Cultivate: Seed Me Relapse Edition

by Konn Lavery, Cara Flannery (Editor)

One drunken dumpster make-out session can lead to the occult if you're not careful...

WARNING: DO NOT CONSUME. At least that is Logan Cook's message after an unfortunate visit to the farmers' market. He's an unemployed, former druggie who finds himself wrapped up in a cult's sinister plan, all rooting from one unfortunate meeting with a pale goth girl at the back of a bar.
His infatuation with these mysterious cloaked people blooms when he connects the dots leading back to the infamous 4-20 Drain case, where his ex-girlfriend was murdered. Poor Logan never did recover from that incident.
Who are these people? Are they really connected to his ex-girlfriend's death? Logan's life is on a timer. He's best to find some answers.

Praise for the first edition of Seed Me:
"Konn Lavery has obvious talent, and his Seed Me book belongs on the shelf next to King and Koontz. Great creep factor, awesome pace, refreshing bad guys, and the ability to stay with you after you're done. Do Consume Seed Me "
- scifiandscary.com
"This gives Lavery his own edge in the industry and a new voice that could make people think differently about storylines."
- Renee Spicuzza, Goodreads Reviewer

Genres: Horror, Mystery, Thriller, Fiction

309 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 19, 2021

About the author

Konn Lavery is a Canadian author whose award-winning fiction has reached the bestselling charts on Amazon and in his hometown, Edmonton.

Konn's Recommended Release

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● GOLD Medal in Dan Poynter's Global Ebook Awards 2023 Fantasy/Contemporary Category
Fugitive Lola Cabello is hellbent on avenging her mother's death in this multi-award-winning adventure.

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His work has been described as uncanny and immersive and frequently falls under the Dark Fantasy and Horror genres. Each of his stories are housed within the expanding universe known as the Macrocosm spanning across time and space.

He has been recognized by reviewers such as Reader Views, Readers’ Favorite, Literary Titan, and by award programs such as indieBRAG, The Wishing Shelf Book Awards, eLit Awards, and Dan Poynter’s Global Ebook Awards. His work has also been curated into the Edmonton Public Library’s Capital Press collection.

Konn started writing stories at a young age while being a homeschooled vegetarian, enthralled with storytelling. After graduating college, he began professionally pursuing his writing with his first release, Reality, in 2012 while balancing his graphic design business. Konn’s visual communication skills have been transcribed into the formatting and artwork found within his publications, supporting his fascination with transmedia storytelling.

Reviews

[Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I put this instantly in my "bookcase" in my book app when I first saw it and I kept thinking of the cover and finally pick this up. The story and audiobook was just as good as the cover was cool. Need to see if there is other books by this author available

[Jessica Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the characters and how original and refreshing the story is.
I listened to the audiobook and Konn is a super fun and engaging narrator.
Highly recommended if you are into horror and are looking for something different.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

After Logan kisses a girl at a bar, only to discover she had been pronounced dead earlier that evening, he’s thrown for a bit of a loop. With two other friends, they start looking into a series of suspicious deaths and some strange seeds that seem to be related.

I’ll start off with the honest bias I’m going to have towards Seed Me, and that is that it is set in my hometown. Reading a book with locations you recognize, picturing walking down the street that you grew up, made me love this book immediately. So I know I have a bias there, but if you also like reading books where you can easily visualize every setting, then you might just understand. If you’re an Edmontonian and you’ve always wanted a book set in your hometown, then look no further!

Now that my bias is out of the way, I can also safely say I had a helluva good time with Seed Me! A friend previously described it as a more aggressive Little Shop of Horrors, and that made me know I needed it. While there weren’t any catchy songs in it, I can still see the comparison. There’s a subtle humour throughout, while still managing some unsettling moments, definitely a few gruesome spots, and murder plants. Who doesn’t love a good murder plant?

Seed Me was a really fun horror book that does nicely balance out the genre, never hitting too hard on being gross for the sake of it, and managing to have fun dialogue, relatable characters, some laugh out loud funny moments, while building up tension as it goes. If you’re looking for some fun horror, Lavery is definitely an author to check out.

[Julie Hiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thrilling, chilling, wild ride!

