In the Land of the Pigs: A Western Horror Novella by Caesar Ruell

In the Land of the Pigs: A Western Horror Novella Reviews

• 
  Peter Topside

  Of all the genres, I am probably the least interested in westerns. Just not my style. However, horror is my jam through and through. But, combining both of those genres will certainly peak my interest. Now I’ve read a few, most notably Kristopher Triana’s The Thirteenth Koyote, none of which held my attention. Boring, long-winded, and more characters than I could count. Did not win me over at all. So, enter the opportunity to read Caesar Ruell’s In the Land of Pigs, being his first attempt at a horror western. I can honestly say that this was the best one that I’ve read to date. I don’t give out 5-star ratings often at all, but this absolutely earned it. It was an incredibly unique concept, bringing in notes from classics like True Grit and Kill Bill, all while perfectly balancing the horror elements. Boasting tons of fascinating creatures, truckloads of gore and action, several distinct and interesting layers of the plot, and a great cast of characters, it was just a pleasure to read. You wanted, so badly, for our lead, Levi, to avenge his wife’s passing and the demonic angel that guided him, leading up to a final, and completely satisfying, confrontation with the dreaded Benjamin Sidney. I was just completely immersed in the story. I think that fans of both genres will really appreciate the lengths that Ruell went to appease potential readers and create something very special here. But I really did love this experience and give it the most honorable ‘Topsider approved’ blessing.
• 
  Ruben

  I know it took me a while to write my review about this one, but it's been crazy and hectic days at work and all. I apologize to Caesar Ruell as I wish I had written it just right after I finished the book.
  
  I have to say that I wasn't disappointed at all with this new short novel where the town of Crow's River is the subject of some sort of disturbance that takes over the town transforming all those evil ones into human-flesh-eating pigs.
  
  Only those whose hearts are free of evil and sins are somehow immune to this punishing transformation. Levi Harlen, the town's butcher, has been chosen by some sort of celestial entity to cleanse the town of such horrid beings, he only accepts to undertake such a task as an exchange to get his beloved and recently deceased Adeline back after some weird illness took toll of her life.
  
  Will Levi have all what it takes to defeat such demonic pigs? Ben Sidney is the pig's leader and he doesn't seem to have any intention of feeding on people and taking over some other towns and eventually the whole world so Levi is in for quite some trouble, or so it seems.
  
  I really enjoyed having been given the chance to read Caesar Ruell's most recent short novel, which kept me at the edge of my seat and I look forward to what's coming up next concerning Caesar's works.
  
  All in all a really entertaining horror read.
• 
  Dion Smith

  3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
  
  I really liked the concept of this and how it was done, I liked the mix of western and a little Sci-fi, it worked and this was a quick and easy to read story, lots of fun gory action, and I must say I really love this cover, and this story would make an awesome graphic novel.
  
  This is going to sound strange, but the swearing sounded modern to me, I don't know if that is because that is how I swear or because I just have not came across it other western books and movies, I also would have liked a bit more backstory about the angel and how Levi was chosen, I think it would have given the story more depth.
  
  All in all I enjoyed it, It's like a creature feature but with a twist.
• 
  Lisa

  There’s so much that compelled me to add IN THE LAND OF THE PIGS to my TBR list and start reading it immediately! Firstly, that book cover is fantastic and oh so creepy. I never underestimate the power of a good book cover in drawing me into a story. Secondly, loving westerns and horror as much as I do (not to mention pigs and Shakespeare), there was no way I wasn’t going to read this! And thirdly, once I started reading, I couldn’t help but need to see Levi’s righteous yet bloody mission come to fruition.
  
  Simply put, IN THE LAND OF THE PIGS is a tale of good versus evil. But there is nothing simple about this captivating and gruesomely fun horror novella from an author who knows how to write horror, and exceptionally well!
  
