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Blood River: Fluss des Grauens

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Rick Stone, Star der Angler-Fernsehshow Catch & Release, wird zum Extremfischen mit seiner Filmcrew nach West Papua in Indonesien geschickt, um einem Raubfisch auf die Spur zu kommen, der immer wieder Eingeborene anfällt. Dort stoßen Stone und sein Team nicht nur auf fleischfressende Fische: In der prähistorisch wirkenden Umgebung lauern überall Gefahren. Schnell ist vergessen, dass sie mit der ersten Reality Show ums Extremfischen die Einschaltquoten erhöhen und den Rückhalt ihres Senders bewahren wollten. Ihr Überleben hängt nun davon ab, ob sie selbst auf animalische Verhaltensweisen und Instinkte zurückfallen können.
Bald sind Rick Stone die Einschaltquoten seiner Show egal. Er will es nur noch nach Hause schaffen - und zwar lebendig.

206 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2014

42 people are currently reading
104 people want to read

About the author

Phillip Tomasso III

50 books179 followers
Phillip Tomasso III is the award-winning author of many novels, including Before the Sun Sets and Amazon Best Selling memoir, Nothing Good Happens After Midnight.

He lives in Rochester, NY with his 3 kids, works full-time as a Fire Dispatcher for 9-1-1, and is always hard at work on his next story!

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5 stars
39 (37%)
4 stars
32 (31%)
3 stars
20 (19%)
2 stars
10 (9%)
1 star
2 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
Profile Image for audrey.
695 reviews73 followers
July 8, 2015
Authors, please use at least one editor. Preferably an editor who will catch if your 3rd person narrative slips into 1st person for three paragraphs for no discernible reason, and when you do a big plot point reveal twice for the same plot point, causing your characters to act either like amnesiacs or brain fever sufferers. In addition, editors can help with all the pesky things like spelling, tense and words going missing from sentences at random.

Also, I was confused as to why every female character needed to be defined primarily by who she was or wasn't sleeping with, and this charming speech to the chief of a tribe of natives:

"You and your people, you're just ignorant, that's all. Uneducated. It's not your fault. I'm not blaming you for being stupid, or hostile, or even cannibals. You don't know any better. You live in a jungle. You're like a demonic Tarzan on a steroids [sic] or something."


On a steroids indeed.
Profile Image for Sheilah.
202 reviews2 followers
September 11, 2014
I can’t say I read much thriller/horror. I’m the type of person who has a hard time sitting through movies like Saw or The Cell, or for that matter reading any of Stephen King. They freak me out. The idea that something so awful could happen and possibly has happened to people makes me want to run and hide under a blanket for life. So, I took a shaky step out of my comfort zone to read this story by Tomasso. Now, this is not straight up horror. It’s more suspense and thriller. I was a bit afraid I would feel sick most of this book. But I was pleasantly surprised by my reaction to it.

Tomasso is a clean, honest writer. While he had many characters, I was never lost. The main character Rick Stone, travels to a remote, jungle part of Papua to catch a deadly fish. The monster fish that Stone is sent to catch is nothing compared to the real horrors that welcome them upon arrival. When I first began reading this, I had images of Anacondas eating everyone alive in dark murky waters. I was happy that this story went much further than just scary reptiles or aquatic creatures. Tomasso takes you on a wild jungle ride, where secrets are revealed and Stone is forced to fight for his life. I think anyone who enjoys life threatening suspense with no conceivable way out, will appreciate this story. There are some pivotal and moving choices Stone has to make throughout the journey, so dramatic that it made me feel compellingly involved with his decisions.

The story overall is rather smooth and fast. The beginning is a bit slower, but it’s necessary for the book later on. I definitely did not have to make myself read it, in fact I quite enjoyed it and wanted to know what was going to happen next. The whole who-is-going-to-die thing kept me engaged and eager to read on.

I highly recommend this story to all you suspense fans out there. If you enjoy a bit of violence and blood, you won’t be unhappy. But also I recommend this to readers who want a real story to accompany the violence. Tomasso weaves a tale that is more than just the horrors. But a realistic adventure that could happen to anyone traveling in the jungles of any remote location that have hidden secrets. I can say for certain, I have no desire to travel to Papua jungles anytime soon.

