The Claw of Craving

Lost Carcosa #1

by Joseph Sale

“Lovecraftian and Barker-esque... stunning truly.” - Steve Stred, Splatterpunk Award Nominated Author
of Mastodon and The Stranger

What is Carcosa? For Alan Chambers, a jobless loner, it’s the answer to his problems. Or so he thinks… Rejected by family and friends, and soon-to-be homeless, Alan makes his last desperate bid to discover the truth of this miserable reality by journeying to an occult brothel where it’s said the worthy might obtain passage to this fabled land of Carcosa. Proving one’s worth is more dangerous than Alan could have imagined. Prepare for an erotic and horrifying journey into the universe of the Yellow King… The Claw of Craving is the first in the Books of Lost Carcosa series, an epic fantasy-horror that reimagines the astonishing mythos of Robert W. Chambers. Combining Clive Barker’s eroticism and fantasy with Stephen King’s pulse-pounding narrative, The Claw of Craving will please fans of Imajica , Weaveworld , The Dark Tower , H. P. Lovecraft , Eric LaRocca, and Alistair Rennie.

Praise for Joseph Sale's other series

“What we have here is a totally original concept, a writer who is doing something new, a writer who has
been forged in the flames like the One Ring.” -Ross Jeffery, Bram Stoker Award Nominated author of
Juniper and Only The Stains Remain

“Dark, cerebral, and genre-bending.” -Brian Fatah Steele, author of Hungry Rain and Violation Hive

“The world-building is great, Joseph’s voice is hypnotic, and the character perspectives and backstories
are wonderful.” - Austrian Spencer, author of The Sadeiest

Genres: Horror, Fantasy

150 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 18, 2023

About the author

Joseph Sale is an author and filmmaker. He has published more than 30 books, including The Book of Thrice Dead, Virtue’s End, Dark Hilarity, and The Claw of Craving. He is drawn to the baroque, the spiritual, and the mythic like a moth to flame.

He lives in the south of England with his wonderful family, where he obsesses over table-top RPGs, trading card games, book bindery, esoteric Christianity, and anime.

Reviews

[Brian Bowyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spectacular!

A stunning tale. The Claw of Craving displays a master at the height of his craftsmanship, and Sale's imagination ensures that you won't just read this story; you'll experience it. This is one you do not want to miss.

[Steve Stred · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over the last decade, I’ve been devouring Joseph Sale’s imaginative fiction. I’m often left humbled and in awe of the world’s he creates, the characters he blesses us with and the sheer scope of each and every piece he unleashes. His novel, ‘Gods of the Black Gates’ is still one that I think of often and with this novel, ‘The Claw of Craving’ having come out about four months ago, I smile, seeing where his focus is turning.

This is the first part of Sale’s new ‘Lost Carcosa’ series, a retelling of the Carcosa mythology and the King in Yellow. Now, I readily admit, my horror life has had very limited experience with the King in Yellow and Carcosa itself. I knew Barker was inspired by it, but it has never been a mythology that I’ve dove into, never been something I’ve explored or spent much time with and going into this novel fairly blind, I did end up taking frequent pauses to Google character and place names.

With an existing mythology, there will be gatekeeper’s and naysayers a plenty, but in this case, I am neither, someone who simply is excited to enter a world and see what Sale’s adaptation will bring. He is no stranger to ‘epic’s,’ his own ‘Virtue’s End’ poem having already shown his willingness to go there, so it was that I joined along with Alan Chambers and found my way to Carcosa.

What I liked: Right off the bat, I’d like to say this is Sale writing like a possessed man. Every single page of this bristles with an energy, an energy a reader knows only comes when a writer is so deeply embedded into the subject matter, that they are creating the closest thing to real world magic that you can get.

Alan Chambers has lived a life of struggle and desperation. A man who knows there is something else out there, somewhere, and when he finally finds a way in, he is willing to do whatever it takes to get there. He goes to a place, tells the little person (Petruccio) his desire and is introduced to Cali. Cali inflicts the greatest pains she can to make Alan break, but he embraces them and once the ritual is done, he awakes on the other side, on the outskirts of the horror that is Carcosa.

From here, Sale takes us on an epic adventure, where Chambers is considered an outcast but a necessary cog in the power struggle taking place and ultimately, they travel to confront a demon and make Chambers whole again.

