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The Cathedral Dimension
Palisades Playland is set for demolition, but that won't stop Dylan from seeing it one last time.
Planning a break-in with his friends Clyde, Ariel, and girlfriend Leah, they explore the long-
abandoned park to reminisce about their memories in the once lively amusement park.
Things quickly go bizarre once they discover the vast homeless population speaking of a
prophecy set to occur that same night. Dylan starts to lose control as a conflict with his
girlfriend escalates, the group splits up, and frightening discoveries emerge.
The night grows bleak as terror surrounds them, but something bigger than them all lies deep beneath the forgotten park...
Planning a break-in with his friends Clyde, Ariel, and girlfriend Leah, they explore the long-
abandoned park to reminisce about their memories in the once lively amusement park.
Things quickly go bizarre once they discover the vast homeless population speaking of a
prophecy set to occur that same night. Dylan starts to lose control as a conflict with his
girlfriend escalates, the group splits up, and frightening discoveries emerge.
The night grows bleak as terror surrounds them, but something bigger than them all lies deep beneath the forgotten park...
- GenresHorror
108 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 26, 2024
3 people are currently reading
127 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 12, 2024
I had the pleasure of reading this as an ARC and let me tell you, I devoured it. There is something about a cult and an abandoned amusement park that's just so exciting. My favourite thing about this book is the absolutely incredible lure within this theme park. As the story progresses, you get more and more details about this cult and as each layer is peeled back, it gets crazier and crazier. Pesavento does such a fabulous job at merging many themes here in 90 pages. The character development is rich and the lure within the story will have you begging for more.
There are some more difficult themes that are tackled in this read but I think Joseph does a good job with them. The characters have a lot of depth and he does a good job at creating a realistic character arc for teenagers struggling with their sexual identity coupled with the societal pressures they feel they need to meet. If you think at any point while reading this that you know where it's going, let me tell you, you don't. This will take you for a loop by the end but kind of in the best way. I think there's a lot of really great stuff in this book and I hope Joseph explores it more in future books because I am SO obsessed with this cult. I want to know more, I want more details. This is definitely something really special and I can't wait to see what everyone thinks!
There are some more difficult themes that are tackled in this read but I think Joseph does a good job with them. The characters have a lot of depth and he does a good job at creating a realistic character arc for teenagers struggling with their sexual identity coupled with the societal pressures they feel they need to meet. If you think at any point while reading this that you know where it's going, let me tell you, you don't. This will take you for a loop by the end but kind of in the best way. I think there's a lot of really great stuff in this book and I hope Joseph explores it more in future books because I am SO obsessed with this cult. I want to know more, I want more details. This is definitely something really special and I can't wait to see what everyone thinks!
August 20, 2024
This might be one of the worst things I’ve ever read.
You’re telling me that after being splattered in blood by a murderous HP Lovecraft style creature, you’re worried about going back to the car to suck some dick or discuss your relationship problems??
It’s horribly written, as in technically bad, and none of these characters are likable cuz where are their priorities????
You’re telling me that after being splattered in blood by a murderous HP Lovecraft style creature, you’re worried about going back to the car to suck some dick or discuss your relationship problems??
It’s horribly written, as in technically bad, and none of these characters are likable cuz where are their priorities????
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2025
In this story we follow Dylan, Clyde, Ariel, Leah. When Dylan and Clyde decide they want to visit the abandoned theme park that they grew up going to, Dylan decides to invite his girlfriend, and his girlfriend’s best friend Ariel. Palisades Playland was a theme park for years, when a giant sinkhole took a good amount of the rides with it, the park was forced to shut down. The park is set to be demolished, but before it is Dylan wants to go one more time and enjoy it. When Dylan and his friends get there there’s a bunch of “homeless” people talking about making Dylan and Leah the king and Queen, and that the end is near. They must try and get out before the members of the cult take them to the cathedral.
This was such a phenomenal story, I absolutely loved the characters, I loved to hate others lol. The story was such a fun ride, I have such a good time with anything lovecraftian . The setting for this story was absolutely gorgeous and minus the cult and monster, I would be elated to be joining them to explore the abandoned theme park. The author included some sensitive subjects and dealt with them in a really great way that feels accurate to young adults trying to figure out themselves and the social cues around what it means to be them and I think it was portrayed with care and grace that didn’t feel mocking, which is a hard thing to do in my opinion! Such a great story first read by this author, definitely excited to try more from him!!!
