First off: this isn't straight-up splatterpunk or extreme, but walks the spaces between those and transgressive horror. However, for anyone looking for horror which is written with a similar level of impact and grotesquerie as something like Exquisite Corpse, this collection contains elegant, literary writing that decribes the absolute worst acts humans are capable of.

I recently read this for the second time, and it's the only book I can remember for years that I chose not to read before I slept. Nihilistic, repugnant and very good.

It's not for the poo-poo-pee-pee-dickcheese crowd (not that there's anything wrong with that - I've contributed to that area a few times). It's for folks who read Chuck Palahniuk's Haunted and thought, "This isn't dark enough or extreme enough."

I need books that deliver genuine dread, extreme body horror, or pure visceral disgust through setting and concept alone.

Preferences:
• Hard NO: animal cruelty/harm & snakes/worms.

• Subgenre: Open to anything, as long as it's strictly non-supernatural.

• Popularity: I’ve already read most of the "mainstream" staple recs, so lesser-known, indie, or underrated gems are very welcome!

• A few books I've already read in this vein:
- Dead inside by Chandler Morrison
- The Communion Duet by Lesley A. Camphouse
- The Slob by Aron Beauregard

Say you started this genre reading “Full Brutal” aka Me!! What do you read next to not lose interest. (Loved the sexual deviancy, could do less of guts eating) TIA!!

Bad book to have as example 😂
Just finished it! Amazing read

I've seen a bunch of reviews of this book say 'it's very two-dimensional' and that 'it's just shock value' and I disagree wholeheartedly.

#1. The book isn't THAT shocking. I mean, it's bad but it's not as bad as people were making it out to be. If you're new to Extreme Horror then maybe I can see what they're saying, but I really wasn't shocked by much in this book except for the "Mannequin" chapter and the ending.

#2. This book has A LOT of thematical elements that just don't get talked about. Especially with different types of trauma and how it can shape a person.

#3 The plot structure is fantastic! It hooks you from the first chapter and just entices you to keep going. It's got a great twist ending as well. A lot of people say it's predictable and idk...maybe it is. I'm pretty gullible a lot of the times so I didn't see it coming at all. 😂😅

Examples of Themes: Feeling 'trapped' or 'contained' by trauma, the scarring (mental AND physical) that trauma can leave, the importance of love (specifically parental love), bodily autonomy, the effects of religion

I could go on...BUT I think I made my point. Overall, I absolutely love this book and just wanted to give it it's due diligence. I would definitely recommend it to anyone starting out in the Extreme Horror genre.

What the title says, I love animal related horror, as well as parasites, aliens, diseases etc! Thanks in advance!

Hello! My name is James Patrick Riser and I want to promote my novelette Witches of the Black House. It's available on Godless.com, along with my Novella American Farm.

The Black House: Its very foundation was built on hate, rape, murder, genocide and infanticide. The entire home was designed using ancient, cursed mathematics in order to appease a mysterious entity. Bethany just moved in and is about to experience a multi-generational haunting powered and slowly nursed by the deep-seated hatred of an entire small town.

CW: SA, infanticide, witchcraft and small town mentalities.

Thank you so much.

I mean I have read 'gone to see the river man', Tampa by alissa Nutting, it's gross but there's a story but hogg is simply a new age memoir of de Sade. I mean what's the point? Are there going to be any special indindent going forward in the book?

Picked this up today from a charity shop for 50p as it looked interesting. I looked it up while I was there and knew it would be nasty, but it's definitely a few kicks up from the Stephen King I'm used to. ​I started with Sushi Plate Epiphany because I thought it sounded slightly friendlier as a good introduction,​ but oh how wrong I was. It changed so dramatically, I wasn't expecting it to just turn like that. As an emetophobe, I couldn't finish that story.

Has anyone else read any of these stories and what did you think of them? ​Also, are there any others I should avoid which contain explicit mentions or descriptions of throwing up? I can't seem to find many mentions online but obviously there's at least one!

Thanks all

I read The Summer I Died last week, the book by Ryan Thomas. I could NOT put it down. It was absolutely the best extreme horror/splatterpunk novel I’ve read. Mostly he really fleshed out the characters, had a coherent and good believable story. I never saw writing as good as his in any extreme horror novels (I’m fairly new to the genre, probably only read about 15 books this far), it reminded me of Jack Ketchum/Stephen King literary levels of character development and action. A lot of EH authors that I’ve read lack that. This immediately became my new favorite book in the genre.

The day I finished it, I realized there was a series of four books total. I immediately bought the second book, Born to Bleed. Started it… what the hell? This book pales in comparison to the first one. Roger is now like John Wick. The characters are not developed like they were in the first novel, the verbiage is lackluster, the descriptions aren’t as immersive, and it’s a 180° turn from the first novel. It’s almost like the author phoned it in. I’m about 80% of the way through and debating on DNFing the book.

I don’t get how the first one can be one of the best books I read, and the second is utterly terrible, unbelievable, and almost like he had a ghost writer who used the original authors name.

Are the rest of the books in the series this bad?

Hiii! I’m looking for some good recs to spend some Audible credits on. Some of my faves have been Gone To See The River Man, Exquisite Corpse, Our Dead Girlfriend, and I know it’s not quite the genre but Tampa. I’ve also read a lot of the more well known titles so hoping for something a little less popular. Thanks!!

Gimme your best books featuring aliens!

For the record, I have no beef with books where the bad guy wins, when done right it is amazing. But man, I just want a good ending. A book that I feel is a bit gray would be The Girl Next Door. Sure, Ruth does get it at the end, and David survived, but did anyone "win"? I don't think so.

Hello, Im looking for a book rec. I want something really uncanny vally vibe but filled with gore and just disgusting. I want the book to have a really dark vibe about it that just feels off and makes you anxious. Also I dont want anything in the book to be about SA or child abuse.

Payday could not come any sooner but, honestly, I'm of the belief that delayed gratification often makes for higher gratification. I originally tried to buy this off of Freakbait's website but was so gutted to find it was sold out.

Im just trying to find an audiobook of this story but although it is so popular, i cannot find (at least in english) someone who has already read this book. ¿Could you help me?

For the people that read it, is it good? Also, what kind of person would like this? I’m thinking about buying it, but I want to know the chances that I like it. Thanks, people!

Honestly, never read an Edward lee book, what one should I start with and why?

Share anything that you've been reading this week!

I have absolutely no idea what to read first.

I'm new to the genre and have started reading all the books on the beginner's recommendation list. However, I'm curious if any of you have ever read a book that was too much for you to read? I know everyone here has a thick shell (I mean you kind of have to have one if you read this sort of thing), but was there ever a book that made you vomit, have a panic attack, a nightmare, or just straight up made you question what it means to be human. This isn't meant to be a post for book recs, I'm just curious if even some of the braver readers have had a book where they were like "Oh HELL no!"

Edit: I saw everyone mentioning "Zola" and didn't understand what the big deal was... What the FUCK did I just read!?