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Matt Shaw
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The 8th: A Tale of Horror and Revenge Kindle Edition

by Matt Shaw (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.0 out of 5 stars 1,607 ratings
Moving from school to school is never easy. You're constantly struggling to catch up to the level of the other students. You're forever meeting new friends just to have to leave them and establish new colleagues at the new schools. You always find yourself lost in the never-ending maze of corridors as you battle to get to grips with where everything is...

But it's worse when the more unfriendly students decide to take an instant dislike to you. Tormenting you each day...Pushing you to see how long it is before you're going to snap. Wondering what you're going to do in retaliation to their harsh words and cruel pranks. Are you going to stand up to them or are you going to be yet another pupil who goes out of their way to avoid them whilst crying yourself to sleep until you feel as though you can't take the suffering anymore?

You're going to stand up to them of course. You're going to turn the tables on them. You're going to be the teacher to a very special class. A class where the lessons will be heard through-out the world...Lessons which will never be forgotten.

This is your classroom now and lessons will be learned.
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  1. Print length
    102 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    11 Nov. 2012
  5. File size
    1.0 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00A673V6C
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 11 Nov. 2012
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.0 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 102 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer reviews:
    4.0 out of 5 stars 1,607 ratings

About the author

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Matt Shaw

Matt Shaw

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Biography

Born in 1980, MATT SHAW is the award winning published author of over 200 stories. His work has been translated into Japanese, Korean, German and French - as well as being adapted into graphic novels.

In 2018, Matt Shaw directed and produced his first feature film, MONSTER (available on Amazon) and, in 2019, he went on to produce and direct his second feature, NEXT DOOR.

* * * *. *

LINKS:

www.patreon.com/TheMattShaw

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/NYJCF6q?fbclid=IwAR0Mhj85waWYR-wQ6wQMmcSJySNbnoI1YfAiZ46HdLp6z5zff3_9TENZNwo

facebook.com/mattshawpublications

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
1,607 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this short story extremely well written and easy to read, with one review noting how the author skillfully skips back and forth in time. Customers describe it as a page turner and find it thought-provoking, with one review highlighting its strong moral message. The story quality receives mixed reactions, with some customers finding it disturbing.

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60 customers mention ‘Readability’60 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable and entertaining, with several noting it's one of Matt Shaw's best works.

"...dark and strangely sad, but a great read." Read more

"...It is an average read which had so much potential." Read more

"...Excellent." Read more

"I really enjoyed this book. A good story with a good twist. I could not give full 5 stars as even though I really enjoyed it, I did not love it...." Read more

40 customers mention ‘Writing quality’37 positive3 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of this short story, noting it is extremely well composed and can be read in one sitting. One customer highlights the author's skillful handling of time jumps.

"...in their emotions and what they were going through- it's THAT well written...." Read more

"This is a short novella where an unnamed schoolboy who has spent his life moving homes and schools...." Read more

"...In my eyes he is a true horror writer who doesn't take ten pages to describe a building (yawn fest) but gets to the true nitty gritty fast...." Read more

"...Without giving away the plot Matt has crafted an extremely well written short story that makes you think about bullies, the bullied and your time at..." Read more

15 customers mention ‘Thought provoking’15 positive0 negative

Customers find the book thought-provoking, with one customer noting its strong moral message.

"...Overall the story was shocking, powerful and thought provoking with a great unexpected twist at the end, I can't recommend this book and author..." Read more

"...lot of graphic violence and sexually content and above all a very strong moral message...." Read more

"...and is certainly controversial but it makes some very valid points about the subject." Read more

"THE 8th is a brave and timely piece of fiction. The topic is incredibly relevant and the story is told with no holds barred...." Read more

5 customers mention ‘Page turner’5 positive0 negative

Customers describe the book as a page turner.

"...to anyone - I finished it in one evening and definitely found it a page turner." Read more

"...The fast pace and sheer page turning qualities stop it from being too upsetting...." Read more

"...Brilliantly written with yet another great twist by Matt! A real page turner which keeps you wanting to find out what happens next and has you..." Read more

"As others have wrote this book was a real page turner,only put it down for the reason that it had finished.it is a short story and wished it had..." Read more

76 customers mention ‘Story quality’49 positive27 negative

Customers have mixed reactions to the story quality of the book, with some finding it disturbing, while one customer describes it as a great tale with harrowing scenes, and another notes its amazing twists and plays of emotions.

"...Revenge is sweet and is a dish best served cold and this book stands true to that...." Read more

"This is a story of revenge, not subtle by any means, but certainly taps into the anger we have all felt (well i have) at the mercy of bullies and..." Read more

"...But bullying is an ugly subject and I'm sure many victims would wish they could've made their tormentors pay for the misery they caused...." Read more

"...This book is all about bullying, how the recipient feels and how he deals with those feelings by bringing vengeance upon his pursuers, this is quite..." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Lisa Brown
    5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best... and I've read quite a few!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 September 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Wow, I totally loved this book. Despite my love of gore and Matt's delivery of it, more strongly, in other books, this one may actually be my favourite!