This reminded me of everything I used to watch when I was a kid. Most of all, it reminded me of the ‘Den’ segment in the 1981 movie, ‘Heavy Metal,’ where a nerdy teen wakes up in a strange world and an adventure awaits. As the story progresses, Sale takes his time making the reader flinch and feel disgust with outrageous (but amazing) descriptive moments that once again highlight why his writing mind is second to none.

The ending – while abrupt – sets us up for Book Two and with the brief epilogue, it sounds like it’ll start off with a band.

What I didn’t like: 100% my issue, but by not having much knowledge on Carcosa and the ‘hierarchy’ of how that world operates, there are a few throw away moments that didn’t exactly distract me, but after I had Googled them, I did scratch my head over why they were included. Saying that, this was just an opening entry into a longer series and those moments may very well come back to be answered.

Why you should buy this: It’s long been said that dark fantasy and horror are frequent bedfellows and I know, in my own writing, I often mix and mingle. Sale though is on a completely different level and as a huge fan of his work, it is disheartening that I don’t see his stuff plastered on every single social media site I’m on. It could be a case of being born in the wrong time, that is Sale had been writing these books in the 60’s and 70’s our great literary awards would be named after him, but for now, I will continue to do my best to rave about how amazing his work is and hope that people who preach the gospel of Barker will begin to see that Sale very well might be the next coming of the man.

‘The Claw of Craving’ just might be the SINGLE best thing Sale’s released yet, but with Book Two hopefully coming soon, that statement may already be outdated by the time you read this.

[John Durgin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joseph Sale is a master at world building! If Clive Barker and George R.R. Martin were tossed in a blender, I feel something like The Claw of Craving would be produced. With beautiful prose, horrifying antagonists, and the hero’s journey on full display, this lean yet powerful book will make a lot of fantasy and horror fans very happy!

[Jamedi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review originally on JamReads

The Claw of Craving is the first book in the Lost Carcosa series, a dark fantasy horror proposal by Joseph Sale, reimagining the land of Carcosa as it was used in the Robert W. Chambers story The King in Yellow; published by Blood Bound Books. A highly imaginative and evocative novel, which blends horror and fantasy.

For Alan Chambers, Carcosa is the answer; he has given up everything. His life is broken, just in an attempt to gain access to the mythical world, and his last bid is an occult brothel; but passing to Carcosa is extremely dangerous, a ritual which combines eroticism and horror in equal parts.
Getting the yellow mark is only the start of an adventure that will send Alan in the search of a mythical object, the Claw of Craving, in the company of some memorable characters, such as Petruccio and Cali; a perfect excuse that Sale uses to explore and show Carcosa, a mythical land that defies the limits of the human mind.

Despite being a short piece, Sale manages to fit an insane amount of worldbuilding, which mixes part of horror elements with more fantastic ones; without losing the focus on Chambers and his companions: and especially Cali takes the spotlight many times, in her paper as the daughter of the Yellow King.

I found quite interesting the tone change once the book reaches Carcosa, reaching the dark fantasy status over horror; from contemporary fiction to the fantasy. While Chambers remain the focus of the storyline, he's just a drop on the big pond of this dimension; his past will be useful during the adventure.

The Claw of Craving is a little taste (I expect) of a bigger universe, a place where Clive Barker and Robert Chamber fans will be delighted. With the ending, I cannot wait to know more about the Yellow King, and in general, to see what more Sale has ready for Carcosa.

[Ky · Rating 5 out of 5]

That ending- I need more!!

The Claw of Craving is a spectacular start to this horror-fantasy saga. We follow Alan down into a world of the unknown, looking for the land of Carcosa. Along the way we meet princesses, actors, creatures of the past and demons! This book had enough horror to give you the feeling of dread and enough fantasy to keep you in another world throughout.

This first novel is full of rich world building, strong and well developed characters and ends on such a suspenseful cliffhanger I need book 2 yesterday. I really enjoyed the rich environment and as a visual reader I could see the story unfold in all of its golden beauty. Amazing book, absolutely recommend!!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kate Victoria RescueandReading · Rating 4 out of 5]

An epic, cosmic, dark fantasy adventure. Really, I was shocked that all those genres came together so well in this story. It’s the first in the series, and it’s just getting started in terms of awesomeness.

Now, the beginning was a bit slow. The Rituals Alan went through were reminiscent of Hell Raiser/ Clive Barker’s “The Hellbound Heart” and “Septum” by Joshua Millican. Yikes and Yuck!

Things start to amp up after Alan reaches the “Other” lands. He’s soon embroiled in a mission fighting for The King in Yellow against a fearsome enemy. Along the way allies are gathered, secrets are uncovered, and weapons of power are acquired.

Again, it’s a pretty cool story, and you’ll see lots of references to Lovecraftian/Robert W. Chambers mythos!! Give this series a go!

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from the author in exchange for a fair review! And he signed it! So fun!

An unsettling but mesmerizing horror fantasy, The Claw of Craving is a short novel written today that feels like a classic fantasy novel. And not classic like Tolkien, but classic like the weirdo 70s stuff.

To start off, there is quite a bit of sex at the start of this book. Yet, while the book says it’s erotic, it’s more … transfixing. Not quite disturbing (as it’s consensual, but it is violent) yet definitely not romantic, the way it’s set out for the reader is mimetic in that Alan, the main character, is going through this journey that is a fraught mix of seductive and painful, and the reader, in reading, feels the same way.

We’re thrust into this bizarre situation with absolutely no preamble. Had I not read the blurb, I would have had no idea what was going on, but, again, this is similar to how Alan is feeling. He’s been searching for something his whole life, can’t explain what it is, and he’s finally found it. And that’s where the story really begins.

Now, I’ve never read Robert W. Chambers, which is what this is based around. Yet I love when authors take an older piece of work they enjoy and rework it or play with it.

Once you get past the initial part, the story grows a bit tamer. There is one other sex scene that is also mimetic in that Alan is a voyeur and essentially forces us to partake in said action with him. Sale is a master at this technique and it’s wild to read.

There aren’t too many action scenes in this novel, but when they do arrive, they are quick-paced, visceral, and easy to follow.

The world-building is incredibly in-depth and immersive. It’s full of oddness and strange imagery but it’s not elusive in what it’s trying to show. It’s dark and grimy and melancholic. It’s incredible, really.

Of course, I have to do some critique, which is that I could have used a bit more time with the characters to get to know them better. They are so busy doing things that we don’t get a lot of time to really learn about them as people. But perhaps we’re not meant to, given their loftiness as magical begins and a twist that happens. I also found a certain relationship that develops a bit flat or perhaps expected - I would have liked it better had it remained platonic.

While the novel is a horror-fantasy, quest, homage on the outset, there are aspects of it that really make you think.

As long as the aforementioned sex scenes won’t disturb you, I highly recommend it.

[Feather Chelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most twisted books I’ve ever read

This author could certainly give Stephen king or Dean Koontz a run for their money. I wasn’t sure if I could get through the beginning because it was quite graphic, yet somehow, so mesmerizing. It delved deep into the human psyche and explored the facets of pain and ecstasy in a way that I’ve never encountered before. The rest of the book was innovative and intriguing, most especially the world in which it was set. The ending definitely left me ready for the next book. I will say that it is not for the faint of heart…

[Dion Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.8 out of 5 stars (I'm leaving myself 0.2 stars, because I suspect that I'm going to love the other books in the series even more)

This is one of the best dark fantasy books I've read since Weaveworld by Clive Barker.

The original King in Yellow stories by Robert W. Chambers are great, but always left me wanting more, which is exactly what this is, Joseph Sale managed to capture that same feeling of reading something secret and forbidden that the original story gave me, and fits in beautifully with the original and the distant Lovercraft mythos.

The writing style reminded me of 'Frankenstein or, the modern prometheus by Mary Shelley' which for lack of a better word feels fancy and elegant.

