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Hell Pulp
LIFE IS TEMPORARY. THE REST IS INFINITE.
Recently deceased, Oscar rises from his grave and discovers a barren world where the dead face a desolate, never-ending existence. No one can escape, no one can die, and the only way to adapt is by abandoning one’s sanity and humanity.
Desperate to find meaning in this new reality, Oscar joins forces with Nathaniel, a man broken by this dog-eat-dog world. Together, they embark on a perilous journey through Hell in search of Dean Theodore, a figure who may hold the answers to eternity’s deepest secrets.
As they battle the Hell around—and within—them, they learn that even in the most uncaring corners of the cosmos, the faintest glimmer of hope may be just enough to keep the darkness at bay.
Hell Pulp is a grounded exploration of the afterlife myth, unbound by religious traditions. For readers craving adventure, horror, and philosophical reflection, Hell Pulp offers a harrowing vision of a world just beyond ours.
Recently deceased, Oscar rises from his grave and discovers a barren world where the dead face a desolate, never-ending existence. No one can escape, no one can die, and the only way to adapt is by abandoning one’s sanity and humanity.
Desperate to find meaning in this new reality, Oscar joins forces with Nathaniel, a man broken by this dog-eat-dog world. Together, they embark on a perilous journey through Hell in search of Dean Theodore, a figure who may hold the answers to eternity’s deepest secrets.
As they battle the Hell around—and within—them, they learn that even in the most uncaring corners of the cosmos, the faintest glimmer of hope may be just enough to keep the darkness at bay.
Hell Pulp is a grounded exploration of the afterlife myth, unbound by religious traditions. For readers craving adventure, horror, and philosophical reflection, Hell Pulp offers a harrowing vision of a world just beyond ours.
- GenresHorror
315 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 27, 2025
3 people are currently reading
132 people want to read
About the author
Matias Ylikangas
1 book7 followersMatias Ylikangas is a Finnish author with a focus on speculative fiction. In addition to writing, he works as a graphic designer and holds a Master’s degree in Arts. He also releases music under a solo project, Madu.
Born and raised in Finland, he writes in English, bringing a distinctive and unconventional voice to his storytelling. Hell Pulp is his debut novel.
Born and raised in Finland, he writes in English, bringing a distinctive and unconventional voice to his storytelling. Hell Pulp is his debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
July 12, 2025
Hell Pulp by Matias Ylikangas
4⭐⭐⭐⭐
Dear reader, I pose this question to you: Can you kill someone that’s already dead?
Matias Ylikangas is an author who orchestrates an evocative tale, reminiscent of Amy Lee’s most haunting voice transcribed onto paper. Our protagonist, Oscar, wakes up devoid of memory. His soiled clothes carry the burden of a life unremembered.
Where am I? No time to think. My hands bound by rope, I followed the grim procession. We were being sold? At least I believe that to be true. Our abductors, simply known as Grave Looters, paraded us into a vast world of bartering. What is known is that this predicament simply can’t end well.
Through a sheer miracle, the line of captives has broken. Nathaniel, our savior, has momentarily incapacitated the thugs, and Oscar and I make our escape under the tutelage of Nathaniel.
As we wandered through a town of misery and disease, it became abundantly clear we were just trying to survive. Nathaniel had said as much; we needed him to navigate the complexities of this place, wherever that was. We agreed to help Nathaniel find a man named Dean Theodore in exchange for protection.
Oscar’s memories slowly reappear through small flashes of intel involving a life full of pain, living with a passive-aggressive mother, and endless regrets. As conversations commenced our worst fears were confirmed; Nathaniel reiterated that we were indeed deceased. How had we perished? "This feels like Hell," I lamented. However, this place was not teeming with demons and fiery pits. The story presents a new realm of consciousness, or rather, an eerie alternative plane of existence.
The reading material picked at me, like a week-old scab, tormenting me with its hideous nature. I kept thinking of my Mad Max or Bone Tomahawk cinematic experiences. Ylikangas successfully breathes life into a story about the undead, resuscitating those in need, and then subsequently extinguishes our hopes by imposing a reality of an endless nightmare.
Imagine a world where cannibal tribes collide. The visceral feeling of being ushered through the front door of a shack decorated with human skin masquerading as wallpaper hit its mark. Put simply, it isn’t pretty! The shading between light and dark, good and evil, made my time in this existence wondrous in its shocking approach. The very nature of the world questions the religious beliefs of the standard heaven and hell concept. While often pushing the boundaries, I never felt Ylikangas took the gore too far, just for the sake of eye candy. The novel took its time, allowing it to breathe like a fine wine, allowing me room for my interpretations.
Escaping the valley unharmed became paramount in our quest. With an Indiana Jones-like vibe, we sprinted through tunnels. Underneath the crypts, followed closely by the flesh-eaters, we looked ahead toward a light marking freedom. Unfortunately, we had no insights to what Dean Theodore might provide us regarding Nathaniel’s discovery, and that, my friends, is where our assumptions get turned upside down.
Many thanks to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the ARC through NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion.
4⭐⭐⭐⭐
Dear reader, I pose this question to you: Can you kill someone that’s already dead?
Matias Ylikangas is an author who orchestrates an evocative tale, reminiscent of Amy Lee’s most haunting voice transcribed onto paper. Our protagonist, Oscar, wakes up devoid of memory. His soiled clothes carry the burden of a life unremembered.
Where am I? No time to think. My hands bound by rope, I followed the grim procession. We were being sold? At least I believe that to be true. Our abductors, simply known as Grave Looters, paraded us into a vast world of bartering. What is known is that this predicament simply can’t end well.
Through a sheer miracle, the line of captives has broken. Nathaniel, our savior, has momentarily incapacitated the thugs, and Oscar and I make our escape under the tutelage of Nathaniel.
As we wandered through a town of misery and disease, it became abundantly clear we were just trying to survive. Nathaniel had said as much; we needed him to navigate the complexities of this place, wherever that was. We agreed to help Nathaniel find a man named Dean Theodore in exchange for protection.
Oscar’s memories slowly reappear through small flashes of intel involving a life full of pain, living with a passive-aggressive mother, and endless regrets. As conversations commenced our worst fears were confirmed; Nathaniel reiterated that we were indeed deceased. How had we perished? "This feels like Hell," I lamented. However, this place was not teeming with demons and fiery pits. The story presents a new realm of consciousness, or rather, an eerie alternative plane of existence.
The reading material picked at me, like a week-old scab, tormenting me with its hideous nature. I kept thinking of my Mad Max or Bone Tomahawk cinematic experiences. Ylikangas successfully breathes life into a story about the undead, resuscitating those in need, and then subsequently extinguishes our hopes by imposing a reality of an endless nightmare.
Imagine a world where cannibal tribes collide. The visceral feeling of being ushered through the front door of a shack decorated with human skin masquerading as wallpaper hit its mark. Put simply, it isn’t pretty! The shading between light and dark, good and evil, made my time in this existence wondrous in its shocking approach. The very nature of the world questions the religious beliefs of the standard heaven and hell concept. While often pushing the boundaries, I never felt Ylikangas took the gore too far, just for the sake of eye candy. The novel took its time, allowing it to breathe like a fine wine, allowing me room for my interpretations.
Escaping the valley unharmed became paramount in our quest. With an Indiana Jones-like vibe, we sprinted through tunnels. Underneath the crypts, followed closely by the flesh-eaters, we looked ahead toward a light marking freedom. Unfortunately, we had no insights to what Dean Theodore might provide us regarding Nathaniel’s discovery, and that, my friends, is where our assumptions get turned upside down.
