Reviews

The Nothing That Is by Kyle Winkler

rhuntern's review against another edition

dark funny mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This book absolutely scratched the cosmic horror itch. It was weird, interesting, sometimes a bit philosophical, mysterious, and engaging. I think the setting was underbaked and did not really feel as though it were the 80s, even despite there being references. And I did not like the protagonist's narration. The use of slang and abbreviations grated me, nor did I particularly like the character.

But even despite that, I still found myself craving more and more to read. It really unfurls in such an odd interesting way. Not a type of cosmic horror I've read before.

yarnmouse's review against another edition

adventurous dark lighthearted mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

3.5

Well written. Kept me interested. Not sure I fully understood everything.

clichemarker's review

dark funny tense fast-paced

3.75

I have no words, but I do have some quotes

“Hey man, free snake. Don’t complain.” 

"I needed to both shit and piss" 

"it was like holding a room temp piece of salami." 

"I knew the chair was aware of my presence" 

"Trying to slather a layer of time icing over it wasn’t doing me any favors." 

"I waggled the knife in hello" 

"You’re pondless. You couldn’t give a shit about ponds.” 

"We’re all merely chaos temporarily held back." 

"I looked around. “I have no shit.”

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Body horror, and Murder

Moderate: Suicide attempt

naohbnt's review against another edition

medium-paced

1.0

srl75's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

abxgxil's review against another edition

3.25

An assistant manager for a catering business meets a strange client turned cosmic horror and life just isn’t the same. The late 80s midwestern setting is so classic but the actual concept of the book feels really original. And I felt like this is one of those books that you can feel the themes without really seeing them. 

While I found this book very enjoyable, I have to dock it just some points. Mainly, I felt like the ending was abrupt and there was little in terms of a climax to the story. I was getting interested, things are getting weirder, and the book is over. I still really enjoyed all of the smaller details and subplots weaved throughout the book, but I felt like something was missing (maybe the nothing that is? clever).

Overall, I would recommend this if you like feeling a little confused and inhuman.

aaronlindsey's review against another edition

3.0

Weird. Really weird. Kind of scary at times, but not really a horror novel.
A cemetery blows up, and that begins this strange tale.
I enjoyed the writing, but didn't really care for any of the characters.

zacko's review against another edition

dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

kitkatdallibooks's review against another edition

dark funny mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

raincorbyn's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0