I read the first edition of this book years ago, and became hooked on this author's work. This revamped version is an amped up version of the original. The story is unique and creative, chilling and terrifying. The writing is vivid and the horrifying scenes come to life off the page. The action is intense and I was pulled in and couldn't put it down!

[Curtis Bump · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!!!! Great mix of suspense and gore!!!!

[Siouxsie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I clearly ignored this warning by author Konn Lavery. Had I listened I wouldn’t be having reoccurring nightmares of being eviscerated. But here we are, no go backsies allowed, I was warned. The setting is Edmonton, Alberta (Canada). Those of you from Edmonton will already be well acquainted with the shenanigans of the Whyte Ave night life and that is how we start the book, the good old Empress Ale House, watering hole for many. What starts out as a typical night of drinking and forgetting your troubles ends up as the starting point for the horrors we will encounter later on. This is the part of the review where I stop writing in too much detail because I do not like spoiling the best parts. If you enjoyed John Dies at the End by David Wong then you will enjoy the main characters Logan and Skip. Two best friends that have some serious flaws yet you still want to know what happens to their characters whilst rooting for them. Logan is still dealing with the murder of his ex girlfriend Emily, another victim of The Drainer. What starts off as an odd night out quickly takes a turn for the worst and encompasses many horror genres while remaining unique and original.

One of the coolest concepts of the book is the complete novel score, not only do you get a damn fine book, you also have an amazing soundtrack that fits perfectly with the story. I am one of many readers that enjoys listening to music that fits the book I’m reading. Local artists like Apollyon’s Visage, Voice Industrie, Sean Lacroix, as well as Konn Lavery all add to the soundtrack available on bandcamp and Amazon.

The writing style is very reminiscent of Clive Barker, especially when Konn writes about body horror. This is his fourth book and the most wonderful part is seeing the growth in Konn’s writing style. I look forward to reading more from Konn. In an age where independent authors are a dime a dozen this is an independent author worthy of keeping an eye on. Seed Me is a highly addictive book which I had to finish reading immediately. A story that creeps up on you, entangles you, gets under your skin, with imagery that scars.

Now consume!

[Jenelle Szucs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not a big reader. Like at all! The last book i read (and still haven't finished) I started reading over 3 years ago. I know, heathen, whatever. But I have to say, this one kept me coming back. Loved the modern approach to the genre. Obviously, the subject matter isn't realistic, but the way the characters react to the problem is! All their decisions and research are probably exactly what any real life person would do if faced with the same situation. I'm not completely familiar with writing techniques and tools, but I didn't find the novel tropey at all. The writing style is very light and easy to read, like the entire book his Logan thinking the story line as opposed to him narrating it. If that makes sense?

As an Edmontonian, I found it really cool to be able to envision most of the places detailed in the book. I don't know how accurate some of the river valley stuff is, but I imagine there will be a few people taking the book out with them on the trails and hunting around for some of the landmarks. Which, now that I'm thinking about it, would be a creepy place to sit and read the book! Read it. You'll know what I'm talking about.

I sound track is also a bonus! I found it really cool to listen to while reading. It totally sets the mood. I read the book through first before going back to parts and rereading while listening to the album. Mostly because I knew I would be writing some kind of review afterward and wanted to give each element a chance on it's own first, but also because I'm a horrible reader and can't go farther that a page if something is distracting me. "Hellfire" is far and away my favourite track!

[Zimbellina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Logan has a weird experience with a girl at a bar and later that week eats some seeds from a farmers market. Things go badly from there.

This book grew on me. At first I didn’t like the voice but I got used to it and this was a good book! I liked how it ended and enjoyed reading it.

[Zabrina Mecham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read! Picked up a few years ago and have been having trouble getting through a few books til I got to this one, couldn't put it down. Thank you!

[Dawn Hebert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a fan of Konn's Mental Damnation series, I picked this up with high hopes. I fell in love with his writing style and Seed Me did not disappoint.

I particularly enjoyed to mix of first person and past tense. I got so sucked into this novel so hard that it took me longer to read then normal novels of this length. Every few pages I found that I had actually stopped reading and was cycling through Logan's confused and panicked thoughts.

The detail was amazing and I could seriously picture Whyte Ave just the way he described it.

I think my favorite parts about this book was the slight religious beliefs that he mixed in with Janet, as well as the book not ending happily. Most horror novels I have read have always ended with some sort of happy ending for the main character and everything tied neatly in a little bow. However with Seed Me, I was extremely pleased that he left it without all this. It had me desperately wishing there was more to it.

[Joe Piccoli · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 Stars

[Grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Soon you will join us and fear will not be needed,” the whisper said.

Canadian author Konn Lavery is young and at this stage in his formidable career he is concentrating on writing horror and dark fantasy stories and novels. His series – MENTAL DAMNATION (a brain disease that causes horrific hallucinations, paranoia and schizophrenia) – has gained recognition and the second installment in that series reached the Edmonton Journal’s top five selling fictional books list. Konn’s day job is running his own graphic design and website development business under the title Reveal Design, and he melds these skills into the ‘transmedia’ hallmark of his written publications. And as a unique aspect of this novel Konn addresses the reader: ‘I often throw in my thoughts and philosophies in the novels I write, keeping it disguised as fiction. Often stories are the best absorption of knowledge and wisdom. So read into this book as much or as little as you’d like.’

Konn’s writing style is a richly colorful as his storyline. To wit, ‘Eventually I spotted Skip at the tail end of the huddled people. He was easily noticeable as the only guy who had a mohawk; with no gel, it simply appeared as strands of long black hair parted to one side with a shaved undercut. Plus, Skip also wore a hoodie vest with a tank top. He was a little more punk rock than the rest of the crowd that night. I strolled over to him. He was chatting up a girl who could pass for a high school student. Thinking optimistically, though, I hoped she was just a freshman university hooligan out to party, not someone underage. Skip was probably nearing eight years on some of these girls, but like me, he was single. Unlike me, though, he was easily lured in by girls wearing skimpy outfits and fluttering their eyelashes.’

Konn’s main character is Logan who narrates this memoir like tale, reduced in the synopsis as follows: ‘WARNING: DO NOT CONSUME.If you’re reading this, then you did not take the above warning seriously. In that case, you’re probably as stupid as me. I’m Logan, by the way. I didn’t pay attention to any warning signs either. Being an unemployed deadbeat in Edmonton with no family and getting dumped by your girlfriend for her best friend can wear a guy down. All I had was my cokehead buddy, Skip, to cheer me up. Surprisingly, my precautionary tale was not caused by either Skip or the drugs. Let’s just say a drunken make-out session with a pale girl by a dumpster, who was supposedly pronounced dead earlier in the evening, can leave you mentally jumbled up. A good motivator to figure this scenario out is having robed cultists stalk you, asking where the girl is. Is this an ill twist of fate? Did I bring this on myself? Is there a reason behind my misfortune? Is the moral to not make out with spooky girls behind dumpsters? Hell if I know...’

Strange – very strange - and very engrossing, especially for those readers who dote on sci-fi and fantasy. Konn Lavery has it down - a fast and fascinating read.

[RR.Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

WARNING: DO NOT CONSUME...

This is not the sort of thing I would normally find myself picking up. But I was immediately drawn to this book based on the artwork – I know – never judge a book by its cover and all that. But, yeah, that is what caught my attention anyway. I read the synopsis and clearly I ignored all the warnings at the top of the synopsis. I really appreciated the authors sense of humor throughout the novel. Example:

“WARNING: DO NOT CONSUME...

If you’re reading this, then you did not take the above warning seriously. In that case, you’re probably as stupid as me...”

lol! I also appreciated his sense of perspective on the situations the protagonist faces throughout his struggle and plight. The narrative really gelled with me and that is something that kept me going throughout. I found myself returning and kicking up my kindle every chance got. This is a sign of good read in my opinion.

[Jennifer Rahn · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading this, I'm wondering why Konn Lavery isn't a bigger deal. The storytelling is immersive and slick, and the flow of the action is masterful. I didn't like the ending, however since this novel is part of a larger set of books, I'll reserve judgment on that until I read some more.

The eyeball-kicks in the book really made me miss Whyte Ave. It was almost like actually being there. A word of warning, the descriptions will make you experience everything the protagonist does, and he goes through . . . a lot.

[Julie Hiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

The storyline is imaginative, unique, and interesting. The writing is full of surprising, shocking twists that will keep you glued to the page and stunned till the very end...thrilling and dark. If you like to read something different, be thrilled, and don't mind going a little to the dark side, this is for you.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The setting being Edmonton, Whyte Avenue, the River Valley, places I frequent, gave "Seed Me" an all-to-familiar setting to me. Logan, being a down-on-his-luck loser, also gave me a bit of deja vu, because, come on, who doesn't know a Logan in their lives?

"Seed Me" is definitely for horror fans. DO NOT CONSUME unless you think you have the stomach for cult practices, blood, or farmer's markets.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did enjoy this! A really interesting idea, I thought nicely done, kept my attention from the very first page & I finished in no time at all, it is quite a short story but still a good way to pass the time, I will look for more by this writer.

[Sam · Rating 1 out of 5]

Alternates between way too many adjectives for mundane things and preachy rants about the state of the world.

[Tyler Klumpenhower · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book will haunt me every time I eat a seed.

[Oksana · Rating 1 out of 5]

The story itself is okay, at least interesting enough to keep me reading, but my god, I couldn’t wait to finish it. The main character is absolutely insufferable.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to be honest, I didn’t like this book – but neither could I put it down.
I received it as an ARC and read it in a ‘4am but I have to finish it’ kind of hurry.

The main character comes from a dark place and,  despite his attempts to climb out of his drug addicted gutter, he   ends in a darker one.  When his room mate/drug supplier talks him into attending a party where a dead girl tries to make out with him.
That’s enough trailers and spoilers.

This book had a ‘creep’ level that I haven’t run into in a long time. Yes there is blood, murder and violence, but that isn’t the point of the book. The creeping, inescapable knowledge that the protagonist will not escape made this book very disturbing.
One thing I would strongly suggest to the publishers though is that the font needs to be more ‘normal.’I found the jagged fonts appropriate for the material but hard on my eyes after a few pages.

If you enjoyed Suicide Stitch by Sarah Johnson or Nix by J.J. Reichenbach, you will love Seed Me.
If not, there is a warning on the first page, heed it. I didn’t and I paid for it in nightmares.

[Rachel Horon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Horror twists and trippy turns
Seed Me is an interesting novel filled with a gritty protagonist who is telling his story about his crazy night. What started as another heartbroken guy drinking his sorrows away turns into a night he can't wrap his head around. He meets a girl who is perhaps take his mind off of his ex, but she is not what he seems to be. Just when he thought he wasn't going to dwell over his ex Emily, he finds himself trapped in a new problem that makes him question everything he thought he understood. It is a riveting story set in Edmonton with a candid look at the night life. It is told with a strong voice and stronger situations of serial killings that are really gruesome and a mysterious group looking for that other girl. There are plenty of twists and it is hard to tell sometimes if he is high or in a tight spot. This author has talent in this genre for sure.

[Archie · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Seed Me”, a unique book offered with a matching sound track that creates the perfect environment for the plot and let you enjoy the ride. The book is about two friends Logan and Skip, not at all perfect characters, but still you will like them and would want to read about the events in their life that are nicely shown, as the story unfolds and brings horror to life.
The book is easy to read, captivating, and although the plot is less realistic but the reactions of characters seem real and that’s what I liked about the book. The scary and creepy scene descriptions brings out the creativity of author quite well. You can read this in one sitting and its gripping enough to be tempted to do so. All in all, the book is itchy and filled with some suspense, flows well with respect to events and plot is engrossing!

[Renee Spicuzza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Konn Lavery’s, “Seed Me,” is a book full of the weirdest situations and character dynamics, but that is what makes it so much fun to read. Logan is a fun little narrator that leaves nothing to the imagination, making sure to give you ample details about even the oddest scenarios. We meet Logan and quickly get a sense that his life has been turned upside down. He has lost his girlfriend, already has no family, and no job to give him purpose. All he has is his less than ideal friend, Skip, but that all changes when he meets a girl who gives off some creepy vibes, to say the least. This is a dark book, don’t get me wrong, that doesn’t make it bad, it just makes it a very different read from other books. This gives Lavery his own edge in the industry and a new voice that could make people think differently about storylines.