If you've ever dreamed of a modern-day class uprising or enjoyed a bloody 'Eat-the-Rich' revenge drama, Dawson's Guillotine will appeal to your tastes. Part horror, part thriller, all heart-pounding action, Dawson performs a violent, exaggerated, yet somehow cathartic takedown of a family of racist, classist White supremecists through the eyes of an ambitious middle-class scholarship student caught up in a terrifying Saw trap of a situation mostly outside her control. I tore through this book in an afternoon, the storying carrying me along at a (literally) breakneck pace from start to finish. This isn't a book of anti-heros or sympathetic villains: nearly every character is an evil caricature designed to be propped up and torn down. Yet, somehow this fits so neatly into the tradition of B-list slashers that I can't countenance it: each characters is merely a vehicle by which the author vents her anger at white-collar criminals and their enablers. If you are looking for a quick, satisfying horror novel and don't mind reading about grotesque methods of violent murder, Guillotine lives up to the invention that gave it its name.

This is a satisfying "eat the rich" revenge story. The first half dragged a little, but once the plot picked up pace, it became an engrossing read. I would have liked a few loose ends tied up, but overall, I enjoyed this story.

You could feel the tension as soon as Dez made it to the exclusive home dubbed the Island. I wanted to yell: you in danger girl. With the staff in all pink, the wives being weird, it just gave off a very sinister feeling. I understood Dez wanting to make it in the fashion game, but she definitely did not know what she was walking into.

This was very bingeable, with very rich, entitled people behaving disgusting, and characters you hate and characters you are rooting for. There were very inventive ways to commit the act of murder which even I was a little shook while reading. This gave me Get Out and Ready or Not vibes I was very much here for. Don’t let this pretty pink cover fool you, this one gets very gory and very graphic, which I think horror fans will love.

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I was a HUGE fan of Bloom, the first book I picked up from Dawson, which really did scream of being written from a fan, for fans. She blatantly said that she was still waiting for a fourth season of Hannibal, and I'm thrilled to see that Guillotine is something that came out of that period of waiting. And we even got a reference to Will Graham in this one.

Guillotine is another story that is definitely written for an audience. It's self-aware, funny, brutally honest, and fiercely unapologetic. It's referential of movies like Saw and horror tropes, it's full of modern touches that don't overwhelm the fact that it's terrifying. Dez is such a fantastic main character--- she's not perfect, not by any means, but no one really is. And when you see her lined up with all of the Ruskins... Wow, the creep factor is seriously severe. This one is definitely a psychological horror for the girlies. The gore, the revenge, the final girl, and especially the fashion. I was totally engaged and finished it in a single sitting. You hate all of these Ruskins, you feel for all of the servants, and you know that nothing is ever going to be normal again. I'm totally looking forward to Dawson's next book. Also, 5/5 stars for extremely feral horses.

This is only my second book by Delilah Dawson and she continues to entertain. The pace of this novel never eases up and is as much a political statement of the working versus upper classes as just a fun horror thriller read. I do believe that I had as much fun reading it as the author did writing it. Very satisfying to see crappy people get much deserved ends.

Guillotine shines with "eat the rich" opulent horror. It is a deeply alluring and darkly violent read, wrapped in a pink bow the colour of a kitten's nose.

I finished Guillotine this morning, after reading it in sub-18 hours. I am not sure I have been so excited for an ARC's publication so that we can all DISCUSS.

If you liked Bloom, I have a strong suspicion that you will like Guillotine. If you didn't like Bloom because of the topics discussed, please do not immediately assume you won't like Guillotine! While the storytelling style is similar, the more uncomfortable topics discussed are not the same (IYKYK).

In keeping with the similarities to Bloom, you get a similar storytelling path:
1. General setup and character outline.
2. Are these descriptions intentionally quirky or is this set up for something weird...
3. Wait, what?
4. Yes, something is certainly weird.
5. Okay very weird.
6. Oh gosh I feel uncomfortable.
7. THINGS ARE HAPPENING!
8. Who am I supposed to be rooting for here?
9. Am I satisfied by this ending or disquieted?
10. I need to discuss this with everyone immediately.

I will be rushing to my bookstore to buy a copy on the publication date. The urge to annotate, re-read and analyze is strong!

Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for a digital advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A satisfying "eat the rich", sweet, sweet revenge story. Some intense (bold and underlined) bits of body horror. If you liked the movie or the premise of Ready or Not, this will probably be your jam.

Delilah Dawson horror really just does it for me because Bloom was also fantastic!

***This review will go live on Goodreads on 9/1***

I was a big fan of Dawson's book “Bloom," so this was an exciting ARC. It's a very different story and feels like a horror movie with visceral kills and an imaginative setting. I think the aesthetic of the island was supposed to be “a bit much,” but I loved it. It was so vivid and unique and all terrible events aside I would absolutely stay in a vacation spot that *looked* like that! (Maybe I like the color pink more than I realized?)

