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White Harbor #2
Blackout
WHAT YOU WHISPER, WHAT YOU HIDE, WHAT YOU FEAR…
THE TOWN KNOWS.
Thirty years ago, Freddie Parham did the unthinkable. In the depths of the infamous Vanek House, he sacrificed six lives to unknown dark forces.
Now an inmate at a mental health facility, Freddie has become the servant of Martha Lange, the leader of a dark, local cult. Bringing to life the monstrosities Freddie paints on his canvas, he sets out to perform the Ritual of the Four Nights, which will awaken the entity sleeping beneath the town of White Harbor.
Elsewhere in town, Peter Lange and his friends are gathered at a local bar, when a mysterious figure from their past puts the group in mortal danger. They must uncover where the key to it all lies. Is it in their experiences inside the Vanek House? In the “safe place” where two of the group began a secret love affair? In the crawlspace beneath Peter’s home, where his greatest fears still live?
An inexplicable blackout devours White Harbor. The blue moon rises. The First Night has begun.
The first of four nights to awaken God and remake the world.
THE TOWN KNOWS.
Thirty years ago, Freddie Parham did the unthinkable. In the depths of the infamous Vanek House, he sacrificed six lives to unknown dark forces.
Now an inmate at a mental health facility, Freddie has become the servant of Martha Lange, the leader of a dark, local cult. Bringing to life the monstrosities Freddie paints on his canvas, he sets out to perform the Ritual of the Four Nights, which will awaken the entity sleeping beneath the town of White Harbor.
Elsewhere in town, Peter Lange and his friends are gathered at a local bar, when a mysterious figure from their past puts the group in mortal danger. They must uncover where the key to it all lies. Is it in their experiences inside the Vanek House? In the “safe place” where two of the group began a secret love affair? In the crawlspace beneath Peter’s home, where his greatest fears still live?
An inexplicable blackout devours White Harbor. The blue moon rises. The First Night has begun.
The first of four nights to awaken God and remake the world.
- GenresHorror
494 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 15, 2024
6 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Carlos E. Rivera
8 books34 followersAs an anxious, introverted kid growing up in Costa Rica during the 80s and 90s, I always felt like something of an outsider. My refuge was escaping into and devouring sci-fi, fantasy, drama, crime thrillers, and above all things, HORROR. For years, these books, movies, comics, and even video games became my life.
I dove into the horror-next-door of Stephen King, the ineffable cosmic abominations of H.P. Lovecraft, the disturbing atmosphere of Silent Hill, the dreamlike imagery of David Lynch, the sheer unnerving strangeness of Junji Ito, and many more; they got mixed in with my country’s folk stories and my own experiences, resulting in what I think is a peculiar blend that you, the reader, might feel is familiar but unknown. And isn’t that the foundation of horror? Doesn’t horror begin with something mundane that, seen from the right angle, seems a bit wrong?
I dove into the horror-next-door of Stephen King, the ineffable cosmic abominations of H.P. Lovecraft, the disturbing atmosphere of Silent Hill, the dreamlike imagery of David Lynch, the sheer unnerving strangeness of Junji Ito, and many more; they got mixed in with my country’s folk stories and my own experiences, resulting in what I think is a peculiar blend that you, the reader, might feel is familiar but unknown. And isn’t that the foundation of horror? Doesn’t horror begin with something mundane that, seen from the right angle, seems a bit wrong?
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 9, 2024
I really enjoyed the first book in this series and, with this one, Carlos has raised the ante and upped the terror.
Whether you're talking about White Harbor or the alternative reality which the town calls Blight Harbor, one thing is certain: bizarre creepy things happen there frequently and nobody is truly safe from what goes on behind the veil of reality.
The relationships between the group of main characters is explored in depth as is the circumstances that brought them to this point in the story. Some dark and horrifying events have altered all of their lives and they carry those issues into adulthood.
But we are going to explore much more of Blight Harbor this time and it's a terrifying brutal place. The secrets that lurk and the creatures who feed there are nightmare fuel for the reader and will give you more than a few goosebumps along the way.
There are also some unexpected nasty surprises in here. Shocking deaths, revenge filled massacres, and a Mother who is pure evil. She will freak you out!
