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Endless is the Night : A Japanese Folk Horror Series
Inspired by a real-life murder and the urban legend surrounding it, this first book in the “Black Sun” series explores folk horror in a Japanese setting.
When three friends begin a hike in the Kii mountains of Japan, they thought it would be a reset, a way to reconnect and find their way in life. Little did they know the horror that awaited them in those dark and mist shrouded woods.
Cody Baker, always the pushover, is running from the hand he played in a recent tragedy. He is accompanied by the charismatic and headstrong Rick Davis and the electric Mia Silvano as they make their way into uncharted terrain. One wrong move traps them in a world not meant for outsiders. A world of ancient gods, sacrifice, and terrifying realisations.
Together they will come face to face against an ancient evil that dwells in the night sky as well as the monsters that lurk inside themselves. Face to face with the sum of all their fears, will they survive?
When three friends begin a hike in the Kii mountains of Japan, they thought it would be a reset, a way to reconnect and find their way in life. Little did they know the horror that awaited them in those dark and mist shrouded woods.
Cody Baker, always the pushover, is running from the hand he played in a recent tragedy. He is accompanied by the charismatic and headstrong Rick Davis and the electric Mia Silvano as they make their way into uncharted terrain. One wrong move traps them in a world not meant for outsiders. A world of ancient gods, sacrifice, and terrifying realisations.
Together they will come face to face against an ancient evil that dwells in the night sky as well as the monsters that lurk inside themselves. Face to face with the sum of all their fears, will they survive?
341 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 29, 2024
20 people are currently reading
147 people want to read
About the author
Shawn Brooks
7 books28 followersSHAWN BROOKS loves the dark. He was born in the mountains of Lake Tahoe. After traveling the world he washed ashore in his current home near Kyoto, Japan. He writes horror fiction and non-fiction travel memoirs. His work has been published in the Japan Times. He enjoys hiking with his Siberian husky and paddle boarding serene lakes with unknown terrors below.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
June 21, 2024
Brooks has written a fantastic debut horror story. It had its ups and downs (terribly rude tourists who don’t respect the culture and social norms annoyed the heck out of me), but overall was an engaging read.
Set in Japan, it follows 3 friends as they hike a wild and mountainous region. Soon they become stranded in the misty forests and discover a town of cult members who worship something horrific. After some shocking discoveries, the friends realize that this entity may actually exist as an omnipotent cosmic horror. It’s a race to survive & escape the townspeople and the creature they worship.
I loved that the setting for this story was in a country that isn’t seen too often in the horror world. The author describes at the end of the tale the myths and hikes in Japan that inspired him. When I visited Japan I also felt caught up in the mystery & history of this amazing country. Every trail/attraction had shrines and statues and just made you feel like a small part of something bigger.
Thank you to BookSirens & the author for a copy!
Set in Japan, it follows 3 friends as they hike a wild and mountainous region. Soon they become stranded in the misty forests and discover a town of cult members who worship something horrific. After some shocking discoveries, the friends realize that this entity may actually exist as an omnipotent cosmic horror. It’s a race to survive & escape the townspeople and the creature they worship.
I loved that the setting for this story was in a country that isn’t seen too often in the horror world. The author describes at the end of the tale the myths and hikes in Japan that inspired him. When I visited Japan I also felt caught up in the mystery & history of this amazing country. Every trail/attraction had shrines and statues and just made you feel like a small part of something bigger.
Thank you to BookSirens & the author for a copy!
June 15, 2024
This book was a trip and simply incredible for a debut. Easy 5 stars from me!!
The storyline of Endless is the Night was inspired by a real-life murder and living legends surrounding the village of Inunaki, Japan. (If you’re intrigued by folk lore and creepy legends, this book is definitely for you.)
Three friends go on a hike together in the Kii Mountains, hoping to reset and reconnect with themselves after major incidents within some of their recent pasts. Though, one wrong turn changes everything they have ever known.
Face to face with a world beyond their comprehension, they enter a village filled with unnatural evil lurking in the night, ancient gods with the power of the world in their hands, and sacrifices that are all seemingly inescapable. They realize then, what was supposed to be an adventure to overcome their personal inner demons, quickly became a fight against the demons walking amongst the living.
Can they escape?
Will they survive?
~~~
This had to be one of the quickest reads I’ve had in a long time!! Just, wow. Shawn did a great job developing the characters and invoking so many feelings throughout this novel. I had to force myself to find a stopping place last night just to get a little sleep, needing to know what would happen next and how this story could possibly end.
The author notes at the end that this is going to be the debut of a 5 book standalone series, and if I could preorder them all before they’re even a draft, I would!
*ARC from BookSirens; publication date June 29, 2024. This review is honest and strictly formed upon my own opinion.
The storyline of Endless is the Night was inspired by a real-life murder and living legends surrounding the village of Inunaki, Japan. (If you’re intrigued by folk lore and creepy legends, this book is definitely for you.)
Three friends go on a hike together in the Kii Mountains, hoping to reset and reconnect with themselves after major incidents within some of their recent pasts. Though, one wrong turn changes everything they have ever known.
Face to face with a world beyond their comprehension, they enter a village filled with unnatural evil lurking in the night, ancient gods with the power of the world in their hands, and sacrifices that are all seemingly inescapable. They realize then, what was supposed to be an adventure to overcome their personal inner demons, quickly became a fight against the demons walking amongst the living.
Can they escape?
Will they survive?
~~~
This had to be one of the quickest reads I’ve had in a long time!! Just, wow. Shawn did a great job developing the characters and invoking so many feelings throughout this novel. I had to force myself to find a stopping place last night just to get a little sleep, needing to know what would happen next and how this story could possibly end.
The author notes at the end that this is going to be the debut of a 5 book standalone series, and if I could preorder them all before they’re even a draft, I would!
*ARC from BookSirens; publication date June 29, 2024. This review is honest and strictly formed upon my own opinion.
June 21, 2024
Thanks to Book Sirens for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3*… just. A bit of leeway as this is a debut novel.
How does that meme go…”I mean it’s alright, like…”.
This is the tale of 3 foreigners (our hero Cody, his friend Rick and Ricks girlfriend Mia) that hike a forbidden valley in Japan where they come face to face with Gods and Monsters. Not really much more to it than that. I get the distinct impression that the author wants to create a mythos that is similar to Cthulhu, which is hugely ambitious; this being the first in a number of tie in works. It hits the right beats, but it misses the mark on the cosmic level. It did, however, pique my interest.
The writing is a mixed bag, modulating between very good and a bit clunky. There is a horrendous exposition dump 3/4 into the story where Cody touches a rock in a cave that gives him a vision that explains everything. It’s a lazy crude mechanism as a delivery device, but I’ll put this down to first-book stuff that will only get better.
My main complaint is the way the location is used throughout the main story. In this mysterious valley there is a town, a forest and essentially a field with burned out cars. The story goes from one location to another and back again. We’re in the town, escaping into the forest, then back to the town only to escape back into the forest, then back to the town… over and over. I genuinely lost count how many times we go through the cycle.
Finally, and I don’t think this is a spoiler as the author has stated this is a series, at the end we believe we are safe, when we are in fact not. I hate endings where the journey is rendered meaningless with a cheap cliched attempt at a twist. I’m “choosing” to interpret the ending as wider more cosmic threats are afoot, rather than any direct threat to our hero after what they went through. I.e. could have been delivered better.
But, any criticism aside, I love me some cosmic horror and will happily go with this being a good debut novel, with a few clunky points, that will only get better going forward. I’m pretty certain I’ll read the next one when it arrives.
I definitely recommend giving it a go if you like cosmic horror or horror in general.
3*… just. A bit of leeway as this is a debut novel.
How does that meme go…”I mean it’s alright, like…”.
This is the tale of 3 foreigners (our hero Cody, his friend Rick and Ricks girlfriend Mia) that hike a forbidden valley in Japan where they come face to face with Gods and Monsters. Not really much more to it than that. I get the distinct impression that the author wants to create a mythos that is similar to Cthulhu, which is hugely ambitious; this being the first in a number of tie in works. It hits the right beats, but it misses the mark on the cosmic level. It did, however, pique my interest.
The writing is a mixed bag, modulating between very good and a bit clunky. There is a horrendous exposition dump 3/4 into the story where Cody touches a rock in a cave that gives him a vision that explains everything. It’s a lazy crude mechanism as a delivery device, but I’ll put this down to first-book stuff that will only get better.