Many thanks to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the ARC through NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion.
July 17, 2025
we follow Oscar, a recently deceased man, who rises from his grave only to discover a barren world where the dead face a desolate, never-ending existence. he soon meets nathaniel & together they set out on a journey through hell to find a man named Dean Theodore, who may just have the answers to change hell as we know it...
grave looters, cannibals, creepy creature in the dark oh my!
this one was a wild one, as soon as I read the synopsis I knew I had to get my hands on it. it sounded so similar to The Black Farm, which I read earlier this year & loved. pretty quickly we're thrown into the shenanigans. like c'mon, i loved it.
I really enjoyed the world building, this is not your typical version of hell that we often see described. it's almost apocalyptic (maybe, i don't know)?? everybody is sick or diseased, scavenging for resources, it was giving wasteland..I was vibing with world that we were thrown into.
I enjoyed the writing & the atmosphere. My favorite parts of the book unfortunately didn't come until the last 40% when we meet the "Mountain Folk". They brought the blood, the violence, & the chaos. They're honestly a little scary!
My only real issue, which is just me being nit picky, is i wish we had gotten more of the violence & chaos throughout the whole book not just in the second half & Oscar annoyed me for majority of the story so I struggled to connect or feel bad for him even though he was going through a lot.
Daria was my girl!! We needed more of her!!!
Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review
grave looters, cannibals, creepy creature in the dark oh my!
this one was a wild one, as soon as I read the synopsis I knew I had to get my hands on it. it sounded so similar to The Black Farm, which I read earlier this year & loved. pretty quickly we're thrown into the shenanigans. like c'mon, i loved it.
I really enjoyed the world building, this is not your typical version of hell that we often see described. it's almost apocalyptic (maybe, i don't know)?? everybody is sick or diseased, scavenging for resources, it was giving wasteland..I was vibing with world that we were thrown into.
I enjoyed the writing & the atmosphere. My favorite parts of the book unfortunately didn't come until the last 40% when we meet the "Mountain Folk". They brought the blood, the violence, & the chaos. They're honestly a little scary!
My only real issue, which is just me being nit picky, is i wish we had gotten more of the violence & chaos throughout the whole book not just in the second half & Oscar annoyed me for majority of the story so I struggled to connect or feel bad for him even though he was going through a lot.
Daria was my girl!! We needed more of her!!!
Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review
July 23, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review!
First off, I was not expecting this book to be so heartwarming and sad at the same time. We follow Oscar who is recently deceased throughout his journey in a new hellish landscape. Our characters insight to friendship and finding beauty in literal hell is really poetic. For the undead, the characters remain very human in a world full of cannibals, human trafficking and creepy crawlers.
This book was definitely a journey! It was giving the walking dead zombie pov. If you like apocalyptic/ wasteland ( TWD & Fallout had a baby), this is definitely the book for you! The descriptions of the surroundings were very well written, the rendering of the fat for fuel and the skin wallpaper had my skin crawling!
I do wish we would have seen more of the other tribes but I do understand the scare factor and centering around the cannibal tribe. They were absolutely terrifying and just kind of gross(ie sharpened teeth and mouths cut open that caused the skin to flap when they shrieked).
Overall the ending left me very sad, it left you with questions but also the reminder that hell is never ending and no one gets out unscathed. Oscar definitely pulled at my heartstrings throughout this book and I do love the idea of Nathaniel bringing a smile to his face once more. I honestly thought this would just be a gore centered story with little to no humanity present but the use of psychology really made this book stand out to me. In the end we are nothing without human connection but there is nothing more terrifying than the horrors they create.
First off, I was not expecting this book to be so heartwarming and sad at the same time. We follow Oscar who is recently deceased throughout his journey in a new hellish landscape. Our characters insight to friendship and finding beauty in literal hell is really poetic. For the undead, the characters remain very human in a world full of cannibals, human trafficking and creepy crawlers.
This book was definitely a journey! It was giving the walking dead zombie pov. If you like apocalyptic/ wasteland ( TWD & Fallout had a baby), this is definitely the book for you! The descriptions of the surroundings were very well written, the rendering of the fat for fuel and the skin wallpaper had my skin crawling!
I do wish we would have seen more of the other tribes but I do understand the scare factor and centering around the cannibal tribe. They were absolutely terrifying and just kind of gross(ie sharpened teeth and mouths cut open that caused the skin to flap when they shrieked).
Overall the ending left me very sad, it left you with questions but also the reminder that hell is never ending and no one gets out unscathed. Oscar definitely pulled at my heartstrings throughout this book and I do love the idea of Nathaniel bringing a smile to his face once more. I honestly thought this would just be a gore centered story with little to no humanity present but the use of psychology really made this book stand out to me. In the end we are nothing without human connection but there is nothing more terrifying than the horrors they create.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 7, 2025
wow 😭
This started off extremely quickly, page one had our main character literally crawling out of his grave lol. The pacing was pretty consistent and I didn't once find myself bored, the novel being full of unique plot points and twists that kept me interested throughout
I found the writing in this to have the perfect amount of depth, existentialism and lyricism, whilst also being engaging and easy to get through/understand. There were some passages and quotes, particularly the ones about life and death, that kinda had me spiralling lol
In the authors note at the end, it was mentioned that this book took 10 years to write. honestly I can see that with how well written and thought out it seems to be, but it concerns me as I don't know how long I'll have to wait for the author to release something else 😭
This book isnt your typical horror novel, to me it was much more than that. I have no doubt this will stick with me for a long time to come. Definitely for fans of a short stay in hell and the black farm, I'd implore anyone who enjoys either of those books (or just existential body horror in general) to give this a read once it's published !!
This started off extremely quickly, page one had our main character literally crawling out of his grave lol. The pacing was pretty consistent and I didn't once find myself bored, the novel being full of unique plot points and twists that kept me interested throughout
I found the writing in this to have the perfect amount of depth, existentialism and lyricism, whilst also being engaging and easy to get through/understand. There were some passages and quotes, particularly the ones about life and death, that kinda had me spiralling lol
In the authors note at the end, it was mentioned that this book took 10 years to write. honestly I can see that with how well written and thought out it seems to be, but it concerns me as I don't know how long I'll have to wait for the author to release something else 😭
This book isnt your typical horror novel, to me it was much more than that. I have no doubt this will stick with me for a long time to come. Definitely for fans of a short stay in hell and the black farm, I'd implore anyone who enjoys either of those books (or just existential body horror in general) to give this a read once it's published !!
September 16, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a review copy.
The fact that this is a debut novel is insane to me. It is so well-written and so polished and fully realized. The author does note that it took 10 years to write, so perhaps that has something to do with it. Truly, this is the most hellish version of hell I could conceive of. No spoilers, but it disturbed me so much that I thought about it often, inbetween picking the book up. This book is so damn bleak, but also it's a work of art. 5 stars
The fact that this is a debut novel is insane to me. It is so well-written and so polished and fully realized. The author does note that it took 10 years to write, so perhaps that has something to do with it. Truly, this is the most hellish version of hell I could conceive of. No spoilers, but it disturbed me so much that I thought about it often, inbetween picking the book up. This book is so damn bleak, but also it's a work of art. 5 stars
August 1, 2025
Stunning. Hell Pulp by Matias Ylikangas is a brutal, adrenaline-soaked ride that grabs you from page one and refuses to let go. This isn’t your typical horror—it’s pulp with teeth, raw and unfiltered, packed with violence and moral decay. The story feels like a dive into a twisted underworld where every choice spirals deeper into chaos. Ylikangas’s writing is sharp and relentless, blending gritty realism with flashes of surreal dread. It’s disturbing, gripping, and weirdly addictive, the kind of book that keeps you up long after you finish. If you can handle the darkness, this one will absolutely consume you.
