House of Rot: Novella Review
As promised, I am back!
I actually ended up reading a bunch of books that I got at Stoker, so I have quite a few reviews now waiting to be written. Make sure to keep checking back and, if you are waiting for a review, I promise I am getting to them!
Let’s start with the newest Danger Slater book! Onwards!
The Author
Did I deliberately pick the photo of Danger Slater that had his cat? Absolutely.
Danger Slater is the Wonderland Award-winning writer of I Will Rot Without You, Moonfellows, He Digs a Hole, and other books too. He has a mustache. Or maybe he shaved it by now. Or maybe he is already dead. I don’t know when you’re reading this. — Slater’s bio
Besides his novels, he also writes short fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and has recorded audio books. You can find a complete list of his publications here. Slater can be found on Twitter, Instagram, or his website.
The Book
The pink mold growing on the walls isn’t the worst thing about Elenya and Myles’ brand new fixer upper.
There’s also the inexplicable footsteps in the night; the sealed-over windows and doors; the neighbor that hears their screams but can’t be bothered to help.
Soon, there’s no leaving at all. No hope of cleaning. And that encroaching mold? It’s practically become a second skin.
Welcome to the House of Rot. You’re never getting out. — House of Rot’s Amazon page description
Published June 14th, 2023, through Tenebrous Press, House of Rot is weird horror novella centred around a couple who has just gotten a new apartment. Hoping to save up for a house and start a family, millennials Myles and Elenya soon find the place is growing on them…. (bah dum tsh!)
The Review
Bizarre, fun, and weird would be the words I’d use to describe House of Rot.
The two main characters were brilliantly real and reading how the House of Rot treated them was heartbreaking. I feel like most of us could relate to Myles’ and Elenya’s desire to try and make a life for themselves, struggling against the money hungry place the world has become.
Besides life-like, relatable characters, Slater also has a serious talent for writing punchy, sharp dialogue and really unsettling descriptions. I won’t say of what, just read the book! At one point, my skin got itchy. That’s all I’m saying.
Another stellar point: the pacing was impeccable and the end was perfectly nutso. I read this in one sitting, I couldn’t put it down.
Overall, House of Rot gave me heavy Junji Ito vibes and you know I am absolutely a huge fan of Ito’s manga. So if you’re a fan of the weird, grotesque things happening to people just trying to get by — House of Rot is for you. If you’re a fan of Junji Ito, this book is for you. The closest story I would compare House of Rot to would be “Greased” from the Shiver collection. If you know you know.
10/10
x PLM