Much like Stephen King's IT, this novel explores our group as children as well as adults, painting a macabre gruesome picture of insanity and frightening situations that keeps you reading.
I'm happy to say there will be another book in this series and I will certainly be looking forward to it once it's complete. The author has created a vividly horrifying world where invisible things bite and nothing is at it seems. I highly recommend this novel.
I received a copy of this novel from the author with no consideration. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
Whether you're talking about White Harbor or the alternative reality which the town calls Blight Harbor, one thing is certain: bizarre creepy things happen there frequently and nobody is truly safe from what goes on behind the veil of reality.
The relationships between the group of main characters is explored in depth as is the circumstances that brought them to this point in the story. Some dark and horrifying events have altered all of their lives and they carry those issues into adulthood.
But we are going to explore much more of Blight Harbor this time and it's a terrifying brutal place. The secrets that lurk and the creatures who feed there are nightmare fuel for the reader and will give you more than a few goosebumps along the way.
There are also some unexpected nasty surprises in here. Shocking deaths, revenge filled massacres, and a Mother who is pure evil. She will freak you out!
Much like Stephen King's IT, this novel explores our group as children as well as adults, painting a macabre gruesome picture of insanity and frightening situations that keeps you reading.
I'm happy to say there will be another book in this series and I will certainly be looking forward to it once it's complete. The author has created a vividly horrifying world where invisible things bite and nothing is at it seems. I highly recommend this novel.
I received a copy of this novel from the author with no consideration. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
June 8, 2025
As much as I enjoyed the first installment in this trilogy (THE LOCAL TRUTH), this one? Damn, this one is even better.
It's almost shocking how much stuff Rivera has going on in these books. There's all the events from 1992, there's the events going on in present (2022) day. There's the side trips to earlier times. And it's with a spectacularly large cast. Seriously, I don't know how the author kept this all straight, but it's obvious he did because you can literally feel all the pieces clicking into place as you work your way through the mountains of horror Rivera throws at his characters.
It's a big book. The first one was too, and so is the last. There are times when I think, did all of this stuff really need to happen? Did the story have to be this big?
The short answer is, yes, I really believe it does. This is no lightweight beach read. This is HORROR. This is epic horror and I'd honestly stack White Harbor up against Castle Rock and Derry and Oxrun Station as one of the most horrifying, haunted towns in fictional America. Rivera imbues it with a deep history, a lore all its own.
But what about the actual story? It's a mind-bender. The scenes in Vanek house in 1992? Imagine all the world-bending magic you saw in the Dr. Strange movie, but squeezed into a single house. It's wild.
But here's the biggest thing: Absolutely none of this would have worked with out the confident, steady narrative that Rivera brings to the story. He's writing the most insane stuff, and dammit, he makes it look easy (spoiler alert: it's not easy). Along the way, he gets in his nods to Stephen King, but carves a path that's completely his own.
I'm actually in awe of Carlos E. Rivera right now. This series is utterly brilliant, from story to characters, from horror scenes to incredible scenes of two people in love. It doesn't matter what the story demands, Rivera brings it, and does it well.
Five of the easiest stars I've ever given.
It's almost shocking how much stuff Rivera has going on in these books. There's all the events from 1992, there's the events going on in present (2022) day. There's the side trips to earlier times. And it's with a spectacularly large cast. Seriously, I don't know how the author kept this all straight, but it's obvious he did because you can literally feel all the pieces clicking into place as you work your way through the mountains of horror Rivera throws at his characters.
It's a big book. The first one was too, and so is the last. There are times when I think, did all of this stuff really need to happen? Did the story have to be this big?
The short answer is, yes, I really believe it does. This is no lightweight beach read. This is HORROR. This is epic horror and I'd honestly stack White Harbor up against Castle Rock and Derry and Oxrun Station as one of the most horrifying, haunted towns in fictional America. Rivera imbues it with a deep history, a lore all its own.
But what about the actual story? It's a mind-bender. The scenes in Vanek house in 1992? Imagine all the world-bending magic you saw in the Dr. Strange movie, but squeezed into a single house. It's wild.
But here's the biggest thing: Absolutely none of this would have worked with out the confident, steady narrative that Rivera brings to the story. He's writing the most insane stuff, and dammit, he makes it look easy (spoiler alert: it's not easy). Along the way, he gets in his nods to Stephen King, but carves a path that's completely his own.
