What do you think?
Rate this book
Curse of the Reaper
Scream meets The Shining in this page-turning horror tale about an aging actor haunted by the slasher movie villain he brought to life.
Decades after playing the titular killer in the 80s horror franchise Night of the Reaper, Howard Browning has been reduced to signing autographs for his dwindling fanbase at genre conventions. When the studio announces a series reboot, the aging thespian is crushed to learn he’s being replaced in the iconic role by heartthrob Trevor Mane, a former sitcom child-star who’s fresh out of rehab. Trevor is determined to stay sober and revamp his image while Howard refuses to let go of the character he created, setting the stage for a cross-generational clash over the soul of a monster. But as Howard fights to reclaim his legacy, the sinister alter ego consumes his unraveling mind, pushing him to the brink of violence. Is the method actor succumbing to madness or has the devilish Reaper taken on a life of its own?
In his razor-sharp debut novel, film and television writer Brian McAuley melds wicked suspense with dark humor and heart. Curse of the Reaper is a tightly plotted thriller that walks the tightrope between the psychological and the supernatural, while characters struggling with addiction and identity bring to light the harrowing cost of Hollywood fame.
Decades after playing the titular killer in the 80s horror franchise Night of the Reaper, Howard Browning has been reduced to signing autographs for his dwindling fanbase at genre conventions. When the studio announces a series reboot, the aging thespian is crushed to learn he’s being replaced in the iconic role by heartthrob Trevor Mane, a former sitcom child-star who’s fresh out of rehab. Trevor is determined to stay sober and revamp his image while Howard refuses to let go of the character he created, setting the stage for a cross-generational clash over the soul of a monster. But as Howard fights to reclaim his legacy, the sinister alter ego consumes his unraveling mind, pushing him to the brink of violence. Is the method actor succumbing to madness or has the devilish Reaper taken on a life of its own?
In his razor-sharp debut novel, film and television writer Brian McAuley melds wicked suspense with dark humor and heart. Curse of the Reaper is a tightly plotted thriller that walks the tightrope between the psychological and the supernatural, while characters struggling with addiction and identity bring to light the harrowing cost of Hollywood fame.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published October 4, 2022
About the author
Brian McAuley
2 books125 followersBrian McAuley is a WGA screenwriter whose produced credits range from family sitcoms to horror films. He holds an MFA in Screenwriting from Columbia University and teaches at various schools in Los Angeles, where he currently resides. Connect with him on social media @BrianMcWriter.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 283 reviews
September 14, 2022
This was like an 80’s slasher tribute. It was predictable and dragged a lot for me. It was billed as The Shining meets Scream but in my opinion did not live up to those films.
Howard Browning played the famous horror slasher named The Reaper in numerous films. He was committed to the role and took it seriously. Years later, it is 2022 and Howard’s star has faded. He now attends horror conventions with the other relics signing autographs.
Howard is elated when his agent tells him that they are redoing The Reaper franchise. He’s been waiting for the moment he could reprise his role only to find out that they are going in a different direction; a younger teen actor will play the role of The Reaper.
This is the last straw for Howard and things get interesting.
The Reaper is available October 4,2022.
Thank you to Netgalley and Skyhorse Publishing for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
Howard Browning played the famous horror slasher named The Reaper in numerous films. He was committed to the role and took it seriously. Years later, it is 2022 and Howard’s star has faded. He now attends horror conventions with the other relics signing autographs.
Howard is elated when his agent tells him that they are redoing The Reaper franchise. He’s been waiting for the moment he could reprise his role only to find out that they are going in a different direction; a younger teen actor will play the role of The Reaper.
This is the last straw for Howard and things get interesting.
The Reaper is available October 4,2022.
Thank you to Netgalley and Skyhorse Publishing for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
October 20, 2022
Thank you so much to Talos and Brian McAuley for my copy of Curse of the Reaper. This was the perfect horror book to read for spooky season and I loved it! This book was about Howard Browning, an actor who has played an iconic serial killer in an 80s film franchise, who is now reduced to signing autographs at Comic Con. When the series announces a reboot, Howard is excited to resume his old role, but finds out he will be replaced by Trevor Mane, a controversial young actor. While Howard won’t let go of the character he created, Trevor fights to stay sober and change his image. But Howard’s evil alter ego is coming out and starts to consume his mind and his body.
Thoughts: This was such a fun book! Like a meta horror movie in the minds of actors, this book was over the top, funny, gory, and interesting. This was the perfect way to write about a horror movie and the way the script was seeping into the minds of the actors was intriguing. I felt so much for Howard, and I think even though he was doing horrible things, he was likable and easy to root for. Trevor was a great stereotype of a child actor and was a flawed character that the reader could also get behind.
All of the one liners had me cracking up because it was so 80 slasher. I think McAuley did a great job of setting the scene and creating tension in a fun environment. I thought the depiction of the fans was especially poignant, and it was a great look at how fans cross the line to obsession. It was absolutely entertaining and fun, and I recommend it to anyone who loves the slasher genre. 4-stars!
Thoughts: This was such a fun book! Like a meta horror movie in the minds of actors, this book was over the top, funny, gory, and interesting. This was the perfect way to write about a horror movie and the way the script was seeping into the minds of the actors was intriguing. I felt so much for Howard, and I think even though he was doing horrible things, he was likable and easy to root for. Trevor was a great stereotype of a child actor and was a flawed character that the reader could also get behind.
All of the one liners had me cracking up because it was so 80 slasher. I think McAuley did a great job of setting the scene and creating tension in a fun environment. I thought the depiction of the fans was especially poignant, and it was a great look at how fans cross the line to obsession. It was absolutely entertaining and fun, and I recommend it to anyone who loves the slasher genre. 4-stars!
July 2, 2023
4.5 stars. What a fun time!! I went into this expecting a typical slasher and what I ended up with was something so much more!! I got characters I really cared about, addiction representation that was SO well done, and a wonderfully paced, super fun horror read. I can't wait to read more from this author!!
I read this with my book club and we had such a great time with it. Going into all the horror movie nods and dissecting the story a bit was a blast. It is up on my YouTube channel, if anyone wants to watch it:: https://www.youtube.com/live/AVMJV29R... (there is both a spoiler free & a spoilery section)
I read this with my book club and we had such a great time with it. Going into all the horror movie nods and dissecting the story a bit was a blast. It is up on my YouTube channel, if anyone wants to watch it:: https://www.youtube.com/live/AVMJV29R... (there is both a spoiler free & a spoilery section)
November 23, 2022
3.5 stars
This was fun, if not a little forgettable, slasher story. It's not the books fault that I've read too many of these kind of books. The plot and characters were decently well developed. At this point, it would just take a very special or unique slasher to fully grav my attention.
This was fun, if not a little forgettable, slasher story. It's not the books fault that I've read too many of these kind of books. The plot and characters were decently well developed. At this point, it would just take a very special or unique slasher to fully grav my attention.
November 1, 2023
When I read the acknowledgments and the author mentions that it was initially written as a screenplay, I had to think long and hard about whether I would enjoy this story in a movie format, and the answer is....no.
The slasher franchise is so oversaturated that any good twist will feel flat without added satire of the genre itself, and that is why Scream works so well. I found the book entertaining and a good look at how these actors fall into a pit of the franchise itself, and it also brought in addiction and the split persona due to the disease. But I'm not sure if anyone has watched the SNL skit with Bill Hader, "Whatcha say/dear sister." I'll just insert the link..... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmd1q... but they all start shooting each other, and it is nonsensical, and the end of the book starts to get into that zone, which to be fair is like the end of any good slasher. I rated this four stars because who cares? I was glued to the story until the end, and it was fun!
The slasher franchise is so oversaturated that any good twist will feel flat without added satire of the genre itself, and that is why Scream works so well. I found the book entertaining and a good look at how these actors fall into a pit of the franchise itself, and it also brought in addiction and the split persona due to the disease. But I'm not sure if anyone has watched the SNL skit with Bill Hader, "Whatcha say/dear sister." I'll just insert the link..... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmd1q... but they all start shooting each other, and it is nonsensical, and the end of the book starts to get into that zone, which to be fair is like the end of any good slasher. I rated this four stars because who cares? I was glued to the story until the end, and it was fun!
January 1, 2023
That was--at the risk of being cliched--a slashing good time. The writing was an enthusiastic thumbs up, the idea was interesting, and although I doubt that it will exactly stand out among my best '23 reads, I still enjoyed it. If anything, I wish that the Reaper had been featured more in scenes. He was the perfect amount of gruesome for this sort of story, and hilarious enough to make his appearances just the right amount of cheesy. Think...if Freddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees took an apprentice under their wings.
August 8, 2023
4 stars
An homage to old school slasher series, Curse of the Reaper will be right up your alley if you're into the era of horror villains who are snarky, carrying an iconic weapon, and love spitting out bad puns as much as gutting body parts (such as Freddy Krueger). The theme of addiction is prevalent throughout, providing the much welcomed emotional grounding amidst all the bloody spectacles. I also really enjoy the meta text surrounding method acting, franchise reboot, and fandom culture.
In the author's acknowledgment, he mentioned the novel was modified from a screenplay intended for film, and in some ways you can still sense the remnant, as certain sections felt slightly prolonged, and probably should be trimmed during the novelization. Still, Curse of the Reaper perfectly captures the tone of its inspiration: a little crass, comically brutal, and just a fun bloody time.
An homage to old school slasher series, Curse of the Reaper will be right up your alley if you're into the era of horror villains who are snarky, carrying an iconic weapon, and love spitting out bad puns as much as gutting body parts (such as Freddy Krueger). The theme of addiction is prevalent throughout, providing the much welcomed emotional grounding amidst all the bloody spectacles. I also really enjoy the meta text surrounding method acting, franchise reboot, and fandom culture.
In the author's acknowledgment, he mentioned the novel was modified from a screenplay intended for film, and in some ways you can still sense the remnant, as certain sections felt slightly prolonged, and probably should be trimmed during the novelization. Still, Curse of the Reaper perfectly captures the tone of its inspiration: a little crass, comically brutal, and just a fun bloody time.
