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Warning: this book contains graphic violence and sexuality most readers will find offensive.
"I believe pain lingers," Angel said. "Do I believe in spirits? In the supernatural? Probably not."
The Lonely Motel holds many dark secrets... and Room 6 just might possess the worst of them all.
Angel knows all about pain. His mother died in this room. He's researched its history. Today he's come back to end it, no matter the cost, once and for all.
Shyla, a plus-sized prostitute, thinks the stories Angel tells her can't be true. Secrets so vile, you won't want to let them inside you.
But the Lonely Motel doesn't forget. It doesn't forgive. And it always claims its victim.
"I believe pain lingers," Angel said. "Do I believe in spirits? In the supernatural? Probably not."
The Lonely Motel holds many dark secrets... and Room 6 just might possess the worst of them all.
Angel knows all about pain. His mother died in this room. He's researched its history. Today he's come back to end it, no matter the cost, once and for all.
Shyla, a plus-sized prostitute, thinks the stories Angel tells her can't be true. Secrets so vile, you won't want to let them inside you.
But the Lonely Motel doesn't forget. It doesn't forgive. And it always claims its victim.
131 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 6, 2016
2739 people are currently reading
40670 people want to read
About the author
Duncan Ralston
82 books2,048 followers**CVLT: Lonely Motel Book 3 out now!!!**
**Sequel to the hit novel PUZZLE HOUSE coming Winter 2026**
Author of the cult smash-hit Woom and Ghostland and more than 15 other books that aren't the cult smash-hit Woom or Ghostland. His debut collection was blurbed positively by the legendary Jack Ketchum. His vampire novel, Pedo Island Bloodbath, was nominated for a 2024 Splatterpunk Award for Best Novel. His horror-thriller Ghostland will soon be a board game from Crystal Lake Publishing.
For 10 FREE dark fiction short stories/novellas including the prequel to GHOSTLAND, "The Moving House," signed copies of Woom, bookplates and merch, please visit www.duncanralston.com.
Photo © Josh Silver 2015
**Sequel to the hit novel PUZZLE HOUSE coming Winter 2026**
Author of the cult smash-hit Woom and Ghostland and more than 15 other books that aren't the cult smash-hit Woom or Ghostland. His debut collection was blurbed positively by the legendary Jack Ketchum. His vampire novel, Pedo Island Bloodbath, was nominated for a 2024 Splatterpunk Award for Best Novel. His horror-thriller Ghostland will soon be a board game from Crystal Lake Publishing.
For 10 FREE dark fiction short stories/novellas including the prequel to GHOSTLAND, "The Moving House," signed copies of Woom, bookplates and merch, please visit www.duncanralston.com.
Photo © Josh Silver 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 7,929 reviews
January 16, 2025
This book is receiving a one star not only for its ehh attempt at splatterpunk, but also because of my own personal confrontation with its author, Duncan.
**YOUR NEGATIVE OPINION OF THIS REVIEW DOES NOT MATTER TO ME, I DO NOT CARE. READ IT AND WEEP.**
The book is actually not that bad. You get a decent plot twist toward the end and some pretty bizarre situations, but that’s about it. Was it weird? Yeah, sure. Would I recommend it? Absolutely not. The one area this book does shine— it does an amazing job at aligning with the every day personality of the author, which is why I'm using it as an example. Great job.
My critique goes to Duncan and the way he writes his black characters. For the life of me, I could not understand why this white man from Canada decided to write his black characters in such a derogatory way. Not only was his use of AAVE absolutely horrendous, but his unnecessary placement of the word nigga (since he was bold enough to place the word in his book) in conversation between characters was very off-putting and disrespectful. It’s not like we’re reading historical fiction where the word may be needed at times. Plus, this is the very same man who takes photos with nooses around his neck on his Facebook page mocking black people. How edgy, right? I wouldn’t be at all surprised if it was removed after facing all of the backlash. I have read plenty of splatter/horror novels that do not exploit black people. Many readers seem to have overlooked this problem in his novella. I can’t necessarily blame white readers for not noticing this because it’s difficult to notice things that don’t pertain to you, though the problem here should be obvious. I can blame you for reading this review and not taking it with a grain of salt, though. Now you are aware.
I addressed Duncan on this issue in a Psychological Thrillers Facebook group, where Woom was making a statement. I was so struck by the hundreds of people that viewed and liked the post, and the dozens who jumped to question Duncan as well. Instead of giving a legitimate reasoning for his exploitation of black people, he writes a shitty response: “It’s just fiction,” and lets us all know to get the fuck over it. I don’t think he was prepared for the amount of backlash he had received, and ultimately I don’t think he knew how to respond to a young, black person challenging him on his ideas of black people. Duncan clearly does not interact with POC often— that’s obvious. He really should though, we're absolutely fucking incredible.
I have no issue with nonblack authors writing black characters or even using urban language, but as an author, your writing is important. Your research is important. Your integrity is important. Ralston’s depiction of black people comes off as mockery. Definitely needs to learn a thing or two.
Authors like Duncan Ralston peak pretty early in their careers, and not only because splatterpunk is a hard genre to write (the writing needs to get better, splatterpunk lovers get bored quickly), but because the inflated arrogance and lack of being able to accept a critique usually drag one down. I found it almost comedic how he said I tried to cancel him. Cancel? lmfaoooooo. You aren’t relevant enough to be canceled, slow down.
In all my short years of life, he is by far one of the rudest authors I’ve had the displeasure of encountering. I hope that one day he can look back on the work he’s created now and grow from his errors. It sucks, because I liked him before picking up Woom. I actually liked him during Woom as well, until he disrespected me and fellow readers with his response and continued to mock POC. People like Ralston are the type to promptly shut up if you ever confronted them in real life, so I’ll let him continue his passive Facebook thugging. He’s truly too old for that.
Ralston if you read this, which I know you will— I hope you grow from understanding the perspective of a diversified group of people. This was totally unnecessary. The black community doesn’t often delve into the extreme horror genre. For those of us that do— we are a rare bunch, and can be easily overlooked. So maybe it’s assumed that it’s OK to talk negatively about us since we “won’t read it anyway." Extreme horror does not and will not hand you a pass into the realm of racist rhetoric. Again, I’ve yet to really experience this from other extreme horror writers, so I’m just curious about Ralston's intent. He absolutely needs to humble himself and I wanted to vocalize my perspective. If I ever had a chance to address him in real life, I would do it in a heartbeat. I really don’t care about his platform and popularity, or fanbase for that matter. None of that is intimidating. After this review, I have nothing further to say about him unless I'm provoked. I will continue to love extreme horror because one doesn't represent all, but I will absolutely be taking this joke off of my book roster. To each their own.
If you need a list of authors to read that write this same genre without intentional racism, hit me up.
**YOUR NEGATIVE OPINION OF THIS REVIEW DOES NOT MATTER TO ME, I DO NOT CARE. READ IT AND WEEP.**
The book is actually not that bad. You get a decent plot twist toward the end and some pretty bizarre situations, but that’s about it. Was it weird? Yeah, sure. Would I recommend it? Absolutely not. The one area this book does shine— it does an amazing job at aligning with the every day personality of the author, which is why I'm using it as an example. Great job.
My critique goes to Duncan and the way he writes his black characters. For the life of me, I could not understand why this white man from Canada decided to write his black characters in such a derogatory way. Not only was his use of AAVE absolutely horrendous, but his unnecessary placement of the word nigga (since he was bold enough to place the word in his book) in conversation between characters was very off-putting and disrespectful. It’s not like we’re reading historical fiction where the word may be needed at times. Plus, this is the very same man who takes photos with nooses around his neck on his Facebook page mocking black people. How edgy, right? I wouldn’t be at all surprised if it was removed after facing all of the backlash. I have read plenty of splatter/horror novels that do not exploit black people. Many readers seem to have overlooked this problem in his novella. I can’t necessarily blame white readers for not noticing this because it’s difficult to notice things that don’t pertain to you, though the problem here should be obvious. I can blame you for reading this review and not taking it with a grain of salt, though. Now you are aware.
I addressed Duncan on this issue in a Psychological Thrillers Facebook group, where Woom was making a statement. I was so struck by the hundreds of people that viewed and liked the post, and the dozens who jumped to question Duncan as well. Instead of giving a legitimate reasoning for his exploitation of black people, he writes a shitty response: “It’s just fiction,” and lets us all know to get the fuck over it. I don’t think he was prepared for the amount of backlash he had received, and ultimately I don’t think he knew how to respond to a young, black person challenging him on his ideas of black people. Duncan clearly does not interact with POC often— that’s obvious. He really should though, we're absolutely fucking incredible.
I have no issue with nonblack authors writing black characters or even using urban language, but as an author, your writing is important. Your research is important. Your integrity is important. Ralston’s depiction of black people comes off as mockery. Definitely needs to learn a thing or two.
Authors like Duncan Ralston peak pretty early in their careers, and not only because splatterpunk is a hard genre to write (the writing needs to get better, splatterpunk lovers get bored quickly), but because the inflated arrogance and lack of being able to accept a critique usually drag one down. I found it almost comedic how he said I tried to cancel him. Cancel? lmfaoooooo. You aren’t relevant enough to be canceled, slow down.
In all my short years of life, he is by far one of the rudest authors I’ve had the displeasure of encountering. I hope that one day he can look back on the work he’s created now and grow from his errors. It sucks, because I liked him before picking up Woom. I actually liked him during Woom as well, until he disrespected me and fellow readers with his response and continued to mock POC. People like Ralston are the type to promptly shut up if you ever confronted them in real life, so I’ll let him continue his passive Facebook thugging. He’s truly too old for that.
Ralston if you read this, which I know you will— I hope you grow from understanding the perspective of a diversified group of people. This was totally unnecessary. The black community doesn’t often delve into the extreme horror genre. For those of us that do— we are a rare bunch, and can be easily overlooked. So maybe it’s assumed that it’s OK to talk negatively about us since we “won’t read it anyway." Extreme horror does not and will not hand you a pass into the realm of racist rhetoric. Again, I’ve yet to really experience this from other extreme horror writers, so I’m just curious about Ralston's intent. He absolutely needs to humble himself and I wanted to vocalize my perspective. If I ever had a chance to address him in real life, I would do it in a heartbeat. I really don’t care about his platform and popularity, or fanbase for that matter. None of that is intimidating. After this review, I have nothing further to say about him unless I'm provoked. I will continue to love extreme horror because one doesn't represent all, but I will absolutely be taking this joke off of my book roster. To each their own.
If you need a list of authors to read that write this same genre without intentional racism, hit me up.
Read
August 27, 2021my five star scale is not equipped for this level of fuckery
July 25, 2023
⛧⛧⛧⛧
"𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬, 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐭 𝐬𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐬, 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬."
Whether we like it or not, birth opens the gate of death. Between the sentence lies the path of life, traveled by all beings, and no one gets out of here without some kind of mental or somatic souvenir. While some manage to heal their wounds, others may spiral into madness during the process.
𝘞𝘖𝘖𝘔 takes you on a dark journey to explore trauma, sexuality, the obsession with an idea, and how far one would be willing to go to heal deep wounds caused by horrific tragedies. To say that 𝐃𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧 skillfully weaved an unusual therapy session would be an understatemen.
Step inside room number 6 at The Lonely Hotel and meet Angel, traumatized and lost in his abyssic and unhinged mind, and Shyla, a prostitute with a tragic past. During a sexual encounter, the two share mind-bending stories that might break your heart and make your stomach turn upside down at the same time. As the stories unfold, the horrible and surreal realization of what's to come is revealed with all its deranged glory. Mind you, the ending, although somewhat predictable, left me laughing so hard at its absurdity to a point where my dog stared at me with a concerned look on her face.
Although 𝘞𝘖𝘖𝘔 is not for the faint of heart, don't be fooled to think that shock is its only offering. 𝐃𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧 has written a psychological, thought-provoking, and twisted tale with no fluff that will crawl under your skin and stay there. I guess serenity can be found in depravity. Just ask Angel.
"𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬, 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐭 𝐬𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐬, 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬."
Whether we like it or not, birth opens the gate of death. Between the sentence lies the path of life, traveled by all beings, and no one gets out of here without some kind of mental or somatic souvenir. While some manage to heal their wounds, others may spiral into madness during the process.
𝘞𝘖𝘖𝘔 takes you on a dark journey to explore trauma, sexuality, the obsession with an idea, and how far one would be willing to go to heal deep wounds caused by horrific tragedies. To say that 𝐃𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧 skillfully weaved an unusual therapy session would be an understatemen.
Step inside room number 6 at The Lonely Hotel and meet Angel, traumatized and lost in his abyssic and unhinged mind, and Shyla, a prostitute with a tragic past. During a sexual encounter, the two share mind-bending stories that might break your heart and make your stomach turn upside down at the same time. As the stories unfold, the horrible and surreal realization of what's to come is revealed with all its deranged glory. Mind you, the ending, although somewhat predictable, left me laughing so hard at its absurdity to a point where my dog stared at me with a concerned look on her face.
Although 𝘞𝘖𝘖𝘔 is not for the faint of heart, don't be fooled to think that shock is its only offering. 𝐃𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧 has written a psychological, thought-provoking, and twisted tale with no fluff that will crawl under your skin and stay there. I guess serenity can be found in depravity. Just ask Angel.
August 5, 2024
istg this guy literally took giving head to a whole new level smh 🤦🏻♀️ this was very traumatizing and disturbing, wouldn't even recommend it to my worst enemy!!!
March 29, 2021
This book is the wet dream of abnormal sexual psychology.
In 1886, the first edition of PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS by Krafft-Ebing came out. It was studies about sexuality and the abnormal fetishes people have. The book was not widely available - only to certain people in the medical field.
The twelfth English edition came out in 1906.
The copy I got my hands on was published in 1999.
You would not believe some of the abnormal (to call it sick would just be a personal opinion) things people got up to way back when. I'm sure it will shock you - it certainly shocked the hell out of me! - and I only made it halfway through before abandoning it. It started interfering with my personal life, it was almost like I started looking differently at people. In the end, if that happens, it is best to cut your losses and get yourself back to semi-normal.
So, sexuality and abnormal sexuality does not shock me to the same extent, and when I read something like this, I can look past it and judge the story itself on merit - most of the time. And that is why I'm giving this book five stars - there is a damn good story in there. From a psychological standpoint, I could not fault the author on anything, meaning that it (abnormalities) made sense.
I have to congratulate Duncan Ralston with this story. For me, it is up there with some of the Matt Shaw stories I enjoyed.
