A review by naokamiya
The Sea of Ash by Scott Thomas, Mike Davis

4.0

Now this is what I've been looking for. A tried and true cosmic horror novella, but it hits on all the right spots for the genre well enough that its lovely execution eclipses any overriding concern of clichés. I really like how it evokes the side of weird horror that really hones in on the sensory, New England is rendered lovingly and accurately here and there's a clear focus on nature and a painterly sense of setting; it really evokes everything I've always loved about New England and Upstate New York, especially having lived in these areas my whole life. This is pretty spooky at points but mostly just scratches that lovely itch of October night dread, I read it by candlelight as it's probably intended to be. I do think it could have benefitted from a more substantial closing statement; as it is the book just sort of ends. But it's a fun read nonetheless, and I enjoyed the metafictional touches as well, anecdotes upon anecdotes by several different narrators whose journeys intersect; cosmic horror is really good for this sort of thing it seems. Happy Halloween!