Domestication

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.

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 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 🙏🏼

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 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.

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

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.

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

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.

" “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)

A character driven book that makes you want to read more, an absolute page turner. An excellent book that will make you feel unsettle in the best way. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Domestication by Shannon Knight is a provocative and unsettling novel that explores themes of control and transformation. The story follows Janie, who escapes to an isolated sheep farm to evade her husband, only to encounter Rob and Howard—two individuals with extreme views on dominance and human-animal relations. Knight’s writing is intense and thought-provoking, capturing Janie's struggle as she faces a new set of challenges and confronts her own desires for change. The novel’s dark, psychological elements are compelling, though some readers may find the themes and pacing challenging. Overall, Domestication is a powerful and original read that leaves a lasting impact

Domestication is a horrifically good, twisted story 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 always 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 for those who love gut wrenching scares and nightmares.

This is an absolutely chilling psychological horror novel about abuse, control, and manipulation.

Janie is running from a very abusive relationship and takes a job on a sheep farm in the middle of nowhere. But it doesn't take long until the owner, a woman named Rob, and another farmhand, Howard, start to treat her less like help and more like a prisoner.

And, boy, do things get disturbingly out of control as this novel progresses. Janie has nowhere to go, no escape, and an ex who's hunting her down. The situation deteriorates even further when a LOT of human bones begin to surface.

This book is a great example of how to do horror without gratuitous blood or gore. Oh, there's going to be bloodshed and torture, but it's the psychological torment that makes this story so disturbing. The tension is palpable and the sense of dread and hopelessness seeps into your soul as you read.

I highly recommend this fantastic novel.

Loved the book!
I usually read horrors that are gorier but i also seem to absolutely love domestic violence based ones.
The book is brilliant, i really enjoyed the story.

Oh my. OK. Phew. This book is like a boulder rolling downhill: starts ever so slowly and builds up steam until it's rolling like a freight train and smashing everything it comes across. It was very unexpected, brutal, tense, and I loved every minute.

To sum it up: a woman escapes one abusive relationship for another abusive relationship and learns how to fix fences and hold chickens as a little treat. I actually really enjoyed this book, I couldn't put it down once I started. Fair warning, it's very gory and goes into farming quite a bit but it was still such an enjoyable read. I thought this had perfect commentary on domestic abuse and I still saw everything as super realistic. Also that last line? Iconic. No notes.

Domestication is a very fun and easy horror read for people who want to enter the genre. There are some trigger warnings since it's quite graphic but I think that adds to the experience of the book too. Will definitely be remembering this story for a long time.

Soooo good. So good. Like a modern Grimm fairy tale. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time I was reading, in the best way. 10/10

"Domestication" by Shannon Knight is an intense psychological horror story that delves deep into the themes of abuse, control, and manipulation.

The story follows Janie, who, desperate to escape an abusive relationship, finds refuge in a secluded sheep farm. But what initially seems like a safe haven quickly turns sinister as the farm's owner, Rob, and fellow worker, Howard, begin to strip away her autonomy, trapping her in a nightmarish situation.

Knight expertly crafts a story that unnerves without relying heavily on gore. The real horror lies in the psychological torment, creating a suffocating atmosphere of dread and despair. The sense of hopelessness is tangible, making the reader feel the weight of Janie’s desperation.

As the novel unfolds, the tension ramps up dramatically, with the horrors of Janie's new life spiraling out of control. With nowhere to run, no one to turn to, and her abusive ex still on the hunt, Janie’s situation becomes increasingly terrifying, especially when human remains start surfacing on the farm.

This is a compelling and disturbing read that I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys psychological horror.

This book was chilling and horrific! The continuous cycle of abuse for the main character from one situation into the next is depressing and essentially worst case scenario in my opinion. I was perturbed throughout my entire reading and I never felt like I could find my footing in the story. All in all, super weird and freaky, and a pretty decent horror novel!

This is a suspenseful psychological horror novel. Janie has been suffering domestic abuse at the hands of her husband Eric for years. What makes it worse is that even if she summoned up the courage to go to the police, Eric is the police. Using his position of authority Eric has treated Janie worse than an animal. However, Janie has been slowly making plans as to how to leave him and disappear.
With the help of a referral from a support group Janie disguises herself and takes a journey to an isolated sheep farm. It's a place to recover and enjoy nature away from all the daily stresses. Isn't it?

Janie may have just made her last mistake. Rob & Howard set Janie up with hard physical labour with poor living conditions and immediately Janie knows something isn't quite right with the situation. Howard doesn't even speak to her, just getting on with the cooking & butchering and general farm tasks.
Rob is the toughest, meanest woman you could come across. Running the farm with the same sort of control & domination tactics you would use to train a dog. Rob's hounds are never far from her side and when one is called Biter you know it's with good reason.

[Domestication, noun. - the process of taming an animal and keeping it as a pet or on a farm]

Has Janie traded in one abusive home for another? Will she act like the sheep in the barn and allow herself to be dominated? It's an eat or be eaten world and is she ready to join the predators or will she just be domesticated meat?
And what happens when Eric hunts her down? Will he be willing to let her go or would he rather kill her?

This novel really gets into Janie's head. It's slow-paced but keeps you on edge with the full horror of the situation being revealed gradually. This book goes places I wasn't expecting. It may be psychological but it includes some absolutely gross-out moments and scenes of extreme violence. But lighten the mood by listening to Jolene by Dolly Parton which after reading this you will agree is the unofficial theme song for this story.

None of the characters are likeable although some have their unexpected moments. There is however a very cute cat.
It's best to not know any more of the plot before going into it. Very thoughtfully written with an interesting set-up. It's unlike anything else. And that's a good thing.

Thank you to Netgalley for access to this recommended horror.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an advance copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This was a fantastic horror novel about one woman running from an abusive marriage and finding herself in hell disgused as a sheep farm. I loved the writing though I do believe part 1 is much stronger than part 2.

I wish some aspects had been expanded on more that i am not detailing for because of spoilers. But overall a solid read and definitely recomend for anyone looking for their next scary read.