I'm actually in awe of Carlos E. Rivera right now. This series is utterly brilliant, from story to characters, from horror scenes to incredible scenes of two people in love. It doesn't matter what the story demands, Rivera brings it, and does it well.
Five of the easiest stars I've ever given.
March 26, 2024
What a ride!
I love a good horror book not just for the thrills and the horror (obviously), but also for how we get to dive head first in what I call hyper-reality. It was the first thing that got me hooked to Stephen King. Not the gore, not the monsters lurking under the stairs (although I always loved the looming threat of the things that go bump in the night).
But truly living my everyday life like I seldom do. You're out on a picnic? The good horror writer will make you feel the grass tickle your ankles, smell the wet earth by the river, enjoy the light sunburn you get on a summer day. It's real.
And Carlos Rivera is a master at channelling this feeling of "real". You step into his book like you do in the perfect holiday/escape resort. Everything feels right, everything feels good. You remember being happy as a kid, you remember being in love. You remember enjoying hot wings with your friends.
Only then can he pull the rug under your feet, and show you what kind of master he is as well.
I loved it. Loved the first book, and loving the second one even more. I don't want to put any pressure for the third and final book, because I think he already feels it.
Because I can't wait.
I love a good horror book not just for the thrills and the horror (obviously), but also for how we get to dive head first in what I call hyper-reality. It was the first thing that got me hooked to Stephen King. Not the gore, not the monsters lurking under the stairs (although I always loved the looming threat of the things that go bump in the night).
But truly living my everyday life like I seldom do. You're out on a picnic? The good horror writer will make you feel the grass tickle your ankles, smell the wet earth by the river, enjoy the light sunburn you get on a summer day. It's real.
And Carlos Rivera is a master at channelling this feeling of "real". You step into his book like you do in the perfect holiday/escape resort. Everything feels right, everything feels good. You remember being happy as a kid, you remember being in love. You remember enjoying hot wings with your friends.
Only then can he pull the rug under your feet, and show you what kind of master he is as well.
I loved it. Loved the first book, and loving the second one even more. I don't want to put any pressure for the third and final book, because I think he already feels it.
Because I can't wait.
February 15, 2024
Great story line, great characters, and nostalgia. I was totally immersed in this book.
March 16, 2024
Arc review
This book had me hooked from the moment it started. Loved that the story picked up perfectly with where book 1 ended. The writing is smooth and fluid. Loved all of the characters. I hope barry gets all the happiness in the world! He deserves it. Loved the first book, and the second didn't disappoint. Cannot recommends this book enough!
This book had me hooked from the moment it started. Loved that the story picked up perfectly with where book 1 ended. The writing is smooth and fluid. Loved all of the characters. I hope barry gets all the happiness in the world! He deserves it. Loved the first book, and the second didn't disappoint. Cannot recommends this book enough!
May 27, 2024
This book will have you ready to rip your heart out from chapter one because it is such an extremely emotional ride. This is intense horror that is bound to be triggering for some readers because it explores heavy subject matter (family issues, abuse, homophobia) while taking the characters on a soul crushing journey. Their world is dark and mistakes are punished most severely, resulting in a gut wrenching experience. Fans of volume one will love this installment even more than the first.
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.
March 17, 2024
Peter is back in White Harbor to take care of his mother. Strange things start happening. The moon moon is an odd color. The countdown has begun. Will anyone escape.
March 4, 2024
In the last couple of years, some amazing horror books have come out, by utterly brilliant and talented authors, flooding the market with riveting novels and novellas. However, there have been very few real top quality doorstoppers, akin to those old lovely Stephen King-like volumes of intricate plotlines and multiple characters and evil monsters with deeply thought through backstories. Carlos E. Rivera's White Harbor series is highly recommended for offering not merely beautifully crafted new doorstoppers (lol), but most importantly: a hugely entertaining small town horror story, a cast of realistic characters, incredible revelations, and a genuine, brutal evil threat I couldn't stop reading and fretting about! This is no joke: Rivera's story ROCKS!
