Jessie Raven is a reviewer of horror books and extreme horror books. She always brings panache and insight to the reviews she gives on the books. Her reviews can be found on Goodreads, Facebook and TikTok. She lives in the UK.

This interview was conducted on Facebook Messenger between Jerry Blaze (JB) and Jessie Raven (JR).

JB: So, obligatory question, who are you?

JR: I am Jessie Raven. I love books, especially extreme horror, splatterpunk, but mostly open to anything! I also do reviews on my TikTok and on Facebook.

JB: What inspired you to be a horror reviewer?

JR: I love to talk! I’m a right chatterbox and thought the thing I talk about the most is books so I may as well review them, and share my passion for books. It’s not been an easy journey, but a worthwhile one!

JB: What do you look for in a particular book?  What earns a high rating from you?

JR: Gotta be different. I love people’s different takes on the genres. I like a smooth sailing read, that doesn’t have plot holes, grammar errors, and has a bunch of love to hate characters. Bonus if there’s some twists I didn’t see coming!

JB: What makes you DNF a book?

JR: If it gets repetitive, or there’s too many errors, or there’s plot holes, basically things like that. Plus if it doesn’t make sense or reads like AI, I just can’t go on with it. If I get a headache from trying to understand something, it’s not for me. Also, if it’s too predictable, I like the thrill of not knowing what's going to happen.

JB: If you could choose a book you’ve read to become a film, what would it be?

JR: The first would be It Ain’t No Fun When The Rabbit Got the Gun by Nick Scarborough because there’s a bit in it that makes me laugh. The Melody Series by Erica Hart, I think that would be a really interesting one. Valxika series because I reckon that would top Game of Thrones, it would take that shit out. Heartbeat by C. Extreme, it’s awesome! Gomorrah series by Kelvin V.A. Allison would also be a really good one. We Met in the Forums by Rob Ulitski, it could be an eerie sort of film. I reckon that would do well!

JB: What are your top five books (thus far)?

JR: That’s an easier list. Run Red by R.J. Daly; Dug Up by Erica Hart; Gomorrah series by Kelvin V.A. Allison, Heartbeat by C. Extreme; Sin by Matt Clarke.

If you were to write a book, what would it be about?

JR: Something utterly repulsive. Something that really tested the limits. Always wanted to write a book on a woman who has had surgery, but when she comes out she is a completely different person to the one she was before she was put to sleep. So much to work with there and I reckon I could pull it off.

JB: What authors would you like to see write together?

JR: I would say Harrison Phillips and Kelvin Allison. Both their writing is insane and I reckon they would write together beautifully!

JB: What are your thoughts on AI elements in books, covers or  writing?

JR: I despise it with a passion. With covers, I’m not as bothered as much, because I feel like a cover is a cover, it’s not what the book is or what the writing is. If the writing is AI, I feel like you can almost tell and it just takes away from any sort of personality. It can make the characters seem really dry, the whole book just falls flat and I just need the emotion to be able to enjoy the book. It's the reason I love Dug Up so much, because the emotions in it are as repulsive as it is. It has got the emotion and that’s what I need in a book as well. But AI and writing? Big no no.

JB: What do you think the future holds for the Extreme Horror community?

JR: Realistically, AI is going to become bigger and bigger, smarter and smarter; and people aren’t going to be able to work out what’s what. Hopefully, the genuine people who I know are genuine will stick to being themselves. I appreciate them for that. But I think there will be some new people worming their way in who’ll be trying to use AI to get themselves in. But, I reckon it’s going to do some damage. Hopefully, people will start coming in more for the community, genuine people who can make genuine friendships and I think we should work together as a community and not have people scared of what they’re saying, or posting, or live in fear of being attacked because of drama going on. Its just nonstop and I want it to be a normal, happy place for everyone who loves books.

JB: Do you, as a reviewer, have any words of wisdom for future and aspiring reviewers?

JR: Definitely! If you want to go for it, do it! I’ve met lovely people, made friends for life, but honesty is the best policy!  Don’t suck up to an author because you don’t want to offend them. Reviewing isn’t for the weak. It’s for the ones that can read and fairly review, regardless of connections. You need to be ready to read some brilliant, but also not so brilliant, and to firmly but fairly share those thoughts.

Check out Jessie Raven’s reviews on Facebook, TikTok and Goodreads at the following links:

Facebook

Goodreads

TikTok: Ravensreviews2023

ABOUT JERRY:

Jerry Blaze is an award-winning author of Horror and Bizarro fiction.

After achieving success in the erotic market, Jerry decided to undertake Extreme Horror/Splatterpunk/Bizarro fiction writing and released several books. Some of his books have been bestsellers on Amazon. He has been awarded the 2025 Golden Wizard Book Prize and the Literary Titan award.

Jerry is a fan of Grindhouse and exploitation films from the 70s and 80s, often modeling his work on them. He currently lives in the American Midwest, but travels often to get inspiration or to run away from angry mobs.