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Everything's Gotta Be Love or Death
Who could possibly be miserable while vacationing on a beautiful sunny island with his best friends, surrounded by people having a wonderful time?
Brandon. Brandon could.
He hated everything about his life, himself most of all. Hated it so much, he’d begun contemplating just ending it rather than dragging himself through another boring day of being a nothing and a nobody and a pathetic loser.
But then he met Vince. A mysterious, handsome, dangerous stranger with a proposition. One simple action that would change things forever, a deed Brandon couldn’t go back on. Which would give him the chance he so desperately desired -- the chance to remake himself in ways he’d never imagined.
“Wanna kill someone?”
Welcome to the latest extreme novella from the twisted mind of Stephen Cooper, author of Addicted to Vengeance and The Rot. A story about lust, love, and good old-fashioned brutal murder, this book isn’t for the faint-hearted, and probably isn’t good advice for the broken-hearted.
But, sometimes, you have to live in the moment, where Everything’s Gotta Be Love or Death.
Brandon. Brandon could.
He hated everything about his life, himself most of all. Hated it so much, he’d begun contemplating just ending it rather than dragging himself through another boring day of being a nothing and a nobody and a pathetic loser.
But then he met Vince. A mysterious, handsome, dangerous stranger with a proposition. One simple action that would change things forever, a deed Brandon couldn’t go back on. Which would give him the chance he so desperately desired -- the chance to remake himself in ways he’d never imagined.
“Wanna kill someone?”
Welcome to the latest extreme novella from the twisted mind of Stephen Cooper, author of Addicted to Vengeance and The Rot. A story about lust, love, and good old-fashioned brutal murder, this book isn’t for the faint-hearted, and probably isn’t good advice for the broken-hearted.
But, sometimes, you have to live in the moment, where Everything’s Gotta Be Love or Death.
- GenresHorror
93 pages, Paperback
First published November 2, 2023
4 people are currently reading
107 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 5, 2023
Twisted, Perverse Entertainment!
My second read by Cooper, and I enjoyed this one even more than HACK, which I loved. This dude can write, and knows how to tell a story. If you like extreme horror, you'll have a blast with EVERYTHING'S GOTTA BE LOVE OR DEATH. Highly recommended!
My second read by Cooper, and I enjoyed this one even more than HACK, which I loved. This dude can write, and knows how to tell a story. If you like extreme horror, you'll have a blast with EVERYTHING'S GOTTA BE LOVE OR DEATH. Highly recommended!
May 7, 2024
even if it’s a short story, there is a lack of development that I didn’t like and lack of originality with a predictable ending
February 5, 2024
Fast paced Splatterpunk. Just what I was looking for. Straight to the point, no fucking around, gore.
March 19, 2024
I knew, from the moment a dead body gets shat—and then subsequently ejaculated upon—that I was in for a real treat with this one!
August 17, 2024
Okay what the actual FUCK
June 28, 2024
HORROR STANS LISTEN UP. This was single handedly the most fucked up thing I’ve ever read. I do not say that lightly. Cooper has packed a depraved punch in only 100 pages. I clutched my pearls. I audibly gasped. Covered my face and called at the absurd grossness of it. Got a little nauseated at times.
What you need to read this: an iron stomach, ability to suspend morality; and no gag reflex.
What you can expect: corruption; killing spree; extreme violence , graphic blood and gore; cannibalism; suicidal ideation; what is very likely a psychotic episode; and more
This homoerotic thriller is not for most, think TWICE or maybe more before reading. I say this with all the seriousness in the world… again, THIS IS NOT FOR EVERYONE…. But it was definitely for me 😛
FRTC
What you need to read this: an iron stomach, ability to suspend morality; and no gag reflex.
What you can expect: corruption; killing spree; extreme violence , graphic blood and gore; cannibalism; suicidal ideation; what is very likely a psychotic episode; and more
This homoerotic thriller is not for most, think TWICE or maybe more before reading. I say this with all the seriousness in the world… again, THIS IS NOT FOR EVERYONE…. But it was definitely for me 😛
FRTC
April 18, 2024
A great story and fun characters. I could go for a hamburger
July 31, 2024
Despite the scandal surrounding this writer, you can't deny he has immense talent.
This story was fast paced, gory and sad. It also touches on human issues like, how far would you go to feel accepted and loved. The style of writing is emotive and visceral.
Highly recommended.
This story was fast paced, gory and sad. It also touches on human issues like, how far would you go to feel accepted and loved. The style of writing is emotive and visceral.
Highly recommended.
April 16, 2024
What if, at maybe your lowest point of depression and feeling needless, you met the perfectly *wrong* person during a night out? This is what happens to Brandon, who quickly falls for Vince despite the strange life advice Vince preaches, starting with the fact that everything is love or death.
This was a fast-paced and brutal ride. Brandon’s thoughts and reactions are so relatable. I also listened to the new audiobook and the narrator did a great job!