    I adored the protagonist and his friend. I totally sympathised with them and the story of them being bullied really tugged at my heartstrings. I felt completely enveloped in their emotions and what they were going through- it's THAT well written.

    There are a couple of twists... the first one made me go, "Ah! Yes, that makes sense"... and the second one made me go, "Oh my god!".

    Revenge is sweet and is a dish best served cold and this book stands true to that. Imagine if you'd just had enough, you were sick of it all and no on else was going to stand up and fight so you take it upon yourself to do so...? Matt Shaw plays the what if game with a very realistic and every day subject- bullying. He pushes boundaries (as usual). What if you, or someone you cared about, was being bullied? What would you do to give the bullies the comeuppance they deserved?

    Matt Shaw revealed to me that this one almost didn't make the cut. Hearing that made me gasp out loud. I'm so glad it got published. I loved it.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Revenge is sometimes not so sweet
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 June 2014
    Verified Purchase
    This is a story of revenge, not subtle by any means, but certainly taps into the anger we have all felt (well i have) at the mercy of bullies and feeling helpless. It is graphic and no happy ending, but with this tale a happy ending would definitely not have fitted with the mood., dark and strangely sad, but a great read.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Phil
    3.0 out of 5 stars This is a short novella where an unnamed schoolboy who ...
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 December 2016
    Verified Purchase
    This is a short novella where an unnamed schoolboy who has spent his life moving homes and schools. When he starts a new school he identifies who the bullies are and seeks out revenge on the way they treated him, his friends and others in the school.

    There was more potential in this book than was actually included and some of the actions on the boy did not sit well with me. As a victim of bullies I thought I could relate to the main character it the other victims of the bullies, but the actions of the main character put a dampener on that.

    It is an average read which had so much potential.
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  • reading_by_kindlelight
    5.0 out of 5 stars Controversial, disturbing and fascinating.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 March 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Well, first off, I am an avid reader, I would be lost without my beloved kindle, yet this is the first review I have ever been compelled to write. I have read a few books by Matt Shaw, and they have all been fantastic, and the books that I haven't read by him are top of my wish list and will be purchased very soon. In my eyes he is a true horror writer who doesn't take ten pages to describe a building (yawn fest) but gets to the true nitty gritty fast.

    This book is all about bullying, how the recipient feels and how he deals with those feelings by bringing vengeance upon his pursuers, this is quite a disturbing book which includes some content that is not for the squeamish. The only way I can compare this book is "car crash TV" it's disturbing and at some times horrific, but you just can't help yourself from carrying on reading.

    The first question I thought off when I purchased this book and started reading it was "why is it called the 8th" the ending of the book will give you the answer to this question as well as compel you to carry on until the end.

    We sometimes hear about Bullying in real life resulting in long term effects and even deadly consequences, I feel that this book shows the extreme psychological and physical side of bullying as well as darkest vengeance brought upon the bully's.
    Overall the story was shocking, powerful and thought provoking with a great unexpected twist at the end, I can't recommend this book and author enough, and for true horror fans you won't be disappointed.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Mark Say
    5.0 out of 5 stars A chilling graphic story of what can happen when the final straw breaks the camels back
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 September 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Let's be honest, I chose to read this book because it was free. An excellent marketing tool from Mr Shaw as I will certainly be spending money on more of his books now.

    This is a short story and I finished it in 2 sittings but it packs in a hell of a lot, the thoughts and feelings of a troubled bullied teen, a revenge story, a hell of a lot of graphic violence and sexually content and above all a very strong moral message.

    Without giving away the plot Matt has crafted an extremely well written short story that makes you think about bullies, the bullied and your time at school. We're you a bully, we're you bullied, did you stand by and watch whilst others suffered or were you one of the strong ones who spoke up for the ones being bullied. An extreme example I'm sure but one that will stay with you.

    Excellent.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Nicola
    4.0 out of 5 stars A great short book, with a few good plot twists
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 July 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I really enjoyed this book. A good story with a good twist. I could not give full 5 stars as even though I really enjoyed it, I did not love it. I would definitely recommend to anyone wanting a quick read with some plot twists and a bit of gore.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Lorrii
    5.0 out of 5 stars Thought provoking and stomach churning. Read it if you dare.
    Reviewed in Canada on 15 July 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Trying to think of how to review this without giving anything away....

    I wished it was longer, but it works well as a short. It's like you get a snipped of a life, and in places it is pretty twisted, but at the same time, you do understand why it's happening by the end. I can't say more or I'd give it away, but if you have a semi-strong stomach, and you want a thought provoking read with a few surprises - get this.

    It will make you squirm, it will make you uncomfortable, but it will also make you think. A lot.

