Rest Stop

Holy shit. Holy fucking shit.

I couldn't put this book down for a second, couldn't stop turning pages, too eager to know what would happen next.

This was terrifying in the best way possible, but terrifying nonetheless. I'm thankful I didn't read this in the dark because I probably would have had a heart attack with the added bonus of horror movies soundtracks in the background.

Don't think this is just gratuitous horror and gore, it's not. Abe's reflection on his relationship with his grandmother and with God was probably one of my favourite parts of the story. Oh, and the humour in this was great as well, though subtle. I don't usually highlight book quotes, but I made an exception this time. Some sentences were just too great not to save.

Is this the feeling of being broken? He wonders. Or is it the process of breaking?

I've heard a lot of hype surrounding this novella, and I can certainly see why. It's a gruesome, suspenseful little thing with lots of fangs and pincers (literally and metaphorically), and I really enjoyed it. There's a dark humor to the whole thing, but moments of long-standing generational pain and cynicism are woven throughout it in a way that tugs at your heartstrings. The ending left me reeling a little bit, and I'm probably never going to look at gas station restrooms the same way.

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy! All thoughts are honest and my own.

✨ Representation: Jewish MC and author

✨ Content warnings for: violence, gore, murder, death, insects, snakes, brief mentions of antisemitism, emotional abuse of a child (flashbacks), religious doubts, brief mentions of cancer and terminal illness

this was a perfect 5 stars for me...until the last 3ish chapters. i really don't know what to think and I can't help but be annoyed with the way this book ends but it still deserves a high rating bc the first 80% was truly so good I was on the edge the whole time

This short little story is TENSE. Imagine stopping to pee on a road trip only to accidentally step foot in something out of Stephen King's worst nightmares. A great little horror piece, not for the faint of heart.

Nat Cassidy once again proving himself to be one of my favorite voices in horror. This was gnarly and creepy and full of depth. Loved it!