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trgrze20's review
5.0
4.5
*tw for animal abuse and violence/gore
I could be hypercritical and say I wished for more about the lore or an after. But, really, i didn’t need more to throughly enjoy the story.
From the dialogue and writing style, i didn’t need a ton of details and background to feel Justin and Teds long friendship or the inner turmoil they were going through. I enjoyed that I was there along with Ted the whole time unsure if Justin was telling the truth or crazy. Also appreciated the American Werewolf in London references made throughout the book.
This book didn’t need more pages to be a solid book.
*tw for animal abuse and violence/gore
I could be hypercritical and say I wished for more about the lore or an after. But, really, i didn’t need more to throughly enjoy the story.
From the dialogue and writing style, i didn’t need a ton of details and background to feel Justin and Teds long friendship or the inner turmoil they were going through. I enjoyed that I was there along with Ted the whole time unsure if Justin was telling the truth or crazy. Also appreciated the American Werewolf in London references made throughout the book.
This book didn’t need more pages to be a solid book.
eamwilliams504's review
5.0
My review can be found at :
https://scariesthings.com/2019/01/20/lizs-book-report-carnivorous-lunar-activities/
Carnivorous Lunar Activities by Max Booth III is the upcoming third release from the Fangoria Presents publishing imprint and it is an incredibly fun read. It’s the story of two childhood friends who have both fallen on hard times; Teddy whose wife Shelly has walked out on him and Justin who needs his old friend to shoot him in the heart with a silver bullet because he has become a werewolf. Chained to an anchor in his mother’s basement (yes, a ship’s anchor), and while sharing a lot of beer, Justin fills Teddy in on the events that have led to lycanthropy- the bite, the memory loss, the waking up naked covered in blood- in order to convince his old friend that he is indeed a werewolf and that he needs to shoot him at midnight.
Booth III expertly plots the story with equal parts humor, gore and dick jokes. The style of dialogue between Justin and Teddy really resonated with me. I could hear their voices in my head as I got to know them and their sense of humor mirrors my own so the jokes really landed. I found myself laughing out loud throughout the narrative and cringing at Booth’s graphic and gross description of the carnage. Even with all the dead bodies piling up, at it’s heart this is a story of friendship and the lengths you may be asked to go for an old pal. I can’t tell you what happens to Justin and Teddy, you’ll have to read Carnivorous Lunar Activities for yourself and see if Justin convinces you he’s a werewolf…maybe just don’t drink as many beers while reading as they do.
https://scariesthings.com/2019/01/20/lizs-book-report-carnivorous-lunar-activities/
Carnivorous Lunar Activities by Max Booth III is the upcoming third release from the Fangoria Presents publishing imprint and it is an incredibly fun read. It’s the story of two childhood friends who have both fallen on hard times; Teddy whose wife Shelly has walked out on him and Justin who needs his old friend to shoot him in the heart with a silver bullet because he has become a werewolf. Chained to an anchor in his mother’s basement (yes, a ship’s anchor), and while sharing a lot of beer, Justin fills Teddy in on the events that have led to lycanthropy- the bite, the memory loss, the waking up naked covered in blood- in order to convince his old friend that he is indeed a werewolf and that he needs to shoot him at midnight.
Booth III expertly plots the story with equal parts humor, gore and dick jokes. The style of dialogue between Justin and Teddy really resonated with me. I could hear their voices in my head as I got to know them and their sense of humor mirrors my own so the jokes really landed. I found myself laughing out loud throughout the narrative and cringing at Booth’s graphic and gross description of the carnage. Even with all the dead bodies piling up, at it’s heart this is a story of friendship and the lengths you may be asked to go for an old pal. I can’t tell you what happens to Justin and Teddy, you’ll have to read Carnivorous Lunar Activities for yourself and see if Justin convinces you he’s a werewolf…maybe just don’t drink as many beers while reading as they do.
michaellouisdixon's review
5.0
Max Booth III’s Carnivorous Lunar Activities is today’s American Werewolf in London, but so much more. In a way, it’s kind of a mashup between American Werewolf in London and My Dinner with Andre for aging slackers. Still, that barely captures what this novel truly is. It’s a brilliant piece of Comedy Horror fiction that is an excellent addition to the new Fangoria book line. I couldn’t help but giggle and laugh out loud while reading this excellent novel, but when Max goes dark and digs into the horror, it’s equally as disturbing and gruesome as it is funny. I can’t help but want to see this done as a film. It’s just begging for that translation. Hell, with very little adjustment, this could make a goddamned good live play.
I highly recommend this book.
MLD
I highly recommend this book.
MLD
mindfulnessmagpie's review
4.0
An interesting book that is mainly dialogue and yet totally works. Dark humour at its best and something different for the werewolf genre.
thomaswjoyce's review
5.0
Max Booth is an author who is known for imbuing his fiction with humour. And this is no exception. Sure, the horror is prevalent as well, given that Justin believes he is a werewolf. And the full moon is on the rise. But given that much of the novel takes place in one setting with two characters in conversation, there had to be something more to the story. And that's where Booth's knack with humour takes centre-stage. The dialogue between Ted and Justin is so incredibly genuine, it is reminiscent of the kind of goofy conversations I would have with my friends when I was younger. The characters are brilliant, and the way Booth structured the story is amazing, with each chapter ending on something of a cliffhanger, meaning I found myself uttering "just one more chapter" more and more.
