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The Dreamer's Canvas: A Cosmic Horror Novel

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PERCEPTION IS REALITY.

Art is all that Charlie Halloran has left.

The lone survivor of a bizarre doomsday cult that left his mind broken and his life in tatters, Charlie now ekes out a living as a struggling artist, painting forgeries for a local crime boss.

Until the nightmares begin again.

As his fragile sanity begins to crumble, Charlie is thrust back into a world he thought he had escaped—a world where reality itself is nothing more than an unfinished painting to be remade… or destroyed.

Charlie realizes that he alone possesses the power to stop the resurgent cult from enacting their catastrophic plans. But the cost of his redemption may be more than his mind can bear.

Embark on a mind-bending journey where Lovecraftian horror intertwines with urban fantasy. Can Charlie paint a new reality, or will he succumb to the madness that lurks within his soul?

314 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 11, 2023

44 people are currently reading
223 people want to read

About the author

Caleb R. Marsh

2 books5 followers

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5 stars
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33 (39%)
3 stars
13 (15%)
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
Profile Image for Natalie Holden.
Author 6 books20 followers
January 12, 2024
One of the few books that understand cosmic horror in all of its dimension-bending, reality-shattering, mind-crushing glory.
The story follows Charlie, a painter with a special talent for the unsettling. Also, an ex-member of the cult that ended with a mass suicide. I feel like this aspect of the book was particularly well done, both Charlie's reasoning to join, the trauma that resulted from it, and the mixed feelings he harbors all throughout the novel.
But Charlie's paintings are more than just weird art and the cult leader was more than just a madman. Now the old horrors come back to life and Charlie has to dig out the memories his brain buried, learn about things not meant for human mind, and save our universe from an unstoppable inter-dimensional god(des?) before his sanity crumbles.
Wonderful book, 5/5, instant fav.
Profile Image for Jae Ritchie.
236 reviews13 followers
March 19, 2025
3.75 What a giant Mind F. Watching Charlie reclaim his life after not one, but two run-ins with a cult was heart-wrenching. What would you do to save the world? Would you even try?
Profile Image for Kirsty Ney.
88 reviews1 follower
October 25, 2025
I have never read a cosmic horror book before so I didn't know what to expect at all. My friend had recommended it to me, and I was a bit dubious as to whether or not it would be my type of thing. But I was pleasantly surprised, I couldnt put this book down!
A total mind bending story, pushing the limits of our human brains to way beyond what we believe is reality. The descriptive way the author explains what our main character Charlie sees, is amazing. You have no way of knowing what anything looks like or resembles, but yet you can somehow imagine and feel the terrifying scenes Charlie is experiencing.
The vulnerability and fragility of the human mind is quite alarming in this story, that is quite clear to see. Honestly, I was so intrigued by how easy it was for the characters to utterly break, by literally looking at something that was way beyond their grasp on reality.

A fantastic 4-star rating from me - this book has for sure opened another genre for me to explore.
Profile Image for Joseph.
2 reviews1 follower
October 7, 2024
A fun read

This was a fun, quick read for anyone who enjoys Lovecraftian horror. It left me wanting more stories from this author.
Profile Image for Dan Gilman.
72 reviews2 followers
January 4, 2026
Poisonous candy for lovers of Cosmic Horror!

This hit way out of left field for me, the all knowing algorithm suggested it, and like a small fish presented with a shiny hook I decided to take a bite. It was on Kindle Unlimited and every time I read three meh books and think to myself “Self, I should cancel KU because it’s got a lot of mediocre literature.” something wonderful writhes out from the depths and takes me on an adventure. This was the one in a handful that makes KU worth keeping for me.

The Dreamer’s Canvas isn’t just good Cosmic Horror (which is my favorite genre), it’s great. Marsh has a razor sharp understanding of what makes Cosmic Horror tic, this was on par with Laird Barton’s work and Barron is my favorite author of the genre.

