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mariastram's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
lvlarly's review against another edition
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
sticksnstout's review against another edition
4.0
Really liked this book. Did you ever wonder what you'd be capable of if pushed to the limit? What would the long-term effects of your actions be? This is a tale of humanity and what could lurk within us all!
alexctelander's review against another edition
3.0
When the world is getting you down, and the problems seem never ending, take a trip to the quaint, quiet town of Hopkins Bend, Tennessee. Only, don’t spend too much time interacting with the locals, or checking out the sights and surrounding countryside; in fact, you should probably only stop by Hopkins Bend if it’s an absolute emergency and only for a few minutes. Because there’s a big dark secret about Hopkins Bend that visitors know nothing about, since the visitors never make it out alive. Stories surround the town of bizarre practices, unholy rituals, murder, and even cannibalism. Each year the Holiday Feast is celebrated and for any tourist who doesn’t know better, coming to Hopkins Bend will be the last stop you make in your lifetime. So you should just stay away from the town, but the book Depraved by Bryan Smith about the town is great, with gritty, gory details, and no limit to the . . . depravity . . . which will have you reading on, turning the page, even though you can’t bear to find out any more.
For more book reviews and exclusive author interviews, go to BookBanter.
For more book reviews and exclusive author interviews, go to BookBanter.
toasted_coconut's review against another edition
2.0
This is definitely unlike anything I've read before. I heard it was a cult classic among horror fans. I understand now why it has the reputation it does. Although I'll probably won't be reading any of the authors other books, the author is very talented and a great story teller.
memydogandbooks's review against another edition
3.0
Ooooft - pretty much like its title "depraved" - worse than watching the Texas Chainsaw Massacre yet still strangely page turning! Not for the faint hearted!
mikekaz's review
4.0
I'm a late arrival to the Bryan Smith Fan Club but I'm quickly embracing him. This book and the previous one I read by him have both been intense, graphic and very violent. At times, so casually factual with the violence that I would stop and have to re-read the last paragraph just to make sure I read what I did and to let it sink in. I've already added seven of his books to my "to read" list and I'm sure I'll be adding more. Like the two sequels to this book.
The story focuses on the town of Hopkins Bend and a large cast of characters. I'm not even going to try to detail all of them. Basically multiple individuals and couples end up being abducted and held by the citizens of Hopkins Bend. Reasons for the abduction include as prisoners for the town's annual Holiday Feast, as sex slaves, as goods to be sold in order to make money, and as a vessel. While the bulk of the horrors perpetrated are based upon human debauchery and survival, there is also a supernatural element to the happenings. In all, there is a lot happening and the journey is fun.
One of the things that was kind of amazing was how well Smith weaved the different plot lines together. Normally in a novel like this, the characters all start together and then separate as disasters occur. Or the reverse as different characters all come together in the final act to help defeat the Big Bad. This time though, there are at least five distinct plot lines that only have a minimal amount of overlap. Everything happens in the same twenty-four hour period and in the same town, so it's not as disconnected as it seems. The only negative for me was that I ended up reading the book in short batches. Thirty pages here. Twenty pages a week later. Another twenty a week later. I lost some of the impact by doing this, especially since I had to keep remembering who was in which plot line. "Oh yeah, Megan is Pete's girlfriend who was captured by the deputy. Michelle is the one trapped in Abby's basement." It would have been better if I could have binge read the book in one or two sessions instead. I will be grabbing a Bryan Smith novel the next time I have a ten hour International flight to take.
The story focuses on the town of Hopkins Bend and a large cast of characters. I'm not even going to try to detail all of them. Basically multiple individuals and couples end up being abducted and held by the citizens of Hopkins Bend. Reasons for the abduction include as prisoners for the town's annual Holiday Feast, as sex slaves, as goods to be sold in order to make money, and as a vessel. While the bulk of the horrors perpetrated are based upon human debauchery and survival, there is also a supernatural element to the happenings. In all, there is a lot happening and the journey is fun.
One of the things that was kind of amazing was how well Smith weaved the different plot lines together. Normally in a novel like this, the characters all start together and then separate as disasters occur. Or the reverse as different characters all come together in the final act to help defeat the Big Bad. This time though, there are at least five distinct plot lines that only have a minimal amount of overlap. Everything happens in the same twenty-four hour period and in the same town, so it's not as disconnected as it seems. The only negative for me was that I ended up reading the book in short batches. Thirty pages here. Twenty pages a week later. Another twenty a week later. I lost some of the impact by doing this, especially since I had to keep remembering who was in which plot line. "Oh yeah, Megan is Pete's girlfriend who was captured by the deputy. Michelle is the one trapped in Abby's basement." It would have been better if I could have binge read the book in one or two sessions instead. I will be grabbing a Bryan Smith novel the next time I have a ten hour International flight to take.
alexctelander's review
3.0
When the world is getting you down, and the problems seem never ending, take a trip to the quaint, quiet town of Hopkins Bend, Tennessee. Only, don’t spend too much time interacting with the locals, or checking out the sights and surrounding countryside; in fact, you should probably only stop by Hopkins Bend if it’s an absolute emergency and only for a few minutes. Because there’s a big dark secret about Hopkins Bend that visitors know nothing about, since the visitors never make it out alive. Stories surround the town of bizarre practices, unholy rituals, murder, and even cannibalism. Each year the Holiday Feast is celebrated and for any tourist who doesn’t know better, coming to Hopkins Bend will be the last stop you make in your lifetime. So you should just stay away from the town, but the book Depraved by Bryan Smith about the town is great, with gritty, gory details, and no limit to the . . . depravity . . . which will have you reading on, turning the page, even though you can’t bear to find out any more.
For more book reviews and exclusive author interviews, go to BookBanter.
For more book reviews and exclusive author interviews, go to BookBanter.
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