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Guillotine
The Menu meets Ready of Not in this dark tale of opulent luxury and shocking violence from the New York Times bestselling author of Bloom.
Thrift fashionista Dez Lane doesn't want to date Patrick Ruskin; she just wants to meet his mother, the editor-in-chief of Nouveau magazine. When he invites her to his family's big Easter reunion at their lake retreat, she's certain she can put up with his arrogance and fend off his advances long enough to ask Marie Caulfield-Ruskin for an internship someone with her pedigree could never nab through the regular submission route.
When they arrive at the enormous mansion on an island in the center of a Georgia lake, Dez is floored―she's never witnessed how the 1% lives before in all their ridiculous, unnecessary luxury. But once all the family members are on the island and the ferry has departed, shit gets real. For decades, the Ruskins have made their servants sign contracts that are basically indentured servitude, and with nothing to lose, the servants have decided their only route to freedom is to get rid of the Ruskins for good…
Thrift fashionista Dez Lane doesn't want to date Patrick Ruskin; she just wants to meet his mother, the editor-in-chief of Nouveau magazine. When he invites her to his family's big Easter reunion at their lake retreat, she's certain she can put up with his arrogance and fend off his advances long enough to ask Marie Caulfield-Ruskin for an internship someone with her pedigree could never nab through the regular submission route.
When they arrive at the enormous mansion on an island in the center of a Georgia lake, Dez is floored―she's never witnessed how the 1% lives before in all their ridiculous, unnecessary luxury. But once all the family members are on the island and the ferry has departed, shit gets real. For decades, the Ruskins have made their servants sign contracts that are basically indentured servitude, and with nothing to lose, the servants have decided their only route to freedom is to get rid of the Ruskins for good…
208 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 10, 2024
About the author
Delilah S. Dawson
154 books2,186 followersDelilah S. Dawson is the New York Times-bestselling author of Star Wars: Phasma, Black Spire: Galaxy's Edge, and The Perfect Weapon. With Kevin Hearne, she writes the Tales of Pell. As Lila Bowen, she writes the Shadow series, beginning with Wake of Vultures. Her other books include the Blud series, the Hit series, and Servants of the Storm.
She's written comics in the worlds of Marvel Action: Spider-Man, Lore's Wellington, Star Wars Adventures, Star Wars Forces of Destiny, The X-Files Case Files, Adventure Time, Rick and Morty, and her creator-owned comics include Star Pig, Ladycastle, and Sparrowhawk.
Find out more at www.whimsydark.com.
She's written comics in the worlds of Marvel Action: Spider-Man, Lore's Wellington, Star Wars Adventures, Star Wars Forces of Destiny, The X-Files Case Files, Adventure Time, Rick and Morty, and her creator-owned comics include Star Pig, Ladycastle, and Sparrowhawk.
Find out more at www.whimsydark.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 205 reviews
September 28, 2024
Well HELLO Gorgeous!! 😍 How amazing is this cover?? 🌹 Thank you so much to @titanbooks for this absolutely gorgeous gifted copy. 🥰I LOVED this book so so sooo much. 💗Calling all HORROR lovers… this one is for you!! @delilahsdawson killed it!! 🔥🔥 Literally 😳 Pub date is September 10th!!
Okay people grab your Louboutins 👠…and get ready for one wild ride. At just over 200 pages this was absolute perfection. 😉 Dez knows her best bet to making it big in the fashion 👗👠👜 world is to meet her new boyfriend’s mom. The editor in chief of none other than Nouveau magazine. She is the queen 👸 of fashion.
Sooo how lucky is it that Dez is invited on a family vacay with her dude Patrick?? To a private island 🏝… with NO cellphones.. NO wifi… No television… NO NOTHING… What could possibly go wrong?? 😂😬😳 Hang on to your fancy pants because it is going to get real. 😳
This was AMAZING. I loved it so much. The best thing was how @delilahsdawson lulled me into thinking that this was just a story of rich people behaving badly. Which I am always a fan of… but then… let’s just say… revenge is sweet.. 😉 What did I love?
✅ Secluded setting
✅Revenge at its best. 😳
✅👠 Fashion girlie
✅ Murder… Murder.. Murder 😳😳😳
✅ALOT of PINK 💖💖💖
💖💖💖 Hands down 5 stars!! It was absolutely horrifying and fun.. all in one! 🙌 This is my first @delilahsdawson and I want more!! Is this on your TBR? Do you have a favorite @delilahsdawson book
Okay people grab your Louboutins 👠…and get ready for one wild ride. At just over 200 pages this was absolute perfection. 😉 Dez knows her best bet to making it big in the fashion 👗👠👜 world is to meet her new boyfriend’s mom. The editor in chief of none other than Nouveau magazine. She is the queen 👸 of fashion.
Sooo how lucky is it that Dez is invited on a family vacay with her dude Patrick?? To a private island 🏝… with NO cellphones.. NO wifi… No television… NO NOTHING… What could possibly go wrong?? 😂😬😳 Hang on to your fancy pants because it is going to get real. 😳
This was AMAZING. I loved it so much. The best thing was how @delilahsdawson lulled me into thinking that this was just a story of rich people behaving badly. Which I am always a fan of… but then… let’s just say… revenge is sweet.. 😉 What did I love?
✅ Secluded setting
✅Revenge at its best. 😳
✅👠 Fashion girlie
✅ Murder… Murder.. Murder 😳😳😳
✅ALOT of PINK 💖💖💖
💖💖💖 Hands down 5 stars!! It was absolutely horrifying and fun.. all in one! 🙌 This is my first @delilahsdawson and I want more!! Is this on your TBR? Do you have a favorite @delilahsdawson book
August 10, 2024
4.0 Stars
I loved the premise of this one, with the focus on fashion culture. I will admit that I wasn't sure about this one for the first half but it came together in a satisfying dark way. I enjoy horror like this one where the ugliness is hidden under an deceptively pretty exterior.