July 19, 2025
This book was an unexpectedly emotional ride. Following Oscar on his journey as he makes sense of his surroundings, and his own drives, I was swept up into the world and felt like I was right there with him. The book built up at a good pace and there were several parts and then a chunk from 70-90% of the way through the book where my eyes were glued to the pages.
At first I felt a little disappointed by the ending, but thinking about it for longer it seemed perfectly in keeping with the rest of the book. I need to read this again, so I don't think I can give it less than the five stars, as I loved it.
Ultimately it does feel pretty bleak, but there is plenty to reflect on after reading.
At first I felt a little disappointed by the ending, but thinking about it for longer it seemed perfectly in keeping with the rest of the book. I need to read this again, so I don't think I can give it less than the five stars, as I loved it.
Ultimately it does feel pretty bleak, but there is plenty to reflect on after reading.
August 2, 2025
What does the afterlife look like to you? Usually there’s a religious undertone - flames, tortured souls, the devil, or clouds, golden gates, and angels… not in Oscars afterlife. After digging himself out of his own grave, Oscar finds himself in a barren, desolate wasteland of a place, quickly taken hostage by a grave robber. When he’s rescued by a passerby, Nathaniel, Oscar is thrown into an adventure through some of the most horrific and brutal things fathomable on a quest to find Dean Theodore. Along the way, Oscar’s humanity is tested, the concept of eternity sinks its claws into your brain and picks away until there’s nothing left.
This was horrific, nauseating, and mind blowing. It was incredible for a *debut* novel. More than once I read with my jaw blown wide open, goosebumps covering my arms, and heebie jeebies crawling through my skin. Amongst all the savagery, there was also some very tender moments, showing the beauty in human connection even amid plague and death and terror. The world building was phenomenal, the concept was unique and fresh, and the characters were excellent even if I thought Oscar was a bit of a b*tch baby at times (but really, I would be too wandering around a hellscape as the undead). My only dislike was the pacing - it took a bit to get into the action and horror. The first 40% was getting the lay of the land and throwing you into an existential crisis, but once the plot took shape it was difficult to put down, even when I wanted to from disgust.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are given freely and are my own!
Content warning: cannibalism, skin walls, dismemberment, and tonnes of death and gore.
This was horrific, nauseating, and mind blowing. It was incredible for a *debut* novel. More than once I read with my jaw blown wide open, goosebumps covering my arms, and heebie jeebies crawling through my skin. Amongst all the savagery, there was also some very tender moments, showing the beauty in human connection even amid plague and death and terror. The world building was phenomenal, the concept was unique and fresh, and the characters were excellent even if I thought Oscar was a bit of a b*tch baby at times (but really, I would be too wandering around a hellscape as the undead). My only dislike was the pacing - it took a bit to get into the action and horror. The first 40% was getting the lay of the land and throwing you into an existential crisis, but once the plot took shape it was difficult to put down, even when I wanted to from disgust.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are given freely and are my own!
Content warning: cannibalism, skin walls, dismemberment, and tonnes of death and gore.
August 22, 2025
Nice debut! This was a dope read. I always have liked literal interpretations of the afterlife and Ylikangas has done a fantastic job with his portrayal of an incredibly bleak and inconsequential existence. Hell Pulp follows Oscar when he regains consciousness while extracting himself from a grave. He has no memories and limited physical and mental functions and has no idea what is happening. Ylikangas is so vivid in his descriptions of Hell. While there is the whole fire and brimstone thing going on, what really stuck me was how profound the loss of purpose can have on the psyche. The misery is palpable and there isn’t this gentle smattering of hope you may find in other reflections of Hell. It’s just all terrible.
Oscar ends up in the company of another man, Nathaniel, on a vague journey through some dangerous lands. There’s some gnarly cannibals plus an array of just bad dudes that draw out some serious gore.
The genesis of the story is more explanatory in nature and the heavy action doesn’t get going until around the mid point. From there it’s a rapid descent into this literal muck of humanity. The last bit unexpectedly goes existential and this was a really nice way to tie things together. I did want more from the ending. Ylikangas has woven such a visceral tale, but I would have loved to learn more regarding Oscar’s purpose. All in all a really interesting debut and this is an author to watch.
Oscar ends up in the company of another man, Nathaniel, on a vague journey through some dangerous lands. There’s some gnarly cannibals plus an array of just bad dudes that draw out some serious gore.
The genesis of the story is more explanatory in nature and the heavy action doesn’t get going until around the mid point. From there it’s a rapid descent into this literal muck of humanity. The last bit unexpectedly goes existential and this was a really nice way to tie things together. I did want more from the ending. Ylikangas has woven such a visceral tale, but I would have loved to learn more regarding Oscar’s purpose. All in all a really interesting debut and this is an author to watch.
July 26, 2025
Matias Ylikangas created a horrific, oppressive world with this debut novel of his.
Hell Pulp takes place in, well, Hell. It is not the fire and brimstone that it is usually portrayed as, but more of a showcase of the worst parts of the human condition. It's brutal, depressing, and frightening. We follow Oscar, a man who literally digs through the dirt to awake in hell. He's immediately captured by a couple of not so kind men, and then rescued by Nathaniel. What follows is a journey from where Oscar awakens to the other side of the hellscape, to hopefully deliver important information to a man that will shed some light on what this place really is.
Definitely recommend giving this a read, and maybe proceed with caution if you have a weak stomach.
Thank you for the ARC via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review!
Hell Pulp takes place in, well, Hell. It is not the fire and brimstone that it is usually portrayed as, but more of a showcase of the worst parts of the human condition. It's brutal, depressing, and frightening. We follow Oscar, a man who literally digs through the dirt to awake in hell. He's immediately captured by a couple of not so kind men, and then rescued by Nathaniel. What follows is a journey from where Oscar awakens to the other side of the hellscape, to hopefully deliver important information to a man that will shed some light on what this place really is.
Definitely recommend giving this a read, and maybe proceed with caution if you have a weak stomach.
Thank you for the ARC via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review!
September 1, 2025
4.75 🌟 rounded up
I loved this. Why? I barely know.
It was haunting, never-ending, all-consuming dread throughout the entire book. If I had to describe this novel in just one word, it would be BLEAK.
Read the synopsis. Is that up your alley? Then absolutely go for it. You may inexplicably love it, too. If you're hesitating or existential dread is not your default mode, pick up literally anything else. You'll probably feel better afterwards.
I feel like I need a long shower after reading this. Somehow, I mean this as a compliment.
This is a debut novel. WTF. I haven't felt this dumbstruck since reading A Short Stay In Hell by Steven Peck.
A definite contender for one of my top books of the year.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC.
I loved this. Why? I barely know.
It was haunting, never-ending, all-consuming dread throughout the entire book. If I had to describe this novel in just one word, it would be BLEAK.
Read the synopsis. Is that up your alley? Then absolutely go for it. You may inexplicably love it, too. If you're hesitating or existential dread is not your default mode, pick up literally anything else. You'll probably feel better afterwards.