August 22, 2023
Howard Browning played a killer in the 80s horror franchise, Night of the Reaper. But now his fanbase is dwindling and it's showing as he signs autographs at horror conventions. When the studio announces that there will be a series reboot, he is upset to learn that he will not be playing the Reaper, his character will be played by heartthrob, Trevor Mane. Trevor is fresh out of rehab and determined to stay sober to fix his image. Problems arise as the two clash over the Reaper, and Howard's alter ego consumes him, pushing him to the brink of violence.
Curse of the Reaper is just what I needed to get out of my reading slump. I found myself flying through this slasher, enjoying every page, and devouring every word. I love myself a killer with an iconic weapon, who's dialogue is witty, snarky, and downright diabolical. It reminded me of Freddy Krueger in some ways, with his snide remarks, and I would love to see this turn into a movie. Curse of the Reaper is a book I will want to come back to and read over and over again, a comfort slasher read, just like Scream, movies I rewatch and equally love every time, I know I will enjoy this book for years to come. There's something about this book that really just did it for me, and I would give it all the praises in the world. I cannot wait to get my hands on Brian McAuley's next hit, Candy Cane Kills.
Happy reading.
Curse of the Reaper is just what I needed to get out of my reading slump. I found myself flying through this slasher, enjoying every page, and devouring every word. I love myself a killer with an iconic weapon, who's dialogue is witty, snarky, and downright diabolical. It reminded me of Freddy Krueger in some ways, with his snide remarks, and I would love to see this turn into a movie. Curse of the Reaper is a book I will want to come back to and read over and over again, a comfort slasher read, just like Scream, movies I rewatch and equally love every time, I know I will enjoy this book for years to come. There's something about this book that really just did it for me, and I would give it all the praises in the world. I cannot wait to get my hands on Brian McAuley's next hit, Candy Cane Kills.
Happy reading.
September 29, 2022
If you're a fan of Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, and The Shinning! You'll love this! I had a a lot of fun with it! Some of my favorite parts were from the Curse of the Reaper films- very unique kills and I would love to actually watch these movies! The dread-building was done well with Howard but Trevor chapters just annoyed me! He was so unlikable but overall I enjoyed this one! Check this one out if you're a horror movie lover! 4.5 stars
Available October 4th
Thanks Netgalley and Brian McAuley for this arc
Available October 4th
Thanks Netgalley and Brian McAuley for this arc
Read
October 22, 2022People saying this reads like a movie aren't wrong...it's cinematically visual in the best way, I felt like I was at the theater with my popcorn, candy, and Coke enjoying a bloody horror film but instead of relying on a director to manufacture everything for me and the actors to make me believe in their performance, it's all right here in my head courtesy of the perfectly crafted storytelling from Brian McAuley. What a great time!
October 10, 2022
Almost five stars, but the ending missed it by this much.
Quibbles aside, Curse of the Reaper is a really solid 4.5 star read. Nothing like reading a spooky-season read in the midst of a horrendous heat wave.
Now, fast forward three months to the delightfully chilly October - it's officially spooky season, aka finally time to review the horror novels I read months ago.
And I mean, what's scarier than procrastination?
Curse of the Reaper could easily give you the thrills and chills you're wanting for Halloween. Aging actor Howard Browning made his living playing the Reaper in the 80's slasher franchise, diving deep into the role with method acting. Now, facing a flagging career dotted sparsely with convention appearances, plus a recent diagnosis of Alzheimer's, Howard knows his Reaper days are behind him.
Then, like every other big horror franchise in the 2000s, Night of the Reaper is rebooted. The Reaper will slay once again. But Howard finds this single flare of hope extinguished with the news that they've decided to recast, going with the troubled young heartthrob Trevor Mane. Trevor has his own reasons for wanting to impress - it's his last chance to shed his cursed child star image and prove he can stay sober and work.
Howard is reluctant to let go of this character he shaped from the ground up. And the Reaper might not be willing to let go of him either.
Curse of the Reaper is a blood splashed horror at heart, with slashing and terrorizing aplenty. But it also strongly relies on shaping and understanding the characters. It really wouldn't have succeeded if these were paper thin caricatures.
I also enjoyed the script pages from the various Reaper films. They added a lot to the tone and were really fun and referential to real life slasher films, complete with punny one-liners.
Curse of the Reaper isn't necessarily life-changing literature, but it doesn't need to be. It succeeds in being the fun slasher love-letter it wants to be.
Thanks to Edelweiss and Talos for the drc.
Quibbles aside, Curse of the Reaper is a really solid 4.5 star read. Nothing like reading a spooky-season read in the midst of a horrendous heat wave.
Now, fast forward three months to the delightfully chilly October - it's officially spooky season, aka finally time to review the horror novels I read months ago.
And I mean, what's scarier than procrastination?
Curse of the Reaper could easily give you the thrills and chills you're wanting for Halloween. Aging actor Howard Browning made his living playing the Reaper in the 80's slasher franchise, diving deep into the role with method acting. Now, facing a flagging career dotted sparsely with convention appearances, plus a recent diagnosis of Alzheimer's, Howard knows his Reaper days are behind him.
Then, like every other big horror franchise in the 2000s, Night of the Reaper is rebooted. The Reaper will slay once again. But Howard finds this single flare of hope extinguished with the news that they've decided to recast, going with the troubled young heartthrob Trevor Mane. Trevor has his own reasons for wanting to impress - it's his last chance to shed his cursed child star image and prove he can stay sober and work.
Howard is reluctant to let go of this character he shaped from the ground up. And the Reaper might not be willing to let go of him either.
Curse of the Reaper is a blood splashed horror at heart, with slashing and terrorizing aplenty. But it also strongly relies on shaping and understanding the characters. It really wouldn't have succeeded if these were paper thin caricatures.
I also enjoyed the script pages from the various Reaper films. They added a lot to the tone and were really fun and referential to real life slasher films, complete with punny one-liners.
Curse of the Reaper isn't necessarily life-changing literature, but it doesn't need to be. It succeeds in being the fun slasher love-letter it wants to be.
Thanks to Edelweiss and Talos for the drc.
October 5, 2022
“I stalked through the shadows of your memory, tending to your terror, ripening your souls for the coming harvest, sweet children of Ashland. The time has come, the Reaper has risen and I will have my revenge.”
While this could easily be labeled an “end of summer” read, Curse of the Reaper is perfect for Spooky Season! You’ve got 80’s slasher influences, bloody kills, and some downright creepy scenes.
Howard Browning is a former 80’s slasher film star from the popular "Night of the Reaper" horror franchise. When he learns the films are getting a reboot and he’s being replaced as the Reaper by younger tv star, Trevor Mane, Howard feels abandoned. After all, he practically gave the Reaper life. As the story progresses, we learn that both actors are struggling with their own monsters. Trevor is hoping his long battles with substance abuse won’t interfere with his chance at a new beginning while Howard is battling frightening stages of Alzheimer's, so much so that he starts to hear the Reaper in his head and begins wondering what is real and what isn’t.
I personally found Howard’s chapters to be the most chilling. Memory loss is scary, and when one doesn’t recall mutilating animals or leaving creepy notes around the house, that’s beyond terrifying. Howard had always felt that getting into character was like flipping a switch when he played his film role as the Reaper. But as the chapters progress, Howard can’t help but feel like his switch is malfunctioning and the Reaper wants full control.
I had a good time with this book. The duo-protagonists were well developed and I felt for them as they struggled with their fears of irrelevance while trying to suppress what haunted them. This is a psychological horror novel that takes an interesting look into how fame and show business affects mental health, how our personal demons can sometimes be just as dangerous as movie monsters, and how violence can bleed into the psyche.
If you’re looking for a slasher novel that’s reminiscent of movies like Friday the 13th, Nightmare on Elm Street, and The Shining, this book is for you!
While this could easily be labeled an “end of summer” read, Curse of the Reaper is perfect for Spooky Season! You’ve got 80’s slasher influences, bloody kills, and some downright creepy scenes.
Howard Browning is a former 80’s slasher film star from the popular "Night of the Reaper" horror franchise. When he learns the films are getting a reboot and he’s being replaced as the Reaper by younger tv star, Trevor Mane, Howard feels abandoned. After all, he practically gave the Reaper life. As the story progresses, we learn that both actors are struggling with their own monsters. Trevor is hoping his long battles with substance abuse won’t interfere with his chance at a new beginning while Howard is battling frightening stages of Alzheimer's, so much so that he starts to hear the Reaper in his head and begins wondering what is real and what isn’t.
I personally found Howard’s chapters to be the most chilling. Memory loss is scary, and when one doesn’t recall mutilating animals or leaving creepy notes around the house, that’s beyond terrifying. Howard had always felt that getting into character was like flipping a switch when he played his film role as the Reaper. But as the chapters progress, Howard can’t help but feel like his switch is malfunctioning and the Reaper wants full control.
I had a good time with this book. The duo-protagonists were well developed and I felt for them as they struggled with their fears of irrelevance while trying to suppress what haunted them. This is a psychological horror novel that takes an interesting look into how fame and show business affects mental health, how our personal demons can sometimes be just as dangerous as movie monsters, and how violence can bleed into the psyche.
If you’re looking for a slasher novel that’s reminiscent of movies like Friday the 13th, Nightmare on Elm Street, and The Shining, this book is for you!
April 19, 2023
This was excellent! I’m going to go ahead and be controversial, THIS is the B slasher meets book that Stephen Graham Jones has been trying to write.
Campy, ruthless gore and madness. The reaper will rise again!
Campy, ruthless gore and madness. The reaper will rise again!
April 1, 2023
Wow.. that was one hell of a fun, campy slasher!!
July 12, 2022
This was such a fun read. Any fans of slasher '80s and '90s horror films will love this. Howard played the infamous Reaper in all eight films but now faces a reboot in which he's being replaced. The plot was predictable but no less fun to watch unfold. I do wish the first half hadn't dragged as much as it did--one part untrue to the genre--but instead kept the suspenseful pace it gained in the second half.
August 19, 2022
Where are my 80s slasher fans?