Rivera's 'Blackout' is the second entry in his White Harbor series, picking up exactly where the first book stopped. That stopping point wasn't exactly a cliffhanger: on the contrary, it was the culmination of a very complex set up of all the players on the chessboard, and the promise of imminent carnage. 'Blackout' fulfills this promise - and more! First of all, Rivera is a master of the flashback technique: though it's usually overused, in his hands it becomes a crucial part of the story; there's so much information to cover, so many twists, that it would be impossible to present the story linearly without losing sight of the endpoint. Secondly, it's important to watch the characters both as children and adults (yes, there are some very strong IT vibes here!), since some of the character development turns on childhood trauma and serious family issues. Rivera's narrative pulls no punches here: the psychological abuse is described in detail, the dialogue feels very realistic, the reactions straight from the heart. Finally, 'Blackout' does not feel like a sequel: there are no fillers here, not a word wasted - only story, story, story, filling out the first volume in extraordinary ways, touching on new themes that deepen the characters' background and painting everything with far darker colors. 'Blackout' opens the door to pure evil, as expected, but it also portrays the strained relationship of two men, the destruction of friendships, the cost of adulthood - along with haunted houses, cursed books, deranged cult leaders, terrific youtubers of the paranormal, and some very nasty killings. As the author himself says, "This is when people really start dying." So prepare yourself for top quality writing, prepare to lose yourself in an absorbing setting, where a group of friends have to go through hell and (some of them) back to save themselves and their families, as the small town of White Harbor undergoes the First Night in total blackout. Can't wait for the conclusion! It'll be INSANE!
Rivera's 'Blackout' is the second entry in his White Harbor series, picking up exactly where the first book stopped. That stopping point wasn't exactly a cliffhanger: on the contrary, it was the culmination of a very complex set up of all the players on the chessboard, and the promise of imminent carnage. 'Blackout' fulfills this promise - and more! First of all, Rivera is a master of the flashback technique: though it's usually overused, in his hands it becomes a crucial part of the story; there's so much information to cover, so many twists, that it would be impossible to present the story linearly without losing sight of the endpoint. Secondly, it's important to watch the characters both as children and adults (yes, there are some very strong IT vibes here!), since some of the character development turns on childhood trauma and serious family issues. Rivera's narrative pulls no punches here: the psychological abuse is described in detail, the dialogue feels very realistic, the reactions straight from the heart. Finally, 'Blackout' does not feel like a sequel: there are no fillers here, not a word wasted - only story, story, story, filling out the first volume in extraordinary ways, touching on new themes that deepen the characters' background and painting everything with far darker colors. 'Blackout' opens the door to pure evil, as expected, but it also portrays the strained relationship of two men, the destruction of friendships, the cost of adulthood - along with haunted houses, cursed books, deranged cult leaders, terrific youtubers of the paranormal, and some very nasty killings. As the author himself says, "This is when people really start dying." So prepare yourself for top quality writing, prepare to lose yourself in an absorbing setting, where a group of friends have to go through hell and (some of them) back to save themselves and their families, as the small town of White Harbor undergoes the First Night in total blackout. Can't wait for the conclusion! It'll be INSANE!
March 17, 2024
I was waiting for the second part of this book for a long time and it did not disappoint me. Carlos knows how to handle plot twists and tension with great skill, his characters are deep and credible, and the pace of this novel is brutal. I already said these things in a previous review about "The local truth", the first book in this series, but I repeat them again because they are worth it: first of all, I love the concept of that force that lives in White Harbor, it feels like a living and awake character; and secondly, it seems that we will never know if the town infect the people, or the people infect the town. This place is full of secrets (even more secrets), dark family stories, and sour events that marked me, and it made me happy we can know more about them. One of the things that impacted me the most was how time seems eternal between each day of the ritual, it had me on the edge of my seat. That's why I say that the pace of the story does not disappoint, because this book takes place in just a few days. To finish, I personally stayed reading because of the incredible characters of this story. Sometimes, while reading, I had the fear they may be real. That was scary and incredible at same time, so I'm sure the "White Harbor" series will go far and I'm looking forward to the next part. I can't wait ✨
February 17, 2024
It’s not always easy for a sequel to outshine the original, but Carlos Rivera has succeeded with the second book in his White Harbor series. From start to finish, Blackout was thrilling, shocking, and extremely entertaining, even if it was a little on the longer side (it could have actually been two books). It took me a few chapters to remember everything from the first book, but once I was up to speed, it was a pretty smooth read. The characters are well drawn out, and the antagonists are the epitome of pure evil. Nothing is off limits to Mother, who looks for revenge by turning White Harbor into the horrific Blight Harbor. The Blue Moon truly brought out the horror of this town, as when the lights go out, everything is fair game. The brutality leveled upon some of the characters was shocking, but it also made you hate Mother even more and root for the survivors. I enjoyed the back and forth in time, especially showing what happened at the Vanek house all those years ago. Knowing there’s more to come made the ending near perfect, as the author leaves his readers wanting more.
February 11, 2024
The follow-up to The Local Truth is even more brutal than the first book. Carlos has an amazing talent at creating nightmares. Some of the creatures and body horror within this book are legendary. I especially love how we get to know the characters more. Each one is developed and becomes something greater than they were in the first book. The emotional development of this group of characters might be my favorite part of the book, besides Freddie Parham. Freddie is the highlight of the book for me. So twisted and dark, and hilarious if you have a dark sense of humor like me.
I got surprised by a few deaths in here. Definitely not for the squeamish.
Love the writing style of Carlos. It's smooth, and though there are a lot of moving pieces here, he handles them wonderfully with wonderful flashbacks that tie into the contemporary narrative. Just a lot of cool stuff here. Check it out.
Can't wait for the next installment. I have a feeling it will be even crazier!
I got surprised by a few deaths in here. Definitely not for the squeamish.
Love the writing style of Carlos. It's smooth, and though there are a lot of moving pieces here, he handles them wonderfully with wonderful flashbacks that tie into the contemporary narrative. Just a lot of cool stuff here. Check it out.
Can't wait for the next installment. I have a feeling it will be even crazier!
March 6, 2024
I was a fan of the first book, The Local Truth, and therefore was super excited for this one, and man did Rivera ever deliver! He built on what he had already gave us and delivered a sequel that was even deeper, more complex, and more gripping. He packed so much story into this book, but the pacing was excellent. It pulls you along and keeps you invested. His characterization was killer. Yes, all the main characters are distinct and three-dimensional, but even the characters who are on the scene for only a short time feel fleshed out and fully realized. One of the strongest aspects of this book is the structure. There is a lot of jumping back and forth between various timelines, but it works beautifully. It never leaves you confused, but it weaves this tapestry that elevates the story. And the gem is that at the heart is this gay love story that is both beautiful and tragic and so authentic. I am so excited for the third installment and can't recommend this book enough.
March 2, 2024
Blackout is the second book in the White Harbor series, with the stakes raised to an incredible degree in this portion of the story. Book 1 was all about building the background and characters, which it did brilliantly, but Book 2 is all mayhem and carnage.
The author does a fantastic job of carrying the story forward at a lightning pace, sprinkling in some truly amazing horror set pieces that will have you quickly flipping the pages to see what happens.
This one ends with a bang and sets up the final story in the trilogy brilliantly. The only downside is that we now have to wait for what is sure to be a thrilling climax. If you haven't visited the world of White Harbor yet, you really need to.
The author does a fantastic job of carrying the story forward at a lightning pace, sprinkling in some truly amazing horror set pieces that will have you quickly flipping the pages to see what happens.
This one ends with a bang and sets up the final story in the trilogy brilliantly. The only downside is that we now have to wait for what is sure to be a thrilling climax. If you haven't visited the world of White Harbor yet, you really need to.
January 29, 2025
An amazing part 2!
This was a wonderful follow-up to The Local Truth. A lot of questions were answered. And even more questions were made. I look forward to the 3rd book.
The characterization is awesome! Heck, even better than the first. The humor is great! And, this book is horrifying and disgusting. How much more could you ask for from a series based on eldritch horror?
This was a wonderful follow-up to The Local Truth. A lot of questions were answered. And even more questions were made. I look forward to the 3rd book.
The characterization is awesome! Heck, even better than the first. The humor is great! And, this book is horrifying and disgusting. How much more could you ask for from a series based on eldritch horror?
September 12, 2024
A gripping epic that I only wish included recaps of previous entries.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews