme Horror Review | AstraDaemon

WITH CHILD: EXTREME HORROR by Sea Caumissar is absolutely brutal and filled with very graphic violence of a specific nature. I venture into extreme horror every now and then, but I don't usually have the stomach for it. This novella pushed me far beyond my comfort zone. I haven't been this traumatized since I watched A Serbian Film.

However, if you are a regular fan of the sub-genre, you will likely enjoy this story. Caumissar keeps readers guessing, refusing to name the sadistic killer until the very end, and giving plenty of reasons to suspect more than one character. I wasn't expecting a happy ending, but I'm vexed just the same. Might sound strange, but I was hoping for a killer vs. killer outcome.

Some might attempt to argue this is exploitive or unnecessarily graphic, but I think the author did a decent job balancing the gore with the element of crime drama.

Read at your own risk.

As always,

AstraDaemon