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coffeeandcuentos's review
3.0
I didnt even know Skinwrapper was science fiction until about 5 minutes before I started reading it. I trust the Night Worms book parties so I'm always down to try something new. Skinwrapper is a fun little book. I loved that I could read it in one sitting and it had an awesome lineup of female cast members. The skinwrappers are the definition of nightmare. Overall, I enjoyed it. It was just missing some oomph for me.
thebookdad's review
3.0
SKINWRAPPER by Stephen Kozeniewski is a delightful tale of survival and ravenous space pirates reaving those who cross their path.
A young girl's life is forever changed when a group of savage space pirates commandeer a cargo ship she is aboard. In a last ditch effort to survive and avoid a bloody and gruesome death at the hands of the feared Skinwrappers, the girl must run and avoid being caught at all costs.
This was not at all what I expected. SKINWRAPPER is a short prequel to Kozeniewski's THE HEMATOPHAGES which has been regarded as a "space horror masterpiece." While reading this novella I got some real Mad Max Road Warrior vibes which is weird because this book is on a completely different spectrum. That mixed with some YA tropes made this something I would not normally read but I'm glad I did.
Normally when I read a sci-fi book set in space, world-building is all consuming and storytelling takes the back seat. Stephen Kozeniewski did an excellent job of setting a scene without sacrificing the tense and fast-paced story you'd expect in a book about scary space pirates.
Something I noticed that bothered me was what I call wandering narrative. This is something that appears in most YA books I've read as well and it really stuck out here. There are times when the story is on track and narrative in tune when all of a sudden the characters mind wanders to something irrelevant. Now, I could see this actually happening in the head of a seventeen year old girl in normal circumstances but not that of someone in a life or death situation. The book is only eighty pages give or take and I felt that good or relevant narrative was squandered away to make the book more YA. This could also just be a pet peeve of mine. The mind of a seventeen year old girl is the real horror here.
I rated SKINWRAPPER by Stephen Kozeniewski 3 / 5 stars. This quick read is different in the best possible way. Common people, we are talking about space pirates. How awesome is that!? If you are looking for an exciting and tense sci-fi read with plenty of gore to boot. Than this is the perfect book for you.
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A young girl's life is forever changed when a group of savage space pirates commandeer a cargo ship she is aboard. In a last ditch effort to survive and avoid a bloody and gruesome death at the hands of the feared Skinwrappers, the girl must run and avoid being caught at all costs.
This was not at all what I expected. SKINWRAPPER is a short prequel to Kozeniewski's THE HEMATOPHAGES which has been regarded as a "space horror masterpiece." While reading this novella I got some real Mad Max Road Warrior vibes which is weird because this book is on a completely different spectrum. That mixed with some YA tropes made this something I would not normally read but I'm glad I did.
Normally when I read a sci-fi book set in space, world-building is all consuming and storytelling takes the back seat. Stephen Kozeniewski did an excellent job of setting a scene without sacrificing the tense and fast-paced story you'd expect in a book about scary space pirates.
Something I noticed that bothered me was what I call wandering narrative. This is something that appears in most YA books I've read as well and it really stuck out here. There are times when the story is on track and narrative in tune when all of a sudden the characters mind wanders to something irrelevant. Now, I could see this actually happening in the head of a seventeen year old girl in normal circumstances but not that of someone in a life or death situation. The book is only eighty pages give or take and I felt that good or relevant narrative was squandered away to make the book more YA. This could also just be a pet peeve of mine. The mind of a seventeen year old girl is the real horror here.
I rated SKINWRAPPER by Stephen Kozeniewski 3 / 5 stars. This quick read is different in the best possible way. Common people, we are talking about space pirates. How awesome is that!? If you are looking for an exciting and tense sci-fi read with plenty of gore to boot. Than this is the perfect book for you.
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IG: INSTAGRAM.COM/THE.BOOK.DAD
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FB: FACEBOOK.COM/THEBOOKDAD
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motherhorror's review
3.0
3 Stars!
Thank you to Sinister Grin Press and the author for helping our Night Worms Review Team get plenty of copies for our Book Party!
