I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Absolute Unit by Nick Kolakowski Published by Crystal Lake Publishing on July 29 2021
Genres: Adult, Horror
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
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The nitty-gritty: Gritty action, a unique narrator and lots of humor make this an absurdly fun-to-read novella.
Absolute Unit was a fun, fast-paced mashup of horror, sci-fi and gritty thriller, and I had a blast reading it.
Bill is an out of shape, overweight health inspector who makes money on the side collecting payoffs for overlooking health violations at restaurants. He’s not the brightest bulb in the box, but he is unique in one way: Bill has an otherworldly, intelligent parasite living inside him, and it wants to control Bill in every way. Unfortunately, it hasn’t been successful yet, and so it has no choice but to ride along wherever Bill goes, waiting for its chance to take over.
One day Bill’s seventeen year old nephew Trent shows up, eager to go along with Bill and watch him in action, hoping Bill will take him on as a partner in his illicit blackmail scheme. But the two inadvertently get caught up in a drug deal gone bad, and Bill is gravely injured during a car chase. The parasite realizes Bill might not make it, so it decides to jump over into Trent’s body instead.
Trent is much younger and healthier than Bill, and the parasite can’t believe its luck. With a host like this, the possibilities are endless.
What really makes this story unique is the narrator. And no, it’s not Bill or Trent. The parasite is telling the story, and wow is it funny! The voice is so sarcastic, and it clearly doesn’t think much of the human race, especially Bill:
“Born with a nubby penis and a tendency toward obesity, the meat computer in his skull loaded with buggy software, it’s a miracle that Bill made it this far.”
There are so many hysterical moments like this, as our judgmental parasite just happens to have an opinion on everything. I also liked watching it try to gain more control over Bill and Trent, which made me wonder why it was having so much trouble at first. The parasite observes (and is caught in the middle of) all the action as well, and again we get a colorful play-by-play that really made the story a lot of fun.
I loved Kolakowski’s unsavory characters and setting, and the action is so over-the-top, but in a good way. Often I have trouble with action that goes off the rails, but in this case it worked. The author sets his tone from the first page and carries it through to the end, and this consistency is exactly what I look for in stories like this.
I did want to know more about the parasite, though. We’re only given the bare minimum of information about where it came from, and nothing really at all about what it is. How does it speak English? Is it alien? Or something more supernatural in nature? There’s a little bit of a zombie vibe near the end, which put more of a horror spin on the whole thing.
But overall, I had a blast with Absolute Unit. Nick Kolakowski is such a good writer, and I loved his sense of humor. I’m looking forward to his next book!
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
Yes, this is a fun book. I got a chance to read an ARC and really enjoyed reading from the parasite’s point of view. Good review!
Priscilla Bettis recently posted…3rd Quarter 2021 Writing Goals
Thanks Priscilla:-)
Sounds like fun. I love when humor is successfully integrated into speculative stories. This vaguely reminded me of descriptions of the Tao series by Wesley Chu, though I’ve not read it so I don’t know if the comparison is a good one. And for whatever reason that cover just keeps bringing to mind Wolverine, the Marvel Comics character. 🙂
It’s not quite like Tao, but I know what you mean. And I agree with the cover! It does remind me of Wolverine as well:-)
When I started reading this review I hadn’t quite expected the “Bill has an otherworldly, intelligent parasite living inside him, and it wants to control Bill in every way” part. I was like HUH. And I love that the parasite is telling the story. I can see how it makes the story unique like you said. Also, that quote you featured made me laugh out loud! I really wanna read this book now actually.
Stephanie @ Bookfever recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: Books I’d Want With Me While Stranded On a Deserted Island
That quote is only one among many funny ones!
This sounds like fun. I was kinda hoping it’d be from the perspective of the parasite when you mentioned it jumped hosts. Haha. I also enjoy the name of the book, too!
Hannah recently posted…Weekend Wrap-Up: 24/07/2021
It was so unique, I never would think to use that POV.
This sounds perfect for me. I enjoy humor with my horror. Great review and this is now on my list!
Laura Thomas recently posted…Damaged Gods ~ The Monsters Of Saint Mark’s by KC Cross
Thanks Laura, I think you would enjoy it!
I swear I would never have considered reading a book about a parasite but the quote you used is too funny!
The whole book has funny lines like that:-)
This sounds fun! I love stories that have over-the-top moments. Even though horror’s not my genre, you’re really tempting me to try this one.
Well, it looks and sounds interesting…lol. 🙂
Haha omg this sounds so ridiculous and fun. A parasite POV?!!? Amazing. On to my TBR you pop 😀
With a cover like that, I would have never guessed humour would be so predominant in the story! Glad you enjoyed this though. Great thoughts, Tammy! 😀
Lashaan Balasingam recently posted…Digital Mini Reviews | Paper Girls by Brian K. Vaughan
This does sound like good fun by the way I love the strategically placed cover.
And is it just me, or does this concept sound a tiny bit like the Wesley Chu books?
Lynn 😀