And in the same breath, I have to warn any potential reader, if you can't get past the sex in the story, this book will just gross you out - it is best left to the people who can stomach it.
Loved the ending!!
In 1886, the first edition of PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS by Krafft-Ebing came out. It was studies about sexuality and the abnormal fetishes people have. The book was not widely available - only to certain people in the medical field.
The twelfth English edition came out in 1906.
The copy I got my hands on was published in 1999.
You would not believe some of the abnormal (to call it sick would just be a personal opinion) things people got up to way back when. I'm sure it will shock you - it certainly shocked the hell out of me! - and I only made it halfway through before abandoning it. It started interfering with my personal life, it was almost like I started looking differently at people. In the end, if that happens, it is best to cut your losses and get yourself back to semi-normal.
So, sexuality and abnormal sexuality does not shock me to the same extent, and when I read something like this, I can look past it and judge the story itself on merit - most of the time. And that is why I'm giving this book five stars - there is a damn good story in there. From a psychological standpoint, I could not fault the author on anything, meaning that it (abnormalities) made sense.
I have to congratulate Duncan Ralston with this story. For me, it is up there with some of the Matt Shaw stories I enjoyed.
And in the same breath, I have to warn any potential reader, if you can't get past the sex in the story, this book will just gross you out - it is best left to the people who can stomach it.
Loved the ending!!
October 18, 2024
“And I’m a teen distortion,
Survived abortion,
A rebel from the waist down.”
—Marilyn Manson, Disposable Teens
I’m not sure I have much on this one, except to say that it’s confounding and remarkable just how much attention it has received. Woom currently stands with over 26,000 ratings on Goodreads. When I first ventured into the twisted realm of Splatterpunk and Extreme Horror, most publications in these sub-genres were lucky to break a hundred ratings.
(Splatterpunk dates back to the early ‘80’s, even before I was born. It makes one wonder, if the nauseating ‘excesses’ of the early Splatterpunk authors drew the ire of classic horror authors like Robert Bloch and Charles L. Grant, what do more ‘conventional’ horror authors think about the utterly repulsive nature of modern Extreme Horror? I’m sure there’s a debate raging somewhere, but I’ve removed myself from almost every forum that would leave me privy to such discourse. Furthermore, critic Philip Nutman defended Splatterpunk as a form of art that “reflects the moral chaos of our times.” If that was true, and I’m inclined to agree, what does it say with respect to our current times and the art it aids--or is complicit--in producing?)
On to Ralston’s novel proper; I was not riveted throughout. The stories within the story, a la Chuck Palahniuk’s much reviled Haunted (which, despite being a popular author, deigned to publish something I would be pleased to consider an extreme horror classic), felt like disjointed, oh-so-edgy excuses to indulge in the purveying shock the author wished to inflict. However, it came together satisfactorily, if not particularly ingenuously.
There are two elements that I unequivocally loved:
1. The double entendre of the title that is brilliantly realized in light of Angel’s speech impediment. It is thematically on point and clever without being pretentious (not that there’s anything wrong with that).
2. The notion of a place being haunted without any appeal to the supernatural. Places hold memories—even if only manifested in flights of fancy—but if there is personal history, one can feel tethered to a setting of significance, whether gleefully nostalgic or corruptingly traumatic, and one can feel inexplicably and spiritually compelled to return to make an attempt at closure and resolution, a futile attempt to recapture a moment long past , or even to start over, in literal conception.
As the novel began and progressed, I was skeptical of the Extreme Horror label—not that any work of art must justify itself with a label—as it was certainly sexually explicit, scatological, and depraved, but not extremely horrifying. It came off trivially exploitative—again, no issues with that—and therefore a bit boring. This perspective did not endure throughout. To my surprise and delight, it turned out to be rather grounded and sad, and while perverse in its content and characters, not flippant or outrageous in its presentation. I would by no means call it tasteful, but the thematic significance renders some of the hitherto perceived over-indulgences less obnoxious.
Would you look at that? If you’ll recall (or scroll up a bit), I began this review with the lackluster suggestion that I hadn’t much to say. While far from exhaustively thought provoking, this novella got me thinking and writing, not only about the story itself, but about the history and controversy of the genre of artistic expression I’ve adored since childhood, with all its subtleties and explicit, sleazy excesses. For this reason, I’m boosting it one star.
Congratulations to me for talking myself into appreciating something more than I did initially after finishing it.
Survived abortion,
A rebel from the waist down.”
—Marilyn Manson, Disposable Teens
I’m not sure I have much on this one, except to say that it’s confounding and remarkable just how much attention it has received. Woom currently stands with over 26,000 ratings on Goodreads. When I first ventured into the twisted realm of Splatterpunk and Extreme Horror, most publications in these sub-genres were lucky to break a hundred ratings.
(Splatterpunk dates back to the early ‘80’s, even before I was born. It makes one wonder, if the nauseating ‘excesses’ of the early Splatterpunk authors drew the ire of classic horror authors like Robert Bloch and Charles L. Grant, what do more ‘conventional’ horror authors think about the utterly repulsive nature of modern Extreme Horror? I’m sure there’s a debate raging somewhere, but I’ve removed myself from almost every forum that would leave me privy to such discourse. Furthermore, critic Philip Nutman defended Splatterpunk as a form of art that “reflects the moral chaos of our times.” If that was true, and I’m inclined to agree, what does it say with respect to our current times and the art it aids--or is complicit--in producing?)
On to Ralston’s novel proper; I was not riveted throughout. The stories within the story, a la Chuck Palahniuk’s much reviled Haunted (which, despite being a popular author, deigned to publish something I would be pleased to consider an extreme horror classic), felt like disjointed, oh-so-edgy excuses to indulge in the purveying shock the author wished to inflict. However, it came together satisfactorily, if not particularly ingenuously.
There are two elements that I unequivocally loved:
1. The double entendre of the title that is brilliantly realized in light of Angel’s speech impediment. It is thematically on point and clever without being pretentious (not that there’s anything wrong with that).
2. The notion of a place being haunted without any appeal to the supernatural. Places hold memories—even if only manifested in flights of fancy—but if there is personal history, one can feel tethered to a setting of significance, whether gleefully nostalgic or corruptingly traumatic, and one can feel inexplicably and spiritually compelled to return to make an attempt at closure and resolution, a futile attempt to recapture a moment long past , or even to start over, in literal conception.
As the novel began and progressed, I was skeptical of the Extreme Horror label—not that any work of art must justify itself with a label—as it was certainly sexually explicit, scatological, and depraved, but not extremely horrifying. It came off trivially exploitative—again, no issues with that—and therefore a bit boring. This perspective did not endure throughout. To my surprise and delight, it turned out to be rather grounded and sad, and while perverse in its content and characters, not flippant or outrageous in its presentation. I would by no means call it tasteful, but the thematic significance renders some of the hitherto perceived over-indulgences less obnoxious.
Would you look at that? If you’ll recall (or scroll up a bit), I began this review with the lackluster suggestion that I hadn’t much to say. While far from exhaustively thought provoking, this novella got me thinking and writing, not only about the story itself, but about the history and controversy of the genre of artistic expression I’ve adored since childhood, with all its subtleties and explicit, sleazy excesses. For this reason, I’m boosting it one star.
Congratulations to me for talking myself into appreciating something more than I did initially after finishing it.
