Endurance

Second time reading Endurance, I had a craving for a dark page turner last night and this fit that order. I enjoyed Endurance just as much as the first time, possibly more since I knew the ending. Super creepy, the descriptions literally made my skin crawl at times.
What sets this apart from other violent horror for me is the characters. It is such fun rooting for your favorites, you really want to see them survive. I also love that Kilborn writes such kick-ass female characters.

Konrath/Kilborn is not for the squeamish but if you enjoy fast paced horror give him a try. [b:Afraid|5122520|Afraid (Afraid, #1)|Jack Kilborn|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1325286696l/5122520._SY75_.jpg|5189311] is a show more good place to start.

FYI there are a few typos in case that bothers you, if you can set that aside it's a great read! show less

What a ridiculously terrible book. I had a blast reading it.

The characters (the good guys) are perfectly likable, and perfectly unbelievable. Not only would people not behave like they do in this situation, I don't even believe people would be capable of it. I mean, someone who (minor spoiler) has a hand forcibly amputated and then spends the rest of the book kicking ass and making hand jokes? Give me a break. Everyone seems so mentally stable throughout, despite their extreme pain and the horrors they're experiencing.

But okay, realism is not why anyone picked this book. I sure didn't. I was looking for something with a creepy little Halloween flavor, and this book fit the bill. Sure, I served it to myself with a heaping spoonful of show more conscious suspension of disbelief, but what's wrong with that? I'm not sure I've read anything before in which an author ravages his characters to gleefully and almost good-naturedly. I mean, I've read some gorefests before that were pretty dark and disturbing, but I didn't get that vibe from this one at all. There are some cringeworthy moments, but they pass by quickly enough instead of piling one on top of another.

I didn't find the book remotely scary. It had some bits that were a little creepy, but once you really find out what's going on, there's no fear to be had. It's definitely not for the faint of heart, or for anyone who's looking for anything even slightly realistic. But I can't deny that it's bizarre and fun for October. show less

Hmmmmm, I am not sure what to say about this book other than it is not for the faint hearted. I love horror of all kinds and I have read other books by Jack Kilborn and loved them so when I came across this one on sale I had to jump on it.

Was it scary? I would say not really. Creepy more than scary. Creepy with that I better check under my bed going through your head even though you know you are being silly.

Was is gorey? HELL YES and then some. A little over the top even for me at times and good thing I didnt eat and read.

Characters you quickly come to love. I could close my eyes and put myself in their place and feel the fear they felt. There were the always present "dumb ass" moves that we all see in horror. WHY go up the road that show more is surrounded by woods and has no true road and lots of things telling you to turn around? Why, because that's what makes these books fun! Part of you is saying TURN AROUND DUMB ASS and the other part is saying GO, SEE WHAT'S THERE. Morbid curiosity? For me, yeah.

My next book by this author is going to be [b:Trapped|7487212|Trapped|Jack Kilborn|http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-60x80.jpg|9618182]. show less

J.A. Konrath, also known by his not really secret pen name Jack Kilborn, generally writes two types of books. There are his murder mysteries starring Lt. Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels; then there are his horror books. I haven't really read enough of him yet to know and recognize his voice but ENDURANCE felt like a mix. I kept getting flashes of Richard Laymon, of Edward Lee, and maybe a splash of Joe Lansdale.

The story focuses on the Rushmore Inn, a quaint bed and breakfast in the middle of nowhere. Every year there is a triathlon in same area as the Rushmore Inn. Thanks to certain individuals, referrals are made for special guests to stay instead at the remote bed and breakfast. The proprietress likes it that way since it gives her and her show more brood private time with their guests. Time to make them disappear.

This is just one spot where ENDURANCE is similar to a Laymon novel. The story starts relatively simple and then just grows odd and off-kilter from that point. In this case, the off-kilter ends up being cannibalistic, inbred, mutant rednecks who need blood transfusions from a rare blood type so that they can survive. Don't worry about the monster being revealed; it is revealed pretty quickly. Besides the thrill comes from the horrors they inflect. Unfortunately I'm kind of tired of cannibalistic, inbred, mutant rednecks. I was never really a fan. Maybe because it's so much the cliche of the stereotype; it's easy to not take it serious. And I don't. The rest of the novel was really good though. The characters were easy to imagine and easy to follow their motivations. I didn't quite feel anything if they were killed or maimed but I could picture them. Oh, and a bit more than halfway through, I realized I missed the reference to the title. Endurance. As in being able to maintain great physical stamina over a period of time. Exactly what the triathletes had trained for and what the victims were doing in the novel. The book was good and I would recommend it but I know I'm going to look forward to his next book and a more "acceptable" monster. show less

This was a totally enjoyable fun gory creepfest mutant rednecks novel. yes, it's a b movie kind of book but what's wrong with that? The characters are all great, love the ass kicking Grandma. There's one scene with a journal that as I was readng it there was a creaking noise in my closet..made me jump..lol
A fun creepy read

Unrelenting horror with a solid cast of characters are the staples of "Endurance". Author Jack Kilborn (as terrific as ever) spins a yarn that will reach the soul of even the most jaded horror genre' fans. In this novel, Kilborn creates a story created on some unfortunate participants in an Iron Woman Triathlon competition. A small group of these women find themselves having to secure lodging at the out-of-the-way Rushmore Inn because all the hotel rooms at the site of the competition are booked.

The bad thing about the Rushmore Inn is that once you check in, you check out in a much different way that expected. You see, the Rushmore Inn is populated by the worst collection of psychos, miscreants, and mutants that one will every find in show more a single book. This group is headed up by the biggest, baddest mama of them all, Eleanor Roosevelt. No, not THAT one, but rather a delusional sociopath who believes that her lineage goes back to royal blood and she's going to do everything in her power to keep her sadistic brood (all named for different US President - hence Rushmore Inn) alive.

Kilborn creates a harsh, imaginative, brutality graphic novel that's sprinkled with a little humor. Not for the faint-of-heart, but definitely memorable, readers who are fans of Bryan Smith, Edward Lee, Jack Ketchum, and Kealan Patrick Burke should absolutely LOVE "Endurance". show less

I read this book as part of a horror group read at Shelfari. I finished it back on July 5, but wanted to think on it a little bit before posting a review.

While I found this book to be a fun, fast paced read, I did find it to be a bit cliche. The hillbilly family 'thing' has been done and though this novel had a few original twists on that theme, I couldn't help still thinking about those cliches.
What I did like were the characters. They saved the day. Most especially Eleanor Roosevelt, the charming proprietress of the inn.
Many other reviews go into the plot, so I will just leave it at that and say that if you're looking for a fun thriller that doesn't tax the brain too much, (AND you like mutant redneck, hillbilly fun), this book show more could be the one for you. show less