Howard Browning is in the Reaper franchise. The role has consumed his life. Although not acting now, he attends horror conventions and signs autographs. The franchise plans a reboot, and it surprised Howard to discover he is being replaced by Trevor, a controversial teen actor. Both characters are tragic. I loved seeing the interactions between them.
Howard and Trevor were believable. “Curse of the Reaper” dives into Howard’s intense method acting. Although Trevor is along for the ride, he is battling his demons. The novel takes the reader on a journey into the damaged minds of these characters.
“Curse of the Reaper” is psychological horror with the pacing and feel of a 80s slasher flick. Aside from the filmmaking and franchise commentary, the book is about how the horror and violence can seep into someone’s psyche and take over.
“Curse of the Reaper” walks the fine line between the slasher movies we love and how it influences the people behind the scenes. Fans of John Carpenter movies or the Halloween franchise should check this out.
Howard Browning is in the Reaper franchise. The role has consumed his life. Although not acting now, he attends horror conventions and signs autographs. The franchise plans a reboot, and it surprised Howard to discover he is being replaced by Trevor, a controversial teen actor. Both characters are tragic. I loved seeing the interactions between them.
Howard and Trevor were believable. “Curse of the Reaper” dives into Howard’s intense method acting. Although Trevor is along for the ride, he is battling his demons. The novel takes the reader on a journey into the damaged minds of these characters.
“Curse of the Reaper” is psychological horror with the pacing and feel of a 80s slasher flick. Aside from the filmmaking and franchise commentary, the book is about how the horror and violence can seep into someone’s psyche and take over.
“Curse of the Reaper” walks the fine line between the slasher movies we love and how it influences the people behind the scenes. Fans of John Carpenter movies or the Halloween franchise should check this out.
March 2, 2024
3.5 stars this was hard to rate it was good enjoyed the movie parts some cheesey too and while I did really like the characters the plot I just don't know it was good fun though
October 26, 2022
Curse Of The Reaper is the perfect spooky season read. I couldn't help but imagine Howard Browning as actor Robert Englund (Freddy Krueger). It is about an older actor, Howard Browning, who is best known for his horror movie icon role of The Reaper from the popular Horror Franchise, Night Of The Reaper. Browning has not had a successful career outside of his role of the Reaper and now travels the horror convention circuit signing autographs. When Browning learns of a Reaper series reboot with a younger leading actor, he plans to do anything it takes to reclaim his rightful legacy as the one true Reaper. Soon the malevolent alter ego consumes Howard and violence ensues. Is Howard losing his mind or has the Reaper taken on a life of it's own?
This is like a love letter to your favorite original horror villain. It's a fantastic psychological/supernatural horror thriller and paints a great picture of the dark side of acting & filming. Author Brian McAuley, a WGA screenwriter with a horror background, writes with obvious knowledge of the industry in his debut horror novel.
A special thank you to Netgalley and Sky Horse Publishing for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This is like a love letter to your favorite original horror villain. It's a fantastic psychological/supernatural horror thriller and paints a great picture of the dark side of acting & filming. Author Brian McAuley, a WGA screenwriter with a horror background, writes with obvious knowledge of the industry in his debut horror novel.
A special thank you to Netgalley and Sky Horse Publishing for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Read
October 27, 2022Beyond the wonderfully realized world this takes place in, the thing that grabbed me most about Curse of the Reaper were the two main characters, who I found interesting and relatable and whose struggles with fame and addiction fleshed them out in sympathetic ways. The moments of horror in this are palpable and the prose is effortlessly readable yet still quite colorful. I really liked this book a lot.
June 1, 2023
Curse of the Reaper is the perfect read for fans of 80s horror slashers like Friday the 13th and A Nightmare on Elm Street. The story centers around the reboot of a popular horror film series similar to F13, and the two actors vying for the role of The Reaper. One is Howard Browning, the Kane Hodder-esque man who originally brought The Reaper to life, and the younger actor set to replace him in the reboot. As the film gears up for production, things go horribly wrong for each actor - and The Reaper begins to haunt them both.
The story is a psychological slow burn that is very character driven, which I enjoyed. Although centered on a slasher series, there isn’t a ton of slashing until later on. The story also features scenes taken from the scripts of all The Reaper films over the years, which were my favorite! The scenes were so entertaining and funny, and the perfect mix of F13, ANOES and even a bit of Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers. I also loved that the story about a horror icon being replaced for the reboot was clearly inspired by the real life situation that occurred with the Friday the 13th remake replacing Kane Hodder.
It’s clear that author Brian McCauley is a horror fan and this book is a love letter to the genre. It’s smart and fun at times while also being equally sad and disturbing. I found the commentary about Hollywood, reboots, and it’s poor treatment of creators/actors/writers to be interesting as well.
If you’re a horror movie fan, you need to read this book. It was written for us. I’m so excited to read whatever the author comes up with next!
The story is a psychological slow burn that is very character driven, which I enjoyed. Although centered on a slasher series, there isn’t a ton of slashing until later on. The story also features scenes taken from the scripts of all The Reaper films over the years, which were my favorite! The scenes were so entertaining and funny, and the perfect mix of F13, ANOES and even a bit of Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers. I also loved that the story about a horror icon being replaced for the reboot was clearly inspired by the real life situation that occurred with the Friday the 13th remake replacing Kane Hodder.