[Andrew Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Claw of Craving” is a short and exciting page-turner that can be read in a few days. The story centers on Alan Chambers, “pervert of Uth” (as described by one character). When we meet him, his entire life has been consumed by a singular obsession. At the age of six, he began digging in his backyard in order to “fall through the world.” As an adult, he becomes consumed with finding a lost city that might be real or imaginary–a dichotomy he has difficulty in distinguishing—and devotes himself to self-debasement to achieve the “strangeness” that will prepare him to enter it. I found these details about his motivations particularly interesting, as they constitute a sort of debauched inversion of the usual kind of spiritually-oriented behaviors one engages in when seeking a higher realm. These preparations are kept vague, for the most part: drugs and prostitutes making up two categories of these “uncovered proclivities” that caused everyone in his life to abandon him.
Many of these character details are revealed in memories and recounted conversations after entering the otherworldly city of Carcosa. After meeting with several characters, Alan and his assembled crew of adventurers must journey beyond the city to seek ‘The Claw,’ an ancient weapon of mysterious power capable of turning the tide of the war with a monstrous enemy, the Pe’kar.
Sale’s world-building is full of imaginative details. The city of Carcosa was built—so goes one theory offered—when an ancient artist “distilled” an “oneiric pigment from his own dreams,” so that “whatever he painted came alive.” The premise is bit reminiscent of Jorge Luis Borges’s story, “Tlön, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius,” though the story is ultimately very different.
Sale’s imagery is also consistently excellent. Windows are occluded “like rows of sightless eyes.” Carcosa’s has a moon resembling the Earth’s, “except that a great dog had taken bites out of it. No clean sickle, but a half-eaten holy wafer.” There are snatches of poetry disguised as prose: “Along the shore the cloud waves break, the twin suns sink beneath the lake, the shadows lengthen—in Carcosa!”
Having read Sales’s “Black Gate” trilogy—arguably his best prose work—I found Alan Chambers to be not quite as compelling a character as Craig Smiley. I imagine the author would probably agree with this. While Alan is more of an everyman, distinguished only by his obsession and social deviance (at first), Craig Smiley is more of a charismatic sociopath. But while the latter is more fascinating, Alan is more relatable. Over the course of the novel, he changes and grows beyond his ordinary origins.
On the whole, Sale strikes a balance between commercial and literary elements that makes for an enjoyable, well-written read. I look forward to reading the second volume in the series.

[Beard of Darkness Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I started this novel, I wasn’t sure what to expect, which is always an exciting aspect. I soon found this was unlike any novel I had read before.

The book starts with an unwinding of Alan Chambers life. Alan is the main character. We learn he is a man with a terribly unhappy and unsatisfied life plagued with an insatiable hunger for an experience or “feeling” not possible on Earth and he’s willing to do anything for it. Cali is another main character. She represents Alan’s ticket to this experience as well as a number of deep themes in which this novel takes no time to dive into. She is seductive, persuasive, and a wonderful character to read.

Alan’s social deviancies put him and the reader in a horrifying state-of-mind stemming from the insecurities we all feel as humans to find “happiness” and the process to that “eventuality”. This review will be a little different due to the fact that if I give much more “insight” to the “what’s”, “who’s”, and “where’s”, this will have to be labeled as a SPOILER REVIEW, but I will not be doing those. So, I will instead give you more of how I felt. I think the BEST words to describe that feeling is a sense of disorientation or feeling vertiginous.

The character depth is good and sets the tone, but what really sets this novel apart is the fiery prose. You enter a whole new world, Carcosa, after trials and ritual that you learn about as you read. I felt jealous that I wasn’t Alan, the MC, because of how incredible and also terrible Carcosa is described. Carcosa is described as dark, tinged with yellow, is nauseating at times, but nonetheless an EPIC world. What you can expect is a dark and visceral journey splashed with moments that are exotic and intimate with the dichotomy of pain and ecstasy ever-present. If the mood strikes you to read a genre-bending novel with a “No Holds Barred” attitude, pick this one up! Its a shorter book, meaning a quick read BUT its not one for the faint of heart. I repeat, NOT for the faint of heart…BUT I look forward to the next installment

[Ida · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not what I was expecting based on the blurb.

First of all, how is yoga in any way linked with the occult?! Granted, this was just a passing comment, but I feel like this is where the book first lost me.

This book was very weird and sexual (in a bad way) from the start. This honestly reminded me of why I’ve almost stopped reading books written by men. It’s very graphic, to the point of troubling. It makes my dark romances seem like Hallmark movies. And yes, I did read the entire book because it was short and now you won’t have to. I would have DNF-ed at 20% if I hadn’t received this as an ARC. The thing is, the story in itself is quite compelling. I just wish the sexual aspects didn’t exist and that the writing style wasn’t so overly descriptive. Phrases like “bowels of the earth”, impregnate, penetrate, and similar were used without reason. But since the story in itself was interesting, I gave it 2 stars instead of 1. I will not be continuing the series.

Alan, the main character, objectifies every woman he ever lays eyes on. He is also possessive and jealous. Him questioning why he objectifies every woman, does nothing to alleviate his behaviour for me, especially since he continues doing it.

Phrases like “lips red like menstrual blood,” and “boobs not like porn stars, but hanging down to the navel” made me cringe. Why not just say red like blood? And your boobs don’t hang down to your navel just because you don’t have silicone in them. Like please just admit you’ve never seen a real woman naked…

Also, Kali is an actual goddess in Hinduism, and “Cali” in this book is clearly inspired by her. This is made clear due to her being the one that “bestows liberation” to Alan and based on her physical description. If you are writing a book about something that resembles a real religion, please be respectful and either make it based on that religion, or change the story more so it’s not just a perversion of that religion. This felt like a very weird misrepresentation of a powerful goddess from a religion that the author is, as far as I can tell, not a part of (being that he is a white man).

[Isabella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: Rejected by family and on the brink of homelessness, Alan's desperate quest for meaning takes him to a place where worthiness is proven in the most dangerous ways.

Pros:
🌟 Four stars for this Barker-esque adventure! "The Claw of Craving" captures the essence of Clive Barker's style, making it a dark delight for fans.

😈 The worldbuilding and setting are like a dark carnival, inviting readers into a twisted realm where reality and fantasy dance a macabre waltz.

🌌 An awesome adventure awaits, accompanied by a generous serving of heart-pounding action that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

🔥 The ending is a tantalizing tease, leaving you hungry for the sequel. Brace yourself for a cliffhanger that hooks you like a gapping fish.

Cons:
💔 Some overly sexualized descriptions, especially of Cali, made me cringe. Sorry, but I prefer my dark fantasy without an uncomfortable side of cringe-worthy moments.

📚 I wish this lovecraftian feast was longer – there's a hunger for more exploration in this dark and twisted universe.

In conclusion, "The Claw of Craving" is a Lovecraftian buffet with a side of desperation, perfect for fans of Barker's dark fantasy. I'll be eagerly awaiting the sequel, hoping for a journey as good as this one. 🎢📚

Disclaimer: A cosmic-sized thank you to NetGalley and Blood Bound Books for this ARC. All opinions are as uniquely mine as a Lovecraftian horror in a realm of twisted dreams. 🌌💀📚

[Erin Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A captivating story of horrors beyond comprehension, told with a rich and powerful voice that continues throughout. The mysterious opening is immediately entrancing, inviting us to discover the infamous ‘Carcosa’ and all of its terrifying splendour. Our narrator, the flawed, yet likeable, Alan Chambers, offers readers a partner in their bewilderment and trepidation. The depth of this world and the characters we meet along Chamber’s journey is wonderful and uniquely revitalised from the traditional fantastical worlds/characters we are used to. Overall, a fabulously nightmarish beginning to a longer narrative that I’m dreadfully excited to continue reading!

[Johann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alan Chambers has always known that something is different about himself. He keeps being drawn to a word Carcosa his whole life but has no idea what it actually is.
That is until he finds a place called the Black Star and goes there for answers.
At the Black Star he will find out exactly what Carcosa is but what will it cost him?

This was a great tale based on Robert Chambers' King in Yellow mythos.
To describe this story would be if you mixed Clive Barker's book the Hellbound Heart with Dante's Divine Comedy is how I would reference this.
Very dark with a great blend of dark fantasy and Horror.
Recommend for those who enjoy LovecraftIan tales but wish to read something different and an original take on the King in Yellow!
Got this as an ARC but the review is all mine.

[Beatrix Starling · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a wonderful surprise!
Steeped in Clive Barker-esque wonder, this dark erotic fantasy was an absolute pleasure to read. I loved the unique voice and the unbridled imagination of the author, the often grey characters and the promise of a new world to explore.

The only problem is that now I'm stuck waiting on the second book - but wait i shall because i must know how Alan's journey to Carcosa continues.

[Jeff Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark fantasy adventure

I went into this book blind, expecting it to be horror or horror adjacent. While there are demons and violence, it is not a horror story. It is an epic, dark fantasy with well developed characters worth following.
I didn't realize that I needed a break from the horror genre for a little while, this first book in a heritage me that, and I look forward to what happens next.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Blood Bound Books for providing a review copy.

Well. Consider my puny mind blown. The Claw of Craving is extremely Clive Barker-esque, and I mean that as the highest compliment. The world-building has the same sense of sensuality, but also whimsy. The characters are complex and multi-layered. If you like your fantasy black as pitch, you'll love this book as much as I did. Strong 5 stars.

[Breanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark, intense, and beautifully written — The Claw of Craving pulls you deep into a world of obsession and horror. Sale’s writing is rich and poetic, perfectly capturing the struggle between desire and madness. The narration is phenomenal, adding to the story’s deeply unsettling atmosphere and making every moment feel alive with dread. This story lingers long after you finish, leaving you both disturbed and fascinated.

[DA · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can most definitely feel Barker's influence on this story. Sale brings you on a journey you don't want to be on, but you're compelled to complete.It's beautifully hideous. It's a maelstrom of magic, monsters and betrayal. I feel tainted with it's horrifying exquisiteness. I need to continue on.

[Sarah Leis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a highly imaginative piece of weird fiction, which gives a beautifully grotesque and erotic spin on the 'King in Yellow' mythos. I loved the descriptive style of the prose and found myself fully absorbed into the world the author envisioned. If you are a fan of this type of fiction, I very much recommend taking the dark and chaotic journey into lost Carcosa. 4.25⭐️

[Aiden McDonough · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, I really enjoyed this. I love a good book that makes you feel some sort of positivity for a character and then BOOM, they're a bitch. I wasn't able to guess what was coming next and was anticipating the next page turn (er kindle swipe?). Alan was so relatable in the sense that he's struggling to find his place. I appreciate his character development and I can't wait to see what's next for him and the storyline. This was a freebie from Blood Bound Books and I definitely recommend if you want a new story to get wrapped up in.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first book by this author and definitely won't be the last. We follow a man called Alan Chambers who currently hasn't got a job, no family that wants to speak to him and soon to be without a home.

He's into the occult and he's heard that there is a mythical land of Carcosa which its ruler is The Yellow King, this fantasy world the author has created is unique and I haven't read a book like this. It had a lovecratian feel to it. The horrors in this world, as Alan sets out on his journey, are pretty wicked and erotic too.

I finished this book wanting to know more and was surprised that there is a book 2, so I'm happy I can continue with this journey well, Alan's. Loved this read for a first read by this author!!!

[Catherine Chapman · Rating 1 out of 5]

The only thing scary about this book is that this was published. I DNFed this book half way through because I couldn’t get past an attractive woman being described as; “her skin was darker than tar, darker than obsidian, darker than the abyss. her lips were the red of menstrual blood.” and “her facial features belonged to no ethnicity… her body was hard to parse, it fitted so well to the darkness, but he saw voluptuous breast- and unlike the fakeries of pornstars and prostitutes, these swung low, nearly to the belly button. Her hips were so wide as though they were made to girdle the earth.”
Maybe I’m crazy but those lines alone made the book irredeemable, but the incessant talk about arousal, masturbation, and the MCs sexual desire made me uncomfortable right off the start.

[Menion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remember the good ol' days when writers like Algernon Blackwood and Clark Ashton Smith wrote stunning tales of, for lack of a better term, 'dark fantasy?' Me neither, most of us weren't even born then. Well, those days are long gone, but thank the Lord for Joseph Sale. With THE CLAW OF CRAVING, he shows that fantasy with a grim edge is still alive and well. This isn't quite to the level of the aforementioned authors (what is?) but you know what? It's pretty damn close, and it's enough to blow away most other books on the shelves.
Why? First, the plot. Plenty of twists and turns, some betrayals, and of course, some pretty cool monsters. Again, this is fantasy without all the cutesy stuff like happy elves and halflings, this is a grimmer, tougher world, although still magical. My own read on the plot is that while it's a quest, the real backbone seemed to be it wasn't just about the physical journey-it was about the protagonist's search for redemption, even though he didn't realize he was looking for it for most of the book. As his quest progresses, he learns that he did a lot of damage in his search for the fabled land, and never thought twice about it. Can he make up for it, and become more than he imagined? That's the real crux of the book. Incredibly well done.
Worth mentioning-the writing is exceptional. It's at the level between standard level prose (say, King or McCammon) and high-level, say, Lovecraft or CA Smith. There are a decent amount of big words, but it's always in service to the story, never done just for the sake of showing off. In fact, this would actually be a good choice for an honors level English class.
Overall, a must read for fantasy fans who enjoy peering into the darkness. Please, get the next one in the series written soon!

[Kylee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book. I am providing an honest review.

The basics:
Alan Chambers has spent his life seeking the fabled land of Carcosa. In a last ditch effort, Alan approaches an occult brothel to seek assistance. After passing all five excruciating trials, Alan is granted access to the terrifying world of Carcosa. Upon his arrival, however, Alan discovers the Queen of Carcosa has been abducted by the enemy. Escorted by the princesses, Alan sets out on a journey to recover an ancient relic, find the queen, and restore Carcosa to its former glory.

My thoughts:
Overall, The Claw of Craving is about 140 pages total. For a horror / fantasy novel, it was an extremely fast read. I wish the novel had been a little longer so that the characters could be explored more deeply. While Alan’s past is mentioned, it is very brief. We do not know the reasoning behind his obsession with Carcosa. We do not know the details of his past, just that he has always been strange. As a result, we also do not find out much about the Yellow King, Princess Cali, or Princess Callisda. The novel instead largely focuses on Alan’s journey to locate the Claw, an ancient weapon that can only be used by a man with one hand. The Claw of Craving felt a little bit more like an adventure fantasy novel to me rather than a horror fantasy novel. Despite that, I will say that the betrayal at the end of the novel was shocking, engaging, and extremely well done.

I would recommend this book to those that enjoy adventure fantasy with a horror twist.

[Rochatra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for fans of Clive Barker's The Hellbound Heart or Weaveworld.

After years of searching for Carcosa, Alan's desperation leads him to an occult brothel, where only the worthy may be granted passage into the lands of Carcosa. The story builds upon the mythos of Robert Chamber's "The King in Yellow", but Sale manages to make it feel fresh. You will find horrifying and undescribable creatures, breathtaking landscapes, and even friendship, love, and betrayal.

I really liked the cast of characters, though two in particular made me dislike them after a certain chapter (in a good way, the author's intention succeeded). Despite being a short book, the pacing was good, allowing time for character developtment without feeling rushed. My only criticism is Alan's past. While his past is explained, I felt like his reason for searching Carcosa never went into that much detail, though this may change in the sequels.

I'll look forward to the rest of the series.

[Kimberly Spookybookwurm · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked how much detail was put into the characters. I had a few I found myself liking quite a bit. I thought it was interesting to see how they all struggled with desperation and obsession, I liked seeing how they each chose to move forward and deal with their vices. Petruccio's motivation stood out to me the most, I really wanted to see how he would do. It was neat to see how each of their capabilities emerged throughout the story and how they were able to aid in their journeys.
The volunteers in the beginning had me creeped out. I had a lot of fun with the scenes occurring in Lake Hali and the marshes in Yhtill. The creatures inside these had me excited. The temple was also interesting. I enjoyed the visuals that went along with the sisters inside the temple.
I felt like the descriptions conveyed the magic of the story nicely. There were many parts I found beautiful and mysterious.
The story continues in the second book 'The City of Corpses'.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is amazing! I was not expecting the story I got. I’m so ready for book two!!

The Claw of Craving is full of creatures, sex, family issues, heroes, and heroines. It is a non-stop action story from start to end. It is an epic journey of a man’s path to finding an answer to a question he has had most of his life. 

The world building is fantastic, filled with so many obstacles and monsters. Sale has a creative imagination for the wilderness and creatures, and the characters that play a vital role in the story. 

The character development is great, too! The main character has lots of inner dialogue to keep the reader in sync with his ups and downs. Eventually, once you get to know him, you start to be his cheerleader and hope he finds what he is looking for. 

An immersive fantasy horror story, just right for when you need to change up your horror themes.

[Dawn Schock · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, I really enjoyed this novel. I listened to the audiobook version.

I'll be honest, in the beginning it took me a little while to get into the story because the narrators voice reminded me so much of Harvey Fierstein and I kept waiting for him to ask Robin Williams why he wasn't an only child.

Once I acclimated, I grew to really enjoy Freeborn's storytelling, and he did a wonderful job bringing this dark, twisted, cosmic adventure story to life.

The tale itself is dark, gory, and other-worldly with so much mystery and intrigue throughout. It's hard to know who to trust, or what to even think of the borderline nightmarish world of Carcosa.

The book ends on a cliffhanger and makes you want to go write into book two.

I can't wait to listen to the next one.