This tale, the characters, the setting, the whole of it… bleeds a void, and it absolutely drew me in.

Highly recommend!
Profile Image for Sammantha (its_a_literary_life).
372 reviews8 followers
April 17, 2025
Sometimes I find books randomly that I’m certain will be favorites forever and will live rent free in my head for a long, long time. This is one of those books. I will always be attracted to art and horror.

“𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘶𝘭. 𝘔𝘢𝘺𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥. 𝘐𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘴. 𝘐𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘱𝘶𝘴𝘩 𝘢 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘢𝘳, 𝘰𝘳 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘦. 𝘐𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘺. 𝘖𝘳 𝘪𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭.”

A wild descent into the abyss where sanity is but a fleeting illusion. Truly, this one leaves you mixed up in the insanity disassociating yourself. One of the best cosmic horrors I’ve read this year next to The Library at Mount Char.

Marsh crafts a tale that is as much a psychological exploration as it is a cosmic horror. The protagonist, Charlie Halloran, is an artist tormented by dreams that blur the line between reality and madness. The narrative plunges the reader into a world where the act of creation becomes a gateway to otherworldly horrors, echoing the themes of Lovecraftian terror. And boy does Marsh do this so damn well! The prose is rich and evocative, painting vivid images that linger.👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

I fully enjoyed the journey every bit of the way. The ending was a bit abrupt and ambiguous in a sense but this was such a standout piece of cosmic horror. Mind bending, multidimensional, cultish, and lovecraftian.

There’s an array of characters that I felt for.
From our MC troubles starving artist Charlie to an all around standout and loyal gentleman Sweet to Sarge, the paralyzed gym owner that’s always looking out for people.

“𝘞𝘦 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘦, 𝘯𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘣𝘰𝘹𝘦𝘴. 𝘐𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱𝘴 𝘶𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘴. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘹𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘺. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘣𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺. 𝘈 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘺𝘱𝘶𝘴 𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘦𝘨𝘨𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘴 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘰𝘻𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘯 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘵. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘮𝘮𝘢𝘭 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘺 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘮𝘮𝘢𝘭. 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘹𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘦’𝘥 𝘨𝘰 𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘻𝘺.”

An outstanding addition to the cosmic horror genre (and debut at that), this is a must-read for those who appreciate stories that challenge the boundaries of perception and reality. It’s a narrative that doesn’t just tell a story—it immerses you in a waking nightmare, leaving you questioning the very fabric of your own existence.
Profile Image for Robert Defrank.
Author 6 books15 followers
October 30, 2023
A fine piece of Lovecraftian fiction that captures the cosmic scope of eldritch vistas and the horrors that wait beyond the walls of perception, joined with the suspense of an occult thriller. The central character is an artist, the last survivor of an apocalypse cult with delusions of the world’s destruction. But were they only delusions? And is he the last survivor? You, dear reader, will find out alongside him, but pray you learn fast, for dark powers of madness are moving again, and none will be safe from their relentless advance, unless a broken man can find it in himself to retrace the steps of his former madness.
Profile Image for David.
234 reviews
September 29, 2025
What an unexpected pleasure it was stumbling upon this new novel (THE DREAMER'S CANVAS) in my search for genuine cosmic horror that exceed the pack of pretenders. Caleb R. Marsh's writing is delightfully fresh and this story is beyond original--it's almost a genre unto itself. This novel takes Lovecraftian horror to a whole new level, peopled with well-drawn characters, a lot of exiting, hardcore action, and villains that you just love to hate. And, of course, seriously damaged and twisted heroes are always more fun to run with than the vanilla variety you get most often. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes to peek beyond the veil.
Profile Image for Windsor Grace.
300 reviews1 follower
January 6, 2025
I saw someone mention this book in Books of Horror and it sounded fun, not to mention it’s on Kindle Unlimited, so I read it. This is a cosmic horror novel, my favorite genre, so I enjoyed that aspect of it. Nothing was truly horrifying, unlike the narrative leads you to believe, but it is a fun, quick read.

Charlie Halloran is an artist who is still recovering from his time in a cult three years after the other members were killed in a multidimensional exercise. While Charlie has tried to distance himself from the beliefs of the cult, the cult isn’t ready to distance itself from him.

He realizes the mistakes he made in his multidimensional painting during the exercise and recreates the piece based on a dream. He then finds himself traveling through the painting to the place where the murders took happened. He is, once again, immersed in the world he was trying to flee from, coming face to face with his past. Members of the cult continued their quest without him, finding new and even more crazy ways to bring creatures from another reality through to ours.

While nothing in this book is completely new or imagination blowing, I enjoyed the journey and tracing back through Charlie’s experience to find out how he can change his future. It’s a fun, quick read, dealing with creatures from different dimensions and different ways to contact those dimensions. I enjoyed this aspect of the book. This book is available on a Kindle Unlimited.
Profile Image for J. Agombar.
Author 24 books18 followers
October 21, 2024
Loved it. Caleb Marsh successfully transplants some classic cosmic horror tropes and blends them with a unique story with a range of interesting characters.
Charlie is a painter with a penchant for creating something unique. He has a dark past where he narrowly escaped the massacre of the cult he was part of. This setup alone helps you with how The Dreamer's Canvas rolls. It shadows who to trust for the reader as well as where to turn to solve the ever present fear of the ancient cosmic mother and what exactly she will birth into the world, or indeed, the universe.
Charlie's life is full of dark paintings, an old sketchbook, mindless cultists, a gangster art collector, cosmic killer creatures, and the main person he has to trust is someone who tortured him years ago in a motel room. The odds are stacked against him and it serves as a daunting read to see what these insignificant humans can actually do to prevent their impending doom.
His cat, Howard, is a nice nod to Lovecraft's legacy too.
9 reviews
February 23, 2024
A solid entry in the cosmic horror genre!

This book is a solid entry in the cosmic horror genre. I’ve been reading lots of novels and novellas in this genre, and this was one of the better ones. The characters were well fleshed out, and the plot kept me interested the whole way. I look forward to follow up stories with Charlie and Amanda. The bottom line is always was I entertained? Yes, I was. I highly recommend this book!
Profile Image for Nick Johnson.
171 reviews4 followers
March 24, 2024
action, mayhem, and cosmic terror

It’s a fun story that isn’t the typical horror. Great characters and unique events that unfold a bizarre storyline that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Profile Image for Katie.
597 reviews33 followers
May 14, 2025
This author is so talented when it comes to immersive writing. I could literally smell what was being described in the scenes and picture all the craziness in my mind vividly. With that said, his book was wild. I did lose interest at times though.
1 review
November 12, 2023
Enjoyable scifi story.

Good story and well written. Wouldn't mind exploring more of the universe.

Well worth reading.

Enjoyed it alot, easily recommend.

Profile Image for Amber K.
1,260 reviews50 followers
April 28, 2025
This whole book was a mind trip!!
It was so weird & ondifferent from anything I've read before....but in a good way!!
I would definitely read more from this author!!
Profile Image for Taco.
75 reviews1 follower
December 12, 2023
I enjoyed this book! I felt it was very innovative with the way it portrayed its eldritch horror. You had your expected tropes but they were explained/presented in a unique way to put a fresh spin on them.

Pacing was quick, there was always something happening to progress the plot. It jumped right into it. Was nice.

Characters were easily identifiable. You could tell them apart.

Plot was pretty straightforward but enjoyable.

Overall I would recommend this book! A solid eldritch horror adventure.

EDIT: I liked the consequences for the eldritch power usage! That has really stuck in my mind, apparently.
Profile Image for Kevin Sean.
4 reviews
September 5, 2025
amazing if anyone can recommend more books like this to me please do or the book of doors
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews

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