Boris Krischel

I usually enjoy splatterpunk and was looking forward to this one; it’s pretty popular and the premise sounded promising. But honestly, it didn’t do much for me. Yeah, it’s gruesome, but nothing super shocking or wild. The gore kind of just happens without much emotional impact, and the characters didn’t really pull me in.

You can tell it was written fast (10 days apparently), and it shows. It’s not terrible, just kind of forgettable, and not very well written overall. Definitely not as intense or memorable as I’d hoped.

I absolutely loved this. The world is disturbing and extreme, but it’s not just shock for the sake of it. The story hits hard. Even without the brutal setting, the stuff the main character goes through is genuinely emotional. I actually got tears in my eyes at one point, which almost never happens with books.

I really enjoyed this one. I’d heard pieces of Greek myths before through movies or random references, but never the full stories. Mythos does a great job filling in the gaps and giving everything proper context. Stephen Fry tells it all in a super clear and funny way. It’s informative without ever feeling dry.

Definitely recommended if you’re even slightly curious about Greek mythology.

What can I say that hasn’t already been said? It’s a must-read. The themes still feel disturbingly relevant, and the world Orwell built is just so bleak and believable. I expected it to go in a different direction, so the ending completely caught me off guard, and it hit hard. One of those books that sticks with you long after you finish.

I generally like extreme horror short stories and having a compilation that spans several years, showing the development of the genre is quite a nice idea. Unfortunately the stories that were chosen are a real mixed bag. Some were great but a few of them are also skip-worthy in my opinion.

I just finished Carnal Surgery, a collection of eleven Edward Lee stories, and it was a mixed bag... but mostly great. “The Seeker” was my standout: a surreal journey to a twisted town that slowly ratchets up the weird, and that ending stuck with me. Other highlights: “Hands” delivered a solid twist and genuine tension, “The Blurred Room” felt deeply satisfying, and “Death, She Said” and “Goddess of the New Dark Age” were unexpectedly thought-provoking.

Some stories like “Please Let Me Go” and “The Order of Nature” felt standard; fine, but forgettable. And yes, the writing quality and editing are hit-or-miss, some sloppy dialogue and rough edges here and there. But nothing was bad enough to ruin the experience, and there wasn’t a single story I actively disliked.

Overall, the collection is brutal and bizarre, but it’s also got some real kicks.

This was my first Edward Lee book and my first dive into splatterpunk... and it’s a brutal introduction. It starts out disgusting and never really stops. The plot is wild: a billionaire tries to offend God by orchestrating the most horrific acts imaginable. It’s repulsive, extreme, and clearly meant to push every boundary it can find.

I can respect that it tries to give all the depravity a purpose, but it’s not a fun or humorous read; it’s just disturbing. The characters don’t have much depth, and the editing is honestly a mess in places. Still, the sheer extremity and weird concept stuck with me. I didn’t enjoy it in the traditional sense, but I’m glad I read it.