*I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Mya.
Author 31 books194 followers
January 14, 2015
If you have ever purchased and read a story that you thought was going to go one way and then it goes in a totally different direction then you may understand the hesitation I feel in this review. It was entertaining, don't get me wrong, but it was soo not what I thought it was going to be about. You see, even from the first couple of chapters I believed that I was reading a creature-feature tale, my focus was all on the killer fish. It wasn't like I didn't know that there are thousands of other dangers in a rain forest but well...Killer fish, missing individuals that were possibly taken on land, the wonder of if the creatures could travel on land...yeah, so the story wasn't about any of that so much and turned out to be more of the whole 'nature of man' and civilization topics. It was an entertaining read, well-written and easy to follow with elements of horror thread throughout (which I expected) but as the main character is a top level fisherman and a mild mannered guy, I couldn't help hoping that more of the book dealt with him overcoming challenges with a rod, knife and tackle...rather than becoming Rambo. Okay so the main character does grow in courage, will and bravery against formidable odds...but those odds do not include the killer fish. In the end though, I have to give this book 4 stars because it does make one think, so if you're looking for mindless monster eats humans and is put down, then be warned.
Profile Image for Martinw.
134 reviews21 followers
March 22, 2020
This book badly needs editing, and not only because of the many small or large errors, but also because it is lengthy in places - although it is a short book - and the pace is often just not right.
For me personally it was also a letdown that what I thought was the premise of this book - a group of people go hunt a creature in the jungle rivers - was only the framework for the actual story. But I admit that this could also be seen as a welcome twist by other readers.

Furthermore, at short 186 pages, I do not find it necessary to clog the pages with domestic problems of our hero that do not have anything to do with a jungle adventure. The purpose might have been to add dimensions to this guy, but for me it was just annoying.

And finally, the prose of Mr Tomasso just does not fit my preferences. I think, editing could help here, too.
56 reviews15 followers
September 19, 2014
I read a lot of horror, and many more zombie genre books. I have to express my genuine admiration for Phillip Tomasso and his ability to grasp your every nerve.
This is a refreshing twist of the typical horror story. The way he sucks you into the characters is profound. I have thoroughly enjoyed this book. Rick is your everyday gent that gets to do what he loves and it's not all unicorn and rainbows. He has a chance to rise above and conquer. Sorry no spoilers. You need to read this to find out the rest of his story.
I grew up around lakes and my brother was a fishing guide. I can so seeing this actually happening. Loved it.
I hope P.T. continues Ricks journey in another far off land with the hottie Tika.
Profile Image for P.S. Winn.
Author 105 books368 followers
September 14, 2014
I really loved this book. Rick Stone has a T.V. Series about fishing that is not making ratings. When his producers get a letter about a killer fish, they think, in Papua, a place not from Australia, the producers decide to send Rick and his crew to do a shoot to boost ratings. When they arrive they find a lot more than just one person is dead and the adventure begins. This was a great read and a great adventure. I felt like I was in the jungle. I loved the writing style that brought this tale to life. Great job, I am looking forward to reading more from Phillip Tomasso.
Profile Image for David Sakmyster.
Author 40 books76 followers
September 2, 2014
In Blood River, Tomasso takes us on a thrilling ride into the past (well, the '80s), sailing headlong into adventure with a TV crew on the hunt of a deadly river monster. Great characterizations (and set up for future books), historical research, setting descriptions and of course--action and blood galore! I read it in one sitting, and I'm eager for the next book -- and to read more from this author.
Profile Image for Lyn.
101 reviews
December 21, 2014
Wonderful adventure that didn't turn out at all as I expected.I love books like that! Rick Stone starts out as a mild mannered fisherman and ends up a true hero. I don't want to leave spoilers,so I will just encourage you to read this one. You will enjoy it.
Profile Image for Jessica Kong.
Author 4 books120 followers
December 8, 2014
What can I say? Phillip Tomasso has done it again. With or without Zombies, Phillip can weave a story that will pull you in and keep you there until the end. This book is about a TV film crew that travel deep into the heart of a rainforest to film a season of a TV show about fishing wild and rare fish. Their adventure was one that made me decide to keep my butt in the USA or at least the popular tourist spots. 
Profile Image for Jack Kardiac.
Author 16 books13 followers
December 13, 2016
Loved the premise, and was kind of biased (in a good way) about the subject matter since I'm currently a missionary living in Papua, Indonesia. The slow pace, continuity and proofreading errors were too much for me to bear, however, and I had stop reading after 33%. :(
Profile Image for Beth.
723 reviews
May 17, 2015
An adventure story that doesn't develop the plot nicely. Lots of adventure, cannibals, nasty fish but not great.
16 reviews3 followers
February 3, 2016
Intriguing

A good story, well written and I was unable to put it down. I think it could have been drawn out at the end to make a much longer story.
Profile Image for Tilly Jones.
175 reviews6 followers
August 27, 2018
Inhalt/Meinung
Ich hab echt lange überlegt, ob ich zu diesem Buch eine Rezension schreiben soll. Nachdem ich nun aber immer wieder über die Geschichte nachdenken musste, denke ich, es schadet nicht, wenn ich kurz meine Gedanken dazu aufschreibe.

Ganz ehrlich, ich hab von dieser Geschichte etwas ganz anderes erwartet und bin mir noch immer nicht schlüssig, ob sie mir nun gefällt oder nicht. Das ist immer so eine Sache mit den Erwartungen, denn wenn die Vorstellung in eine andere Richtung geht, als die Realität, dann kann das auch schon mal zu Enttäuschungen führen. Was nicht heißt, dass ich jetzt enttäuscht wäre oder das Buch blöd fand. Es endete nur anders, als ich gedacht hätte.
Aber fangen wir am Anfang an. Die Geschichte handelt von Rick Stone und seiner Karriere als Angelprofi. So weit, so (scheinbar) langweilig. Rick steckt in einer Ehe, die schon länger den Bach runtergeht, hat eine Angelserie, deren Einschaltquoten einbrechen und irgendwie tröpfelt sein Leben nur so dahin. Der einzige Lichtblick ist sein Sohn, für den er wirklich alles tun würde.
Um Schwung in sein Leben zu bringen und mit der Serie nicht unter zu gehen, lässt Rick sich auf eine Reise nach Indonesien ein um dort einem Horrorfisch auf die Spur zu kommen. Auch wenn er weiß, dass damit seine Ehe wahrscheinlich komplett vor die Hunde geht. Aber die Hoffnung stirbt zuletzt, nicht wahr?

Rick und sein Team kommen in Indonesien bei einem Eingeborenenstamm unter und fangen auch direkt mit ihrer Arbeit an. Sein Team filmt ihn, wie er auf dem Fluss angelt. An diesem Fluss sind Menschen von einem Monster in den Fluss gezogen worden und natürlich will Rick der erste sein, der eine Aufnahme von diesem Horrorfisch hat. Mal ehrlich, ein Fisch der Menschen frisst? Der Wahnsinn oder?
Ab diesem Punkt war ich mir sicher, dass es um was anderes ging. Horror, Grusel, irgendwas. Ich dachte, Rick und sein Team werden von einem Monster aus dem Fluss gefressen oder was weiß ich. Sowas eben. Der Fluss und der Fisch standen im Mittelpunkt. So glaubte ich jedenfalls.

Ich will hier jetzt nicht zu viel verraten, denn das Spoilerpotenzial ist hoch, aber ab diesem Punkt geschahen in der Geschichte ganz andere Dinge, als ich erwartete. Die Handlung war so spannend, dass ich an den Seiten klebte und das Buch fast in einem Stück durchgelesen hatte. Die Spannung war kontinuierlich hoch und auch Rick hatte dauernd mit eigenen Dämonen zu kämpfen, schließlich schien seine Ehe ruiniert. Diese innerliche Zerrissenheit, die Rick immer wieder befällt, feuerte die Spannung noch an. Alle Figuren waren auf ihre Weise wirklich gut dargestellt und rundeten die Geschichte ab. Es war ein Zusammenspiel, dass während des Lesens wirklich Spaß gemacht hat. Die Dialoge von Rick und seiner Frau zeigen ganz deutlich, zum Beispiel, dass diese Ehe kaputt ist, ohne dass sie es wirklich aussprechen.

Rick war eine Figur, die nicht gleich sympathisch war, aber dennoch genug Echtheit besaß, um mit ihm mit zu fiebern und zu überlegen, wie das alles ausgehen könnte. Er gibt wirklich alles, um es allen recht zu machen und steht in Notfällen auch für sein Team ein. Selbst wenn es ihm das Leben kosten könnte. Schnell überschlagen sich die Ereignisse und nicht nur Rick musste sich an neue Situationen anpassen. Er musste über sich hinauswachsen und Dinge tun, die ihn für immer verändern würden. Es gab viel Blut, Horror und unterschwellige Gefahr, die vom Dschungel ausging. Denn im Dschungel gibt es mehr als Wasser und Fische. Und daran hab ich nicht gedacht!

Über die Entwicklung der Geschichte war ich sowas von erstaunt, dass ich einfach nicht drüber hinwegkomme, dass die Auflösung einerseits so einfach ist, andererseits so erschreckend ekelhaft. Der Autor versteht es ganz wunderbar den Leser in eine andere Richtung zu lenken, nur um dann plötzlich was ganz anderes zu präsentieren. Und genau da war eben mein Problem. Ich wollte, dass die Geschichte anderes endet. Ich hatte mich auf das eingestellt, was von Anfang an vorbereitet wurde und kam nur schwer mit der Änderung der Handlung klar. Die Spannung war bis zum Ende ganz hoch, aber ich war danach doch etwas … verstimmt.

Fazit
„Blood River“ ist ein Buch, bei dem man mit allem rechnen muss. Die Handlung ist nicht so, wie sie auf den ersten Blick scheint und man sollte offen für alle Entwicklungen sein, die eine Reise nach Indonesien mit sich bringen könnte. Von mir gibt es eine Leseempfehlung, auch wenn mich das Ende noch immer mitnimmt.
Profile Image for Lisa.
904 reviews13 followers
September 29, 2024
Needed more of the fishing

This wasn't exactly what I thought it was. I wanted adventure and more of the creature but they didn't fish that much and it was sort of unfulfilling. I knew from the start how the one part would play out. There was a little more drama than I'd have liked but I loved the tribes and little bit of fishing. I really despised Rick's wife. Wish we could've seen more of her reaction in the end though.
Profile Image for Katrin.
978 reviews8 followers
June 4, 2020
Also für das was ich erwartet habe, war es eine "Enttäuschung".

Nicht schlecht geschrieben, schnelle Action und nette Charaktere, aber die Richtung in die es dann gegangen ist war jetzt nichts, was ich nicht schon mal "gehört" hätte, in Bezug auf die Gefahren, Völker/Kulturen/Mythen.

Hab aber schon deutlich schlechteres gelesen.
113 reviews
October 14, 2018
Exciting tale

I enjoyed this book more than expected. I don't usually care much for jungles, cannibals, and monster fish but have to admit I finished the last 50 pages before I walked the dogs!
Profile Image for Susan.
470 reviews12 followers
May 3, 2020
A good story

This is a good book. With some interesting characters that the reader will learn to enjoy reading about. Well written with a mix of action and adventure. It ended too abruptly for me. And the river "monster" became more of a side story.
Profile Image for Susan.
160 reviews2 followers
April 9, 2018
Misleading title

Chose this rating cause of title is misleading, thought more of a suspence, not much in creature as was less to believs

Profile Image for Edgars.
22 reviews
December 19, 2021
Based on the first part of this book the story should have been about a mysterious creature, monstrous fish of some sort.
Unfortunately this was not the case. Instead i got a story about a crazy man eating natives and a boring main hero with "my life sucks, i will go on an adventure, i do not want to die but i may as well, i will save everyone except this guy and i will literally fall in love with first unknown woman i meet." syndrome.
Profile Image for Laurie Mault.
98 reviews2 followers
August 9, 2016
Intense

I loved this book because it dealt with things I knew nothing about. It was intended to be about an unusual killer fish but morphed into a bag about ancient tribes and their customs. It kept my heart racing. I highly recommend this book. You will be pleasantly surprised as I was.
Profile Image for Terry and dog.
1,016 reviews33 followers
April 3, 2022
One of those books that sucks you right in and makes you just want to keep
reading to find out what happens next. Good adventure, some horror and just
a tiny touch of romance by the end.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews

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