I've said it before but Science-Fiction is a hard sell for me. Typically, extensive world-building, space travel, and unfamiliar settings/creatures are too much of a stretch for my tastes so I usually avoid Sci-Fi altogether. However, Sci-Fi/Horror hybrids still manage to catch my attention, as this one did.
This is a prequel to a book called, HEMATOPHAGES, but can be read as a standalone novella. SKINWRAPPER does not waste time. A slick 80 pages of high-octane, action-fueled space opera involving a young girl living on a space freighter with her parents. The ship is attacked by pirates called, SKINWRAPPERS who steal blood and organs.
Pretty terrifying. Just the name alone, SKINWRAPPERS is enough to evoke shudders.
The storytelling here is accessible for readers like me who are not seasoned Sci-Fi fans. There are a few brief introductions of some advanced technological "contraptions" (for lack of a better term) where I was a little confused as to their function but I just kept going and they eventually explain themselves (looking at you, 'glowing orb that acts like a pet').
I think the temptation here would be for readers to demand more substance and length to this story because not everything is extensively fleshed out but to be honest, I might not read a novel-length horror/Sci-Fi so this was the perfect size for me--a compact, dark, brutal story set in deep-space with an intelligent female protagonist trying to survive formidable, savage enemies.
3 stars simply because I like Science Fiction but I find it a rare thing to fall in love with it. Space is not my Jam.
I will definitely read more Kozeniewski and possibly go back for HEMATOPHAGES.
Thank you to Sinister Grin Press and the author for helping our Night Worms Review Team get plenty of copies for our Book Party!
I've said it before but Science-Fiction is a hard sell for me. Typically, extensive world-building, space travel, and unfamiliar settings/creatures are too much of a stretch for my tastes so I usually avoid Sci-Fi altogether. However, Sci-Fi/Horror hybrids still manage to catch my attention, as this one did.
This is a prequel to a book called, HEMATOPHAGES, but can be read as a standalone novella. SKINWRAPPER does not waste time. A slick 80 pages of high-octane, action-fueled space opera involving a young girl living on a space freighter with her parents. The ship is attacked by pirates called, SKINWRAPPERS who steal blood and organs.
Pretty terrifying. Just the name alone, SKINWRAPPERS is enough to evoke shudders.
The storytelling here is accessible for readers like me who are not seasoned Sci-Fi fans. There are a few brief introductions of some advanced technological "contraptions" (for lack of a better term) where I was a little confused as to their function but I just kept going and they eventually explain themselves (looking at you, 'glowing orb that acts like a pet').
I think the temptation here would be for readers to demand more substance and length to this story because not everything is extensively fleshed out but to be honest, I might not read a novel-length horror/Sci-Fi so this was the perfect size for me--a compact, dark, brutal story set in deep-space with an intelligent female protagonist trying to survive formidable, savage enemies.
3 stars simply because I like Science Fiction but I find it a rare thing to fall in love with it. Space is not my Jam.
I will definitely read more Kozeniewski and possibly go back for HEMATOPHAGES.
ericarobyn's review
4.0
Skinwrapper by Stephen Kozeniewski is a short tale about survival out in space. It’s a tale that plunges you right into the action without any delay and doesn’t let up. This novella is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat!
I picked up Skinwrapper after reading Esther’s review over on BiteIntoBooks.
Let’s dive in!
Holy cow… So. When the tale begins, we see a teenage girl talking with her two moms. Suddenly, there’s a pop. At first, it seems like there may have been an accident, but when the teenager calls it in, she learns that their biggest fear is happening. Skinwrappers are on the ship.
From there, it’s an all out mission for survival. But can our main character go undetected? Or will she be torn apart like anyone else that crosses paths with the intruders?
MY GOODNESS. This book started with just an everyday kind of conversation, and then boom! Suddenly we’re right in the middle of the suspense and terror!
You really felt for the main character and wanted her to survive! I loved that we saw everything from her perspective and heard all of her internal thoughts. It was really interesting to see her thoughts of panic, her thoughts to try to combat that panic, as well as a voice in her head that was guiding her which seemed to be from her friend, who was light years away.
Our main characters fear of enclosed spaces when she ended up in one really got me sweating! What a scene that was!
I loved that this book gave you just enough information to understand the main characters fears, but you still didn’t really know what was going on fully. We did learn small bits of information here and there as the story progressed, but I don’t think I ever fully understood the grand scope of things. I have so many questions! Why are they in space? What is the ship like? What is their overall world like?!
BUT. Not fully understanding made this one even more intriguing and more creepy to me.
My Favorite Passage
There’s shouting in the background. An then I hear it. That one, profane, almost taboo word that can strike a chill in the heart of even the saltiest ink surfer alive.
“…skinwrapper…”
My Final Thoughts
I would definitely recommend picking this one up! It’s a quick read. It’s so suspenseful and filled with body horror. If those things are up your alley, you will love this!
I picked up Skinwrapper after reading Esther’s review over on BiteIntoBooks.
Let’s dive in!
Holy cow… So. When the tale begins, we see a teenage girl talking with her two moms. Suddenly, there’s a pop. At first, it seems like there may have been an accident, but when the teenager calls it in, she learns that their biggest fear is happening. Skinwrappers are on the ship.
From there, it’s an all out mission for survival. But can our main character go undetected? Or will she be torn apart like anyone else that crosses paths with the intruders?
MY GOODNESS. This book started with just an everyday kind of conversation, and then boom! Suddenly we’re right in the middle of the suspense and terror!
You really felt for the main character and wanted her to survive! I loved that we saw everything from her perspective and heard all of her internal thoughts. It was really interesting to see her thoughts of panic, her thoughts to try to combat that panic, as well as a voice in her head that was guiding her which seemed to be from her friend, who was light years away.
Our main characters fear of enclosed spaces when she ended up in one really got me sweating! What a scene that was!
I loved that this book gave you just enough information to understand the main characters fears, but you still didn’t really know what was going on fully. We did learn small bits of information here and there as the story progressed, but I don’t think I ever fully understood the grand scope of things. I have so many questions! Why are they in space? What is the ship like? What is their overall world like?!
BUT. Not fully understanding made this one even more intriguing and more creepy to me.
My Favorite Passage
There’s shouting in the background. An then I hear it. That one, profane, almost taboo word that can strike a chill in the heart of even the saltiest ink surfer alive.
“…skinwrapper…”
My Final Thoughts
I would definitely recommend picking this one up! It’s a quick read. It’s so suspenseful and filled with body horror. If those things are up your alley, you will love this!
charshorrorcorner's review
4.0
Science-Fiction stories have been rocking my boat this year and SKINWRAPPER is no exception!
A teenager is starting yet another day listening to her parents calmly argue while she is busy texting her best friend. Then, in only one second, her entire life changes forever. Her family's ship is attacked by Skinwrappers, (which vaguely reminded me of the Reavers from that show Firefly), and her only mission now is to keep herself alive. Will she accomplish that? You'll have to read this to find out!
Even though I read and loved Kozeniewski's BRAINEATER JONES, I haven't yet had a chance to get back to his work. At the time I was offered a digital ARC of this book, I didn't realize it was a companion piece to THE HEMATOPHAGES. That said, I didn't feel lost and this was perfectly fine as a stand alone novella.
I felt for the protagonist and I felt that the tension regarding her situation was an honest, human portrayal. In this world of Kozeniewski's creation, health care is so expensive that hardly anyone can afford to go to the doctor, never mind being able to afford treatment. He has taken an issue important to so many Americans, (and maybe all human beings?), and then set it down in outer space. (I may be viewing this incorrectly, not having read the other book, but this is my take on his world as of this moment.)
As I said above, I've only read two of his books so far, and even though SKINWRAPPERS was novella length, I think he has improved his skill as a writer and as a world-builder. Now I need to get to reading THE HEMATOPHAGES!
Recommended, especially to readers of dark science fiction!
Get your copy here: https://amzn.to/2rUIqVH
*Thanks to the author for the e-book of this novella in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it.*
A teenager is starting yet another day listening to her parents calmly argue while she is busy texting her best friend. Then, in only one second, her entire life changes forever. Her family's ship is attacked by Skinwrappers, (which vaguely reminded me of the Reavers from that show Firefly), and her only mission now is to keep herself alive. Will she accomplish that? You'll have to read this to find out!
