From the Bookshelf of Splatterpunk…

The President's Son

Jon Athan

Start date: June 5, 2025

Finish date: June 11, 2025

Discussion: Buddy Reads

Why we're reading this: Buddy read scheduled for June 5-11 (2025).
[close] Buddy read scheduled for June 5-11 (2025).

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What Members Thought

Nov 08, 2023 Diane rated it it was amazing

Jon Athan certainly doesn't hold back on anything in this book.Violence,murder and gore starts from the very beginning. It's extremely well written,explicit and had me shouting WHOA HANG ON THERE!!!on several occasions...as some scenes were shocking,stomach churning and dam well disgusting to put it mildly🤮🤮...Mr Athan never lets me down every time I pick up one of his books and they just keep on getting better and better...Blender Babies is my next choice....I just can't wait for my next "date" ...more

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Jun 08, 2025 Pisces51 rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-2025

THE PRESIDENT’S SON [2022] By Jon Athan
My Review 5.0 Stars

I read two of Jon Athan’s Author’s Enhanced Editions recently, including his debut novel originally released in 2016, renamed “Harbinger of Vengeance” [2023], and “Our Dead Girlfriend” [2025] first released in 2018. I really enjoyed both of them and it reminded me that I still had his 2022 release on my tablet, a fan favorite “The President’s Son”. I was aware that it was an epic extreme horror novel and a rather meaty read but recalled THE PRESIDENT’S SON [2022] By Jon Athan
My Review 5.0 Stars

I read two of Jon Athan’s Author’s Enhanced Editions recently, including his debut novel originally released in 2016, renamed “Harbinger of Vengeance” [2023], and “Our Dead Girlfriend” [2025] first released in 2018. I really enjoyed both of them and it reminded me that I still had his 2022 release on my tablet, a fan favorite “The President’s Son”. I was aware that it was an epic extreme horror novel and a rather meaty read but recalled too that it was a dear friend’s favorite book the year to was released.

I found Jon Athan’s “Dear Reader” notes particularly illuminating with regard to his writing process for the novel and the confounding issues he tackled. The author referenced the “rise in conspiracy theories---ranging from the unproven to the downright whacky---as well as the spread of misinformation and disinformation through mainstream channels.” Jon Athan was faced with a dilemma, and he asked himself: “How can I mirror reality with this book when reality is breaking down for so many people?” His solution is so very close to my analysis of the book that I was mostly just gratified that I was right. So, what did Jon Athan decide to do? Well, he decided to blend it all together---blur the lines. Facts and fiction. “I took shards from everyone’s broken realities and pieced them together to create a new mirror---this story. And what I saw was madness.” Jon Athan added that he was” aiming to create a parody of modern politics” My own conclusions (before I read Jon Athan’s “Dear Reader” notes) was as follows: “He was writing his idea of a parody about different versions of events that occurred politically in our United States if you looked at the things that happened through a fun house distortion mirror.”

It is difficult to believe this was Jon Athan's 54th independently published novel and that he was in his twenties when he wrote it (to be fair 29). I was excited about the opportunity to Buddy Read the book on Splatterpunk with interested fellow members. I finished reading it today and I enjoyed the vehicle of how the reader was gradually exposed to the sadistic sociopath of Vincent, "the President's son", namely the successive interviews by the forensic psychiatrist Lorraine. There was not much to like about this wild excursion into truth as viewed in a funhouse mirror. Jon Athan writes extreme horror violence as well as any writer I have been privileged to read.

I am awarding the full 5 Stars because it is my opinion it is well deserved. I am not able to read as much as I would like but will try to make room for more of Jon Athan’s works!

ANOTHER ‘HOME RUN’ FOR JON ATHAN WITH “THE PRESIDENT’S SON!!!

...more

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Feb 13, 2025 Lia's Haunted Library rated it it was amazing

Did I read this in one sitting? Yes.

This book is exactly what the title suggests—the president’s son—but with a horror satire twist that dives headfirst into real-world events. The story follows Vincent, a survivor of Epstein’s island, who rises to power in a world shaped by media, corruption, and political chaos.

What makes The President’s Son so compelling is how it weaves conspiracy theories and actual history into a brutal, unflinching narrative. The book tackles everything from the 2016 elec ...more

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Feb 16, 2023 E The Creepy Girl rated it really liked it

This is the first book to keep me up at night. The scene with the ex girlfriend and the fridge and everything like that really really got to me. I really like this book but the mirrors to real life political stuff is somewhat hard to ignore, but it wouldn’t be the same without it. I liked how it had little things (and big things) inspired by real events, even as small as alluding to the furniture store. Vincent was an interesting and complex character, and Lorraine was also very well written. Yo ...more

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Jul 24, 2025 Joey rated it it was amazing

Shelves: currently-owned

Okay I get it. This one took me a lot longer to read than most of Jon Athan's books. But I took a hiatus, okay? Anyway, this book was absolutely fantastic. Again with the horrendously gruesome detail makes me question how the author comes up with stuff like that. Throughout the whole book it follows Vincent's life journey, which seems tragic. There's so much going on, but even with that, it's somehow incredibly easy to follow. The book itself was easy to read and kept me on my toes wanting more, ...more

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Mar 03, 2025 Emilia Barrios rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Este libro es lo q American Psycho debería haber sido! si alguien lo intenta porfa no se tomen los trigger warnings a la ligera porque csm q libro más violento y descriptivo. Tuvo todo lo q me gusta, un protagonista super desconfiable, una historia q no va en orden cronológico, referencias musicales buenisimas y muchas muchas conspiraciones.
Vincent es un personaje repugnante pero tan carismático q a veces casi te sientes mal por el. Es una historia de terror muy brigida porque es muy realista, l ...more

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Feb 28, 2025 Kelsey Tenbrook rated it it was amazing

Just… wtf!?? This book was absolutely sooo disturbing. The first 100 pages are just wtf the whole damn time. Adolf hilter def had me laughing out loud. This was such fun crazy disgusting read. Just when I think I read it all …. I read a Jon Athan book and I’m like nope there’s still more to read 🤣

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