September 22, 2023
TW: drug abuse, dead babies, sex workers, cheating, racism, abortion (wire hanger), drug mule, overdose, rape, male mutation
*****SPOILERS*****
About the book: The Lonely Motel holds many dark secrets... and Room 6 just might possess the worst of them all.
Angel knows all about pain. His mother died in this room. He's researched its history. Today he's come back to end it, no matter the cost, once and for all.
Shyla, a plus-sized prostitute, thinks the stories Angel tells her can't be true. Secrets so vile, you won't want to let them inside you.
But the Lonely Motel doesn't forget. It doesn't forgive. And it always claims its victim.
Release Date: 08/06/16
Genre: Gore Horror
Pages: 138
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ (2 stars because it's clever to keep telling stories as you go along - kind of like an anthology)
What I Liked:
• That there was different stories that in the end added up
• For such a short you get a feel for the characters
What I Didn't Like:
• There's A LOT of contradictions I this story
• Predictable
• Gore felt too forced
• Writing style lacked
Overall Thoughts: Books like this exist so people can write horrible (writing style) but cover it up with gory details. If the gore is bad enough it distracts you from paying attention to the writing being not good. Congratulations to this book for being that! Gore can be written great. J.F. Gonzalez (RIP) wrote some horrific shit but his writing style drew you and gave you emotion. Jack Ketchum(RIP), Poppy Z Brite, and many more have proven themselves.
By page 20 you pretty much know where this is going. Also don't know how the author did it but he made a 138 page book feel like it was 500 pages - not in a good way. Every page of gore felt like 20 pages. 👏🏻!
How is Shyla able to handle dudes shitting in a diaper but a story about a guy pooping heroin bags makes her tell Angel to stop and it's gross.
How did Johnny pull a baby out of Jenny? Babies aren’t just floating in vaginas. There is a cervix and a uterus protecting it. Her cervix was dilated for him to get the baby out. EDIT Author wrote a Blog post on his site saying that Coffin birth, also known as postmortem fetal extrusion can happen to women/babies BUT that isn't even accurate because it is the expulsion of a nonviable fetus through the vaginal opening of the decomposing body of a deceased pregnant woman due to increasing pressure from intra-abdominal gases. So she'd have to decompose and decomposition takes 48 - 72 hours. In the book she just died. The baby would be so far inside her that Johnny could have never just been able to grab it.
Shyla is the weirdest sex worker ever. She's judgemental of the hotel to the dildo and then to the size of his penis. Also what kind of sex worker doesn't ask for money up front? They all do.
This is the perfect example of why men who don't know women's anatomy shouldn't write books when it talks about their bodies so much. Angel thinks that if a woman has a baby she would be more "stretched" out but that has NOTHING to do with it. Being able to push a baby out is about a woman's pelvic bone. Being a bigger sized woman doesn't mean you'd be able to push out bigger things or take in big things too. Small women can push out big babies (9lbs or heavier) and bigger women might struggle.
Also the whole talk about Shyla not getting pleasure from a normal sized penis since she doesn't have a cervix because her vagina is so long is not true. After a Trachelectomy the vagina is shorter not longer.
Shyla is way too calm to find a grown man shoulder deep in her vagina. She thinks way to clearly for the pain she would be. It's all so ridiculous.
Final Thoughts: Some people would say this is a horror book and I need to broaden my mind to things happening, but no. This book is grounded in the reality we all are currently living in now. This isn't high horror fantasy or horror supernatural it's gore horror, which plays on the reality that someone could do this shit to you. This book just wasn't good to me. Thank God for Kindle Unlimited or I would have been so mad if I bought this. I will continue to try the other books the author has written - maybe he evolved in his writing. Can't judge an author by one book. 🤷🏻♀️
IG | Blog
*****SPOILERS*****
About the book: The Lonely Motel holds many dark secrets... and Room 6 just might possess the worst of them all.
Angel knows all about pain. His mother died in this room. He's researched its history. Today he's come back to end it, no matter the cost, once and for all.
Shyla, a plus-sized prostitute, thinks the stories Angel tells her can't be true. Secrets so vile, you won't want to let them inside you.
But the Lonely Motel doesn't forget. It doesn't forgive. And it always claims its victim.
Release Date: 08/06/16
Genre: Gore Horror
Pages: 138
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ (2 stars because it's clever to keep telling stories as you go along - kind of like an anthology)
What I Liked:
• That there was different stories that in the end added up
• For such a short you get a feel for the characters
What I Didn't Like:
• There's A LOT of contradictions I this story
• Predictable
• Gore felt too forced
• Writing style lacked
Overall Thoughts: Books like this exist so people can write horrible (writing style) but cover it up with gory details. If the gore is bad enough it distracts you from paying attention to the writing being not good. Congratulations to this book for being that! Gore can be written great. J.F. Gonzalez (RIP) wrote some horrific shit but his writing style drew you and gave you emotion. Jack Ketchum(RIP), Poppy Z Brite, and many more have proven themselves.
By page 20 you pretty much know where this is going. Also don't know how the author did it but he made a 138 page book feel like it was 500 pages - not in a good way. Every page of gore felt like 20 pages. 👏🏻!
How is Shyla able to handle dudes shitting in a diaper but a story about a guy pooping heroin bags makes her tell Angel to stop and it's gross.
How did Johnny pull a baby out of Jenny? Babies aren’t just floating in vaginas. There is a cervix and a uterus protecting it. Her cervix was dilated for him to get the baby out. EDIT Author wrote a Blog post on his site saying that Coffin birth, also known as postmortem fetal extrusion can happen to women/babies BUT that isn't even accurate because it is the expulsion of a nonviable fetus through the vaginal opening of the decomposing body of a deceased pregnant woman due to increasing pressure from intra-abdominal gases. So she'd have to decompose and decomposition takes 48 - 72 hours. In the book she just died. The baby would be so far inside her that Johnny could have never just been able to grab it.
Shyla is the weirdest sex worker ever. She's judgemental of the hotel to the dildo and then to the size of his penis. Also what kind of sex worker doesn't ask for money up front? They all do.
This is the perfect example of why men who don't know women's anatomy shouldn't write books when it talks about their bodies so much. Angel thinks that if a woman has a baby she would be more "stretched" out but that has NOTHING to do with it. Being able to push a baby out is about a woman's pelvic bone. Being a bigger sized woman doesn't mean you'd be able to push out bigger things or take in big things too. Small women can push out big babies (9lbs or heavier) and bigger women might struggle.
Also the whole talk about Shyla not getting pleasure from a normal sized penis since she doesn't have a cervix because her vagina is so long is not true. After a Trachelectomy the vagina is shorter not longer.
Shyla is way too calm to find a grown man shoulder deep in her vagina. She thinks way to clearly for the pain she would be. It's all so ridiculous.
Final Thoughts: Some people would say this is a horror book and I need to broaden my mind to things happening, but no. This book is grounded in the reality we all are currently living in now. This isn't high horror fantasy or horror supernatural it's gore horror, which plays on the reality that someone could do this shit to you. This book just wasn't good to me. Thank God for Kindle Unlimited or I would have been so mad if I bought this. I will continue to try the other books the author has written - maybe he evolved in his writing. Can't judge an author by one book. 🤷🏻♀️
IG | Blog
March 29, 2022
"Okay self," I say to myself. "We really need to talk."
