Three novelettes and a memoir from Splatterpunk Award-nominated and Godless Award-winning horror author Brian Bowyer.

Scarlett
A woman buys a pair ting k owing the artist was a serial killer who used the blood of his young victims as paint.  Loved this story and how she learned about revenge.

Countdown to Oblivion
A father saves his daughter from death at the hands of a drug dealer just in time for the end of existence of the earth.  I have to admit that the end of this one choked me up a little.

Black cat bones
Another  story of a child living a horrible existence that is her normal.  Her mother is a drug addict and the young girl goes from abuse from the mother's boyfriend and hunger.  A sad tale for lots of reasons.

The Memoir.  This dude kinda scares the hell out of me! If his memoir is even 10% true, he has seems and done some s**t!  It is easy to see where these disturbing stories come from.

This is a book of horror.  Do not expect the watered-down stuff that calls itself horror here.  You are warned.
It's highly recommended if you are a die-hard horror fan who does not shy from splatterpunk and doesn't look for trigger warnings.
Published May 31, 2024

Thanks to @netgalley and  RDS Publishing | Uncomfortably Dark Horror for the opportunity to read this eArc in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion

This is a difficult one to review for me. The author is talented, but something is missing in each story. Can't put my finger on it. The flow is weird, the endings fell a little flat for me. Too abrupt and not really imaginative. Problem is, I've read too many horror stories all my life, so maybe for the average reader it might hit harder. So I just decided to take it as it is and enjoy the ride.

The real story is the 4th, the author's note. Don't skip that one as it explains a lot about where he comes from. No spoilers, but I was wondering about the girls' ending each time, and this explains a lot.

I truly think if he could flesh his characters out a little more, or focus on where the story is heading, or build the story up a little more, stay away from cliché's, a little more tension, or.... Maybe I should just shut up and take it as it is.

All in all, I enjoyed the second and third stories the most.

I have to say, I don't enjoy horror anymore like I used to. Life happened and it's difficult to not let it taint my reviews when I do read horror. So that's why I try to be as honest as possible. It wasn't for me, but there is something there for others.

Thanks Netgalley for the book. My review is also on Goodread, but since the app is becoming disgustingly incompetent, it won't let me share the link.

Overall, the writing felt clunky- I don't want to sound like an English teacher but aren't writers meant to show not tell? Almost all of the dialogue felt stale. Also, a some of the chapters within the stories could have easily been cut without changing the story or tone. The first story was, in my opinion, the best but still only a 2 star at best. I found the character unlikeable from the start (as I did with the other two short stories) but at least in this one I felt bad for the woman's situation. I did not finish the third story and DNF'd the book.
A lot of this book made me feel uncomfortable, but not in the way a horror book should. The mentions r*pe and drug addiction felt crudely done and unemotional- the characters did not feel as though they had suffered from trauma and more that mentions were made to make the stories grittier with their surface level mentions. Also lines like 'she reminded him of ... those kids in the old photos of starving Ethiopian children, except she was white' felt very out-of-place and unnecessary, similarly to the mention of a Hindu man in the first story. The depictions of mental health and addiction added to the fact that this was written by a middle aged white man- which it was.

DNF

Holy hell, what a ride
Brian Bowyer doesn’t pull punches, and this collection proves it in blood-soaked, brain-bending fashion. *Scarlett*, *Countdown to Oblivion*, *Black Cat Bones*, plus a raw, no-holds-barred memoir? Yes, please. If you like your horror *mean*, *brutal*, and *unapologetically human*, this is your next read.
Each story here is a gut-punch in its own way. *

Scarlett* is disturbingly artistic and eerily supernatural—a killer with a taste for beauty and a painting that *talks back*. Creepy, visceral, and unforgettable.

Countdown to Oblivion had me on edge the whole time. Bowyer weaves fatherhood, addiction, and cosmic horror into a nightmare that somehow still has a twisted emotional core. And that ending?? Unhinged in the best way.

Black Cat Bones was my favorite—and also the most *devastating*. It’s survival horror stripped down to the bone, equal parts heart-wrenching and stomach-turning. The descent into madness here is terrifying *because* it feels so real.

