From the Bookshelf of Splatterpunk…

Voracious

Wrath James White

Start date: February 7, 2025

Finish date: February 14, 2025

Discussion: Buddy Reads

Why we're reading this: Buddy read happening February 7-14.
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Feb 12, 2025 Pisces51 rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: read-2025

VORACIOUS [2024] By Wrath James White
My Review 5.0 Stars

This splendid selection from the works of WJW was recommended for a Buddy Read (Splatterpunk Horror Book Club) by my Goodreads friend in all things gory, Monika. I had just read a couple of his novels back-to-back recently (“The Bug Collector” and “Rabbit Hunt”) so I agreed immediately. I found “Voracious” to be compulsively readable, a genuine “page-turner”, and could have easily finished the novella in one sitting. I had to chain myself u VORACIOUS [2024] By Wrath James White
My Review 5.0 Stars

This splendid selection from the works of WJW was recommended for a Buddy Read (Splatterpunk Horror Book Club) by my Goodreads friend in all things gory, Monika. I had just read a couple of his novels back-to-back recently (“The Bug Collector” and “Rabbit Hunt”) so I agreed immediately. I found “Voracious” to be compulsively readable, a genuine “page-turner”, and could have easily finished the novella in one sitting. I had to chain myself up like the Wolfman prior to the Full Moon, but I successfully restrained myself from reading it straight through, passing “Go” and collecting immediate gratification.

I used the date this novella was re-released in 2024 by Wrath James White-Cemetery Dance Publications. “Voracious” was originally released in 2013 over a decade ago. I laud his reprint from his earlier works to facilitate availability to his fan base. Cemetery Dance had this to say about WJW:

“Wrath is a warrior. He comes at you on the written page with the intent to overpower you, yet he rarely overwhelms. This carnage has purpose…Wrath is a philosopher, and he loves to flaunt his technique and series of limitless ethics in each of his tales. He has wit and intelligence and utter ruthlessness…”.

He published his first book in 2002. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to read the infamous “Poisoning Eros” co-authored with Monica J. O’Rourke. However, this was very early in my budding infatuation with the horror subgenre of Extreme Horror/Splatterpunk. I did become intrigued by what I understood at the time to be his signature work “The Resurrectionist”. It was a compelling read with an ingenious plotline that kept me riveted.

It was not until much later on that I discovered WJW as having an impressive publication record, which included collaborative works with the likes of Edward Lee and J.F. Gonzalez. His fellow masters in the realm of hardcore horror lauded the talent of WJW. I happened to run across an illustrative quote which may underscore the point. Edward Lee is widely recognized as the “King of Horror” but has proclaimed that “Wrath James White is the premiere author of hard-horror horror. Period.”

It was at this juncture that I learned of his collaborative works with Edward Lee and J.F. Gonzalez. I tried without success to find digital copies available and for perhaps the first time felt the consternation that many others feel. Thus, I comforted myself with the knowledge that many of his works are readily available.

WJW has an interesting background which for the most part I knew about, but many of his generous and admirable contributions were a mild surprise and made me feel even stronger about purchasing more of his novels. Wrath James White Co-Founded the Splatterpunk Awards which debuted in 2018 and has honored numerous older writers. He was also awarded the J.F. Gonzalez Lifetime Achievement Award recipient in 2024.

A few readers may have noted the content of my Status Updates for “Voracious”. I was absolutely blown away by the plot. Naturally I felt compelled to “Google” the topic of “Pygmy Shrews” and was both shocked and struck with such compassion for these creatures. I understand that this hybrid novella of science fiction and hardcore horror took a few creative liberties with the characteristics of the Pygmy Shrew. That said, it was atrociously accurate including the neurotoxin in the saliva, and the aggressiveness in attacking animals much larger in size. Gene therapy is likely the new frontier in the relentless search of the aging rich and beautiful men and women in our society who want to either arrest time or to turn back the clock. There are so many fantastical results in a score of arenas that it no longer shocks me to hear about what sounds like impossible feats accomplished by scientific geniuses.

WJW’s “Voracious” is incredibly original and a brilliant premise for a novella of horror that grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go. I must agree with one of my favorite authors in this genre, the late great Jack Ketchum.

“If Wrath doesn’t make you cringe, then you must be riding in the wrong end of a hearse” ---Jack Ketchum

ORIGINAL, OUTSTANDING, OVER-THE-TOP GORE AND SO MUCH MORE FROM WJW
...more

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Jun 17, 2024 Mrsgmamma rated it really liked it

This is the first book I’ve ever read by wrath and it sure won’t be my last. People that are overweight go to a dr for help. The sr injects them with pygmy shrew DNA. The patients start to lose tons of weight but become seriously hungry, they just can’t stop eating, it gets so bad that they turn to cannibalism. The virus keeps spreading and before you know it tons of people are infected.
This was definitely a good ass book.

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Feb 07, 2025 Alan rated it really liked it · review of another edition

*3.5 - Fun, short, blood splattered read from Wrath James White. Was reminiscent of Rabid and a few other movies. Nothing ground breaking but it was a well paced novella with plenty of gore and action. The writing was pretty good and a good step up from some gore writers. I almost with this was more fleshed out in a novel form but hey, makes for a nice quick entertaining read on a Friday.

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