I feel like I need a long shower after reading this. Somehow, I mean this as a compliment.
This is a debut novel. WTF. I haven't felt this dumbstruck since reading A Short Stay In Hell by Steven Peck.
A definite contender for one of my top books of the year.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC.
July 16, 2025
This was an absolute fun read. The world building and characters were awesome and I enjoyed the grounded approach taken.
July 19, 2025
Read this review and more on my Medium page: Distorted Visions
Score: 3.5/5 (rounded up to 4/5)
Since this is an ARC, the review aims to be as Spoiler-free as possible.
Author Matias Ylikangas’ debut offering, Hell Pulp is a hell-ish mix of bleak atmosphere and psychological musings, wrapped in plenty of bloody ultraviolence and body horror.
Welcome to Hell.
The story revolves around our “protagonist” (as far as you can get in Hell), Oscar, who claws out of his grave, finding himself in a desolate wasteland with no memory of how he got there. He stumbles into Nathaniel, Hell’s very own Indiana Jones, and away they go! Nathaniel rescues Oscar to be his compatriot as they traverse the hellish landscape, filled with all kinds of horror (Hell, duh!) to deliver an important bit of information to a “researcher” or sorts, which could lead to further understanding their infernal predicament.
Hell Pulp is less about the plot per se and more about exploring a unique take on the afterlife. Ylikangas’ version of Hell eschews the standard tropes of demon and flame, instead leaning into the eternal bleak wasteland of self-imposed torment. His interpretation of hell borrows influence from Dante’s Inferno, but morphs it into more of a post-apocalyptic wasteland. He further leans into the trope of Homo Homini Lupus (Man is Wolf to Man), where there is no terror beyond the violence we inflict on ourselves and each other. While his description of the Hellscape is novel, the shorter format of a standalone prevents him from expanding the world and “flesh”ing it out with more elements, instead narrowing its focus on a tighter narrative and a push-forward plot.
Our protagonists, Nathaniel and Oscar, fall into a sort of Joel and Ellie (from The Last of Us) relationship of father-figure-and-younger-protegee as they navigate various horrific set-pieces from the ambient terror of “eternal torment zombie” towns to the adrenaline-fueled ultraviolent grimdark body-horror of cannibal hunters. The latter is Hell Pulp’s “antagonist”, beyond Hell as a world being the villain.
For one steeped in piles of literary dead bodies, gratuitous violence, bloody set-pieces, and other trimmings of grimdark and dark fantasy action sequences, Hell Pulp didn’t scar me as much as I imagined when I picked up this book (which says more about how desensitized I have become).
Make no mistake, Hell Pulp is not for the faint of heart.
That said, the philosophical and psychological aspects that the author was trying to impress upon us during the “quieter” moments in Hell Pulp felt quite flat and superficial, the latter half of the book relying on stereotypical horror fantasy action. However, Ylikangas does a good job of evolving Oscar’s character from a clueless “newborn” as he goes through the treadmill of narrative torture. The decision not to dwell on the characters’ lives pre-Hell beyond adding some philosophy-fodder to Oscar’s musings was a smart choice. He also explores the inner darkness of Oscar’s character (which probably landed him in Hell) while making reasonably poignant commentary on our capacity for violence through the lens of “heroic” action. The adage of “the road to hell is paved with good intentions” is brought to the forefront on many occasions in Hell Pulp.
While Hell Pulp is crushingly grim, dark, and bleak in most sections, the author also infuses a very human sense of camaraderie, kindness, and even affection between Oscar, Nathaniel, and Daria. It is these moments that elevated Hell Pulp from being just another torture-porn novel, and the author must be praised for his balance of the two sides of humanity — heart and violence.
Hell Pulp is a fun spin on an afterlife adventure, as oxymoronic as that description may sound. While the novel falters in its superficial psychological and philosophical commentary, Hell Pulp excels in “humanizing” Hell in many ways, confidently pulling a mirror to show us the best and worst of what it means to be human in the face of ultimate and eternal adversity.
Advanced Review Copy provided in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Victory Editing and NetGalley.
Score: 3.5/5 (rounded up to 4/5)
Since this is an ARC, the review aims to be as Spoiler-free as possible.
Author Matias Ylikangas’ debut offering, Hell Pulp is a hell-ish mix of bleak atmosphere and psychological musings, wrapped in plenty of bloody ultraviolence and body horror.
Welcome to Hell.
The story revolves around our “protagonist” (as far as you can get in Hell), Oscar, who claws out of his grave, finding himself in a desolate wasteland with no memory of how he got there. He stumbles into Nathaniel, Hell’s very own Indiana Jones, and away they go! Nathaniel rescues Oscar to be his compatriot as they traverse the hellish landscape, filled with all kinds of horror (Hell, duh!) to deliver an important bit of information to a “researcher” or sorts, which could lead to further understanding their infernal predicament.
Hell Pulp is less about the plot per se and more about exploring a unique take on the afterlife. Ylikangas’ version of Hell eschews the standard tropes of demon and flame, instead leaning into the eternal bleak wasteland of self-imposed torment. His interpretation of hell borrows influence from Dante’s Inferno, but morphs it into more of a post-apocalyptic wasteland. He further leans into the trope of Homo Homini Lupus (Man is Wolf to Man), where there is no terror beyond the violence we inflict on ourselves and each other. While his description of the Hellscape is novel, the shorter format of a standalone prevents him from expanding the world and “flesh”ing it out with more elements, instead narrowing its focus on a tighter narrative and a push-forward plot.
Our protagonists, Nathaniel and Oscar, fall into a sort of Joel and Ellie (from The Last of Us) relationship of father-figure-and-younger-protegee as they navigate various horrific set-pieces from the ambient terror of “eternal torment zombie” towns to the adrenaline-fueled ultraviolent grimdark body-horror of cannibal hunters. The latter is Hell Pulp’s “antagonist”, beyond Hell as a world being the villain.
For one steeped in piles of literary dead bodies, gratuitous violence, bloody set-pieces, and other trimmings of grimdark and dark fantasy action sequences, Hell Pulp didn’t scar me as much as I imagined when I picked up this book (which says more about how desensitized I have become).
Make no mistake, Hell Pulp is not for the faint of heart.
That said, the philosophical and psychological aspects that the author was trying to impress upon us during the “quieter” moments in Hell Pulp felt quite flat and superficial, the latter half of the book relying on stereotypical horror fantasy action. However, Ylikangas does a good job of evolving Oscar’s character from a clueless “newborn” as he goes through the treadmill of narrative torture. The decision not to dwell on the characters’ lives pre-Hell beyond adding some philosophy-fodder to Oscar’s musings was a smart choice. He also explores the inner darkness of Oscar’s character (which probably landed him in Hell) while making reasonably poignant commentary on our capacity for violence through the lens of “heroic” action. The adage of “the road to hell is paved with good intentions” is brought to the forefront on many occasions in Hell Pulp.
While Hell Pulp is crushingly grim, dark, and bleak in most sections, the author also infuses a very human sense of camaraderie, kindness, and even affection between Oscar, Nathaniel, and Daria. It is these moments that elevated Hell Pulp from being just another torture-porn novel, and the author must be praised for his balance of the two sides of humanity — heart and violence.
Hell Pulp is a fun spin on an afterlife adventure, as oxymoronic as that description may sound. While the novel falters in its superficial psychological and philosophical commentary, Hell Pulp excels in “humanizing” Hell in many ways, confidently pulling a mirror to show us the best and worst of what it means to be human in the face of ultimate and eternal adversity.