Even though I read and loved Kozeniewski's BRAINEATER JONES, I haven't yet had a chance to get back to his work. At the time I was offered a digital ARC of this book, I didn't realize it was a companion piece to THE HEMATOPHAGES. That said, I didn't feel lost and this was perfectly fine as a stand alone novella.
I felt for the protagonist and I felt that the tension regarding her situation was an honest, human portrayal. In this world of Kozeniewski's creation, health care is so expensive that hardly anyone can afford to go to the doctor, never mind being able to afford treatment. He has taken an issue important to so many Americans, (and maybe all human beings?), and then set it down in outer space. (I may be viewing this incorrectly, not having read the other book, but this is my take on his world as of this moment.)
As I said above, I've only read two of his books so far, and even though SKINWRAPPERS was novella length, I think he has improved his skill as a writer and as a world-builder. Now I need to get to reading THE HEMATOPHAGES!
Recommended, especially to readers of dark science fiction!
Get your copy here: https://amzn.to/2rUIqVH
*Thanks to the author for the e-book of this novella in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it.*
readswithdogs's review against another edition
3.0
Skinwrapper packs a ton of action into its 74 pages and things happen so quickly that I wasn't aware what was going on. Basically space pirates with Cancer take over a big cargo ship and everyone is scared on being skinned alive.
There wasn't enough of people bring skinned alive and grafted onto others though to keep me interested. Instead, the story follows a teenager in hiding to survive who pees herself and uh then she's brave?!
I don't know man, this was a weird little book. Not enough gore for a bloody creepy title and confusion abound because the high techy stuff is flung around and I had no idea what was happening.
⭐⭐
There wasn't enough of people bring skinned alive and grafted onto others though to keep me interested. Instead, the story follows a teenager in hiding to survive who pees herself and uh then she's brave?!
I don't know man, this was a weird little book. Not enough gore for a bloody creepy title and confusion abound because the high techy stuff is flung around and I had no idea what was happening.
⭐⭐
findingmontauk1's review
4.0
Skinwrapper is a fun, quick, creepy space-horror novella that throws you right into the action as soon as you start reading. It kind of has blended vibes of Dead Space and Firefly, especially when it comes to the Skinwrappers themselves. This book had a lot of great imagery and I can only imagine walking around and seeing chunks of body parts or pools of blood floating in the air due to the gravity or lack thereof. I really loved being in the head of our protagonist because she assesses the situation pretty genuinely and how I might expect to act in the same level of peril. I loved the conversation and banter between the Skinwrappers and they sound totally merciless and powerful.
3.5 rounded up to a 4 for Goodreads! Thanks to Sinister Grin Press for a copy!
3.5 rounded up to a 4 for Goodreads! Thanks to Sinister Grin Press for a copy!
teamredmon's review
4.0
A cargo ship is hijacked by a band of cancerous space pirates called Skinwrappers and the main character tries to escape with her life while the rest of the crew are skinned alive. This book was provided to me by Sinister Grin Press and Night Worms for a book party. Before I started reading horror almost exclusively, I read a lot of sci-fi, so reading this book felt like visiting an old friend. An old friend that has globules of blood floating around.
I enjoyed this book and it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. We don't know the name of our protagonist but her internal dialogue is well done and the sense of danger is real. As she hides from the Skinwrappers and certain death she's hit with problem after problem. The author does a good job conveying the sense of claustrophobia and kept the tension going for the entire story. I wasn't aware of this author or the sequel to this book, Hematophages, but after reading this book, I will be picking that one up. I need more cancer-ridden space pirates in my life.
I enjoyed this book and it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. We don't know the name of our protagonist but her internal dialogue is well done and the sense of danger is real. As she hides from the Skinwrappers and certain death she's hit with problem after problem. The author does a good job conveying the sense of claustrophobia and kept the tension going for the entire story. I wasn't aware of this author or the sequel to this book, Hematophages, but after reading this book, I will be picking that one up. I need more cancer-ridden space pirates in my life.