I was absolutely captivated by this book. Completely invested in every single character. If one was in peril, I felt it in my soul. This is one of those stories where you NEED to know how, when, and where these characters’ worlds are going to collide. The kind where you’re 20% in and already following the author on Goodreads.

This follows two different families, and I’ll admit, I was confused at first. The names of the apes in particular were VERY hard for me to keep straight. But keep going. It all comes together, and you’ll be glad you stuck with it.

This book is gory, and oh boy, am I here for it. The description lists cryptids, darker folklore, isolated and atmospheric locales, family drama, and survivalist stories, and I back that list 100%. I’d add gore and horror without hesitation.

I found myself furious at Solace’s family for making what I considered incredibly ignorant and dangerous decisions, while simultaneously being thrilled they made them because those decisions helped create such a stressful and terrifying situation. I cared about both sides and genuinely struggled to choose one at times.
By the end, I may have felt a little lost, but I also felt satisfied. Most importantly, I was completely invested in the journey getting there.

This is the kind of book where I found myself thinking about the characters when I wasn’t reading. The second I put it down, I wanted to pick it back up and check on them… which is probably the best compliment I can give a book

Grateful to NetGalley for the ARC and for their ongoing courage in letting The Hateful Reader judge things. Thank you to Joshua David Robison (self published) for giving me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Pub date: Sept 22 2026

“What a trip. What a goddamn horrible, beautiful trip this has been.” -Solace

I finished this book last week and I had to let my head process it before I wrote a review. That was a mistake on my part because as I was reviewing my notes and highlights I might as well have been grinding coarse salt into an open wound. I really loved these characters, all of them, but damn they went through hell with just enough sunshine to let hope seep in.
Such an amazing story. What an incredible writer. It almost felt biographical at times because it felt so real. This is a story of two families (albeit different species) whose journeys are on crash course. Each chapter alternates with the family that it’s about and at the end of each chapter I would be mad because I wanted to continue with that family, then I would start the next chapter and be like “oooooooh, what are these guys up to?”
It is stories like this that make me hate labeling everything into a genre. These families were just fun to follow around (until it wasn’t) whether it was the humans or the apes it didn’t matter. All beings are fun, smart, dumb, have misunderstandings and make mistakes. Just some of those mistakes hurt so much more than others.

What an unexpected book! Two intertwined stories are absolutely captivating. The detail that went into describing apes and their customs is unbelievable until you read about the author and find out this is his speciality.
Characters are multilayered, which helps to bring depth to the story. The action is not straight forward. I really liked the aspect of circumstances - best intentions may not be worth much in a wrong situation.

The Antlered Ape was an incredible read that completely drew me in from the very beginning. The story blends folklore, survival, suspense, and just enough horror to keep the tension high without overshadowing the emotional heart of the novel. I especially loved how the author told the story through both the human and creature perspectives, making it impossible to see either side as simply “the monster.” The atmosphere of the Pacific Northwest wilderness felt vivid and immersive, almost becoming a character itself.

What stayed with me most was the central theme that survival, not malice, drives conflict. Watching two families from different species struggle to protect those they love made the story surprisingly emotional and thought-provoking. If you enjoy cryptids, darker folklore, and wilderness adventures with rich world-building and unforgettable creatures, I highly recommend The Antlered Ape. It’s a unique and compelling story that I’ll be thinking about long after turning the last page.

The way this book flowed was magical and captivating. I haven’t been this invested and immersed in a book in a long time! I haven’t been able to stop talking about this book!