Beyond The Dark Tower

by Joseph Vargo (Author, Illustrator), Joseph Iorillo

Venture into the gothic realm of Joseph Vargo and discover the passion, mystery and horror that lie in wait deep within the shadows of The Dark Tower. This sequel to the acclaimed anthology "Tales From The Dark Tower" continues the Gothic saga of the vampire Lord Brom and his battle against the forces that lurk in the citadel of shadows known as The Dark Tower. No one is certain how long The Dark Tower has stood. It is believed to be a place of great evil, haunted by dark angels and spirits of the restless dead. Legends say the Tower was once the ancient fortress of the Dark Queen, Mara, and her infernal legions. Other tales tell of a warrior knight--once a man, but now an immortal creature of darkness--who stands vigil over the fallen queen's tomb. Also look for "The Dark Tower"music soundtrack by Nox Arcana.

Genres: Vampires, Horror

232 pages, Paperback

First published December 15, 2011

About the author

For more information about Joseph Vargo, please visit the following websites:
* Monolith Graphics (art, books, publisher): http://www.monolithgraphics.com
* Nox Arcana (music): http://www.noxarcana.com
* Joseph Vargo (artist): http://www.josephvargo.com
* The Cabinets of Doctor Arcana (game): http://www.doctorarcana.com

Reviews

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of tales continues the legend of the Dark Tower and Lord Brom's quest to unlock it's mysteries and defeat the evil that resides there. The brooding darkness of the Tower infiltrates each of the tales within these pages sending shivers down your spine and leaving you checking the dark corners of your room for whatever may be lurking there. The illustrations are once again superb bringing the stories to life and adding a depth of brooding darkness to the stories and your imagination. A superb collection that any fan of the Gothic style will love.

[marmarci · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5*

Me ha gustado más que el primero. En este caso sólo tenemos dos manos en juego, además de que la historia se nos presenta de manera más cohesionada y fluida, y eso me ha hecho meterme mucho más en la historia.

He disfrutado el libro como una enana. Tiene una atmósfera imbatible; muy gótica, muy vampírica, oscura, con criaturas de la noche, niebla, luz de velas, una biblioteca, misterios que resolver, secretos del pasado, enfrentamientos... Vamos, que me lo he pasado genial. Además, se nota que es un segundo libro de una trilogía en el aspecto de que se queda abierto para el colofón del tercero (y sin embargo no tiene para nada el dichoso "síndrome del libro intermedio").

Lo que sí que es cierto es que está escrito de una forma que, aunque me parece bellísima, puede resultar un reto para los no angloparlantes. Es una escritura florida y muy atmosférica, con toques arcaicos en cuanto al lenguaje según el personaje y un vocabulario muy rico.
Personalmente me ha gustado porque juega un papel magnífico en ponerte en situación, pero es cierto que puede resultar más difícil de leer que otros libros.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some very good action sequences bookend the story. The climax is particularly thrilling and macabre. Unfortunately the middle section tends to drag and is often repetitive.

The dark tower would have been better if it were a novel,rather than a series of short stories. The mythology is fairly complicated and is a lot to keep track of. Most of the focus is on backstory rather than moving the story ahead.

Towards the end when Brom heads out on the road things pick up, but that’s what the whole book should have been.

[Jennifer Lefevere · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great! I was surprised when I started reading the three book series. The series starts with Tales from the Dark Tower.

[Michael Sorbello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of the entire series.

Synopsis: Vampires who dwell deep within forbidden crypts, lost souls who wander mist-shrouded cemeteries, and gargoyles of living stone. Herein lie the dark legends scribed long ago. These tragic tales of myth and forbidden lore chronicle a sinister legacy, as it unfolded in the forgotten past, and the curse that yet lurks within the shadow of the Dark Tower. This lavishly illustrated anthology features 13 sinister and darkly alluring tales based upon the gothic artwork of Joseph Vargo. Each story in this unique anthology is woven together to create a new and compelling saga of vampire lore.

Review: If Edgar Allan Poe wrote an epic fantasy saga, I imagine it would've looked something like this. A masterpiece of the gothic, complete with gloomy and broken characters, paranoia and melancholy seeping through every page and hauntingly vivid descriptions of dark fantasy landscapes, monstrosities and mythology. Vampires, vengeful ghosts, gargoyles, haunted architecture, bloody sword battles, cursed maidens, this book is a love letter to the foundations of the gothic fiction genre told in the style of horrific fairy tales.

[Crymsyn Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always love Joseph Vargo. Loved the book and thought the stories were well crafted and was happy to discover more about the Dark Tower world.

[Scott Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the book cover. I give this book 5 stars.