This is not for the faint of heart. It’s rough, it’s graphic, it’s emotionally charged—and I *loved* every second of it.

Enjoyed this collection by Brian Bowyer. First time reading him, and it definitely didn't disappoint. I enjoyed the characters in each story, and the plot/pacing for each one. Even the non-fiction story was enjoyable, and not usually my thing. Scarlett was my favorite of the three. Will definitely look for other titles by Brian Bowyer. #STORYSLAVE #NetGalley

Wonderfully written and harrowing stories that were the perfect thing to help me get out of a reading slump. Countdown to Oblivion was by far my favorite of what was included, and I will definitely be checking out more from Brian.

Unfortunately, I think I may have been the wrong audience for this one.

Seemed like a dilettante attempt. The writing felt more YA level even though the subject matter was vile, specifically in Countdown to Oblivion, what with the dad, daughter and 9 y/o child all doing meth together like a happy little family. Sadly for me, suspension of disbelief was impossible.

Regardless, I am always grateful for the opportunity. Thank you to RDS Publishing | Uncomfortably Dark Horror!

“Storyslave” is a collection of terrifying fiction & also part wild memoir by the author. Bower’s book is totally captivating. His life events and imagination transform & elevate his prose into fantastic scary stories. I really appreciated the insight into how his experiences show through in his work.

Within these pages readers learn to beware of black cat bones, follow a family of addicts during the last hours of humanity, and meet a grieving mother who is willing to help the spirit of a child.
I enjoyed each one for its randomness, interesting characters, and endings.

This was just plain good storytelling.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and RDS Publishing/ Uncomfortably Dark Horror for a copy!

I picked this up off Netgalley but I really saw a review from Danielle and knew I needed to read it, and lucked into it there.

This was wonderful, and will be getting purchased by me when it released.

Do I have a new to me author I will be checking, out?
Yes !

Three novelettes and I need to pick a favorite, or do I ?

Scarlett ( I know, I know this is what caught my eye)
This one is a wild take on a serial killer, and how one person hunts them down, I loved it in the same way I loved The Shining Girls and Black Phone, if you know what I mean, that weird, crazy, story that unfolds and you are like, holy crap what is happening, but you can’t stop reading it. I was gripped the entire time.

Countdown to Oblivious
Maybe it was the family feud, maybe it was the drug use, and how it makes everything worse, but something about this story just hit hard for me, and I loved it, when that comes together in a down to the wire type situation, it just had all the elements I love in horror, the “people pressure” I like to call it where its not just the things going on around you that make shit scary, its the people, the ones you can’t tell what they will do next, that make the real horror in the story.

Black Cat Bones ( I am a liar, this was my favorite lol )
I enjoyed this one as well, how could I pass up a kid destroying her actual real monster??
I dont want to spoil too much, but while on the run with her mother, they run into someone or something and well, when your a kid, that not only endured the monster, but also slayed it, well it leaves some marks that you can’t just roll on past, and somehow this stranger, helps her out with that.

I loved this, and will be checking out more by Brian, this is the kind of author I love running across.

This was a creepy little horror anthology! Worth picking up for anyone who enjoys extreme and/or short horror stories. Sometimes I think short horror is the best, although it is difficult not to love it all.

Storyslave is 3 short stories and an autobiographical short story. In one, a serial killer at large uses the blood of children that he will imminently kill to create paintings. Our protagonist forms a bond, if you will, with one of these paintings and uses it to locate the killer, and ultimately, her own artistic inspiration. In another, a meth-fueled family feud turns into something even more intense, if you can believe it. In the third, a little girl and her mother go to great lengths to hide from the police after our young protagonist takes out her real-life boogeyman. The kindness of a stranger, and strange he is indeed, helps her to move on. In the final story, we get a glimpse into the youth of author Brian Bowyer's own life, and it informs the stories that came before.

Honestly, on reading the first 3 stories, I had a hard time following the motivations of the main characters. At times their actions, and reactions seemed extreme, or permissive, or unusual. That was the biggest hang up for me here. I still think that my opinion holds, although I do believe that Brian's own experience sheds light on a very different upbringing and background, one in which people are subjected to circumstances in which they might act in extreme ways, from an outsider's perspective.

These stories stuck with me. It's been 10 days and one will surface in my mind from time to time. Thank you for sharing a little bit of your world with us Brian. It was very cool to put together that you grew up not too far from where I'm living now, in Huntington. I'm glad to read that you found a place that you like much better and that you are creating these stories to share with us.

Thank you to Brian, NetGalley, and RDS Publishing for the eARC!

Title: Storyslave
Author: Brian Bowyer
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
Gore Level: 💀💀💀💀
Genre: Horror · Psychological · Occult · Extreme
Format: eReader ARC via NetGalley

Review:
Storyslave is a dark and disorienting collection that felt like three bite-sized episodes of American Horror Story. Each novella offers a unique horror experience — whether it’s a grieving woman pulled into a surreal relationship with a mysterious art curator, a descent into apocalyptic madness and addiction, or eerie encounters with folk magic and death rituals.

This collection leans hard into grief, violence, and emotional trauma, with plenty of blood and bleakness for horror fans who like their stories sharp and unflinching. It's not for the faint-hearted — and definitely not a casual horror read — but it's a compelling one.

Bowyer's writing is unsettling, occasionally poetic, and unafraid to dive deep into discomfort. It’s a brutal yet strangely beautiful introduction to extreme horror, and a strong first foray into the genre for me. I’ll definitely be reading more.

I didn't love this one.

The writing felt curt—short sentences, sparse details, basic language. There wasn't much tension or intrigue. And the characters acted in ways that made willing suspension of disbelief very difficult.

Overall, the book felt rather flat. Not my cup of tea.

Wow! What a delightful collection of short horror stories! I have not read anything by Brian Bowyer before and I'm glad this collection was my introduction to his work. My favorite story was COUNTDOWN TO OBLIVION- a drug-fueled, end of the world ride with a touch of depravity. I was hoping for a bit more extreme horror, but these were a joy to read. I will definitely be reading more from Bowyer!

Brian Bowyer is easily one of my top authors in this genre. His writing can literally do no wrong. I became obsessed after reading Flesh Rehearsal, and never once has one his books disappointed. This new collection showcases his impeccable writing. If you’ve ever read anything by him, or know who he is, it’s safe to say you know what I mean when I say the guy is just a total vibe… and so is this collection. On that note, let’s take the stories one by one.

Scarlett:

“Yes. Some whisper, and others scream, but all works of art must say something. And I definitely want my first painting to say something. I’m waiting for a story to tell.”

Ah. Perfect story to start a collection. Quick one sitting read and really shows off what I love about Brian. His ability to tell a hell of a story whether it’s 20 pages or 200+. I love a good haunting story, and this is top tier.

Countdown to Oblivion:

“The drugs made her hideous, but pain made her beautiful. She’s flying with all the angels now.”

This little gem was absolutely perfect. Less than 50 pages; so a nice quick read but everything you could want and more from plot, character, detail, etc. It’s a heavy hitter and packs a punch. I read this story in the past as a standalone and it was one that actually got me out of a reading slump. Fantastic story.

Black Cat Bones:

“The mind’s an awfully big place. There’s a lot of places people can go and hide inside their minds.”

Brutal. Brilliant. Beautiful. Around 40 pages and like the others, packs a hell of a punch. Definitely a page turner. I love how his stories can be read in one sitting and be so impactful. This story is a perfect example of that with his writing.

Thank you to the publisher for providing a complimentary copy of this book.

Wow. This was messed up, but in a good way. The stories were interesting, they kept me engaged. We have a haunted painting, an Armageddon-type situation, and a child following the Antichrist. These stories are raw, original, and disturbing. A lot of trigger warnings, so definitely check that before you decide to read this.

Other than that, I really enjoyed these horror novellettes. My favorite was Scarlett. I also enjoyed the little autobiography at the end - you definitely get a sense of where these stories originated from by learning about the author's young life. I liked that aspect because I was wondering how he came up with these stories. I'll definitely be interested in reading other stories by Brian Bowyer.