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The Variant Effect
The Variant Effect: Skin Eaters
VARION was a popular medication that could cure anything from Anxiety and Depression to Schizophrenia and Zoophagia. Everybody took it back in the day, because there were no side effects ... AT FIRST. By the time they learned about the Variant Effect it was too late. The old building in a rundown part of Metro was a perfect place to find a body, but they wouldn't have dragged Joe Borland out of retirement if it still had its skin. It's been twenty years since Borland battled the Variant Effect, and twenty since he let his partner get skinned alive. Now both of them are ordered back into action to meet a terrifying new threat. This eBook is also available in the Official Variant Effect Collector Pack.
262 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 14, 2010
85 people are currently reading
300 people want to read
About the author
G. Wells Taylor
33 books43 followers
RAID ON THE BARTER DIAMOND
by G. Wells Taylor is NOW AVAILABLE. Visit
GWellsTaylor.com
to download this
ZONE BETWEEN
SCIFI/HORROR and continuation of
THE VARIANT EFFECT SERIES
for just $3.99 or order the paperback.
Download FREE updated editions of Taylor’s popular Horror titles: When Graveyards Yawn (A Wildclown Origin Novel), SKIN EATERS (The Variant Effect Series Book One), PAINKILLER (A Variant Effect Novella), and The Urn (Dracula of the Apes Trilogy Book One).
G. Wells Taylor was born in Oakville, Ontario, Canada in 1962, but spent most of his early life north of there in Owen Sound where he went on to study Design Arts at a local college. He later traveled to North Bay, Ontario to complete Canadore College's Journalism program before receiving a degree in English from Nipissing University. Taylor worked as a freelance writer for small market newspapers and later wrote, designed and edited for several Canadian niche magazines.
He joined the digital publishing revolution early with an eBook version of his first novel When Graveyards Yawn that has been available FREE online since 2000. Taylor published and edited the Wildclown Chronicle e-zine from 2001-2003 that showcased his novels, book trailer animations and illustrations, short story writing and book reviews alongside titles from other up-and-coming horror, fantasy and science fiction writers.
Still based in Canada, Taylor continues with his publishing plans that include additions to the Wildclown Mysteries and sequels to the popular Variant Effect series .
He lists Raymond Chandler, Stephen King, Kurt Vonnegut, Mary Shelley, J. R. R. Tolkien, Jane Goodall, Jack L. Chalker, and Vladimir Nabokov among his inspirations.
Taylor's list of titles is available at Amazon, Apple Books, Google Play, Barnes&Noble, Kobo, Smashwords and more.
Download FREE updated editions of Taylor’s popular Horror titles: When Graveyards Yawn (A Wildclown Origin Novel), SKIN EATERS (The Variant Effect Series Book One), PAINKILLER (A Variant Effect Novella), and The Urn (Dracula of the Apes Trilogy Book One).
G. Wells Taylor was born in Oakville, Ontario, Canada in 1962, but spent most of his early life north of there in Owen Sound where he went on to study Design Arts at a local college. He later traveled to North Bay, Ontario to complete Canadore College's Journalism program before receiving a degree in English from Nipissing University. Taylor worked as a freelance writer for small market newspapers and later wrote, designed and edited for several Canadian niche magazines.
He joined the digital publishing revolution early with an eBook version of his first novel When Graveyards Yawn that has been available FREE online since 2000. Taylor published and edited the Wildclown Chronicle e-zine from 2001-2003 that showcased his novels, book trailer animations and illustrations, short story writing and book reviews alongside titles from other up-and-coming horror, fantasy and science fiction writers.
Still based in Canada, Taylor continues with his publishing plans that include additions to the Wildclown Mysteries and sequels to the popular Variant Effect series .
He lists Raymond Chandler, Stephen King, Kurt Vonnegut, Mary Shelley, J. R. R. Tolkien, Jane Goodall, Jack L. Chalker, and Vladimir Nabokov among his inspirations.
Taylor's list of titles is available at Amazon, Apple Books, Google Play, Barnes&Noble, Kobo, Smashwords and more.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
September 13, 2016
-Sssssssskin! Skin!.-
Género. Ciencia-Ficción.
