The Sopaths

I bought this book after reading an excerpt of it on facebook. The initial subject really sucked me in. About a third if the way thru the book I wondered if I should keep reading it. The no soul part was intriguing but the play by play of a child trying to seduce a grown man got really uncomfortable. If it was only once it might have been easier but it wasn't. The fact that writer tried to make it ok made it much worse. I read the whole thing hoping for some redeeming quality, (which I think the author did try to give you at the end) I just wound up really wishing I hadn't read it at all.

So gross. I feel like a child molester just reading this book. I couldn't even make it half way through. I'm pretty sure law and order: svu may come and arrest me tonight. This could have been an awesome story. The execution and the explicit sex talk from a 7 year old ruined it. I

I started to read this book off a FB post or ad- and thought is was supposed to be a real phenomenon. Needless to say, it is not, (only takes a chapter to figure it out if you're not a goon) but that doesn't take away from this being borderline creepy surreal on some aspects. Some parts are a bit much but it is still hard to put down. I have not read any other works by the author but I am frightened by his imagination at some points.

Ugh....this book made me ill. The idea of soulless children is very intriguing, but the explicit child sex scenes were unacceptable. It is possible to infer without painting an actual picture of pedophilia. It really brings to question the author's own morals when the most descriptive scenes involved sex with children. I wil never read anything by this author again.

I've been reading Mr Anthony's novels since the early 80s and usually grab the new ones that are not part of the Xanth series, of which I've only read a couple. This one is a shocker on a few levels. Main theme is the birth of soulless children and the consequences for society.

Absolutely love piers anthony but this book really made me appreciate him even more. It hits the nail on the head that the world is being over populated and a fairly terrifying way that things could go wrong if people don't learn to be responsible soon about reproducing.

Like the notion of how sociopathic people could possibly come to exist. Not sure I believe in a soul but I know there are definitely people with no conscience. Let's hope that they never are more of them than us. As far as the book there are definitely parts that are difficult to stomach & not for the easily offended, but the story is definitely interesting.

This is not for the faint of heart. The idea behind this book should already tell you that. The concept was very interesting to me but the execution felt rushed and focused entirely too much on the sexual nature of the deranged as well as focusing on the sexuality of children. At points I felt dirty reading the way the children in the book acted or talked about sex.

The core idea behind the book had promise, but overall I felt the author went off the rails in his rush to finish the book. read at your own discretion.

The idea was a good one; very challenging for our social niceties, however in the more recent years I think Piers Anthony's writing has dropped in quality, maybe just because of the electronic publishing. I liked the book but not as much as I expected.

Ok I love piers anthony's various works. the incarnations of immortality great series, the magic kingdom on lanover good read light fantasy, the apprentice/adept series very good, the bio of a space tyrant i just started reading that series but it's very well done and i like what i've read of it so far. this story, while the story itself could have been done better, is not written the way i expect his works to read. normally his books draw you in and you can't step away, this one i couldn't get into and i kept trying and kept trying but it seemed so forced and blocky like he didn't really want to write it but had to write something. well below what i expect of him.

Not your typical Piers Anthony! If you're looking for a light-hearted read, this isn't the one. (But well worth the read, anyway.)

Very, very dark, but an excellent read that brings up lots of philosophical, ethical, and sociological questions. Entertaining and thought-provoking!

The thought that something like this could really happen is totally terrifying. We already have sociopaths in the world. They start as children killing small animals, and they end up as serial killers. They are without conscious and have no remorse. Now the ones we know about are few and far between, but if society keeps indulging in this idea that anything except a good talking too or a timeout is all you need to make a child grow up with morals the sociopaths will increase in number. The children are being taught that there are no consequences for wrong behavior, they will grow up thinking that there is nothing that they can't do, because there will be nothing done. By our lack of discipline to children, are we growing a nation or even a world of sociopaths. I think this book is definitely worth reading, as it will open your mind and make you think.

Great premise, good read. There were a few characterization issues. The protagonist's wife seems unbelievable and wooden. I think there should have been more internal conflict in the main character as he struggles with his interactions with a certain sopath toward the end of the book, and author uses the outdated phrase "venereal disease" instead of the now-in-use "sexually transmitted disease."