This was such a phenomenal story, I absolutely loved the characters, I loved to hate others lol. The story was such a fun ride, I have such a good time with anything lovecraftian . The setting for this story was absolutely gorgeous and minus the cult and monster, I would be elated to be joining them to explore the abandoned theme park. The author included some sensitive subjects and dealt with them in a really great way that feels accurate to young adults trying to figure out themselves and the social cues around what it means to be them and I think it was portrayed with care and grace that didn’t feel mocking, which is a hard thing to do in my opinion! Such a great story first read by this author, definitely excited to try more from him!!!
March 21, 2026
The Cathedral Dimension
By: Joseph Pesavento
Publisher: Self Published
Published: April 26, 2024
ASIN: B0CW1DKKZH
Page Count: 96
Triggers: cult activity, violence, identity struggles, psychological horror, cosmic horror themes
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Skull Dread Rating: 💀💀
What Did I Just Walk Into? 🤨
You know that universal teenage decision-making process that goes something like:
“Hey… that abandoned amusement park that collapsed into a sinkhole and is about to be demolished? Let’s break in tonight.”
Yeah. That’s where this story starts.
Dylan wants one last nostalgic stroll through Palisades Playland with his friends Clyde, Ariel, and girlfriend Leah. What they actually get is a night full of creepy cult members, bizarre prophecies, relationship drama, and a whole lot of things that absolutely should not exist under a theme park.
Apparently the locals believe Dylan and Leah are destined to become some sort of king and queen of the apocalypse, and honestly that’s a lot of pressure for teenagers who just wanted to sneak into a closed park and feel nostalgic about funnel cakes.
Here’s What Slapped 🔥
The setting is fantastic. An abandoned amusement park is already creepy. Add sinkholes, crumbling rides, and a cult muttering about prophecy and suddenly you’ve got a playground for some seriously fun horror.
The Lovecraftian influence is strong here, but in a modern way. Instead of dusty academics discovering forbidden tomes, we get teenagers stumbling into cosmic nonsense they definitely did not sign up for.
The cult lore unfolding throughout the story was my favorite part. Every time another layer peeled back, things got weirder in the best way. For a book under 100 pages, Pesavento packs in a surprising amount of atmosphere and world building.
Also worth noting: the book tackles teen identity and social pressure in a way that feels thoughtful rather than preachy. Those themes blend into the horror instead of stopping the story.
What Could’ve Been Better 🧠
The first half of the story moves really smoothly, but the back half starts throwing so many cosmic weirdness elements at you that it can feel a little chaotic.
Not necessarily bad chaos. Just the kind where your brain goes:
“Wait… what exactly is happening now?”
Because the story is short, some of the bigger reveals move quickly. This is one of those situations where readers may actually want more story, not less.
Also, the indie reality check: the Kindle version has a few spelling errors. Nothing story breaking, but it’s noticeable if you’re sensitive to that kind of thing.
Perfect for Readers Who Love 📚
• Lovecraftian cosmic horror
• Abandoned amusement park settings
• Creepy cult stories
• Short horror reads you can finish in one sitting
• Something Wicked This Way Comes vibes
• Teen characters facing very adult supernatural problems
Sum It Up 💜
The Cathedral Dimension is a quick, creepy dive into cults, cosmic horror, and the very bad decision to explore an abandoned amusement park at night. It’s weird, atmospheric, and leaves just enough mystery behind to make you wish there were more pages waiting.
Reviewed by Robin for Robin’s Review 📚💜
By: Joseph Pesavento
Publisher: Self Published
Published: April 26, 2024
ASIN: B0CW1DKKZH
Page Count: 96
Triggers: cult activity, violence, identity struggles, psychological horror, cosmic horror themes
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Skull Dread Rating: 💀💀
What Did I Just Walk Into? 🤨
You know that universal teenage decision-making process that goes something like:
“Hey… that abandoned amusement park that collapsed into a sinkhole and is about to be demolished? Let’s break in tonight.”
Yeah. That’s where this story starts.
Dylan wants one last nostalgic stroll through Palisades Playland with his friends Clyde, Ariel, and girlfriend Leah. What they actually get is a night full of creepy cult members, bizarre prophecies, relationship drama, and a whole lot of things that absolutely should not exist under a theme park.
Apparently the locals believe Dylan and Leah are destined to become some sort of king and queen of the apocalypse, and honestly that’s a lot of pressure for teenagers who just wanted to sneak into a closed park and feel nostalgic about funnel cakes.
Here’s What Slapped 🔥
The setting is fantastic. An abandoned amusement park is already creepy. Add sinkholes, crumbling rides, and a cult muttering about prophecy and suddenly you’ve got a playground for some seriously fun horror.
The Lovecraftian influence is strong here, but in a modern way. Instead of dusty academics discovering forbidden tomes, we get teenagers stumbling into cosmic nonsense they definitely did not sign up for.
The cult lore unfolding throughout the story was my favorite part. Every time another layer peeled back, things got weirder in the best way. For a book under 100 pages, Pesavento packs in a surprising amount of atmosphere and world building.
Also worth noting: the book tackles teen identity and social pressure in a way that feels thoughtful rather than preachy. Those themes blend into the horror instead of stopping the story.
What Could’ve Been Better 🧠
The first half of the story moves really smoothly, but the back half starts throwing so many cosmic weirdness elements at you that it can feel a little chaotic.
Not necessarily bad chaos. Just the kind where your brain goes:
“Wait… what exactly is happening now?”
Because the story is short, some of the bigger reveals move quickly. This is one of those situations where readers may actually want more story, not less.
Also, the indie reality check: the Kindle version has a few spelling errors. Nothing story breaking, but it’s noticeable if you’re sensitive to that kind of thing.
Perfect for Readers Who Love 📚
• Lovecraftian cosmic horror
• Abandoned amusement park settings
• Creepy cult stories
• Short horror reads you can finish in one sitting
• Something Wicked This Way Comes vibes
• Teen characters facing very adult supernatural problems
Sum It Up 💜
The Cathedral Dimension is a quick, creepy dive into cults, cosmic horror, and the very bad decision to explore an abandoned amusement park at night. It’s weird, atmospheric, and leaves just enough mystery behind to make you wish there were more pages waiting.
Reviewed by Robin for Robin’s Review 📚💜
September 20, 2024
Perfect dose of Lovecraftian horror to follow up The Fisherman. Combines the playground creepiness of Something Wicked This Way Comes with the cosmic, cult horror of the Cthulhu Mythos.
I appreciate a Lovecraftian story that includes characters the author himself would hate. As even the most avid fan knows, he was not the most progressive guy. Which is why today we can take his ideas and update them for a modern audience and world. From TV shows like Lovecraft Country (based on the novel) to the Call of Cthulhu video games and TTRPG of the same title. The Cathedral Dimension and all of these projects have the same fears of the unknown and sanity-breaking effects that the source material has but also reflect a world that looks and feels more like ours.
I appreciate a Lovecraftian story that includes characters the author himself would hate. As even the most avid fan knows, he was not the most progressive guy. Which is why today we can take his ideas and update them for a modern audience and world. From TV shows like Lovecraft Country (based on the novel) to the Call of Cthulhu video games and TTRPG of the same title. The Cathedral Dimension and all of these projects have the same fears of the unknown and sanity-breaking effects that the source material has but also reflect a world that looks and feels more like ours.
June 23, 2024
Such an easy, fun, creepy read in one sitting!
An abandoned amusement park, queer characters, creepy cult folks, and secrets? Yes please!
I really enjoyed the characters in this, I could see them clearly. Plot was quite straightforward and I was looking for something a bit twistier(which is on me).
Overall, I enjoyed this. I really loved the first half but got lost in the second half(particularly the end). I'm still looking forward to whatever is next for this author.
I will note that the kindle edition I purchased did have several spelling issues, which does happen in the indie realm. It did not detract from my reading/ rating, but I know it does for some.
An abandoned amusement park, queer characters, creepy cult folks, and secrets? Yes please!
I really enjoyed the characters in this, I could see them clearly. Plot was quite straightforward and I was looking for something a bit twistier(which is on me).
Overall, I enjoyed this. I really loved the first half but got lost in the second half(particularly the end). I'm still looking forward to whatever is next for this author.
I will note that the kindle edition I purchased did have several spelling issues, which does happen in the indie realm. It did not detract from my reading/ rating, but I know it does for some.
August 13, 2024
A short, creepy Lovecraftian tale set in an abandoned amusement park. Check trigger warnings.
January 21, 2025
This was another great read by the amazing Joseph Pesavento. This book kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. I couldn’t put this book down. It was a very creepy but fun read.
I absolutely loved that Joseph included the pressures teenagers face with their sexual identity. The fact that they feel they need to hide their sexual identity from family and friends. This is a very touchy subject but Joseph did a great job with it.
The Cult kept me engaged and interested in knowing more about it. Hopefully Joseph will give us another book where we can find out more about the cult’s background like its origin and the people in it.
I absolutely loved that Joseph included the pressures teenagers face with their sexual identity. The fact that they feel they need to hide their sexual identity from family and friends. This is a very touchy subject but Joseph did a great job with it.
The Cult kept me engaged and interested in knowing more about it. Hopefully Joseph will give us another book where we can find out more about the cult’s background like its origin and the people in it.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews