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Ritualistic Human Sacrifice
Nick Graves is a miserable man. Every day he comes home from his dream job to a stale marriage. On the day he finally summons the courage to tell his wife, Eve, he wants a divorce she has exciting news for him – she’s pregnant.
Nick is a spiteful man. He purchases his dream home in an ideal location far away from family, friends, and coworkers. It’s a life changing decision he’s chosen to make without Eve’s consultation.
Nick is a terrified man. He quickly realizes the residents of his new hometown are a bit eccentric. After a trip to the local doctor’s office Eve begins to behave strangely. And once Nick finds out what’s really going on he’ll never be able to look at Eve the same way.
Nick is a spiteful man. He purchases his dream home in an ideal location far away from family, friends, and coworkers. It’s a life changing decision he’s chosen to make without Eve’s consultation.
Nick is a terrified man. He quickly realizes the residents of his new hometown are a bit eccentric. After a trip to the local doctor’s office Eve begins to behave strangely. And once Nick finds out what’s really going on he’ll never be able to look at Eve the same way.
208 pages, Paperback
First published October 15, 2015
103 people are currently reading
3402 people want to read
About the author
C.V. Hunt
35 books584 followersC.V. Hunt lives in Yellow Springs, Ohio, is the owner of Grindhouse Press, and writes unpopular fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 332 reviews
December 27, 2020
just a lot of shitty porn, poorly disguised as extreme horror. this book is not worth the time it takes to read.
January 24, 2020
A shitty man is about to surprise his shitty wife with an “I want a divorce” pronouncement but she foils his plans with an announcement of her own and this sets into motion a strange series of events that escalates into an all out disgusting display of over the top sexual nastiness and other grossities.
If this is your thing you will have fun. I suppose fun might be the wrong word choice but if you picked up a book called Ritualistic Human Sacrifice I think you'll get what I’m trying to say here.
The story is told from Nick’s POV and, excuse my bluntness, Nick is a prick. He is a germaphobe and he is revolted by everything that isn’t young and perfect, and perfectly clean and fresh smelling. You will despise Nick the prick, most likely. His wife isn’t a whole helluva lot better either. They’re both selfish and passive-aggressive and kind of deserve each other, if you’re asking me. Midway through the book I caught some clues that Nick was too dense to notice because he was too busy scrubbing his hands and thinking ugly thoughts about everyone. I anxiously listened and couldn't wait for some terrible things to befall some of these terrible people.
The terrible things take quite a while to happen. Much of the book is spent listening to Nick bitch about everything and silently put down everyone around him. He’s a gross person. I don’t know if I made that clear enough already, haha. But the fun of this book is the anticipation. I knew something strange was going on and something horrible was going to happen and I could NOT wait for it to begin! I mean, if you are dumb enough to buy a house that smells of death and of poo simply to spite your wife then you probably deserve whatever hell is hiding behind the black door.
I was not let down. This is an extreme horror novel and it is VERY porny. Trust me. Please tread lightly here if you don’t want to read graphic sexual violence. It over floweth in the final chapters. This is not a gentle warning. Also take a good long look at that cover. It gives you clues as to what might be in store for you. I’ve been reading gross things since I was a kid and I can stomach a lot but some of this was a bit much even for me. Fortunately there were moments of sick humor here to lighten up the mood and keep things readable. You’ll either want to read this madness or you won’t. Personally, I thought it was gross (oh yes) and ridiculously over the top but seeing Nick have to deal with it all was worth it to me.
I knocked off a star because it took too long to get going and my pesky brain couldn’t make sense of some of the plot turns. I also wish it had been even more brutal in the end for one particular person but there may be something wrong with me.
Narration Notes: I think narrator Anderson Prunty did a fantastic job with the voices. The tone fit the characters and his female voices didn’t make me cringe. Major points for that. The straight up narration bits felt a wee bit underplayed at times but it might’ve been a good choice considering how insane the story got near the end.
If this is your thing you will have fun. I suppose fun might be the wrong word choice but if you picked up a book called Ritualistic Human Sacrifice I think you'll get what I’m trying to say here.
The story is told from Nick’s POV and, excuse my bluntness, Nick is a prick. He is a germaphobe and he is revolted by everything that isn’t young and perfect, and perfectly clean and fresh smelling. You will despise Nick the prick, most likely. His wife isn’t a whole helluva lot better either. They’re both selfish and passive-aggressive and kind of deserve each other, if you’re asking me. Midway through the book I caught some clues that Nick was too dense to notice because he was too busy scrubbing his hands and thinking ugly thoughts about everyone. I anxiously listened and couldn't wait for some terrible things to befall some of these terrible people.
The terrible things take quite a while to happen. Much of the book is spent listening to Nick bitch about everything and silently put down everyone around him. He’s a gross person. I don’t know if I made that clear enough already, haha. But the fun of this book is the anticipation. I knew something strange was going on and something horrible was going to happen and I could NOT wait for it to begin! I mean, if you are dumb enough to buy a house that smells of death and of poo simply to spite your wife then you probably deserve whatever hell is hiding behind the black door.
I was not let down. This is an extreme horror novel and it is VERY porny. Trust me. Please tread lightly here if you don’t want to read graphic sexual violence. It over floweth in the final chapters. This is not a gentle warning. Also take a good long look at that cover. It gives you clues as to what might be in store for you. I’ve been reading gross things since I was a kid and I can stomach a lot but some of this was a bit much even for me. Fortunately there were moments of sick humor here to lighten up the mood and keep things readable. You’ll either want to read this madness or you won’t. Personally, I thought it was gross (oh yes) and ridiculously over the top but seeing Nick have to deal with it all was worth it to me.
I knocked off a star because it took too long to get going and my pesky brain couldn’t make sense of some of the plot turns. I also wish it had been even more brutal in the end for one particular person but there may be something wrong with me.
Narration Notes: I think narrator Anderson Prunty did a fantastic job with the voices. The tone fit the characters and his female voices didn’t make me cringe. Major points for that. The straight up narration bits felt a wee bit underplayed at times but it might’ve been a good choice considering how insane the story got near the end.
March 21, 2017
This is one messed up story, and I say that as a compliment. I could hardly put this book down through its entirety. It begins with a couple who have clearly outgrown their relationship. The husband, Nick, takes his resentment and dials it up to sociopathy. His revenge on his wife for getting pregnant without his approval is to isolate the two of them in an ominous house located in a seemingly vacant town. Here is where the story turns. It goes from an uncomfortably bad situation to hell. Without giving anything away, what follows in the second half of the book is for strong audiences only. There is explicit sex and and violence (some of it consensual). There is also some humor, which may make you snicker on occasion. Nick is a very sincere germophobe. His new environment is far from sterile. If you think you would like to read this book (and you have a strong constitution), go into it without preconceptions. You won't be sorry.
January 14, 2023
Woman surprises her husband with a save a relationship baby, husband is the most miserable bastard alive and as payback takes her away from everyone and everything she knows and loves to the weirdest town in America.
The first like 40% is basically the most toxic relationship ever to exist, with some minor creepage. The rest of the book was basically one graphic and depraved sex act after the other, again with minor creepage. I couldn’t help but think that I would’ve liked it more if we had a main character that was even a bit like able. But every character was judged by how f-able they were to the MC, everyone was fat or ugly or in some way lacking. Very Patrick Bateman esq but somehow worse? (Maybe not that extreme but you catch my drift that he’s the worst kind of man)
🚨Potentially triggering discussions of content warnings ahead🚨
I knew this was going to be gross, but it is straight up extreme depravity p0rn at times- which is not the type of horror I like to read. It’s partly the reason why I don’t read much extreme horror anymore. I’ll just list the content warnings below. I’m leaning more towards disappointed in the story overall, but I do think the writing was actually really solid and I do think I’ll give Hunt another try.
TWS: prolonged, repeated sequences of violent r@pe, repeated forced abortion with graphic descriptions, graphic depictions of excrement (ingesting and through SA), spousal abuse, major manipulation, toxic relationships, pedophil||a, chi|d SA, religious extremism,animal death, vomit, misogyny, fatphobia .
The first like 40% is basically the most toxic relationship ever to exist, with some minor creepage. The rest of the book was basically one graphic and depraved sex act after the other, again with minor creepage. I couldn’t help but think that I would’ve liked it more if we had a main character that was even a bit like able. But every character was judged by how f-able they were to the MC, everyone was fat or ugly or in some way lacking. Very Patrick Bateman esq but somehow worse? (Maybe not that extreme but you catch my drift that he’s the worst kind of man)
🚨Potentially triggering discussions of content warnings ahead🚨
I knew this was going to be gross, but it is straight up extreme depravity p0rn at times- which is not the type of horror I like to read. It’s partly the reason why I don’t read much extreme horror anymore. I’ll just list the content warnings below. I’m leaning more towards disappointed in the story overall, but I do think the writing was actually really solid and I do think I’ll give Hunt another try.
TWS: prolonged, repeated sequences of violent r@pe, repeated forced abortion with graphic descriptions, graphic depictions of excrement (ingesting and through SA), spousal abuse, major manipulation, toxic relationships, pedophil||a, chi|d SA, religious extremism,animal death, vomit, misogyny, fatphobia .
March 1, 2016
Please never tell anyone I read this book.
May 7, 2022
Unsatisfactory.
May 9, 2016
Fans of extreme horror will be blown away. Following in the tradition of Edward Lee, Wrath James White, Monica J. O'Rourke, Shane Mackenzie, Ryan Harding, Charlee Jacob, and others, C.V. Hunt has crafted the perfect next-gen extreme horror novel. Insightful, surreal, dark, sardonic, and uncomfortable.
December 30, 2022
She started the car and said, "Are you ready for your new life?"
"I feel exhausted thinking about all the stuff I'm gonna have to do."
"Don't worry," she said. "Starting over is easier than you think."
"I feel exhausted thinking about all the stuff I'm gonna have to do."
"Don't worry," she said. "Starting over is easier than you think."
November 28, 2016
Dark and over-the-top, yet still somewhat playful in its execution, Ritualistic Human Sacrifice starts slow and builds to a fevered and disgusting pace that was so heinous I almost put the book down. Almost, but didn’t. And BOY, am I glad I sallied through! The vivid descriptions in the third act are among the most viscerally stomach-churning I’ve ever read. Yet, even against all the sex and strangeness and unapologetic gore, Hunt never blinks, and then take the whole show one step further.
Look, if you’re reading a book called Ritualistic Human Sacrifice, then you expect some ritualistic human sacrifice. CV Hunt delivers on that 10-fold. This novel was a true grindhouse experience.
Look, if you’re reading a book called Ritualistic Human Sacrifice, then you expect some ritualistic human sacrifice. CV Hunt delivers on that 10-fold. This novel was a true grindhouse experience.
August 18, 2020
Hail Satan, love the cover, wish the author asked my permission before transcribing the events of my 21st birthday party for the last part of the book
January 1, 2018
Recommended for the truly decadent and depraved.
Read
September 3, 2021"Leave your soul here. You’re not gonna need it anymore."
C.V. Hunt was an author that mysteriously popped into my life one day and I never looked back. I know what I'm getting myself into when I read a book by her. I expect to read something violent and vile. She has never let me down yet.
This is a book that I know I needed to read, not only because of the author but because of that cover. A pentagram that was completed with a hanger! I was sold just by that. Just by looking at that, I knew that I was getting myself into something sketchy.
After reading this, I honestly don’t know what to say or how to even rate this. Did I enjoy it? That's hard to say due to the content that was in between these pages. It was all so weird and very vile. I felt as if I need to hide in the shower and scrub my skin raw. I just…. I don't even know. What I do know is that you should tread very lightly while reading this. I know it will disgust and offend a lot of readers.
Ritualistic Human Sacrifice was a gift for the depraved. This book is not for the faint of heart and if you look away from certain horrific scenes, then run far away and never look back. But if you want to make a sacrifice and dance in the woods covered in blood then this book is perfect for you.
C.V. Hunt was an author that mysteriously popped into my life one day and I never looked back. I know what I'm getting myself into when I read a book by her. I expect to read something violent and vile. She has never let me down yet.
This is a book that I know I needed to read, not only because of the author but because of that cover. A pentagram that was completed with a hanger! I was sold just by that. Just by looking at that, I knew that I was getting myself into something sketchy.
After reading this, I honestly don’t know what to say or how to even rate this. Did I enjoy it? That's hard to say due to the content that was in between these pages. It was all so weird and very vile. I felt as if I need to hide in the shower and scrub my skin raw. I just…. I don't even know. What I do know is that you should tread very lightly while reading this. I know it will disgust and offend a lot of readers.
Ritualistic Human Sacrifice was a gift for the depraved. This book is not for the faint of heart and if you look away from certain horrific scenes, then run far away and never look back. But if you want to make a sacrifice and dance in the woods covered in blood then this book is perfect for you.
December 29, 2016
C.V Hunt continues to amaze me with her versatile storytelling ability. RITUALISTIC HUMAN SACRIFICE really reads like Hunt bullseyed here zone hard. This is a sneaky story that leads you to believe its an anti-romance only to take a hard turn halfway through and becomes one of the darkest tales I've read in a long while.
C.V. Hunt utilizes the first person POV for the male lead character in this story. Not since Chad Kultgen (The Average American Male) have I read a more honest first person presentation of a male protagonist. Not only is she able to pull off an authentic first person POV of the opposite sex but she also expertly presents the character with ambiguous intentions. At times we see the guy as a jerk and at other points his actions seem warranted. The result doesn't leave the character ambiguous but deeper and richer. Not knowing whether to route for the protagonist or not is what keeps you turning the pages of this book.
So at first this would seem like an anti-romance of sorts. But then the story leads you down the road it was always meant to travel down. This book get dark and fast. There are scenes so brutal and visceral as to make Edward Lee and Richard Laymon look like rookies in comparison. The scenes are cringe worthy and uncomfortable to read. Often I wanted to close my eyes and now allow myself to read the words I knew were coming.
I've know C.V. Hunt to be a versatile writer with a dark edge. She's often identified as a Bizarro writer and that is warranted. This book is probably more purely horror. It brutally honest, breathtakingly brutal and awe inspiringly dark. If Edward Lee and Richard Laymon are your thing then this book is a MUST read. Move over Shane McKenzie, C.V. Hunt wants to be part of the new blood as well!
C.V. Hunt utilizes the first person POV for the male lead character in this story. Not since Chad Kultgen (The Average American Male) have I read a more honest first person presentation of a male protagonist. Not only is she able to pull off an authentic first person POV of the opposite sex but she also expertly presents the character with ambiguous intentions. At times we see the guy as a jerk and at other points his actions seem warranted. The result doesn't leave the character ambiguous but deeper and richer. Not knowing whether to route for the protagonist or not is what keeps you turning the pages of this book.
So at first this would seem like an anti-romance of sorts. But then the story leads you down the road it was always meant to travel down. This book get dark and fast. There are scenes so brutal and visceral as to make Edward Lee and Richard Laymon look like rookies in comparison. The scenes are cringe worthy and uncomfortable to read. Often I wanted to close my eyes and now allow myself to read the words I knew were coming.
I've know C.V. Hunt to be a versatile writer with a dark edge. She's often identified as a Bizarro writer and that is warranted. This book is probably more purely horror. It brutally honest, breathtakingly brutal and awe inspiringly dark. If Edward Lee and Richard Laymon are your thing then this book is a MUST read. Move over Shane McKenzie, C.V. Hunt wants to be part of the new blood as well!
August 7, 2017
Nick is a miserable prick, compulsive masturbator and an all-around douchebag. His wife Eve has some great news to share. Nick doesn’t think so and sets out a plan of revenge to get back at her by buying a house out in the sticks away from her job and all her friends and family. What a guy.
Unfortunately for Nick, the house isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Neither is the town. There’s something sinister going on and both Nick and Eve are about to get elbow deep in some serious doo-doo. Literally.
