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A review by hzmt
Sick Bastards by Matt Shaw
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
I read this book as part of the disturbing books iceberg.
This extreme horror novel felt like it was just trying to be edgy and gross and over the top without any kind of driving plotline to keep the reader engaged. I could have easily put this down halfway through and never picked it up again.
None of the characters, even the first person pov of the main character we're particularly fleshed out or likeable. With an emphasis on the two women being there just for objectification, sexualizing, and conflict, with neither of them having fleshed out personalities and being presented as jealous of one another despite their roles of mother and daughter.
Early on, the story makes some things rather clear but turns out to be false, leading to a jarring plot hole.
The beginning stated that the victim on the table is next in a long line that have met the same end, as well as a mention of "sister" getting sick from eating too much of it. As the story unfolds you are taken across the timeline from when they arrived at the house to where the book starts- with only 4 previous victims happening and all except possibly the last one having been dead before meeting their end on the dinner table. This plot hole is hard to overlook.
The eventual twist was actually something that I didn't see coming so I do have to give credit there while making a statement that doesn't seem too far out of the realm of possibilities. But it's all just lost in the angsty, "edgy", grind of the narrative.
Not worth reading, even just for an iceberg list.
This extreme horror novel felt like it was just trying to be edgy and gross and over the top without any kind of driving plotline to keep the reader engaged. I could have easily put this down halfway through and never picked it up again.
None of the characters, even the first person pov of the main character we're particularly fleshed out or likeable. With an emphasis on the two women being there just for objectification, sexualizing, and conflict, with neither of them having fleshed out personalities and being presented as jealous of one another despite their roles of mother and daughter.
Early on, the story makes some things rather clear but turns out to be false, leading to a jarring plot hole.
The eventual twist was actually something that I didn't see coming so I do have to give credit there while making a statement that doesn't seem too far out of the realm of possibilities. But it's all just lost in the angsty, "edgy", grind of the narrative.
Not worth reading, even just for an iceberg list.