I would recommend this one to readers looking for a story that explored the dark side of the fashion world.
Disclaimer I have received a copy from the publisher.
I loved the premise of this one, with the focus on fashion culture. I will admit that I wasn't sure about this one for the first half but it came together in a satisfying dark way. I enjoy horror like this one where the ugliness is hidden under an deceptively pretty exterior.
I would recommend this one to readers looking for a story that explored the dark side of the fashion world.
Disclaimer I have received a copy from the publisher.
September 24, 2024
This was absolutely fantastic. I highly recommend this for anyone who loves the movie Ready Or Not (or, if you loved this book, you should watch that film!). Full review coming soon!
Buddy read with Malli! ♥
Buddy read with Malli! ♥
September 9, 2024
Gory and beautifully written ❤️
September 4, 2024
this was just goofy, i think this would’ve just been better as a movie. you can tell it was inspired by ready or not and the menu but it just came off very cringe in written. i did listen to the audiobook so maybe it was just the narrator.
September 18, 2024
Oh uhhhhh… I think I hated this?
September 16, 2024
Delilah S. Dawson is a well-known horror author, but I ultimately discovered her after reading and loving THE VIOLENCE in 2022. After reading THE VIOLENCE, I fell in love with Dawson's use of metaphorical messaging in her stories, so I knew I needed to dive into her latest horror novel, GUILLOTINE. The book is just over 200 pages, so you can easily read this in one sitting.
Thrift fashionista Dez Lane isn't interested in dating Patrick Ruskin; she just wants to meet his mother, the editor-in-chief of Nouveau magazine, to secure an internship she couldn't get through normal channels. When Patrick invites her to his family's Easter reunion at their lavish lake mansion, Dez is prepared to tolerate his arrogance to achieve her goal. However, once they're isolated on the island, she discovers the dark reality of the Ruskin family's treatment of their servants, who have been forced into near-slavery for decades and are now seeking deadly revenge. As Dez witnesses the gruesome fallout and learns the truth, her desire to work for Marie Caulfield-Ruskin fades—leaving her with the urge to strangle Marie with her own chunky pearls.
I really had a blast reading this novel—it's being labeled as The Menu meets Ready or Not, which totally makes sense! I loved GOOD RICH PEOPLE (Eliza Jane Brazier) and THE FAMILY GAME (Catherine Steadman), so if you enjoyed those books, you MUST pick up GUILLOTINE. Dez is such a likeable protagonist and the commentary throughout the book really makes you think. I alternated reading this book via audiobook through @librofm and the physical copy and I recommend doing either since they're both great journeys. Delilah S. Dawson continues to slay the horror game and I'll continue to be along for the ride.
Thrift fashionista Dez Lane isn't interested in dating Patrick Ruskin; she just wants to meet his mother, the editor-in-chief of Nouveau magazine, to secure an internship she couldn't get through normal channels. When Patrick invites her to his family's Easter reunion at their lavish lake mansion, Dez is prepared to tolerate his arrogance to achieve her goal. However, once they're isolated on the island, she discovers the dark reality of the Ruskin family's treatment of their servants, who have been forced into near-slavery for decades and are now seeking deadly revenge. As Dez witnesses the gruesome fallout and learns the truth, her desire to work for Marie Caulfield-Ruskin fades—leaving her with the urge to strangle Marie with her own chunky pearls.
I really had a blast reading this novel—it's being labeled as The Menu meets Ready or Not, which totally makes sense! I loved GOOD RICH PEOPLE (Eliza Jane Brazier) and THE FAMILY GAME (Catherine Steadman), so if you enjoyed those books, you MUST pick up GUILLOTINE. Dez is such a likeable protagonist and the commentary throughout the book really makes you think. I alternated reading this book via audiobook through @librofm and the physical copy and I recommend doing either since they're both great journeys. Delilah S. Dawson continues to slay the horror game and I'll continue to be along for the ride.
September 22, 2024
this was great. i went into this blind and was pleasantly surprised it took the approach it did. everyone in this book deserves what they got in a way. gory and fun!
September 4, 2024
I was a big fan of Dawson's book “Bloom," so this was an exciting ARC. It's a very different story and feels like a horror movie with visceral kills and an imaginative setting. I think the aesthetic of the island was supposed to be “a bit much,” but I loved it. It was so vivid and unique and all terrible events aside I would absolutely stay in a vacation spot that *looked* like that! (Maybe I like the color pink more than I realized?)
I'll get the negative out of the way first, because my only complaints happened early on. It was initially very tough to have sympathy for the main character Dez because of the decisions she made. (No spoilers, but there's a very big one that affects the plot and I was flabbergasted by the stupidity.) As a result, there was then constant justification for why Dez was staying in this situation. Mostly in the first third or so, I could not get on board with her choices. Things eventually got better as the book went on, because her situation became dire and her actions were more understandable at that point. Dez was a good character, and I do want to make that clear. There was just stuff in the beginning that had to happen to kick off the story and that stuff had me going, "Are you kidding me?"
What I appreciated the most about this book: once the horror kicks in it is nonstop. You will not be bored for even a second.
It is filled with violent, creative scenes that are oddly satisfying given the circumstances. It’s one of those books that makes you question your own morals a little bit. At least, I did. I think I had the reaction that I was supposed to, but at the same time: was I meant to enjoy some of it that much? Another reviewer described this as an “Eat the rich” story and it is very much that. Also, a bloody revenge tale. But I don't want to give too much away.
One other minor nitpick I had, but this is always a problem for me: I don't care for straight up "villain" monologuing. However, the dialogue was pretty good, so it was bearable.
This was a stressful but exciting horror read. I recommend it for people who like things very violent and want a story in which people get what they deserve. (But heed the triggers if you have any!) I look forward to reading more from this author!
Thank you to Netgalley and to the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.
Potentially spoilery trigger warnings list below!
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TW: Sexual Assault (off-screen), Torture, References to Abortion, Incest
I'll get the negative out of the way first, because my only complaints happened early on. It was initially very tough to have sympathy for the main character Dez because of the decisions she made. (No spoilers, but there's a very big one that affects the plot and I was flabbergasted by the stupidity.) As a result, there was then constant justification for why Dez was staying in this situation. Mostly in the first third or so, I could not get on board with her choices. Things eventually got better as the book went on, because her situation became dire and her actions were more understandable at that point. Dez was a good character, and I do want to make that clear. There was just stuff in the beginning that had to happen to kick off the story and that stuff had me going, "Are you kidding me?"
What I appreciated the most about this book: once the horror kicks in it is nonstop. You will not be bored for even a second.
It is filled with violent, creative scenes that are oddly satisfying given the circumstances. It’s one of those books that makes you question your own morals a little bit. At least, I did. I think I had the reaction that I was supposed to, but at the same time: was I meant to enjoy some of it that much? Another reviewer described this as an “Eat the rich” story and it is very much that. Also, a bloody revenge tale. But I don't want to give too much away.
One other minor nitpick I had, but this is always a problem for me: I don't care for straight up "villain" monologuing. However, the dialogue was pretty good, so it was bearable.
This was a stressful but exciting horror read. I recommend it for people who like things very violent and want a story in which people get what they deserve. (But heed the triggers if you have any!) I look forward to reading more from this author!
Thank you to Netgalley and to the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.
Potentially spoilery trigger warnings list below!
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
TW: Sexual Assault (off-screen), Torture, References to Abortion, Incest
August 6, 2024
Did I receive this just yesterday and finish it yesterday? Maybe.
.
I hope you're hungry, get your knives and forks ready as Dawson serves up an eat the rich heart pounding horror and tantalizing revenge thriller, carthartic, unapologetic and self aware this was a book I devoured in one sitting, girly gore at its finest, there is something addictive about indulging in reading about wealthy, entitled individuals acting in a repulsive manner, kind of a guilty pleasure right? Full of graphic and rather inventive kills reminiscent of Saw this will appeal to fans of horror in general, however this is as much a political statement and satire as it is a gore fest frolick that will have you questioning your own morals as much as the characters.
.
I hope you're hungry, get your knives and forks ready as Dawson serves up an eat the rich heart pounding horror and tantalizing revenge thriller, carthartic, unapologetic and self aware this was a book I devoured in one sitting, girly gore at its finest, there is something addictive about indulging in reading about wealthy, entitled individuals acting in a repulsive manner, kind of a guilty pleasure right? Full of graphic and rather inventive kills reminiscent of Saw this will appeal to fans of horror in general, however this is as much a political statement and satire as it is a gore fest frolick that will have you questioning your own morals as much as the characters.
September 27, 2024
3.75 ⭐️(Rounded up)
Eat the rich. Beautiful, gory, revenge and I loved every moment.
Eat the rich. Beautiful, gory, revenge and I loved every moment.
September 21, 2024
I was feeling this was going to just be an okay book and then about 30 percent in, bam, it totally changed. I ended up loving this story and all its twisted, violent, wonderful ways.
August 3, 2024
While this novel is on trend with its Eat the Rich plot, there is not enough to it to really merit its existence.
This book is basically Ready Or Not. I loved the movie, but this book just doesn't work. Let's explore why!
Ultimately what works in a movie, especially a horror movie, isn't always what works in a book.
First, the book isn't trying to be funny. The device of the games and the tone of slapstick violence is gone. Perhaps the comedy elements would have made it better, that was certainly part of Ready Or Not's success. But actually I think it would have been fine without the comedy, slapstick works in a movie in a way it never can in a novel. It doesn't get that added boost, but this isn't a fatal flaw.
Second, we have no suspense here. And specifically I don't mean the who is going to die and how suspense. I mean, is anyone here good, is anyone here worthy, will anyone help our girl. There is no moral suspense. We know going in that these people suck, that our girl is not there because she thinks a single one of them is good but for her own ends. We already know everything we need to about who is good and who is bad.
Third, let's get back to that who is going to die and how suspense. We don't get this either, because unlike Ready or Not where it's really just our girl who is in peril most of the time, here our girl is never in direct peril. She is, we know, a bystander. She may be picked off, she may not, whether she is or not is not going to be about any big plot things but a secondary matter. The people who are the targets, we don't have any idea that they will get away or be okay. It's all a foregone conclusion from the moment the violence begins.
Fourth, to expand on that foregone conclusion, there is no opportunity for characters to change, grow, etc. Not even Saw has this approach, it always allows that possibility of redemption. This book isn't interested. And look, I'm actually not opposed to that! I think there is a lack of morality in billionaires that means you had your chance for redemption and didn't take it. But for a novel? For a story? It's very uninteresting. These characters haven't really done anything to me, I'm unsurprised by the continued revelations of the things they've done to other people. The vengeance is a thing that happens, not a thing that gives me any emotional response.
This might be an okay movie, though I would recommend it find something to jazz it up, whether it's an emotional arc or humor, so that it isn't just a torture fest. Because let's be clear: that is all this book is. Okay fine the first quarter is establishing, which actually I liked just fine (though it didn't make much sense, as soon as girl decides to take advantage of boy, everything between the girl and the boy was completely unrealistic, I do not believe for one second that this boy goes out with her for all this time without sex) and the creepiness of the estate and the island was also good. But then it's like what was the point of all that if it's just torture all the way down after this? Like what is the point of the creepiness? We already expect these characters to be terrible, so the reveals have no real punch. All the work to establish is just a waste.
Give me some suspense, some character, something interesting please.
This book is basically Ready Or Not. I loved the movie, but this book just doesn't work. Let's explore why!
Ultimately what works in a movie, especially a horror movie, isn't always what works in a book.
First, the book isn't trying to be funny. The device of the games and the tone of slapstick violence is gone. Perhaps the comedy elements would have made it better, that was certainly part of Ready Or Not's success. But actually I think it would have been fine without the comedy, slapstick works in a movie in a way it never can in a novel. It doesn't get that added boost, but this isn't a fatal flaw.
Second, we have no suspense here. And specifically I don't mean the who is going to die and how suspense. I mean, is anyone here good, is anyone here worthy, will anyone help our girl. There is no moral suspense. We know going in that these people suck, that our girl is not there because she thinks a single one of them is good but for her own ends. We already know everything we need to about who is good and who is bad.
Third, let's get back to that who is going to die and how suspense. We don't get this either, because unlike Ready or Not where it's really just our girl who is in peril most of the time, here our girl is never in direct peril. She is, we know, a bystander. She may be picked off, she may not, whether she is or not is not going to be about any big plot things but a secondary matter. The people who are the targets, we don't have any idea that they will get away or be okay. It's all a foregone conclusion from the moment the violence begins.
Fourth, to expand on that foregone conclusion, there is no opportunity for characters to change, grow, etc. Not even Saw has this approach, it always allows that possibility of redemption. This book isn't interested. And look, I'm actually not opposed to that! I think there is a lack of morality in billionaires that means you had your chance for redemption and didn't take it. But for a novel? For a story? It's very uninteresting. These characters haven't really done anything to me, I'm unsurprised by the continued revelations of the things they've done to other people. The vengeance is a thing that happens, not a thing that gives me any emotional response.
This might be an okay movie, though I would recommend it find something to jazz it up, whether it's an emotional arc or humor, so that it isn't just a torture fest. Because let's be clear: that is all this book is. Okay fine the first quarter is establishing, which actually I liked just fine (though it didn't make much sense, as soon as girl decides to take advantage of boy, everything between the girl and the boy was completely unrealistic, I do not believe for one second that this boy goes out with her for all this time without sex) and the creepiness of the estate and the island was also good. But then it's like what was the point of all that if it's just torture all the way down after this? Like what is the point of the creepiness? We already expect these characters to be terrible, so the reveals have no real punch. All the work to establish is just a waste.
Give me some suspense, some character, something interesting please.
September 16, 2024
3 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2024/09/07/...
Guillotine by Delilah S. Dawson follows a talented but inexperienced fashion designer named Dez Lane who is struggling to find a job. And so, even though she loathes Patrick Ruskin and thinks he’s an arrogant sleazebag with too much money and not enough brains, she agrees to go on a date with him. Her reason? Patrick is the son of Marie Caulfield-Ruskin, the powerful editor-in-chief of the haute couture magazine Nouveau. Dez is not above using sex to get ahead in the world, and if it means having to endure Patrick’s clumsy advances in exchange for a chance to meet his mother and get her foot in the door of the fashion industry, well then so be it.
After only a few dates, Dez’s gamble pays off. Patrick has plans to travel to his family’s island mansion for the annual Ruskin Easter reunion, and she manipulates him into letting her tag along. Once they arrive, Dez is both awed and disgusted by the display of decadence and excess. Yet, despite the island’s well-appointed amenities and its army of pink-clad staff, the welcome she receives is cold and reproachful. After the NDAs are signed and her cell phone confiscated, Dez realizes she has left herself at the mercy of Patrick and his creepy family. She reminds herself that she only needs an introduction with Marie—ten minutes to convince the magazine mogul to give her the big break she needs–-but when things suddenly take a sinister turn, Dez begins to question if it is all worth it.
The plot of this book leans heavily into the “Eat the Rich” trope, and it is NOT subtle about it. The typical criticisms abound—class disparity, exploitation and oppression, white privilege, male privilege, the moral bankruptcy of wealth, and so on and so forth. Then, of course, at the end of this excoriation comes the bit about revenge and retribution. Problem is, the delivery feels incredibly heavy-handed and overly simplistic, perhaps by design, but this lack of nuance also caused the story fall short of being anything meaningful and made it much harder to take seriously.
Nevertheless, it had its moments. Guillotine was a fun read, despite the protagonist being almost as repulsive and unlikeable as the people she’s railing against. Kind of rich of her to sneer at Patrick when she herself comes across just as shameless and morally bankrupt (and also DUMB) but hey, I can and do often appreciate a book filled with characters you love to hate. Plus, once Dez gets on the island, the weirdness surrounding the Ruskin family pulls you in, not to mention the mysterious behaviors displayed by their staff.
Unfortunately, that’s as good as it gets. First of all, it’s important to note that, at least to me, Guillotine didn’t start off openly as satirical, though it sure was veering towards that direction near the end. The first half also gave no indication that the second was going to turn into such a bloodbath, but here we are. Next, the ending was simply a hot mess—rushed and disorganized with no real thought to plot, character development, or even logic—just plenty of sadistic violence which I generally have no objection to in my horror fiction, but then I also tend to prefer all the gore and bloodshed to be accompanied with, you know, actual tension and a reason to be shocked.
Overall, while the concept behind Guillotine was decently solid and entertaining, the ending sadly felt like a lot of wasted potential. Rather than a satisfying conclusion, we get what feels more like a formality, with little depth or impact. Still, even though I’ve read better books by Delilah S. Dawson, I didn’t regret reading this one. Despite the disappointing ending, the story was twisted enough to be interesting and thankfully short enough that it was over before its flaws could drag it down.
Guillotine by Delilah S. Dawson follows a talented but inexperienced fashion designer named Dez Lane who is struggling to find a job. And so, even though she loathes Patrick Ruskin and thinks he’s an arrogant sleazebag with too much money and not enough brains, she agrees to go on a date with him. Her reason? Patrick is the son of Marie Caulfield-Ruskin, the powerful editor-in-chief of the haute couture magazine Nouveau. Dez is not above using sex to get ahead in the world, and if it means having to endure Patrick’s clumsy advances in exchange for a chance to meet his mother and get her foot in the door of the fashion industry, well then so be it.
After only a few dates, Dez’s gamble pays off. Patrick has plans to travel to his family’s island mansion for the annual Ruskin Easter reunion, and she manipulates him into letting her tag along. Once they arrive, Dez is both awed and disgusted by the display of decadence and excess. Yet, despite the island’s well-appointed amenities and its army of pink-clad staff, the welcome she receives is cold and reproachful. After the NDAs are signed and her cell phone confiscated, Dez realizes she has left herself at the mercy of Patrick and his creepy family. She reminds herself that she only needs an introduction with Marie—ten minutes to convince the magazine mogul to give her the big break she needs–-but when things suddenly take a sinister turn, Dez begins to question if it is all worth it.
The plot of this book leans heavily into the “Eat the Rich” trope, and it is NOT subtle about it. The typical criticisms abound—class disparity, exploitation and oppression, white privilege, male privilege, the moral bankruptcy of wealth, and so on and so forth. Then, of course, at the end of this excoriation comes the bit about revenge and retribution. Problem is, the delivery feels incredibly heavy-handed and overly simplistic, perhaps by design, but this lack of nuance also caused the story fall short of being anything meaningful and made it much harder to take seriously.
Nevertheless, it had its moments. Guillotine was a fun read, despite the protagonist being almost as repulsive and unlikeable as the people she’s railing against. Kind of rich of her to sneer at Patrick when she herself comes across just as shameless and morally bankrupt (and also DUMB) but hey, I can and do often appreciate a book filled with characters you love to hate. Plus, once Dez gets on the island, the weirdness surrounding the Ruskin family pulls you in, not to mention the mysterious behaviors displayed by their staff.
Unfortunately, that’s as good as it gets. First of all, it’s important to note that, at least to me, Guillotine didn’t start off openly as satirical, though it sure was veering towards that direction near the end. The first half also gave no indication that the second was going to turn into such a bloodbath, but here we are. Next, the ending was simply a hot mess—rushed and disorganized with no real thought to plot, character development, or even logic—just plenty of sadistic violence which I generally have no objection to in my horror fiction, but then I also tend to prefer all the gore and bloodshed to be accompanied with, you know, actual tension and a reason to be shocked.
Overall, while the concept behind Guillotine was decently solid and entertaining, the ending sadly felt like a lot of wasted potential. Rather than a satisfying conclusion, we get what feels more like a formality, with little depth or impact. Still, even though I’ve read better books by Delilah S. Dawson, I didn’t regret reading this one. Despite the disappointing ending, the story was twisted enough to be interesting and thankfully short enough that it was over before its flaws could drag it down.
September 28, 2024
When I got my hands on the ARC of "Guillotine" by Delilah S. Dawson, I had no idea I had previously read one of her books. "The Violence" had completely gripped me as one of my favorite thrillers a few years back.
With just two books under my belt, I was already blown away by the author's dark and intense storytelling. The Ruskin family's life of luxury on their private island, surrounded by secrecy, non-disclosure agreements, and pink, sets the stage for an exhilarating narrative. The audiobook is absolutely fantastic, with top-notch narration that truly brings the story to life!
Dez's desperate ambition to break into the fashion industry leads her to date the detestable Patrick Ruskin, hoping to impress his mother, the influential editor-in-chief of Nouveau magazine. Little does she know, her journey onto the island will reveal how twisted and monstrous this family truly is!
Thanks to Tantor Media and Delilah Dawson for providing this gifted ARC via Libro.fm. All opinions are my own and left voluntarily.
#Guillotine #DelilahSDawson #TantorMedia #LibroFM
With just two books under my belt, I was already blown away by the author's dark and intense storytelling. The Ruskin family's life of luxury on their private island, surrounded by secrecy, non-disclosure agreements, and pink, sets the stage for an exhilarating narrative. The audiobook is absolutely fantastic, with top-notch narration that truly brings the story to life!
Dez's desperate ambition to break into the fashion industry leads her to date the detestable Patrick Ruskin, hoping to impress his mother, the influential editor-in-chief of Nouveau magazine. Little does she know, her journey onto the island will reveal how twisted and monstrous this family truly is!
Thanks to Tantor Media and Delilah Dawson for providing this gifted ARC via Libro.fm. All opinions are my own and left voluntarily.
#Guillotine #DelilahSDawson #TantorMedia #LibroFM
September 29, 2024
The dedication to this book reads:
If you’ve ever cleaned someone else’s dirty toilet…
If you’ve ever been cussed out while working a cash register…
If you’ve ever gotten covered in restaurant trash juice…
This one’s for you.
You deserve a lot more than this book.
At least two of these statements apply to me, so I’d just like to say thanks to the author. She also notes it was cathartic to write (it was cathartic to read) and suggests people give this book to a boss that needs a hint. 😂
Girl, you a savage.
I love it. Anyway. You get pretty much what is promised in the blurb. I think if there had been a little more humor in it, a little more camp, it would have been a full five star read for me.
Desiree is a character that’s easy to root for. The justice is poetic. The writing fine and the pacing perfect.
Dawson has another novel coming out this month I’m also excited to check out.
If you’ve ever cleaned someone else’s dirty toilet…
If you’ve ever been cussed out while working a cash register…
If you’ve ever gotten covered in restaurant trash juice…
This one’s for you.
You deserve a lot more than this book.
At least two of these statements apply to me, so I’d just like to say thanks to the author. She also notes it was cathartic to write (it was cathartic to read) and suggests people give this book to a boss that needs a hint. 😂
Girl, you a savage.
I love it. Anyway. You get pretty much what is promised in the blurb. I think if there had been a little more humor in it, a little more camp, it would have been a full five star read for me.
Desiree is a character that’s easy to root for. The justice is poetic. The writing fine and the pacing perfect.
Dawson has another novel coming out this month I’m also excited to check out.
July 3, 2024
3.5
Guillotine is an exceptionally gory revenge horror reminiscent of Kill Bill. This story features numerous detailed kills with clear explanations of how & why each victim meets their end. Dez befriends the son of a fashion magazine superstar, aiming to meet the mother. However, the meeting takes place on a private island, ideal for a group plotting justified revenge. True to form for this author, it's an engaging read, provided you can stomach it.
The horrifying imagery and complex characters are really what made this story unputdownable .After devouring Bloom in a day, Dawson has become an automatic buy for me.
If you're into horror, this is must-read. It's graphic, challenges the elitism of the wealthy, and introduces characters you'll love to hate alongside those you'll cheer for. I'll be recommending this to all my fellow horror book enthusiasts!
Thank you to Netgalley & Titan Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Guillotine is an exceptionally gory revenge horror reminiscent of Kill Bill. This story features numerous detailed kills with clear explanations of how & why each victim meets their end. Dez befriends the son of a fashion magazine superstar, aiming to meet the mother. However, the meeting takes place on a private island, ideal for a group plotting justified revenge. True to form for this author, it's an engaging read, provided you can stomach it.
The horrifying imagery and complex characters are really what made this story unputdownable .After devouring Bloom in a day, Dawson has become an automatic buy for me.
If you're into horror, this is must-read. It's graphic, challenges the elitism of the wealthy, and introduces characters you'll love to hate alongside those you'll cheer for. I'll be recommending this to all my fellow horror book enthusiasts!
Thank you to Netgalley & Titan Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 11, 2024
3.5
This was nuts.
I feel like the author was treated badly by some rich people and wrote this as a way to release her anger.
Therapy 🤣
This was nuts.
I feel like the author was treated badly by some rich people and wrote this as a way to release her anger.
Therapy 🤣
September 20, 2024
“hey there delilah, what’s it like in the recesses of your writer brain?” 💀
I NEED MORE! ALL OF IT!
I NEED MORE! ALL OF IT!
September 10, 2024
What a fun WILD ride this book is.
September 13, 2024
confirmed: still not a horror girlie 😌
September 4, 2024
Discouraged following endless employment rejections, aspiring fashionista Dez (Desiree) Lane may have found her ticket to trendiness. While it means going out with creep Patrick Ruskin, this may allow her to crack open the door to meet Patrick’s mother – fashion icon and magazine magnate Marie Caulfield-Ruskin. After a few short weeks of dating, Dez is overjoyed to be invited to the private Ruskin Family Island just off the coast of Savannah, Georgia for Easter festivities. Upon arrival, everything feels off for Dez; the family is distant, rude to staff and generally cold to her. This feeling is only enforced as she’s promptly asked to sign an NDA before she can continue with her stay – otherwise, she’s on the first boat back to shore. Dez signs, against her better judgement, as she cannot let yet another opportunity to further her career slip through her fingers. What unfolds next is, in a word, gruesome.
Let me tell you, this was a trip to say the least. I read Dawson’s THE VIOLENCE a few years ago, so I thought I was prepared for how far she could go with the “blood and guts”, so to speak, but I feel like this one was on another level. The Ruskins are awful, awful people, so what happens throughout the story is certainly in a way, cathartic. It always seems like those with unimaginable wealth and power rarely pay the appropriate price for their horrific actions, and author Delilah Dawson has tasked herself with seeing appropriate punishment doled out here.
GUILLOTINE is a swift, merciless read that you’ll likely finish in no time; its brisk pace and small page count lent itself to the type of story Dawson told. While I found Dez to be an unremarkable protagonist overall, I thought the story around her had been fleshed out enough to make an impact, when all was said and done. GUILLOTINE will fit nicely in your spooky season stack this autumn.
Let me tell you, this was a trip to say the least. I read Dawson’s THE VIOLENCE a few years ago, so I thought I was prepared for how far she could go with the “blood and guts”, so to speak, but I feel like this one was on another level. The Ruskins are awful, awful people, so what happens throughout the story is certainly in a way, cathartic. It always seems like those with unimaginable wealth and power rarely pay the appropriate price for their horrific actions, and author Delilah Dawson has tasked herself with seeing appropriate punishment doled out here.
GUILLOTINE is a swift, merciless read that you’ll likely finish in no time; its brisk pace and small page count lent itself to the type of story Dawson told. While I found Dez to be an unremarkable protagonist overall, I thought the story around her had been fleshed out enough to make an impact, when all was said and done. GUILLOTINE will fit nicely in your spooky season stack this autumn.
September 24, 2024
so good, so fun, so bloody 🩸
This book is described as The Menu meets Ready Or Not, and I totally see that, but I also want to add Saw into the mix with the elaborate violence and gore.
I had a lot of fun with this book, it's short, it started off a little slow and I wasn't sure which direction it was going to go but when it picked up it was fast paced, action packed, and full of gore and revenge. I found myself saying "good for them" on more than one occasion. I also really enjoyed the dark comedy sprinkled in throughout all the carnage.
I've come to the realization that I really enjoy Delilahs books, now that I've read two:
🔪Guillotine is a fun and action-packed gory revenge horror.
🧁Bloom is a cozy sapphic cottagecore horror.
*thank you Titan 🫶🏻
As always, opinions are my own 🤘🏻💀🤘🏻
This book is described as The Menu meets Ready Or Not, and I totally see that, but I also want to add Saw into the mix with the elaborate violence and gore.
I had a lot of fun with this book, it's short, it started off a little slow and I wasn't sure which direction it was going to go but when it picked up it was fast paced, action packed, and full of gore and revenge. I found myself saying "good for them" on more than one occasion. I also really enjoyed the dark comedy sprinkled in throughout all the carnage.
I've come to the realization that I really enjoy Delilahs books, now that I've read two:
🔪Guillotine is a fun and action-packed gory revenge horror.
🧁Bloom is a cozy sapphic cottagecore horror.
*thank you Titan 🫶🏻
As always, opinions are my own 🤘🏻💀🤘🏻
September 11, 2024
If you loved The Menu (the 2022 film with Anya Taylor-Joy), Guillotine is definitely up your alley. Dark and twisted, this book has just about every trigger warning possible so if you're squeamish, struggle with gore and violence, or are generally sensitive, just skip it.
This is a super-fast read. At clocking in at just over 200 pages, it was perfect for an afternoon binge or long car ride. I listened to the audio and the narrator was great. The pacing is spectacular, and it is highly entertaining, so the audio format worked well for me.
Slightly predictable but still a wild ride, I definitely recommend.
Thank you to Libro.fm for the copy.
This is a super-fast read. At clocking in at just over 200 pages, it was perfect for an afternoon binge or long car ride. I listened to the audio and the narrator was great. The pacing is spectacular, and it is highly entertaining, so the audio format worked well for me.
Slightly predictable but still a wild ride, I definitely recommend.
Thank you to Libro.fm for the copy.
September 23, 2024
Wow, did this dark and delicious story deliver! I love a good "rich people behaving badly" tale, and this one was absolutely savage!
It totally left me with "what did I just read" vibes, and I loved how wildly entertaining and captivating it was. It was compelling, brilliantly written, and I really enjoyed the glamorous horror twist.
Fans of Catherine Steadman and Eliza Jane Brazier are sure to devour this one!
Don’t miss out adding this novella to your #SpookySeasonTBR You wont regret it!
4.5 stars rounded to 5 for Goodreads
It totally left me with "what did I just read" vibes, and I loved how wildly entertaining and captivating it was. It was compelling, brilliantly written, and I really enjoyed the glamorous horror twist.
Fans of Catherine Steadman and Eliza Jane Brazier are sure to devour this one!
Don’t miss out adding this novella to your #SpookySeasonTBR You wont regret it!
4.5 stars rounded to 5 for Goodreads
September 24, 2024
eat the rich
September 4, 2024
Oh this was so good.
September 23, 2024
Wow, ok. I don’t usually lend much credence to publishers copy, but this really was born of the same campy violence of Ready or Not and The Menu. I did love both those movies, but I do feel like this novel might have fared better as a movie than a written work. Many scenes were breathtakingly violent and the whole color-themed opulence of the setting would have looked great on camera. I do think it was slightly less successful as a book.
As it is, I think I would have preferred if it was longer with a little more development and subtlety. This book is a bit of a wrecking ball covered in “eat the rich” graffiti, which is admittedly fun, but… lacking in nuance and depth. It takes an astonishing small amount of time until things go completely off the rails and I feel like more tension-building could have been useful. It quickly turns into a series of terrifyingly creative torture set-pieces from the eyes of a class infiltrator watching with frightened, but growing solidarity with the uprising oppressed. It’s intense and it’s unsubtle. But I didn’t, like, not enjoy it.
I will say that this is a really violent revenge fantasy with a ton of gore and horror, but the worst part for me was when people were describing the victimization they suffered at the hands of our rich villains, including a lot of rape graphically described (off-page) and a lot of discussion of eugenics and reproductive abuse. It’s all in the context of former victims enacting revenge, but some of those rape descriptions bothered me a lot more than the in-scene torture. Just a heads up.
So, I know this author can be a little more layered in her approach because I liked The Violence so much, so I think this brash explosion of a novel was written this way on purpose, indulging in a glory of violence, revenge, and extremely explicit and straightforward class struggle. It feels intentional. But if you want more complexity, I don’t think you’ll find it here, so know what you’re getting into.
Again, I think it would be a super fun horror movie.
As it is, I think I would have preferred if it was longer with a little more development and subtlety. This book is a bit of a wrecking ball covered in “eat the rich” graffiti, which is admittedly fun, but… lacking in nuance and depth. It takes an astonishing small amount of time until things go completely off the rails and I feel like more tension-building could have been useful. It quickly turns into a series of terrifyingly creative torture set-pieces from the eyes of a class infiltrator watching with frightened, but growing solidarity with the uprising oppressed. It’s intense and it’s unsubtle. But I didn’t, like, not enjoy it.
I will say that this is a really violent revenge fantasy with a ton of gore and horror, but the worst part for me was when people were describing the victimization they suffered at the hands of our rich villains, including a lot of rape graphically described (off-page) and a lot of discussion of eugenics and reproductive abuse. It’s all in the context of former victims enacting revenge, but some of those rape descriptions bothered me a lot more than the in-scene torture. Just a heads up.
So, I know this author can be a little more layered in her approach because I liked The Violence so much, so I think this brash explosion of a novel was written this way on purpose, indulging in a glory of violence, revenge, and extremely explicit and straightforward class struggle. It feels intentional. But if you want more complexity, I don’t think you’ll find it here, so know what you’re getting into.
Again, I think it would be a super fun horror movie.
September 4, 2024
To sum Guillotine up in one sentence: it is gory, creative and filled with opulence, revenge, and retribution!
“Why does it seem like everything here has such sharp teeth?”
To delve a little deeper:
Dez's dream is to work in fashion, but getting her foot in the door is proving to be no easy feat. So when fashion magazine editor-in-chief Marie Ruskin's son Patrick comes on to her, she sees her opportunity to break into the design scene - even though it means putting up with the arrogant, self-absorbed Patrick. Dez is willing to play the pliable girlfriend to manipulate Patrick into inviting her on his family holiday, to their isolated private island, earning herself an "in" to meet Marie and show her what she's worth. Upon arriving she's met with a frightening NDA, no contact with the outside world, odd staff... and the pretentious, self-important, creepy Ruskin family.
Guillotine is a gory commentary on the opulence of the upper class, and the downfall of the greedy, entitled 1%. Right down to the pearls on Marie's neck... originally owned by Marie Antoinette. If that's not predicting your own demise, I'm not sure what is.
This is a book filled with creative ends befitting the receiver's crimes. The build up is fast-paced and intriguing, and crescendos into chaos in the most satisfying way.
If you're a fan of unique uses for pearl strings, louboutins, and the phrase "eat the rich"... you'll love Guillotine.
As always, check your trigger warnings 🖤
*Disclaimer: I was generously provided with an advance copy from Titan Books via NetGalley. However, all viewpoints expressed above are my own!
“Why does it seem like everything here has such sharp teeth?”
To delve a little deeper:
Dez's dream is to work in fashion, but getting her foot in the door is proving to be no easy feat. So when fashion magazine editor-in-chief Marie Ruskin's son Patrick comes on to her, she sees her opportunity to break into the design scene - even though it means putting up with the arrogant, self-absorbed Patrick. Dez is willing to play the pliable girlfriend to manipulate Patrick into inviting her on his family holiday, to their isolated private island, earning herself an "in" to meet Marie and show her what she's worth. Upon arriving she's met with a frightening NDA, no contact with the outside world, odd staff... and the pretentious, self-important, creepy Ruskin family.
Guillotine is a gory commentary on the opulence of the upper class, and the downfall of the greedy, entitled 1%. Right down to the pearls on Marie's neck... originally owned by Marie Antoinette. If that's not predicting your own demise, I'm not sure what is.
This is a book filled with creative ends befitting the receiver's crimes. The build up is fast-paced and intriguing, and crescendos into chaos in the most satisfying way.
If you're a fan of unique uses for pearl strings, louboutins, and the phrase "eat the rich"... you'll love Guillotine.
As always, check your trigger warnings 🖤
*Disclaimer: I was generously provided with an advance copy from Titan Books via NetGalley. However, all viewpoints expressed above are my own!
September 11, 2024
I crushed through this book in one sitting and highly recommend that you do the same. Guillotine is goooey and the description of “Saw for rich people” is too accurate to not recycle from the MC in this one.
Guillotine sees Dez, fashionista and inspiring designer, traveling to a private island with a man she hates to try and get closer to his mother - an icon in the fashion industry. Unfortunately for her, as soon as she signs the NDA to stay on the island things start going south.
Guillotine is EVERYTHING and I reveled in each gory drama that unfolded against the elitist family members. Oftentimes violence and such in books will have me feeling empathetic to the victims regardless of circumstance. It’s just how I’m wired. Dawson had me grinning like the Cheshire Cat though as all manners of horrible things befell these people.
While (obviously) a bit over the top from my experiences in the service industry - Dez was such an easy character to root for as she navigated this male-dominated family. I recently had a man at work angrily throw a receipt and pen at me and I just grinned maniacally at him and told him to have a nice day. I love watching people go nuclear when I don’t cower like they expect. This entire book felt like those sick little joys.
Check this one out if you like horror, the Saw franchise (the early movies when they were still good,) body horror, and awful people getting their comeuppance.
**Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for the eARC of this incredible title!!**
Guillotine sees Dez, fashionista and inspiring designer, traveling to a private island with a man she hates to try and get closer to his mother - an icon in the fashion industry. Unfortunately for her, as soon as she signs the NDA to stay on the island things start going south.
Guillotine is EVERYTHING and I reveled in each gory drama that unfolded against the elitist family members. Oftentimes violence and such in books will have me feeling empathetic to the victims regardless of circumstance. It’s just how I’m wired. Dawson had me grinning like the Cheshire Cat though as all manners of horrible things befell these people.
While (obviously) a bit over the top from my experiences in the service industry - Dez was such an easy character to root for as she navigated this male-dominated family. I recently had a man at work angrily throw a receipt and pen at me and I just grinned maniacally at him and told him to have a nice day. I love watching people go nuclear when I don’t cower like they expect. This entire book felt like those sick little joys.
Check this one out if you like horror, the Saw franchise (the early movies when they were still good,) body horror, and awful people getting their comeuppance.
**Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for the eARC of this incredible title!!**
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