This one is not for the easily squeamish. There are more bloody bodily secretions here than at a truck stop gloryhole for freak show clowns with the Marquis de Sade Travelling Circus.
Maggot covered viscera puddy stuffing, geriatric fisting, fecal sex golem statues and Sadie’s nasty-ass crusty feet.
Yep. Good times.
Super fun to try and read on an airplane too. I think I gagged out loud a few times and was super paranoid that somebody would catch a glimpse of what I was reading. (I’m assuming nobody did since I didn’t get stopped and interrogated getting off the plane.) After reading this one, it probably would have been justified.
And now the cover makes more sense too. Damn. Brutal.
Unfortunately for Nick, the house isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Neither is the town. There’s something sinister going on and both Nick and Eve are about to get elbow deep in some serious doo-doo. Literally.
This one is not for the easily squeamish. There are more bloody bodily secretions here than at a truck stop gloryhole for freak show clowns with the Marquis de Sade Travelling Circus.
Maggot covered viscera puddy stuffing, geriatric fisting, fecal sex golem statues and Sadie’s nasty-ass crusty feet.
Yep. Good times.
Super fun to try and read on an airplane too. I think I gagged out loud a few times and was super paranoid that somebody would catch a glimpse of what I was reading. (I’m assuming nobody did since I didn’t get stopped and interrogated getting off the plane.) After reading this one, it probably would have been justified.
And now the cover makes more sense too. Damn. Brutal.
December 19, 2015
Ritualistic Human Sacrifice does not contain a dull moment. I cannot find anything I do not like about this book. CV Hunt has written from the male perspective flawlessly. I snickered and grinned through all of the spiteful things happening during part one. There is something here that all of us who have experienced the ups and downs of marriage can relate to, at least to some degree.
The characters are strong and relatable, no matter how far off the deep end they go. As the story progressed, it got darker and darker. What started out as a story of marriage gone bad became something altogether more insane. About halfway in, the door opens slowly to what is really going on in the small town the couple have moved to. There is a seriously twisted agenda at play, and there are many surprises. My favorite character was Morgan. The way she was placed was into the plot was great and I liked her even more when all was revealed. High praise for this book and the author.
The characters are strong and relatable, no matter how far off the deep end they go. As the story progressed, it got darker and darker. What started out as a story of marriage gone bad became something altogether more insane. About halfway in, the door opens slowly to what is really going on in the small town the couple have moved to. There is a seriously twisted agenda at play, and there are many surprises. My favorite character was Morgan. The way she was placed was into the plot was great and I liked her even more when all was revealed. High praise for this book and the author.
February 22, 2016
I'm not sure how to review this one. I thought the writing was extremely concise. The author was convincing writing from the male pov. The story was bizarre and raunchy, completely over the top. I almost threw up a couple of times, so I think this was a success. I will have to check out something else by C V Hunt, but only if I haven't eaten recently.
March 20, 2017
The writing in this book isn't awful but it's held back due to the lack of plot, as the book seems to be less of a story and more of a delivery system for porn. The story and descriptions are repetitive and parts of the book just seem like the fantasies of a porn addled mind. I kept on as I the wanted to see where the story was going but I ended up disappointed.
January 20, 2021
This is an extreme disturbing piece of fiction. And Andersen Prunty is the perfect narrator for the audiobook.
June 23, 2018
"I was aware I was a miserable and selfish motherfucker and was fine with it."
I don't know where to start with this. Ritual Human Sacrifice is my first CV Hunt book. Even though my review has mixed feelings, I will definitely be reading another book from her. I liked the suspense & creepy environment...this book just ended up being WAY more porn than horror. It's still horror, but there's just so much sex. So much that I got bored with it.
The entire book is unsettling. Things are ominous from the start, and it went in an ENTIRELY different direction than what I was expecting. I really liked the first half, and then, I have to say it, but the second half was too much for me.
Everyone in this book is unlikeable, and Nick is a great Patrick Bateman-esque character. He's such a horrible person, yet weirdly amusing at times. I enjoyed seeing what he was going to do next.
I'm looking forward to trying another book from CV Hunt - even though this one wasn't necessarily for me, it was still creative & fun.
I don't know where to start with this. Ritual Human Sacrifice is my first CV Hunt book. Even though my review has mixed feelings, I will definitely be reading another book from her. I liked the suspense & creepy environment...this book just ended up being WAY more porn than horror. It's still horror, but there's just so much sex. So much that I got bored with it.
The entire book is unsettling. Things are ominous from the start, and it went in an ENTIRELY different direction than what I was expecting. I really liked the first half, and then, I have to say it, but the second half was too much for me.
Everyone in this book is unlikeable, and Nick is a great Patrick Bateman-esque character. He's such a horrible person, yet weirdly amusing at times. I enjoyed seeing what he was going to do next.
I'm looking forward to trying another book from CV Hunt - even though this one wasn't necessarily for me, it was still creative & fun.
June 26, 2020
WTH did I read???? When the story started I completely hated the main character. It didn't help that it was written first person. Being stuck in the head of a character that you don't like usually isn't fun. But then he (Nick) grew on me. Yep, he was a jerk, yet entertaining all the same. I got bored reading about the porn he was watching. Full truth : I glossed over some of that.
