The Freakshow is a splatterpunk horror novel. It has lots of graphic and explicit violence, horror, and porn.
In the small town of Pleasant Hills, Tennessee, a “freakshow” carnival has arrived to entertain bored locals who generally sit around cleaning their rifles. But the REAL reason the carnival is there is to kill everyone in town and replace them with Stepford wife-like drones.
A few brave characters end up taking on the freakshow monsters to save the town. They get caught up in lots of crazy, weird, and perverted disturbing scenarios.
The Freakshow is pretty exciting. Chapter 1 launches right into the action and it just never stops. I expected the action to peter out after that, but nope, it kept on going. This book is pretty much 100% action until the its last sentence.
This book is gritty and disturbing, yet, it’s hard to put down. It’s random and unpredictable, and just plain gory.
I got a kick out of how the author kept using the word “organic” to describe everything. Everything in this book is “organic,” including some organic controls in the massive spider control room (you’ll understand when you get there). Technically, the term “organic” relates to anything alive, but you know, I couldn’t help but think of organic food every time it was mentioned. Organic matter.
I wish I could have an in-person conversation with someone else who’s read this book, but it’s not exactly book club material. It’s a great conversational piece and definitely unforgettable. If I ever get into a Lincoln Towncar again, I may keep a watchful eye on the gear stick just in case.
Bryan Smith just might be my new go-to splatterpunk author.
This book could give you nightmares for awhile, or make you sick if you have a soft stomach. Just a warning.
Other books by Bryan Smith include:
- Dead End House (2023)
- The Gauntlet (2023)
- Kill The Hunter (2023)
What are your favorite splatterpunk books? What else is good by Bryan Smith?
Last Updated on December 17, 2025 by Sarah Ann
Affiliate Disclosure: There may be affiliate links in this content. This means I earn a small commission if you buy anything from those links. This comes at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support.
Leave a Reply