It’s clear that author Brian McCauley is a horror fan and this book is a love letter to the genre. It’s smart and fun at times while also being equally sad and disturbing. I found the commentary about Hollywood, reboots, and it’s poor treatment of creators/actors/writers to be interesting as well.
If you’re a horror movie fan, you need to read this book. It was written for us. I’m so excited to read whatever the author comes up with next!
December 10, 2022
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ -- Great cover on this one!
So I really loved this one! A 80’s slasher tribute about an former horror film star and his descent into madness. Well written and paced. Engaging plot. Well developed and intriguing characters. Excellent one liners. 😂 What more can you ask for!? I can't believe this is Brian McAuley's debut novel! I look forward to reading more from him in the coming years.
**ARC Via NetGalley**
So I really loved this one! A 80’s slasher tribute about an former horror film star and his descent into madness. Well written and paced. Engaging plot. Well developed and intriguing characters. Excellent one liners. 😂 What more can you ask for!? I can't believe this is Brian McAuley's debut novel! I look forward to reading more from him in the coming years.
**ARC Via NetGalley**
May 9, 2023
Not quite what I was expecting, but enjoyable none the less!
More of a commentary on addiction (of various kinds) using horror movie tropes and gets nicely meta as well. There were plenty of easter eggs for horror movie fans and you could tell that the author has a love for the genre, yet I think it's good enough on the surface for people who aren't super into horror to have fun with it as well.
More of a commentary on addiction (of various kinds) using horror movie tropes and gets nicely meta as well. There were plenty of easter eggs for horror movie fans and you could tell that the author has a love for the genre, yet I think it's good enough on the surface for people who aren't super into horror to have fun with it as well.
October 29, 2023
In Curse of the Reaper verfolgt man einen in die Jahre gekommener Schauspieler der gerne an seinen Erfolg als Killer in einem bekannten Horrorfilm-Franchise anknüpfen würde. Leider hat die Produktionsfirma aber andere Pläne und so nimmt das Drama seinen Lauf.
Was ich erwartet habe war ein klassischer Slasher mit wenig Inhalt und dafür viel Gemetzel. Was ich bekommen habe war eine gut ausgearbeitete Geschichte über realistische Charaktere mit echten Problemen und eine Handlung die mich bis zum Ende hat miträtseln lassen. Natürlich kommt auch der Slasheranteil nicht zu kurz, aber Brian McAuley zeigt ganz hervorragend, dass das Genre wesentlich mehr zu bieten hat als spritzendes Blut und umherfliegende Körperteile.
Curse of the Reaper war für mich eine überaus positive Überraschung und ich bin wirklich gespannt darauf was man, bei so einem Debüt, in Zukunft noch von Brian McAuley erwarten kann.
Was ich erwartet habe war ein klassischer Slasher mit wenig Inhalt und dafür viel Gemetzel. Was ich bekommen habe war eine gut ausgearbeitete Geschichte über realistische Charaktere mit echten Problemen und eine Handlung die mich bis zum Ende hat miträtseln lassen. Natürlich kommt auch der Slasheranteil nicht zu kurz, aber Brian McAuley zeigt ganz hervorragend, dass das Genre wesentlich mehr zu bieten hat als spritzendes Blut und umherfliegende Körperteile.
Curse of the Reaper war für mich eine überaus positive Überraschung und ich bin wirklich gespannt darauf was man, bei so einem Debüt, in Zukunft noch von Brian McAuley erwarten kann.
October 13, 2022
A combination of Elm Street and Freddy’s sarcastic wit, The Shining and Scream we have Curse of the Reaper. Let me tell you-this is another debut that just FLOORED ME! Thank you so much to @skyhorsepublishing for my copy!
I loved the 80’s slasher vibes throughout and I must say that the “movie script” scenes were probably my favorite part. We really saw the Reaper shine and I got many chuckles out of his one-liners. I would love to watch these movies IRL.
I loved that the chapters flipped between Howard and Trevor. Howard’s chapters were obviously the more suspenseful but I also felt for him. He was such a likeable character and I just wanted to hug him. Trevor’s chapters did a really good job of showing us how a down in out celebrity with an addiction would truly be in real life. I didn’t care for him all that much, although I did appreciate his attempts at trying. They both fell into stereotypical characters (in a good way) and really made this fun.
I loved the psychological aspect to this. It showed both characters struggles with feeling irrelevant and how fame really takes a toll on one’s mental health. Inner demons are powerful beasts and that really shines here. It is also just a whole bunch of fun. If you are looking for a slasher with some humor, gore and a good time you have found it. Wonderful job @brianmcwriter
I loved the 80’s slasher vibes throughout and I must say that the “movie script” scenes were probably my favorite part. We really saw the Reaper shine and I got many chuckles out of his one-liners. I would love to watch these movies IRL.
I loved that the chapters flipped between Howard and Trevor. Howard’s chapters were obviously the more suspenseful but I also felt for him. He was such a likeable character and I just wanted to hug him. Trevor’s chapters did a really good job of showing us how a down in out celebrity with an addiction would truly be in real life. I didn’t care for him all that much, although I did appreciate his attempts at trying. They both fell into stereotypical characters (in a good way) and really made this fun.
I loved the psychological aspect to this. It showed both characters struggles with feeling irrelevant and how fame really takes a toll on one’s mental health. Inner demons are powerful beasts and that really shines here. It is also just a whole bunch of fun. If you are looking for a slasher with some humor, gore and a good time you have found it. Wonderful job @brianmcwriter
March 22, 2023
Goosebumps for adults.
Best enjoyed with a glass of brandy.
Best enjoyed with a glass of brandy.
November 12, 2023
4.75 stars.
September 25, 2022
2.5 stars rounded up to 3
Teaser review to be posted 30 September 2022 at https://wellreadpiratequeen.blogspot....
************************
When I saw the cover of Brian McAuley's Curse of the Reaper on NetGalley I just knew that I had to hit the request button. It just screams cheesy old-school slasher flick, doesn't it?
Around this time last year my son decided that we needed to watch (or re-watch, in my case) all of the "classic" horror franchises from the beginning -- Halloween, Friday the 13th, Nightmare on Elm Street, Scream, etc. I think Halloween is the only one that we've completely caught up on (because we followed the shortest "watch in this order" list), but we're both hooked.
I thought this would hit the spot and be the perfect homage to those classics. I loved Howard even with his issues (maybe especially with his issues), and bits and pieces of scripts from the original film series were probably the highlight for me ... but overall it fell a bit flat for me. I really didn't care all that much about Trevor and could easily have cut out everything that was just about him. It would have made for a much shorter book but, for me at least, probably a more enjoyable one.
Teaser review to be posted 30 September 2022 at https://wellreadpiratequeen.blogspot....
************************
When I saw the cover of Brian McAuley's Curse of the Reaper on NetGalley I just knew that I had to hit the request button. It just screams cheesy old-school slasher flick, doesn't it?
Around this time last year my son decided that we needed to watch (or re-watch, in my case) all of the "classic" horror franchises from the beginning -- Halloween, Friday the 13th, Nightmare on Elm Street, Scream, etc. I think Halloween is the only one that we've completely caught up on (because we followed the shortest "watch in this order" list), but we're both hooked.
I thought this would hit the spot and be the perfect homage to those classics. I loved Howard even with his issues (maybe especially with his issues), and bits and pieces of scripts from the original film series were probably the highlight for me ... but overall it fell a bit flat for me. I really didn't care all that much about Trevor and could easily have cut out everything that was just about him. It would have made for a much shorter book but, for me at least, probably a more enjoyable one.
November 1, 2022
Readers expecting a slasher movie in print form thanks to the publisher's marketing team trying to draw parallels to Scream would do well to readjust their expectations prior to diving into Curse of the Reaper, which is largely a psychological thriller set against the backdrop of a slasher film franchise.
Aging actor Harold Browning's career is fading fast, kept on life support by appearances at horror conventions where he can charge for his autograph and photo ops. When news breaks that 80s horror film franchise, Night of the Reaper, is being resurrected, it's both a gift and a curse. He's never been able to shake the shadow of the nightmarish boogey-man, but a return to the silver screen is also a promise of renewed relevancy. Until he learns that Night of the Reaper is intended to be a remake to reboot the entire franchise, with former sitcom child-star and drug addict Trevor Mane taking on the iconic role. Browning refuses to lose his starring role without a fight. For him and the film series's legion of fans, Browning is The Reaper, just as Robert Englund is Freddy Krueger and Kane Hodder is Jason Voorhees, utterly inseparable from the role they made famous in each increasingly asinine sequel. But as Browning tries to worm his way into the new production, and for those who stand in his way, it grows increasingly unclear if Browning really is The Reaper...or if The Reaper is Browning himself.
Author Brian McAuley, a screenwriter with a handful of produced credits ranging from a few horror titles to an episode of Fuller House, brings a lot of personal experience to the table. At times, Curse of the Reaper feels like an insider's account of life in Hollywood, diving into an actor's methods to inhabit their role or dealing with sleazy paparazzi and sleazier producers. McAuley handles the narrative well, but some of my favorite moments of the book were the extracts from the scripts for the fictional Night of the Reaper film and it's many sequels, to the point that I wished we actually had some of these movies to check out, even if they are clearly riffs and loving odes to the Friday the 13th and A Nightmare on Elm Street franchises. And yes, the made-up Reaper, a rural urban legend about a murdered farmer who kills with his scythe and chain, did eventually make his way into space in Moon Reaper and has so many quips, dad jokes, and terrible puns that even Freddy would roll his eyes.
While I had hoped for more of a slasher-styled narrative chockfull of gruesome kills, bloody havoc, and over the top carnage, the bait-and-switch to psychological thriller feels positively meta atop the narrative themes of the book itself. Like Browning and Mane, as well as the online trolls piling on the announced remake, we expect one thing only to receive something else entirely. And while I do still want the gorier, slashier version of this story, I can't really fault Curse of the Reaper for being what it is.
McAuley's story is his own, and it works fairly (if, at times, ploddingly) well, particularly in its depiction of competing addictions. When we first meet Mane, he's checking out of his court-mandated rehab, but he can't easily walk away from his heroin addiction any more than Browning can give up the role of The Reaper. Both are haunted by their incredibly dangerous lifelines and harmful crutches, and their lives spiral out of control as each are drawn closer to The Reaper reboot, and to each other, until they eventually collide headlong. Mane's reaper curse is more literal, but Browning's is just as deadly as, diagnosed with Alzheimer's, he experiences frequent delusional breaks with reality, seeing and hearing The Reaper, who demands sacrifices in order to grow stronger.
Curse of the Reaper is a nicely cinematic read, and the story itself is fairly solid. It's constant callbacks and references to the slasher films that inspired it are double-edged swords, though, if only because they constantly remind readers of just how much a slasher story this particular book isn't. McAuley's final script entry for Night of the Reaper 3D presents such a compelling hook and promising premise that you can't help but wish the rest of Curse of the Reaper were that interesting. In fact, every time I came upon one of those script extracts, I found myself wishing I was reading that story instead.
Aging actor Harold Browning's career is fading fast, kept on life support by appearances at horror conventions where he can charge for his autograph and photo ops. When news breaks that 80s horror film franchise, Night of the Reaper, is being resurrected, it's both a gift and a curse. He's never been able to shake the shadow of the nightmarish boogey-man, but a return to the silver screen is also a promise of renewed relevancy. Until he learns that Night of the Reaper is intended to be a remake to reboot the entire franchise, with former sitcom child-star and drug addict Trevor Mane taking on the iconic role. Browning refuses to lose his starring role without a fight. For him and the film series's legion of fans, Browning is The Reaper, just as Robert Englund is Freddy Krueger and Kane Hodder is Jason Voorhees, utterly inseparable from the role they made famous in each increasingly asinine sequel. But as Browning tries to worm his way into the new production, and for those who stand in his way, it grows increasingly unclear if Browning really is The Reaper...or if The Reaper is Browning himself.
Author Brian McAuley, a screenwriter with a handful of produced credits ranging from a few horror titles to an episode of Fuller House, brings a lot of personal experience to the table. At times, Curse of the Reaper feels like an insider's account of life in Hollywood, diving into an actor's methods to inhabit their role or dealing with sleazy paparazzi and sleazier producers. McAuley handles the narrative well, but some of my favorite moments of the book were the extracts from the scripts for the fictional Night of the Reaper film and it's many sequels, to the point that I wished we actually had some of these movies to check out, even if they are clearly riffs and loving odes to the Friday the 13th and A Nightmare on Elm Street franchises. And yes, the made-up Reaper, a rural urban legend about a murdered farmer who kills with his scythe and chain, did eventually make his way into space in Moon Reaper and has so many quips, dad jokes, and terrible puns that even Freddy would roll his eyes.
While I had hoped for more of a slasher-styled narrative chockfull of gruesome kills, bloody havoc, and over the top carnage, the bait-and-switch to psychological thriller feels positively meta atop the narrative themes of the book itself. Like Browning and Mane, as well as the online trolls piling on the announced remake, we expect one thing only to receive something else entirely. And while I do still want the gorier, slashier version of this story, I can't really fault Curse of the Reaper for being what it is.
McAuley's story is his own, and it works fairly (if, at times, ploddingly) well, particularly in its depiction of competing addictions. When we first meet Mane, he's checking out of his court-mandated rehab, but he can't easily walk away from his heroin addiction any more than Browning can give up the role of The Reaper. Both are haunted by their incredibly dangerous lifelines and harmful crutches, and their lives spiral out of control as each are drawn closer to The Reaper reboot, and to each other, until they eventually collide headlong. Mane's reaper curse is more literal, but Browning's is just as deadly as, diagnosed with Alzheimer's, he experiences frequent delusional breaks with reality, seeing and hearing The Reaper, who demands sacrifices in order to grow stronger.
Curse of the Reaper is a nicely cinematic read, and the story itself is fairly solid. It's constant callbacks and references to the slasher films that inspired it are double-edged swords, though, if only because they constantly remind readers of just how much a slasher story this particular book isn't. McAuley's final script entry for Night of the Reaper 3D presents such a compelling hook and promising premise that you can't help but wish the rest of Curse of the Reaper were that interesting. In fact, every time I came upon one of those script extracts, I found myself wishing I was reading that story instead.
October 13, 2022
Oh, my horror and slasher loving heart thinks this book rocks! How is this a debut novel?! It feels like Brian McAuley has been writing for ages with the level of talent and storytelling within CURSE OF THE REAPER. And it's always good when you can tell that a writer is an avid fan of the type of story being told. From small subtleties to bigger connections, it is clear that McAuley is a slasher fan! And there is a great dual-protagonist approach, each lead character in a different dilemma with struggles of their own. He brings a wonderful element of psychological horror to this story. But both characters' stories are compelling and merge and everything is just the embodiment of a wonderful time for horror readers and fans. You will not regret picking up this book and I cannot wait to see what McAuley does next!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 283 reviews