Castaways

By: Brian Keene

Narrated by: Chet Williamson

They came to the deserted island to compete on a popular reality television show. Each one hoped to be the last to leave. Now they're just hoping to stay alive, because the island isn't deserted after all. Contestants are disappearing, but they aren't being eliminated by the game. They're being taken by the monstrous, half-human creatures that live deep in the jungle.

The men will be slaughtered. The women will be kept alive as captives. Night is falling, the creatures are coming, and rescue is so far away....

Deadite Press is proud to present Brian Keene's tribute to the late, great Richard Laymon!

"Bloody, vile, violent and nasty. Castaways is a can't put down page turner." (House of Horrors)

"Much like Laymon, Keene provides all kinds of thrills here... But Brian Keene has his own voice, too, one just as good a the late great master, Richard Laymon." (SFRevu)

©2011 Brian Keene (P)2019 David N. Wilson

Great but graphic

Well told story but be warned it can be very graphic in nature. Chet Williamson was great.

The narrator makes the book

Full disclosure: 1. I'm a rabid Keene fan. 2. I have never watched an episode of Survivor.

Keene does not disappoint with Castaways: he creates a group of completely believable characters and puts them through hell. When the action gets going, it's like rolling uncontrollably down a hill picking up speed at every turn. He threw in a couple of fun twists and red herrings as well.

Williamson's narration is a very good fit for the book. He differentiates the characters well and pulls the listener along with the action so well it engulfs the listener.

Recommended.

One spoiler that is also a caveat: The book has graphic rape descriptions. I skipped them and thus little bit of the story before and after them.

Awesome story!

Admittedly, this wasn't what I was expecting going in, but this turned out to be a fantastic tale. Be warned that there are parts that are a bit gruesome.

A Brian Keene classic.

I never get tired of Mr. Keene's books and stories. Castaways is a great read.

Gore, but formulaic without suspense

Repetitive, lacking of any suspense. A by-the-numbers slasher with cringy dialogue, endless internal monologues. Read Barker for better stories or Lumley for suspense horror. Read King. Did not enjoy these 7 hours and the ending is disappointing. The monsters are smelly, so we get told over and over again.