This was a fast-paced and brutal ride. Brandon’s thoughts and reactions are so relatable. I also listened to the new audiobook and the narrator did a great job!
April 30, 2024
Stephen Cooper. My fellow extreme horror and splatterpunk fiends know and love him. His support for his fellow authors is endless and unwavering. His YouTube channel Splatploitation features book reviews, interviews, vlogs about his experience as an indie author, and so much more. We know his face and his soft voice and the joy he radiates when he’s talking about his latest read. We know him, but have we read any of his books? I admit I am guilty of not having read any of them until today. I own a few but you know, stiflingly large TBR.
One day, Cooper shared a new vlog expressing his disappointment over his latest release, Beneath the Rot. He remains positive as ever, but the melancholy in that soft voice combined with the furrowed brows was just too much. It was time for me to read his work. Because I haven’t read The Rot, I skipped Beneath the Rot and bought his first audiobook, Everything’s Gotta Be Love or Death. This is less book review and more a letter to Stephen Cooper.
That said, this is still a book review so let’s talk about it. Everything’s Gotta Be Love or Death is both a mantra and foreshadowing. Brandon hates his life. People walk all over him and his existence is one big pity party. His friends keep him around to be the responsible one, the one who keeps an eye on the clock and makes sure tabs are paid. One night while his friends are having their fun and he’s just waiting, he meets a sexy stranger named Vince who promises to change his life. He is immediately taken by this handsome man with the devilish grin and lofty promises. He has no idea what Vince has in store for him. What follows is what Brandon perceives as a whirlwind romance on a trail of brutality. Everything’s Gotta Be Love or Death is more than Vince’s mantra; it’s his lifestyle.
A note about the audiobook: I loved it. I really enjoyed both the performance and the sound of the narrator’s voice. There is only one book narrated by Aksel Erzinclioglu on Audible but I hope that he continues in this line of work. He mastered the dark charisma of Vince.
This book will get you thinking about the lengths you’d go to escape unbearable loneliness and find a sense of belonging. I think we all can relate on some level. Really enjoyed this book. It is a mere 95 pages long, but Cooper managed well developed characters and a cohesive story. He writes murder and erotic scenes with equal skill and zero cringe. Well, except in the way you want to cringe at horror. This might ruin burgers for you for a minute. Maybe. What a great ending. I look forward to reading more of Cooper’s work.
I hope you’re okay, Stephen. I hope you know that your contributions to the community matter. And I hope you don’t let your failed release make you doubt your ability as a writer or your value to the community.
One day, Cooper shared a new vlog expressing his disappointment over his latest release, Beneath the Rot. He remains positive as ever, but the melancholy in that soft voice combined with the furrowed brows was just too much. It was time for me to read his work. Because I haven’t read The Rot, I skipped Beneath the Rot and bought his first audiobook, Everything’s Gotta Be Love or Death. This is less book review and more a letter to Stephen Cooper.
That said, this is still a book review so let’s talk about it. Everything’s Gotta Be Love or Death is both a mantra and foreshadowing. Brandon hates his life. People walk all over him and his existence is one big pity party. His friends keep him around to be the responsible one, the one who keeps an eye on the clock and makes sure tabs are paid. One night while his friends are having their fun and he’s just waiting, he meets a sexy stranger named Vince who promises to change his life. He is immediately taken by this handsome man with the devilish grin and lofty promises. He has no idea what Vince has in store for him. What follows is what Brandon perceives as a whirlwind romance on a trail of brutality. Everything’s Gotta Be Love or Death is more than Vince’s mantra; it’s his lifestyle.
A note about the audiobook: I loved it. I really enjoyed both the performance and the sound of the narrator’s voice. There is only one book narrated by Aksel Erzinclioglu on Audible but I hope that he continues in this line of work. He mastered the dark charisma of Vince.
This book will get you thinking about the lengths you’d go to escape unbearable loneliness and find a sense of belonging. I think we all can relate on some level. Really enjoyed this book. It is a mere 95 pages long, but Cooper managed well developed characters and a cohesive story. He writes murder and erotic scenes with equal skill and zero cringe. Well, except in the way you want to cringe at horror. This might ruin burgers for you for a minute. Maybe. What a great ending. I look forward to reading more of Cooper’s work.
I hope you’re okay, Stephen. I hope you know that your contributions to the community matter. And I hope you don’t let your failed release make you doubt your ability as a writer or your value to the community.
June 12, 2024
Loved this!
I freaking loved this story! The end broke my heart a bit but I’m just gonna pretend it didn’t happen. Iykyk. I am sure sooooooo many people out there would follow in exactly the same footsteps if presented with the opportunity and the proper motivation and that just makes this all the better. It’s like a cute and disturbing horror romance almost. So good!