I sigh as I turn the page on the book I'm reading. "We're bringing this joke back for a review? Been a while, but I guess some classics never die."
"Don't be a smart ass Tim. This time I'm not going to berate you. I wanted to say I'm proud of you. You've been… well, you've been reading Literature with a capital L again. It's only March, and you've already read two books by Steinbeck, two by Dickens and a book by Faulkner. You've been crossing off classics and it's refreshing after your recent forays into horror."
"Glad to hear you approve." I turn another page.
"Really I can't wait to see what you read next… oh no. This is a joke isn't it? I'm being used to set up some punchline where you reveal a shocking book and… WHAT ARE YOU READING?"
"The fact that this is a review should tell you already…"
________
I had never heard of this book outside of Goodreads, but a shocking number of my horror loving friends have reviewed this and almost all give it extremely positive ratings. My curiosity was certainly achieved by this, but I noticed very few actually gave much in terms of plot description. As such I decided not only to give it a shot, but go in pretty much blind to what it was about.
This was honestly the best approach to this work.
There are a couple of things that frankly I've come to expect from a book that has the words "An Extreme Horror Novel" on the front. You can probably guess without me explaining what those things are just from the phrase. There are also some things I've come to expect not to find. First is what one might call quality writing. Now, when I say that I do not mean it as an insult. I've read many an extreme horror and I usually have fun with them, but their not exactly the highest quality of fiction. In a way they're like a good b-horror movie, usually short, fun, but not the sort of thing that's going to the award ceremonies.
Second thing I don't expect is to be genuinely disturbed. This one may come as a surprise to some, but while I find them fun reads, graphic violence doesn't really bother me. It usually is something psychological in my horror that ends up being the thing that makes me put a book down and shudder.
Imagine my surprise when this book managed to have quality writing and a chapter that I genuinely felt myself recoiling from the page. The scene that got to me isn't even the most graphic or horrific scene in the book, but the way it was described my brain just kept on going "nope, we're done here. Put it down" while I continued reading like someone watching a trainwreck unable to avert my gaze.
This is actually a well written horror novel. There's a psychological depth to it. There are some absolutely horrific scenes… and there's almost a sense of the poetic to it. Yes, you are getting a book with horrible uses of bodily functions and deaths/mutilations described in loving detail, but you're also getting a book with deeper ideas. What are those ideas?
I really can't say without ruining the book. This is one where knowing what it's even truly about kind of ruins the first experience. I will say it is DEFINITELY not for everyone. It has some truly stomach churning descriptions for many readers and some of the sexual scenes in it will no doubt really bother some, but if you've a strong stomach and would like an extreme horror with a bit of a literary ambition, this one gets a solid recommendation. 4/5 stars.
I sigh as I turn the page on the book I'm reading. "We're bringing this joke back for a review? Been a while, but I guess some classics never die."
"Don't be a smart ass Tim. This time I'm not going to berate you. I wanted to say I'm proud of you. You've been… well, you've been reading Literature with a capital L again. It's only March, and you've already read two books by Steinbeck, two by Dickens and a book by Faulkner. You've been crossing off classics and it's refreshing after your recent forays into horror."
"Glad to hear you approve." I turn another page.
"Really I can't wait to see what you read next… oh no. This is a joke isn't it? I'm being used to set up some punchline where you reveal a shocking book and… WHAT ARE YOU READING?"
"The fact that this is a review should tell you already…"
________
I had never heard of this book outside of Goodreads, but a shocking number of my horror loving friends have reviewed this and almost all give it extremely positive ratings. My curiosity was certainly achieved by this, but I noticed very few actually gave much in terms of plot description. As such I decided not only to give it a shot, but go in pretty much blind to what it was about.
This was honestly the best approach to this work.
There are a couple of things that frankly I've come to expect from a book that has the words "An Extreme Horror Novel" on the front. You can probably guess without me explaining what those things are just from the phrase. There are also some things I've come to expect not to find. First is what one might call quality writing. Now, when I say that I do not mean it as an insult. I've read many an extreme horror and I usually have fun with them, but their not exactly the highest quality of fiction. In a way they're like a good b-horror movie, usually short, fun, but not the sort of thing that's going to the award ceremonies.
Second thing I don't expect is to be genuinely disturbed. This one may come as a surprise to some, but while I find them fun reads, graphic violence doesn't really bother me. It usually is something psychological in my horror that ends up being the thing that makes me put a book down and shudder.
Imagine my surprise when this book managed to have quality writing and a chapter that I genuinely felt myself recoiling from the page. The scene that got to me isn't even the most graphic or horrific scene in the book, but the way it was described my brain just kept on going "nope, we're done here. Put it down" while I continued reading like someone watching a trainwreck unable to avert my gaze.
This is actually a well written horror novel. There's a psychological depth to it. There are some absolutely horrific scenes… and there's almost a sense of the poetic to it. Yes, you are getting a book with horrible uses of bodily functions and deaths/mutilations described in loving detail, but you're also getting a book with deeper ideas. What are those ideas?
I really can't say without ruining the book. This is one where knowing what it's even truly about kind of ruins the first experience. I will say it is DEFINITELY not for everyone. It has some truly stomach churning descriptions for many readers and some of the sexual scenes in it will no doubt really bother some, but if you've a strong stomach and would like an extreme horror with a bit of a literary ambition, this one gets a solid recommendation. 4/5 stars.
April 16, 2022
Is it really horror or rather an extreme story about an individual tragedy? I would say the latter. You'll read about a sad character named Angel (originally Johnny) who leads an unhappy life from earliest moments on (unwanted child produced by rape). He tells about his life an obese prostitute named Shayla. This is presented in a rather drastic and at parts disgusting way (drug trafficking, sexual details, a gangbang scene). Can you be reborn again? The way it is shown here leaves behind some question marks. Nevertheless an interesting and well written book in a rather explicit language revealing some details you don't want to read about in that detail given here. Recommended? In case you don't mind hard scenes and see the serious subjects treated here. Yes, give it a read.
March 19, 2025
I Want To Know What Love Is...
I Want You To Show Me...
WOOM (The Lonely Motel Book 1)
by Duncan Ralston
No spoilers. 4 stars. When Angel used the battered old key to room 6 of the Lonely Motel, he saw that the room was the same as he remembered it...
And that wasn't good...
The room smelled of cigarettes and cheap perfume that couldn't mask the musty odors of the carpet and old bedspread...
There was only pain in room 6 for Angel...
Angel knew a lot about pain, but he was going to end his pain today. Room 6 is where it all started...
But...
He would turn back the clock and start his life afresh...
He sat on the bed and used the phone to call an escort service. He asked them to send a heavy-set woman...
The bigger, the better...
After hanging up the phone, he stretched out on the bed and thought about pain...
When the prostitute, Shyla, showed up...
He was neither aroused nor repulsed. She was merely a vessel to be used, then later discarded...
I want to know what love is...
I want you to show me...
When I picked up this book, I almost did a DNF with it because the first few chapters were pretty sleazy and I thought I had picked up a book of erotica instead of horror, but this was a pretty good story.
As I got into the story a little more, I thought, okay, I have this ending figured out in the first third of the book, and that's not good, but the climax (pardon the pun) was very original, and I can honestly say that I've never seen an ending like this one.
I Want You To Show Me...
WOOM (The Lonely Motel Book 1)
by Duncan Ralston
No spoilers. 4 stars. When Angel used the battered old key to room 6 of the Lonely Motel, he saw that the room was the same as he remembered it...
And that wasn't good...
The room smelled of cigarettes and cheap perfume that couldn't mask the musty odors of the carpet and old bedspread...
There was only pain in room 6 for Angel...
Angel knew a lot about pain, but he was going to end his pain today. Room 6 is where it all started...
But...
He would turn back the clock and start his life afresh...
He sat on the bed and used the phone to call an escort service. He asked them to send a heavy-set woman...
The bigger, the better...
After hanging up the phone, he stretched out on the bed and thought about pain...
When the prostitute, Shyla, showed up...
He was neither aroused nor repulsed. She was merely a vessel to be used, then later discarded...
I want to know what love is...
I want you to show me...
When I picked up this book, I almost did a DNF with it because the first few chapters were pretty sleazy and I thought I had picked up a book of erotica instead of horror, but this was a pretty good story.
As I got into the story a little more, I thought, okay, I have this ending figured out in the first third of the book, and that's not good, but the climax (pardon the pun) was very original, and I can honestly say that I've never seen an ending like this one.
September 26, 2021
The Lonely Motel holds many dark secrets... and Room 6 just might possess the worst of them all. Angel knows all about pain. His mother died in this room. He's researched its history. Today he's come back to end it, no matter the cost.
The book begins with Angel arriving at Room 6 of the Lonely Motel and phoning an escort service. He hires Shyla – a plus sized prostitute. What follows is one of the most disgusting, beautiful, awful, heartbreaking, f**ked-up, sexually depraved stories I have ever read and I absolutely loved it!
Let me be 100% clear, I love horror and I especially love extreme/shock horror. This book is NOT for the faint of heart or for anyone who isn’t already accustomed to the extreme/shock horror genre.
I won’t say anything further about the storyline, but, I have listed the 7 chapter headings below. This should give you a pretty good idea about the tone of the book.
ROOM 6
CRAM(PS)
PRO(LAPSE)
WOOM
(S)MOTHER
MAN(NEQUIN)
(STILL)BORN AGAIN
‘Woom’ is awful, perfect, beautiful and depraved. Pretty much my ideal extreme horror novel. Now if you’ll excuse me, my brain is melted and I need to have a lay down.
The book begins with Angel arriving at Room 6 of the Lonely Motel and phoning an escort service. He hires Shyla – a plus sized prostitute. What follows is one of the most disgusting, beautiful, awful, heartbreaking, f**ked-up, sexually depraved stories I have ever read and I absolutely loved it!
Let me be 100% clear, I love horror and I especially love extreme/shock horror. This book is NOT for the faint of heart or for anyone who isn’t already accustomed to the extreme/shock horror genre.
I won’t say anything further about the storyline, but, I have listed the 7 chapter headings below. This should give you a pretty good idea about the tone of the book.
ROOM 6
CRAM(PS)
PRO(LAPSE)
WOOM
(S)MOTHER
MAN(NEQUIN)
(STILL)BORN AGAIN
‘Woom’ is awful, perfect, beautiful and depraved. Pretty much my ideal extreme horror novel. Now if you’ll excuse me, my brain is melted and I need to have a lay down.
September 14, 2025
I enjoyed this book far more than I thought I would. It’s is filled with sex and gore that at fist I feared would be all the book had to offer. The charters grow so that each story leaves a larger impact. It was hard to put this down, I was always wondering what going to happen next and what weird and graphic detail will catch me off guard.
This book might not be for everyone, but for the people who are into this kind of graphics sexual horror, I think they will love it!
This book might not be for everyone, but for the people who are into this kind of graphics sexual horror, I think they will love it!
April 30, 2022
Fantastically Horrific!!
Woom is the first of Duncan Ralston’s book which I’ve read. I’d read some good reviews and as I’m an extreme horror fan, knew that it was something I just had to read. It was easy to get into and I was hooked immediately. The idea of this story is brilliant and I must admit halfway through it, I had a good idea what was coming at the end. Some people will be shocked by this, but I think it is beautifully written, and my heart goes out to Angel and Shyler due to what they’ve both experienced. I would love to read a sequel to this!!
Woom is the first of Duncan Ralston’s book which I’ve read. I’d read some good reviews and as I’m an extreme horror fan, knew that it was something I just had to read. It was easy to get into and I was hooked immediately. The idea of this story is brilliant and I must admit halfway through it, I had a good idea what was coming at the end. Some people will be shocked by this, but I think it is beautifully written, and my heart goes out to Angel and Shyler due to what they’ve both experienced. I would love to read a sequel to this!!
September 6, 2022
“Woom” by Duncan Ralston is just one of those short stories you have to read it to believe it. I love horror as it’s my favorite genre to read but when it comes to extreme horror, this one definitely pushes the envelopes to realms that will definitely offend readers.
There is a TON of graphic and sexual violence here as this is definitely not for the faint of heart. Don’t eat or drink anything as you read this because it’ll gross you out beyond words. Yeah, it’s that extreme, wild, unpredictable, and will leave its mark if you’re able to finish it. LoL there should be an achievement or something to finish reading this in its entirety because I have friends and even read reviews that “Woom” is so extreme, many couldn’t even finish it.
It’s creepy, weird, gross, beyond extreme, and the ending was so unexpected that I was completely shocked. I won’t ruin anything for you but once everything unfolds, you’ll also be making some weird faces as you read. It’s just too crazy, you know? I enjoyed all the cryptic chapters and it just really blew my mind that Ralston could come up with a short story that is so twisted and quick to read.
I give “Woom” by Duncan Ralston a 4/5 and would recommend this to any reader that is looking for extreme, shocking, and crazy horror. It was very well written, had some nice twists, and the ending was pretty intense. The only thing I didn’t like was how this story had several mini stories inside of it to explain characters, situations, and events with one I didn’t like.
The majority were great but there was one I found a bit confusing and felt was a bit out of place. Aside from that, this was a solid read that I enjoyed and will remember for many years to come. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go take a long shower after reading everything that happened in Room 6 of The Lonely Motel.
There is a TON of graphic and sexual violence here as this is definitely not for the faint of heart. Don’t eat or drink anything as you read this because it’ll gross you out beyond words. Yeah, it’s that extreme, wild, unpredictable, and will leave its mark if you’re able to finish it. LoL there should be an achievement or something to finish reading this in its entirety because I have friends and even read reviews that “Woom” is so extreme, many couldn’t even finish it.
It’s creepy, weird, gross, beyond extreme, and the ending was so unexpected that I was completely shocked. I won’t ruin anything for you but once everything unfolds, you’ll also be making some weird faces as you read. It’s just too crazy, you know? I enjoyed all the cryptic chapters and it just really blew my mind that Ralston could come up with a short story that is so twisted and quick to read.
I give “Woom” by Duncan Ralston a 4/5 and would recommend this to any reader that is looking for extreme, shocking, and crazy horror. It was very well written, had some nice twists, and the ending was pretty intense. The only thing I didn’t like was how this story had several mini stories inside of it to explain characters, situations, and events with one I didn’t like.
The majority were great but there was one I found a bit confusing and felt was a bit out of place. Aside from that, this was a solid read that I enjoyed and will remember for many years to come. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go take a long shower after reading everything that happened in Room 6 of The Lonely Motel.
May 1, 2023
What the hell was that? A great read, that's what.
'I'm too nice, she thought. Anyone else would just smother him with a fucking pillow.'
This was my first time reading Duncan Ralston and in fact my first time reading any form of extreme horror. I'm glad to say that my first time was an amazing experience which was contrary to my expectations. This was a fast-paced, emotional and last but not least, fucking disgusting read! At one point I even had to put the book down and take a moment.
I'm shocked to think I read half of this while in a hospital waiting room and I would not advise doing the same yourself.
'The pressure on his bowels had lessened, but now his ass felt like he'd been fucked by a splintered dildo.'
I have to mention that although this is extreme horror, Ralston's writing is brilliant throughout, with really well-drawn characters and an outstanding ability to tell a story. This book had me absolutely entranced and unable to put it down.
Check this out, but only if you're happy to be grossed out!
'I'm too nice, she thought. Anyone else would just smother him with a fucking pillow.'
This was my first time reading Duncan Ralston and in fact my first time reading any form of extreme horror. I'm glad to say that my first time was an amazing experience which was contrary to my expectations. This was a fast-paced, emotional and last but not least, fucking disgusting read! At one point I even had to put the book down and take a moment.
I'm shocked to think I read half of this while in a hospital waiting room and I would not advise doing the same yourself.
'The pressure on his bowels had lessened, but now his ass felt like he'd been fucked by a splintered dildo.'
I have to mention that although this is extreme horror, Ralston's writing is brilliant throughout, with really well-drawn characters and an outstanding ability to tell a story. This book had me absolutely entranced and unable to put it down.
Check this out, but only if you're happy to be grossed out!
August 29, 2021
dare i say this was almost a 5 star read for me…
this was sick and depraved in all the best ways. i really liked it.
if you are easily disgusted, this horror novella is not for you though.
this story starts of with Angel, a man who has a history with room 6 in The Lonely Motel. he orders a prostitute to come to his room and they proceed to share stories with each other that all end up interconnecting in a way… that’s all i’m gonna say.🤣
cool writing style, lots of graphic details, really interesting premise. this also made me laugh multiple times, so i don’t know what that says about me.
i guessed almost all of the twists, but it didn’t hinder my enjoyment at all tbh.
also, i’ll never be able to look at mannequins the same way again.
________________
edit: this book made me have the weirdest fucking dreams ever...
this was sick and depraved in all the best ways. i really liked it.
if you are easily disgusted, this horror novella is not for you though.
this story starts of with Angel, a man who has a history with room 6 in The Lonely Motel. he orders a prostitute to come to his room and they proceed to share stories with each other that all end up interconnecting in a way… that’s all i’m gonna say.🤣
cool writing style, lots of graphic details, really interesting premise. this also made me laugh multiple times, so i don’t know what that says about me.
i guessed almost all of the twists, but it didn’t hinder my enjoyment at all tbh.
also, i’ll never be able to look at mannequins the same way again.
________________
edit: this book made me have the weirdest fucking dreams ever...
December 29, 2024
3 i-didn't-know-all-that-from-1st-pg-could happen-psychopath-stars and i was sat for his stories so..
I think I'd be traumatized if I haven't seen my sis phone's gallery(she's a doctor ifykyk) and I've to remind myself that I've been studying like bonkers just to have such photos in my gallery too 👽
Also what in the head was that??? I can't get his head out of my head. I read a review before reading it with smth like "giving head" and i thought she was taking abt bj noo she wasn't
We givin head with this one 🗣️
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I cried in his last story but then he pulled up this sh*t so idk man.. WTF 👽
______________
Pre-read
Just here to see if i can be traumatized
Also youssra said don't eat while reading it
I think I'd be traumatized if I haven't seen my sis phone's gallery(she's a doctor ifykyk) and I've to remind myself that I've been studying like bonkers just to have such photos in my gallery too 👽
Also what in the head was that??? I can't get his head out of my head. I read a review before reading it with smth like "giving head" and i thought she was taking abt bj noo she wasn't
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I cried in his last story but then he pulled up this sh*t so idk man.. WTF 👽
______________
Pre-read
Just here to see if i can be traumatized
Also youssra said don't eat while reading it
Read
March 16, 2022Originally published in an issue of SCREAM Magazine
There is a warning on Goodreads right at the beginning of the synopsis.
“Warning: this book contains graphic violence and sexuality most readers will find offensive.”
Readers would be wise to heed this warning. It’s not an exaggeration. There are scenes in this book that are so disgusting and disturbing, it’s hard to keep your eyes in your head and your mouth closed. I typically don’t show up for books like this. Extreme horror can be exploitive-capitalizing on graphic violence or sex for the purpose of shock. Some authors are unskilled storytellers. The characters are underdeveloped. The plot is thin.
They don’t have anything of value or importance to say. I will opt out of a book like that every time (unless I’m reviewing it for SCREAM).
WOOM has an actual story and Ralston has chops. Room 6 at The Lonely Hotel carries a special significance for Angel. He has a plan to face his past head-on by spending one night with a sex worker in the room to see if she would be willing to carry out his wishes.
The night that these two spend together is told in a series of vignette-style stories the two tell each other.
Both Angel and the sex worker, Shyla, are well acquainted with pain, suffering, and trying to fill the void of emotional wreckage their trauma has left behind.
As the evening goes on, their level of intimacy grows closer and closer building to a climax that promises to be...unexpected. And it delivered on this promise in spades.
WOOM is not my cup of tea. I thought some scenes were over-the-top nasty, making me feel uncomfortable and dirty for reading them. I admit to skimming through some explicit descriptions just to get back to the present-day narrative between Shyla and Angel. But I know this book has its audience. It’s a well-written story for this genre. I will likely read more from Duncan Ralston.
There is a warning on Goodreads right at the beginning of the synopsis.
“Warning: this book contains graphic violence and sexuality most readers will find offensive.”
Readers would be wise to heed this warning. It’s not an exaggeration. There are scenes in this book that are so disgusting and disturbing, it’s hard to keep your eyes in your head and your mouth closed. I typically don’t show up for books like this. Extreme horror can be exploitive-capitalizing on graphic violence or sex for the purpose of shock. Some authors are unskilled storytellers. The characters are underdeveloped. The plot is thin.
They don’t have anything of value or importance to say. I will opt out of a book like that every time (unless I’m reviewing it for SCREAM).
WOOM has an actual story and Ralston has chops. Room 6 at The Lonely Hotel carries a special significance for Angel. He has a plan to face his past head-on by spending one night with a sex worker in the room to see if she would be willing to carry out his wishes.
The night that these two spend together is told in a series of vignette-style stories the two tell each other.
Both Angel and the sex worker, Shyla, are well acquainted with pain, suffering, and trying to fill the void of emotional wreckage their trauma has left behind.
As the evening goes on, their level of intimacy grows closer and closer building to a climax that promises to be...unexpected. And it delivered on this promise in spades.
WOOM is not my cup of tea. I thought some scenes were over-the-top nasty, making me feel uncomfortable and dirty for reading them. I admit to skimming through some explicit descriptions just to get back to the present-day narrative between Shyla and Angel. But I know this book has its audience. It’s a well-written story for this genre. I will likely read more from Duncan Ralston.
July 30, 2025
Extreme Content Warning! 😅💀
It’s been a while since I picked up an extreme horror story and Woom has been on my reading list for a very long time after seeing countless people in the horror community talk about it.
