From the Bookshelf of Splatterpunk…

The Summer I Died

Ryan C. Thomas

Start date: August 1, 2025

Finish date: August 31, 2025

Discussion: Group Reads

Why we're reading this: This is our Group Read for August (2025).
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Group Reads

* November 2025: Indian Burial Ground by Nick Medina
By Gillian · 6 posts · 14 views

last updated 8 hours, 7 min ago

October 2025: The Cotton Candy Massacre (The Cotton Candy Massacre #1) by Christopher Robertson
By Gillian · 7 posts · 22 views

last updated Oct 25, 2025 01:00PM

What Members Thought

May 02, 2010 Kasia rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This novella truly packs a punch, I didn't know what to expect when I got it other than being intrigued by the premise and it blew my mind, it went above and beyond of what I was expecting. The premise is interesting and one of my favorites, I like those lost in woods and chased by a madman or stuck somewhere with no way out, to me that is very scary and this was freaky enough as an idea but the writing and execution deserve their own credit. Thomas filled my head with crystal clear images right This novella truly packs a punch, I didn't know what to expect when I got it other than being intrigued by the premise and it blew my mind, it went above and beyond of what I was expecting. The premise is interesting and one of my favorites, I like those lost in woods and chased by a madman or stuck somewhere with no way out, to me that is very scary and this was freaky enough as an idea but the writing and execution deserve their own credit. Thomas filled my head with crystal clear images right from the start, his skill is very apparent and makes the story flow like a river, I kept wincing and making faces and saying things as I read it and that doesn't happen to often, after fifteen years of reading horror I'd think I got used to it or desensitized myself a bit, not so with this story, it managed to throw me off and surprise me quite a few times.

I think one of the best parts of reading an intense story is the surprise factor, so I won't divulge too much of the plot, all I will say is that it revolves around two best friends who pick the wrong day to go shooting some harmless beer cans when curiosity takes hold and changes their lives forever. A scream coming from a nearby house awakens Rogers instincts, his curiosity getting a stronger hold on him than chivalry and nothing will ever be the same from that point on. Blood, guts, gore, hungry dogs, crazies, millions of ways to detach body parts and inflict pain, its all here, but very well written, making it not only scary but very realistic, I actually had a hard time falling asleep as I finished it, the whole tale wrapped itself around my brain and kept poking its claw at me, I was glad to be in my warm bed and not where the characters were, that's for sure! I also loved how detailed the characters of Tooth and Roger were, the beginning of the novel centers around them so well that it makes them seem like real people and then it proceeds to rip them to shreds as hell literally descends above them and opens its sharp mouth to engulf them into land of pain and misery. This was such a blast, I could read Ryan's books till I'm nine hundred years old, so keep em coming!
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Nov 03, 2022 Rachel Mavis rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Tw: torture, mutilation, gore, death
This book is not for people with weak stomachs. You could very much tell that the outcome would not be pleasant; it still hurt. Once the action starts it Does. Not. Stop. You will not catch your breath in between the horrific, nauseating torment that is the “skinny man”. It was truly a horrifying read but I literally could not stop. I had to know how it ended. 10/10 would not recommend. 5 stars though, thank you

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Dec 31, 2022 E The Creepy Girl rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This book is incredible. After reading, it really leaves a lasting impression on you. It makes you think about so many things, fate, friendship, family, life, dreams. Is everything really up to fate? Is it luck? Why do we take the paths we take, or why do we neglect them? Do our relationships really mean something? Have I been terrible to my family? What would I do in this situation? What makes someone do this? And so many more. This book is so well executed compared to a lot of other extreme ho ...more

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Jul 20, 2024 Ginnie Reads rated it really liked it

Shelves: own, horror-extreme-splatterpunk, books-read-in-2024

Books like these remind me of how important it is to MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS! I'll share my thoughts and rating in my July Wrap Up. In the meantime, SUBSCRIBE and check out my mid-year reading recap Best and Worst of 2024 So Far 🥲 Mid Year Book Tag ...more

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