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bethwodzinski's review
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-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
3.0
psychborg's review
4.0
The Black Veldt
Really enjoyed this trip through a seedy 70s New York. Reminded me a little at times of Clive Barker. One of those where I finished and instantly hoped for more, hopefully the author constructs more novels around the ideas he has created in this book. I would definitely read more.
Really enjoyed this trip through a seedy 70s New York. Reminded me a little at times of Clive Barker. One of those where I finished and instantly hoped for more, hopefully the author constructs more novels around the ideas he has created in this book. I would definitely read more.
bjswann's review
4.0
Literary cosmic horror set in the seedy guts of 1970s New York.
Aspiring writer and drug dealer Jose Carvel finds himself sucked into a world of occult weirdness that connects to his own dimly-remembered past and the strange black infinity that lurks beyond it.
This book starts off like a juggernaut, with evocative dream sequences, a compelling main character, and sumptuously grimy atmosphere. Refreshingly free from the insipid clichés that mar the works of Lovecraft imitators, The Black Veldt takes cosmic horror and promises to do something original with it. For a while that promise is kept. Unfortunately the climax feels rushed and underwhelming, and the threads of subtle world-building fail to cohere into a meaningful whole. Which is a shame, because the prose is excellent overall and the first part of the book is brilliant. Despite these criticisms, I still found The Black Veldt to be a rewarding experience and would recommend it to readers of occult mystery and cosmic horror.
Aspiring writer and drug dealer Jose Carvel finds himself sucked into a world of occult weirdness that connects to his own dimly-remembered past and the strange black infinity that lurks beyond it.
This book starts off like a juggernaut, with evocative dream sequences, a compelling main character, and sumptuously grimy atmosphere. Refreshingly free from the insipid clichés that mar the works of Lovecraft imitators, The Black Veldt takes cosmic horror and promises to do something original with it. For a while that promise is kept. Unfortunately the climax feels rushed and underwhelming, and the threads of subtle world-building fail to cohere into a meaningful whole. Which is a shame, because the prose is excellent overall and the first part of the book is brilliant. Despite these criticisms, I still found The Black Veldt to be a rewarding experience and would recommend it to readers of occult mystery and cosmic horror.
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