The Crop Circle by Kevin Sweeney ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 Let’s get one thing straight: The Crop Circle is a trip. It’s dark, gory, and absolutely brimming with over-the-top moments that will either have you cringing or laughing nervously (sometimes both!). Kevin Sweeney knows how to take extreme horror to the edge and then push it even further. 

While it’s not without its flaws, this book delivers an intense, unforgettable read.

The story follows Robin and his childhood friends—Fat Andy, Dildo, and Shades—on what starts as a nostalgic reunion and turns into an unimaginable nightmare. Their plan? To create a crude crop circle as a final hurrah. But the field they choose isn’t just any ordinary field, and what unfolds is a chaotic blend of madness, gore, and deeply personal reckonings.

🚨 Spoiler Alert 🚨
One of the most shocking moments comes with Fat Andy’s horrifying descent into madness. His grotesque self-mutilation in the hotel kitchen (yes, involving his genitals and a pizza cutter!) is one of the most graphic, stomach-turning scenes I’ve ever read. It’s both horrifying and bizarrely comedic, a tone that Sweeney expertly balances throughout the book.

The interactions between the four friends are another standout. Their banter is crass and often hilarious, a bittersweet reminder of their deep bond. Robin’s terminal cancer diagnosis adds a layer of poignancy, making their reunion feel both desperate and meaningful. But as each of them begins to unravel—haunted by the consequences of their actions in the field—the story dives headfirst into pure horror.

The pacing is relentless, and the twists are genuinely surprising. The connection between the crop circle and a sinister biotech company adds an intriguing layer of conspiracy to the carnage. The ending, while satisfyingly brutal, leaves just enough ambiguity to keep you thinking about the story long after you’ve closed the book.

So, why not five stars? While I loved the intensity and creativity, some parts felt overindulgent, with the shock value occasionally overshadowing the story itself. But that’s just personal preference—it’s clear Sweeney wrote this for readers who thrive on the extreme.

If you’re a fan of splatterpunk and aren’t afraid to dive into the grotesque, The Crop Circle is a must-read. Just be prepared for a lot of blood, gore, and absolutely no mercy.

#ExtremeHorror #Splatterpunk #CropCirclesGoneWrong #KevinSweeney #GoryReads 🌾🩸🔪