My main complaint is the way the location is used throughout the main story. In this mysterious valley there is a town, a forest and essentially a field with burned out cars. The story goes from one location to another and back again. We’re in the town, escaping into the forest, then back to the town only to escape back into the forest, then back to the town… over and over. I genuinely lost count how many times we go through the cycle.
Finally, and I don’t think this is a spoiler as the author has stated this is a series, at the end we believe we are safe, when we are in fact not. I hate endings where the journey is rendered meaningless with a cheap cliched attempt at a twist. I’m “choosing” to interpret the ending as wider more cosmic threats are afoot, rather than any direct threat to our hero after what they went through. I.e. could have been delivered better.
But, any criticism aside, I love me some cosmic horror and will happily go with this being a good debut novel, with a few clunky points, that will only get better going forward. I’m pretty certain I’ll read the next one when it arrives.
I definitely recommend giving it a go if you like cosmic horror or horror in general.
July 7, 2024
4.5 stars! What a fantastic debut novel, and I'm so pleased to hear that more books are coming!
The story follows Cody, Rick, and Mia, three American tourists who are on a trip of lifetime in Japan. Eager for something a little bit different, the friends decide to go off trail and explore the wilderness whilst hiking in the Kii mountains. Things soon take an unexpected and horrifying turn.
This was such a page turner, and it is written really well. I loved how the author created the village of Inunaki. It felt like I could really picture being there. The pacing was good, and the author developed the characters well. I was really rooting for them even when all hope seemed lost.
The horror ramps up throughout and again, the author really brought these aspects to life with such detailed descriptions. The story flowed, and I liked that we got some backstory of how the current events came to pass.
I will definitely be reading book two!
With thanks to the author and BookSirens for providing an ARC. This is my honest review that I'm leaving voluntarily.
The story follows Cody, Rick, and Mia, three American tourists who are on a trip of lifetime in Japan. Eager for something a little bit different, the friends decide to go off trail and explore the wilderness whilst hiking in the Kii mountains. Things soon take an unexpected and horrifying turn.
This was such a page turner, and it is written really well. I loved how the author created the village of Inunaki. It felt like I could really picture being there. The pacing was good, and the author developed the characters well. I was really rooting for them even when all hope seemed lost.
The horror ramps up throughout and again, the author really brought these aspects to life with such detailed descriptions. The story flowed, and I liked that we got some backstory of how the current events came to pass.
I will definitely be reading book two!
With thanks to the author and BookSirens for providing an ARC. This is my honest review that I'm leaving voluntarily.
December 14, 2024
OK, honestly, this was a blast! Lovecraft in Japan, presented as a mystery-slash-thriller brimming with cosmic horror vibes. I finished it in one sitting, enchanted by the Japanese folklore, the creepy setting, and the well-drawn characters. The author easily blends the American mentality into the Asian context, occasionally overdoing it a bit to make the contrast even stronger, but overall the book develops nicely into its own, blending folk and cult horror in several terrific ways. As a debut novel, it's easy to overlook its flaws (trouble in the pacing, the descriptions are sometimes too detailed, other times too abstract, losing some of the flow, blurring the characters into each other); on the whole, this is an enjoyable read, very often riveting and compelling. I was excited to learn that this is the first book in a series!
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 15, 2024
4.5 ⭐️
Endless is the Night is the first book in the Black Sun series and it follows three friends Cody, Rick and Mia on a hiking trip in the Kii mountains of Japan. They get lost in the surrounding misty forests where they eventually find a cult in a hidden town with ancient gods and sacrificial rituals. Hoping for help they’re entering it, but the hostile townspeople won’t let them leave anymore..
The black sun series is based on actual folklore and myths and inspired by the urban legend of Inunaki which is very interesting. I loved the vivid descriptions of the Japanese wilderness and the fact that all the events happen in a loop where the characters can’t seem to get out is intriguing.
The pace throughout the book is quite uneven. Slower sections are getting alternated with action packed moments of pure horror and it was really fascinating to watch the story unfold that particular way.
Endless is the Night is a promising debut by Shawn Brooks and highly recommended for those who enjoy supernatural thrillers with a cultural twist. The combination of folklore, psychological drama, and shapeshifting creatures make it a memorable read and I’m looking forward reading part 2 Under the amber wave. 🥰
Endless is the Night is the first book in the Black Sun series and it follows three friends Cody, Rick and Mia on a hiking trip in the Kii mountains of Japan. They get lost in the surrounding misty forests where they eventually find a cult in a hidden town with ancient gods and sacrificial rituals. Hoping for help they’re entering it, but the hostile townspeople won’t let them leave anymore..
The black sun series is based on actual folklore and myths and inspired by the urban legend of Inunaki which is very interesting. I loved the vivid descriptions of the Japanese wilderness and the fact that all the events happen in a loop where the characters can’t seem to get out is intriguing.
The pace throughout the book is quite uneven. Slower sections are getting alternated with action packed moments of pure horror and it was really fascinating to watch the story unfold that particular way.
Endless is the Night is a promising debut by Shawn Brooks and highly recommended for those who enjoy supernatural thrillers with a cultural twist. The combination of folklore, psychological drama, and shapeshifting creatures make it a memorable read and I’m looking forward reading part 2 Under the amber wave. 🥰
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July 1, 2024This was solid! If you're looking for something spooky and dealing with a main character finding the strength within himself to survive literal demons and an endless night when someone else's hubris causes them to go off-track literally. It got a bit repetitive for me, and that might be because I'm spoiled on horror novellas rather than full length novels.
Content warning that there is a suicide, there is a forest, it is not the suicide forest. Thank you Book Sirens for the arc.
Content warning that there is a suicide, there is a forest, it is not the suicide forest. Thank you Book Sirens for the arc.
June 13, 2024
Wow, what a great debut novel.
tw: blood, fire, bodily harm
Firstly, I thank Shawn for giving me the opportunity to read his book in advance for free.
This was written in an easy to read, sometimes hard to stomach way which just sent enough tingles up your spine to keep you hooked. It ticked all the boxes for a horror/thriller, and then mixed in Japanese lore loosely based and expanding upon the true story of Inunaki Village.
I am very much looking forward to the rest of the books in the series. This first has set the bar high.
tw: blood, fire, bodily harm
Firstly, I thank Shawn for giving me the opportunity to read his book in advance for free.
This was written in an easy to read, sometimes hard to stomach way which just sent enough tingles up your spine to keep you hooked. It ticked all the boxes for a horror/thriller, and then mixed in Japanese lore loosely based and expanding upon the true story of Inunaki Village.
I am very much looking forward to the rest of the books in the series. This first has set the bar high.
June 15, 2024
rating: 4.5/5
*ARC reader through booksirens*
OKAY??? This was such a refreshing read. One thing about me—I LOVE THRILLERS, and this book came just in time because I was craving a good one! It's fast-paced and utterly addicting!
This story includes themes of folklore, is set in Japan, and most of it takes place in the woods. It involves cults, sacrifices, absolute weirdness, and CHILLS!!!
It's basically about three friends who get lost in the woods in an area they shouldn't be in AT ALL during their trip to Japan. Oh, how things go WRONG! THE TENSION??? GAGGED!
I am also a true crime/paranormal cases junkie, and considering this story is based on true events, watch me DIVE into an endless rabbit hole of documentaries and articles about the Inunaki case.
One thing's for sure, this story will stay in my mind for a long, long time. So thank you Shawn for writing such a great story, and can't wait for its release! Such a strong debut for sure.
*ARC reader through booksirens*
OKAY??? This was such a refreshing read. One thing about me—I LOVE THRILLERS, and this book came just in time because I was craving a good one! It's fast-paced and utterly addicting!
This story includes themes of folklore, is set in Japan, and most of it takes place in the woods. It involves cults, sacrifices, absolute weirdness, and CHILLS!!!
It's basically about three friends who get lost in the woods in an area they shouldn't be in AT ALL during their trip to Japan. Oh, how things go WRONG! THE TENSION??? GAGGED!
I am also a true crime/paranormal cases junkie, and considering this story is based on true events, watch me DIVE into an endless rabbit hole of documentaries and articles about the Inunaki case.
One thing's for sure, this story will stay in my mind for a long, long time. So thank you Shawn for writing such a great story, and can't wait for its release! Such a strong debut for sure.