Lo que nos cuenta. Joe Borland es un capitán retirado de las escuadras Variant, que para abusar del alcohol, sufrir de sobrepeso y estar lleno de achaques (a destacar, sus hernias) se conserva bastante bien y es reclamado de vuelta a su trabajo un par de décadas después de su jubilación cuando los incidentes Variant comienzan de nuevo. En el escenario de un crimen se encuentra con el también retirado capitán Eric Hyde que perdió la mayoría de su piel y bastante tejido en cumplimento del deber (hecho del que Joe fue testigo y en el que tal vez tuvo algo de culpa). Y es que hace ya bastantes años, el fármaco Varion, que prometía una revolución en el tratamiento psicoactivo de multitud de trastornos mentales, demostró tener unos terribles efectos secundarios incurables y contagiosos, incluyendo el deseo de comerse la propia piel y la de otros, aunque supuestamente los brotes ya estaban controlados. Primer libro de la serie The Variant Effect.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...
Género. Ciencia-Ficción.
Lo que nos cuenta. Joe Borland es un capitán retirado de las escuadras Variant, que para abusar del alcohol, sufrir de sobrepeso y estar lleno de achaques (a destacar, sus hernias) se conserva bastante bien y es reclamado de vuelta a su trabajo un par de décadas después de su jubilación cuando los incidentes Variant comienzan de nuevo. En el escenario de un crimen se encuentra con el también retirado capitán Eric Hyde que perdió la mayoría de su piel y bastante tejido en cumplimento del deber (hecho del que Joe fue testigo y en el que tal vez tuvo algo de culpa). Y es que hace ya bastantes años, el fármaco Varion, que prometía una revolución en el tratamiento psicoactivo de multitud de trastornos mentales, demostró tener unos terribles efectos secundarios incurables y contagiosos, incluyendo el deseo de comerse la propia piel y la de otros, aunque supuestamente los brotes ya estaban controlados. Primer libro de la serie The Variant Effect.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...
February 13, 2017
I read The Variant Effect as a web serial. I remember waiting for the next part to be published. It is an interesting, creepy and disgusting take on a zombie-like epidemic. The infected eat skin and there are a couple of gruesome scenes.
March 10, 2023
I have always had a soft spot for flawed characters but I think Borland is the character that made me realize it's not just the flawed hero I like it's especially the not a hero, just a mess of a guy who has the bad habit of surviving, it was nice to revisit him.
If you think a zombie adjacent story paired with something of a procedural action drama with a splash of bloody work politics featuring a fat, constantly in pain, alcoholic, grump who has been pulled from retirement for a main character sounds like a good time you'll probably like that one too.
If you think a zombie adjacent story paired with something of a procedural action drama with a splash of bloody work politics featuring a fat, constantly in pain, alcoholic, grump who has been pulled from retirement for a main character sounds like a good time you'll probably like that one too.
January 8, 2020
Kept me interested
It was interesting enough that I will look at second book in series. I am a fan of anything virus, apocalyptic or zombie even if it is just ok
It was interesting enough that I will look at second book in series. I am a fan of anything virus, apocalyptic or zombie even if it is just ok
December 3, 2011
If you can get buy the bad ebook formatting and every 2 pages a reference to the main character's hernias, then you will like this book. The story is plausible and enjoyable. It's action moves you and gets your pulse racing. You want the hero's to survived and succeed in their mission.
However, if you are like me and like things to look like a book and not a run on sentence then the formatting will drive you crazy. The constant referrals to the main character's hernias become like nails on a chalk board. Twice I almost put the book down and not finish it. The referrals to the hernia's became predictable and every 2-3 pages I knew it was about time for another reference. Honesty, it adds nothing to the story and is just an annoyance. Couldn't you find another way to talk about the characters enormous girth and his inguinal hernias?
This book could be so much better if those two issues were fixed.
However, if you are like me and like things to look like a book and not a run on sentence then the formatting will drive you crazy. The constant referrals to the main character's hernias become like nails on a chalk board. Twice I almost put the book down and not finish it. The referrals to the hernia's became predictable and every 2-3 pages I knew it was about time for another reference. Honesty, it adds nothing to the story and is just an annoyance. Couldn't you find another way to talk about the characters enormous girth and his inguinal hernias?