Then the story picked up. Once the action started it refused to release the grip it took over my mind. This is by far one of the grossest stories I have ever read. I mean that in the best way possible. It's hard to recap the story without spoilers... This book is perfect for those who like gross/ crazy/ sex books.
Then the story picked up. Once the action started it refused to release the grip it took over my mind. This is by far one of the grossest stories I have ever read. I mean that in the best way possible. It's hard to recap the story without spoilers... This book is perfect for those who like gross/ crazy/ sex books.
December 18, 2015
HOLY CHRIST!!! This is CV Hunt's longest novel, amd definitely the creepiest so far. Maybe not for everyone (as hinted by the cover), it was perfect for me. I don't think I would have acted much different than Nick Graves had I been thrust into his situation. Although the damn town they moved to just had to spoil a wonderful revenge plan!
October 4, 2019
Narration: 5
Story: 4
Overall: 4
Well, this book is an experience. Extreme horror? Transgressive fiction? I think those fit.
A quick note about Andersen Prunty’s narration before I move onto the story. He did a perfect job at bringing the MC to life. His deadpan delivery added new layers to this story and I honestly think I enjoyed it more because of it. I’m still a newbie audiobook user; this is only my second book, but his voice is clear and articulate and made for an enjoyable listening experience.
The story. CV Hunt has created a main character that is a complete jerk. Narcissistic, unhappy with everything, and sometimes just bitchy. BUT! He’s clear about what he wants and doesn’t want out of life, and while I often sat in shock at many things he did I also appreciated how solid and true his behaviors were to his character. I mean, his “plan” - just spot-on villainous behavior. I’d also like to commend the author on the dry humor woven in in some parts. I found myself chuckling a few times; sometimes from shock and other times for reasons I can’t quite articulate.
Read other reviews and you’ll likely see comments on the sexual/gross content of this book. It’s exists throughout. If you have any triggers associated with rape, alternative sexual violence, and/or abortion, then this isn’t for you. And that’s fine. I can handle quite a bit and this pushed MY boundaries. I can definitely see why some did not like this and will choose not to read it.
I’ve reflected a bit - I wanted to try to figure why there was SO MUCH sex and violence. Why it needed to push those boundaries I’m comfortable with. I think, for me, it was both the rising curve and the destruction of Nick’s character arc. Once his plan is in motion, what else could possibly exist to punish this guy? How about a manifestation of every desire and phobia he ever had, all mixed into one. Yeah - that would do it.
In closing, I’ve now read three books from CV Hunt. All are unique and wholly different from the rest. I’ll definitely be reading more from her AND listening to more books narrated by Prunty.
Story: 4
Overall: 4
Well, this book is an experience. Extreme horror? Transgressive fiction? I think those fit.
A quick note about Andersen Prunty’s narration before I move onto the story. He did a perfect job at bringing the MC to life. His deadpan delivery added new layers to this story and I honestly think I enjoyed it more because of it. I’m still a newbie audiobook user; this is only my second book, but his voice is clear and articulate and made for an enjoyable listening experience.
The story. CV Hunt has created a main character that is a complete jerk. Narcissistic, unhappy with everything, and sometimes just bitchy. BUT! He’s clear about what he wants and doesn’t want out of life, and while I often sat in shock at many things he did I also appreciated how solid and true his behaviors were to his character. I mean, his “plan” - just spot-on villainous behavior. I’d also like to commend the author on the dry humor woven in in some parts. I found myself chuckling a few times; sometimes from shock and other times for reasons I can’t quite articulate.
Read other reviews and you’ll likely see comments on the sexual/gross content of this book. It’s exists throughout. If you have any triggers associated with rape, alternative sexual violence, and/or abortion, then this isn’t for you. And that’s fine. I can handle quite a bit and this pushed MY boundaries. I can definitely see why some did not like this and will choose not to read it.
I’ve reflected a bit - I wanted to try to figure why there was SO MUCH sex and violence. Why it needed to push those boundaries I’m comfortable with. I think, for me, it was both the rising curve and the destruction of Nick’s character arc. Once his plan is in motion, what else could possibly exist to punish this guy? How about a manifestation of every desire and phobia he ever had, all mixed into one. Yeah - that would do it.
In closing, I’ve now read three books from CV Hunt. All are unique and wholly different from the rest. I’ll definitely be reading more from her AND listening to more books narrated by Prunty.
April 6, 2016
Now that I've finished the book, I finally understand the front cover.
The protagonist of Ritualistic Human Sacrifice is a pretty unpleasant character, certainly pretty hate-filled and spiteful, but at least in the early going, I don't think he's wrong. On the contrary, his wife deliberately springing a pregnancy on him - against all his wishes and their own agreement - is a pretty lousy thing to do and I think he has every right to be upset.
His revenge, however, is a little too mean and elaborate to be defended, plus it puts both of them in mortal danger (which he might have noticed, if not for his own hubris). It's a credit to the author that the character's unpleasant nature isn't off-putting for the reader, and the writing is very smooth, with everything moving along at a brisk pace.
Overall it's a very engaging read that had me really curious to see where things would go (and I didn't foresee things taking quite the sado-sexual route they do). Though there are some story beats that will be a little over-familiar to most horror fans, I've rarely seen them handled better and there are some truly left-field, stomach-churning scenes in the later pages.
In all honesty, I found the first half of the book more captivating than the second (when the shit really hits the fan) but I can't say I wasn't entertained throughout. If you're in the mood for some highly depraved, sadistic and satanic carnage... this is the book for you.
The protagonist of Ritualistic Human Sacrifice is a pretty unpleasant character, certainly pretty hate-filled and spiteful, but at least in the early going, I don't think he's wrong. On the contrary, his wife deliberately springing a pregnancy on him - against all his wishes and their own agreement - is a pretty lousy thing to do and I think he has every right to be upset.
His revenge, however, is a little too mean and elaborate to be defended, plus it puts both of them in mortal danger (which he might have noticed, if not for his own hubris). It's a credit to the author that the character's unpleasant nature isn't off-putting for the reader, and the writing is very smooth, with everything moving along at a brisk pace.
Overall it's a very engaging read that had me really curious to see where things would go (and I didn't foresee things taking quite the sado-sexual route they do). Though there are some story beats that will be a little over-familiar to most horror fans, I've rarely seen them handled better and there are some truly left-field, stomach-churning scenes in the later pages.
In all honesty, I found the first half of the book more captivating than the second (when the shit really hits the fan) but I can't say I wasn't entertained throughout. If you're in the mood for some highly depraved, sadistic and satanic carnage... this is the book for you.
March 22, 2017
If you are planning revenge on a significant other read this first.
The story is told in the first person of a husband who blames his wife for the mediocrity of his life. So when she makes a life changing decision without consulting him first he becomes hell bent on getting his own back by making life changing decisions for them without her consultation.
The book is split into three parts. The first part develops the characters and the decision's they make that will lead to a very gruesome future for them. Despite the (mostly) normal look into the disintegration of a relationship there is enough undercurrent in the story to know it is not going to end well for the unhappy couple.
The next two parts will require a strong stomach and is not for the squeamish. However the writing is top notch all the way through this book and you can tell C V Hunt has full control of the story and all you need to do is sit back and trust that she will take you on a very dark, twisted gross out trip that will make you wish you did not want to know why there is a coat hanger in the pentagram on the cover.
The story is told in the first person of a husband who blames his wife for the mediocrity of his life. So when she makes a life changing decision without consulting him first he becomes hell bent on getting his own back by making life changing decisions for them without her consultation.
The book is split into three parts. The first part develops the characters and the decision's they make that will lead to a very gruesome future for them. Despite the (mostly) normal look into the disintegration of a relationship there is enough undercurrent in the story to know it is not going to end well for the unhappy couple.
The next two parts will require a strong stomach and is not for the squeamish. However the writing is top notch all the way through this book and you can tell C V Hunt has full control of the story and all you need to do is sit back and trust that she will take you on a very dark, twisted gross out trip that will make you wish you did not want to know why there is a coat hanger in the pentagram on the cover.
April 7, 2024
Husband is baby trapped by wife despite him not wanting kids she decides they're keeping the baby which leaves him furious and acting like a complete asshole and seeking to take revenge on wife by ruining every aspect of her life and vastly improving his life.... honestly this is an 'everybody sucks' situation, at some point the storybtakes an absolutely wild turn that I was down to take. Great book with a fantastic plot and brilliantly executed, a lot of triggers but if you can handle them I'd suggest this book.
January 5, 2022
Don't read this book. Don't be fooled by the pretty cover. When people say horror is an exploitative genre, this is exactly the kind of utter garbage they're talking about.
Man and wife are unhappy, blah blah blah, she gets pregnant and they move, blah blah blah, BAM SEX CULT, blah blah blah, man who is still a douchebag escapes from the cult. If the author wanted us to sympathize with Nick, he did not complete that objective. And every single woman in the book, bar none, is objectified on the basis of how sexy Nick finds her.
Even if that weren't bad enough, the horror elements just aren't that interesting. It's clear Hunt was far more concerned with writing bad porn. I regret buying it, taking the time to read it, and that I cannot give it zero stars.
Man and wife are unhappy, blah blah blah, she gets pregnant and they move, blah blah blah, BAM SEX CULT, blah blah blah, man who is still a douchebag escapes from the cult. If the author wanted us to sympathize with Nick, he did not complete that objective. And every single woman in the book, bar none, is objectified on the basis of how sexy Nick finds her.
Even if that weren't bad enough, the horror elements just aren't that interesting. It's clear Hunt was far more concerned with writing bad porn. I regret buying it, taking the time to read it, and that I cannot give it zero stars.
August 1, 2021
Nick is an awful person and does awful things but he’s very entertaining to read about. The lengths he is willing to go to in orchestrating his revenge against his wife who dared to get pregnant are quite something to behold. This story definitely earns the extreme horror badge with some incredibly gruesome scenes playing out towards the end. There is also a lot of sexual content here which unfortunately got to the point where it felt repetitive. This was still a great read and I loved the messed up places it went to.
December 1, 2019
Jeeeeeeeeessssssuuussss. I need a shower.
Read
March 21, 2022I am not going to give this author the pleasure of even one star. This book is utter garbage and I am dumber for having finished it. For starters, WHERE IS THE PLOT??? I'll tell you where; nowhere. This book is just a vehicle for the author's shitty porn fantasies. I truly wish I could remember who recommended this trash to me so I can give them a piece of my mind, but here we are. I encourage everyone not to read this shite. There is no substance at all. This is shit porn disguised as horror. The book contains all these abhorrent things in an effort to make it into a horror novel and it fails because every chapter is riddled with porn and not much else. People who try to pretend there is a point within these 200 pages need Jesus (or whomever else idk and idc). This book is dumb. Just dumb. This book is not for intelligent human beings. That's right. I said it. I do not apologize for my opinion. Because there is nothing intelligent in this book. Everything that happened in this book was pointless.
There are so many things wrong with this book I can't even.
So many loose ends to go along with this non-existent plot.
If someone gives you a prescription bottle with herbal medicine in it without a label, you probably shouldn't take it. Juss sayin and here's your sign if you do.
Eve willingly gave up the child she wanted so badly for a sacrifice after one appointment with the doctor? She forgot how to think for herself after one doctor visit and fell in line with these wackos. Yeah, that's how stuff happens.
So...we gonna take it upon ourselves to cut off the thumbs of men (LITERALLY WILLING PARTICIPANTS IN THESE REINDEER GAMES) so they don't diddle themselves and waste the seed of the lord, but then in an effort to further not waste seed, were going to anally rape them? Please tell me the logic in that. Did your lord tell you to do that? Why anal sex at all? Does that not waste seed? Do you see the lack of logic?
And let's further discuss the idea that the leader shall have maggots and filth inserted into her vagina because she cannot conceive...and she actually enjoys it. Why is she even the leader of the procreation crap if she can't be the mother of the second coming, birth, and all things evil? Duuuuumb.
Did your lord also tell you to make anatomically correct shite statues and f*** them in an effort to procreate? I can 100% tell you that is not how things work. Why the filth? What was the reader supposed to glean from the filth? And to boot, fisting, anal sex, and screwing after abortions are also not how things work.
How does having sex with MEN equate to giving birth to the second coming of your lord. Does your lord inhabit all semen? Oy.
The fact that these people were aborting these fetuses under the guise of human sacrifice is unspeakable horrific. So instead of having these babies and creating more minions to worship your lord, let's just abort them and get them out of the way. Did your lord tell you to do that because he wants fewer followers? The world may never know.
And we just going to drop the dog and what happened when Eve got mesmerized by the mirror? What was the point of that? The supernatural element brought nothing to this mess.
If this book made ANY sense at all, I would be less annoyed by it. The plot is non-existent and the porn/ torture is gratuitous bs and that's sad because the idea of a sex cult that worships satan trying to get the second coming of their lord would have been great, but this book is just porn and if I'm being honest, makes the writer and the people that enjoy it look like perverted freaks (nothing really wrong with being a perverted freak but this book is on a different level of perversion). We will never know that really is the point of any of it because the author told us nothing; just wrote a bunch of filthy porn with abhorrent filth and try to say its horror. It isn't. In case you are wondering.
NOTHING is explained. There is no backstory to the house itself being a part of the cult, no reason as to why this cult exists in this small unheard of town (and seemingly only in this town) and how they even communicate with their lord (some mild mention of a book but other than that nothing), why the entire town is in on it, why this herb so easily sways women to participate, why newcomers don't go to the police of any adjacent town and tattle, etc. THAT would have been an excellent horror novel. If you're looking for a good horror novel that makes sense, look elsewhere because this isn't it.
There is no logic in this book and as you can tell I'm deeply disappointed. Good idea, poor execution because the WRITER FREAKING SUCKS ASS!!! I will not read another thing by this person and I am not shocked that it was published by their own publishing company. No one would publish this straight-up garbage of a book and it isn't worth the time it took to read it.
There are so many things wrong with this book I can't even.
So many loose ends to go along with this non-existent plot.
If someone gives you a prescription bottle with herbal medicine in it without a label, you probably shouldn't take it. Juss sayin and here's your sign if you do.
Eve willingly gave up the child she wanted so badly for a sacrifice after one appointment with the doctor? She forgot how to think for herself after one doctor visit and fell in line with these wackos. Yeah, that's how stuff happens.
So...we gonna take it upon ourselves to cut off the thumbs of men (LITERALLY WILLING PARTICIPANTS IN THESE REINDEER GAMES) so they don't diddle themselves and waste the seed of the lord, but then in an effort to further not waste seed, were going to anally rape them? Please tell me the logic in that. Did your lord tell you to do that? Why anal sex at all? Does that not waste seed? Do you see the lack of logic?
And let's further discuss the idea that the leader shall have maggots and filth inserted into her vagina because she cannot conceive...and she actually enjoys it. Why is she even the leader of the procreation crap if she can't be the mother of the second coming, birth, and all things evil? Duuuuumb.
Did your lord also tell you to make anatomically correct shite statues and f*** them in an effort to procreate? I can 100% tell you that is not how things work. Why the filth? What was the reader supposed to glean from the filth? And to boot, fisting, anal sex, and screwing after abortions are also not how things work.
How does having sex with MEN equate to giving birth to the second coming of your lord. Does your lord inhabit all semen? Oy.
The fact that these people were aborting these fetuses under the guise of human sacrifice is unspeakable horrific. So instead of having these babies and creating more minions to worship your lord, let's just abort them and get them out of the way. Did your lord tell you to do that because he wants fewer followers? The world may never know.
And we just going to drop the dog and what happened when Eve got mesmerized by the mirror? What was the point of that? The supernatural element brought nothing to this mess.