June 19, 2024
Alert: abuse implication, alcoholic, fire, torture, bodily damage
---
I’m an ARC reader from Substack.
Oh, poor Cody Baker!
In Japan, it has long been a rule that people deeply wounded by love visit the seaside in the Northeast (Tohoku) regions, like the song “Tsugaru Kaikyo fuyu-geshiki,” which was listening to by Ms. Tanaka in the story. The people look at the sea horizon and shiny white seagulls with tears, bathe in an onsen with self-pitying, eat seafood, and drink delicious sake to recover their good nutrients. Then, they reconnect and find their way in life again with a bit heavier body weight.
Why did you, three friends, go to such dark, humid, and mosquito-filled mountains in Wakayama in the summer season?
It was... totally wrong in the first place!
I enjoyed reading this horrifying story with the same feeling as playing a good horror video game. The situation changes one after another to keep the players occupied. Too much volume left me a little fatigued because I'm scared easily and rarely play horror games. But, if you're a Lovecraftian or a horror video game fan and need more adrenaline, maybe it will fit your needs.
The evil ancient existence throws characters into a creepy world and a survival field. OK. It's one of the oldest stories in the world: "A reckless explorer wandering into an island of cannibals is nearly sacrificed to an evil god by a group of pagans." Do you like that? I accept that's an attractive concept, even though I am a descendant of our hara-kiri country. So says the 1,000-year-old Taketori Monogatari (The Tale of the Bamboo-Cutter).
One hundred years ago, the genius Lovecraft reconstructed stories from the Age of Discovery into modern sci-fi and horror. He turned evil gods into space aliens and wild pagans into mermen devoting Dagon. His work was horrifying and attractive, and his followers still cherished his stories. However, currently, we're forced to notice a smell of racism and sexism in his stories belong the Yellow Perish Age. We need the next reconstruction for the story, and Shawn Brooks, the author, attempted to do that. It's awesome. He created a guardian angel wearing purple-rimmed glasses and other characters. They are not completely nice, but they have some sympathetic features.
I didn't give it five stars because the novel contained minor errors that only a nitpicking Japanese would notice. For example, squids don't live in freshwater.
Hei. Who cares about such squids in a world where an evil god seems to respawn people as undead?
I'm looking forward to Shown's next novels. If he buys me a glass of beer, I can help supervise him on the seafood that appears in his great work. I'm waiting!
---
I’m an ARC reader from Substack.
Oh, poor Cody Baker!
In Japan, it has long been a rule that people deeply wounded by love visit the seaside in the Northeast (Tohoku) regions, like the song “Tsugaru Kaikyo fuyu-geshiki,” which was listening to by Ms. Tanaka in the story. The people look at the sea horizon and shiny white seagulls with tears, bathe in an onsen with self-pitying, eat seafood, and drink delicious sake to recover their good nutrients. Then, they reconnect and find their way in life again with a bit heavier body weight.
Why did you, three friends, go to such dark, humid, and mosquito-filled mountains in Wakayama in the summer season?
It was... totally wrong in the first place!
I enjoyed reading this horrifying story with the same feeling as playing a good horror video game. The situation changes one after another to keep the players occupied. Too much volume left me a little fatigued because I'm scared easily and rarely play horror games. But, if you're a Lovecraftian or a horror video game fan and need more adrenaline, maybe it will fit your needs.
The evil ancient existence throws characters into a creepy world and a survival field. OK. It's one of the oldest stories in the world: "A reckless explorer wandering into an island of cannibals is nearly sacrificed to an evil god by a group of pagans." Do you like that? I accept that's an attractive concept, even though I am a descendant of our hara-kiri country. So says the 1,000-year-old Taketori Monogatari (The Tale of the Bamboo-Cutter).
One hundred years ago, the genius Lovecraft reconstructed stories from the Age of Discovery into modern sci-fi and horror. He turned evil gods into space aliens and wild pagans into mermen devoting Dagon. His work was horrifying and attractive, and his followers still cherished his stories. However, currently, we're forced to notice a smell of racism and sexism in his stories belong the Yellow Perish Age. We need the next reconstruction for the story, and Shawn Brooks, the author, attempted to do that. It's awesome. He created a guardian angel wearing purple-rimmed glasses and other characters. They are not completely nice, but they have some sympathetic features.
I didn't give it five stars because the novel contained minor errors that only a nitpicking Japanese would notice. For example, squids don't live in freshwater.
Hei. Who cares about such squids in a world where an evil god seems to respawn people as undead?
I'm looking forward to Shown's next novels. If he buys me a glass of beer, I can help supervise him on the seafood that appears in his great work. I'm waiting!
July 14, 2024
Thank you to the author and BookSirens for this ARC!
I would not normally see a book like this on the shelf and feel intrigued to read it but for some reason I felt drawn to it and I am so glad I was. I really enjoyed it. I had no clue terrifying Japanese urban legends would keep me so invested. This would be a great read to take with you traveling, especially in an unfamiliar place where you’re going to go camping. The characters were well written even though I wasn’t a huge fan of any of the main characters if I’m being honest. This author is great at putting together a story that is well paced and also writes quite beautifully. That also was the one place I slightly struggled; there were almost times I felt things were repetitive/described too much into detail that I felt a little lost.
I definitely recommend this book for horror lovers who want a change of scenery as this one feels different from many others a read. Happy reading!
*I received this ARC for free and I am leaving a review voluntarily.*
I would not normally see a book like this on the shelf and feel intrigued to read it but for some reason I felt drawn to it and I am so glad I was. I really enjoyed it. I had no clue terrifying Japanese urban legends would keep me so invested. This would be a great read to take with you traveling, especially in an unfamiliar place where you’re going to go camping. The characters were well written even though I wasn’t a huge fan of any of the main characters if I’m being honest. This author is great at putting together a story that is well paced and also writes quite beautifully. That also was the one place I slightly struggled; there were almost times I felt things were repetitive/described too much into detail that I felt a little lost.
I definitely recommend this book for horror lovers who want a change of scenery as this one feels different from many others a read. Happy reading!
*I received this ARC for free and I am leaving a review voluntarily.*
January 4, 2026
This book is the perfect example of how stupid people make stupid decisions and with that they end up making the narrative of it long and boring.
Let me explain: I was going to rate it 2,5⭐ but the last 40 pages and the fast tense pacing pushed me to rate it higher.
It was a weird fucked up book, with horror folk vibes BUT with many useless internal thoughts, wrong and definitely stupid decisions, a bunch of stupid rude people...
Half the book made no sense at all. They all were just chasing around their tales. If they could actually THINK they would have a different ending. Although the original idea and the horror vibes were luring, it lacked of tense storytelling and characters to sympathize. Only Cody was somehow more sympathetic than the others.
Also, it didn't convince me that it was in Japanese settings. Through reading, I kept visualizing jungles and thick forest settings. For me, it was more fitting to Atzec mythology or Central American deities.
Overall, it wasn't for me. Maybe others enjoy it more.
Let me explain: I was going to rate it 2,5⭐ but the last 40 pages and the fast tense pacing pushed me to rate it higher.
It was a weird fucked up book, with horror folk vibes BUT with many useless internal thoughts, wrong and definitely stupid decisions, a bunch of stupid rude people...
Half the book made no sense at all. They all were just chasing around their tales. If they could actually THINK they would have a different ending. Although the original idea and the horror vibes were luring, it lacked of tense storytelling and characters to sympathize. Only Cody was somehow more sympathetic than the others.
Also, it didn't convince me that it was in Japanese settings. Through reading, I kept visualizing jungles and thick forest settings. For me, it was more fitting to Atzec mythology or Central American deities.
Overall, it wasn't for me. Maybe others enjoy it more.
June 27, 2024
Not a bad read!
I enjoyed the story, though it did take me quite a while to get into. I'd say by about the 30% mark I was very intrigued. There were some genuinely creepy moments that made me set down the book for a second and I loved that it was Japanese folklore-inspired. I think the character growth for the main character is really well done and really liked seeing him come into his courage!
There are a few things that did dock my rating a little bit. First, at some points it didn't really feel like it was set in Japan. Because the main characters are American and the setting is incredibly remote, sometimes it felt like it was somewhere like the Appalachian mountains. The pyramids almost felt Aztec in nature as well, which kind of threw me off. Second, I really really wish there was a little bit more information about the cult/religion/lore behind the horror aspect of this story. It kind of felt like you're just thrown into this cult of people who worship a maleficent god.
