spooky_librarian's review
4.0
Another Splatter Western from Deaths Head Press completed, and I have to say...this one was definitely a strange one...strangest one I've read so far. What makes this addition to the Splatter Western series so unique, you might ask? Author Chandler Morrison has written himself into his own book and the outcome is pretty fantastic (Hurray for Meta-fiction)!
On one end of this novella, we have the author appearing in his story as a womanizing, narcissistic writer under contract to crank out a western while feeling torn between his love of the craft and what his "brand" requires of him. On the other end, we are introduced to the western world he is creating, 1850's Los Angeles, where we meet a plethora of characters. A gang of young outlaws on a killing spree, a love-sick sheriff under pressure in a crime ridden city, a young man with a repulsive secret, and more.
This novella felt very tongue-in-cheek while simultaneously being graphically violent (all the trigger warnings, folks) as is expected of a splatter western. If you're already a Chandler Morrison fan, this book will feel like a loving nod towards you, the reader. If you're like me and you've never read anything by Morrison until now, this is one hell of an introduction wrapped in a tiny package! HUMAN-SHAPED FIENDS gives you black comedy, violence, flawed characters, crime, debauchery! You name it! If this sounds right up your alley, what are you waiting for?
(Special thanks to Night Worms, Deaths Head Press, and Chandler Morrison for this #NightWormsBookParty review copy!)
On one end of this novella, we have the author appearing in his story as a womanizing, narcissistic writer under contract to crank out a western while feeling torn between his love of the craft and what his "brand" requires of him. On the other end, we are introduced to the western world he is creating, 1850's Los Angeles, where we meet a plethora of characters. A gang of young outlaws on a killing spree, a love-sick sheriff under pressure in a crime ridden city, a young man with a repulsive secret, and more.
This novella felt very tongue-in-cheek while simultaneously being graphically violent (all the trigger warnings, folks) as is expected of a splatter western. If you're already a Chandler Morrison fan, this book will feel like a loving nod towards you, the reader. If you're like me and you've never read anything by Morrison until now, this is one hell of an introduction wrapped in a tiny package! HUMAN-SHAPED FIENDS gives you black comedy, violence, flawed characters, crime, debauchery! You name it! If this sounds right up your alley, what are you waiting for?
(Special thanks to Night Worms, Deaths Head Press, and Chandler Morrison for this #NightWormsBookParty review copy!)
pbanditp's review
5.0
Chandler Morrison is his own brand. Certain boxes need to be checked off in order to count as a true Chandler Morrison book. He made sure all of those boxes were checked multiple times in this story even though you just know he had a hard time writing it. He basically comes out and tells you that writing a western was difficult, but in my opinion it was just as amazing as John Wayne Comunale, I mean Chandler Morrison is.
Full of wonderfully detestable characters and political correctness you will be enamored with Chandler‘s sensitivity and by his creative ways to kill, rape and torture. This is a Splatter Western after all and it practically splatters all over your face while you read it. You will want to shower off when you finish.
“People got a way of losin’ sight of their values when they catch the scent of blood in the air. Man’s always just a little nudge away from chaos.”
Full of wonderfully detestable characters and political correctness you will be enamored with Chandler‘s sensitivity and by his creative ways to kill, rape and torture. This is a Splatter Western after all and it practically splatters all over your face while you read it. You will want to shower off when you finish.
“People got a way of losin’ sight of their values when they catch the scent of blood in the air. Man’s always just a little nudge away from chaos.”
johnlynchbooks's review
5.0
Chandler Morrison does it again. Deaths Head Press does it again. These splatter westerns, for the most part have been a crazy ride. If you had told me I’d have read this many horror westerns in such a short amount of time, and wanted more I’d have told you you’re nuts. Yet here we are.
This book is nothing like my previous Morrison reads, except it is. There are hallmarks of a Morrison book here. If you know, you know. It’s brutal, it’s disgusting, it’s meta. Chandler is hyper self-aware of his brand, and it’s something that he uses in the meta segments of this book, which also happens to make this entry in the series wildly different than the rest.
If you are a fan of the author, pick this up, if you’re not a fan of the others, strap yourself in because there’s really no way to prepare you for your first Morrison. This is one of my favorite entry’s in the series, and as usual, I can’t wait for what’s next from both the author and the publisher.
This book is nothing like my previous Morrison reads, except it is. There are hallmarks of a Morrison book here. If you know, you know. It’s brutal, it’s disgusting, it’s meta. Chandler is hyper self-aware of his brand, and it’s something that he uses in the meta segments of this book, which also happens to make this entry in the series wildly different than the rest.
If you are a fan of the author, pick this up, if you’re not a fan of the others, strap yourself in because there’s really no way to prepare you for your first Morrison. This is one of my favorite entry’s in the series, and as usual, I can’t wait for what’s next from both the author and the publisher.
charmandareads's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ginabaneena's review
5.0
“Man’s always just a little nudge away from chaos”⠀
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HUMAN SHAPED FIENDS ⠀
by Chandler Morrison ⠀
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HUMAN SHAPED FIENDS ⠀
by Chandler Morrison ⠀
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biancarosesmith's review
5.0
This is the strangest out of all the Splatter Westerns I’ve read but it really worked for me. It’s also my first time reading any of Chandler Morrison’s work and I’m more than a little bit impressed. I finished this and I immediately purchased more of his books.
Human-Shaped Fiends is the 11th book in the Splatter Western series and has many of their usual elements but is incredibly unique as it’s also a satirical parody of sorts. Reading this felt like an emotional roller coaster. Some chapters I was appalled, disgusted and shocked whilst other chapters had me almost in stitches due to the ridiculous nature of it.
This Splatter Western isn’t going to work for all people because there are interludes throughout which may make some readers feel like they are being pulled out of the Western narrative. I enjoyed it immensely though and one of the main reasons I think I loved this so much was Chandler’s decision to not take himself too seriously. He took a risk with his version of a Splatter Western but in my eyes it paid off.
In terms of the storyline, it’s set in Las Angeles, 1854 where a gang of men go on a horrific killing spree. They are pursued by the town Sheriff who is in love with a local prostitute. Nothing too unique but still thoroughly entertaining!
It was a wild, revolting ride and I enjoyed every minute of it. “Gimme gimme (more)” of that Chandler brand! Those who love black humour, satirical writing and extreme horror will likely love this one.
Thank you to DHP and Night Worms for the opportunity to review this.
Human-Shaped Fiends is the 11th book in the Splatter Western series and has many of their usual elements but is incredibly unique as it’s also a satirical parody of sorts. Reading this felt like an emotional roller coaster. Some chapters I was appalled, disgusted and shocked whilst other chapters had me almost in stitches due to the ridiculous nature of it.
This Splatter Western isn’t going to work for all people because there are interludes throughout which may make some readers feel like they are being pulled out of the Western narrative. I enjoyed it immensely though and one of the main reasons I think I loved this so much was Chandler’s decision to not take himself too seriously. He took a risk with his version of a Splatter Western but in my eyes it paid off.
In terms of the storyline, it’s set in Las Angeles, 1854 where a gang of men go on a horrific killing spree. They are pursued by the town Sheriff who is in love with a local prostitute. Nothing too unique but still thoroughly entertaining!
It was a wild, revolting ride and I enjoyed every minute of it. “Gimme gimme (more)” of that Chandler brand! Those who love black humour, satirical writing and extreme horror will likely love this one.
Thank you to DHP and Night Worms for the opportunity to review this.
leen_machine89's review
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
thaatswhatsheread's review
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
In this Splatter Western, Chandler Morrison tells the story of a group of teen vigilantes causing chaos in 1854 Los Angeles. The chapters are interspersed with chapters from present-day Chandler in the process of writing of the novel. It was fun to get the chapters from the Chandler persona who is obsessed with fitting this latest project into his "brand" and aesthetic, while explaining authorial choices to friends who have read the previous chapter. These chapters were interesting, especially the commentary on what readers have come to expect from his work since writing Dead Inside.
As with most splatterpunk, it's not for the faint of heart. Many an exploding head in these pages, along with very sexually violent scenes.
TW: Rape, Sexual Violence, Torture, Incest
As with most splatterpunk, it's not for the faint of heart. Many an exploding head in these pages, along with very sexually violent scenes.
TW: Rape, Sexual Violence, Torture, Incest
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, Gore, Murder, and Incest
screamdogreads's review
4.0
This is some wild shit. I'll be honest, I still don't know what the hell I just experienced with this book. It's utterly bonkers, weird, crazy, brutal, absolutely fuckin' gross, and I loved every single moment of it.
I've heard a lot of people say that this level of weirdness is something they expect from this author, this being my first experience with his work, I can't comment on that. But it has made me want to read everything he's ever done. It also has insanely genius interludes where the author gets all meta with the reader, quite honestly, you gotta respect the boldness it takes to do that.
Another banger in the insane Splatter Western series.
I've heard a lot of people say that this level of weirdness is something they expect from this author, this being my first experience with his work, I can't comment on that. But it has made me want to read everything he's ever done. It also has insanely genius interludes where the author gets all meta with the reader, quite honestly, you gotta respect the boldness it takes to do that.
Another banger in the insane Splatter Western series.