Fiend

by Peter Stenson
Fiend cover
Good Books rating 3.42
Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic
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  • ID: 7723
  • Added: 2025-12-16
  • Updated: 2025-12-16
  • ISBN: 9780434022052
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2013-01-01
  • Reviews: 3

Fiend follows Chase, a meth addict who believes his drug-induced hallucinations are real when he witnesses a little girl attacking a Rottweiler. As the world descends into chaos, Chase sees this apocalypse as an opportunity to start over and become the hero he always dreamed of being. His journey is a darkly comedic and twisted exploration of addiction, love, and redemption. /n/n Written in a blistering first-person voice, Fiend is a unique blend of genres, combining elements of horror, dark comedy, and a love story. The novel's compelling anti-hero, Chase, navigates a world overrun by zombies, offering a grim yet hopeful narrative about finding purpose in the midst of destruction.

Reviews
Bibliosanctum · 2014-10-31
addictive 4.00

The story is incredibly addictive, blending the grim subject of drug abuse with a compelling narrative. The pacing is fast, with events unfolding over just one week.

The reviewer found the story to be incredibly addictive, despite its grim subject matter of drug abuse. The narrative is compelling and the pacing is fast, with all events taking place over just one week. The reviewer appreciates the tension and the way the story unfolds, making it a gripping read. However, they also note that the story marries one unpleasant subject with another, which might be off-putting to some readers.

Quick quotes

    The story was just too addictive, if you would pardon the borderline tasteless pun.

    It marries one unpleasant subject (drug abuse) with another (sex).

    Such is the power of exceptionally lean, always tense prose.

Rougeski Reads · 2014-09-14
disappointing 2.50

The novel's potential is overshadowed by an excessive focus on sexual content, which feels puerile and overwhelming. The story has depth but is marred by this constant theme.

The reviewer appreciates the depth and potential of the novel but finds it overshadowed by an excessive focus on sexual content. They describe this focus as puerile, constant, and overwhelming, which detracts from the overall reading experience. The reviewer feels that this constant theme is unnecessary and disrupts the flow of the story, making it difficult to fully enjoy the novel's strengths.

Quick quotes

    The one element that destroys this novel's potential is the puerile, constant, never-ending, overwhelming focus on genitals.

    Time after time the narrative is interrupted by sexual references.

    It's a shame because the story has so much potential.

Reddit - Recommended Books · u/bookslover42 · 2014-07-01
good 3.75

The book is incredibly good until the ending, which feels abrupt and unsatisfying. The narrative voice is strong and the prose is vivid, making it a compelling read.

The reviewer found the book to be incredibly good, praising the strong narrative voice and vivid prose. The story is told in first-person present tense, which can be challenging to read, but the reviewer finds it compelling. However, they express disappointment with the ending, which they describe as abrupt and unsatisfying. This sudden change in tone and resolution leaves the reviewer feeling let down, despite enjoying the rest of the book.

Quick quotes

    I feel like this is a book not a lot of people have read... but it's SO good.

    Right up until the ending that is. What the hell happened?

    Chase's narrative voice is so strong, and the prose is so vivid.

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