This book could be so much better if those two issues were fixed.
April 9, 2011
The Skin-eaters are back and the city must call upon two men who hate each other to save them from the Variant Effect. Old-school horror done extremely well.
March 2, 2021
The main characters tend to be damaged in some ways or become damaged as the story continues. The premise has drawn me in and I'm enjoying the series.
January 31, 2024
This was, by far, the best take on Zombies being a mental disorder that I have ever read! Not just good story but also characters who have real depth and soul.
July 25, 2012
I normally don't start a review by simply stating how much I loved the book or the characters in it - BUT I LOVED THIS BOOK AND THE CHARACTERS IN IT! Joe Boreland is my kind of Mike Hammer and he had my heart from the first mention of his hernias. Have a drink on me Joe. See you again when I can.
August 9, 2015
A great read
Fucking wow! Awesomeness, recommended to any and all. This free book a and sample the next in the series is a lot like the corner drug dealer shouting the first one's free!
Fucking wow! Awesomeness, recommended to any and all. This free book a and sample the next in the series is a lot like the corner drug dealer shouting the first one's free!
July 29, 2021
Grumpy old geezer zombie fighters get the band back together to fight a new generation of flesh eaters.
Tried my best to hate Borland, but I couldn't.
This had a satisfying ending.
will probably move onto the next book in the series at sometime in the future.
Tried my best to hate Borland, but I couldn't.
This had a satisfying ending.
will probably move onto the next book in the series at sometime in the future.
August 18, 2022
Oh, this was interesting
February 20, 2012
So a while ago I picked up a book on my Kindle called The Variant Effect by G. Wells Taylor. It was, from its excerpt, an interesting twist on the Zombie genre and being a sucker for a yarn on the idea of the Hungry Undead, and that it was a freebe, I picked it up to read. Some free books on Amazon are quiet good, actually. A large portion of them are free to stir up new readership for a series and others are to get a new author a quick and decent sized readership.
With Taylor’s spin, we have a not-too-distant future where pharmacology runs amok. A wonder drug, Varion, which helps everyone even out their emotions and helps them become unfettered by common psychological issues, as well as uncommon ones, to be the person that they always wanted to be enters the public for consumption. No one knows of the side effect, since studies showed no side effect would be generated, but it soon became quickly apparent. People started exhibiting more potent versions of OCD or other psychological maladies to the point of a rage fueled engine of destruction.
So where does the zombie effect come into play? When a person snaps they become fixated on flesh, not brains. But this was all twenty years ago, as the story goes, and with the help of some rather dubious people in corporate strike teams eradicate all signs of Variant Effected people. So Taylor’s Zombie story begins as the main character, Joe Borland, is called out of retirement to help investigate a new Variant sighting. The further twist on this tale is that it’s also very much told in a Noir like Hard Boiled fashion, further making it a fairly unique entry into the Zombie genre.
One of the little detraction from Taylor’s writing is some cases of repetitive actions or descriptors, the amount of times Borland references his hernias is one of the few issues presented in this fashion. Aside from the rough edges of his writing Taylor’s skill with the Hard Boiled/Noir styles embodies works much like James Ellroy, Jean-Patrick Manchette and Raymond Chandler. His apt descriptions of the horrors of Zombie-like violence are so very vivid that they can easily make one feel at ill ease which only serves to help heighten the tension of the reader.
With Taylor’s spin, we have a not-too-distant future where pharmacology runs amok. A wonder drug, Varion, which helps everyone even out their emotions and helps them become unfettered by common psychological issues, as well as uncommon ones, to be the person that they always wanted to be enters the public for consumption. No one knows of the side effect, since studies showed no side effect would be generated, but it soon became quickly apparent. People started exhibiting more potent versions of OCD or other psychological maladies to the point of a rage fueled engine of destruction.
So where does the zombie effect come into play? When a person snaps they become fixated on flesh, not brains. But this was all twenty years ago, as the story goes, and with the help of some rather dubious people in corporate strike teams eradicate all signs of Variant Effected people. So Taylor’s Zombie story begins as the main character, Joe Borland, is called out of retirement to help investigate a new Variant sighting. The further twist on this tale is that it’s also very much told in a Noir like Hard Boiled fashion, further making it a fairly unique entry into the Zombie genre.
One of the little detraction from Taylor’s writing is some cases of repetitive actions or descriptors, the amount of times Borland references his hernias is one of the few issues presented in this fashion. Aside from the rough edges of his writing Taylor’s skill with the Hard Boiled/Noir styles embodies works much like James Ellroy, Jean-Patrick Manchette and Raymond Chandler. His apt descriptions of the horrors of Zombie-like violence are so very vivid that they can easily make one feel at ill ease which only serves to help heighten the tension of the reader.
June 30, 2012
I really liked this book. Based on the reviews, and the fact that it was being offered for free, I was honestly a little worried. It starts out kind of slow and mentions the main characters hernias more often than probably necessary. I actually almost put it down but stuck through it and I'm really glad I did.
The villains of the book (biters/skin eaters) are a nice change of pace. They embody elements of monsters we already know and love (like zombies) while still being unique to the author's universe. Although the book focuses on the biters there is set up for several different types of monsters that could be elaborated on in sequels. We see a brief glimpse into the danger pyromaniacs could pose when effected by Variant, and it left me wanting more. Variant lets any mental or behavioral disorder spiral out of control into it's worst possible incarnation.
Most of all I think this story could be the basis of a great movie. It is occasionally very detailed, but not overly so as some fantasy authors can get. The author sets up the scenes in a way that I think would translate to film quite well. There is some introspection but not as much as in other books that have been adapted. I think anyone who enjoys zombie films or those like it, such as 28 Days Later, would appreciate seeing this universe brought to life on the screen.
The villains of the book (biters/skin eaters) are a nice change of pace. They embody elements of monsters we already know and love (like zombies) while still being unique to the author's universe. Although the book focuses on the biters there is set up for several different types of monsters that could be elaborated on in sequels. We see a brief glimpse into the danger pyromaniacs could pose when effected by Variant, and it left me wanting more. Variant lets any mental or behavioral disorder spiral out of control into it's worst possible incarnation.
Most of all I think this story could be the basis of a great movie. It is occasionally very detailed, but not overly so as some fantasy authors can get. The author sets up the scenes in a way that I think would translate to film quite well. There is some introspection but not as much as in other books that have been adapted. I think anyone who enjoys zombie films or those like it, such as 28 Days Later, would appreciate seeing this universe brought to life on the screen.
April 19, 2016
This is my second foray into this author's works - I picked up "The Variant Effect" on a whim, wanting something unusual and quick and nasty. Taylor delivers yet again with our anti-hero Borland, a washed out, alcoholic, herniated dirty cop-turned-hero, whose claim to fame and heroic status is that he survived a nasty outbreak of the Variant Effect 'back in the day.' His survival, though, was not necessarily accomplished by anything other than that Borland is big, prone to violence and cranking out on lots of drugs with his squad pre-mission, and then sending his squad into near-suicide missions.
I found this book very disturbing, but in a unique way that I enjoyed. Borland is not someone you want to like - he's high on drugs and alcohol most of the time, he's morally ambiguous, he is, in short, washed up and washed out. But he saved the world, in the end, such that it is. And the world that Taylor creates is a fascinating one - the pharmaceutical Varion, once used to treat every known psychological disorder from minor nail biting to extreme cases of OCD, has amplified people's psychoses into terrible effects. In short, the placid nail biter turns into a demented Skin Eater, a veritable zombie who will skin you alive. For a 'zombie' story, this unique spin is refreshing and unexpected and fun.
Very recommended.
I found this book very disturbing, but in a unique way that I enjoyed. Borland is not someone you want to like - he's high on drugs and alcohol most of the time, he's morally ambiguous, he is, in short, washed up and washed out. But he saved the world, in the end, such that it is. And the world that Taylor creates is a fascinating one - the pharmaceutical Varion, once used to treat every known psychological disorder from minor nail biting to extreme cases of OCD, has amplified people's psychoses into terrible effects. In short, the placid nail biter turns into a demented Skin Eater, a veritable zombie who will skin you alive. For a 'zombie' story, this unique spin is refreshing and unexpected and fun.
Very recommended.
November 27, 2012
I like this book. I found the story interesting.
A drug that is supposed to cure everything from mild anxiety to Schizophrenia but ends up turning people into monsters.
I know some people thought that the mention of Borlands hernia was a bit to much but it did not bother me. Borland is supposed to be the grumpy old squad leader that has nothing left but his hernias and booze.
I liked Hyde and how he found an escape from feeling sorry for himself in online gaming where he got respect and not the usual reaction from when people actually met him. Also how in the end he started to realise that the isolation he had endured was self inflicted as he had not considered other options for himself.
I only had one eww moment while reading this, it was when Borland was in the tunnels with the stalker and a biter, the stalker picks skin from the biters neck and eats it. Ewww. The other gore did not bother me.
I think I just might read the next book in the series.
A drug that is supposed to cure everything from mild anxiety to Schizophrenia but ends up turning people into monsters.
I know some people thought that the mention of Borlands hernia was a bit to much but it did not bother me. Borland is supposed to be the grumpy old squad leader that has nothing left but his hernias and booze.
I liked Hyde and how he found an escape from feeling sorry for himself in online gaming where he got respect and not the usual reaction from when people actually met him. Also how in the end he started to realise that the isolation he had endured was self inflicted as he had not considered other options for himself.
I only had one eww moment while reading this, it was when Borland was in the tunnels with the stalker and a biter, the stalker picks skin from the biters neck and eats it. Ewww. The other gore did not bother me.
I think I just might read the next book in the series.
January 17, 2013
This is one of the most original stories I've read in a long time. This takes the very real disorders of dermatophagia and dermatillomania to a whole new horrific level for the reader. Make no mistake: those conditions exist now in our time. Just imagine if a drug like Varion (and it's unintended consequences on those very real conditions) did exist? That would make for one very scary world to live in. I'm interested to read the next insallment in the series and I recommend this book to anyone looking for something original.
November 28, 2011
Interesting and original story. Sort of gruesome in places. I liked the new world, with everyone's vices/mental issues becoming amplified by what is basically prosac. That was an interesting twist. The world was well thought through, the writing wasn't bad. It was hard to decide if I liked the protagonist who is deeply flawed. (Please get his hernias fixed they were becoming distracting!).
November 16, 2012
I'll admit that it took me a few chapters to read me engaged but after that, I was hooked. The world after the effect seems very plausible in our pill popping world. The action's a bit slow in coming but when it comes, it comes with a lot of excitment. Some predictable twists & turns with the "good guys" but a lot of scary moments in between. A fun read!!
May 10, 2012
Dark & Glorious. And makes you want to refuse every medication prescribed to you for the rest of your life. I, not so secretly, have a slight crush on Mr. Wells, and have read all of his works. If you pass this up, at least do yourself a favor and dive into When Graveyards Yawn; the entire Apocalypse Trilogy is AMAZING!!
December 4, 2022
I won this book on goodreads (kindle version) for an honest review.
There are so many zombie books out there right now and or pandemic type of stories. With that being said this was a pretty great take on the genre and a bit of a new spin on a now familiar story line. I enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more from this author.
There are so many zombie books out there right now and or pandemic type of stories. With that being said this was a pretty great take on the genre and a bit of a new spin on a now familiar story line. I enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more from this author.
January 3, 2012
This book was pretty good, although I actually didn't finish it. I had a hard time keeping my head into it but I think that is mainly because I was distracted by too many other good books I wanted to read! Finally just gave it up.
December 18, 2012
Strangely fascinating book. The writing isn't great and there are some of the logic seems forced to get the setting the way the author wants it. This is really a variation on a zombie story, but the variation is a good one and it was compelling to read to see what happens.
August 5, 2013
I'm kind of stuck in the middle of this book right now, I needed a change of pace and it didn't hold my attention. I do plan on finishing it. Just don't know when...
June 13, 2011
Really enjoyed this book. Quick read. I couldn't wait to read the next one in the series.
October 10, 2011
Awesome. I really liked the Characters and the story was interesting too!
October 28, 2011
Good but gross.
February 20, 2012
I Liked it. Couldnt stop reading it till I read it all.
June 26, 2012
Horrifically unreadable insult to the written word.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews