What do you think?
Rate this book
Upon the Pale Isle of Gloam: A Gothic Horror Novella
Winner of a Literary Titan Gold Book Award.
Upon a deserted shoreline, Rue wakes alone with no knowledge of her past. Decades of wreckage lay sprawled across the beach. The days are impossibly short, and the weather foreboding. Worse are the supernatural beings that stalk the landscape, littering it with corpses. Using only her instincts, Rue embarks on a journey to reclaim her truth and find a way home—all while unraveling the isle's dark secret.
A spooky weekend read brimming with gothic themes and atmospheric horror.
Upon a deserted shoreline, Rue wakes alone with no knowledge of her past. Decades of wreckage lay sprawled across the beach. The days are impossibly short, and the weather foreboding. Worse are the supernatural beings that stalk the landscape, littering it with corpses. Using only her instincts, Rue embarks on a journey to reclaim her truth and find a way home—all while unraveling the isle's dark secret.
A spooky weekend read brimming with gothic themes and atmospheric horror.
225 pages, Paperback
First published October 20, 2023
6 people are currently reading
106 people want to read
About the author
Mark Gulino
2 books8 followersMark Gulino is a fiction and non-fiction writer and author of Upon the Pale Isle of Gloam: A Gothic Horror Novella. He has worked as a top-rated Upwork freelancer and as an editor for the Forbes-featured online publication Gadget Flow. He also created and wrote the award-nominated science fiction podcast, A Journey Beyond the Skies, for which he won “Best Storyteller in a Storytelling Production (2020)."
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
April 27, 2024
A Dark and Mysterious Journey — Upon the Pale Isle of Gloam by Mark Gulino
Mark Gulino’s Upon the Pale Isle of Gloam is a gripping trip into a world of darkness and mystery that will keep readers hooked from beginning to end. Set against the gloomy backdrop of a dark island, Gulino expertly creates a story that is both unsettling and intriguing.
Upon the Pale Isle of Gloam ♦ Mark Gulino | An ARC Review
Opinion
One of the novel’s most outstanding features is its atmosphere. From the moment the reader sets foot on this island, they are immersed in an atmosphere rich with tension and intrigue. The dark and mysterious atmosphere provides the ideal backdrop for the unfolding drama, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they eagerly turn the pages to discover the island’s secrets.
The plot of Upon the Pale Isle of Gloam is nothing short of exciting. It moves at breakneck speed from the first chapter on, immersing readers in a maelstrom of action and suspense. Gulino’s excellent pace ensures that there are no dull moments, with each twist and turn propelling the tale forward to its explosive finish.
Gulino’s writing style is outstanding, to say the least. His prose is rich and descriptive, creating vivid images that stay with the reader long after the book is done. His attention to detail is remarkable, drawing readers into the world of darkness and bringing its characters to life with depth and authenticity.
However, the novel’s strong use of Christian themes may not appeal to all readers. While it is good that Gulino uses these subjects to challenge Christian morals and reveal clergy fraudulent activities, some readers may find them overpowering. Indeed, the novel’s entire message — to tackle our hidden truths we don’t want to see — could have been expressed without relying so heavily on religion.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, Upon the Pale Isle of Gloam is a riveting story of darkness and intrigue that will leave readers breathless. Fans of dark themes will like its mysterious and eerie atmosphere, fast-paced plot, superb writing style, and thought-provoking subjects. While the heavy theological themes may not appeal to everyone, they do not distract from the overall enjoyment of the story. Mark Gulino has created a genuinely remarkable story that will stay with readers long after they have turned the final page.
This review was first published at The Art of Reading.
Mark Gulino’s Upon the Pale Isle of Gloam is a gripping trip into a world of darkness and mystery that will keep readers hooked from beginning to end. Set against the gloomy backdrop of a dark island, Gulino expertly creates a story that is both unsettling and intriguing.
Upon the Pale Isle of Gloam ♦ Mark Gulino | An ARC Review
Opinion
One of the novel’s most outstanding features is its atmosphere. From the moment the reader sets foot on this island, they are immersed in an atmosphere rich with tension and intrigue. The dark and mysterious atmosphere provides the ideal backdrop for the unfolding drama, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they eagerly turn the pages to discover the island’s secrets.
The plot of Upon the Pale Isle of Gloam is nothing short of exciting. It moves at breakneck speed from the first chapter on, immersing readers in a maelstrom of action and suspense. Gulino’s excellent pace ensures that there are no dull moments, with each twist and turn propelling the tale forward to its explosive finish.
Gulino’s writing style is outstanding, to say the least. His prose is rich and descriptive, creating vivid images that stay with the reader long after the book is done. His attention to detail is remarkable, drawing readers into the world of darkness and bringing its characters to life with depth and authenticity.
However, the novel’s strong use of Christian themes may not appeal to all readers. While it is good that Gulino uses these subjects to challenge Christian morals and reveal clergy fraudulent activities, some readers may find them overpowering. Indeed, the novel’s entire message — to tackle our hidden truths we don’t want to see — could have been expressed without relying so heavily on religion.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, Upon the Pale Isle of Gloam is a riveting story of darkness and intrigue that will leave readers breathless. Fans of dark themes will like its mysterious and eerie atmosphere, fast-paced plot, superb writing style, and thought-provoking subjects. While the heavy theological themes may not appeal to everyone, they do not distract from the overall enjoyment of the story. Mark Gulino has created a genuinely remarkable story that will stay with readers long after they have turned the final page.
This review was first published at The Art of Reading.
November 22, 2023
A very atmospheric and eerie read! The beginning pulled me in effectively and I found myself invested in the characters fates as well as figuring out the mysteries surrounding the island. The various creatures were also unsettling in the best way!
It touched on some heavier topics (check trigger warnings) but I felt it did so in a way that added emotional depth to the characters back stories instead of feeling like "shock factor".
The style of the narration was a bit of a hang up for me. It was poetic and created a very compelling atmosphere at times, but there were also moments it felt somewhat forced/too formal and very at odds with the style of the dialogue. Although it was not enough to deter me and I still enjoyed the story, I felt it really took me out of the moment during a few scenes. Otherwise this was a great quick read, perfect for a gloomy, rainy day!
I received this book as an advanced reader copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
It touched on some heavier topics (check trigger warnings) but I felt it did so in a way that added emotional depth to the characters back stories instead of feeling like "shock factor".
The style of the narration was a bit of a hang up for me. It was poetic and created a very compelling atmosphere at times, but there were also moments it felt somewhat forced/too formal and very at odds with the style of the dialogue. Although it was not enough to deter me and I still enjoyed the story, I felt it really took me out of the moment during a few scenes. Otherwise this was a great quick read, perfect for a gloomy, rainy day!
I received this book as an advanced reader copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 24, 2024
An interesting premise that quickly dissolves into a bland, generic story with poorly written characters and dialogue that sounds as if it was generated by A.I. Not to mention the author, especially in the beginning, throws a bunch of big and complex sounding words at you that could’ve easily been substituted by words that are more digestible.
I started this book while on vacation, felt like it would be a good vacation read. Came back from vacation and struggled to get through it.
I started this book while on vacation, felt like it would be a good vacation read. Came back from vacation and struggled to get through it.
January 4, 2024
This was a 2.5 stars type of situation for me. Now, in terms of feelings and reactions, I didn't have any strong ones, BUT I also wasn't bored, so it's a sort of middle ground.
The most glaringly bothersome thing was the words...the language? The words, there were many, and I mean many, words that could've been replaced with a more simple, common synonym. It felt like the thing with the thesaurus...what do they call that? Anyway, it was a thing and I didn't hate it entirely, but it was distracting and so on. And then the language overall, possibly because of said words or not, but it was particular, which I maybe even liked, but then it didn't quite smoothly go together with the unique voices of the characters when they spoke in a much more modern sounding language. If that makes sense.
Besides the language and wording, I think the issues that I had could be summed up as one thing: despite the often wordy descriptions and attention to detail, it felt like there was some kind of depth and complexity that was lacking. Some of the characters felt annoyingly one-dimensional and simplified, a bit unrealistic at times. Despite all the gore and creepy, eerie things going on, I rarely, if ever, felt on edge or tense or any similar thing that I associate with horror. Which I don't mind per se, but I'm not sure...was I supposed to feel scared or tense or not?
But certainly, I was supposed to feel some sort of attachment to the characters, which I didn't really. I liked some of them, found them interesting even, but there just wasn't enough to them.
And another note on the gore and misery part. I don't mind gruesome and tragic things happening, but here, there were points where it almost didn't feel "earned". That was not fun. I want to be torn emotionally-mentally to pieces and drowned in heartache and despair, disbelief by that sort of thing. But if you just take a character and throw horrible upon horrible thing at them, and then just call them a poor broken soul and cast them away. All I am at that point is annoyed. Any horrible, gruesome thing can get old surprisingly quickly if not done well.
So, yeah, the gore was nice, but not enough tension and being scared. The characters, I wish I'd been actually attached to them and that we'd gone deeper. And the ending was, personally, too hopeful, too "nice" for me. But I was also not bored, make of that what you will.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The most glaringly bothersome thing was the words...the language? The words, there were many, and I mean many, words that could've been replaced with a more simple, common synonym. It felt like the thing with the thesaurus...what do they call that? Anyway, it was a thing and I didn't hate it entirely, but it was distracting and so on. And then the language overall, possibly because of said words or not, but it was particular, which I maybe even liked, but then it didn't quite smoothly go together with the unique voices of the characters when they spoke in a much more modern sounding language. If that makes sense.
Besides the language and wording, I think the issues that I had could be summed up as one thing: despite the often wordy descriptions and attention to detail, it felt like there was some kind of depth and complexity that was lacking. Some of the characters felt annoyingly one-dimensional and simplified, a bit unrealistic at times. Despite all the gore and creepy, eerie things going on, I rarely, if ever, felt on edge or tense or any similar thing that I associate with horror. Which I don't mind per se, but I'm not sure...was I supposed to feel scared or tense or not?
But certainly, I was supposed to feel some sort of attachment to the characters, which I didn't really. I liked some of them, found them interesting even, but there just wasn't enough to them.
And another note on the gore and misery part. I don't mind gruesome and tragic things happening, but here, there were points where it almost didn't feel "earned". That was not fun. I want to be torn emotionally-mentally to pieces and drowned in heartache and despair, disbelief by that sort of thing. But if you just take a character and throw horrible upon horrible thing at them, and then just call them a poor broken soul and cast them away. All I am at that point is annoyed. Any horrible, gruesome thing can get old surprisingly quickly if not done well.
So, yeah, the gore was nice, but not enough tension and being scared. The characters, I wish I'd been actually attached to them and that we'd gone deeper. And the ending was, personally, too hopeful, too "nice" for me. But I was also not bored, make of that what you will.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 27, 2024
“Upon the Pale of Gloam” took me to Raven Island with its beautiful eerie descriptions. Gulino chose the best words to take you into a dark reality where even your shadow could kill you. The author mixes traumas with struggles, demonics with mystics, religion with the pure sense of despair. The plot is compelling and the characters intriguing. You love those meant to be loved, and you despise others. A real work of art, especially when it came to parts that talked about Christianity, or more like a criticism to Christian behavior.
“...It’s not churches that scare me… it's the people inside”
But this novella didn’t earn the 5th star from me for two reasons: Dialogues. While Gulino managed to juggle action, description and interiority with great results. The dialogues were hard to read through sometimes. Unless the character was saying something deep and reflective, it was a miss haft of the times with me. It didn’t sound real.
And: format. The letters and other entries could have been integrated in a different way, because in some cases when there were too many letters or documents, it made me feel like I got disconnected from the story and I was reading something completely different. I also saw a couple of paragraphs where two characters would engage in dialogue in the same paragraph mixed with action and description involving the entire group.
Overall, my rating:
Plot - ★★★★★
Characters - ★★★☆☆ [Mostly just because of the dialogues]
Description [World Building] - ★★★★★
Horror - ★★★★★
Overall -★★★★☆
My favorite quote:
“I was drawn to death when I woke up on this island. I’m like a moth to a flame when it comes to things like that.”
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
“...It’s not churches that scare me… it's the people inside”
But this novella didn’t earn the 5th star from me for two reasons: Dialogues. While Gulino managed to juggle action, description and interiority with great results. The dialogues were hard to read through sometimes. Unless the character was saying something deep and reflective, it was a miss haft of the times with me. It didn’t sound real.
And: format. The letters and other entries could have been integrated in a different way, because in some cases when there were too many letters or documents, it made me feel like I got disconnected from the story and I was reading something completely different. I also saw a couple of paragraphs where two characters would engage in dialogue in the same paragraph mixed with action and description involving the entire group.
Overall, my rating:
Plot - ★★★★★
Characters - ★★★☆☆ [Mostly just because of the dialogues]
Description [World Building] - ★★★★★
Horror - ★★★★★
Overall -★★★★☆
My favorite quote:
“I was drawn to death when I woke up on this island. I’m like a moth to a flame when it comes to things like that.”
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 11, 2023
Upon the Pale Isle of Gloam: A Gothic Horror Novella by Mark Gulino
The story follows Rue on her journey to finding out where she ended up after waking on a dreary island, who she is with little to no memory, and how to get back to where she needs to be while trying to avoid the horrors put in her path.
I found myself rooting for Rue and dreading what was next for her all at once. The sense of hope and foreboding was well written. There was no question about the intentions of the creatures. I was also entranced by the other characters and their moral dilemmas. There may be dismal times in your life, but it's how you face them, or not, that determines your fate and shows your true character.
"...the truths we don't face are scarier than any monsters we think up or ghosts that might haunt us. They're what separate us from good and evil. Life and death. Humility and self-righteousness. Belief in ‘the' God or all gods or absolute nihilism. They determine how we get up and face our lives and the kind of people we're goin to be today, tomorrow, and evermore."
There is a content warning for those with triggers:
This book describes scenes of intense violence and includes references to abuse and sexual assault. Strong language is used throughout. There are mentions of animal cruelty, suicide, alcoholism, and the use of drugs and alcohol. It also contains dark subject content and religious themes. Please read with care.
I received this as an ARC for an honest review.
The story follows Rue on her journey to finding out where she ended up after waking on a dreary island, who she is with little to no memory, and how to get back to where she needs to be while trying to avoid the horrors put in her path.
I found myself rooting for Rue and dreading what was next for her all at once. The sense of hope and foreboding was well written. There was no question about the intentions of the creatures. I was also entranced by the other characters and their moral dilemmas. There may be dismal times in your life, but it's how you face them, or not, that determines your fate and shows your true character.
"...the truths we don't face are scarier than any monsters we think up or ghosts that might haunt us. They're what separate us from good and evil. Life and death. Humility and self-righteousness. Belief in ‘the' God or all gods or absolute nihilism. They determine how we get up and face our lives and the kind of people we're goin to be today, tomorrow, and evermore."
There is a content warning for those with triggers:
This book describes scenes of intense violence and includes references to abuse and sexual assault. Strong language is used throughout. There are mentions of animal cruelty, suicide, alcoholism, and the use of drugs and alcohol. It also contains dark subject content and religious themes. Please read with care.
I received this as an ARC for an honest review.
February 7, 2024
4.5
I read this in one sitting, why? Because I needed to know everything immediately.
I was so invested in each survivor and their truth that the pages just flew by, how I wish it was longer. I was frequently disturbed by the isle with all its gruesome creatures. It actually gave me the same disturbing vibes as some H. P. Lovecraft stories I've read that I always appreciate, yet I wouldn’t say this is a "scary" book but definitely one that leaves you thinking "wow, that was rough."
For a short read it managed to provide plenty of answers for the Isles mystery, alongside a lot of great character building and I cried more than once, with some truths hitting very close to home for me. With that there are trigger warnings for this book that the author has kindly provided so be sure to read them before continuing.
Anyway, I found a new favourite genre and author (hopefully, can’t wait to read more books from him).
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I read this in one sitting, why? Because I needed to know everything immediately.
I was so invested in each survivor and their truth that the pages just flew by, how I wish it was longer. I was frequently disturbed by the isle with all its gruesome creatures. It actually gave me the same disturbing vibes as some H. P. Lovecraft stories I've read that I always appreciate, yet I wouldn’t say this is a "scary" book but definitely one that leaves you thinking "wow, that was rough."
For a short read it managed to provide plenty of answers for the Isles mystery, alongside a lot of great character building and I cried more than once, with some truths hitting very close to home for me. With that there are trigger warnings for this book that the author has kindly provided so be sure to read them before continuing.
Anyway, I found a new favourite genre and author (hopefully, can’t wait to read more books from him).
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 12, 2023
Thank You Mark Guilino and BookSirens
This Novella is Wow Literally Wow. Its action packed. Some of the writing style takes time to adjust to.
Thank You Mark Guilino and BookSirens
This is the authors debut Novella. I do look forward to seeing how his writing style develops with more experience. There were smooth moments and a few moments that took me out of the story completely.
The overall story was extremely interesting and melodramatic. A unwanted pregnancy which leads to the mother passing and the baby growing up as an orphan. It dives into the psychological behaviors of the actions and reactions we all live thru during our lives. Some people take leaps of faith within their life"s journey.
Mental Health
Psychological Thriller
Supernatural
Gothic
This Novella is Wow Literally Wow. Its action packed. Some of the writing style takes time to adjust to.
Thank You Mark Guilino and BookSirens
This is the authors debut Novella. I do look forward to seeing how his writing style develops with more experience. There were smooth moments and a few moments that took me out of the story completely.
The overall story was extremely interesting and melodramatic. A unwanted pregnancy which leads to the mother passing and the baby growing up as an orphan. It dives into the psychological behaviors of the actions and reactions we all live thru during our lives. Some people take leaps of faith within their life"s journey.
Mental Health
Psychological Thriller
Supernatural
Gothic
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 21, 2023
What a great read! The beginning was a slow burn, then turned into a fast-paced page turner. Glad that I stuck to it! It was eerie, fascinating, gothic in a sense and gorey. It really made the reader wonder what kind of place it was from the get-go. Just loved it. Have this on my to buy list because I loved it that much!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 10, 2023
One of my favorites for 2023
5 Star Rating
2 Skull Dread Rating
😱 Ending
Rue awakens to a desolate shoreline, plagued by wicked supernatural forces and without recollection of her past. However, she's not alone; others on the island share her amnesia and confusion about how they arrived there. The mysterious Riel has instructed them to explore different parts of the island to discover their own stories and uncover their own truths.
The story follows Rue, Lyssa, Koto, Faina, Cody, and Dolion.
I absolutely loved this story. It was well written, with a compelling mystery to be solved by each of the characters. I highly recommend this story and the author. And I can't wait for more from him.
Favorite Lines:
“I think my soul just packed up and left this universe,” Rue said. “If ever there’s a good time to see an angel, I guess this is it.” “I’m starting to think there aren’t enough underpants in the world to get us through this experience.”
“Our final words will be, ‘We literally can’t take this shit anymore.’”
“She and I are speaking at this very moment, but to her, you are the one who’s asleep.” “That’s not possible.” “Not all are bound by the rules you perceive of time and space, Rue.” “I don’t understand.” “You will, someday.”
“I can’t tell you everything you want to know, but I assure you that your memories will be restored. For now, I can only point you in the right direction.” “What do you mean?” “There’s an asylum not far beyond the village. Keep going past it until you reach a house that stands alone in a meadow.” “What will I find there?” “Your truth.” “What about Lyssa?” “She’ll find hers too—but in a different place, in a different way.”
Lyssa rolled her eyes. “I’m just saying,” continued Rue, “sometimes the smallest miracles get us through the worst times, and the worst times make those small miracles feel bigger than any other.”
Lyssa paused and stared into the distance as if lost in thought. “Never underestimate the audacity of judgmental people,” she continued. “They’re like vampires who feed on everyone around them, and when it’s time to account for their own flaws, they can stare at a mirror for hours and still never see their reflection.”
“Why’s that?” Lyssa asked skeptically. “Why speak with everyone here but you?” “Because this is a place of devilry. Isn’t it obvious? Only those who serve the Lord can be saved from it. I’m a man of God, and if Riel is a man of God, he won’t bother to offer me guidance I don’t need. If he’s not a man of God, he’s in alignment with the enemy, so there’d be no point in me listening to him.”
“That ain’t true, and you damn well know it. I was raised in the church, too, and was taught from the same Bible you were. If we’re called to do anything, it’s to share God’s love with folks and that Jesus died for em, and that’s it. The rest is up to Him and them. We ain’t God’s enforcers, and we ain’t His soul collectors, neither. So do us all a favor and don’t pretend to be our friend just so you can try to boost your spiritual ego, alright? I don’t take kindly to it. None of us do.”
5 Star Rating
2 Skull Dread Rating
😱 Ending
Rue awakens to a desolate shoreline, plagued by wicked supernatural forces and without recollection of her past. However, she's not alone; others on the island share her amnesia and confusion about how they arrived there. The mysterious Riel has instructed them to explore different parts of the island to discover their own stories and uncover their own truths.
The story follows Rue, Lyssa, Koto, Faina, Cody, and Dolion.
I absolutely loved this story. It was well written, with a compelling mystery to be solved by each of the characters. I highly recommend this story and the author. And I can't wait for more from him.
Favorite Lines:
“I think my soul just packed up and left this universe,” Rue said. “If ever there’s a good time to see an angel, I guess this is it.” “I’m starting to think there aren’t enough underpants in the world to get us through this experience.”
“Our final words will be, ‘We literally can’t take this shit anymore.’”
“She and I are speaking at this very moment, but to her, you are the one who’s asleep.” “That’s not possible.” “Not all are bound by the rules you perceive of time and space, Rue.” “I don’t understand.” “You will, someday.”
“I can’t tell you everything you want to know, but I assure you that your memories will be restored. For now, I can only point you in the right direction.” “What do you mean?” “There’s an asylum not far beyond the village. Keep going past it until you reach a house that stands alone in a meadow.” “What will I find there?” “Your truth.” “What about Lyssa?” “She’ll find hers too—but in a different place, in a different way.”
Lyssa rolled her eyes. “I’m just saying,” continued Rue, “sometimes the smallest miracles get us through the worst times, and the worst times make those small miracles feel bigger than any other.”
Lyssa paused and stared into the distance as if lost in thought. “Never underestimate the audacity of judgmental people,” she continued. “They’re like vampires who feed on everyone around them, and when it’s time to account for their own flaws, they can stare at a mirror for hours and still never see their reflection.”
“Why’s that?” Lyssa asked skeptically. “Why speak with everyone here but you?” “Because this is a place of devilry. Isn’t it obvious? Only those who serve the Lord can be saved from it. I’m a man of God, and if Riel is a man of God, he won’t bother to offer me guidance I don’t need. If he’s not a man of God, he’s in alignment with the enemy, so there’d be no point in me listening to him.”
“That ain’t true, and you damn well know it. I was raised in the church, too, and was taught from the same Bible you were. If we’re called to do anything, it’s to share God’s love with folks and that Jesus died for em, and that’s it. The rest is up to Him and them. We ain’t God’s enforcers, and we ain’t His soul collectors, neither. So do us all a favor and don’t pretend to be our friend just so you can try to boost your spiritual ego, alright? I don’t take kindly to it. None of us do.”
January 29, 2024
Upon the Pale Isle of Gloam, by Mark Gulino, is a gothic horror novella that introduces readers to Rue, a protagonist shrouded in mystery. Rue awakens on a beach littered with remnants of the sea spanning decades and realizes she has no memory of her past. The only path available leads into a dense forest and further into the heart of the island. This setting, characterized by its persistently gloomy weather and unusually short days, forms the backdrop of Rue's unsettling journey. As Rue navigates the island, she encounters other individuals who share her amnesiac condition. They are guided by an apparition known as Riel, who instructs them to rediscover their former lives. However, Rue and her newfound companions soon realize they are not alone on this island, hinting at deeper, darker mysteries to be uncovered.
Gulino's narrative effectively creates an atmosphere of tension and intrigue from the outset. The reader is drawn into the story by questions surrounding Rue's identity, the enigmatic Riel, and the island's peculiar inhabitants. The island itself, with its haunting landscape and hidden dangers, adds to the sense of foreboding that permeates the novella. The characters offer a spectrum of personalities, providing points of connection for a diverse range of readers. Each character, despite their memory loss, retains distinct personality traits that contribute to the overall mystique of the setting. The writing style of the novella is intentionally crafted to be vague and mysterious, imbuing the story with a sense of intrigue and encouraging deeper engagement with the text. This stylistic choice invites readers to explore the narrative more thoroughly, often revisiting previous sections to uncover hidden layers of meaning. The amnesia experienced by the characters further enriches the narrative, adding complexity and depth to their personalities and traits, which unfolds gradually, keeping the reader's interest piqued throughout the story.
Upon the Pale Isle of Gloam offers a compelling foray into gothic horror, weaving together elements of mystery, amnesia, and survival in a setting that is both haunting and intriguing. While the writing style may occasionally obfuscate details, it contributes to the novel's enigmatic and atmospheric quality, making it a notable addition to the genre.
Gulino's narrative effectively creates an atmosphere of tension and intrigue from the outset. The reader is drawn into the story by questions surrounding Rue's identity, the enigmatic Riel, and the island's peculiar inhabitants. The island itself, with its haunting landscape and hidden dangers, adds to the sense of foreboding that permeates the novella. The characters offer a spectrum of personalities, providing points of connection for a diverse range of readers. Each character, despite their memory loss, retains distinct personality traits that contribute to the overall mystique of the setting. The writing style of the novella is intentionally crafted to be vague and mysterious, imbuing the story with a sense of intrigue and encouraging deeper engagement with the text. This stylistic choice invites readers to explore the narrative more thoroughly, often revisiting previous sections to uncover hidden layers of meaning. The amnesia experienced by the characters further enriches the narrative, adding complexity and depth to their personalities and traits, which unfolds gradually, keeping the reader's interest piqued throughout the story.
Upon the Pale Isle of Gloam offers a compelling foray into gothic horror, weaving together elements of mystery, amnesia, and survival in a setting that is both haunting and intriguing. While the writing style may occasionally obfuscate details, it contributes to the novel's enigmatic and atmospheric quality, making it a notable addition to the genre.
February 15, 2024
Upon the Pale Isle of Gloam
The title of this story grabbed me — it felt eerie. I enjoy horror a lot, so yes, I was very excited when I saw this one available as an ARC.
At the beginning I found a sentence that bugged me where the author writes, ‘When the woman woke for the last time’. I took this as ‘she will never sleep again’ or have I misread it? But further on ‘She awoke in the mdarkness to … faded into sleep’ and again ‘… fell into a fathomless sleep’.
I was expecting a lot more sentences like this to crop up and put me off the book. A couple of small things crept up but by now I had reached a stage where I didn’t want to stop.
I soon found myself immersed in the story. The descriptive start pulled me in, however I think some readers may find it a bit over descriptive. I get a feeling many ‘modern readers’ will find it difficult to read due to the author’s style & language.
Unfortunately by the end I began drifting. The letters inserted pulled me away from the story. Yes, they contain vital bits of information but I think these sections would have worked better in the same descriptive style as the rest of the story, simply headed in the past with dates given.
And then the ending, it was getting creepy again—we have a huge scary spider, what’s not scary about that! I loved this section. And then the author wraps it all up on a good point. It’s a horror, we expect despair and destruction not sweetness. Up until that bit the horror factor was spot on.
On Raven Island several people wake up alone and with no memory of who they are. They soon find each other and help each other find their memories. I loved the idea of the storyline. The island itself contains a history that could be a story on its own. The plot is the author’s strongest point.
The characters Rue, Lyssa, Koto, Faina, Cody, and Dolion appear to be well thought out but at times their dialogue faltered.
Yes I’ve pointed out some picky things with the story but if you enjoy gothic horror then you will enjoy this story. I do recommend it.
Rating this has been hard, I’m stuck between a 3-4 — I hate saying and a half, as the ratings do not count them. It’s not quite a 4 rating for me.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The title of this story grabbed me — it felt eerie. I enjoy horror a lot, so yes, I was very excited when I saw this one available as an ARC.
At the beginning I found a sentence that bugged me where the author writes, ‘When the woman woke for the last time’. I took this as ‘she will never sleep again’ or have I misread it? But further on ‘She awoke in the mdarkness to … faded into sleep’ and again ‘… fell into a fathomless sleep’.
I was expecting a lot more sentences like this to crop up and put me off the book. A couple of small things crept up but by now I had reached a stage where I didn’t want to stop.
I soon found myself immersed in the story. The descriptive start pulled me in, however I think some readers may find it a bit over descriptive. I get a feeling many ‘modern readers’ will find it difficult to read due to the author’s style & language.
Unfortunately by the end I began drifting. The letters inserted pulled me away from the story. Yes, they contain vital bits of information but I think these sections would have worked better in the same descriptive style as the rest of the story, simply headed in the past with dates given.
And then the ending, it was getting creepy again—we have a huge scary spider, what’s not scary about that! I loved this section. And then the author wraps it all up on a good point. It’s a horror, we expect despair and destruction not sweetness. Up until that bit the horror factor was spot on.
On Raven Island several people wake up alone and with no memory of who they are. They soon find each other and help each other find their memories. I loved the idea of the storyline. The island itself contains a history that could be a story on its own. The plot is the author’s strongest point.
The characters Rue, Lyssa, Koto, Faina, Cody, and Dolion appear to be well thought out but at times their dialogue faltered.
Yes I’ve pointed out some picky things with the story but if you enjoy gothic horror then you will enjoy this story. I do recommend it.
Rating this has been hard, I’m stuck between a 3-4 — I hate saying and a half, as the ratings do not count them. It’s not quite a 4 rating for me.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2023
Wow, what a change of pace in reading for me! I love a good 'scary book' and was intrigued by the premise of this one. While it didn't scare me, the dark nature of the story was fantastic. The Isle of Gloom is not a place I'd like to visit any time soon!
I was enraptured by the setting and the uncertainty of where I was or what would happen next, but at times felt the story fell short. Sometimes, I didn't feel a chapter or situation fit with the storyline, and I had to double back on myself to grasp what was going on. I loved the characters, although, for some reason, I found myself imagining them as younger than they were.
This was a 3.5/5-star read for me. While I loved the world-building, the characters (Rue & Lyssa), and the ending of the story, I would've rated it higher. However, I found myself having to pause to look up words at times, which made the book slightly cumbersome for a reader. I also struggled to connect a chapter or two to the main plot, even after re-reading those sections. Despite these issues, I enjoyed it overall and would recommend it to a friend who is looking for a quick and 'different' read.
I was enraptured by the setting and the uncertainty of where I was or what would happen next, but at times felt the story fell short. Sometimes, I didn't feel a chapter or situation fit with the storyline, and I had to double back on myself to grasp what was going on. I loved the characters, although, for some reason, I found myself imagining them as younger than they were.
This was a 3.5/5-star read for me. While I loved the world-building, the characters (Rue & Lyssa), and the ending of the story, I would've rated it higher. However, I found myself having to pause to look up words at times, which made the book slightly cumbersome for a reader. I also struggled to connect a chapter or two to the main plot, even after re-reading those sections. Despite these issues, I enjoyed it overall and would recommend it to a friend who is looking for a quick and 'different' read.
January 3, 2024
Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Audiobook: N/A
Feelings: 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ 18+ Open Door, check trigger warnings. Abuse and SA.
Wow, absolutely amazing read! I'm so glad I gave this the time to be fully into it without any interruptions.
I am a sucker for the details, descriptions, world-building, etc., and Upon the Pale Isle of Gloam nails it! This will have you drawn in and turning pages!
Side Note: I know a Trigger Warning page is 50/50 to authors. Some add it some disregard it because it spoils the novel. I am pro-trigger warnings, BUT I HIGHLY appreciate what Mark Gulino added within his Trigger Warning, which is the crisis hotline number. This is everywhere in the digital/visual content we consume, and I always found it odd why 'we' aren't applying the same content to novels. This was the first time I spotted this! 👏👏👏
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Audiobook: N/A
Feelings: 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ 18+ Open Door, check trigger warnings. Abuse and SA.
Wow, absolutely amazing read! I'm so glad I gave this the time to be fully into it without any interruptions.
I am a sucker for the details, descriptions, world-building, etc., and Upon the Pale Isle of Gloam nails it! This will have you drawn in and turning pages!
Side Note: I know a Trigger Warning page is 50/50 to authors. Some add it some disregard it because it spoils the novel. I am pro-trigger warnings, BUT I HIGHLY appreciate what Mark Gulino added within his Trigger Warning, which is the crisis hotline number. This is everywhere in the digital/visual content we consume, and I always found it odd why 'we' aren't applying the same content to novels. This was the first time I spotted this! 👏👏👏
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 24, 2024
A DARK, atmospheric, often pensive narrative, Upon The Pale Isle of Gloam: A Gothic Horror Novella by Mark Gulino, presents a moral tale about choices, accountability, and the possibility for redemption, but at what cost? The author delves into the theme of trauma, including loss and the ominous prognostication of more losses to come, as well as trust betrayed. It’s often ugly and violent; this is horror.
For lovers of the Gothic genre, Gulino writes very much in the vein of 19th-century Gothic masters such as Edgar Alan Poe and Sheridan le Fanu. There’s even a solid nod to Dante’s medieval opus, the Divine Comedy. Pale Isle of Gloam embraces and masterfully adapts many gothic tropes: oppressive darkness, a foreboding landscape, isolation, monsters and things unseen that haunt and hunt. The narrative excavates the hidden parts of a person’s tormented soul, exposing their darkest secrets and regrets.
Gulino's story is spooky, engaging, and very often surreal as it explores human inner turmoil amid a supernatural backdrop. The author has provided a stylistically rich, haunting narrative that’s pure horror entertainment.
For lovers of the Gothic genre, Gulino writes very much in the vein of 19th-century Gothic masters such as Edgar Alan Poe and Sheridan le Fanu. There’s even a solid nod to Dante’s medieval opus, the Divine Comedy. Pale Isle of Gloam embraces and masterfully adapts many gothic tropes: oppressive darkness, a foreboding landscape, isolation, monsters and things unseen that haunt and hunt. The narrative excavates the hidden parts of a person’s tormented soul, exposing their darkest secrets and regrets.
Gulino's story is spooky, engaging, and very often surreal as it explores human inner turmoil amid a supernatural backdrop. The author has provided a stylistically rich, haunting narrative that’s pure horror entertainment.
November 24, 2023
A brilliant read. It’s gothic, horrifying, tense, and oddly heartwarming and hopeful.
Rue wakes on the shoreline with no memories of who she is or how she got there. Soon she finds the horrors that lie in the woods, and seeks shelter and answers to the island’s dark secrets.
I loved the found family and captivating quest for their truths. It was a quick smooth read, perfect for these cold nights where I’m snuggled in bed with a warm cup of tea. My only complaint is that it was too short! I would have loved to spend more time with each character. Nonetheless, it was brilliant. It is dark, so check the disclaimer before reading.
Thank you to BookSirens for this ARC.
Rue wakes on the shoreline with no memories of who she is or how she got there. Soon she finds the horrors that lie in the woods, and seeks shelter and answers to the island’s dark secrets.
I loved the found family and captivating quest for their truths. It was a quick smooth read, perfect for these cold nights where I’m snuggled in bed with a warm cup of tea. My only complaint is that it was too short! I would have loved to spend more time with each character. Nonetheless, it was brilliant. It is dark, so check the disclaimer before reading.
Thank you to BookSirens for this ARC.
December 26, 2023
*4.5 stars
Upon the Pale Isle of Gloam snatched my attention from the very beginning. The eerie tone that is set, alongside the mystery of how the first character ended up where she is, reels you in, compelling you to read further. Throughout the first few chapters, with the gore and supernatural elements that are presented to us, it was really giving a Silent Hill vibe. Then, as new characters are introduced and more is explained about their situation, I started to see how it was leaning more toward a biblical aspect; which I'll admit I was not quite expecting and did leave me slightly disappointed. I also wish we would've also been told Faina's story in greater detail, as it was only touched upon. I was very pleased with this read, as it very intriguing, unique and quite the page-turner! I will definitely be checking out more stories from Mark Gulino.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Upon the Pale Isle of Gloam snatched my attention from the very beginning. The eerie tone that is set, alongside the mystery of how the first character ended up where she is, reels you in, compelling you to read further. Throughout the first few chapters, with the gore and supernatural elements that are presented to us, it was really giving a Silent Hill vibe. Then, as new characters are introduced and more is explained about their situation, I started to see how it was leaning more toward a biblical aspect; which I'll admit I was not quite expecting and did leave me slightly disappointed. I also wish we would've also been told Faina's story in greater detail, as it was only touched upon. I was very pleased with this read, as it very intriguing, unique and quite the page-turner! I will definitely be checking out more stories from Mark Gulino.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 5, 2024
I appreciate the picture this novel was trying to paint and while moments of it were enjoyable, it could have benefited from mere simplicity. Fleshing out some of the deeper themes in the genuinely dark situations of each characters ‘truths’, rather than heavily utilising unnecessary descriptors to fill the imagery, paired with insanely dialled back almost unintellectual conversations during these moments, made it feel disconnected.
It all felt very fleeting and momentary, like it just skimmed the very shallow surface of what could’ve been an immaculate mind bending horror series of human suffering and rectification of wrongdoings.
Also.. ghosts are enough.
It all felt very fleeting and momentary, like it just skimmed the very shallow surface of what could’ve been an immaculate mind bending horror series of human suffering and rectification of wrongdoings.
Also.. ghosts are enough.
November 24, 2023
Another novella from BookSirens.
This is a eerie atmospheric read. Rue wakes up on a beach littered with debris and the shipwrecked goods of other people. She has no memories really. Other than her name. There are dangerous creatures nearby that she hides from at night. She finds other survivors and the mystery unravels little by little. For all of them. How did they wind up there and why?
For a short read, I became invested in the characters and their fates.
The truth about the island (and Rue and co) comes to light seamlessly.