  I want to extend a huge thank you to Caesar Ruell for gifting me his most recent novella!! I am so grateful to be trusted with an honest review!
• 
  Horror Bookworm Reviews

  A Horror Bookworm Recommendation
  In The Land Of The Pigs by Caesar Ruell
  
  https://horrorbookwormreviews.com/
  
  In the town of Crow’s River, butcher Levi Harlen and his wife have made this part of the Wild West their home. When a strange being from another plane visits Levi, a message of the utmost importance is delivered. A monumental event is about to occur, and Levi is called upon to destroy a wave of vicious transformed pig like creatures. With his meat clever, tenderizer and donning his bloody apron, Levi the butcher is preparing for the ultimate battle of good vs evil.
  
  Within the strange blood-curdling pages of In The Land Of The Pigs by Caesar Ruell, exists a rootin tootin good time of a read. This western horror novel is not short on chunks of flesh, bloody butchery and a most unusual storyline. In preparation to cleanse the rugged frontier of pig-demons, I’m reminded of that good ole proverb “with great power comes great responsibility.” With its pure graphic content mixed with an inventive cast of characters, ITLOTP slices and dices its way into an inventive piece of splatter spaghetti western.
  
  This is not my first run-in with Ruell’s disturbing dark fiction. Now I’m back for more of his nightmarish creepy creations. He lays down a horrific foundation of bizarre unholiness, then creates a vivid setting of tearing flesh and snapping bones. We all have pieces of crazy in us, it just so happens Caesar Ruell’s are bigger pieces than most.
  
  If you like your priests with immoral qualities, your nuns with nasty attitudes and your professional pig slayers that give no quarter, look no further. Sinister squeals, growling grunts and savage snorts, you’ll never visit a petting zoo the same way again. A Horror Bookworm Recommendation.
• 
  Horror Reads

  In The Land Of Pigs is a western supernatural horror novella with a fantastic premise and a blood curdling execution.
  
  A butcher is chosen by an angelic like being to stop a great plague in the old west. That plague happens to be evil people turning into human sized blood thirsty swine, eating anyone in their path and no human weapons can stop them.
  
  This being imbues his cleaver and meat tenderizer with supernatural powers and are the only weapons which can kill these creatures.
  
  He's a very reluctant hero and must be "encouraged" to do this but he eventually agrees.
  
  What follows is a gore drenched action filled terrifying story as he must track down and kill the leader of these demonic pig people to stop them from taking over the world.
  
  This novella has a creature feature feel to it that's played as a straight up horror story and it's very effective. Rabid demonic pig people isn't something I've read in a story before and this novella knocked it out of the park with the concept and execution.
  
  I highly recommend it. I received an ARC of this book from the author with no consideration. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
• 
  Bambi Ortiz

  Levi is torn between staying home and taking care of his extremely ill wife or going to work at the butcher shop he owns. However, with the costs of his wife's doctors, medicine, and the fact that bandits robbed him of all the money he had, Levi has no choice but to work.
  
  On top of worrying about his sick wife and finances, a messenger comes along, informing him that the criminals in town have become pig hybrids and he has to defeat them all to save the town. After explaining everything to Levi, the messenger is like, "Oh! By the way, your wife has passed away while you were here working, but you can have her back free of illness if you defeat these pig hybrids."
  
  Mixing the old west with a Shakespearian dialect, and you get the leader of the pig hybrids, Benjamin Sidney, which definitely makes this an interesting take on the wild west that Caesar has created.
  
  While I'm not a big Western fan, but Caesar was able to capture my attention immediately, and I really enjoyed this novella.
• 
  D F McD

  A very unique and well written story.
  Admittedly, I think this was my first Western Horror, but I loved it. I fully got into the adventure of it: the shoot-outs, the horse riding, the dialogue. It also has its fair share of gore, which, you know, is always a bonus! All in, I had a great time! Check it out!
• 
  Allison Betch

  A book that reads like an action movie!!!!!
  