The horror here is in more of a psychosexual nature - this is an anthology of stories told between Angel and a prostitute he has booked to a room in the Lonely Motel, a place that he knows all too well. It drums home the point that sex needs to be mutually beneficial and consensual which is good for a horror book! But *that* ending it builds up to. Wow.
The author clearly didn’t properly research female anatomy here. Or he did, but then decided to go for somethings which are beyond the realms of possibility? Which was a tad distracting during some of the more horrifying moments. They aren’t explained by anything supernatural to cause the body horror, it just happens.
I don’t recommend it for the faint of heart or anybody who isn’t used to using extreme horror as controllable anxiety like most of us readers do. The stories start out with typical gross-out themes, and then descend very quickly into much darker territory.
You aren’t going to forget this story after reading that’s for sure - I can see why it has stuck in the minds of many readers.
Woom is bizarre. Weird. Yet, compelling and unputdownable. Idk how to feel rn lol… 3 stars
It’s been a while since I picked up an extreme horror story and Woom has been on my reading list for a very long time after seeing countless people in the horror community talk about it.
The horror here is in more of a psychosexual nature - this is an anthology of stories told between Angel and a prostitute he has booked to a room in the Lonely Motel, a place that he knows all too well. It drums home the point that sex needs to be mutually beneficial and consensual which is good for a horror book! But *that* ending it builds up to. Wow.
The author clearly didn’t properly research female anatomy here. Or he did, but then decided to go for somethings which are beyond the realms of possibility? Which was a tad distracting during some of the more horrifying moments. They aren’t explained by anything supernatural to cause the body horror, it just happens.
I don’t recommend it for the faint of heart or anybody who isn’t used to using extreme horror as controllable anxiety like most of us readers do. The stories start out with typical gross-out themes, and then descend very quickly into much darker territory.
You aren’t going to forget this story after reading that’s for sure - I can see why it has stuck in the minds of many readers.
Woom is bizarre. Weird. Yet, compelling and unputdownable. Idk how to feel rn lol… 3 stars
August 14, 2021
Wow !!
I didn’t expect that.
WOOM is a good, unexpected, extreme horror story!
I liked it !!
I didn’t expect that.
WOOM is a good, unexpected, extreme horror story!
I liked it !!
Read
May 5, 2024The fuck did I just read?
March 6, 2023
Its a fairly short review as you know....spoilers....but I can not say how much I loved this book, yes its dark and disturbing but its clearly for the dark and disturbed out there (: (don't worry I'm one of you) my friend and I spent much time talking about how great this book is and how much we loved poor shayla.
May 24, 2021
“You should always listen to that voice when something doesn’t feel right. Always look for the red flags. Stop worrying about being nice, about making a scene. I know that now.”
Read this one some time ago now and it's still sticking in my mind. Extreme horror at its finest with more triggers than a John Wayne movie. Why I didn't review this one is anyone's guess. Probably suffering from a case of terminal laziness. It certainly deserves a review.
The story opens with Angel (a mysterious skinhead) calling Shayla (an overweight prostitute) to a secluded hotel room. It's definitely not what you're thinking and he proceeds to tell Shayla a number of tales relating to himself and the very hotel room they find themselves in. Each one is both memorable and disturbing and gives the reader a piece of the jigsaw to what actually is going on. It's not just a case of gore and shock and is done in a very clever and intelligent way. Not what you expect from extreme horror.
The writing in this one was very good and better than I expected. When you pick up these books with "warning: extreme horror" on the front you're expecting literary quality to take a backseat to shock value. Don't get me wrong, Duncan Ralston certainly knows how to pen the disturbing and brutal scenes. But there's a purpose to it all and the description and imagery used is excellent.
The character work in this one also deserves a mention. The narrative focuses on the two previously mentioned and they are well done. Ralston brings a uniqueness to each, as both have very visible flaws mixed in with a very distinct personality. It is done in such a way that makes each captivating in their own way.
Finally, the conclusion in this one is awful, horrific but certainly a satisfying one. The six individual stories build the tension and feeling of unease as the reader is given clues to what is actually going on here. Trust me, if you've got a feint heart then you seriously don't want to find out. But if you like to push your boundaries and test those emotional limits then dive right in.
So in summary, a highly effective and disturbing extreme horror novella from a new author to me. I shared a few words with the author after reading it and he let me in on the fact that it disturbed him just as much writing it as it did me reading it. Always good to know. And on that note...enjoy!
April 28, 2022
if you're looking for a fast paced, horror story that's disturbing on every page, you might enjoy woom. very viscerally disturbing and sexually deviant in nature. an extremely graphic, violent exploration into human depravity and desperation.
January 29, 2024
Absolutely disgusting but haunting and amazing
March 30, 2022
Soooo…. This book was going well for me, it was getting good until out of nowhere the author decides to drop the “N word” just to make a certain character seem “gangster”. The quote was….
"But if you mess with me, N$!, I'll find out where yo mama live and kill the fuck outta her."
And that just turned me all the way off. What was the reason that a white author had to use the N word in that context??? If not for educational purposes then it shouldn’t have been used in this book. I will definitely be DNFing this book. (Just to be clear I stopped reading right after the use of that word in the beginning of the book, I didn’t read any further)
"But if you mess with me, N$!, I'll find out where yo mama live and kill the fuck outta her."
And that just turned me all the way off. What was the reason that a white author had to use the N word in that context??? If not for educational purposes then it shouldn’t have been used in this book. I will definitely be DNFing this book. (Just to be clear I stopped reading right after the use of that word in the beginning of the book, I didn’t read any further)
October 9, 2024
“Some places hold the pain in their walls, in the carpet snags, in the cracks of the ceiling and chinks in the baseboards.”
This book was raw and packed with emotion. Poetically twisted, I was enveloped in an endearing shroud of dread. One that weighs on you and whimpers for attention. I have a Room like this, one that exists now in my mind. I am bound to it. Imprisoned. Which I can tell you Ladies and Gentlemen, is terrifying yet comforting at the same time. Places and people absolutely hold pain, pain lingers and can manifest itself in every crevice of your life. Can’t tell me differently, the Splatterpunk genre is poetry for dark damaged souls.
This book was raw and packed with emotion. Poetically twisted, I was enveloped in an endearing shroud of dread. One that weighs on you and whimpers for attention. I have a Room like this, one that exists now in my mind. I am bound to it. Imprisoned. Which I can tell you Ladies and Gentlemen, is terrifying yet comforting at the same time. Places and people absolutely hold pain, pain lingers and can manifest itself in every crevice of your life. Can’t tell me differently, the Splatterpunk genre is poetry for dark damaged souls.
June 24, 2025
Not what I was expecting at all. If you asked me my opinion of this as an extreme horror, I’d say yes it of course has horrific elements and body horror (but not an intense focus) it’s more an emotional thriller. If you asked me about it as a dark comedic horror? Absolutely. I couldn’t take it seriously after the mannequins cameo. Not to be insensitive to your genitalia Angel xxxxx
(Freud would eat this shit up)
(Freud would eat this shit up)
February 6, 2022
Audio - 5 Stars
Story - 4.5 Stars
So fucked up and I loved it!
Story - 4.5 Stars
So fucked up and I loved it!
September 26, 2021
Absolutely the most spectacularly messed up book I’ve read in years, but also cleverly constructed and well written. Extreme horror done right.
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