I'll get the negative out of the way first, because my only complaints happened early on. It was initially very tough to have sympathy for the main character Dez because of the decisions she made. (No spoilers, but there's a very big one that affects the plot and I was flabbergasted by the stupidity.) As a result, there was then constant justification for why Dez was staying in this situation. Mostly in the first third or so, I could not get on board with her choices. Things eventually got better as the book went on, because her situation became dire and her actions were more understandable at that point. Dez was a good character, and I do want to make that clear. There was just stuff in the beginning that had to happen to kick off the story and that stuff had me going, "Are you kidding me?" 

What I appreciated the most about this book: once the horror kicks in it is nonstop. You will not be bored for even a second. 

It is filled with violent, creative scenes that are oddly satisfying given the circumstances. It’s one of those books that makes you question your own morals a little bit. At least, I did. I think I had the reaction that I was supposed to, but at the same time: was I meant to enjoy some of it that much? Another reviewer described this as an “Eat the rich” story and it is very much that. Also, a bloody revenge tale. But I don't want to give too much away.

One other minor nitpick I had, but this is always a problem for me: I don't care for straight up "villain" monologuing. However, the dialogue was pretty good, so it was bearable.

This was a stressful but exciting horror read. I recommend it for people who like things very violent and want a story in which people get what they deserve. (But heed the triggers if you have any!) I look forward to reading more from this author!

Thank you to Netgalley and to the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own. 

Potentially spoilery trigger warnings list below! 

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TW: Sexual Assault (off-screen), Torture, References to Abortion, Incest

Guillotine was a blood bath fueled on revenge. Wow, Delilah S. Dawson can write a murder scene. This book was such a fun read. It was fast paced and brutal. The beginning was a bit slow for me but once it got into it, it really got into it. I really enjoyed this one. If you love a story filled with revenge and blood then this one’s for you.
3.5/5 Stars

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for sending me an arc copy in exchange for my honest review.

My hopes were sky high for this book, especially since Bloom was one of the best books I've read this year. However, this one seemed a bit too silly and lacked Dawson's sweeping, lyrical writing style. The plot would actually make for a great horror movie though. In some ways, it reminded me a lot of The Menu. Stylistically, this book does not showcase Dawson's strengths as a writer, but it is incredibly quick, morbid, and fun.

I genuinely have no idea how I feel about this book! It was a wild trip that I got caught up in reading, but I didn’t like Dez like I had hoped to. I liked how fast paced the story was, and I can definitely see why it was compared to Ready or Not; however, I absolutely loved Ready or Not and this one didn’t quite do it for me. The short length is nice because you can read it in just a couple hours, but I do wonder if it would’ve benefited from being longer if it meant the characters got some more development?

If the premise sounds interesting, you’re looking for a very fast read, and you aren’t squeamish…give it a shot! You might love it more than I did!

ARC by NetGalley and the publisher.

Dez Lane has always felt a calling to fashion and while her passion to be in the industry seems to be haunted by all her job rejections she refuses to give up. So when a chance meeting with the uber rich Patrick Ruskin occurs she finally sees her ticket in. Patrick’s own mother is hugely famous and one of the most influential women in fashion today. She decides to pretend to like the insufferable man even if she can’t stand him just until she can get a face to face meeting with his mother. After weeks of enduring dates Patrick invites Dez to his families private island for a family Easter gathering. She jumps at the chance even if upon arrival she is met with strange staff dressed in all pink and an extensive NDA. As one strange family interaction bleeds into the next she begins to think this was a waste of her time. Until the dullness of the Island is rocked by one dinner she won’t forget that has her running for her life trying to escape the very world she so badly wanted to belong in.

I absolutely devoured this short but impactful and satisfying revenge tale. Guillotine has all the female rage, fast pace action, and dark twists that I cant help but enjoy in a final girl horror read. Dawson paints a perfect picture of the ultra exclusive evil side of the 1% that honestly had me feeling like I was watching a movie while reading. With that being said this absolutely gives Ready or Not vibes which admittedly is my favorite horror film, along with a bit of The Menu as well as having surprising humor that despite the gruesome aspect made me honestly laugh. This book also isn’t just your typical gore horror read as it explores the question of what would you do for your dreams, how far would you go to achieve success and where does that line end and begin. There are a fair share of trigger warnings that the author mentions prior to the books beginning however most of these aside from the obvious horror aspects happen off page. This book simply put was a great revenge horror serving all the darkly poetic justice that I love!

Guillotine comes out September 10th, 2024.

Thank you NetGalley and Titan Books for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Fantastic gorry horror story for all women!

Dez decides to date Patrick Ruskin in order to get closer to his mother who is editor of the number once fashion magazine. She overlooks his extreme boorishness and misogyny and scores an invite the family compound. Once she arrives at the island estate she learns just how cutthroat and coldhearted the Ruskin family is, and she just happened to pick the worst week in the world to visit.

Dawson creates a believable horror scenario that is completely satisfying! #guillotine #deliahsdawson #titanbooks

Holy shit, that was a fast, shocking, occasionally gross, and gory ride. Second Delilah S. Dawson book (under this name, I guess?) and loved it just as much, if not more.

