: Hardcore horror and suspense. It focuses on human "nastiness," social ills, and extreme violence.
: His contribution is frequently cited as a standout for its "eerie awakening of evil".
: A regular contributor to the "Apostles" series.
: The stories often feature "Dark D'Artagnans" who punish social offenders (murderers, cheaters) in gruesome ways, including dismemberment and psychological torture.
The anthology includes stories from several notable Russian horror writers beyond the main Vargo persona:
The book is recommended primarily for niche fans of the or those who enjoy visceral, provocative horror. Readers looking for traditional storytelling may find the graphic content and bleak worldview off-putting.
(Alpha Female) is a 2014 horror anthology published under the Alexander Vargo pseudonym as part of the "MYST. Black Book 18+" series by Eksmo. Unlike a standalone novel, it is a compilation of seven short stories featuring "Vargo and his Apostles"—a group of young horror authors curated to write under the brand. Critical Overview
The collection is widely regarded as a polarizing example of "trash horror" or splatterpunk. Reviewers on platforms like LiveLib describe it as a book about "unlove," where both the characters and the authors exhibit a profound distaste for humanity.