Before diving into the review, let’s take a moment to tip our metaphorical hats to NetGalley, Vesuvian Books, and the dynamic duo behind Omniviolence, Jones Worthington, for providing the ARC. All thoughts are my own.

In a future that feels uncomfortably close, Omniviolence explores a world where justice is digital, violence is transactional, and cryptocurrency fuels a new era of hitmen. Our two unlikely protagonists - Jackson, a Gen Alpha teenager wielding death drones like a gamer with an overpowered controller, and Joe, an aging mafia enforcer haunted by his past - find themselves entangled in a conflict that goes beyond personal stakes. As chaos unfolds, these two polar opposites must work together to survive in a world that has all but abandoned the concept of morality.

Okay, having the synopsis out of the way, I NEED to talk about the (un)intentional self-insertion of the authors. Jones Worthington is the combined force of Stu Jones and Gareth Worthington - two best friends who, despite sitting on opposite sides of the political spectrum, have channeled their different worldviews into compelling storytelling. And honestly? That same dynamic is mirrored in Jackson and Joe. Their uneasy alliance against a world spiraling into lawlessness feels like a reflection of the authors' ability to collaborate despite their differences. A coincidence? Perhaps. A clever, meta-layer to the book? Absolutely. The novel also pits two antagonists against each other, each with wildly different views on controlling the world’s chaos. And just like our protagonists, their conflict feels eerily like a darker mirror of what could have been for the authors themselves - had they not chosen collaboration over conflict. Maybe I’m reading too much into it (occupational hazard), but the parallels are hard to ignore.

Beyond being a high-stakes sci-fi thriller, Omniviolence feels like a grim preview of where society might be heading. The desensitization of youth, cancel culture’s unchecked power, governments crumbling under ideological warfare - it’s all happening in real time. The novel simply takes our current reality and dials it up to eleven. It doesn’t take much of a leap to imagine a world where digital assassins exist, hiding behind usernames and crypto wallets, playing executioner from the safety of their bedrooms.

The biggest gripe? The generational clash between Jackson and Joe feels, at times, like a one-note gag stretched too thin. The banter between them - meant to highlight their differences - sometimes reads as repetitive and predictable. The action-packed scenes deliver on their promise, but in between, the dialogue doesn’t always hit as hard as it should.

While Omniviolence may not be breaking literary ground, it provides a disturbingly plausible vision of the future. If you enjoy speculative fiction that holds up an unsettling mirror to society, this one’s worth a read. Think of it as an episode of Black Mirror, but in novel form - grim, relevant, and just believable enough to keep you up at night.

PS: The book is marketed as ultraviolent, and while it does have its fair share of bloodshed, seasoned grimdark and horror readers won’t be clutching their pearls. That said, Omniviolence doesn’t shy away from heavy themes. There’s a particular trigger warning for child abuse that should be noted, so if that’s a sensitive topic for you, proceed with caution.

Thank you to Jones Washington, Vesuvian Books, and NetGalley for the e-ARC!

I was intrigued by the premise but sadly could not get into the writing style despite the strong beginning.
The topic of the story is a great one though and it might appeal to readers who like near-future stories.

Not really for me. The title is honest, but violence of any kind right now is too much to handle. I'm not clear about what audience this book would appeal to.

Thank you to Jones Washington, Vesuvian Books, and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

I loved the characterisation and pacing and enjoyed the near futuristic elements (that are terrifyingly realistic and possible). I would say I didn’t always get on with the writing style and felt it was a little overwritten at times.

Omniviolence by Jones Worthington is a gripping near-future thriller that delves into the dark potential of technology in a reality that seems to already be upon us. Highly recommended for lovers of the genre.

What a fun read this one was!

Oh, it’s definitely violent, but it also has heart and our unlikely duo (well trio if you include a furry little one), just gave me the warm fuzzies. And, yes, it’s weird to talk about the warm fuzzies when you’re talking about an ultra-violent thriller, but it is what it is.

The near future elements were perfect – way too plausible for comfort – and the crime elements were just as perfect in their own right.

Be prepared to read at breakneck speed, have your heart broken more than once, and to be extremely disappointed once it’s over – you’ll want more.

Terrific read!

• ARC via Publisher

I really enjoyed reading this, it had that tension that I was hoping for and enjoyed the overall story being told in this. The characters worked overall in the world and were written in a way that worked overall. Jones Worthington has a strong writing style and can’t wait for more. It uses the thriller element that I was looking for and was hooked from the first page.