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Pound: An Extreme Horror Tale of Sex, Blood, & Fast Food
This is a horror novelette of around 12,500 words and about 80 pages in length “Shaun Hupp is a high quality author of darkness. When the horror kicks in, his work can make you gasp for air.” –Terry M. West, author of Dreg Life’s not fair for Matt. Being overweight and bullied all his life has turned him into a loner. Rather than venturing out into the world, he’d rather stay up in his room watching porn and eating fast food. But his world is about to change. One Saturday afternoon while he’s home alone, the doorbell rings. Matt meets the girl of his dreams. However, this is NOT a simple love story…. This is NOT a tale of love at first sight…. This is NOT going to end well for anybody… Who will survive…. POUND Word of This is an extreme horror tale. There is plenty of blood, gore, sexual content, and explicit language to offend those who are easily offended. You have been warned. Do you proceed?
- GenresHorror
94 pages, Paperback
First published July 12, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
February 11, 2024
POUND [2015] By Shaun Hupp
My Review 4.0 Stars
This horror novelette was a recommended read by only one of the horror groups on goodreads which is wonderful about encouraging member participation and whose moderators are always on top of their game. They all work very hard for their members and finding excellent works such as this month’s nomination “Pound.”
I really did like this novelette. It was concise and perfectly written as well as paced. I enjoyed the surprises that were in store for the sociopathic brother-sister couple who were making money on targeted home invasions. There was sufficient gratuitous sex and violence to easily deem it extreme horror.
The fact is that the basic premise of this short work was likely meant to underscore the obscene bullying which takes place every second of the day. In the case of Alex, he had already been pushed over the edge and was a prepared to walk into his school as an active shooter, his targets already designated. It is somehow both ironic and sad that the boy had sustained sufficient emotional damage after the mean-spirited schoolmates’ last attack on his sense of self-worth and sanity that he had become delusional and was experiencing auditory hallucinations. The ending was a mixed blessing in that it saved lives while he was a casualty of bullying.
SOCIOPATHIC HOME INVADERS GET AN UNWELCOME SURPRISE
My Review 4.0 Stars
This horror novelette was a recommended read by only one of the horror groups on goodreads which is wonderful about encouraging member participation and whose moderators are always on top of their game. They all work very hard for their members and finding excellent works such as this month’s nomination “Pound.”
I really did like this novelette. It was concise and perfectly written as well as paced. I enjoyed the surprises that were in store for the sociopathic brother-sister couple who were making money on targeted home invasions. There was sufficient gratuitous sex and violence to easily deem it extreme horror.
The fact is that the basic premise of this short work was likely meant to underscore the obscene bullying which takes place every second of the day. In the case of Alex, he had already been pushed over the edge and was a prepared to walk into his school as an active shooter, his targets already designated. It is somehow both ironic and sad that the boy had sustained sufficient emotional damage after the mean-spirited schoolmates’ last attack on his sense of self-worth and sanity that he had become delusional and was experiencing auditory hallucinations. The ending was a mixed blessing in that it saved lives while he was a casualty of bullying.
SOCIOPATHIC HOME INVADERS GET AN UNWELCOME SURPRISE
February 6, 2024
The biggest faults I had with this was how unclear the writing was at times and the overall brevity of everything. Matt, especially, was a really interesting, damaged, and dynamic character that I wanted to spend a lot more time with. Get into that big, troubled head of his and have a true unsettling stay there. He was great, but just needed a lot more attention. Now, back to the writing style, I realize that the author was trying to hide certain aspects of the situation to have a sort of big reveal portion towards the latter part. However, I felt that it was a bit overdone and the uncertainty hanging in the air throughout didn't necessarily do the experience any additional favors. None of the aforementioned critiques made this a bad read, by any means. I quite enjoyed myself here. I just think it all needed more time to simmer a bit and organically flow, rather than be pushed along. I haven't read anything by Shaun Hupp yet, but I'm now curious as to what else he's got to offer.
February 18, 2024
There's nothing like a bully to bring out the bad person in you and in "Pound" it done just that to poor over weight,fast food lover and porn addicted Matt.