The validity of Justin's claims are explored in the second part of the story, the truth finally revealed by the full moon. Is he really a werewolf, or is he just delusional? If you really want to know, pick up the book. It is one of the most entertaining reading experiences I've had in some time, and Max Booth is fast becoming one of my favourite authors.
The validity of Justin's claims are explored in the second part of the story, the truth finally revealed by the full moon. Is he really a werewolf, or is he just delusional? If you really want to know, pick up the book. It is one of the most entertaining reading experiences I've had in some time, and Max Booth is fast becoming one of my favourite authors.
blatdriver's review
5.0
I loved this book.
This book was a lot of fun, and a very fast read for me due to the smoothness of the writing, it's got some gore, some action, and relatable characters, and some excellent one liners.
This book was a lot of fun, and a very fast read for me due to the smoothness of the writing, it's got some gore, some action, and relatable characters, and some excellent one liners.
nicktionary19's review
5.0
***please note the publisher of this book is a piece of shit who ripped off Max Booth III. Do not support Cinestate. Buy used or ask max if he has an extra lying around. They are crooks***
That said .... This is a real monsterpiece. Mr. III has done what is necessary for a great and compelling monster tale - make it human. Both Ted and Justin feel real, with banter rooted in the horror culture so many of us grew up on and horrible mistakes all too real, that lead to unreal consequences. There is no good guy. There is no hero - except, perhaps, Linda (who should be played by Linda Hamilton so there will be no questions when she starts slinging lead).
No pages are wasted here. Every one is filled with tension, humor, horror, or all three. And it’s all told through the hilariously crass lens of a couple school buddies reconnecting years later on the worst days of their lives. It’s been a long time since an author entertained me this much. Buy this book. Support working authors.
That said .... This is a real monsterpiece. Mr. III has done what is necessary for a great and compelling monster tale - make it human. Both Ted and Justin feel real, with banter rooted in the horror culture so many of us grew up on and horrible mistakes all too real, that lead to unreal consequences. There is no good guy. There is no hero - except, perhaps, Linda (who should be played by Linda Hamilton so there will be no questions when she starts slinging lead).
No pages are wasted here. Every one is filled with tension, humor, horror, or all three. And it’s all told through the hilariously crass lens of a couple school buddies reconnecting years later on the worst days of their lives. It’s been a long time since an author entertained me this much. Buy this book. Support working authors.
stephaniemwytovich's review
4.0
Carnivorous Lunar Activities was my first book by Max Booth III, and after reading this action-packed, dark comedic were-plot, I’ll definitely be back for more. This story follows the arcs of two characters, Ted and Justin, who are long-time friends and have a Punch-and-Judy rapport with one another. What I liked most about their relationship throughout the book was that it never felt forced, and instead was always natural, blunt, and honestly, it felt like I was eavesdropping on their conversation at times, which made me feel the need to hide behind the freezer, which has its own irony, I suppose.
The first half of the book essentially takes place in one room, so it gave me a bit of a Tarantino vibe, which is by no means a bad thing. I quite like when stories are confined to a room because it gives a threatening air of suffocation and claustrophobia to the scene that you don’t get unless you’re trapped and anxious—something that definitely describes the mindset of both of our characters. As the story progresses, Justin confesses to Ted that he has fallen in with a rough crowd and has developed a taste for dog fighting, which eventually lead to even shadier encounters, one of which resulted in the infected, pulsating wound on his leg. Armed with silver bullets and chained to an anchor, the two drink PBRs, make a pact, and talk through what their lives have become: a mix of hunger and guilt.
In the vein of John Dies at the End and Shaun of the Dead, Carnivorous Lunar Activities is a bloody werewolf romp of humor, body parts, and overturned cop cars. If you like a shot of comedy with your horror, I recommend grabbing 10 burgers, a pack of PBR, and buying this book to read under a full moon.
With a fully belly and a long howl, I give it four stars.
The first half of the book essentially takes place in one room, so it gave me a bit of a Tarantino vibe, which is by no means a bad thing. I quite like when stories are confined to a room because it gives a threatening air of suffocation and claustrophobia to the scene that you don’t get unless you’re trapped and anxious—something that definitely describes the mindset of both of our characters. As the story progresses, Justin confesses to Ted that he has fallen in with a rough crowd and has developed a taste for dog fighting, which eventually lead to even shadier encounters, one of which resulted in the infected, pulsating wound on his leg. Armed with silver bullets and chained to an anchor, the two drink PBRs, make a pact, and talk through what their lives have become: a mix of hunger and guilt.
In the vein of John Dies at the End and Shaun of the Dead, Carnivorous Lunar Activities is a bloody werewolf romp of humor, body parts, and overturned cop cars. If you like a shot of comedy with your horror, I recommend grabbing 10 burgers, a pack of PBR, and buying this book to read under a full moon.
With a fully belly and a long howl, I give it four stars.
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