Overall, I did enjoy the story as a whole. Brooks did a great job at honing in on some good creepy factors. I think that the book is somewhat unique in its story and as (what I believe is) a debut novel, I think that the story telling was well done.
All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you Book Sirens and Shawn Brooks for the opportunity to read this one!
I enjoyed the story, though it did take me quite a while to get into. I'd say by about the 30% mark I was very intrigued. There were some genuinely creepy moments that made me set down the book for a second and I loved that it was Japanese folklore-inspired. I think the character growth for the main character is really well done and really liked seeing him come into his courage!
There are a few things that did dock my rating a little bit. First, at some points it didn't really feel like it was set in Japan. Because the main characters are American and the setting is incredibly remote, sometimes it felt like it was somewhere like the Appalachian mountains. The pyramids almost felt Aztec in nature as well, which kind of threw me off. Second, I really really wish there was a little bit more information about the cult/religion/lore behind the horror aspect of this story. It kind of felt like you're just thrown into this cult of people who worship a maleficent god.
Overall, I did enjoy the story as a whole. Brooks did a great job at honing in on some good creepy factors. I think that the book is somewhat unique in its story and as (what I believe is) a debut novel, I think that the story telling was well done.
All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you Book Sirens and Shawn Brooks for the opportunity to read this one!
June 15, 2024
I'm beginning to grow a love for horror set in the woods, and Endless is the Night did not disappoint. It's packed with tension, high stakes, and worry for these characters. There were times where it was fast paced, and it felt as if too much was happening for me to fully get a grasp of everything going on. However, I still enjoyed this read and can't wait for more in this universe. The descriptors paint scenes clearly, and although there is one thing that was unable to be described both in text and by the character(s), but that vagueness from both put me in a spot to relate to the cast. There was a point where everything changed and I did not want to put the book down and couldn't stop reading until I had finished it.
*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.
June 13, 2024
** I received this as an eARC through BookSirens, courtesy of the author in exchange for a review.
Japanese Lovecraftian Horror. I like all three of those words individually and together was happy with the result! Shades of both True Detective and Cabin in the Woods, I enjoyed this story of a hiking trip gone wrong, a cult worshipping the eldritch, and sacrifice. The tension was solid and as more details were revealed about what was going on I felt myself pulled deeper into the story’s mythology. A quick read, I finished it over two days, and I’m excited by the Afterward from the author saying more is to come along in this series. I don’t read a ton of horror novels but the concept was more than enough for me to pick this one up. I’d certainly read another one by the author with the same themes.
Japanese Lovecraftian Horror. I like all three of those words individually and together was happy with the result! Shades of both True Detective and Cabin in the Woods, I enjoyed this story of a hiking trip gone wrong, a cult worshipping the eldritch, and sacrifice. The tension was solid and as more details were revealed about what was going on I felt myself pulled deeper into the story’s mythology. A quick read, I finished it over two days, and I’m excited by the Afterward from the author saying more is to come along in this series. I don’t read a ton of horror novels but the concept was more than enough for me to pick this one up. I’d certainly read another one by the author with the same themes.
June 27, 2024
I was able to get an ARC of Brooks' debut book and read the majority of it aloud as a bedtime story to my household. That being said, the book does require a few trigger warnings for suicide, bodily harm and torture, and some gory scenes.
One thing that Brooks did exceptionally well was giving the reader the same looping feeling that the main characters themselves must have experienced as they tried to escape the small isolated town they were trapped in again, and again, and again. How many times did they think they could finally escape, only to somehow be right back where they started? The pacing felt a bit awkward as I was reading it since it felt like the book wasn't really making any progress, which caused me to feel a bit tired and things a bit repetitive, but after I finished it and set it down and thought about how I would review it, I really loved the vestigial feeling of having been running in place just like the characters themselves. So while initially I planned to give 4/5 while typing up my review, that frustration and pacing problem I felt while reading actually made me the reader feel even more pulled into the story after finishing, which is such a rare experience.
I think even those without much knowledge of Japan/Japanese language can enjoy this book just as much as those with experience, since the horror of the story is visceral and universal. However there were plenty of delicious bread crumbs sprinkled throughout the book that those closer to Japan will delight in, from songs, TV shows, and actual geographic places to cultural norms and idiosyncrasies, as well as stereotypical tourist mistakes that those immersed here can cringe at (and of course being based on actual urban legends that can send you down a rabbit hole after reading!). Personally, I have actually hiked the entire Kumano Kodo Nakahechi route and done extensive travelling in the Japanese countryside as a long-term resident, so I could picture perfectly the villagers, traditional Japanese countryside town, and even Ms.Tanaka herself. I could see myself in the same situation, or picture my friends going through the same ordeal. That being said, Brooks balanced his descriptions so that a vivid picture could be painted even for those without first hand experience, and provides such a vivid foreign setting that isn't often seen in Western horror. It combines Lovecraftian ethereal cosmic gods with the conventional don't-get-lost-in-the-woods troupe all set in a tiny Japanese village- what a combo!
The author did an excellent job of capturing the audience right off the bat, as you immediately get sucked into the story. I flew through the first few chapters, but then got stuck a bit in the middle with the pacing and struggled a bit with the aforementioned looping and pacing, which initially put me off a bit. That might be a hurdle for some readers. However, in the end, I think the slow burn left an emotional impression and residual uncomfortableness that made me empathize with the characters themselves even more and look forward to what is in store in the next book. The ending was in the sweet spot of not coming completely out of left field (ala M. Night Shyamalan twists) but also not being obvious from a mile away, and the very end left room for the Black Sun series to continue on. Overall an excellent book from a new author and I can't wait to see what is next!
One thing that Brooks did exceptionally well was giving the reader the same looping feeling that the main characters themselves must have experienced as they tried to escape the small isolated town they were trapped in again, and again, and again. How many times did they think they could finally escape, only to somehow be right back where they started? The pacing felt a bit awkward as I was reading it since it felt like the book wasn't really making any progress, which caused me to feel a bit tired and things a bit repetitive, but after I finished it and set it down and thought about how I would review it, I really loved the vestigial feeling of having been running in place just like the characters themselves. So while initially I planned to give 4/5 while typing up my review, that frustration and pacing problem I felt while reading actually made me the reader feel even more pulled into the story after finishing, which is such a rare experience.
I think even those without much knowledge of Japan/Japanese language can enjoy this book just as much as those with experience, since the horror of the story is visceral and universal. However there were plenty of delicious bread crumbs sprinkled throughout the book that those closer to Japan will delight in, from songs, TV shows, and actual geographic places to cultural norms and idiosyncrasies, as well as stereotypical tourist mistakes that those immersed here can cringe at (and of course being based on actual urban legends that can send you down a rabbit hole after reading!). Personally, I have actually hiked the entire Kumano Kodo Nakahechi route and done extensive travelling in the Japanese countryside as a long-term resident, so I could picture perfectly the villagers, traditional Japanese countryside town, and even Ms.Tanaka herself. I could see myself in the same situation, or picture my friends going through the same ordeal. That being said, Brooks balanced his descriptions so that a vivid picture could be painted even for those without first hand experience, and provides such a vivid foreign setting that isn't often seen in Western horror. It combines Lovecraftian ethereal cosmic gods with the conventional don't-get-lost-in-the-woods troupe all set in a tiny Japanese village- what a combo!
The author did an excellent job of capturing the audience right off the bat, as you immediately get sucked into the story. I flew through the first few chapters, but then got stuck a bit in the middle with the pacing and struggled a bit with the aforementioned looping and pacing, which initially put me off a bit. That might be a hurdle for some readers. However, in the end, I think the slow burn left an emotional impression and residual uncomfortableness that made me empathize with the characters themselves even more and look forward to what is in store in the next book. The ending was in the sweet spot of not coming completely out of left field (ala M. Night Shyamalan twists) but also not being obvious from a mile away, and the very end left room for the Black Sun series to continue on. Overall an excellent book from a new author and I can't wait to see what is next!
July 31, 2024
I received an advance review copy from BookSirens for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book is a lot of things. It started off with The Forest (2016) vibes, then turned into Sweet Home and ended in dark fantasy, including lots of supernatural elements and a mythology.
I did not realize the wild ride this book was gonna take me on! And I loved it.
Definitely thumbs up:
- the plot (it was unpredictable and gripping to me; I did not anticipate the exact character of the reveal)
- the horror (there were lots of sides to the horror, I felt like it was a mix of multiple genres. It was a combination that worked well)
- the multiple settings and their mysteriousness (I realize I enjoy reading about forests a lot more than I actually like being in them. Maybe just a bit more detailed description of the forest would be nice, just for the vicarious pleasure of it)
- the villain backstory (it's a cliché, but the one that works really well for me, so chef's kiss)
- the main character backstory (I really enjoyed how flawed the main character was and loved the controversial decision he made in the past, he felt multidimensional to me)
- world building (the author did a good job on providing small details here and there that made it easy for me to transport into the setting, especially once the story got really intense)
Room for improvement:
- some characters were obviously jerks, and then later their softer and healthier personality traits came out. This transition was not smooth and not believable to me. If the author chooses to take that road, I need more description and explanation to make me believe that the person is "not that bad".
- using the word "p*ssy" to describe a coward. Ok, it fits with the general vibe of the toxic masculinity dude (in fact it's exactly what I would expect), but then it's used again by a woman. This is where I'm not feeling it, especially since this character is supposed be not be the toxic one. So is she toxic or is she not. Or maybe she absorbed some of the mannerisms from the guy, then make it clearer. That's another way to make the character complex.
- using the word "obese" multiple times to mean fat. Just go with "fat", it's not a bad word. "Obese" is usually either used in a clinical sense or to mean "excessively fat" in best case scenario. And since the latter didn't even particularly seem to fit with the character, I find using the word was unnecessary. Or maybe the author wanted to make a point, in which case we don't have the same views.
Overall, I recommend this book to those who love horror and are constantly looking for a masterful union of classic genre tropes and something unexpected.
I am looking forward to reading the next 4 books of the series. Especially since the author mentioned that the separate stories will come together in the end. I absolutely love it when that happens.
This book is a lot of things. It started off with The Forest (2016) vibes, then turned into Sweet Home and ended in dark fantasy, including lots of supernatural elements and a mythology.
I did not realize the wild ride this book was gonna take me on! And I loved it.
Definitely thumbs up:
- the plot (it was unpredictable and gripping to me; I did not anticipate the exact character of the reveal)
- the horror (there were lots of sides to the horror, I felt like it was a mix of multiple genres. It was a combination that worked well)
- the multiple settings and their mysteriousness (I realize I enjoy reading about forests a lot more than I actually like being in them. Maybe just a bit more detailed description of the forest would be nice, just for the vicarious pleasure of it)
- the villain backstory (it's a cliché, but the one that works really well for me, so chef's kiss)
- the main character backstory (I really enjoyed how flawed the main character was and loved the controversial decision he made in the past, he felt multidimensional to me)
- world building (the author did a good job on providing small details here and there that made it easy for me to transport into the setting, especially once the story got really intense)
Room for improvement:
- some characters were obviously jerks, and then later their softer and healthier personality traits came out. This transition was not smooth and not believable to me. If the author chooses to take that road, I need more description and explanation to make me believe that the person is "not that bad".
- using the word "p*ssy" to describe a coward. Ok, it fits with the general vibe of the toxic masculinity dude (in fact it's exactly what I would expect), but then it's used again by a woman. This is where I'm not feeling it, especially since this character is supposed be not be the toxic one. So is she toxic or is she not. Or maybe she absorbed some of the mannerisms from the guy, then make it clearer. That's another way to make the character complex.
- using the word "obese" multiple times to mean fat. Just go with "fat", it's not a bad word. "Obese" is usually either used in a clinical sense or to mean "excessively fat" in best case scenario. And since the latter didn't even particularly seem to fit with the character, I find using the word was unnecessary. Or maybe the author wanted to make a point, in which case we don't have the same views.
Overall, I recommend this book to those who love horror and are constantly looking for a masterful union of classic genre tropes and something unexpected.
I am looking forward to reading the next 4 books of the series. Especially since the author mentioned that the separate stories will come together in the end. I absolutely love it when that happens.
November 12, 2024
4.5 🌟
A huge thanks to Shawn Brooks for reaching out and giving me the opportunity to read this book for free in exchange for my review.
My love for Japan, its culture, its food, its people, its legends have always been something I've held close to my heart ever since I visited a long, long time ago, and i jumped at the chance to read Shawn' debut novel
Not gonna lie...for all my book girlies who love a book that starts straight away, this was a slow burn but its a good slow burn as you get a chance to enjoy Shawn's vivid descriptions of the hiking trail, descriptions of the Jizo, with some Buddhas on the trail, picturesque mountains, waterfalls and little japanese shrines.
The atmospheric tension builds up roughly about 15% of the way through, giving me goosebumps, and that sense of fear that tends to sneak up on you, when you least expect it...and then BAM, it hit me like a ton of bricks and boy it didn't let up.
From there, it was full steam ahead, and i felt a range of emotions from frustration, to fear, to paranoia, reading along, and not knowing who to trust. After a while you come to see that "No one messes with what goes on in the valley" especially when they pray to a God of stars who is born of blood, and never, ever over estimate the kindness of strangers they aren't always what they seem.
Cross between vampires and zombies living in a village operating like a cult, Shawn is an absolute genius to have his concept centre around this ancient cult where people are sacrificed every night in the same way (almost like a de ja vu).
Those killing scenes damn they made my skin crawl. They were so vivid I found myself literally cringing as I read about all those violent deaths occurring up at those mountains.
Shawn is a master of weaving the themes of fight or flight with atmospheric tension, making this a debut novel of epic proportions.
As part of the Black Sun series, this novel is perfect for fans of folk horror and psychological thrills,and i highly recommend it!
I'm looking forward to reading book 2 of the Black Sun Series
A huge thanks to Shawn Brooks for reaching out and giving me the opportunity to read this book for free in exchange for my review.
My love for Japan, its culture, its food, its people, its legends have always been something I've held close to my heart ever since I visited a long, long time ago, and i jumped at the chance to read Shawn' debut novel
Not gonna lie...for all my book girlies who love a book that starts straight away, this was a slow burn but its a good slow burn as you get a chance to enjoy Shawn's vivid descriptions of the hiking trail, descriptions of the Jizo, with some Buddhas on the trail, picturesque mountains, waterfalls and little japanese shrines.
The atmospheric tension builds up roughly about 15% of the way through, giving me goosebumps, and that sense of fear that tends to sneak up on you, when you least expect it...and then BAM, it hit me like a ton of bricks and boy it didn't let up.
From there, it was full steam ahead, and i felt a range of emotions from frustration, to fear, to paranoia, reading along, and not knowing who to trust. After a while you come to see that "No one messes with what goes on in the valley" especially when they pray to a God of stars who is born of blood, and never, ever over estimate the kindness of strangers they aren't always what they seem.
Cross between vampires and zombies living in a village operating like a cult, Shawn is an absolute genius to have his concept centre around this ancient cult where people are sacrificed every night in the same way (almost like a de ja vu).
Those killing scenes damn they made my skin crawl. They were so vivid I found myself literally cringing as I read about all those violent deaths occurring up at those mountains.
Shawn is a master of weaving the themes of fight or flight with atmospheric tension, making this a debut novel of epic proportions.
As part of the Black Sun series, this novel is perfect for fans of folk horror and psychological thrills,and i highly recommend it!
I'm looking forward to reading book 2 of the Black Sun Series
August 3, 2024
I'd like to congratulate Shawn on his debut novel and thank him for allowing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I appreciate your trust. Please know these are simply my thoughts and opinions, presented without judgement or prejudice.
So! Here we go.
The premise of this horror novel is quite interesting. I'm a big fan of everything supernatural so this book was right up my alley. Within the first few chapters, I was very heavily reminded of ''The Ritual'' by Adam Nevill, so I was more than a little excited to really dive into the book.
First off, I very much enjoyed the cult aspect of this story. I think Shawn did a great job of getting across just how cuckoo for Coco Puffs the townspeople are. There's an Uncanny Valley angle that made the chapters involving them very unsettling, which was fun to read.
He also managed to put us right smack dab into the world of Japanese folklore and urban legends. This is another area of the supernatural I love, so this was a highlight of the story for me. After reading ''Endless is the Night'', I went online and began to research the legend further because of how curious I was to know more. Which is a testament to this book's creative storyline!