  I must admit, I’ve never read a western horror book before. A man with a sick wife is entrusted by an angel to stop “the disturbance”. Basically, all evil people are turned into pig monsters and our main character Levi “The Butcher” must kill the leader with his handy magic butcher tools!
  
  Truly, action packed at every turn. I was getting Machete vibes. I had a lot of fun with this book and would recommend to all of my friends who want a quick, bloody fun read!!!
  
  P.S I am just obsessed with the fact that the main bad guy speaks like Shakespeare 🤣
  
  Big thanks to Caesar for letting me read this one!!!
• 
  Nikki Reid

  I was really not sure what to think of this book when I picked it up. I’m not necessarily a fan of westerns, unless Walker, Texas Ranger counts.😄 And the premise seemed unusual…but no more unusual than any other creature feature I’ve read. Having said that, this was indeed a good book. It kept me entertained to the very end. I could see this in graphic novel form looking fantastic.
  
  There are points in the story where some of the description becomes repetitive, and there are points where the narrative seems to drag a bit. Overall, though, the writing is well done. The author offers us fairly plausible reasoning for the Disturbance that turns the town’s unsavory folks into blood-thirsty swine. Although, some backstory on what led to this particular town being chosen would have added to the story’s depth.
  
  The author’s remedy for this plague that threatened to worsen if left unchecked, seems too simple. What more could we have learned about the hero that would have helped his being chosen make more sense? And what made this story’s bad guy any worse than the scores of others in the world that warranted his death as being the act that would end the apocalypse? And there is the lingering question of how the little girl would be dealt with. I think she got off way too easy!
  
  Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was an entertaining, quick read, and I would recommend it for fans of creature features and bloody horror.
• 
  The_5ft_reader

  So evil townsfolk are turned into evil pigs and its comes to levi to save the town and in turn his sick wife! This story was excellent, it flows well and once the blood starts flowing, it doesn't let up until the end! The ending got me, I was probably expecting too much considering it's horror but I was hoping!
  
  Thank you caesar for allowing me to read a ARC copy of your book .... I do always enjoy your writing 😊
• 
  Fauwxx

  I had really been craving reading a horror western and I saw this book floating around Instagram via some fellow horror readers. Luckily, Caesar Ruell reached out to me and kindly sent me an ARC of his novel. It just published a few days ago and you can read it via Kindle Unlimited.
  .
  I was impressed with the author's writing style right away. He took great care in building the characters personalities and describing the scenes in excellent detail. I really loved the story and I've never read anything quite like it - it was very creative! While I did really enjoy reading this novel, I just felt something was missing for me. I can't quite put my finger on it - but that doesn't mean it's not worth the read. I definitely recommend reading this if you're looking for something unique to read in the horror genre!
• 
  Paige Ray

  I’m not a western girlie but Caesar Ruell has 100% convinced me otherwise 👀👀 So saddle up and get ready cuz it’s about to get rowdy in this story🤠
  
  Brief synopsis:
  Levi owns a butcher shop in the town of Crow’s River. His wife is extremely ill and he’s doing everything he can to take care of her while managing the butchery. Meanwhile, there is a wanted man, known as “Ben the Brutal” that brings total mayhem everywhere he goes. Before closing up shop for the night, Levi hears a noise and believes someone is in the shop with him and he’s right. However, this is no person but it is an “angel.” She comes bearing bad news upon the town of Crow’s River. All of the corrupt will be turn into these “pig-hybrids.” All will vary on their “development” based on what evil they have committed. If Levi promises to save the town by ending these “pig-hybrids” then he will get to be with his wife again and illness free. (His wife passed while he was working and the “angel” proved this to him while making this proposition) Will Levi follow through and save the innocent and be with his wife again?? 🐷🐽🤠🔫👻🪽
  
  Caesar Ruell absolutely NAILED it with this western horror novella! 🙌 His writing was compelling and smooth as butter when it came to piecing each and every detail, making this story flow together seamlessly. The dialogue was SPOT ON, truly capturing all of the feels pertaining to the “Wild West.” There were supernatural elements thrown in that really made this a fun read and put a unique spin on the western genre. “Ben the Brutal” speaks in a Shakespearean manner with a twang and it honestly works. Idk how but it does and it’s awesome. This was my first read by Caesar and it blew my expectations out of the water by a long shot.
  
