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Mausoleum
Space is Dead.
When a drifting research team crash-lands on a mysterious rogue planet, they must work together to find a way to escape. As they venture into the unknown, the shadows and tombs of long-dead worlds accost and befuddle them at every turn. Can they survive the tomb world, or will this barren land become their home forevermore?
Uncover one of the universe's darkest secrets in Mausoleum, James Lovett's debut cosmic horror novella.
When a drifting research team crash-lands on a mysterious rogue planet, they must work together to find a way to escape. As they venture into the unknown, the shadows and tombs of long-dead worlds accost and befuddle them at every turn. Can they survive the tomb world, or will this barren land become their home forevermore?
Uncover one of the universe's darkest secrets in Mausoleum, James Lovett's debut cosmic horror novella.
- GenresScience FictionHorror
117 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 9, 2024
2 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 25, 2024
I have no idea what I've just read. I just know that I'll have nightmares of giant stone heads staring at me.
If you love weird horror stories, you'll enjoy this novella. For now, I'll stay away from cosmic horror.
If you love weird horror stories, you'll enjoy this novella. For now, I'll stay away from cosmic horror.
January 17, 2024
Mausoleum is a fantastic debut novella following the crew of an ill-fated research ship that crashes into an unknown planet. James Lovett is able to forge relationships, set the stakes, and deliver compelling, unsettling, horrific stories within a very narrow scope. The scenery and atmosphere truly made me uncomfortable in the most complimentary of ways, and the ending felt neither rushed nor cliche, a hard feat to accomplish in a novella.
I loved the characters and the instant relationships that Lovett was able to create, and the dry humor interwoven through the beginning of the book is a necessary and complimentary contrast to the grim stakes towards the end. However you think this book will end, you're wrong, and that may be my favorite part. The ending left me wishing I could explore more of this world, while having to contemplate and try to piece together the clues strewn throughout the story. 10/10, I would recommend this to anyone looking for a compelling story, especially if your resolution this year is to read more. Genuinely looking forward to seeing what comes next from the author.
I loved the characters and the instant relationships that Lovett was able to create, and the dry humor interwoven through the beginning of the book is a necessary and complimentary contrast to the grim stakes towards the end. However you think this book will end, you're wrong, and that may be my favorite part. The ending left me wishing I could explore more of this world, while having to contemplate and try to piece together the clues strewn throughout the story. 10/10, I would recommend this to anyone looking for a compelling story, especially if your resolution this year is to read more. Genuinely looking forward to seeing what comes next from the author.
February 24, 2024
I loved this book. The world building was fantastic, the characters and their relationships enticing. Basically the theme of my experience is I want more of these characters, this book, and this world. As others have said, however you think it ends, you’re wrong. Incredible. Do I understand the ending? Maybe, or maybe not. Either way it was a hell of a ride. Cannot recommend enough!!
January 10, 2024
If you've ever read some of the classic sci-fi short stories this is in a similar vein, albeit in a slightly longer and novella form.
The story starts with a rambunctious group of workers whose ship crash lands on a strange planet. They get very little time to contemplate the loss of their ship however, as the alien landscape beckons to them. Unnatural features and a twisted alien surface pull our group to ask the question, What happened here? And is the same going to happen to them?
The entire book has a really fun horror vibe. Like watching a classic horror movie but set in an alien sci-fi world. Characters are good, with different backgrounds and strengths, and it's interesting to see how the group reacts to the things they see. The ending also really helped tie the story together.
If there's one thing to keep in mind it might be the length, and I don't mean that in a bad way. This is a novella, so if you want a 1000 page turner where you can ruminate on the world then this isn't for you. But if you want a quick read with cosmic horror elements this might be right up your alley.
The story starts with a rambunctious group of workers whose ship crash lands on a strange planet. They get very little time to contemplate the loss of their ship however, as the alien landscape beckons to them. Unnatural features and a twisted alien surface pull our group to ask the question, What happened here? And is the same going to happen to them?
The entire book has a really fun horror vibe. Like watching a classic horror movie but set in an alien sci-fi world. Characters are good, with different backgrounds and strengths, and it's interesting to see how the group reacts to the things they see. The ending also really helped tie the story together.
If there's one thing to keep in mind it might be the length, and I don't mean that in a bad way. This is a novella, so if you want a 1000 page turner where you can ruminate on the world then this isn't for you. But if you want a quick read with cosmic horror elements this might be right up your alley.
January 23, 2024
For a novella, creating a cast of likeable characters involved in a gripping story can be a tricky thing with a limited word count, but Mausoleum pulled this off effortlessly.
Each character was unique in their own way and their personalities shone throughout the story. You get a clear picture of who they are very early on. The casual use of sarcastic banter only solidifies the realism of these characters and you can feel just how long they've been together as a small knit crew. On top of that, the writing prose is engaging and the way Lovett uses language to build up the desolate planet the team winds up on is top notch. He's able to create clear pictures in the mind like a movie and his use of mystery and suspense traps you in a cycle of saying "just one more page."
Each character was unique in their own way and their personalities shone throughout the story. You get a clear picture of who they are very early on. The casual use of sarcastic banter only solidifies the realism of these characters and you can feel just how long they've been together as a small knit crew. On top of that, the writing prose is engaging and the way Lovett uses language to build up the desolate planet the team winds up on is top notch. He's able to create clear pictures in the mind like a movie and his use of mystery and suspense traps you in a cycle of saying "just one more page."
January 13, 2024
kept me fascinated
I like the way the author made the crew real and interesting. In a novella that is sometimes hard to do. This is a story that will keep you thinking about it and what it represents long after it is read.
I like the way the author made the crew real and interesting. In a novella that is sometimes hard to do. This is a story that will keep you thinking about it and what it represents long after it is read.
February 1, 2024
4/5.. nice read. A very short book.. more a novella than novel.. but good story in any case.
October 18, 2025
I wish it was a full novel, and we had more time with the crew, maybe a previous adventure, before we got into the main story
March 30, 2025
It was a good read. It was very intriguing from start to finish. I really liked it.
June 23, 2024
This was a fantastic novella. The characters were so clear and well developed, usually you don’t get that crispness with a shorter story. I felt as if walking along with the crew and experiencing everything with them, the oddness of the planet and the sliver of hope that it will all work out. I look forward to more from this author.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews