" “It’s kill or be killed. Eat or be eaten,” Rob said. “That’s the world. On farms, you see it even with the vegetables. In cities, brutes in suits and uniforms live the same way. They just disguise it with capitalism.” "

When Janie decides to leave her abusive husband she takes a job at a sheep farm where so can get food, board and hopefully an opportunity to rediscover the women her husband slowly took everything from. From the moment she arrives it's obvious that Rob (who recruited her from a forum she was seeking help on) has a bit of a mean streak from the way that she treats Howard, a man who lives with and cooks for her. As the story progresses and we follow Janine as she works on the farm (spending most of her days mucking out a barn and her nights in an old camper van) we get to understand Rob and how life works for her and her farm deep in the middle of nowhere.

This is one of the most disturbing things I've read in a while! I know the blurb hints at it, but it ended up being even more than that and I loved it! I stayed up far too late reading this because wow is it horrifying (I make notes when reading ebooks and most of them are just something along the lines of "Yikes!" or "Oh no!"). There were some plot points I suspected before they were really revealed but the confirmation was still incredibly horrifying. The cover art very much captures the dark and twisted atmosphere and I keep finding myself glancing back at it.

All the characters were terrifying in their own ways. I felt myself feeling for and rooting for Janie who it seems has just been too much. Little snippets of her abuse are sprinkled in here and there and it sounds genuinely terrifying (although I'm not sure how much of an upgrade being overworked by an impatient, angry woman is!). The ever subtly shifting dynamic between our three characters is darkly fascinating and definitely made me want to keep reading. With all the instability, power dynamics and the strangeness in the background I was so interested in seeing just where it would all end up.

If you are interested in some kind of combination of psychological and gory horror and the story of someone trying to overcome their abuse then oh boy are you in for a ride. Aspects and moments of this story will definitely be sticking with me!

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. As always, all opinions are my own.,

(4.5 stars)

Excellent and engrossing, Domestication is an incredibly unique and hauntingly eerie novel that keeps you turning pages and wanting to read more. I will definitely be watching for more from this author in the future!

The overall shape of this book was a little predictable, but the individual events still managed to be unique and surprising. It’s a character driven novel, with a really interesting and engaging lead. I really enjoyed the plot and characters of this novel, but felt that it could have leaned more heavily into its horror. Overall, however, I enjoyed this book and think it’s perfect for people who don’t particularly enjoy grotesque horror.

Domestication focuses on a woman escaping a domestic abuse situation that flees to work as a farmhand to take back control of her life. This book was very very unsettling. I think that’s what the author was going for and it was extremely well done. The author’s writing really made you feel the horror of Janie’s experience. This book will live rent free in my head until I die I think

This was excellent, but I'd change the description! Putting Rob and Howard's characters in such detail in the blurb spoils some of the surprise and dread of coming to understand them through the narrative.

What a phenomenal book! I’m so happy I was given the opportunity to review this book early! Great character development and story line!

"Domestication" is a chilling and thought-provoking dive into a dystopian world where the thin veneer of civilization is stripped away, revealing the raw, primal instincts that lie beneath. In this grim reality, domestication is not a refuge but a potential death sentence, and survival hinges on one's ability to navigate the treacherous terrain of power and identity.

The story follows Janie, who flees to an isolated sheep farm, hoping to escape the clutches of her vengeful husband. Her plan to find safety takes a dark turn when she encounters Rob and Howard—two men who embody opposing extremes of human philosophy and behavior. Rob, with his authoritarian rule, enforces a brutal form of dominance reminiscent of Janie’s own harsh methods in training dogs. In stark contrast, Howard challenges the notion of human exceptionalism, advocating for a view that sees humans as no different from other animals in their need to survive and dominate.

The novel’s strength lies in its exploration of Janie’s internal conflict as she confronts these new, more dangerous elements of her world. Her struggle is not just against external threats but against her own sense of self and her past actions. The central question of whether she will devolve into a mere victim, transform into a monstrous version of herself, or rise above her previous limitations adds a compelling layer of psychological depth to the narrative.

The prose is both evocative and immersive, capturing the oppressive atmosphere of Janie’s environment and the escalating tension between characters. The author skillfully builds suspense and creates a sense of dread that keeps readers engaged and reflective. Themes of power, survival, and transformation are intricately woven into the plot, making for a gripping read that challenges conventional notions of humanity and morality.

"Domestication" is a powerful, unsettling tale that questions the nature of identity and the price of survival in a world where the line between predator and prey is constantly shifting. It’s a provocative and unsettling read that will resonate with anyone interested in the darker aspects of human nature and the complex dynamics of power and transformation.

I have always been curious to read extreme horror books. I am fascinated by the weird and the incredibly cruel. This book has come to be the first of a twisted love of the cruelest of horrors. This book went in directions I was not expecting. It was truly gross and lot of the time. Yet, there was a philosophy behind the farm and justifications for the cruelties.

Janie suffers greatly on this new farm, but she’s suffered greatly before due to her abusive husband and the farm transforms her into someone who could stand up to him. The way this all comes about is…disturbing. I can’t say there were many moments that I wasn’t disturbed while reading this. In fact, the feeling I had the entire time was an anticipation of, “Ohh shit… ohhh shit…. Ohhh shit… Ohhh SHIT!” throughout the whole thing. With the amount of actual shit being shoveled in this novel the thought is even more appropriate.

I don’t love any of the characters in this book. I am terrified of every character in this book. Including Janie. The lengths she goes to by the end and everything she survives is a testament to how much you don’t want to fuck with Jaine. Rob and Howard are complete psychopaths. Janie’s husband is an abusive asshole. The police officers that show up are complete sleaseballs. The only character that was completely lovable was the cat.

It’s been a few days since I read this and thinking about what happens in this book is like reliving a traumatic experience. It’s exactly how I feel after watching an A24 horror movie. It’s horrific, but it has a message to say. I’ve never heard of or thought of the concept of Human supremacy, but after reading this book I’ve thought a lot about it. It’s a terrible ideology to have. I never want to meet anyone who believes in it. However, I imagine Hannibal Lector would approve.

I will never forget Domestication. It is a story that will remain in the back of my mind and fuel my nightmares. What a wild ride this book was.

Domestication is a character driven horror novel following Janie who escapes her abusive husband hoping to find refuge working at Sweet Grass Farm - but instead finds herself in a new situation of abuse, with a new master.

Janie's new life on Sweet Grass Farm introduces her to Rob & Howard, the current occupants. I found the relationship dynamic between the three so fascinating and it was something I was constantly thinking about. Their complexities pull the reader deeper and deeper as the story gets darker and twistier.

As mentioned, the story is very character focused rather than plot focused. We really dive into the psyche of Janie and come to know her very well as we learn about what she went through in the past and who she hopes to become through her own personal transformation. Will she break the cycle or will she succumb to the illusion of power and become a monster herself?

The horror elements were on point as well - it was dark, gory, and does not hold back on that front. The author does a great job of setting the tone from the beginning to leave you unsettled but also creates the perfect amount of mystery and tension to keep you coming back for more.

Definitely recommend for those looking for a character driven horror story with dark themes!

P.S. can we take a moment of appreciation for this gorgeous cover art 🙏🏼

An excellent horror story! An abused wife seeks refuge at a sheep farm. But she is worked like a slave and things are not as simple as they appear. Creepy jitters are felt throughout the story. Terrible secrets are discovered as well as terrible actions by people. There is gruesome deaths so you must be okay with this.

Domestication is a tour de force that uses some extremely horrific situations to dive into the psyche of a long suffering victim of domestic abuse. The character of Janie is such a well written character and even though she does some extreme things in this book we are alway right there with her to the bitter end. Lots of fantastic twists in this book as well and it does not hold back on the gore and horror. Highly recommended.