Some very powerful violent scenes with plenty of gore to keep you interested in this short horror read. 🩸🩸🔪🔪
A good book with a 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating from me.
Some very powerful violent scenes with plenty of gore to keep you interested in this short horror read. 🩸🩸🔪🔪
A good book with a 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating from me.
February 5, 2024
I dislike Tony!
3.8/5
Pound: An Extreme Horror Tale of Sex, Blood, & Fast Food by Shaun Hupp is a good short story.
I recommend it if you’re in the mood to read about despair, blood, gore, kills, and tragedy.
3.8/5
Pound: An Extreme Horror Tale of Sex, Blood, & Fast Food by Shaun Hupp is a good short story.
I recommend it if you’re in the mood to read about despair, blood, gore, kills, and tragedy.
September 16, 2024
Multiple side stories and characters collide in this crazy, crazy tale.
Robbers, murderers, bullies, and the bullied all have their roles, but who will survive in the ultimate showdown when fate has them meet…
This is the definition of extreme, splattery horror. It’s short, and to the bloody point! No fluff, just meat and viscera make up this insane prose.
Robbers, murderers, bullies, and the bullied all have their roles, but who will survive in the ultimate showdown when fate has them meet…
This is the definition of extreme, splattery horror. It’s short, and to the bloody point! No fluff, just meat and viscera make up this insane prose.
February 4, 2024
Filthy, nastiness. Totally awesome short story.
October 12, 2023
It was ok
I don't know I think I was expecting this to be a little bit more grotesque than it was. Don't get me wrong it wasn't bad, but I honestly thought it could've had so much more potential.
I don't know I think I was expecting this to be a little bit more grotesque than it was. Don't get me wrong it wasn't bad, but I honestly thought it could've had so much more potential.
February 4, 2024
It was ok. Nothing new or groundbreaking, and the writing was both vague (limited visual descriptions) and over the top (Devin’s monologue) somehow.
Super short and entertaining for what it was.
Super short and entertaining for what it was.
February 1, 2024
A good, clever short horror story focusing on bullying and poor mental health, both of which, if left unchecked, could soon crank up into a situation delivering deadly, catastrophic and wholly appalling consequences to a much wider audience, rather than just to the actual individual themselves.
Two fantasists, living different lives and different dreams, are soon to find that their personal worlds are about to collide, bringing about a darkly disturbing outlook and outcome for both of their immediate futures.
With both real and imaginary negative drivers at play, delivering dreadful scenarios involving mental, emotional, social and physical abuse, life for some is about to change. But with the unwanted intervention from the ‘Pounder’ has time for these individuals finally been snuffed out, or does there still exist a possible workable solution that can offer some fragmented form of eagerly desired hope and happiness?
I found the Author’s Note at the end to be extremely informative, and managed to add a little extra something to the overall reading experience of this highly enjoyable, yet brief adventure.
Will be reading more short stories from this author in future, of that there is no doubt.
Rating: 3.9 streaky stars of unquestionable bleak unhappiness.
Two fantasists, living different lives and different dreams, are soon to find that their personal worlds are about to collide, bringing about a darkly disturbing outlook and outcome for both of their immediate futures.
With both real and imaginary negative drivers at play, delivering dreadful scenarios involving mental, emotional, social and physical abuse, life for some is about to change. But with the unwanted intervention from the ‘Pounder’ has time for these individuals finally been snuffed out, or does there still exist a possible workable solution that can offer some fragmented form of eagerly desired hope and happiness?
I found the Author’s Note at the end to be extremely informative, and managed to add a little extra something to the overall reading experience of this highly enjoyable, yet brief adventure.
Will be reading more short stories from this author in future, of that there is no doubt.
Rating: 3.9 streaky stars of unquestionable bleak unhappiness.
April 25, 2017
What an excellent--novella? novelette?--let's just say short story, although it is longer and has more meat on the bone than most "short stories." This was my first experience reading something by Hupp, and I wasn't sure what I was in store for. I mean, I knew it was going to be gross. I knew it was going to be violent. I knew it was going to be sexual. These things were forewarned in the opening note from the author--hell, it's right there in the title! But I wasn't expecting such sharp writing. Hupp takes a relatively simple, very graphic premise and fills it with so much character, humor, writing styles, and unexpected twists that I read it in one sitting, something I rarely do (even with my own writing). I'll definitely be looking out for more Hupp stories after this.
February 1, 2017
My favorite part of this book is that it is written flawlessly. Great idea...exellent flow, and all around good story to be told.
February 26, 2017
PSA for bullying...Extreme Edition!!
Meet Matt....an overweight, unpopular, lonely, tortured teen who who has an imaginary/ not so imaginary being named Tony who constantly taunts him...alone at his house, masturbating to internet porn...
Meet Nikki, who one day shows up at Matt's house knocking on his door asking for help, claiming her car broke down down the street, asking to use the phone to call a tow truck. Nikki isn't who she portrays herself to be. Nikki is not a nice person...she has been .. Matt's house for months. She tries to use her body to distract Matt... She is going to wish she hadn't...
Meet Trish...married to Terry...has had several affairs and currently has her new lover, Grant in her home for some sexy fun times...they are not alone....
Meet Devin...Devin has a sledge hammer...Devin loves to use his sledge hammer in the most heinous of ways...Devin is now in Trish's house to have some fun of his own....
Needless to say, that set up makes for a very nasty, bloody story that I loved!!!
Keep em' coming, Shaun Hupp!!!
Meet Matt....an overweight, unpopular, lonely, tortured teen who who has an imaginary/ not so imaginary being named Tony who constantly taunts him...alone at his house, masturbating to internet porn...
Meet Nikki, who one day shows up at Matt's house knocking on his door asking for help, claiming her car broke down down the street, asking to use the phone to call a tow truck. Nikki isn't who she portrays herself to be. Nikki is not a nice person...she has been .. Matt's house for months. She tries to use her body to distract Matt... She is going to wish she hadn't...
Meet Trish...married to Terry...has had several affairs and currently has her new lover, Grant in her home for some sexy fun times...they are not alone....
Meet Devin...Devin has a sledge hammer...Devin loves to use his sledge hammer in the most heinous of ways...Devin is now in Trish's house to have some fun of his own....
Needless to say, that set up makes for a very nasty, bloody story that I loved!!!
Keep em' coming, Shaun Hupp!!!
September 4, 2016
Yes, the bloody cover got me. And I'm glad it did. This psychologically chilling tale will provoke deep thought long after the read is done. POUND offers real characters with whom readers can empathize. Hupp delivers two colliding stories filled with masterfully displayed savage gruesomeness ... from words on the pages into readers' minds. All this equals highly recommended awesomeness!
November 6, 2015
Loved it
Even though this was a short story it still has the effect of a full novel. Blood, gore, anger.... this book has it all. Warning, do not read while eating....
Even though this was a short story it still has the effect of a full novel. Blood, gore, anger.... this book has it all. Warning, do not read while eating....
August 16, 2023
Wow, Shaun Hupp POUNDS an emotional and brutal tale into your head that you forget you’re even reading a story!
Pound is about this kid and two burglars. That’s all I can really say without giving too much away.
This book has so many twists and turns that I thought I was going to tear the pages out as I read them because the tale was that gripping! I was sucked in and I couldn’t predict an ending! It did however end with a bang! (Is that metaphorical or literal? Guess you’ll have to find out!)
I give Shaun Hupp’s ‘Pound’ 5/5 stars!
Pound is about this kid and two burglars. That’s all I can really say without giving too much away.
This book has so many twists and turns that I thought I was going to tear the pages out as I read them because the tale was that gripping! I was sucked in and I couldn’t predict an ending! It did however end with a bang! (Is that metaphorical or literal? Guess you’ll have to find out!)
I give Shaun Hupp’s ‘Pound’ 5/5 stars!
November 11, 2015
Review to come...
March 5, 2016
Brilliant!