I wasn't at all intrigued, either, by the Afterword. It's conclusion was weak.

However, I do appreciate the author's note at the end of the book where he tells how he came up with the concept and struggled to write the book. Parts of the book are very well done--most of it, in fact. But it does have some deficiencies. Not for the faint of heart.

Love Piers Anthony. Not his best work but I still enjoyed it. The premise of the book is definitely valid for this day and age and I can see the potential for a similar event in real life. He definitely makes you think.

I would truly have to question what type of person could write such filth coming out of a child's mouth to a grown man. It screams pedophile's dream novel. This author should be investigated. Disgusting.

The idea behind the book may have been good with a better writer. The book didn't flow logically, and I'm not easily offended or anything but honestly the flow of language used by the children is ridiculous. Not worth spending money on.

Interesting theory on souls. A lot of sexual interactions that I was not expecting, interesting plot. I disliked that the ending felt rushed. It was a quick read that I finished in one day. It was very simple to read.

This is nothing better than child pornography . I'm totally embarrassed to read it ! I was excited because it was Piers Anthony- until I realized that he's nothing but a pedophile. do not read this book if you have any kind of conscience

I was disappointed in the ending and there are parts of the book that are really uncomfortable and difficult to read. I'm sure those parts were intentionally written that way; it is after all an uncomfortable subject matter. It just seemed a little too gratuitous at certain parts. I did think the development of relationships was incredibly well written and found myself caring more for several of the characters than I thought I would.

Ended very suddenly and adrubtly. There was alot more story that could have been told. Also alot of the story felt like the authors own twisted sexual fantasy about a child/children. Sopaths is a cover up for someting dirty!!!

This book was horrible smut. An insulting waste of anyone's time. It's like a cross between 50 shades of grey and a desperate attempt at an urban legend. I kept trying to pick this story back up and I couldn't connect to the characters as much as I wanted to (and I wanted to). You shouldn't have to try this hard to convince yourself to like a book. Thanks but no thanks

Absolutely appalling. Makes you question the authors morals when he can write in such explicit sexual detail about a seven year old character. Just very disturbing to read, and even if it is a work of fiction, its totally unbelievable. To bad too, because the snip-it that lured me into buying to book was promising. This book had a lot of potential, it could have been freaky and disturbing in a good horror/thriller way. Instead its disgusting in a pedophile/ child pornography way. Don't waste your time on this book. I cant even finish it. Shame! Shame!

Absolutely appalling. Makes you question the authors morals when he can write in such explicit sexual detail about a seven year old character. Just very disturbing to read, and even if it is a work of fiction, its totally unbelievable. To bad too, because the snip-it that lured me into buying to book was promising. This book had a lot of potential, it could have been freaky and disturbing in a good horror/thriller way. Instead its disgusting in a pedophile/ child pornography way. Don't waste your time on this book. I cant even finish it. Shame! Shame!

Terrible. The premise was fantastic. I was so excited to ready this book. I kept going just praying itd get better. It didn't. It was awful start to finish. I wasn't disturbed by the sopaths. I was disturbed by the massive amount of pediphilic references. At one point I literally wondered if it's legal to sell novels that basically promote sex with children. This book was NOTHING like I'd hoped. Stay far, far away.

I was mislead in purchasing this book on Kindle. My friend tagged me in an article that talked about this book and how frightening and horrific it was about children murdering children and adults. I love horror novels and this seemed creepy to me so I gave it a shot. My first mistake when coming on this site to purchase this book was not reading the reviews. I would have saved myself from purchasing the most disgusting, sickening book I've ever read. This was not very much a horror novel but more of child abuse and talk of sexual relations with children. It was disgusting. The writing and pace of the book is terrible but that's not the worse of it!