Advanced Review Copy provided in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Victory Editing and NetGalley.
July 26, 2025
A deeply unsettling narrative that presents surreal and truly horrifying ideas throughout, Matias Ylikangas' Hell Pulp is unlike anything I've read before. Ylikangas manages in few words to have me physically recoiling or reacting to some instances or descriptions, without falling on typical themes that would illicit similar reactions (proving that horror and violence/torture can be present and descriptive without including SA themes. thank you 100x for this.)
Where the grimy worldbuilding and dark narrative coalesce into an extremely strong foundation for this novel, I was left a bit wanting at the character/dialogue writing. Oscar, while being a likeable point-of-view character at the start, sort of devolved for me later with the repetition of his flaws presented often enough where my eyes were glazing a bit here and there. Nothing worth putting the book down over. Nathaniel I really loved, his secrecy and charm were a perfect match to Oscar's anxiety and "newness" to the world around him. Love this duo.
A bit of an issue I found with Hell Pulp is the lack of female characters - on one hand I understand the lack, as this violent of an atmosphere does ultimately present layers of difficulty and sensitivity surrounding the topic of women in violent settings. On the other, it can definitely be done, and I wished there were more of them present here.
I don't want this to start running on, but this book was a good read for something truly horrifying and unsettling. There are ideas in here that I can't get enough of; themes of unending death and pain is cosmic in the way that your imagination can really run with these ideas and they escalate into something monstrous. I love the existential rabbit hole this novel sent me into for a while.
Thank you to net galley for providing an ARC of this novel, and congratulations Matias on your debut! I can't wait to discover more of your work.
Where the grimy worldbuilding and dark narrative coalesce into an extremely strong foundation for this novel, I was left a bit wanting at the character/dialogue writing. Oscar, while being a likeable point-of-view character at the start, sort of devolved for me later with the repetition of his flaws presented often enough where my eyes were glazing a bit here and there. Nothing worth putting the book down over. Nathaniel I really loved, his secrecy and charm were a perfect match to Oscar's anxiety and "newness" to the world around him. Love this duo.
A bit of an issue I found with Hell Pulp is the lack of female characters - on one hand I understand the lack, as this violent of an atmosphere does ultimately present layers of difficulty and sensitivity surrounding the topic of women in violent settings. On the other, it can definitely be done, and I wished there were more of them present here.
I don't want this to start running on, but this book was a good read for something truly horrifying and unsettling. There are ideas in here that I can't get enough of; themes of unending death and pain is cosmic in the way that your imagination can really run with these ideas and they escalate into something monstrous. I love the existential rabbit hole this novel sent me into for a while.
Thank you to net galley for providing an ARC of this novel, and congratulations Matias on your debut! I can't wait to discover more of your work.
August 31, 2025
After rising from his grave, Oscar awakens in a desolate afterlife where the dead are trapped in endless existence, clinging to sanity by a thread. Joined by Nathaniel, a man shattered by the world’s cruelty, and Daria, a woman he comes to see as a sister, they set out on a brutal quest to find Dean Theodore, a figure rumoured to hold the secrets of eternity.
This novel was a gruesome visceral descent into a nightmarish vision of hell. Ylikangas spares no detail in painting the bleak, grotesque landscape and the depravity that humanity is driven to when trapped in such a merciless place.
You never really learn why they’re in Hell, nor do you get much of the others’ backstories, since everything unfolds through Oscar’s perspective. I actually appreciated this vagueness - it avoids the usual notion of it being a place of punishment for bad person and instead presents the idea it’s simply a place where everyone, innocent or not, is trapped in endless suffering.
What struck me most was how immersive the writing was - every scene felt raw and immediate, pulling me deeper into the torment and despair of this twisted afterlife. I’m not into world building but this was done effortlessly. At the same time, moments of fragile connection between the characters brought a sense of humanity that made the story all the more powerful. I found the balance of horror, philosophical undertones, and gory adventure made this a gripping read from start to finish.
I was left both nauseated and impressed (all in good ways!) and I would absolutely love to explore more of Ylikangas’s work in the future. 4/5
Thanks to the publisher and the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This novel was a gruesome visceral descent into a nightmarish vision of hell. Ylikangas spares no detail in painting the bleak, grotesque landscape and the depravity that humanity is driven to when trapped in such a merciless place.
You never really learn why they’re in Hell, nor do you get much of the others’ backstories, since everything unfolds through Oscar’s perspective. I actually appreciated this vagueness - it avoids the usual notion of it being a place of punishment for bad person and instead presents the idea it’s simply a place where everyone, innocent or not, is trapped in endless suffering.
What struck me most was how immersive the writing was - every scene felt raw and immediate, pulling me deeper into the torment and despair of this twisted afterlife. I’m not into world building but this was done effortlessly. At the same time, moments of fragile connection between the characters brought a sense of humanity that made the story all the more powerful. I found the balance of horror, philosophical undertones, and gory adventure made this a gripping read from start to finish.
I was left both nauseated and impressed (all in good ways!) and I would absolutely love to explore more of Ylikangas’s work in the future. 4/5
Thanks to the publisher and the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
July 27, 2025
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review yelled into the void
Content Warnings: graphic violence, gore, cannibalism, body horror, enslavement, psychological trauma, references to death and decay, and disturbing imagery throughout
Hell Pulp is a filthy, feral descent into a purgatory that feels stitched together from nightmares and scorched memories. The novel opens with Oscar, a young man who crawls out of the dirt, confused, alone, and immediately captured by men who intend to enslave him or worse. He’s rescued by the enigmatic Nathaniel, and together they set off on a brutal journey through a rotting, lawless landscape, that may just be changeable... if they survive long enough.
The world Ylikangas builds is horrifying: shanty towns teeter on the edge of collapse, cannibalistic tribes roam freely through the forests, and trust is a possible death sentence. I gasped out loud multiple times and cringed just as often at the gore. It’s grotesque in the most effective way, and not for the faint of heart, but the violence always serves the story.
The writing is jagged and visceral, pulpy in the most grotesque and addictive way. It’s bleak and disturbingly insightful, like if Mad Max and The Road had a baby and dropped it straight into hell. Ylikangas doesn’t just show you this world, he drags you through it.
This isn’t a comforting read, but it is unforgettable. A raw, hallucinatory journey through the ugliest corners of the human condition, and I couldn't look away.
Content Warnings: graphic violence, gore, cannibalism, body horror, enslavement, psychological trauma, references to death and decay, and disturbing imagery throughout
Hell Pulp is a filthy, feral descent into a purgatory that feels stitched together from nightmares and scorched memories. The novel opens with Oscar, a young man who crawls out of the dirt, confused, alone, and immediately captured by men who intend to enslave him or worse. He’s rescued by the enigmatic Nathaniel, and together they set off on a brutal journey through a rotting, lawless landscape, that may just be changeable... if they survive long enough.
The world Ylikangas builds is horrifying: shanty towns teeter on the edge of collapse, cannibalistic tribes roam freely through the forests, and trust is a possible death sentence. I gasped out loud multiple times and cringed just as often at the gore. It’s grotesque in the most effective way, and not for the faint of heart, but the violence always serves the story.
The writing is jagged and visceral, pulpy in the most grotesque and addictive way. It’s bleak and disturbingly insightful, like if Mad Max and The Road had a baby and dropped it straight into hell. Ylikangas doesn’t just show you this world, he drags you through it.
