Frank H. (perryfran) reviewed on 3/28/2024 + 1177 more book reviews

A few years ago, I ran across a post on Twitter which purported to list the ten best horror writers alive today. On this list was Ania Ahlborn who I had never heard of before. Since then, I have read a few of her books including THE DEVIL CREPT IN, which I thought was a very good horror novel, and THE SHUDDERING, that I thought was only so-so and somewhat cliched. Well, BROTHER took horror to a whole 'nother level. This one reminded me a lot of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre about a family of serial killers living in the backwoods of West Virginia. The story focuses on Michael Morrow who was actually kidnapped when he was four years old by the brutal family of the Morrows. He is trained to take part in the brutality but never takes pleasure in it unlike the rest of the family. But then he falls for a pretty young woman named Alice who works at a record store in town. Can he forget what a monster he really has become and try to have a normal relationship? His brother, Rebel, makes sure that he can't.

Be forewarned. . . this novel is one of the most gruesome and disturbing books I have ever read. But it is also very compelling and kept me turning the pages. What really happened to Michael and his real family was very shocking. I did see some of it coming but it was mostly unexpected. Ahlborn really knows how to draw you into the story. Her setting for this was also very interesting. It took place in the late 70s or early 80s and she described the time period very well especially with her references to the music and movies of the time. Not sure where Ahlborn gets her weirdness but I'm sure I will be reading more of her.

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