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thestarlesscasea's review against another edition
5.0
CW: suicide, doomsday cults, grief and loss, violence, drug use, an uncaring universe, a brief recounting of child abuse/neglect/bullying, and probably other things I'm forgetting!
I really enjoyed this short piece of apocalyptic cosmic horror. I'm fascinated by cults, especially when they're not used as a means for their leaders to sexually abuse vulnerable people. Here I appreciated that the narrator explicitly states, "Nobody gave a shit about sex because we were on the cusp of a new age in human history."
There is a bit of a road trip element to this story, but most of it takes place in an unsettling area in rural Arkansas where the locals are already freaked out by recent occurrences and are not too keen on doomsday cult followers showing up to dig up the body of their leader who grew up in the area. It's a really short book, but it sucked me in and messed me up. Would recommend!
I really enjoyed this short piece of apocalyptic cosmic horror. I'm fascinated by cults, especially when they're not used as a means for their leaders to sexually abuse vulnerable people. Here I appreciated that the narrator explicitly states, "Nobody gave a shit about sex because we were on the cusp of a new age in human history."
There is a bit of a road trip element to this story, but most of it takes place in an unsettling area in rural Arkansas where the locals are already freaked out by recent occurrences and are not too keen on doomsday cult followers showing up to dig up the body of their leader who grew up in the area. It's a really short book, but it sucked me in and messed me up. Would recommend!
reads_vicariously's review against another edition
4.0
Fun apocalyptic cosmic horror!
If that doesn't catch your attention, then I can't help you. But seriously, this book is a fast-paced, wild little ride that throws you right into the story and builds to an ending of seismic, reality-shattering proportions.
I absolutely love the set up of a modern doomsday cult traveling cross-country to recover the body of their late mentor, who is seemingly calling to them from beyond the grave. I like that the story is written from perspective of the cult members, giving their presence and mission an empathy and emotional weight that may have otherwise been missing. Also their character traits and actions are well-written, though their exact motivations are a little underdeveloped.
Cults (including doomsday ones) have always fascinated me, and I found their beliefs about cosmic vibrations (Transit Frequencies) and energy to be intriguing, if a little confusing. Honestly though I wanted a little more of that in the story, especially how the cult was started and how our current characters joined. There were hints towards all that in the book, but I still wanted to know more.
I also liked the combination of real life threats (danger of being black in racist, rural Arkansas), as well as the otherworldly creatures that show up in the second half of the book. It's a testament to the author that this novella manages to pack so much into so few pages. Lots of drama and tension, heady ideas, and again THAT ENDING. The writing is also pretty good, despite some awkward phrasing and dialogue. Overall a very impressive debut from an author that I desperately hope writes more in this sub genre (being a professor whose research focuses on apocalyptic rhetoric and doomsday cults, this is obviously his wheelhouse).
If that doesn't catch your attention, then I can't help you. But seriously, this book is a fast-paced, wild little ride that throws you right into the story and builds to an ending of seismic, reality-shattering proportions.
I absolutely love the set up of a modern doomsday cult traveling cross-country to recover the body of their late mentor, who is seemingly calling to them from beyond the grave. I like that the story is written from perspective of the cult members, giving their presence and mission an empathy and emotional weight that may have otherwise been missing. Also their character traits and actions are well-written, though their exact motivations are a little underdeveloped.
Cults (including doomsday ones) have always fascinated me, and I found their beliefs about cosmic vibrations (Transit Frequencies) and energy to be intriguing, if a little confusing. Honestly though I wanted a little more of that in the story, especially how the cult was started and how our current characters joined. There were hints towards all that in the book, but I still wanted to know more.
I also liked the combination of real life threats (danger of being black in racist, rural Arkansas), as well as the otherworldly creatures that show up in the second half of the book. It's a testament to the author that this novella manages to pack so much into so few pages. Lots of drama and tension, heady ideas, and again THAT ENDING. The writing is also pretty good, despite some awkward phrasing and dialogue. Overall a very impressive debut from an author that I desperately hope writes more in this sub genre (being a professor whose research focuses on apocalyptic rhetoric and doomsday cults, this is obviously his wheelhouse).
francat92's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
jenrichards570's review against another edition
4.0
This was an odd little novella that I thoroughly enjoyed reading in one sitting. It is an interesting take on what happens when an apocalyptic doomsday cult gets it right. The story was quick and easy to follow along and the characters were likable despite what seemed like an asinine dedication to their "cult" leader. It was a creepy look at the end of the world and a group of people trying to escape it.
Thank you to BookSirens and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to BookSirens and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
readingvicariously's review against another edition
4.0
Fun apocalyptic cosmic horror!
If that doesn't catch your attention, then I can't help you. But seriously, this book is a fast-paced, wild little ride that throws you right into the story and builds to an ending of seismic, reality-shattering proportions.
I absolutely love the set up of a modern doomsday cult traveling cross-country to recover the body of their late mentor, who is seemingly calling to them from beyond the grave. I like that the story is written from perspective of the cult members, giving their presence and mission an empathy and emotional weight that may have otherwise been missing. Also their character traits and actions are well-written, though their exact motivations are a little underdeveloped.
Cults (including doomsday ones) have always fascinated me, and I found their beliefs about cosmic vibrations (Transit Frequencies) and energy to be intriguing, if a little confusing. Honestly though I wanted a little more of that in the story, especially how the cult was started and how our current characters joined. There were hints towards all that in the book, but I still wanted to know more.
I also liked the combination of real life threats (danger of being black in racist, rural Arkansas), as well as the otherworldly creatures that show up in the second half of the book. It's a testament to the author that this novella manages to pack so much into so few pages. Lots of drama and tension, heady ideas, and again THAT ENDING. The writing is also pretty good, despite some awkward phrasing and dialogue. Overall a very impressive debut from an author that I desperately hope writes more in this sub genre (being a professor whose research focuses on apocalyptic rhetoric and doomsday cults, this is obviously his wheelhouse).
If that doesn't catch your attention, then I can't help you. But seriously, this book is a fast-paced, wild little ride that throws you right into the story and builds to an ending of seismic, reality-shattering proportions.
I absolutely love the set up of a modern doomsday cult traveling cross-country to recover the body of their late mentor, who is seemingly calling to them from beyond the grave. I like that the story is written from perspective of the cult members, giving their presence and mission an empathy and emotional weight that may have otherwise been missing. Also their character traits and actions are well-written, though their exact motivations are a little underdeveloped.
Cults (including doomsday ones) have always fascinated me, and I found their beliefs about cosmic vibrations (Transit Frequencies) and energy to be intriguing, if a little confusing. Honestly though I wanted a little more of that in the story, especially how the cult was started and how our current characters joined. There were hints towards all that in the book, but I still wanted to know more.
I also liked the combination of real life threats (danger of being black in racist, rural Arkansas), as well as the otherworldly creatures that show up in the second half of the book. It's a testament to the author that this novella manages to pack so much into so few pages. Lots of drama and tension, heady ideas, and again THAT ENDING. The writing is also pretty good, despite some awkward phrasing and dialogue. Overall a very impressive debut from an author that I desperately hope writes more in this sub genre (being a professor whose research focuses on apocalyptic rhetoric and doomsday cults, this is obviously his wheelhouse).
curiosityboughtthebook's review against another edition
3.0
The Ethereal Transit Society is a relatively short novella with a lot of content covered during this time. We get dropped straight into the story with little background story. We meet the three protagonists, who are all desperate to find their leaders grave in rural Arkansas.
The story itself is well developed and we learn a lot about the society itself. It’s not a complicated notion either, as the author does a good job explaining everything. Let’s face it, doomsday cults can be confusing, but Vaughn obviously knows what he’s talking about and he brings it in layman’s terms. There is a good amount of horror and gore, which is always a treat (I know I’m weird).
I just wish there was more to the novella. It felt like there were parts missing, and not only because it was so short. I felt myself craving more.
A big thanks to Bad Dream Entertainment for the review copy.
The story itself is well developed and we learn a lot about the society itself. It’s not a complicated notion either, as the author does a good job explaining everything. Let’s face it, doomsday cults can be confusing, but Vaughn obviously knows what he’s talking about and he brings it in layman’s terms. There is a good amount of horror and gore, which is always a treat (I know I’m weird).
I just wish there was more to the novella. It felt like there were parts missing, and not only because it was so short. I felt myself craving more.
A big thanks to Bad Dream Entertainment for the review copy.
readbydusk's review against another edition
3.0
First of all, the writing is superb! I love how it's descriptive and succinct, sharply getting to the heart of the matter. I thought the characters felt real and fully formed. The setting of a poverty-stricken town comes alive and easy to imagine. There's some gory scenes and the uncertainty of what's going on made everything unsettling.
I enjoyed the premise but it also felt like I was dropped into the ending of a story. While there's some background information about the doomsday cult, I wanted to know more about it. I didn't fully understand the characters' motivations because I feel like there's a gap between the end of the cult and what brought them here. But this story asks interesting questions about beliefs and salvation. What would you do at the end of the world?
Thank you to the publisher for a review copy.
book blog | twitter | instagram
I enjoyed the premise but it also felt like I was dropped into the ending of a story. While there's some background information about the doomsday cult, I wanted to know more about it. I didn't fully understand the characters' motivations because I feel like there's a gap between the end of the cult and what brought them here. But this story asks interesting questions about beliefs and salvation. What would you do at the end of the world?
Thank you to the publisher for a review copy.
book blog | twitter | instagram
spookyoctopusreads's review against another edition
3.0
This mysterious little novella drew me in with the promises of doomsday cults and a coming apocalypse. I do enjoy a good apocalyptic horror.
Right from page one, we're smack dab in the middle of the story. Traveling alongside a group of doomsday cult survivors as they follow the Transit Frequency (a sort of echo and vibration from their leader), we certainly experience plenty of "weirdness." The group searches rural Arkansas for the grave of their leader, Quint, in order to reclaim his body and prepare for the apocalypse that he prophesized. We also learn that the Transit Frequency has dangerous effects for all living things within its reach, and time is running out for the group Ethereal Transit Society.
I thoroughly enjoyed the first half or so of this book. The doomsday cult and the story of the those that were left behind was interesting, especially that of the narrator who suffered a failed attempt at suicide and now dons a mask and a plate in his head which allows him to be more in touch with the signal frequencies. Cults interest me, but one of the most interesting points for me is the WHY. Why do they think and believe the things that they do? How can these things be rationalized in their minds? The answers to these questions are something that I felt was lacking in this book. I felt like there were just parts of the story missing, before the events in this book, that a reader would benefit from.
The Ethereal Transit Society was a well written novella with well developed and likeable characters. I would classify this more as a sci-fi/cosmic horror rather than an apocalyptic horror. There was certainly some disgusting and creepy imagery and spookiness mixed with UFOs and the end of the world, but some of the sci-fi'ness lost me. I am POSITIVE that this book would appeal to those who love that sci-fi/cosmic element in their horror, so certainly don't sleep on this one, even if it wasn't "totally" for me.
**Thank you to @baddreamentertainment for providing me this copy in exchange for an honest review.**
Right from page one, we're smack dab in the middle of the story. Traveling alongside a group of doomsday cult survivors as they follow the Transit Frequency (a sort of echo and vibration from their leader), we certainly experience plenty of "weirdness." The group searches rural Arkansas for the grave of their leader, Quint, in order to reclaim his body and prepare for the apocalypse that he prophesized. We also learn that the Transit Frequency has dangerous effects for all living things within its reach, and time is running out for the group Ethereal Transit Society.
I thoroughly enjoyed the first half or so of this book. The doomsday cult and the story of the those that were left behind was interesting, especially that of the narrator who suffered a failed attempt at suicide and now dons a mask and a plate in his head which allows him to be more in touch with the signal frequencies. Cults interest me, but one of the most interesting points for me is the WHY. Why do they think and believe the things that they do? How can these things be rationalized in their minds? The answers to these questions are something that I felt was lacking in this book. I felt like there were just parts of the story missing, before the events in this book, that a reader would benefit from.
The Ethereal Transit Society was a well written novella with well developed and likeable characters. I would classify this more as a sci-fi/cosmic horror rather than an apocalyptic horror. There was certainly some disgusting and creepy imagery and spookiness mixed with UFOs and the end of the world, but some of the sci-fi'ness lost me. I am POSITIVE that this book would appeal to those who love that sci-fi/cosmic element in their horror, so certainly don't sleep on this one, even if it wasn't "totally" for me.
**Thank you to @baddreamentertainment for providing me this copy in exchange for an honest review.**
bipedalrabbitything's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Violence
Moderate: Blood and Body horror
romireads's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0