This is a eerie atmospheric read. Rue wakes up on a beach littered with debris and the shipwrecked goods of other people. She has no memories really. Other than her name. There are dangerous creatures nearby that she hides from at night. She finds other survivors and the mystery unravels little by little. For all of them. How did they wind up there and why?
For a short read, I became invested in the characters and their fates.
The truth about the island (and Rue and co) comes to light seamlessly.
November 6, 2023
Finally taking time for fiction and glad I did!
This easy read took me smoothly from character to character as each scene developed.
"Upon the Pale Isle of Gloam" has a compelling storyline creating a sense of foreboding and uncertainty at each turn. It definitely kept me on edge throughout the story. I found the book masterfully suspenseful together with supernatural intrigue that kept me guessing until the very end.
This easy read took me smoothly from character to character as each scene developed.
"Upon the Pale Isle of Gloam" has a compelling storyline creating a sense of foreboding and uncertainty at each turn. It definitely kept me on edge throughout the story. I found the book masterfully suspenseful together with supernatural intrigue that kept me guessing until the very end.
December 15, 2023
The author did an amazing job making you empathize with many of the characters, once you found out more about them. In the same fashion, I found the male antagonist in this novella exceptionally unlikable. While the ending isn’t a happily ever after, it left some issues resolved and others fallen into darkness and despair for what would seemingly be an eternity. It’s a great yet unsettling ending. While I received an ARC my opinion and review is my own.
January 20, 2024
This book is amazingly written and it played out like a movie in my mind! I was drawn in when I first started reading, and the story kept me interested throughout. Not only was the author able to create an eerie and daunting experience for the characters and reader alike, but there was also such a balance of emotion and poetic depth. Truly enjoyed this one, and I can’t wait for more by this author!
November 29, 2023
A woman wakes up on the shore of an island with no memory or people around her.
I thoroughly enjoyed this! It was interesting and I didn’t really know where it was going and where it ended up. The ending was great too - those who deserved some got it and those who were wronged took revenge. Great book!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I thoroughly enjoyed this! It was interesting and I didn’t really know where it was going and where it ended up. The ending was great too - those who deserved some got it and those who were wronged took revenge. Great book!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 10, 2023
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I really enjoyed this novel and the epitome of enveloping campfire culture it brought to the table. I honestly wish it was longer and more in-depth, but the characters are very well depicted and relatable! It was extremely hard to put down!
Read
December 21, 2023The best way to describe this story is in to parts the first is tense and atmospheric and the second half of the book is revelation and redemption.
The island is a mystery that slowly reveals its self and the wickedness humans can create. Each character is their own entity who help drive the story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The island is a mystery that slowly reveals its self and the wickedness humans can create. Each character is their own entity who help drive the story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 9, 2025
3.5 stars, rounded up cos I really did enjoy the premise. The story and characters and everything are good too. But the writing was stilted, and there were some very unnecessary word choices that likely make the book unapproachable to many readers. But it wss enjoyable and again, I really liked the premise.
December 18, 2023
I enjoyed this spooky novella! The characters were well developed to be such a short read. The story was mysterious and creepy with great macabre details. I did feel like the ending was a bit predictable, but it didn't take away from my experience reading.
December 27, 2023
So well done as a gothic horror. The suspense built and built. Great job to the author
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 4, 2026
The first half was a little difficult to follow, lots of characters with no back story. Once I realized the plot, I loved it!
January 16, 2024
Last month, I got this book from the Book Sirens ARC for an honest unbiased review. Being a fan of Goth works, I found the book's name and cover very interesting. Don't get me wrong, but first impressions are a thing for me while trying new books.
Rue ends up on a mysterious island. She has no idea who she is, her name, and how she ended up on that island. She wanders in the beach without much idea and the days just keep getting gloomier and the nights even worse. The nightmares start getting bizarre. It is as if the whole place is cursed. After two days in the place, she decides to move inwards towards the woods and find out the means to escape the place. On her way, she encounters more people in the same situation as hers. What transpires? Can she and others unravel the mystery of the island? Can they get off the island? forms the remaining novella.
To start with, this was not a novel but a novella; so it was a very quick read. The settings of the whole story are truly goth to the core. The story was the main highlight for me. It was very dark and interesting but at the same time very engaging. The characters were written very well and had a certain depth to the story. Each one had their own back stories and it was impressive how all those were told with a certain impact even though the book was small. The language was also good. There were quite a few new words that I had to turn to the dictionary quite often. There were quite a few life lessons told slickly in the story. To top all this, I loved the way the story ended.
In short, a dark goth read which I did enjoy at a breezy pace except for the time taken to refer to the dictionaries. Goth lovers will love this quick read.
Rue ends up on a mysterious island. She has no idea who she is, her name, and how she ended up on that island. She wanders in the beach without much idea and the days just keep getting gloomier and the nights even worse. The nightmares start getting bizarre. It is as if the whole place is cursed. After two days in the place, she decides to move inwards towards the woods and find out the means to escape the place. On her way, she encounters more people in the same situation as hers. What transpires? Can she and others unravel the mystery of the island? Can they get off the island? forms the remaining novella.
To start with, this was not a novel but a novella; so it was a very quick read. The settings of the whole story are truly goth to the core. The story was the main highlight for me. It was very dark and interesting but at the same time very engaging. The characters were written very well and had a certain depth to the story. Each one had their own back stories and it was impressive how all those were told with a certain impact even though the book was small. The language was also good. There were quite a few new words that I had to turn to the dictionary quite often. There were quite a few life lessons told slickly in the story. To top all this, I loved the way the story ended.
In short, a dark goth read which I did enjoy at a breezy pace except for the time taken to refer to the dictionaries. Goth lovers will love this quick read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews