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howlinglibraries's review
3.0
First of all, let's be fair: I think I would've enjoyed this book if I had known nothing at all about it before picking it up. While I didn't know the twist ahead of time, I had seen so many reviews calling this novella shocking and disgusting that I think I hyped myself up for something I thought would be truly appalling. And don't get me wrong, I have no doubts that many readers will have their stomachs turned by this story — well, one scene in particular — and I'm not judging at all! It's just not something that grosses me out and I felt like too many of my expectations surrounding this short story revolved were based on those very high expectations.
That said, I tried to rate this novella as if I'd gone into it with no expectations, because none of what I've said so far is the author's fault. Without considering my own personal disappointment, it was just an okay read for me. I never felt particularly invested in the narrator or anything going on with him, I wasn't shocked or creeped out in any ways, and I didn't love the writing style (it isn't bad, just not for me). I kept feeling like Siphon could have been so much more fleshed-out and gruesome, and it consistently fell slightly short of what I wanted it to be.
Content warnings for
That said, I tried to rate this novella as if I'd gone into it with no expectations, because none of what I've said so far is the author's fault. Without considering my own personal disappointment, it was just an okay read for me. I never felt particularly invested in the narrator or anything going on with him, I wasn't shocked or creeped out in any ways, and I didn't love the writing style (it isn't bad, just not for me). I kept feeling like Siphon could have been so much more fleshed-out and gruesome, and it consistently fell slightly short of what I wanted it to be.
Content warnings for
Spoiler
blood-drinking, period oral sex, voyeurism, stalking, murder, animal death, mentions/descriptions of suicide, a few brief transphobic comments about a sex workermotherhorror's review
3.0
Review originally in the Sept. Oct. issue of SCREAM Mag 2018
“There is an urge inside you…”
Published almost a year ago, this novella only just made a blip on the radar of horror fans this year. The cover made some social media appearances and I was immediately drawn to the visceral artwork and monolithic title.
Almost immediately I hated the protagonist (which is better than feeling indifferent towards a lead character). Dr. Gary Phillips is a hematopathologist who is socially awkward and unable to maintain a professional attitude at work due to his creepy, stalkerish obsession with his younger co-worker. I wasn’t sure, at first, if the author knew his protagonist was coming off as pervert or if it was intended so the first few chapters were uncomfortable to the point of being distracting for me due to the masochistic red flags sounding off.
With a shift from Gary’s work life to his home life, it became more obvious that I was supposed to dislike Dr. Phillips. My feeling of repulsion was clearly the desired response.
A bizarre event happens during an accident at work which catapults our protagonist from a seemingly harmless weirdo to a full blown psycho in just a few pages.
From that incident on, this novella is no longer safe for the casual horror fan. Medina plumbs the depths of madness as he brings the reader along into the mind of sexual predator/serial killer. There is a gruesome, overarching theme of blood as Dr. Gary Phillips learns the dark secrets of his past and begins to act out strange, psychological fantasies tied to blood; think Patrick Bateman from American Psycho but in the time frame of a Dexter episode.
I enjoyed picking up the bread crumbs the author leaves behind in terms of the connections between past and present events--including an “ah-ha” moment with why the story is called, Siphon. A. A. Medina is a talented writer. The pacing of this novella is mapped out with precision detail; not a single word wasted. I’m a huge fan of short stories and novellas because the level of difficulty to build well developed characters that engage in a meaningful story takes skill. Media definitely has the chops to do so. However, the brutality here is so extra intense, I felt like a little more time between horrific scenes would have proven to be a more effective way to tell this dark tale. For me, it was a lot to digest in one sitting. But my guess is there are a lot of horror junkies out there who will be quite satisfied with it as is.
“There is an urge inside you…”
Published almost a year ago, this novella only just made a blip on the radar of horror fans this year. The cover made some social media appearances and I was immediately drawn to the visceral artwork and monolithic title.
Almost immediately I hated the protagonist (which is better than feeling indifferent towards a lead character). Dr. Gary Phillips is a hematopathologist who is socially awkward and unable to maintain a professional attitude at work due to his creepy, stalkerish obsession with his younger co-worker. I wasn’t sure, at first, if the author knew his protagonist was coming off as pervert or if it was intended so the first few chapters were uncomfortable to the point of being distracting for me due to the masochistic red flags sounding off.
With a shift from Gary’s work life to his home life, it became more obvious that I was supposed to dislike Dr. Phillips. My feeling of repulsion was clearly the desired response.
A bizarre event happens during an accident at work which catapults our protagonist from a seemingly harmless weirdo to a full blown psycho in just a few pages.
From that incident on, this novella is no longer safe for the casual horror fan. Medina plumbs the depths of madness as he brings the reader along into the mind of sexual predator/serial killer. There is a gruesome, overarching theme of blood as Dr. Gary Phillips learns the dark secrets of his past and begins to act out strange, psychological fantasies tied to blood; think Patrick Bateman from American Psycho but in the time frame of a Dexter episode.
I enjoyed picking up the bread crumbs the author leaves behind in terms of the connections between past and present events--including an “ah-ha” moment with why the story is called, Siphon. A. A. Medina is a talented writer. The pacing of this novella is mapped out with precision detail; not a single word wasted. I’m a huge fan of short stories and novellas because the level of difficulty to build well developed characters that engage in a meaningful story takes skill. Media definitely has the chops to do so. However, the brutality here is so extra intense, I felt like a little more time between horrific scenes would have proven to be a more effective way to tell this dark tale. For me, it was a lot to digest in one sitting. But my guess is there are a lot of horror junkies out there who will be quite satisfied with it as is.
exorcismofemilyreed's review
4.0
"There is an urge inside you which cannot be satisfied with conventional methods."
Siphon was such a fun read! It has an intriguing opening, and then goes on an intense ride from there. I had no idea where this book was going to go, and I enjoyed reading this descent into madness.
I don't want to say too much about this book to avoid risking spoilers. Siphon is dark and gory. I was totally hooked once the story got going. This one is a little bit on the extreme side, so know that going in. It's not necessarily an easy story to read, but it's one that will stick with you and disturb you. I'm very impressed with it as a debut novella!
Thank you so much to AA Medina for sending me a copy of Siphon! I can't wait to read more.
Siphon was such a fun read! It has an intriguing opening, and then goes on an intense ride from there. I had no idea where this book was going to go, and I enjoyed reading this descent into madness.
I don't want to say too much about this book to avoid risking spoilers. Siphon is dark and gory. I was totally hooked once the story got going. This one is a little bit on the extreme side, so know that going in. It's not necessarily an easy story to read, but it's one that will stick with you and disturb you. I'm very impressed with it as a debut novella!
Thank you so much to AA Medina for sending me a copy of Siphon! I can't wait to read more.
arrasails's review
4.0
Reminded me a bit of Richard Laymon. The ending was a little too quick and still too mysterious for my taste. But the writing is promising!
odbookreviews's review
2.0
I was given a complimentary copy of this book for judgement in the Indie Horror Book Awards 2018. Review to be posted at odbookreviews.com
I almost didn't finish this book many times. It was really dragging for me. Very little of interest happened until the midpoint and on. But even then it was still drawn out and boring. The weird, perverted, and gag worthy things that did happen along the way, to me only served only as shock value as the little meat of the story was very slowly revealed. The ending I will say was really good. I started to get into it at about 85% and it couldn't have had a better ending. If you like a lot of gore, shocking obscenities with plenty of build up and suspense you might like this one. The writing was highly detailed and descriptive. Though this story wasn't at all scary the creepy little horror story buried in there was interesting, I wish that had been explored more instead of the slow build that left me bored. This book is very graphic, and downright gross and I only recommend it to an adult audience.
I almost didn't finish this book many times. It was really dragging for me. Very little of interest happened until the midpoint and on. But even then it was still drawn out and boring. The weird, perverted, and gag worthy things that did happen along the way, to me only served only as shock value as the little meat of the story was very slowly revealed. The ending I will say was really good. I started to get into it at about 85% and it couldn't have had a better ending. If you like a lot of gore, shocking obscenities with plenty of build up and suspense you might like this one. The writing was highly detailed and descriptive. Though this story wasn't at all scary the creepy little horror story buried in there was interesting, I wish that had been explored more instead of the slow build that left me bored. This book is very graphic, and downright gross and I only recommend it to an adult audience.
astoldbybex's review
4.0
Thank you to A.A. Medina for providing me with a copy of Siphon in exchange for an honest review!
Sipon was advertised to me as ‘truly messed up’ & yes, that is what encouraged me to ask the author for a review copy. Messed up is my type of book. Although I enjoyed Siphon, this is not a book that I’d recommend to the faint of heart. A.A. Medina covers a lot of adult themes & Siphon is extremely disturbing.
Medina’s writing of Siphon made it very easy to visualize the setting & what’s going on. Which, in a way, could be bad — because, as mentioned, ~disturbing~. However, it really shows Medina’s writing strengths.
I’m going to be honest, I did go back & forth a lot with my feelings towards this book. Siphon is definitely a unique & very different story. & at times, I wasn’t 100% sure if I enjoyed it, but it was the ending that truly got me. As advertised, it was ‘truly messed up’ & if you’re up for some fun, fucked-up horror & aren’t really worried about triggers, I’d recommend Siphon.
Sipon was advertised to me as ‘truly messed up’ & yes, that is what encouraged me to ask the author for a review copy. Messed up is my type of book. Although I enjoyed Siphon, this is not a book that I’d recommend to the faint of heart. A.A. Medina covers a lot of adult themes & Siphon is extremely disturbing.
Medina’s writing of Siphon made it very easy to visualize the setting & what’s going on. Which, in a way, could be bad — because, as mentioned, ~disturbing~. However, it really shows Medina’s writing strengths.
I’m going to be honest, I did go back & forth a lot with my feelings towards this book. Siphon is definitely a unique & very different story. & at times, I wasn’t 100% sure if I enjoyed it, but it was the ending that truly got me. As advertised, it was ‘truly messed up’ & if you’re up for some fun, fucked-up horror & aren’t really worried about triggers, I’d recommend Siphon.
tracyreads's review
4.0
“There is an urge inside you…
… which cannot be satisfied…
… with conventional methods.”
Obsession. Lust. Viscera. This crazy book is one heck of a ride.
It begins with this poor, run-down doctor who works in the blood lab at a local hospital. He is unremarkable. An average car. A condo he shares with his drunken grandfather. A frumpily dressed bachelor who’s losing his hair. All things that point to a mediocre life, a “beige” life.
About 15 pages in, all this changes. Drastically. Medina truly is a skilled writer. He deftly builds suspense; I even remember mentioning on social media that I had just arrived at that moment – that place when we know shit’s about to go down. It definitely did. Sideways and upside down, too.
Gary now requires more – there is something inside him that craves MORE. I really liked the metamorphosis of his character. He’s still the same old bumbling guy, but he is changing, transforming.
“The universe will shove you into a corner…”
There are very extreme scenes in this novella. Disturbing, gross, and very explicit moments. But Medina handles them with finesse that highlights an ability to “go there” but to also have it make sense for the story. For me, that is so important. I need it to make sense. Also, I want to see what is happening but also be able to use my imagination.
I need more from A.A. Medina. His style of writing is refreshing and I loved reading something wholly unique. Siphon won’t be the right fit for every reader, but it was for me.
… which cannot be satisfied…
… with conventional methods.”
Obsession. Lust. Viscera. This crazy book is one heck of a ride.
It begins with this poor, run-down doctor who works in the blood lab at a local hospital. He is unremarkable. An average car. A condo he shares with his drunken grandfather. A frumpily dressed bachelor who’s losing his hair. All things that point to a mediocre life, a “beige” life.
About 15 pages in, all this changes. Drastically. Medina truly is a skilled writer. He deftly builds suspense; I even remember mentioning on social media that I had just arrived at that moment – that place when we know shit’s about to go down. It definitely did. Sideways and upside down, too.
Gary now requires more – there is something inside him that craves MORE. I really liked the metamorphosis of his character. He’s still the same old bumbling guy, but he is changing, transforming.
“The universe will shove you into a corner…”
There are very extreme scenes in this novella. Disturbing, gross, and very explicit moments. But Medina handles them with finesse that highlights an ability to “go there” but to also have it make sense for the story. For me, that is so important. I need it to make sense. Also, I want to see what is happening but also be able to use my imagination.
I need more from A.A. Medina. His style of writing is refreshing and I loved reading something wholly unique. Siphon won’t be the right fit for every reader, but it was for me.
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