Gods and Psychopaths Book 1 by Louis Park is a book of extremes spanning unimaginable existences, steeped in violence and brutality. The focus of this malevolence is a man living as a hermit in Manchester, whose whole life seems to have been orchestrated towards one ultimate fate. Whilst exercising his incredible strength and fighting skills attacking six police officers, he meets an omnipotent entity from another world. This entity, in the form of a black Scottish Terrier, presses Cain onto new and increasingly bloodthirsty paths in an all-consuming drive to stave off boredom. Ultimately, even the Devil is caught up in the entertainment that plays out, and the only certainty to come from this is that Cain is not really Cain.

Louis Park’s Gods and Psychopaths Book 1 is in some ways a disturbing read. Whilst the level of violence and gore may initially shock, the underlining layers of intrigue hold a particular fascination. The character of Cain is a very interesting blend, showing a surprising depth of education and intelligence which can quickly turn to unchained wrath. As the story unfolds, glimpses of Cain’s upbringing are revealed, which not only give you an understanding of his present character but also to some degree a touch of sympathy for his final predicament. It is quite a surprise to finish this book and realize that out of all the main players involved, Cain may actually be the best of them. There are various sexual encounters as well, so be warned this read is not for the faint-hearted.

A great blend of horror and the supernatural, Gods and Psychopaths brilliantly opens a gripping series by Louis Park. It tells the story of a sadistic deity, Little Dog, and a psychopath caught in its game. Little Dog is a god who quickly gets bored and wants some entertainment. This time, the toy is Cain, a psychopath who has his mission and path well-charted. But the gravest mistake of his life is making a deal with a sadistic god. Now he is made to do the goriest things for the deity's entertainment. The problem is that he is hooked to the deal and trying to break it would have devastating consequences for him and his kind. Is there any hope of respite from his struggles?

This is a well-written story for fans of horror and stories that explore the darkest parts of humanity. While I have grown up with a strong hatred for psychopaths, Cain inspires pity and drives pathos in this gripping tale. It is expertly plotted and I found the idea of a deity making a deal with an already hurting human original. The pair is well imagined to create a strong conflict that fuels the plot. The psychological struggles of Cain add depth to the story and reinforce the realism that permeates the writing. Louis Park is a great storyteller and he writes with unusual clarity. The writing is tight and filled with numerous dramatic moments. There are emotionally rich scenes and a kind of horror that is well-described and will make readers want to close their mind's eye while Little Dog has the most hilarious time. It is fast-paced and filled with action, a novel with strong psychological implications. It is deft, balanced, and features strong and memorable characters. The biggest question of the novel is: Can a man truly find the freedom to live on his terms?

Gods and Psychopaths is an enthralling first book in a horror series by Louis Park; a story involving a psychopath at the mercy of a crazy god. Little Dog is a powerful deity and, in spite of his powers, he is extremely bored and is always looking out for some mischief for sport. The deity finds the answer to his boredom in a psychopathic vagabond called Cain, a man who has a strong appetite and a well-defined mission. But making a deal with the deity is the greatest mistake that Cain has ever made because now he is a tool used by Little Dog to kill and this keeps the god entertained. Breaking this deal can have devastating consequences for Cain and for humanity.

This is an interesting story, filled with horror and disturbing darkness that will test weak hearts. The very first line of the story warns the reader of what is to come and it got me intrigued: “With a roll of the dice and a grumble filled with expletives, the Fates finished the game that would decide my day.” The theme of free will is immediately introduced and it is explored in the choices that Cain makes. The prose is excellent and the first-person narrative voice transforms the story into one that is absorbing, pulling the reader into the worldview of the characters. The conflict is powerful and I loved to watch Cain, a man torn between what he wants and the will of a divine being. The suspense is exacting, and the action fills every page. I kept on reading, wondering if the psychopath can be freed from his curse. Gods and Psychopaths is a highly imaginative novel and it has its share of humor, which keeps it entertaining and fun. Great writing, awesome characters, and an engaging plot.

Gods and Psychopaths by Louis Park is the story of a man named Cain who just wanted to make sure that the bumblebee was saved and gets to live for some time longer. He never wanted to become a puppet in the hands of a sadistic god that just wants blood and more blood to soothe it. This god is something else; he wants to make a deal with Cain and he wants to make sure that he gets what he wants. Cain now has to serve this god until he is satisfied or else Little Dog will end the world once and for all.

Gods and Psychopaths is not for the faint of heart; it is a roller coaster ride that you will never want to get off and when you finish reading this novel, you will beg for more. It is in your face, raw and gritty; it is enough to keep you sitting on the edge of your seat and it makes sure that you aren’t able to put it down even for a second. Action-packed and full of some gory yet very fascinating descriptions, the author makes sure that he has your attention. He directs everything in a manner that hooks you, reels you in and simply makes sure that you aren’t going anywhere. It has been a long time since I have been blown away with just the way an author describes a few scenes. The characters are phenomenally built; they have ample time to grow in this dark universe they inhabit. I loved how the author allowed Cain to find a way to keep his sanity intact while making sure that Little Dog was satisfied. This is an A+ novel, one that deserves all the praise!