I freaking loved this story! The end broke my heart a bit but I’m just gonna pretend it didn’t happen. Iykyk. I am sure sooooooo many people out there would follow in exactly the same footsteps if presented with the opportunity and the proper motivation and that just makes this all the better. It’s like a cute and disturbing horror romance almost. So good!
November 24, 2023
𝑰'𝒎 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒂 𝒘𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒆, 𝑰'𝒎 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈.
This book got under my skin in ways that I'm not sure I can explain. Maybe it's because I could relate to the main character in many ways, but it's more than that. It just touched a nerve, and after giving it a lot of thought, I think it's because I'm seeing more and more senseless cruelty and complete and utter disregard for human life in the real world, thus blurring the lines between fiction and reality.
Brandon hates everything about his life. He's on the periphery; on the outside looking in. He considers himself to be a loser and is sure that he only has a group of friends because they both pity him and need someone to be the responsible one; to ensure bar tabs are paid and hotel check-outs are done on time. He's sitting alone at a bar while his friends are picking up their entertainment for the night when he's approached by a stranger who introduces himself as Vince. Right away Brandon wonders what Vince wants with him. But soon it becomes clear that Vince can see the brokenness in Brandon, and his attention causes everyone in the background to blur and fade. When he leans in close, Brandon is expecting a kiss, but instead, he hears a whispered question, "Wanna kill someone?"
What follows is a trail of violence and destruction, yes, but it's also a deep dive into the psychological aspects of loneliness, belonging, and the desire to be seen. It also begs the question, did Vince unleash something in Brandon that had been there, festering under the surface, all along, or did he manipulate an innocent young man into becoming a monster that he was never meant to be?
I'll be thinking about this book for a long time. If you haven't read this author yet, this is a great book to start with. Available now in paperback and Kindle.
This book got under my skin in ways that I'm not sure I can explain. Maybe it's because I could relate to the main character in many ways, but it's more than that. It just touched a nerve, and after giving it a lot of thought, I think it's because I'm seeing more and more senseless cruelty and complete and utter disregard for human life in the real world, thus blurring the lines between fiction and reality.
Brandon hates everything about his life. He's on the periphery; on the outside looking in. He considers himself to be a loser and is sure that he only has a group of friends because they both pity him and need someone to be the responsible one; to ensure bar tabs are paid and hotel check-outs are done on time. He's sitting alone at a bar while his friends are picking up their entertainment for the night when he's approached by a stranger who introduces himself as Vince. Right away Brandon wonders what Vince wants with him. But soon it becomes clear that Vince can see the brokenness in Brandon, and his attention causes everyone in the background to blur and fade. When he leans in close, Brandon is expecting a kiss, but instead, he hears a whispered question, "Wanna kill someone?"
What follows is a trail of violence and destruction, yes, but it's also a deep dive into the psychological aspects of loneliness, belonging, and the desire to be seen. It also begs the question, did Vince unleash something in Brandon that had been there, festering under the surface, all along, or did he manipulate an innocent young man into becoming a monster that he was never meant to be?
I'll be thinking about this book for a long time. If you haven't read this author yet, this is a great book to start with. Available now in paperback and Kindle.
November 23, 2023
Brandon is away on a tropical vacation with his friends. A fun, sunny get away sounded great to most people but not to Brandon. He hates his life, he’s never been happy and his even thought about ending it all.
Then he meets Vince, a handsome, charismatic stranger with a big question: “Wanna kill someone?”
This was my first time reading Cooper’s work and I really enjoyed it. It’s extremely violent and full of bloody torture scenes; definitely not for the faint of heart. If it was a cocktail it would be a blend of American Psycho, Natural Born Killers and Fight Club. If you like extreme horror you’ll love this twisted little story!
Then he meets Vince, a handsome, charismatic stranger with a big question: “Wanna kill someone?”
This was my first time reading Cooper’s work and I really enjoyed it. It’s extremely violent and full of bloody torture scenes; definitely not for the faint of heart. If it was a cocktail it would be a blend of American Psycho, Natural Born Killers and Fight Club. If you like extreme horror you’ll love this twisted little story!
April 18, 2024
Great timelime
This was a great fast read. I found myself starting to feel a little sorry for Brandon at one point, so I am happy it ended the way it did. I would love to see a backstory for Vince. I bet his history would be an intriguing read. Really enjoyed this book.
This was a great fast read. I found myself starting to feel a little sorry for Brandon at one point, so I am happy it ended the way it did. I would love to see a backstory for Vince. I bet his history would be an intriguing read. Really enjoyed this book.
September 3, 2025
Review to come.
December 24, 2024
A really chaotic love story. So sad and hedonistic at the same time.
The writing style really made you feel as if you were Brandon. I felt empathy, confusion, love, concern, guilt and excitement with him.
Really enjoyed it.
The writing style really made you feel as if you were Brandon. I felt empathy, confusion, love, concern, guilt and excitement with him.
Really enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews