First of all, the cover absolutely drew me in! I am so in love with it! SO BEAUTIFUL! ART!!!!! The novel itself was quite a crazy ride. It was very enjoyable and there was a lot to take from it. I'd love to read more from Rupert Taylor. Felt very Black Mirror-esque itself and would make for a great adaptation down the line! Overall a solid read!

Thank you Netgalley and No Frills Buffalo for the digital arc!

"PLEASE LET ME DESTROY YOU" by Rupert Taylor is a bold and provocative exploration of self-destruction, identity, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world. Taylor's writing is raw and unflinching, drawing readers into the tumultuous inner landscape of the protagonist as they grapple with their desires and fears.

The narrative is both gripping and unsettling, offering a deep dive into the complexities of modern existence. Taylor skillfully balances moments of dark humor with poignant reflections, creating a compelling tension that keeps readers engaged. The protagonist’s journey is marked by a series of choices that challenge societal norms, making for an introspective and often uncomfortable read.

The language is striking and vivid, with Taylor’s unique voice shining through. The themes of alienation and the desire for authenticity resonate strongly, prompting readers to confront their own notions of self and the masks we wear.

Overall, "PLEASE LET ME DESTROY YOU" is an unforgettable and thought-provoking work that pushes boundaries and invites deep reflection. Rupert Taylor has crafted a powerful narrative that will linger in the minds of readers long after they turn the last page. This book is a must-read for those who appreciate literature that challenges and provokes.

a male fantasy, a male centered dream, it had potential and was written well but I couldn't help but feel how male driven it really was

I enjoyed reading this one for the most part, however I did find it a bit hard to follow at times. Might not be the right genre for me but I am open to reading more from the author in the future. thanks to the publisher for the review copy!

Kind of a weird one, but kept me entertained through it. It's outside my usual genre, but if you like a kind of strange, wild story, maybe pick this one up!

This book is definitely not for everyone. It's crazy and unpredictable, taking us left and right, from Saigon to Hollywood to the Cambodian jungle. If this was a roller coaster, it’d be the fastest and have the most loops. The narrative switches between present-day events and the thoughts of our main character, Apollo Jones. This book is a satirical, extremist, and bold look into all that someone’s willing to do to make their dreams a reality, no matter how implausible.

Apollo is an aspiring young filmmaker, finally hoping to make his debut series. On his journey to stardom and recognition, we see the desperate measures he’s willing to go through just to capture a story—stories that ultimately aren’t even his to tell. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a read that will keep them guessing. There are so many points where I found myself completely confused, wondering where we’re going, and I mean that in both a good and bad way.

With its diverse characters and various subplots, you really feel like you’re in Apollo’s world. One that takes you on different adventures and easily picks up another trail, chasing that next big bite. Though this is true to Apollo and his willingness to do whatever it takes to be successful, I think it’s an intriguing read and a really interesting exploration of the creative process and the things we sacrifice to stand out, especially as pawns and players in the entertainment industry.

We see Apollo willing to put himself and others into painful, compromising, and dangerous positions. His need for relevancy is something we’ve all witnessed before and potentially have seen in ourselves. While reading this, you see Apollo as an extremely human character and yet one that’s also volatile, annoying, and brazen. As I said, this book will not be for everybody. The storytelling is in your face! As the story continues, it seems like things get more depraved and out of hand. Nothing is off-limits for the sake of art. Or better said, nothing is off-limits for the sake of one’s belief in what they can create.

This was a chaotic and interesting look into the power of storytelling and being the one to wield that ability. Through Taylor’s prowess in giving us vivid, descriptive, and cinematically rich prose, we see Apollo as someone who voyeuristically preys on the stories of others because his needs go beyond just being a successful filmmaker but a great storyteller. Though this book is a satirical take, it doesn’t hold back in setting the stage for the levels of narcissism and ignorance, as well as the exploitative nature of not only the storyteller, but the industry and audience that seeks these stories out.

This book takes you full circle, metaphorically and physically displaying the destructive nature of ambition. The ways in which we lose track, blur lines, and get ahead of ourselves ultimately leading us back to where we started.

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

this was superrrrrr trippy lol. you follow apollo in asia on as he tries to come up with an original idea for a new netflix series and honestly, i couldn't accurately describe to you the rest of the plot because it gets insane. there were multiple times where i was literally thinking, "wtf is happening?" and i enjoyed it for the most part. this was very humorous and in your face, but also experimental and truly makes you think. i thought the writing was unique - not for everyone for sure, but it's a standout!

I'm very much not sure how to feel about this book.

It made me laugh with its unserious narrative and kept me curious about how it would end.

