This was very bizarre, and missed the mark for me. The concept was interesting but I just couldn't connect to the characters. And maybe this just wasn't what I was in the mood for. There were some dark and twisty parts that kept me from DNFing, and because of that I want to try something else by this author. But this one is a no for me. ( )

The Sadist's Bible is a difficult novella to review without spoilers, but I'm going to try.

We start off with two women having a sexy internet relationship. One woman, Ellie, is the married wife of a very religious man and the other, Lori, a disturbed bisexual. How disturbed she actually is doesn't become apparent until later. The two have a plan to meet up in real life, have some mind blowing lesbian sex, and then kill themselves. Everything is realistic and understandable up to this point and then it all goes right off the rails; so far off the rails the train cars are in a smoking, wrecked heap about a mile away.

From here on out, a lot of the story is almost interactive with the reader. What I mean by that is that every reader brings their baggage and experience to a story. Depending on what you've read in the past or your past experiences in real life-these things may color your views on the second half of this tale. For myself, I see numerous influences and ways to interpret the last half of this book. A few examples of these influences, from my point of view, would be Lovecraft and Thomas Ligotti for sure. Perhaps a little bit of The King in Yellow and early Clive Barker as well. However, despite these influences the last half is pure Cushing, and this is a style I have grown to love and even adore over the last two years. I'm talking wildly imaginative and creative scenes-described so vividly that I can see them in my mind's eye as clearly as if they were on a giant movie screen before me. I'm not sure that current technology could even live up to Nicole Cushing's imagination-in fact, I doubt it.

This book was incredible. I don't know what else to say. I will include a short warning, this book is daring-in its vivid descriptions of sex and violence, (with both often combined), and also with its frank observations of "in the closet" lesbianism and religious guilt: it may not be for everyone. However, if you think the synopsis and my review sound interesting, I can't say it strongly enough: GO BUY THIS BOOK. (You can do so here: http://www.amazon.com/Sadists-Bible-Nicole-Cushing-ebook/dp/B01C6B9JG6/ref=sr_1_... sadist's bible)

My highest recommendation!

*I received a free e-copy of this novella from the author, in exchange for my honest review. This is it.* ( )

This review refers to the 2017 print edition from 01Publishing

This was one of the most profoundly dark and disturbing stories I have read in some time, redefining love, lust, faith, judgement, punishment, heaven, hell, pleasure, and pain. I feel like anything else I would say at this point would move my review into spoiler territory, so I will sum things up with this blurb from the back cover; "Remember: He wants us broken" ( )

Review copy

The Sadist's Bible is a new novella from Nicole Cushing. Nicole is rapidly becoming one of my go-to authors for a solid story. In the last year, I've enjoyed both her novel, Mr. Suicide, and her collection, The Mirrors.

I love a great opening line and they don't get much better than "Do u really think u ready to die? I don't want u chickening out." This is part of a conversation which takes place on The Buddy System, an online place to find a suicide partner.

This is the place where Ellie meets Lori and where they plan their "escape."

Nicole Cushing writes about real people, not necessarily people like me, but real people none-the-less.

The Sadist's Bible is extremely sexual. Ellie has spent nineteen years in a stupid marriage and would like to have a same-sex fling before ending it all. Lori is willing, but she's also just plain crazy.

At times the story made me uncomfortable, and this is a good thing, writing should have some kind of impact on the reader.

At some point on the way to their liaison , Ellie turns off the highway and ends up deep in the Twilight Zone and the climax (yes, I used that word intentionally) is rather surreal.

Admittedly, The Sadist's Bible is not for everyone. Adult themes abound, but still an enjoyable read.

The Sadist's Bible is available as an e-book from 01Publishing.

Nicole Cushing is a Shirley Jackson Award finalist who's written a number of stand-alone novellas and dozens of short stories. Nicole has been referred to as the literary equivalent of the love child between Jack Ketchum and Poppy Z. Bright. Raised in rural Maryland and now living in southern Indiana, Nicole counts master storyteller Edgar Allen Poe as having had a big influence on her as a writer. ( )