Books Like...

'Angel Dust Apocalypse' by Jeremy Robert Johnson is a collection of bizarre and apocalyptic short stories that delve into themes like body modification, drug use, medical horrors, and the end of the world. The writing style is evocative, reminiscent of authors like Chuck Palahniuk and Lovecraft, with a focus on vivid imagery and exploring the darker aspects of human nature. The stories range from post-nuclear apocalypse scenarios to tales of mental illness and body exploration, creating a unique and unsettling reading experience.

'Siren Promised' by Jeremy Robert Johnson delves into the dark and gritty world of addiction, abuse, and redemption. The story follows Angie, a woman battling her past of addiction and abuse as she embarks on a journey to reunite with her daughter Kaya. Filled with disturbing imagery and raw emotions, the narrative weaves a tale of wretchedness and hope, showcasing the harsh realities of drug abuse and the desperate quest for salvation amidst haunting pasts and bleak circumstances.

'Entropy in Bloom' by Jeremy Robert Johnson is a collection of dark and diverse short stories that cover a wide range of unsettling and thought-provoking themes. The stories delve into the depths of human condition, exploring paranoia, psychological disorders, and societal issues in a gritty and realistic way. The author's writing style is described as original, terrifying, and occasionally quite humorous in a dark manner, reminiscent of Clive Barker's works.

The Unnoticeables by Robert Brockway is a bizarre and violent urban fantasy novel that follows the intertwined lives of Carey in 1977 New York and Kaitlyn in 2013 Hollywood. Both characters encounter angels and inhuman minions, trying to save their friends from being transformed into empty puppets. The story is split into three narratives, including an unnamed narrator rapidly losing his humanity, Carey's punk lifestyle filled with mayhem and good intentions, and Kaitlyn's struggle as a waitress and out of work stuntwoman facing supernatural threats. The book combines elements of urban fantasy and horror, showcasing vivid underground worlds in New York and Hollywood.

Skullcrack City by Jeremy Robert Johnson is a mind-bending and immersive Bizarro science fiction epic that follows the journey of S P Doyle, a paranoid and drug-addled banker, as he delves into conspiracies and cults, all while battling his own drug-induced delusions. The story takes readers on a wild and unpredictable ride, filled with dark humor, detailed descriptions of body modification, and unexpected plot twists that keep them engaged until the very end.

The writing style of Jeremy Robert Johnson in Skullcrack City has been described as masterful and unique, with a narrative that grips readers from the very first sentence and refuses to let go. Johnson's distinctive voice shines through, offering a blend of cosmic horror, conspiracy thriller, and black comedy that sets this book apart from others in the genre. The story unfolds at a breakneck pace, seamlessly transitioning between drug-induced paranoia and introspective moments, all while maintaining a sarcastic edge that adds depth to the characters and the plot.

A Manual for Cleaning Women: Selected Stories by Lucia Berlin is a collection of autobiographical short stories that offer a glimpse into the author's life experiences. The stories feature characters who navigate through challenging circumstances such as alcoholism, relationship failures, abuse, and death, all while finding moments of grace and hope. Berlin's writing style is described as blunt, gritty, and unflinching, with a focus on detail and matter-of-fact storytelling. The narratives cover a range of themes, from intimate conversations and peripatetic lives to observations of people living in the Southwest of the United States.

A Collapse of Horses by Brian B.K. Evenson is a collection of strange and unsettling short stories that delve into psychologically complex and broken narrators, blurring the lines between horror and science fiction. Evenson's writing style is described as a mix of cinematic sensibilities with the moodiness of weird fiction, creating stories that are both familiar and extraordinary, leaving readers feeling uneasy and questioning reality. The narratives in the collection often revolve around themes of evasion, the cost of not facing the truth, and the fragility of perception, leading to ambiguous and open-ended endings that linger with the reader long after finishing the tales.

'John Dies at the End' by Jason Pargin (David Wong) is a bizarre and unpredictable story that follows two friends, David and John, who become 'infected' after consuming a mysterious drug called soy sauce. This leads them to encounter alternate creatures, shadow people, and horrifying experiences as they try to protect others and survive in a world filled with the unknown. The writing style combines humor, horror elements, and a touch of absurdity, keeping readers engaged through a rollercoaster of events that blur the lines between reality and fiction.

The book is described as a genre-bending experiment that mixes horror, comedy, and satire. Readers are taken on a wild ride filled with graphic scenes, grotesque monsters, and unexpected twists, all while exploring themes of friendship, survival, and the unknown. Despite its disjointed structure and shocking content, 'John Dies at the End' manages to maintain a sense of mystery and urgency that captivates readers till the end.