If this book made ANY sense at all, I would be less annoyed by it. The plot is non-existent and the porn/ torture is gratuitous bs and that's sad because the idea of a sex cult that worships satan trying to get the second coming of their lord would have been great, but this book is just porn and if I'm being honest, makes the writer and the people that enjoy it look like perverted freaks (nothing really wrong with being a perverted freak but this book is on a different level of perversion). We will never know that really is the point of any of it because the author told us nothing; just wrote a bunch of filthy porn with abhorrent filth and try to say its horror. It isn't. In case you are wondering.
NOTHING is explained. There is no backstory to the house itself being a part of the cult, no reason as to why this cult exists in this small unheard of town (and seemingly only in this town) and how they even communicate with their lord (some mild mention of a book but other than that nothing), why the entire town is in on it, why this herb so easily sways women to participate, why newcomers don't go to the police of any adjacent town and tattle, etc. THAT would have been an excellent horror novel. If you're looking for a good horror novel that makes sense, look elsewhere because this isn't it.
There is no logic in this book and as you can tell I'm deeply disappointed. Good idea, poor execution because the WRITER FREAKING SUCKS ASS!!! I will not read another thing by this person and I am not shocked that it was published by their own publishing company. No one would publish this straight-up garbage of a book and it isn't worth the time it took to read it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 29, 2022
This book is definitely messed up—and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Though I don’t necessarily seek them out, I like subversive, strange, even gross narratives, but for me, there has to be a good reason, something feeding all that craze. What I’m not into is disgusting crap just for the sake of disgusting crap, of making it as weird and inflammatory as possible just because you can but then not having a point.
I feel like Ritualistic Human Sacrifice is on the edge of something bigger, of having a point, but for me it didn’t quite get there. It was more interested in the gross-out factor than the social satire element. Which is fine—it just wasn’t for me.
Obviously, Nick is a despicable character. There is nothing redeeming about him, from his selfish and self-serving reactions to everything from his wife’s pregnancy to his insanely out-of-proportion internal rage toward everyday occurrences. He is the definition of the protagonist we are meant to hate.
I was on-board and strapped in for part one of this book. The set-up where you meet Nick and get inside his crazy mind, twisting every interaction around so he is the victim (talk about some toxic masculinity stinking up the place) is really great. I loved the fights he had with his wife, Eve—they are the sort of terrible-yet-amazing car crash scenarios you feel horrible watching and yet want to grab a huge tub a popcorn and settle in for.
The plot began to falter for me when Nick and Eve move to their new house in their new secluded town, where it is obvious that some weird stuff has been going on long before they got there. Get ready for some weird and downright disgusting sex. Nick has an OCD-level cleanliness issue especially about sex, but the sex that happens in this book would make any normal person want to vomit. And it ramps up fast. Though it is obvious that something isn’t right, Nick doesn’t really seem that concerned, even when he is the one acting completely out of character. The book started to lose me here.
In the third section, the satire was more obvious and even a bit empowering as the book showed its interest in themes of gender inequality, femininity versus masculinity and perceived/predefined gender roles, and what it means if you don’t fit into those. But Nick becomes an ally to the reader, being an outsider who is disturbed and disgusted by what is going on. I was confused by ending for Nick when the narrative constantly sets him up as someone we shouldn’t like. It felt a little deus-ex-machina, wrapped up too quickly and too neatly.
Overall, this was a quick read and I’m glad I gave it a try, but it wasn’t for me. I ended up skimming a lot of the more graphic parts just because I felt that they were only there to be graphic and shocking, which I don’t find compelling. I wish that it had leaned more on the social and gender-based satire—it could have been a really interesting read.
I feel like Ritualistic Human Sacrifice is on the edge of something bigger, of having a point, but for me it didn’t quite get there. It was more interested in the gross-out factor than the social satire element. Which is fine—it just wasn’t for me.
Obviously, Nick is a despicable character. There is nothing redeeming about him, from his selfish and self-serving reactions to everything from his wife’s pregnancy to his insanely out-of-proportion internal rage toward everyday occurrences. He is the definition of the protagonist we are meant to hate.
I was on-board and strapped in for part one of this book. The set-up where you meet Nick and get inside his crazy mind, twisting every interaction around so he is the victim (talk about some toxic masculinity stinking up the place) is really great. I loved the fights he had with his wife, Eve—they are the sort of terrible-yet-amazing car crash scenarios you feel horrible watching and yet want to grab a huge tub a popcorn and settle in for.
The plot began to falter for me when Nick and Eve move to their new house in their new secluded town, where it is obvious that some weird stuff has been going on long before they got there. Get ready for some weird and downright disgusting sex. Nick has an OCD-level cleanliness issue especially about sex, but the sex that happens in this book would make any normal person want to vomit. And it ramps up fast. Though it is obvious that something isn’t right, Nick doesn’t really seem that concerned, even when he is the one acting completely out of character. The book started to lose me here.
In the third section, the satire was more obvious and even a bit empowering as the book showed its interest in themes of gender inequality, femininity versus masculinity and perceived/predefined gender roles, and what it means if you don’t fit into those. But Nick becomes an ally to the reader, being an outsider who is disturbed and disgusted by what is going on. I was confused by ending for Nick when the narrative constantly sets him up as someone we shouldn’t like. It felt a little deus-ex-machina, wrapped up too quickly and too neatly.
Overall, this was a quick read and I’m glad I gave it a try, but it wasn’t for me. I ended up skimming a lot of the more graphic parts just because I felt that they were only there to be graphic and shocking, which I don’t find compelling. I wish that it had leaned more on the social and gender-based satire—it could have been a really interesting read.
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