But!

The unserious narrative is also, sadly, one of the bad things about it. It feels like the author tries too hard to be funny by adding a lot of sexual thoughts? Some small scenes in the book were also completely unnecessary. (Example: MC licking someone's drool??) I understand that our MC is supposed to be this pathetic little man who just wants to follow his dreams, but I think it's done very poorly. There is just so much happening! At some points, it felt like the author just wanted the story to move along, which made the dialogue sound very inhuman. Throughout the whole book, the MC shows ZERO character development. Just when you think he starts realizing how he lives his life isn't great...he goes right back to his destructive behaviors, which would have been fine if it happened once for the sake of the story, but there was no 'explanation' for his behavior.

Overal, this 300ish page book felt like a 800+ brick

The blurb of this book also makes you think it's mainly a heist story; which it really isn't. The story is more about this man who really wants to produce his own show and goes through extreme lengths to get it.

In a contemporary moment defined by endless hunts for Content (TM), we can find countless stories of individuals risking life and limb for their fifteen minutes (or is it seconds, now?) of fame. Taylor's novel here is a dissection of our culture which ties itself in knots in search of the Real and the True.

Rupert Taylor's debut novel, "Please Let Me Destroy You," is a darkly comic and chaotic tale that takes readers on a global journey through the eyes of Apollo Jones, a desperate young filmmaker. The book's premise is intriguing, promising a wild ride as Apollo embarks on a quest for the perfect content for his ambitious TV show.

The story kicks off with Apollo attempting to heist a casino in the Cambodian jungle, only to have a panic attack that derails the plan. This leads to a brutal punishment from his partners, who slice off his right pinky. Undeterred, Apollo bandages his stump and sets off on a search for stories that will take him from Saigon to Hollywood and back to the Cambodian jungle, where he may face even graver dangers.

Taylor's writing style is both a strength and a weakness. His prose is vivid and immersive, capturing the frenetic energy of Apollo's journey. The dark humor and absurd situations add a unique flavor to the narrative. However, the pacing can be uneven, with some sections dragging on and others feeling rushed.

Apollo Jones is a polarizing character. His desperation and misguided ambition make him both relatable and frustrating. He's a complex protagonist whose flaws and insecurities are laid bare for readers to see. However, his lack of self-awareness and self-sabotaging behavior can be grating at times.

The supporting characters are a mixed bag. Some are richly developed and add depth to the story, while others feel like caricatures or plot devices. The frequent shifts in perspective can be jarring, making it difficult to stay fully engaged with the narrative.

One of the novel's standout elements is its exploration of the dark side of artistic ambition. Apollo's relentless pursuit of his dream, despite the physical and emotional toll it takes, raises thought-provoking questions about the cost of chasing success. The themes of privilege, exploitation, and the often-blurry line between reality and fiction are handled with a deft touch.

However, "Please Let Me Destroy You" is not without its flaws. The story's chaotic nature can be overwhelming, and the frequent leaps in time and location sometimes make it hard to follow. Additionally, some readers may find the book's dark humor and visceral descriptions off-putting.

In conclusion, "Please Let Me Destroy You" is a bold and audacious debut that offers a unique reading experience. It's a book that will appeal to those who enjoy dark humor, complex characters, and a narrative that pushes boundaries. However, its uneven pacing and polarizing protagonist may not be to everyone's taste. If you're up for a wild ride and can appreciate the book's darkly comic tone, it's worth a read.

Apollo Jones has moved to California for a chance to be something, in that he’s a Believer in that if he works long enough and hard enough, he may prosper. He is a content creator, striving to find the one masterpiece that will be the perfect film of all time, but his ideas are met with resounding “no’s” by the company and CEO. He struggles with fitting in and has major depression.

Each chapter is told as an episode, but it’s in novel format. The writing is captivating, though the story didn’t capture me as a whole. The summary claims it’s darkly comic but for me it just didn’t feel that way.

While it’s a good short little novel, and I may read something by the author again, this was a strange novel and I’m unsure how to feel about it overall. I definitely will pick this up for a reread later.

Unfortunately, this one didn't quite capture me. It's a great premise and I love the cover, but I don't believe I'm the target audience for this book. It feels a little too punchy for me and it feels like a whirlwind to read--it's hard for me personally to grasp this book. I'm sure others will find this riveting, though!

“Please Let Me Destroy You” is a debut novel by Rupert Taylor12. The book is set to be released on July 15, 20241. Here’s a brief summary:

The novel is about an aspiring filmmaker, Apollo Jones, who seeks interesting stories that he can turn into a series which would probably finally earn him respect13. While trying to heist a casino in the Cambodian jungle, Apollo Jones has a crippling panic attack12. But he’s no seasoned criminal, he’s a filmmaker, and he’s heisting the casino so he can turn the story into the first season of a preposterously ambitious TV show he hopes to sell to HBO or Netflix or some other global streaming powerhouse12. Spoiler alert: his panic attack stuffs up the heist. As punishment, his partners slice off his right pinky12. But the TV show is all he has, so Apollo bandages his stump and heads off on a search for stories that will take him to the steaming streets of Saigon, the glittering hills above Hollywood, and all the way back to the dark and damp Cambodian jungle, where he may or may not be forced to dig his own grave12.

From person to person, country to country, and through all kinds of addictions, Apollo chases adventure while struggling to find his own identity3. As he generates, purchases, and even steals stories for his show, Apollo risks destroying himself, his relationships, and the people he comes to love3.

The book has received positive reviews for its darkly comic rollercoaster of a story12. However, some readers have found the character of Apollo Jones to be inconsistent and underdeveloped1

The cover, title, and description of the book were so compelling I had to give it a try. I enjoyed the chapter names as an ode to the future HBO/Netflix series that the narrator so badly wants to come to fruition. However, I had to DNF this book at 33% for a few reasons:
1. I didn't feel that the side characters contributed to the plot and became too confusing to track
2. So much happened in the first 33% and yet nothing happened at all?
3. I like weird books, but this one was a bit too absurd for me -- it seemed to be weird just because it could be

I think this book had so much potential, but I just could not get on board. I think it will find it's niche audience and be a success in some circles.

What I did read, I would give 2 stars to-- I wonder if this would have been better told from different points of view?

Thank you to the publisher for the e-copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I had to finally give in and dnf at 35%. I literally kept falling asleep every time I tried reading it.

This book was a whirlwind. I really enjoyed the writing style; it was quick paced and interesting. The voice fit the plot and the character as well. It progressed the story in such a natural way that I could read multiple chapters without noticing how long I had been reading. Additionally, I was sucked into a world of gangs and directors that I was subconsciously analyzing the book for its commentary on identity and social relationships.

The characters themselves were so interesting with distinct voices. The plot jumped back and forth between the present with the main character and the backgrounds of some of the side characters. I found this surprisingly easy to follow, and I know that it is thanks mostly in part to the individuality of the characters and Taylor's writing style.

If you enjoy struggling protagonists, a cast of crazy characters, and a plot reminiscent of a TV show, I recommend this book.

Thank you to the publisher for the e-copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

“I found a cave in the base of a cliff. And when you find a cave, you have to go as far into the cave as you can.”

PLEASE LET ME DESTROY YOU is an exciting romp across continents that charts a protagonist’s search for a story to appropriate for his as-of-yet non-existent “Untitled Original Series on Multiple Continents”.

The title wonderfully conveys how the protagonist, Apollo, approaches every interaction through his self-absorbed lens of uncovering their trauma for his benefit. Not only does he mine their life stories for plotlines but feels guilty about his actions as he continues to exploit them. In fact, the vast majority of the tension in the novel stems from Apollo’s vacillation between his obsession with ‘making it big’, and his self-pity at being forced to steal others’ stories.

Unfortunately, the best element of the book is the cover, as the author, Rupert Taylor, seems to get caught up in his own excitement. The plot has a distinct lack of depth, as Apollo jumps from extreme high to extreme low. Taylor’s style really suits these drastic tones, as his writing takes on a visceral aspect, however, you begin to feel as though his evocative language becomes a crutch to allay the weakness of the plot. Though the characters recount their life stories to Apollo, they still mostly read as underbaked, two-dimensional representations. Nonetheless, his description of coming of age as a gay man conveys real nuance and demonstrates that elements of the mundane enrich the story.

Taylor’s depiction of the infectious Hollywood machine is certainly not boring, but the jagged peaks and troughs can become monotonous, even as they give you whiplash. Sadly, PLEASE LET ME DESTROY YOU is best read by its cover.

This was not my cup of tea. Felt like a weird fever dream. I wish some themes and ideas were more flushed out. I think this sorry could have benefitted from some more editing. Some parts felt very repetitive.

The cover of this book has to be the most disturbing, yet eye-catching images I've ever seen. But it perfectly captures the essence of this novel. The main character was unhinged, obsessive, a little off his rocker. There were times I was reading this and I didn't know what was going on and I loved every second of it.

dnf at 30%

too slow and bland for me. although the cover art was great, i didn’t really feel invested in the story.