    You might even find at the end, you rethink making judgements about people.
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars EMOTIONS ON EDGE
    Reviewed in Australia on 31 January 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I felt my heart hurting when reading this story about bullying. I have known boys being bullied at school and one in particular comes to mind. He was a minister's son and a nicer person you could not meet, this is why the boys in my class decided to make his life hell because all the girls felts sorry for him and only wanted to help him anyway they could. In this story a young boy keeps having to change schools because of his father's work. It is always difficult to try and fit in when you are new. He makes friends with one person whom he doesn't realise is being brutally bullied and when a situation arises he decides to support his friend. This leads to him being bullied as well. The bullying takes the shape of physical and mental cruelty. This was a very sad story and really has your emotions on edge. We are always asking ourselves and other people why can't a solution be found to eradicate this constant bullying. Unfortunately family and the law don't listen or do not want to believe that this is going on. Wonderful writing by Matt.
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  • Silviah Colombara
    4.0 out of 5 stars Big time retaliation after being bullied. Glorious.
    Reviewed in Italy on 17 August 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Second incursion in Matt Shaw's twisted world (after Chained). I can't wait to read more.
    He has this unique way that is violence and gore but kind of motivated. So you are on one side from the beginning, and it is the side of retaliation, of not letting Karma get in the way.

    Wrong as it may be - you should always let Karma go its way- it feels so satisfying to read about people having their "you reap what you sow" moment.

    Beautifully written.
    I wish Shaw wrote longer books. But then maybe his way of not procrastinating, not stalling, is what makes him an interesting read.

    I have seen that there is a collaboration with Wrath James White, I will definetely read that one.
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  • JoanneG
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Consequences of Bullying
    Reviewed in the United States on 23 September 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I just finished this book and my hands are shaking. Matt Shaw is best known for his extreme horror books, but I hope that doesn't distract people from his talent as a writer. His horror books are good. This book is outstanding. Matt Shaw can write about extreme emotional pain just as well--or better--than he can write about serial killers and crazy people doing things with dead bodies.

    This book is about a teenage boy. We never find out his name, probably because he can be anyone; any person who doesn't fit in, who doesn't look just right or talk just right or whose parents don't make enough money or any of the myriad reasons bullies find to torment. He's always the new kid in school because his father moves around for work, which automatically makes him the target of bullies everywhere he goes.

    He's lucky enough to find one good friend, David. David is also bullied--for a different reason--so they are at least lucky enough to find each other.

    All the adults portrayed in the book are indifferent or blind to what's happening or just don't care. I wanted to reach into the book and throttle them. Adults have the ability to make a difference, to change things for the better for kids being bullied, but sometimes adults are just grown-up bullies and just turn their heads and laugh along with them.

    The book starts with the narrator's first day of school and ends with his last. In between, we go back and forth in time to the times he and David were bullied and their reactions to things that take place in school. My heart was breaking for both of them, and I really wanted to know what it is in humans that make the strong--who already have everything--take advantage of and hurt the weak. We've all heard the excuse that bullies are just insecure themselves; perhaps that is true in some cases, but it isn't the case in this book. These kids are bullies because they enjoy being bullies and because they know no one is going to stop them.

    Something terrible happens to David. We really can't tell if this drives the narrator over the edge or if he is perfectly sane and just wants revenge. I think it's ambiguous on purpose. How can we ever know how much it takes to push someone over the edge of insanity? It must be different for every person. Kids who are bullied have two choices: withdraw into themselves and try to survive or get revenge. Our narrator chooses to get revenge.

    The rest of the story is about how he goes about that and the things he realizes about himself as he does so.

    Matt Shaw starts the book with a prologue telling us that he was bullied and that he fought back. He doesn't condone violence, and neither do I, but what is left when all else fails? The bullies don't hesitate to use violence. Does it bring us down to their level if we strike back? Or are we just standing up for ourselves?

    The thing is: bullying never ends. It may not be called bullying as we become adults, but just take a look at what is happening in the US these days. The rich are taking advantage of the poor; those in power take advantage of those not in power (minorities, women, the old, the young); and politicians encourage us to live in fear of each other to their own personal advantage. All that is just a more sophisticated version of bullying. I guess we learn better techniques as we grow up.

    This book will resonate with anyone who was laughed at or beat up or humiliated just for being different. I wonder if any bullies--or former bullies--will recognize themselves in here and regret who they are or used to be.

    I think we can look around us and see the bullies are winning so far. I don't know if there are enough people fighting back to change that. I don't have much hope of that because people in power do not give it up easily. We need to reach the point as a society, a country, a world, where we finally say, "We're mad as hell and we're not going to take it anymore." Many people believe that can be done without violence, but if you look at human history, violence has always been part of us. We aren't that great of a species. Others of "less" intelligence get along much better than we do. Something is wrong with us and we better figure it out before too many more kids suffer and society heads down a path we can't recover from.

    This is an excellent book. It may hurt to read it, but, if it does, I think that proves you're one of the good guys.
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  • GERARD
    5.0 out of 5 stars Charles Bronson was bullyied as a kid and then...
    Reviewed in Spain on 26 April 2021
    Verified Purchase
    “All that talk about sticks and stones breaking bones but words never hurting...Broken bones heal. Bruises heal. Harsh words can have a long, lasting effect.”
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