  Not a western fan? I didn’t think I was either. This story will blow your freakin’ mind. I LOVED it.
  
  Thank you, Caesar, for this ARC. In the Land of the Pigs will be released on June 3rd, 2024.
• 
  Sophie

  I was sent an arc for an honest review:
  
  Well this was a hootenanny of bloody pig violence. I really really loved this book, the story was great, I liked the main protagonist he was a definitive underdog and who doesn't love an underdog. I thought the ending was kinda perfect. This is the 3rd book of Caesar Ruell's that I've read and I have to say I'm quite the fan, dudes got some serious skill. Great book I'd highly recommend.
• 
  Milt Theo

  Caesar Ruell's 'In The Land of the Pigs' is an entirely different kind of work from his riveting evil clowns duology. Though equally engrossing, it's Weird Western horror, combining, however, unusual amounts of extreme gore with the trope of the supernatural quest, ending up in a place not seen in (relatively) short horror fiction before. Both the gore and the supernatural aspects are well-integrated into the story; in fact, they drive it forward far more than the characters themselves. The book is brimming with metaphysical elements: angels, ghosts, resurrected (un)dead, evil priests, killer nuns, unnatural storms, magical weapons, supernaturally empowered martial arts, bloody quasi-cannibalistic carnages, torture, betrayal, and, of course, those demonic pigs! All in a apocalyptic setting of the highest order.
  
  To be clear, "pig" here is used entirely symbolically, with no intention to characterize the nature of the animal: sinners turn to biped versions of pigs not because pigs are evil, but because, "Pigs are known as dirty and wretched. This is despite the fact that they are usually clean and agreeable creatures in reality. But the latter truth doesn’t apply here. What counts is how they are perceived by others," explains the entity that demands from Levi the Butcher, the novella's main character, to exterminate the mutant piggies. And the pigs are hungry. Hungry for human flesh. Thus begins one of the most enjoyable, albeit totally bizarre, quests: Levi has to find the pig leader and put an end to the insanity. His quest will bring him to strange places, and end up in a slaughterhouse. What happens there is not for the faint of heart.
  
  The novella is briliant: great writing (really great, impeccably so: great pacing, just the proper amount of characterization, terrific dialogue), interesting characters (the pig leader speaks in Shakespearian lines), quite an intriguing story (something like a Tarantino western with pigs). This is not your granpa's wild west; it's a quintessentially Caesar Ruell place, all sinister faces and creepy smiles, huge amounts of meat, and a bloodied butcher standing over a mountain of pig carcasses. Excellent!
• 
  Kate Victoria RescueandReading

  Well Ruell has certainly written a unique horror western tale.
  
  The sinful people of Crow’s River receive their dues when a biblical event transforms them into super strong and violent pig creatures. It’s a battle between good and evil; the only man who can stop humanity’s downfall is the town butcher.
  
  Again, this was certainly a splattery, weird, and captivating story. You’ve got Japanese warrior confederate soldiers, angels, demons, necromancers, and so much pork.
  
  While I enjoyed the story overall, I didn’t understand some of the motivations the characters had, why the forces of “good” only chose the butcher, etc. I definitely felt like I had some unresolved questions at the end of this one.
  
  Thank you to the author & BookSirens for copy!
• 
  Karen

  I wasn't sure about reading a Western horror book lol but I'm sure glad I did. This was a really interesting story it was action-packed. The characters were great. Even the demon pigs. If you like westerns, read this. If you like horror, read this, and if you like westerns and horror, definitely read this.
• 
  Crystal DeBoard

  In The Land of the Pigs is a well written, unique, supernatural, western themed, horror novella. The story is well executed. Western themes aren't my favorite, but this was enjoyable.
• 
  Ashley

  "What I was seeing had almost become run-of-the-mill. It seemed that people had lost their minds lately, and were finding various ways to sink ever lower as the days went by. I would put money on it that even the flea-infested, mangy dogs in the streets were morally superior to the people of Crow's River."
  
  Disclaimer: The author of this book offered me a free copy in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way affected my rating, and the below thoughts are mine alone.
  
  Horror Westerns are one of my favorite genres of novel. When done properly, it's a brilliant combination, the harsh brutality of the landscape and otherworldly beasts unleashing their cruelty upon the land, it's something that will never cease to amaze. In the Land of the Pigs is an example of a horror Western done right, Ruell has created something truly spectacular here, offering us an incredible, fresh, and really rather unique concept for a novel. At every turn, it's truly action packed, most of the time feeling as if it were a movie rather than a book.
  
  The thing with Caesar Ruell as an author is that he knows how to make horror fun, how to entertain his readers while also delivering a savage and ruinous story. In the Land of the Pigs is downright nasty, sickening, it's an absolute fucking riot. There's simply never a dull moment, this is pure, unbridled entertainment, this is what we mean by reading for pleasure, it's horror at its most strange and bizarre, told with a disgusting and sickening vividity.
  
  

  "I took in the main area of the slaughterhouse. It was immense, with lanterns burning overhead and steel work-benches of all shapes and sizes scattered across its entire expanse. Standing behind many of those were pigs, who were presently gorging themselves on humans in various states of death, and in some cases, complete dismemberment. Crimson blood poured down and gathered in large pools at their feet."

  
  
  This novel takes many of the best tropes from both horror and Western tales, flings them into a blender, pulps them into a nasty, bloody sludge and then throws them at the reader. The result is a sickening, maddening bloodbath, a gruesome yet entirely delightful novel that's both hilarious and compulsively readable. Talking pig monsters wearing human clothes, the undead, dusty plains, a saloon called The Drunken Coyote, a villain that monologues in Shakespearean English? All that is packed into one tiny little novel and it's all so damn brilliant, it's twisted and captivating and wonderful, a truly fantastic example of a Western Horror novella.
  
  "It felt like the most natural thing in the world, as I closed my eyes, before placing the barrel of the gun to my right temple. I took a deep breath in, then I pulled the trigger."
• 
  Lisa Lee

  A Bibliophilia Templum review
  
  https://bibliophiliatemplum.wordpress.com/2024/06/10/in-the-land-of-the-pigs/
  
  In the Land of the Pigs by Caesar Ruell is one part extreme supernatural western horror and one part profound statement about people and society. This story is gruesome, evocative, and deeply impactful, but it’s also full of wild action and dark humor.
  
  So many things set this story apart. One is the nostalgic use of martial arts in an old west setting, which is both amusing and cheekily reminiscent of old movies. Another is the daring level of supernatural and cosmic elements, which, in my opinion, make it that much more fun. Most clever to me is the reverse Rapture scenario that’s going on and how it reflects and defines the current state of humanity.
  
  There are wild fight scenes, graphic gruesomeness, entertaining dialogue, wicked humor, intriguing suspense, and a horse who just wants to go home. But at the heart of it all is an imperfect but good and simple man with a broken heart who is willing to face what he must for the love of his life, even if that means wading into a situation beyond his understanding and facing an evil beyond his ken.
  
  Levi and what he represents is contrasted sharply by the symbolism of the pig-men and their brutal, vicious greed. The depth does not hamper the entertainment factor but rather compliments it, and I found the ending to be deep and wrenching.
  
  There is so much here to appreciate, but Extreme Horror and Splatterpunk fans only, please.
• 
  Diana Richie (Indie Book Addict)

  I’ve started to become interested in horror westerns, so when I was given the opportunity to review this, I couldn’t pass it up, especially since this one includes pigs. I was surprised at how well this whole story came together. I wasn’t quite sure how pigs would fit into a horror western, but Ruell made it work. The small town of Crow’s River was well done, and I could visualize the town in my head, especially once the Disturbance happened. The author did a great job bringing fear and chaos to life. I felt for the residents of the town and the horrible nightmare that awaited them once the pigs took over. Ruell held nothing back on the action or the gore.
  
  Let’s talk about Levi. He was a great character with a lot of heart. He was the chosen one to deal with these pigs, and he was to be rewarded greatly. When things didn’t work out the way he planned, you could tell it absolutely deflated him. Levi had so many trials throughout the book, but he always did his best, which made him stand out to me.
  
  The whole concept of this book was unique, and I’d recommend it to those that enjoy horror westerns. The author puts a whole new spin on things which makes this a great read.
  
• 
  Shannon Temme

  This is not something I would normally pick up , I don't typically like "dystopian", end of days, end of the world etc .
  I have to admit though this story was very compelling and I found myself on more than one occasion sharing the feelings of the MC. I really liked the monsters in this book, I feel it was a pretty unique, albeit fitting, transformation so to say. I also feel it is an underdog/average Joe hero story in a way. Full disclosure , I was given a free download of this title but I was not asked for a review , just to give it a try. I'm glad I did read it , it was quite good , the cover art is phenomenal and the story really grabs on . Wonderful imagery in the writing as well without being overly lengthy in details. I definitely want to look up the authors other works now just to see :-).
• 
  Linda McGuire

  This was a very interesting novella about some very hungry horrific pigs. This takes place during the Wild West days which I love. The characters were very well-rounded. There is a lot of detail described in this horror, lots of bloody gore. This also had Shakespearian dialogue which was a different aspect in this horror. I recommend this to anyone ready to saddle up and ride into Crow's River for some real horror. I want to thank Caesar for the opportunity to read this novel, he never disappoints me in any of his novels.
• 
  Cobwebby Reading Reindeer

  Release June 3.
  
  I've enjoyed the sub-subgenre of Weird Western Horror since I've first encountered it. I don't know exactly what the draw is, since generally I never read Westerns [other than some Zane Grey in childhood due to a parent's collection]. Maybe it's that, in addition to the usual Western genre tropes of Nature vs. Man and Man vs. Man, in Western Horror the author can hog wild and create all sorts of new and different creatures and events. Often, as we see in IN THE LAND OF THE PIGS, the Horror introduced is going to be Cosmic in nature--and invariably implacable and inescapable. Often that Cosmic Horror will be Lovecraftian; here it's more of Medieval Morality Play meets Old Testament-style retribution, where what one is in one's deepest heart and soul, is what one becomes.
  
  Cautions: Significant gore and splatter, religious symbolism and references, references to off-stage brutality, and humans regressing to implacable Horrors.
• 
  Laura Ruetz

  I don't read westerns but the idea of a Western horror really sparked my interest. The idea is original,and well written. Levi is a dynamic character, thrown into nearly impossible circumstances and I found it easy to relate to him. Great pacing and horror, really engaging horror story.
• 
  Kat M

  This was a fantastic western horror novella, it had that overall feel going on and was enjoying the overall world going on. I thought the use of human-animal hybrids worked with the world and story-line. I thought everything worked in the time-period and enjoyed the Western element. Caesar Ruell has a strong writing style and can't wait for more hopefully in this world.
  
  I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
• 
  Bianca

  I loved this book! I was lucky enough to be given an ARC of this book and I’m so grateful I was! This was a great action packed read! The action started fairly quickly in the book and didn’t let up til the very end! Great characters and a fun storyline this definitely has me entertained from beginning to end!
  I really enjoy Caesar Ruell’s writing style and have thoroughly enjoyed everything I have read by him so far. It was a fantastic Western Horror tale with a few twists throughout.