October 10, 2016
Great
Loved every page, lots of sex and violence. Porn and fast food. Every addiction I could think of. Don't miss.
Loved every page, lots of sex and violence. Porn and fast food. Every addiction I could think of. Don't miss.
May 8, 2023
Bibliophilia Templum review at https://bibliophiliatemplum.wordpress.com/2023/05/08/pound/
Pound: An Extreme Horror Tale of Sex, Blood, & Fast Food by Shaun Hupp is a deep and graphic tale of brutality and bullying and psychological horror made manifest. Hupp’s exploration of these all-too-real issues ultimately nudge this novelette over the line into Splatterpunk and make the story that much more disturbing.
I cannot emphasize enough, though, that Pound has extreme content, graphic violence, gruesome gore, and explicit sex. So while it is far from the most extreme story out there, be aware that Hupp pulls no punches. But the graphic nature is not gratuitous. The subject matter, while very in-your-face, is very real in today’s world and has been for a long time. These are real horrors woven together in a brazen presentation that drives those horrors home because that is how horrifying people can be to each other and how brutally horrifying the outcomes can be.
Extreme horror fans will love this novelette. Splatterpunk fans will appreciate the depth and realism as well as the style. A highly recommended read for those of hearty constitutions.
Pound: An Extreme Horror Tale of Sex, Blood, & Fast Food by Shaun Hupp is a deep and graphic tale of brutality and bullying and psychological horror made manifest. Hupp’s exploration of these all-too-real issues ultimately nudge this novelette over the line into Splatterpunk and make the story that much more disturbing.
I cannot emphasize enough, though, that Pound has extreme content, graphic violence, gruesome gore, and explicit sex. So while it is far from the most extreme story out there, be aware that Hupp pulls no punches. But the graphic nature is not gratuitous. The subject matter, while very in-your-face, is very real in today’s world and has been for a long time. These are real horrors woven together in a brazen presentation that drives those horrors home because that is how horrifying people can be to each other and how brutally horrifying the outcomes can be.
Extreme horror fans will love this novelette. Splatterpunk fans will appreciate the depth and realism as well as the style. A highly recommended read for those of hearty constitutions.
May 24, 2023
I really enjoyed this short story. Matt is a teenage boy who has been bullied for being fat and unpopular. When beautiful Nikki comes to his front door looking for help,he thinks his world has changed for the better.
Little does he know this is not going to wind up a love story like he was hoping. I enjoyed the story start to finish with a twist at the end was my favorite part.
Little does he know this is not going to wind up a love story like he was hoping. I enjoyed the story start to finish with a twist at the end was my favorite part.
June 26, 2023
One bloody puzzle!
The first person and third person changes threw me off and the perspective changes of the first person parts messed with my ADHD but the way it was like puzzle pieces that all came together magnificently left me astounded. It's definitely a one sitting read and worth your time even if it confuses you some. One scene in this book almost verbatim happened to me when I was young. I came our of it only slightly better than Matt. The author said it was linked to his own bullying and experience. That means I'm not alone and honestly that makes me feel more sad than it does better. Read this ... If for no other reason than for the people like us and what we've suffered.
The first person and third person changes threw me off and the perspective changes of the first person parts messed with my ADHD but the way it was like puzzle pieces that all came together magnificently left me astounded. It's definitely a one sitting read and worth your time even if it confuses you some. One scene in this book almost verbatim happened to me when I was young. I came our of it only slightly better than Matt. The author said it was linked to his own bullying and experience. That means I'm not alone and honestly that makes me feel more sad than it does better. Read this ... If for no other reason than for the people like us and what we've suffered.
February 2, 2024
As with this genre it starts off a bit of a mess but once the seemingly unrelated and badly organised stories come together it ends pretty well.
Very short book which could easily have been extended to triple the size without being drawn out.
Very short book which could easily have been extended to triple the size without being drawn out.
August 27, 2024
This was a fast-paced, quick read full of grease and gore. The dual short parallel stories are brutally graphic and come together rather well with a twist that actually caught me by surprise. It was a fantastic outing from Hupp!
