Reviews

Hearers of the Constant Hum by William Pauley III

crimescenery's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes

4.0

meowdermix's review

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

I love a good, off the wall horror and this certainly delivered. If you get the creeps from stories involving body horror and/or bugs, this was an intense read. 

I gave this a 3/5 stars because I felt like there was too much back and forth between the Crunk brothers. The constant bickering went on for far longer than what was necessary to convey their dynamic. I also felt like as the reader I was going to find out what "Ashok burn right hand of men. To Neptune, rebirth in blue fire" meant, but it wasn't addressed. I thought that was a great opportunity to take the story toward some sort of bug uprising with the odd chant, but that didn't happen. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body horror

bookishtrina's review against another edition

5.0

Hearers of the Constant Hum by William Pauley III may be one of my favs so far... who am I kidding, Pauley is brilliant and I love all his stuff! Pauley has the ability to weave the diabolical and macabre into beautiful prose and next-level storytelling. The ideas and thoughts that plague the page are nothing short of genius.

I received a review copy of this book from the author/publisher through NetGalley for my honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

undermeyou's review against another edition

5.0

This was an interesting premise, reminiscent of Kafka, but in a very new way. I did not love the commentary from the exterminators much of the time. I am very pro trusting your reader to reach conclusions and their running commentary ended up feeling preachy for me. I also wish that the end hadn’t just suddenly wrapped up so quickly. Still a five star for me. Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the complimentary audiobook

mikefromarkansas's review against another edition

5.0

This is the second book I’ve read by William Pauley III within a week. I’ve given this a five star rating because it kept me engaged. He is a master of Bizarro Fiction. This technothriller was creepy. Bill Krang has heard the same chant from bugs his whole life. How does he not go insane? Della Combs is an odd girl creating a concoction that people want and die from. Scientists figuring out how to change the human race to insect like machines that would live forever (funded by the government). Now you know why they call it Bizarro Fiction. As you read the book you realize everyone is trying to figure out the meaning of life. In the end, the morally gray, Della, and the two Crunk brothers might be headed down the right path. Everyone else have collapsed in on themselves. Dang, this was fun!

I want to thank NetGalley and Doom Fiction audio for a copy of the audiobook. Connor Brannigan was an excellent narrator. This review is my honest opinion and freely given.

swalk's review against another edition

challenging dark funny reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Another horrifying offering from the alter of William Pauley III. Since he was a child Billy Krang has heard messages in places no one else can. Words from insects busily humming a repeating line inside his head, until one day he sees the very same message spray painted on a wall and below is a phone number …

Featuring characters used in other William Pauley III works, The Brothers Crunk - Divey and Reynold make an appearance as bug exterminators as well as protagonist Krang. I enjoyed the twist with the brothers Crunk towards the end and the insight into their characters. This was a wonderfully nightmarish and illusory tale with a little humour and social commentary sprinkled throughout as is typical from this author.

Connor Brannigan has smooth and immersive tones and a wonderful range of character voices, allowing him to express the darkly poetic moods of this book perfectly.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body horror

sheska_meroba's review against another edition

4.0

I received a copy of this ebook in a Goodreads giveaway. I’m not sure what to say about this book. It has left me in shock. I was kept engaged the entire time even though I felt that the storyline with the brothers was not entirely needed. I would recommend it to horror readers.

miawolf's review against another edition

5.0

I enjoyed this. I'd like to see the movie.

nelli_lakatos's review against another edition

5.0

William Pauley III does not disappoint, everything he write is brilliant and unique!
I loved this book so much, it was such an interesting concept, fun, weird and has a powerful message behind the story. I enjoyed every second reading it and would highly recommend to everyone!

Thank you to @netgalley and the publisher for providing me an AudioARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

smorrison4's review against another edition

4.0

I finished reading this book hours ago and I still don't really know what to say about this book, other than this was another interesting and weird story from William Pauley III. The story has insects talking to people by repeating the same mantra over and over again, a lady creating drugs from cockroaches, and brothers that do some questionable things to pay their bills. 

Connor Brannigan narrated this novel and once again brought a wonderful creep factor to the narration.