Revolver – Michael Patrick Hicks

Reviewed by Steve Stred

Revolver has been on my periphery for a bit now, simply because of the vitriol spouted towards it in reviews.  I’ve seen Michael share some of the reviews, as the story seems to work a large segment of the population up.

Funnily enough, the book comes with a foreword warning you that you may not like it.

A lot of folks though read reviews regarding a book to see if they’ll want to check it out, so here’s my warning to those reading this (and I am in no way someone who makes political statements on social media.  I’m also a super amazing Canadian, so I’m not at all in a red state or a blue state or whatever is down there.)

But, if you like kids in cages – don’t read this.  Do you hate people having equal rights?  Don’t get this book.  Does the thought of women or people of other ethnicities making the same wage as you piss you off?  Avoid at all costs.  Don’t want non-whites entering your country?  Jog on.

Frankly if you get all your news from Fox News and believe the world would be better off if only elderly, rich, white caucasian, christian males carrying guns is your be-all end -all idea of a perfect world.  Probably take a hard pass on this one.

The story is simple.  The world has become a horrible place and the aforementioned old white christian males have taken control.  They want to get rid of the ‘others.’  No more gays and women have lost all rights.  “Maybe stay in the kitchen or stay on your back,” a newscaster states at one point regarding women.

So our main character is down on her luck.  Thankfully a new option has emerged.  Revolver!  Everyone’s favourite game show!  Where folks can get bid on and the hosts torture them mentally until they kill themselves on live TV.  The money that they raise in bids is then given to the deceased persons family.

Horrible?  I know right.  But Hicks has written a seminal political – psychological thriller that packs a massive punch in a short space.

I was blown away by this (pun intended?  Maybe?) and I think it’s a piece of fiction that will stand the test of time.  

Highly recommend you check this out.

Star Rating (out of 5): 5*

The “stunning and harrowing” short story, originally published in the anthology No Way Home, is now available as a standalone release and features an all-new foreword written by award-winning science fiction author, Lucas Bale.

Cara Stone is a broken woman: penniless, homeless, and hopeless. When given the chance to appear on television, she jumps at the opportunity to win a minimum of $5,000 for her family. 

The state-run, crowdfunded series, Revolver, has been established by the nation’s moneyed elite to combat the increasing plight of class warfare. 

There’s never been a Revolver contestant quite like Cara before. The corporate states of America are hungry for blood, and she promises to deliver.

You can buy Revolver from Amazon UK & Amazon US

Steve Stred

Steve has a new book out will ALL PROCEEDs going to charity!

You can buy Dim The Sun from Amazon US & Amazon UK

Steve Stred is an up-an-coming Dark Horror author. Steve is the author of the novel Invisible, the novellas Wagon Buddy, Yuri and Jane: the 816 Chronicles and two collections of short stories; Frostbitten: 12 Hymns of Misery and Left Hand Path: 13 More Tales of Black Magick.

Steve also has a number of works on the go and enjoys all this horror, occult, supernatural and paranormal.

Steve Stred is based in Edmonton, AB, Canada and lives with his wife, his son and their dog Oj.

You can follow Steve on Twitter @stevestred

You can visit Steve’s Official Website here