May 15, 2016
"Pound" tells two parallel stories. The first is about Matt, an overweight teenager who has been bullied for so long that he spends most of his time in his room, watching porn and eating. He has an imaginary "tormentor", a figment of his imagination that represents how much he hates himself.
The second is about two siblings who go around robbing houses to "earn" their money. When the two stories intersect, the past intercedes and both people involved have flashbacks to when the same or similar things happened to them. The result is...you can read to find out.
I have to say I felt sorry for Matt. He wasn't always overweight, but for whatever reason, the other teenagers decided to bully and humiliate him in the worst way possible. It just made me wonder how many kids like Matt are out there whose lives are completely driven off-course because they are "different". Matt sits alone in his room watching porn and knowing that no woman is ever going to really be with him like that. Yes, he hates himself, but he also blames the teenagers who humiliated him.
Matt does some terrible things in this story and the twist at the end reveals he planned on doing even worse things. It is scary--and sad--to think of how many kids like Matt are out there. It's sad to think of what happens to them as they get older. Do some of them overcome the past or do they just sink deeper and deeper into despair.
Matt didn't deserve what happened to him and he had no one to help him deal with it. I doubt there was ever any other fate for him.
The second is about two siblings who go around robbing houses to "earn" their money. When the two stories intersect, the past intercedes and both people involved have flashbacks to when the same or similar things happened to them. The result is...you can read to find out.
I have to say I felt sorry for Matt. He wasn't always overweight, but for whatever reason, the other teenagers decided to bully and humiliate him in the worst way possible. It just made me wonder how many kids like Matt are out there whose lives are completely driven off-course because they are "different". Matt sits alone in his room watching porn and knowing that no woman is ever going to really be with him like that. Yes, he hates himself, but he also blames the teenagers who humiliated him.
Matt does some terrible things in this story and the twist at the end reveals he planned on doing even worse things. It is scary--and sad--to think of how many kids like Matt are out there. It's sad to think of what happens to them as they get older. Do some of them overcome the past or do they just sink deeper and deeper into despair.
Matt didn't deserve what happened to him and he had no one to help him deal with it. I doubt there was ever any other fate for him.
October 31, 2016
The Author Is Truthful: EXTREME
I enjoy blood and guts as well as any zombie reader, however heed the author's warning and if you think you can withstand a short story with the warning this book comes with please take heed. Reading the story is much like thinking you can eat the hottest chicken wings only to find out there is a limit. That's what this book taught me: there is a limit and this story went way beyond the kind of a story I'm comfortable with!
I enjoy blood and guts as well as any zombie reader, however heed the author's warning and if you think you can withstand a short story with the warning this book comes with please take heed. Reading the story is much like thinking you can eat the hottest chicken wings only to find out there is a limit. That's what this book taught me: there is a limit and this story went way beyond the kind of a story I'm comfortable with!
March 27, 2020
Finished it one sitting, this is a really short book, but still very enjoyable!
It's extreme horror so expect blood, gore and sex scenes (including a tape scene) - not for the faint hearted!
This is book #29 this year.
It's extreme horror so expect blood, gore and sex scenes (including a tape scene) - not for the faint hearted!
This is book #29 this year.
July 17, 2015
Fantastic little story, albeit outrageously OTT throughout, with a series of totally unexpected twists at the end. A very entertaining, Laymon-esque story.
March 17, 2020
Took me a minute to wrap my head around what was happening in this book but once I did I found a good story. Personally I think this one deserved to be longer but even as it is it a good read
August 3, 2024
A great little short story which focuses alot on bullying and mental health issues, I kind of expected it to be a bit more grotesque then it was, couple of weak sex scenes that weren't all that. Not much gore and violence and was quite slow to start. The storyline was completely different to how I thought it was going to go. The main character was interesting but I think he needed alot more attention and delving into him more I wanted to know so much more about him. If anything the only problem with this book was it was just too short. So much more could have been expanded on but it more or less covered sex, blood and fast food could could have been in a more messed up way
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews