When The Rain Begins To Burn

by A.L. Davidson

While traveling across the country on a much needed vacation, Noland and Judah Calhoun stop to appreciate the scenic views of the Appalachian wilderness. To shield themselves from the less-than-friendly locals as they rest from their long journey, Judah parks their RV in the middle of a clearing well off the beaten path. A concerning storm rolls in overhead, shifting the sky to a sickly green that drowns out the night sky with a thunderous roar...

Waking the next morning to discover the wheels of their RV have sunk deep into the saturated ground, Judah steps outside to assess the situation. Within seconds, his flesh is set alight as the unnatural rain begins to eat away at his hand. The storm rapidly consumes the skin and sinew of living creatures, turning the once peaceful clearing into a boneyard. Stranded and unable to leave the supernatural tempest, Judah and Noland must weather the storm together, facing not only the horrors of nature, but their own personal demons they refused to acknowledge for far too long.

All the while, the bones start to pile up...


When The Rain Begins To Burn is a 2023 Indie Ink Award nominee for "Best Book Cover and Artist" and "Best Setting", a Queer Indie Award nominee for "Best Horror", "Best Novella", "Best Debut", "Best Book Cover", and "Best Romantic Relationship", and a BBNYA nominee.

Genres: Horror

140 pages, Paperback

Published October 14, 2023

About the author

A.L. Davidson is a queer and disabled indie author who loves writing genre-blending stories, tales of heartwarming and horrifying romance, and the coziest sci-fi and urban fantasies you’ll find this side of the galaxy. She specializes in narratives filled with ghosts, grief, isolation, queerness, life with disabilities, ecohorror, space exploration, slow burn romance, found family, and the human condition.

They are best known for their collection of web novels: The Night Farm, Lonely Planet Hotel, and The Wayward Souls of Avalon, as well as their horrormance stories such as When The Rain Begins To Burn, Lover, Thy Name Is Pestilence, and All For The Blood of the Lamb. She is a 2023 Indie Ink, Queer Indie, Pushcart Prize, and BBNYA nominee, and a 2024 Small Spec, Indie Ink, BookTok Indie Awards, and Thorpe Menn nominee. The Night Farm was a 2024 Inkies Finalist for Favorite Community Novel on Tapas.

She lives in Kansas City with way too many plants and her cat, Jukebox The Ghost. When they’re not writing, you can find them hanging out at the cemetery or working a shift at their local haunted museum, playing cozy video games, and diving into an ever-growing manga pile.

Reviews

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book on Godless.com and oh my goodness. This is easily one of the best things I’ve read. It was a mix of all the things I love. A gorgeous eco-horror with incredible character work. I am genuinely impressed by this story. Truly amazing work

[Samantha Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish this was longer. I want to know Nolan and Judah’s relationship more deeply! But I enjoyed the story, and it ended exactly how I hoped it would.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Judah and Noland are trapped together in their RV while outside the rain has suddenly become acid. Through the windows they witness deer and other animals have their skin melted off. They are both also recovering from a traumatic event. Despite their past and terrifying present situation, they are so sweet and caring towards each other. Also, I really like that this has excellent disability representation, as Noland has diabetes and Judah has anxiety. I'm really glad I found this on Godless, and I am definitely gonna read more stuff by A.L. Davidson.

[Stef Nuñez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I spent the morning in bed and devoured this book! I’ve never gone through such an array of emotions in under 140 pages. We get such a meaningful glimpse into a period of healing in Noland and Judah’s relationship, set against the beginnings of an apocalyptic shift in their outer world. It was both horrifying and lovely, I def recommend

[Matt · Rating 2 out of 5]

The concept was interesting, which is why I picked this up at a convention, but nothing clicked for me. I found myself skipping a lot of the couple's conversations in search of more story progression. Maybe there was too much focus on developing the men's relationships for a short story?

It ended rather abruptly with the men's exit from the cursed woods to a road and salvation. No explanation of why they walked in circles for an hour or what interesting demonic / environmental event caused the rain, and then a short final chapter featuring a multi-month time skip toward a happy ending (and new beginning for the couple.)

I feel a bit prudish writing this but I wasn't expecting the "spicy" content toward the end and blew past that as well.

This just wasn't for me.

[Luke W. Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love loved this book. It built suspense so well and the forced isolation of the setting was so creative. Judah and Noland are adorable and I wanted nothing but the best for them. Everything feels tightly tied together and it ends in such a satisfying way.

[Mercedes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cried, got spooked, then cried again. 10/10

[Chandra Claypool (WhereTheReaderGrows) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Noland and Judah are finally on a vacation together and they stop in the Appalachian wilderness to be one with nature and enjoy the gorgeous views.  Well off the beaten path to avoid the local yokels, they get stuck when an unexpected storm leaves their RV cemented into the mud.  As if things couldn't get worse, a deadly rain has come upon them, which Judah finds out about when a few drops eat away at his hand.  As this acid rain continues, there appears to be no ending and they watch animals being consumed in disgusting fashion making their beautiful view into one of death and despair.  Now they're trapped inside their RV, not knowing when this will end.  Not only do they have to endure what is happening outside, but they quickly have to deal with their own personal demons as well.

Oh my freakin' beating black heart.  Yes, this is an eco-horror novel with some gruesome scenes but it's the relationship between Noland and Judah that truly shines.

Full review coming in Cemetery Dance.

This is a fantastic read for those seeking a haunting and introspective horror story that explores the complexities of personal relationships and the terrors of the unknown.  Come for the dread and stay to see what happens to the cutest couple in horror history.

[Kiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tens across the board. This novella is somehow horrific and cozy at the same time. If you’re someone who loves slice-of-life stories this is definitely for you. It does have its heavier moments (including some gore, so do be aware of that while going into it). I’ve never read an eco-horror romance but now this might be my favorite sub genre. I can’t remember where I found this but doesn’t matter, I will now be reading everything this author has written.

[Kienn Nguyen · Rating 5 out of 5]

almost wholesome horror, acid rain and trauma, m/m, diabetes, anxiety