Titan really keeps impressing me, and books that aren't longer than they have to be are my new favorite.

3.5 stars
Guillotine is an exceptionally gory revenge horror reminiscent of Kill Bill. This story features numerous detailed kills with clear explanations of how & why each victim meets their end. Dez befriends the son of a fashion magazine superstar, aiming to meet the mother. However, the meeting takes place on a private island, ideal for a group plotting justified revenge. True to form for this author, it's an engaging read, provided you can stomach it.
The horrifying imagery and complex characters are really what made this story unputdownable .After devouring Bloom in a day, Dawson has become an automatic buy for me.
If you're into horror, this is must-read. It's graphic, challenges the elitism of the wealthy, and introduces characters you'll love to hate alongside those you'll cheer for. I'll be recommending this to all my fellow horror book enthusiasts!

Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for providing this book, with my honest review below.

Guillotine was a ride, but I’m not sure how I feel about it. Definitely taking advantage of some of the appeal of movies like Parasite, this book explores a very messed up mystery awaiting blue collar Dez on the private island of the Ruskin family. While Dez doesn’t actually love or like Patrick Ruskin given her interest in a career in fashion she’s sure if she can get some time with his fashion magazine owner mother, Marie, she’ll get a huge leg up. What follows is a slow build up of dread as Dez has to sign an NDA to get on the island and sees the family dynamics along with their treatment of their staff (always wearing pink - which the family seems to be banned from). When the servants rebel against the family Dez learns a lot more about the messed up rules the family lives by… and sees a lot of brutal killings.

The story was interesting in theory and even the high levels of gore was tolerable given how well those scenes were written (which serves as a warning to future readers if you’re queasy). What has me conflicted is that there were great story lines to explore within the family, Dez, the servants’ experiences, and what happens off island which just really weren’t. Spending more time with those pieces and slightly less with the horror would have hit the perfect balance for this book. As it was there were moments where the violence became a little too gratuitous, like we the readers were meant to revel in this alone.

I liked the seeds of what was planted in regard to the storylines not explored but I would have loved to read more and without them I find this story entertaining but not satisfying.

Warning to readers, the genre currently shows as general fiction and humor and satire but should be marked as horror and perhaps thriller.

Guillotine is the most gore filled revenge horror since Kill Bill. I just hope the author exercised some demons by writing this book. Dez befriends the son of THE fashion magazine superstar, in the hopes of a meet with the mother. Unfortunately for Dez, that meeting is set for an private island, where the isolation is perfect for the group that has justifiable revenge planned.
As always with this author an enjoyable read, as long as you aren't squeamish

TRULY one of the most messed up and gory books I have read in a long time and I am ABSOLUTELY obsessed with it. I became familiar with Dawson’s work when I read Bloom which psychologically messed me up for YEARS. When I saw she had a new horror book coming out, I KNEW I needed to read it and BOY did it not disappoint.

What would you do to become rich and powerful? Dez wants to get into the fashion world but after hundreds of job rejections and no one taking her seriously due to her financial background, she decides to try to get ahead in a different way. She pretends to date Patrick Ruskin to get access to his mother, THE woman at Noveau magazine. But when she’s invited to their private Island for Easter, things aren’t what they seem. What dark secrets is this family hiding? And can Dez make it through this weekend alive?

I have never read more inventive ways of murder IN MY LIFE. The horrifying imagery and complex characters are really what made this story unputdownable. I have determined after reading both Bloom and this book in a day that Dawson will now become an autobuy author for me.

If you are someone who likes Horror, this is the book for you. It’s graphic, challenges the ideals of the 1%, and creates characters you absolutely hate and others you really wanna root for. I will be recommending this to ALL of my horror book friends!

Guillotine has the right spirit (eat the rich, all day and every day), but its execution was not for me. I was surprised at the length of this book, the sudden violence, and the lack of development from our characters, especially Dez. I understand that there’s a dark humor to the book and the deaths, but it felt so sudden. It also wasn’t cathartic because I didn’t get the space to hate these characters the way I should’ve. I definitely see why Ready or Not was used as a comp title, but Guillotine is nowhere as fun as that movie and is more preachy, which unfortunately made this book a slog to get through.

I did enjoy The Violence by Delilah S. Dawson though I thought it went on for too long, and I do look forward to what she does next, but Guillotine doesn’t successfully hit either the fun and campy horror or the serious commentary on the horrors of the wealthy.

Thanks to NetGalley and Titan Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This was fine! It was fast-paced and interesting. I wouldn't say the narrative voice was particularly captivating, and the themes and plot were extremely obvious and unsubtle, which is to some degree expected in satire, but quite literally nothing interesting or new was revealed. There isn't any depth or complexity. I will say I was irked by the narrator's insistence that the character who assaulted his brothers was gay—rape isn't about sexual orientation or desire but power, control, and abuse. Anyone can rape anyone and it isn't an expression of identity. There was no reason for the "beard" line.