For a debut novel, I think Shawn has a solid foundation, however, I do have a few points regarding the overall plot and writing style that did not work for me.
One of my biggest issues has to be that the book would have been much better as a novella or a short story. The plot dragged in many places and became quite boring in others. There were multiple chapters and sections that could have been shortened or cut entirely to keep the sense of foreboding and tension high. It feels as if our MCs have been mindlessly wandering in the woods/Inunaki for weeks when in reality it's only been two days. There seems to be a lack of purpose in their endless journey.
Another issue was the plodding, frequently repetitive and unnatural writing style. I had to repeatedly check to make sure I wasn't re-reading a chapter because of how almost identical some of them were. I don't know if we needed to go from town to forest to town to forest to town to forest over and over again for us to understand there's something wonky with how time works in Inunaki. The overkill of similes is distracting and unnecessary, bogging down the flow of the story instead of supporting it.
Oftentimes, I felt as if I was reading a director's notes about how a certain scene might be shot for a film as opposed to a written story. There are some highly predictable and melodramatic tropes, such as one of the MCs finding a perfectly pointed metal pipe in the middle of the forest to use as a weapon, the ''this is how it all started'' info dump via flashback or the final moment between two of the main characters. While the ending is a bit lackluster, it leaves the possibility of future appearances from the deity wide open.
The story also felt quite clinical in some places, reminiscent of a research paper. I spent the majority of the novel feeling like a detached, uninterested outsider. The book toggles between the extremely casual and the too wordy academic, which tend to be at war with each other for dominance and where neither one is the victor. However, there are some good moments of writing peppered throughout. Moments that made me go ''I want more of THIS'' but they weren't as plentiful as I would have liked.
I understand what Shawn is attempting to do by giving us small glimpses at how traumatized our MCs are, however, it all feels extremely shallow and contrived. I wasn't invested in any of them. So much so, that when one of the MCs suffers a life-threatening injury and subsequently gets left behind, I found myself excited about how they were no longer going to be a part of the story. Each MC feels a little too simple. A little too one-dimensional. Stereotypes abound throughout the MC's brief backstories but instead of giving us connection and empathy, they feel stale, overused and like a caricature of themselves.
That being said, small but significant side character Ms. Tanaka saves the day. I thoroughly enjoyed and really wished I could have seen more of her. She felt incredibly real and tangible that I only wanted to take a bit of her liveliness and imbue our main characters with it. 10/10 I love me a sassy, lady boss who gets shit done.
My final point is focused on the several inconsistencies and contradictions that are rife throughout the story. More than once I would find myself having to flip back a few pages or chapters to check on some information that wasn't matching with the current dialogue or storyline. It was confusing, convoluted and frustrating as a reader, immediately taking me out of the story and making it difficult to focus on what was happening.
In a nutshell, this book would have benefitted from a very heavy handed, professional edit.
Overall, I did enjoy the lore and legend behind the story. I would be interested in seeing what else might happen with these, or even new, deities in subsequent books. I appreciate Shawn bringing a lesser known Japanese god to light (pun intended). I would definitely recommend this book if you enjoy fun, lightly scary/thrilling B-horror movies as the vibes are very similar. It's not a difficult read and would be great for someone possibly getting into the supernatural genre for the first time. I look forward to future novels!
So! Here we go.
The premise of this horror novel is quite interesting. I'm a big fan of everything supernatural so this book was right up my alley. Within the first few chapters, I was very heavily reminded of ''The Ritual'' by Adam Nevill, so I was more than a little excited to really dive into the book.
First off, I very much enjoyed the cult aspect of this story. I think Shawn did a great job of getting across just how cuckoo for Coco Puffs the townspeople are. There's an Uncanny Valley angle that made the chapters involving them very unsettling, which was fun to read.
He also managed to put us right smack dab into the world of Japanese folklore and urban legends. This is another area of the supernatural I love, so this was a highlight of the story for me. After reading ''Endless is the Night'', I went online and began to research the legend further because of how curious I was to know more. Which is a testament to this book's creative storyline!
For a debut novel, I think Shawn has a solid foundation, however, I do have a few points regarding the overall plot and writing style that did not work for me.
One of my biggest issues has to be that the book would have been much better as a novella or a short story. The plot dragged in many places and became quite boring in others. There were multiple chapters and sections that could have been shortened or cut entirely to keep the sense of foreboding and tension high. It feels as if our MCs have been mindlessly wandering in the woods/Inunaki for weeks when in reality it's only been two days. There seems to be a lack of purpose in their endless journey.
Another issue was the plodding, frequently repetitive and unnatural writing style. I had to repeatedly check to make sure I wasn't re-reading a chapter because of how almost identical some of them were. I don't know if we needed to go from town to forest to town to forest to town to forest over and over again for us to understand there's something wonky with how time works in Inunaki. The overkill of similes is distracting and unnecessary, bogging down the flow of the story instead of supporting it.
Oftentimes, I felt as if I was reading a director's notes about how a certain scene might be shot for a film as opposed to a written story. There are some highly predictable and melodramatic tropes, such as one of the MCs finding a perfectly pointed metal pipe in the middle of the forest to use as a weapon, the ''this is how it all started'' info dump via flashback or the final moment between two of the main characters. While the ending is a bit lackluster, it leaves the possibility of future appearances from the deity wide open.
The story also felt quite clinical in some places, reminiscent of a research paper. I spent the majority of the novel feeling like a detached, uninterested outsider. The book toggles between the extremely casual and the too wordy academic, which tend to be at war with each other for dominance and where neither one is the victor. However, there are some good moments of writing peppered throughout. Moments that made me go ''I want more of THIS'' but they weren't as plentiful as I would have liked.
I understand what Shawn is attempting to do by giving us small glimpses at how traumatized our MCs are, however, it all feels extremely shallow and contrived. I wasn't invested in any of them. So much so, that when one of the MCs suffers a life-threatening injury and subsequently gets left behind, I found myself excited about how they were no longer going to be a part of the story. Each MC feels a little too simple. A little too one-dimensional. Stereotypes abound throughout the MC's brief backstories but instead of giving us connection and empathy, they feel stale, overused and like a caricature of themselves.
That being said, small but significant side character Ms. Tanaka saves the day. I thoroughly enjoyed and really wished I could have seen more of her. She felt incredibly real and tangible that I only wanted to take a bit of her liveliness and imbue our main characters with it. 10/10 I love me a sassy, lady boss who gets shit done.
My final point is focused on the several inconsistencies and contradictions that are rife throughout the story. More than once I would find myself having to flip back a few pages or chapters to check on some information that wasn't matching with the current dialogue or storyline. It was confusing, convoluted and frustrating as a reader, immediately taking me out of the story and making it difficult to focus on what was happening.
In a nutshell, this book would have benefitted from a very heavy handed, professional edit.
Overall, I did enjoy the lore and legend behind the story. I would be interested in seeing what else might happen with these, or even new, deities in subsequent books. I appreciate Shawn bringing a lesser known Japanese god to light (pun intended). I would definitely recommend this book if you enjoy fun, lightly scary/thrilling B-horror movies as the vibes are very similar. It's not a difficult read and would be great for someone possibly getting into the supernatural genre for the first time. I look forward to future novels!
June 19, 2024
I received an advance review copy for free (Booksiren) , and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Cosmic horrors have a specific fan base. What if a cosmic horror story directly connects to a evil God of star? That too in the shadow of the urban legend Inunaki with a meaning "cry of the dog".
Now "dog" keyword made me fantasize about werewolves and starlights with specific colors made me fixated on the said (in the initial pages).
However, I was taken to another weird ride with a village cult in the shadow of a dormant volcano and I was pleasantly surprised.
Star God and his connection with the sing -a-song voiced, moled priestess is great. The origin story of the God is unique too. However, how the human torches offer power to the God is not clear. Cody's sudden transformation from shy boy to a hero is over dramatic. However, the red star's vs sun game is fun.
Rick is dumb to the power of infinity. I mean who goes deeper and deeper in a foreign country's prohibited trek trail considering the country people are peaceful? He even considers communicating the cult people after seeing the human torches! Where are his intuition and EQ?
The first ghost town is creepiest with its great description. But the pyramids and related elements sound more South American than Japanese. (I know about Yonaguni monument, still…). Japanese other mythological elements can add more environmental efficiency here. Of course, I love Rokurokubi type long-necked acolyte in that village. However, more cultural themes can be added to make the background more Japanese.