This isn’t a comforting read, but it is unforgettable. A raw, hallucinatory journey through the ugliest corners of the human condition, and I couldn't look away.
August 22, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
Horror is a really difficult genre to walk the tightrope of in some ways. It can be so hard to manage the ins and outs of what people find scary. Hell, in particular, is a tough concept to explain in a way that’s both scary and fascinating.
Hell Pulp manages to create a version of hell that we haven’t seen before, which I admire. This was a bare, dog-eat-dog description of hell, where everyone is half crazed and seeking the best possible way to survive while clinging to their sanity.
I felt like the narrative voice of Oscar was a little lacking. I admire the tenacity of the author in jumping right into our main character crawling out of a grave, but at the same time, it means we’re learning on our feet about who we’re making the journey with. I don’t know if I liked him as a main character, but to be fair, I’m not sure whether we were meant to. It did mean that sometimes there was a bit of a struggle to connect with the book, though.
I found that the story really picked up in the second half too, and it felt in a way like two different stories. I think the second half of the book was definitely the shining example, but the first half could have taken a really different direction with a different story.
All in all, this one is well worth a read, I just wish it were a little more scary and a little bit more together in terms of characters. It’s worth it for the concept alone though, to be honest!
Horror is a really difficult genre to walk the tightrope of in some ways. It can be so hard to manage the ins and outs of what people find scary. Hell, in particular, is a tough concept to explain in a way that’s both scary and fascinating.
Hell Pulp manages to create a version of hell that we haven’t seen before, which I admire. This was a bare, dog-eat-dog description of hell, where everyone is half crazed and seeking the best possible way to survive while clinging to their sanity.
I felt like the narrative voice of Oscar was a little lacking. I admire the tenacity of the author in jumping right into our main character crawling out of a grave, but at the same time, it means we’re learning on our feet about who we’re making the journey with. I don’t know if I liked him as a main character, but to be fair, I’m not sure whether we were meant to. It did mean that sometimes there was a bit of a struggle to connect with the book, though.
I found that the story really picked up in the second half too, and it felt in a way like two different stories. I think the second half of the book was definitely the shining example, but the first half could have taken a really different direction with a different story.
All in all, this one is well worth a read, I just wish it were a little more scary and a little bit more together in terms of characters. It’s worth it for the concept alone though, to be honest!
July 29, 2025
Hell Pulp by Matias Ylikangas kicks off with Oscar clawing his way out of the grave (literally, he loses a few fingernails too), only to immediately get into a tussle with some grave robbers—welcome back, buddy. Enter Nathaniel, a mysterious man with a mission and zero answers, who recruits Oscar for a cryptic journey to meet the elusive Dean Theodore. Oh, and did I mention they’re in HELL? Think Dante’s Inferno meets Mad Max, where the afterlife is basically one giant dusty Shantytown full of feral scavengers, cursed desert wanderers, and body horror galore.
Honestly, I really enjoyed this one. The hellscape Ylikangas creates is equal parts grotesque and fascinating—complete with skin walls, cannibal forest folks, human fat repurposed as oil, and fresh cut tongues flapping around like fish, Nathaniel (vague but determined), and Daria (the only one with actual survival skills) make for a solid and weirdly charming crew. My only complaint? The ending didn’t quite stick the landing. After all that gory goodness and eerie worldbuilding, I wanted something more final, more punchy—less shrug and more soul-crushing revelation. Still, a fantastic and worthwhile descent into a world where pain is eternal, purpose is optional, and hell is just… Tuesday.
Honestly, I really enjoyed this one. The hellscape Ylikangas creates is equal parts grotesque and fascinating—complete with skin walls, cannibal forest folks, human fat repurposed as oil, and fresh cut tongues flapping around like fish, Nathaniel (vague but determined), and Daria (the only one with actual survival skills) make for a solid and weirdly charming crew. My only complaint? The ending didn’t quite stick the landing. After all that gory goodness and eerie worldbuilding, I wanted something more final, more punchy—less shrug and more soul-crushing revelation. Still, a fantastic and worthwhile descent into a world where pain is eternal, purpose is optional, and hell is just… Tuesday.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2025
Hellish landscapes, cannibals, and forbidden chemistry—Oscar and Nathaniel’s journey grips you.
This novel is led by our unreliable narrator, Oscar—a newborn found in a cemetery at the ripe age of his mid-twenties. The story slowly unravels, building to a big climax that, honestly, delivers more suspense than payoff.
Oscar is rescued by Nathaniel, who guides him on a journey to find Dean Theodore. Along the way, they traverse a hellish landscape filled with vicious people, including cannibals. The suspense and thrills kept me on edge, constantly wondering how our heroes would survive.
The writing is richly descriptive, and the dialogue crackles with chemistry—especially between Oscar and Nathaniel, whose connection had me rooting for them. The relationship’s buildup falters slightly at the end, but it fits the story’s overarching theme: in Hell, we all suffer and lose who we once were. It’s a grim, thought-provoking finish that left me wanting more.
4 slays out of 5.
Thank you NetGalley and Matias Ylikangas for the ARC and my honest review.
This novel is led by our unreliable narrator, Oscar—a newborn found in a cemetery at the ripe age of his mid-twenties. The story slowly unravels, building to a big climax that, honestly, delivers more suspense than payoff.
Oscar is rescued by Nathaniel, who guides him on a journey to find Dean Theodore. Along the way, they traverse a hellish landscape filled with vicious people, including cannibals. The suspense and thrills kept me on edge, constantly wondering how our heroes would survive.
The writing is richly descriptive, and the dialogue crackles with chemistry—especially between Oscar and Nathaniel, whose connection had me rooting for them. The relationship’s buildup falters slightly at the end, but it fits the story’s overarching theme: in Hell, we all suffer and lose who we once were. It’s a grim, thought-provoking finish that left me wanting more.
4 slays out of 5.
Thank you NetGalley and Matias Ylikangas for the ARC and my honest review.
August 23, 2025
So good. So gross. 4 stars.
Hell Pulp doesn’t waste any time, we’re thrown in the deep end (or maybe straight into a shallow grave). That opening feeling of disorientation is wild and really sets the tone for the rest of the book.
The afterlife that Matias Ylikangas creates here is so vivid and messed up. There’s a lot of body horror mixed with some trippy psychological stuff, and honestly, some of it made me squirm…but in the best way.
What surprised me most is how much depth the characters had. Imagine being in this situation and having complex thoughts (I could never).
It’s a short read, gross in all the right ways, and super easy to get through. I really enjoyed it, and I’ll definitely be picking up more from Matias in the future!
Totally honest reviews! Thank you so much to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for my first ARC.
Hell Pulp doesn’t waste any time, we’re thrown in the deep end (or maybe straight into a shallow grave). That opening feeling of disorientation is wild and really sets the tone for the rest of the book.
The afterlife that Matias Ylikangas creates here is so vivid and messed up. There’s a lot of body horror mixed with some trippy psychological stuff, and honestly, some of it made me squirm…but in the best way.
What surprised me most is how much depth the characters had. Imagine being in this situation and having complex thoughts (I could never).
It’s a short read, gross in all the right ways, and super easy to get through. I really enjoyed it, and I’ll definitely be picking up more from Matias in the future!
Totally honest reviews! Thank you so much to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for my first ARC.
September 15, 2025
In this debut horror novel, which also delves into speculative fiction, you follow the story of Oscar who wakes up dead rising from the grave. I think you will either love or hate this book depending on what type of read you are looking to devour. If you like existential horror, can handle gore, and like speculative elements of a story or ambiguity, then this is a book you should purchase. If you like a quickly paced beginning and well-developed back stories of characters, then this book is not for you. I liked this book myself and would recommend it as a read around Halloween.
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
August 18, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
Imagine waking up, covered in dirt, and unable to trust anyone or anything. This is the situation Oscar finds himself in. He gets himself into a dangerous situation, and is saved by someone who needs him.
The writing and pacing of this are fantastic. I was never bored and really took my time. Though I normally fly through books, I really wanted to savor this. I'm so excited I got to review this and get to hype it up to everyone I know. I can't wait to read more from this author!
Thank you NetGalley and Matias Ylikangas for the ARC
Imagine waking up, covered in dirt, and unable to trust anyone or anything. This is the situation Oscar finds himself in. He gets himself into a dangerous situation, and is saved by someone who needs him.
The writing and pacing of this are fantastic. I was never bored and really took my time. Though I normally fly through books, I really wanted to savor this. I'm so excited I got to review this and get to hype it up to everyone I know. I can't wait to read more from this author!
Thank you NetGalley and Matias Ylikangas for the ARC
August 30, 2025
What an incredibly descriptive book. I was really put into the setting and living the experiences of the characters. Full of adrenaline, heartbreak, and wandering, Hell Pulp takes the reader on a journey of what afterlife and “death” really means. The characters and relationships were beautiful and realistic. The threats were scary and stomach-churning.
If you are not looking for descriptive and graphic gore, this may not be the book for you. But if you are, I highly recommend this book!
For a debut novel, I am highly impressed and will be looking forward to more works by Matias.
If you are not looking for descriptive and graphic gore, this may not be the book for you. But if you are, I highly recommend this book!
For a debut novel, I am highly impressed and will be looking forward to more works by Matias.
September 18, 2025
Hell Pulp is Hell with the gore dial cranked to 11: Oscar wakes up in a grave, stumbles through a wasteland of cannibals and rot, and discovers eternity’s real curse isn’t fire….it’s boredom spiced with blood. Grotesque, brutal, and weirdly philosophical.
November 25, 2025
Absolutely amazing, read it on Kindle which is not my favourite mode but still amazing. The descriptions and imagery were brilliant. I just wished there was more as I felt like the ending was incomplete and I could have done with more explanation of the culmination of an epic journey for Oscar. Nathaniel was a brilliant character but I would have liked more exploration of Dean Theodore and the later characters. Overall I loved this and would hope there will be a sequel??
August 11, 2025
This book had a very interesting concept, and I liked the world it took place in. I don’t think the world should have been called Hell, because a lot of people will expect certain things to be true when they aren’t. I know I had some expectations that, in the end, didn’t turn out to be correct. For example, I expected that not everyone goes to Hell, but that’s not the case here, unlike the Hell we’ve all heard about.
The biggest problem I had was with the world-building. Although, as I said, I did think it was a unique setting and I liked the apocalyptic feel of the whole book, many things were never explained. It’s tough to build a world this big in about 280 pages and still explain everything. There were explanations for certain things in the book, but I felt that whenever something was explained, it only led to more questions that the book just didn’t have time to answer.
My main questions were: Where is all the stuff coming from? (scalpels, musical boxes, etc.) How does the healing work? We are told you can’t heal, but does that mean you feel the pain from the moment you were stabbed for eternity, or does it eventually stop hurting? How does learning work? If young kids cannot learn anything new because they didn’t develop those skills while alive, does that mean adults who never learned a language can never learn it in Hell? And if so, does that mean nobody can perceive what Hell is because they never heard about it while alive?
These are just some of the things I thought about while reading the book, and they made me feel less connected to the world.
Another issue I had was with our main character. I just didn’t feel connected to him—he didn’t have a very interesting personality, and at times I found him insufferable. I didn’t understand his connection with Daughter Number 1, or why he was so obsessed with her to the point of endangering the life of someone who had been there from the start and helped him through everything.
The ending of the book was a bit lacking for me. I didn’t really understand what was going on (which could very easily be my fault), and I also didn’t understand how Dean Theodor knew what was growing in Oscar—was it some kind of magic?
I did enjoy the descriptions of the places and the world they were traveling through. I also liked the body horror—it wasn’t too gory, but it also wasn’t too PG. I think this author has a lot of potential, and I’m interested in other books they will release. This is quite a good start.
The biggest problem I had was with the world-building. Although, as I said, I did think it was a unique setting and I liked the apocalyptic feel of the whole book, many things were never explained. It’s tough to build a world this big in about 280 pages and still explain everything. There were explanations for certain things in the book, but I felt that whenever something was explained, it only led to more questions that the book just didn’t have time to answer.
My main questions were: Where is all the stuff coming from? (scalpels, musical boxes, etc.) How does the healing work? We are told you can’t heal, but does that mean you feel the pain from the moment you were stabbed for eternity, or does it eventually stop hurting? How does learning work? If young kids cannot learn anything new because they didn’t develop those skills while alive, does that mean adults who never learned a language can never learn it in Hell? And if so, does that mean nobody can perceive what Hell is because they never heard about it while alive?
These are just some of the things I thought about while reading the book, and they made me feel less connected to the world.
Another issue I had was with our main character. I just didn’t feel connected to him—he didn’t have a very interesting personality, and at times I found him insufferable. I didn’t understand his connection with Daughter Number 1, or why he was so obsessed with her to the point of endangering the life of someone who had been there from the start and helped him through everything.
The ending of the book was a bit lacking for me. I didn’t really understand what was going on (which could very easily be my fault), and I also didn’t understand how Dean Theodor knew what was growing in Oscar—was it some kind of magic?
I did enjoy the descriptions of the places and the world they were traveling through. I also liked the body horror—it wasn’t too gory, but it also wasn’t too PG. I think this author has a lot of potential, and I’m interested in other books they will release. This is quite a good start.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 19, 2025
You know what? This delivered on all the scary, gory, wild ride adventure vibes I’ve been looking for all summer.
The first few chapters absolutely hooked me with its vivid and fantastically claustrophobic but unique depiction of Hell. We follow Oscar, recently buried, who finds himself thrust into the afterlife. Sadly, there ain’t no resting in peace.
Oscar finds himself on a relentless and treacherous journey through the multilayered hellscape, and is joined by a band of mysterious yet fierce characters along the way as they try to make sense of their situation and ultimately survive the horrors that await them in Hell.
Although incredibly descriptive and deeply engaging, this book is not without its faults. For me, I felt that some earlier parts moved too slowly, but the later portions moved too fast - which had me second guessing if and how it would all tie up. I also think that some of the world building references clashed, for example drawing from indigenous culture, then shifting to science fiction within the same breath. I was unsure where the author was really going with it.
I’ve rounded up from 3.5 stars as overall I really enjoyed this book and am excited to see how it looks in the flesh 🔥
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a digital advanced copy in exchange for an honest review ✨
The first few chapters absolutely hooked me with its vivid and fantastically claustrophobic but unique depiction of Hell. We follow Oscar, recently buried, who finds himself thrust into the afterlife. Sadly, there ain’t no resting in peace.
Oscar finds himself on a relentless and treacherous journey through the multilayered hellscape, and is joined by a band of mysterious yet fierce characters along the way as they try to make sense of their situation and ultimately survive the horrors that await them in Hell.
Although incredibly descriptive and deeply engaging, this book is not without its faults. For me, I felt that some earlier parts moved too slowly, but the later portions moved too fast - which had me second guessing if and how it would all tie up. I also think that some of the world building references clashed, for example drawing from indigenous culture, then shifting to science fiction within the same breath. I was unsure where the author was really going with it.
I’ve rounded up from 3.5 stars as overall I really enjoyed this book and am excited to see how it looks in the flesh 🔥
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a digital advanced copy in exchange for an honest review ✨
October 10, 2025
This book puts a whole new meaning to grave robbers.
Hell Pulp throws you into a brutal, surreal world where death is only the beginning. The main character wakes up in a grave with no memory of who he was or how he died. What follows is a dark journey through a decaying landscape filled with sickness. scavengers, and a creeping sense of something much bigger at play.
The atmosphere is one of the book's greatest strengths. Every setting is vivid, disgusting, and unforgettable. The author's worldbuilding pulls no punches, painting a vision of the afterlife that feels raw, chaotic, and entirely original.
The story blends horror, sci-fi, and post-apocalyptic grit while slowly building a mystery about what it really means to be dead.
There is action, tension, and the constant feeling that nothing is safe or sacred here.
While the ending left me wanting a little more clarity, the ride there was wild, imaginative, and deeply unsettling.
If you're looking for something dark, bizarre, and unlike anything you have read before, Hell Pulp delivers.
Hell Pulp throws you into a brutal, surreal world where death is only the beginning. The main character wakes up in a grave with no memory of who he was or how he died. What follows is a dark journey through a decaying landscape filled with sickness. scavengers, and a creeping sense of something much bigger at play.
The atmosphere is one of the book's greatest strengths. Every setting is vivid, disgusting, and unforgettable. The author's worldbuilding pulls no punches, painting a vision of the afterlife that feels raw, chaotic, and entirely original.
The story blends horror, sci-fi, and post-apocalyptic grit while slowly building a mystery about what it really means to be dead.
There is action, tension, and the constant feeling that nothing is safe or sacred here.
While the ending left me wanting a little more clarity, the ride there was wild, imaginative, and deeply unsettling.
If you're looking for something dark, bizarre, and unlike anything you have read before, Hell Pulp delivers.
July 22, 2025
You have heard of A Short Stay In Hell… well this is an extended stay, and wow this debut horror novel packs a wallop. The story opens on our hero Oscar quite literally digging himself out of his own grave. And if you can believe it, this is the best part of his day. He is joined on his journey by friends(ish) Nathaniel and Daria, as well as a motley crew of foes.
After we follow Oscar on his quest throughout the underworld, the climax of the story presents an unpredictable twist followed by a downright haunting denouement and conclusion. Throughout the story Ylikangas showcases impressive prose, creatively finessing language and metaphor to fully immerse the reader in the horrific underworld. Although this was an ARC, it was absent the usual typos and mistakes that we (understandably) expect in an advance copy. This, and the obvious care with prose and language, tells me that the author spent a lot of time and thought on this book. It is fun to be surprised and to see authors do new/creative storylines with the horror genre -- this is one of those truly unique reads.
This is not a criticism, but part of me wished that I hadn't known, going in to the story, that Oscar was in the underworld -- that would have made for a fantastical reveal (wow this guy just escaped the grave… but wait!). But I also understand that you need to tell readers *something* about the book before they commit to reading, so maybe there was no way around it.
There is so much to explore here for pure horror fans. Horror elements include body horror, psychological horror, supernatural, arguably zombie (?) horror. If you are fascinated about stories of the afterlife or reanimation, this will be a great read for you. I joked at the start about A Short Stay in Hell; while Hell Pulp is more graphic in nature, it is exploring similar themes. I was also reminded of It Lasts Forever and Then it's Over in that the story involves undead protagonists embarking upon a quest in a post-apocalyptic environment. If you are a fan of either of those books, you will want to read this one next!
Thank you to NetGalley and Matias Ylikangas for sending me an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
After we follow Oscar on his quest throughout the underworld, the climax of the story presents an unpredictable twist followed by a downright haunting denouement and conclusion. Throughout the story Ylikangas showcases impressive prose, creatively finessing language and metaphor to fully immerse the reader in the horrific underworld. Although this was an ARC, it was absent the usual typos and mistakes that we (understandably) expect in an advance copy. This, and the obvious care with prose and language, tells me that the author spent a lot of time and thought on this book. It is fun to be surprised and to see authors do new/creative storylines with the horror genre -- this is one of those truly unique reads.
This is not a criticism, but part of me wished that I hadn't known, going in to the story, that Oscar was in the underworld -- that would have made for a fantastical reveal (wow this guy just escaped the grave… but wait!). But I also understand that you need to tell readers *something* about the book before they commit to reading, so maybe there was no way around it.
There is so much to explore here for pure horror fans. Horror elements include body horror, psychological horror, supernatural, arguably zombie (?) horror. If you are fascinated about stories of the afterlife or reanimation, this will be a great read for you. I joked at the start about A Short Stay in Hell; while Hell Pulp is more graphic in nature, it is exploring similar themes. I was also reminded of It Lasts Forever and Then it's Over in that the story involves undead protagonists embarking upon a quest in a post-apocalyptic environment. If you are a fan of either of those books, you will want to read this one next!
Thank you to NetGalley and Matias Ylikangas for sending me an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
August 13, 2025
Hell Pulp lives up to its name in that it chewed me up and spat me out complete with disgusting mastication that left me haunted for days. That is to say, I loved it. Even as someone who enjoys body horror, there is something quite raw about it in a world where no one dies. This book truly shines as it explores the idea of eternity, and what it would really mean to remove death as the defining escape of our lives.
The ride starts slow, but it picks up speed quickly. I really wanted it to keep digging in to those grounded, primal, and human moments that bring questions to existence in such a viscerally philosophical manner. Perhaps I haven’t read enough horror lately, but I felt a bit bereft by the ending, that didn’t quite feel like the scab or scar I wanted from a harrowing journey. But I feel that may be more personal taste, as it did ring true with several themes that follow our characters throughout the book.
The characters and world show a remarkable amount of depth despite the little we know of them. It very much gives a tempting tip-of-the-tongue that makes you yearn for more. I often felt that the prose wasn’t quite as graceful or potent as I wanted at expressing the ideas, feelings, and conversations happening around it. But that slight shortfall just shows the great promise that Ylikangas has, and I hope they continue writing, because I believe their ability will only get better.
I’d recommend this book to anyone who wants a ruinous horror that considers the human condition, including all our fleshy senses and squishy emotions.
The ride starts slow, but it picks up speed quickly. I really wanted it to keep digging in to those grounded, primal, and human moments that bring questions to existence in such a viscerally philosophical manner. Perhaps I haven’t read enough horror lately, but I felt a bit bereft by the ending, that didn’t quite feel like the scab or scar I wanted from a harrowing journey. But I feel that may be more personal taste, as it did ring true with several themes that follow our characters throughout the book.
The characters and world show a remarkable amount of depth despite the little we know of them. It very much gives a tempting tip-of-the-tongue that makes you yearn for more. I often felt that the prose wasn’t quite as graceful or potent as I wanted at expressing the ideas, feelings, and conversations happening around it. But that slight shortfall just shows the great promise that Ylikangas has, and I hope they continue writing, because I believe their ability will only get better.
I’d recommend this book to anyone who wants a ruinous horror that considers the human condition, including all our fleshy senses and squishy emotions.
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