*SPOILER ALERT*

The main character Abner Slate is weak. In the beginning of the book, he's in a school speaking with the headmaster regarding his little girls behavior and how it's possible that she's a sopath blah, blah. He goes home to his wife Zelda with this new knowledge of their daughter which is very concerning and she drops her clothes to have sex with Abner because that's how she copes with her daughter being psycho?! What?! Shortly after their sexcapade, they learn that their little girl sliced her brother's throat and he ends up dying. The way Abner and Zelda handle it is so unrealistic. Then the little girl kills her mother Zelda and Abner just seems way too calm after the matter. Eventually the little girl tries to kill Abner but instead he smashes her head into a dresser, breaking her neck. Abner is now left with no family, meets Bunty who has faced similar situations as Abner and they begin to have sexual relations with each other. They join a group called Pariah for victims like themselves and adopt two children one is a 5 year old girl and the other a 6 year old boy who have experienced horrific situations, especially the little girl who was practically raped by her older brother. The 5 year old girl seemed a lot older for her age due to the way she described the rape (which was very descriptive and horrifying) and also how Abner spoke to her and the 6 year old boy, CHILDREN on making his adult decisions! It was just weird. One of the disturbing scenes in this book was when Bunty and Abner were completely naked in bed crying and embracing their adoptive clothed children. What an odd scenario.
Let's now jump further where Abner meets a 7 year old sopath girl who acts a lot older than she is and has sex with adult men. Ugh. The 7 year old expresses descriptively how she would like to sleep with Abner many times through out the book that at one time Abner considered it and spoke to Bunty about it where she too agreed that he should as well. WHAT ?!?! She's 7 years old!!!!

*SPOILER ALERT END*

I couldn't read further. This book was disgusting. How could Piers Anthony write such filth!? I mean you truly would have to be psycho to be able to write this garbage. DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME WITH THIS BOOK. I wish I could get a refund but it's my fault for not reading the reviews first before purchasing and I hope this review and the many other reviews regarding how poor this book is will save you from this disturbing trash. As for the reviewers who liked and loved this book, WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!

I have been a big fan of Piers Anthony for many years and loved the Incarnations of Immortality series but this was quite shocking in language and subject matter. Not for the prudish or anyone easily offended

This book is awfully written. If I could give zero stars I would. The first thing I noticed was the deplorable lack of emotion in the main characters. How do you lose your entire family and kill your own child and not grieve? How do you have sex with a strange woman and move her into your marriage bed 24 hours or less after the death of your wife? What woman actually thinks like Bunty? Then there's the flippant attitude towards female exploitation. Abner is a misogynist who perpetuates rape culture and feminine weakness in thought and deed. Don't even get me started on the pedophilia, why was it necessary for Dreda to describe being raped in detail?

As if this weren't enough to make me feel like I would have been better off lighting a 5 dollar bill on fire, there is a complete lack of development in what had the potential to be a very compelling story. We get very little description, not even the ages of the children or physical characteristics of any characters. This is lazy writing and I can't believe it was even published or that it's author has ever written a best seller.

Absolute s***. I am certain that most readers could write this story with more imagination and description than Mr. Anthony managed to conjure.

I bought this after a rather misleading sample. The work is poorly written, with unimaginative and static characters. Events lurch forward in an illogical and unnatural manner, and the story starts taking an unsettling tone that begins to uncomfortably describe images of child pornography. I managed to get through six chapters, hoping for an improvement, before giving up.

If you like Piers Anthony and want to try something different, I highly recommend this new book. It is not really a horror so much as it is a look into a world not dissimilar to our own reality.

However, note. This is not for those who are prudish or easily offended. This book touches on subjects that many would find offensive, but the point is that the world is no longer subject to the old ways (child sex, murder of toddlers, precocious and intelligent children with no conscience, etc)

What will really bother some people is the idea of young children willingly having sex with adults and using sex as a tool to get what they want. Now, the prudes out there will decry the inclusion in the book, but that is because they are applying their own values to the situation. This is a book about children with no souls, therefore no conscience and oblivious to the rules created by society.

The book read fast with a good story line. I wish it was a little more fleshed out with details and background. Some people may be offended by the content but it's fiction so get a grip. I have enjoyed Piers books for 20 years now. The Incarnation Series is my fav and I 're-read them every few years.

I've read a lot of Piers Anthony in my time, but I'd given up on him for the past dozen or so years, because his writing has become so bad. His biggest strength was always his imagination, while his weaknesses ... just about everything else. But at least he was readable, and could often turn his interesting premises into interesting novels. I thought the idea for The Sopaths sounded great: The world's population has grown so large that the supply of souls has been depleted, and children are being born without souls, and thus without any conscience.

In the end, though, this was one of the worse books I've ever read to the end. Anthony puts zero effort into making the characters even remotely real. There's just no characterization at all, and even by the end, the characters are no more real than at the beginning. He doesn't even give us much, if any, physical descriptions of these characters. The dialogue is terrible. That's always been an issue with Anthony's books, but here it's flat out cringe-worthy. Anthony puts zero effort in giving us any details or any descriptions of anything. Chapter one whizzes by, flying from one partial scene to the next with no subtly or buildup or sense of pacing. Abner has never even heard of a "sopath" at the start and sixteen pages later he's lost his whole family and killed his daughter, all in separate scenes, with additional silly, jarringly unrealistic "scenes" with the cops basically doing nothing. Anthony tells us what he wants us to know, and gives us nothing more to make any of this feel real.

It's not until the introduction the character of Nefer, a seven-year-old sopath, that the pace slows down, and she's the only character in the entire novel we get any sort of description of or any characterization, though it begins to feel a bit forced after a while. At that point when Nefer is brought into the story, the book does pick up a bit, because I was just about to put it aside, but the writing remains terrible in every way I've mentioned and then some. I wonder if Piers Anthony actually imagines that he's still writing decent books, or if he's just stopped caring. I guess he thinks the reason no real publisher will publish his books anymore, besides Xanth which remains a quick sell, is out of some sort of conspiracy or something, and not because his books are just so atrociously written...?)

You can't read the book and not ask yourself one crucial question: Why would five- to seven-year-olds born without a soul be such blatant nymphomaniacs? And why would they talk like a college professor who had to take a job as a sex phone-line operator? It all just seems an excuse to delve heavily into pedophilia fantasy play.

And after all that, it ends with some simplistic and stupid resolution. I suppose the ending doesn't even matter, because nothing was going to save this book. The Afterward is as stupid as anything else in the book, and by that point I was just happy to finish it.

For a good Piers Anthony fantasy-horror book, try Shade of the Tree. I think that's one of his very best books, and not coincidentally one of his best-written books.

First, I'd like to say that I am a life long fan of Piers Anthony. I've read many books he's written in several genres, even ' Shade of the tree' which, like this book, was a venture into horror. While I have to say that the premise of this story was intriguing and deliciously frightening, I don't think he quite nailed the execution this time. The story itself is easy enough to follow (it's the great Piers Anthony so that goes without saying) and it is graphic, logical, and shocking, but it lacks something to be the 'READ WITH THE LIGHTS ON' scary I was hoping for. Horrific? Yes. Depraved? Yes. Overtly sexual? Absolutely. Check under your bed scary it is not.

Well, some of the reviews are right. It was vile. I loved the premise, but the aspect of the children and their desire for sex and the like, was too much. Even if it was used but not as much as it was here, it may have been better. The book also seemed to move too quickly as though the basic plot was just that, and there was not meat, no substance beyond that, and the repetition of the shock value was too weak, it was as though that is what the author, who has never ventured into horror before, thinks that what the genre was all about. Very disappointing

This is honestly the worst book I have ever read. It's so bad that I would almost recommend it to others just for a good laugh (only if they could find a free copy). Within 2 days, a man and a woman both have their families murdered by one of their children. They then meet and have sex and move in together the same day the woman's family was killed in an arson fire (set by her son, obviously). I don't even remember the character's names. This main character killed his toddler daughter (after she kills her mother and brother) by picking her up by her legs and swinging her headfirst into a dresser. I went to school for creative writing, the book makes me feel like I should send my very worst writing sample out because there is no way I wouldn't get published.

STILL not sure what the author was going for with this book. The subject matter was an interesting premise...at least in the early going but it quickly went down hill. I realize that this is fictional and a healthy dose of suspension of disbelief is the order necessary...but this was too much. The brutality was far too easy for all involved to accept. To be able to summarily dismiss ones emotions in order to kill ones on child...just seems too...well...easy for the people in this book. Perhaps a bit more back story...something to help understand why most of the characters in this book had become so cavalier about murder. A couple paragraphs simply isn't enough.

The premise had so much potential...... The execution was horrible. It reads like some thing written by a highschool freshman who has a C in English. There is no character development, the plot moves forward in an awkward rushed way, and the characters are almost zombie like in their lack of believable emotion.

I've been reading Piers Anthony's books for many years now - I actually like his older sci-fi best, but have read most of his titles now, so I had to read this one as well, after reading him blog about it on his website. It wasn't actually as brutal as I thought it might be. It's also somewhat of a sketch of a novel, had this been told by another author it probably would have taken three times as many words to tell it. I think Piers himself might have expanded on it some had it been written at a different time of his life. As an Anthony novel though, it's typical... very fast moving, the message of a nasty future of survival and adaptation of morals to fit that survival. The "happy ending" came very quick and seemed perhaps just a little too easy of a solution. I think the novel would have benefitted from some polish and expansion.

If you're a fan of Piers Anthony's more adult-themed books this is a pretty typical book except the language and sex are more graphic than usual. If you're not a big fan of PAJ, or haven't read his non-Xanth books before, I would not start with this book. I thought his books Tatham Mound and Tarot were both much better adult-oriented books.

Well written as usual, however the repeated stereotypes and tropes kind of dragged the potential down.

Not as disturbing as other reviews. The subject matter definitely requires you to detach like a sopath to save yourself from offense.

This is one of Piers best books I have read basically every one of his books.I don't know what other people are talking about but this is a very good book. It has everything the only thing I will say about it is that it could be much longer. I wrote to piers and he said that the book was really hard to write and that he couldn't do anything else with it. But this is a horrible text but it is fantastic and I loved it.I have read some of the BAD reviews, and more than anything else it seems like most people that write these are not Piers Anthony fans. I have read everything that Piers' has written, and although he has written a lot of good novels, and short stories. The Sopaths is the best, with Tathum Mound really close behind it. The sexuality is there to make it horrible. I loved it and have read it SEVERAL times. I would suggest that everyone read it.

This book is by far the worst book that I have ever attempted to read. Not only was it poorly written but the subject matter was disgusting. So far I have finished six chapters. I am not sure how much more that I can stomach. I could tolerate the story line if it made more sense and if it wasn't so detailed with the pedophilia aspect of it. The author could have and should have left out some of the details. They were not needed for the storyline and the time would have better been spent making the children sopath characters more believable. Children (even imaginary soulless ones) do not talk or act like this book is written. I had never read a Piers Anthony book and I will never again. If you are going to write books about children at least attempt to learn how they speak! 7 years olds do not use the language that adults use. This was a terrible flaw in this book and made it incredibly difficult to read. Add in the pedophilia and it is the worst book ever! I would not recommend this book to anyone. Save your money, your time, and your mind! I literally feel as if I lost iq points reading this book.

Piers Anthony. Few writers have had as long and successful a career as he has. He is best known for his science fiction and fantasy works. In "The Sopaths," however, he takes a remarkable turn towards horror. Not the blood-and-entrails variety, but a deeply disturbing, soul-searing narrative that will leave you more scarred than scared.

The premise is simple: overpopulation leads to children born without souls. In this world the soul is the seat of conscience, and the kids who are born lacking engage in all manner of depravity to meet their wants. Killing their siblings for candy, their parents for attempting to discipline them, trading sexual favors for anything they decide they want; nothing is sacred to these little beasts.

In the midst of this terrifying set of events, a man rises from the blood-soaked ashes of his dead family, forms a new one with survivors of other "sopath" children, and manages to change the world for the better in spite of the horrible state society begins to devolve into. He finds love, both familial and romantic. He rationally approaches the problem, and does what is necessary to remedy it. The reader quickly finds that while he will do what is needed, his actions leave their mark.

