A review by donaldanthonyhicks
To Rouse Leviathan by Matt Cardin

4.0

One of those collections that’s decidedly greater than the sum of its parts, as the lesser stories coalesce with the stronger to weave an overall tapestry that’s authentically and distinctly Matt Cardin’s. His writing style is sometimes tedious, but for the most part he transcends the typical cosmic-horror-Lovecraft/Ligotti-pastiche, and he does it by injecting the subgenre with a unique and philosophically-dense worldview, which in turn colors the character of the stories in charming and effective ways. Although, as I said, the collection is a touch uneven, stand-outs such as “An Abhorrence to All Flesh,” “The God of Foulness,” “Teeth,” and “A Cherished Place at the Center of His Plans” remain some of the best examples of the contemporary weird tale one can find, and cement his worth as an expert nightmare-tician. Quite a rewarding read, all told.