I love the emphasis on star powers like speed and looping (of course, think of the light speed) but Tanaka is little Westernized.
Overall, a great effort in terms of cosmic horror's elemental development but Japanese elements should be more researched and applied.
Cosmic horrors have a specific fan base. What if a cosmic horror story directly connects to a evil God of star? That too in the shadow of the urban legend Inunaki with a meaning "cry of the dog".
Now "dog" keyword made me fantasize about werewolves and starlights with specific colors made me fixated on the said (in the initial pages).
However, I was taken to another weird ride with a village cult in the shadow of a dormant volcano and I was pleasantly surprised.
Star God and his connection with the sing -a-song voiced, moled priestess is great. The origin story of the God is unique too. However, how the human torches offer power to the God is not clear. Cody's sudden transformation from shy boy to a hero is over dramatic. However, the red star's vs sun game is fun.
Rick is dumb to the power of infinity. I mean who goes deeper and deeper in a foreign country's prohibited trek trail considering the country people are peaceful? He even considers communicating the cult people after seeing the human torches! Where are his intuition and EQ?
The first ghost town is creepiest with its great description. But the pyramids and related elements sound more South American than Japanese. (I know about Yonaguni monument, still…). Japanese other mythological elements can add more environmental efficiency here. Of course, I love Rokurokubi type long-necked acolyte in that village. However, more cultural themes can be added to make the background more Japanese.
I love the emphasis on star powers like speed and looping (of course, think of the light speed) but Tanaka is little Westernized.
Overall, a great effort in terms of cosmic horror's elemental development but Japanese elements should be more researched and applied.
July 22, 2024
This is my first review for an up-and-coming author, and I'm very excited to post this.
Why did I choose this?
Great name and great cover art, but I was also deeply interested in the location the story is set in: Japan. It being a place so far from me, both geographically and spiritually, pushed me to try this out.
I gotta say: it's a good book. Not perfect, mind you, but it creates a great foundation for the stories to come. The story has a nice flow to it and its rhythm feels appropriate, if not a little bit draggy a couple of times. The slow descent from mundanity to the "supernatural" (I won't spoil what happens, so be content with those quotes) is well orchestrated, and almost credible. Some visual details of the antagonists are well written and comprehensible, while others elude (story-wise and lexicon-wise) a true focus, but it creates thematic cohesion with what's narrated.
One aspect that I think should be worked upon in future realeses of this saga, is characters: they missed a true backstory and felt relatively monotone in their thoughts, actions and decisions. I tend not to suggest every piece of media to have relatable characters, but this book's characters are very far from the realm of empathy, even when put in their shoes and within this supernatural happenings.
Same goes for villain motives, here superficial, and acceptable only because of their stereotipical nature.
This book still achieves so much, though, and the story it narrates shows a potential that I can't wait to see realized in future releases.
Why did I choose this?
Great name and great cover art, but I was also deeply interested in the location the story is set in: Japan. It being a place so far from me, both geographically and spiritually, pushed me to try this out.
I gotta say: it's a good book. Not perfect, mind you, but it creates a great foundation for the stories to come. The story has a nice flow to it and its rhythm feels appropriate, if not a little bit draggy a couple of times. The slow descent from mundanity to the "supernatural" (I won't spoil what happens, so be content with those quotes) is well orchestrated, and almost credible. Some visual details of the antagonists are well written and comprehensible, while others elude (story-wise and lexicon-wise) a true focus, but it creates thematic cohesion with what's narrated.
One aspect that I think should be worked upon in future realeses of this saga, is characters: they missed a true backstory and felt relatively monotone in their thoughts, actions and decisions. I tend not to suggest every piece of media to have relatable characters, but this book's characters are very far from the realm of empathy, even when put in their shoes and within this supernatural happenings.
Same goes for villain motives, here superficial, and acceptable only because of their stereotipical nature.
This book still achieves so much, though, and the story it narrates shows a potential that I can't wait to see realized in future releases.
June 25, 2024
3.5 stars/5.
~I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.~
I was enthralled by the premise of this book. The first 25% of the book was really intriguing. I enjoyed the mix of folklore and unique characters, and I settled in for the ride.
However, I felt that the main body of the story was repetitive and a bit lacking. Lots of running back and forth, characters trying the same thing over and over-which is a problem in a lot of horror stories, not just this one. Having such big incidents happen early on meant that it kind of felt like the level of suspense and terror had no where to go. The characters felt hopeless, and like there was no where else for this story to go.
Nervertheless, I kept pushing through and I'm glad I did. The last 25% was awesome. Finally some major character development, and an actual plan of action. Brooks shifted into sixth gear here and was absolutely flying. I felt the same pull that I felt in the opening of the book and I can really see the potential for this series.
Brooks notes that future Black Sun novels will exist in the same universe, and may include little snippits of existing characters. I would definitely read future Black Sun novels and would still recommend this one to friends. I look forward to seeing this universe develop!
~I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.~
I was enthralled by the premise of this book. The first 25% of the book was really intriguing. I enjoyed the mix of folklore and unique characters, and I settled in for the ride.
However, I felt that the main body of the story was repetitive and a bit lacking. Lots of running back and forth, characters trying the same thing over and over-which is a problem in a lot of horror stories, not just this one. Having such big incidents happen early on meant that it kind of felt like the level of suspense and terror had no where to go. The characters felt hopeless, and like there was no where else for this story to go.
Nervertheless, I kept pushing through and I'm glad I did. The last 25% was awesome. Finally some major character development, and an actual plan of action. Brooks shifted into sixth gear here and was absolutely flying. I felt the same pull that I felt in the opening of the book and I can really see the potential for this series.
Brooks notes that future Black Sun novels will exist in the same universe, and may include little snippits of existing characters. I would definitely read future Black Sun novels and would still recommend this one to friends. I look forward to seeing this universe develop!
July 14, 2024
“Endless is the Night” is an eerie and compelling story set in a remote area of Japan. Cody is trying to move past his ex-girlfriend’s death, but when his friend Rick and girlfriend Mia drag him to a remote area of Japan to help Cody recover, they all get more than they bargained for in the form of vengeful entities, demonic possessions,!and human sacrifices.
The story is compelling, such that you want to keep reading to find out what will happen to Cody, Rick, and Mia. It flows well and keeps you engaged throughout. The author also does a good job of evoking a stark, foreboding landscape in descriptions, and you can almost imagine yourself standing alone in deep dark woods with forces of evil pursuing you.
Cody is a relatable character: smart, affable, but with a tendency to go with the flow to avoid conflict, which isn’t the healthiest of mindsets. He is sorely tested in the book, and this makes his journey as a character feel earned and satisfying. My only critique is that I felt there could be more exploration of the trauma inflicted on him in the first places with his ex-girlfriend’s death. It felt too indirect. Other characters like Rick and Mia provide good foils for Cody, as well as Aiko and the townsfolk.
In all, I really enjoyed reading this story and I look forward to Book 2!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The story is compelling, such that you want to keep reading to find out what will happen to Cody, Rick, and Mia. It flows well and keeps you engaged throughout. The author also does a good job of evoking a stark, foreboding landscape in descriptions, and you can almost imagine yourself standing alone in deep dark woods with forces of evil pursuing you.
Cody is a relatable character: smart, affable, but with a tendency to go with the flow to avoid conflict, which isn’t the healthiest of mindsets. He is sorely tested in the book, and this makes his journey as a character feel earned and satisfying. My only critique is that I felt there could be more exploration of the trauma inflicted on him in the first places with his ex-girlfriend’s death. It felt too indirect. Other characters like Rick and Mia provide good foils for Cody, as well as Aiko and the townsfolk.
In all, I really enjoyed reading this story and I look forward to Book 2!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 22, 2024
The story got me hooked from the start. It's definitely a page turner. Three goofy Americans join a guided hike into the Kii mountains in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan and discover a hidden horror valley and village. I found it a bit unlikely that they would join that kind of hike and having lived in Wakayama Prefecture, I found the setting with a hidden valley a bit unlikely too. Wakayama is remote, but not that remote.
The story is based on genuine Japanese myths, which makes it refreshingly different from other horror writing like Stephen King's. However, I often didn't feel the Japanese setting, and sometimes the mythology seemed more South or Central American than Japanese. The growing necks and body parts of the villagers at night is a very Japanese horror trait though, so this was great.
The plot could have done with tightening up, a long sequence of leaving the horror village for the surrounding forest and returning repeatedly could have been shortened and retained the tension better, and this lost it one star in my view.
But for a first novel, this is excellent, gripping stuff! It's a really enjoyable read!
The story is based on genuine Japanese myths, which makes it refreshingly different from other horror writing like Stephen King's. However, I often didn't feel the Japanese setting, and sometimes the mythology seemed more South or Central American than Japanese. The growing necks and body parts of the villagers at night is a very Japanese horror trait though, so this was great.
The plot could have done with tightening up, a long sequence of leaving the horror village for the surrounding forest and returning repeatedly could have been shortened and retained the tension better, and this lost it one star in my view.
But for a first novel, this is excellent, gripping stuff! It's a really enjoyable read!
July 5, 2024
Endless is the Night is a debut horror novel set in the eerie and mysterious Kii mountains of Japan. It follows three friends, Cody, Rick, and Mia, who, looking for an adventure, find more then they bargained for when they enter a world filled with ancient gods, cults, hidden horrors that won’t be kept hidden for long.
I loved the unique Japanese setting in this genre. (well, unique for me at least). And while we are mostly familiar with the western setting in most stories, it added to the mystery. The story kept me hooked and Brooks does a fantastic job of building a story where you want to keep going to see where it ends.
However, the narrative sometimes felt restricted, cycling through the same few locations, which made the world feel really small. And while I was definitely engaged, it lacked some dimension and flow. It felt like I was gliding over the story instead of living it. But honestly, that’s just me nitpicking because I devoured this book in just a few sittings.
Despite these minor issues, “Endless is the Night" is a strong debut. I’m looking forward to seeing how Brooks develops his storytelling in the next few books he has promised us. I’ll be there for the ride.
Thanks to BookSirens and Shawn Brooks for the ARC.
I loved the unique Japanese setting in this genre. (well, unique for me at least). And while we are mostly familiar with the western setting in most stories, it added to the mystery. The story kept me hooked and Brooks does a fantastic job of building a story where you want to keep going to see where it ends.
However, the narrative sometimes felt restricted, cycling through the same few locations, which made the world feel really small. And while I was definitely engaged, it lacked some dimension and flow. It felt like I was gliding over the story instead of living it. But honestly, that’s just me nitpicking because I devoured this book in just a few sittings.
Despite these minor issues, “Endless is the Night" is a strong debut. I’m looking forward to seeing how Brooks develops his storytelling in the next few books he has promised us. I’ll be there for the ride.
Thanks to BookSirens and Shawn Brooks for the ARC.
August 8, 2024
Thank you, Shawn Brooks
This is based on a real-life situation and ancient Japanese folklore. It's the author debut novel.
Three friends go on a hiking trip on a Japanese mountain to reconnect. Things start to go wrong from the start. There is a sign that warns passersbys to beware pass a certain point in the forest. The group of three keeps walking and climbing up Kii Mountain. A miscalculated hook and the party of three fall. They enter into a dark, mysterious village that most don't realize exist. (This part gave me vibes of Shangri-la in Lost Horizon vibes only darker). Legends have been written about this village. Those who came to explore more of the legend never are scene again.
This cosmic horror is well crafted. It is a slow burn in the beginning chapters. The deeper I read, the more intriguing the story became, and the more I wanted to find out what happened once the three friends entered the village. There is no cell phone service or other type of electrical service. It's definitely a dead spot. Can the group of three figure out a way out of the village? Do they turn into a village sacrifice? What is that red glow in the sky?
This is based on a real-life situation and ancient Japanese folklore. It's the author debut novel.
Three friends go on a hiking trip on a Japanese mountain to reconnect. Things start to go wrong from the start. There is a sign that warns passersbys to beware pass a certain point in the forest. The group of three keeps walking and climbing up Kii Mountain. A miscalculated hook and the party of three fall. They enter into a dark, mysterious village that most don't realize exist. (This part gave me vibes of Shangri-la in Lost Horizon vibes only darker). Legends have been written about this village. Those who came to explore more of the legend never are scene again.
This cosmic horror is well crafted. It is a slow burn in the beginning chapters. The deeper I read, the more intriguing the story became, and the more I wanted to find out what happened once the three friends entered the village. There is no cell phone service or other type of electrical service. It's definitely a dead spot. Can the group of three figure out a way out of the village? Do they turn into a village sacrifice? What is that red glow in the sky?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2025
This was very different from anything I’ve read before, and I have mixed feelings about it. I want to start by saying I have pretty much zero knowledge of Japanese folklore, but if this story is any indication of what it’s like, it’s brutal yet beautiful.
To be completely honest, the first half of the book fell flat for me; I felt it was slow moving, and I really wanted more out of the main characters’ backgrounds. Once you stumble upon the small town hidden among the forest though, things begin to pick up - and fast.
Brutal deaths, horrific creatures of the night, and rituals that seem unfathomable…all for a god unlike any other. I do wish the god felt less space/sci-fi to me, and maybe that was just my own interpretation of it, but certain elements seemed out of place and not quite as nature-centric as the rest of the story. One thing I really appreciated about this story was the consequences, as not a single character was unaffected by them. This type of story isn’t my usual cup of tea, but I will say it has peaked my interest in more Japanese folklore/horror inspired stories!
To be completely honest, the first half of the book fell flat for me; I felt it was slow moving, and I really wanted more out of the main characters’ backgrounds. Once you stumble upon the small town hidden among the forest though, things begin to pick up - and fast.
Brutal deaths, horrific creatures of the night, and rituals that seem unfathomable…all for a god unlike any other. I do wish the god felt less space/sci-fi to me, and maybe that was just my own interpretation of it, but certain elements seemed out of place and not quite as nature-centric as the rest of the story. One thing I really appreciated about this story was the consequences, as not a single character was unaffected by them. This type of story isn’t my usual cup of tea, but I will say it has peaked my interest in more Japanese folklore/horror inspired stories!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 30, 2024
In this entrancing and complex debut thriller that brings together urban legends and three wandering souls, Rick convinces his best friend Cody to stop wallowing in guilt and grief (resulting from his ex’s suicide) by going on vacation to Japan with him and Rick’s current girlfriend, Mia. However, what started as a simple guided hike leads to three friends struggling through a desolate, over-vegetated valley where they encounter evil beyond their previous imagination. As all of the characters come together in this book to work towards the greater good of everyone - even those a world away from Japan - Cody is forced to reconsider his perspective regarding everything, including - and most importantly - his core beliefs.
Thank you Booksirens for the opportunist to read this ARC and leave an honest review!
Thank you Booksirens for the opportunist to read this ARC and leave an honest review!
June 22, 2024
I absolutely loved this. This was an ARC I signed up for and I was stunned the entire time. I was on the edge of my seat for most of the story and I didn't want anything to end! Shawn does a great job weaving together multiple characters and perspectives. I enjoyed every aspect and I believe that the characters were very relatable and I especially loved Cody. It definitely sets up for a second novel and that's exciting because I definitely want to read more. Usually I can find something I don't like about a story, but I can't say that with this one. I loved every minute of it. Anyone who reads this book is in for a great treat. You won't regret reading Endless is the Night. It's become one of my top reads this year.
June 24, 2024
Rick - clearly the leader and massively irritating
Mia - the latest girl friend
Cody - the best friend, dealing with his ex's suicide
Rick plans and books a getaway to Japan - including a hike and night camping out on the trail, unbeknownst to the tour guide. After a head start, they ditch the group - and the horror begins.
This book is massively creepy. Rick allows his determination to makeup his error to cloud his judgement. Any negativity met with derision as they struggle to shelter, a town, anything.
The tour guide finally realizes the friends are missing - only to hear the urban legend from local police.
The slow build foundation embellishes the creep factor - and the story. Well done.
Mia - the latest girl friend
Cody - the best friend, dealing with his ex's suicide
Rick plans and books a getaway to Japan - including a hike and night camping out on the trail, unbeknownst to the tour guide. After a head start, they ditch the group - and the horror begins.
This book is massively creepy. Rick allows his determination to makeup his error to cloud his judgement. Any negativity met with derision as they struggle to shelter, a town, anything.
The tour guide finally realizes the friends are missing - only to hear the urban legend from local police.
The slow build foundation embellishes the creep factor - and the story. Well done.
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