This is not the light fantasy of "Xanth," nor is it similar in tone to the "Incarnations of Immortality." This book is far darker, more serious, as it should be. At times it can be sickening, and it will take you to places that you never wanted or imagined going. Even with all of this, you will not want to put it down. The story is just that good, because for all the grotesque and unimaginable imagery Mr. Anthony presents there are still glimmers of what makes life so wonderful.

Without spoiling the tale, it may be necessary to add a few words of caution to this review. While there is no overt or graphic child/adult sex, pedophilia is referenced. Toddlers kill their siblings with kitchen knives, and parents kill their toddlers in self-defense. The sopaths have "Buffalo Bill"-level depraved minds, but contained in the bodies of children. They are the ultimate monsters. This book is not easy, and never claims to be. If you have a strong stomach for truly realistic horror, get this book.

This was okay. It just didn't have the typical zing I expect from Piers Anthony.

There was nothing likable about the two dimensional characters. Nothing especially hateful either. It was as if the entire book is a hazy dream, no real emotions.

Dead children don't matter. Dead wives don't matter. It is all frosted in a drugged haze, seen from inside a bubble.

This book needs to be written with some emotion, it barely held my interest. Not enough horror to be believable. Not enough caring about anything. Casual sex, moving in and cooking as if it is natural.

No spine tingles. No twists in the plot. I was so hopeful but as with some movies, the better part of this was the description.

The writing style is too abrupt. The concepts and information does not flow well. The characters are flat, unreal and unbelievable. Previous works by this author led me to believe that this would be of similar quality and I find myself disappointed.

I made a mistake in not reading the reviews before purchasing this clusterf*#k. I read the preview and there wasn't even the slightest hint at the sick, paedophiles would only enjoy, content within. I'm amazed this was even published to be honest. NOT HORROR, JUST CHILD PORNOGRAPHY! I get the premise. But for the author to use the language he has within the book, describing certain parts of the female anatomy, being only one example, isn't really necessary to get his point across. GROSS.
It's poorly written, just as most other reviewers have said.

This was my first experience with Piers Anthony. My sister read his books in high school, but I was never a fan. I read this book because it was recommended to me, and I'm not sure if I regret it or not.

As far as the story goes, it's nothing I haven't read before. The plot and the graphic child sex were not as disturbing as I expected it to be: five year olds with no souls and no consciences running around with huge libidos and a thirst for violence and murder. Anthony managed to give these absurd situations to the reader in a flat, even tone which was as indifferent as his characters to the violence and disturbing imagery.

What disturbed me, and made me (almost) regret having read this book was the brazen, blatant misogyny of the main character and the complete helplessness of the women. The author has written over a hundred books, so he obviously knows his way around a character but what the reader takes away from Abner Slate is a revolting, hopeless portrayal of mankind.

I can say that what Piers Anthony does with this atrocious character is what made this book worth the read. By the end of the novel, the character has produced this removed, fantasy situation of mindless trauma victims co-opted into a traditional nuclear family. The situation is so disturbing, and the characters so genuinely invested in it, brainwashed by their all-powerful father figure to undertake this suicide mission into the heart of the Sopath enclave.

I was genuinely disgusted by this book. I hated this book, but I respect this book a lot. I would recommend this book to every single intelligent person I know.

This was a very disturbing book. It started out ok, then dove into an extremely violent and sexual story about children. I would avoid unless you think it appropriate to read about 7 year olds prostituing , rampant killing and extreme violence.

Thanks to the negative reviews I do not intend to purchase this book.
I am appalled that an author who has a good reputation would write such a story.
One clue to the quality of the book:if 57% of readers give the story one star you should not waste your time or money.

I loved this book. It is well-written and I thoroughly enjoyed it. After reading the reviews, it seems people either love it or hate it, but most of them seem to be negative because people THINK they should be outraged. It's a book people.

Piers Anthony has been my favorite author since 1983 when I first read "A spell for chameleon", so I was thrilled to find something by him in the lending library. I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO APPALLED! I will never buy/read another thing he writes. This book is nothing more than child pornography. DO NOT DOWNLOAD THIS FILTH. I fully intend to tell my friends to steer their entire families away from his work.