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Netherkind
Thomas is no ordinary man.
To live, he must devour human flesh. His habitual existence is one of killing and feeding and taking on the physical characteristics of his victims.
Thomas tries to fit in with the rest of humanity, but when his beautiful neighbor, Stephanie deceives him and turns out to be a monster just like him, he decides to discover his heritage and take revenge. Little does he know that there are many other “Fleshers” out there hiding in the shadows of the world and they are at war with each other.
To live, he must devour human flesh. His habitual existence is one of killing and feeding and taking on the physical characteristics of his victims.
Thomas tries to fit in with the rest of humanity, but when his beautiful neighbor, Stephanie deceives him and turns out to be a monster just like him, he decides to discover his heritage and take revenge. Little does he know that there are many other “Fleshers” out there hiding in the shadows of the world and they are at war with each other.
- GenresHorrorDark Fantasy
256 pages, Paperback
Published July 31, 2024
4 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Greg Chapman
102 books108 followersAustralian Shadows Award-winner***, two-time Bram Stoker Award nominee** and Ditmar Awards nominee*, Greg Chapman is a horror author and artist based in Queensland Australia.
Greg is the author of the novels Hollow House, The Noctuary: Pandemonium and Netherkind and the collections, Vaudeville and Other Nightmares, This Sublime Darkness and Other Dark Stories, Bleak Precision, Midnight Masquerade and Black Days and Bloody Nights. His short fiction has also appeared in numerous anthologies and magazines.
His artistic endeavours include designing book covers for various publishers in Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom. He has been creating book covers and artwork for IFWG Publishing since 2013. The first graphic novel he illustrated, Witch Hunts: A Graphic History of the Burning Times, written by Rocky Wood and Lisa Morton, won the Superior Achievement in a Graphic Novel category at the Bram Stoker Awards® in 2013.
Greg was also the President of the Australasian Horror Writers Association from 2017-2020.
*** Best Collected Work, for Midnight Masquerade 2023 Australian Shadows Awards
** Superior Achievement in a First Novel for Hollow House (2016) and
Superior Achievement in Short Fiction, for “The Book of Last Words” (2019)
* Best Artwork (internal illustrations in “Polyphemus”) 2024
Greg is the author of the novels Hollow House, The Noctuary: Pandemonium and Netherkind and the collections, Vaudeville and Other Nightmares, This Sublime Darkness and Other Dark Stories, Bleak Precision, Midnight Masquerade and Black Days and Bloody Nights. His short fiction has also appeared in numerous anthologies and magazines.
His artistic endeavours include designing book covers for various publishers in Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom. He has been creating book covers and artwork for IFWG Publishing since 2013. The first graphic novel he illustrated, Witch Hunts: A Graphic History of the Burning Times, written by Rocky Wood and Lisa Morton, won the Superior Achievement in a Graphic Novel category at the Bram Stoker Awards® in 2013.
Greg was also the President of the Australasian Horror Writers Association from 2017-2020.
*** Best Collected Work, for Midnight Masquerade 2023 Australian Shadows Awards
** Superior Achievement in a First Novel for Hollow House (2016) and
Superior Achievement in Short Fiction, for “The Book of Last Words” (2019)
* Best Artwork (internal illustrations in “Polyphemus”) 2024
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 13, 2023
DNF at 45%.
The writing was meh, and I didn't care for any of the characters. It would take a lot for me to empathize with a flesh eating monster, and unfortunately this book didn't deliver.
The writing was meh, and I didn't care for any of the characters. It would take a lot for me to empathize with a flesh eating monster, and unfortunately this book didn't deliver.
April 29, 2019
An ambitious, Barkeresque descent, Netherkind takes the risk of making Everyman a monster.
Deep under the earth dwell the tribes, those that were granted the powers of extended life, skin-changing and magic. The powerless, fit only for food, came to populate the surface and to call themselves human. Thomas knows only that he is not human, that he suffers terrible cravings and, if he denies them, his own flesh starts breaking down. But a secret such as him cannot be hidden forever and, as it turns out, not all humans are powerless.
Chapman's third novel surpasses his previous work in sophistication and imaginative flair. The torrent of grotesque invention all but runs out of control, as skin tears and bones morph, wings sprout and ancient prophecies lurch towards the Flaeschama to be born. But beneath all this lies a familiar tale. Thomas is a young man who believes, despite everything, that there must be more to life. When his fantasy is dashed, he flees into the underworld, encountering terror but finding companions and a purpose. To redeem himself, he must discover the truth of his origins and, in the process, shed his prejudices and those of society. Then, he will become a hero for his time. It's just that, in Thomas's case, this involves an awful lot of eating people.
As a metaphor for human relations and the exercise of power, anthropophagy is very strong. In Chapman's hands, it becomes not only alarmingly sensual, but the book's methodology, central to how the tale proceeds.
“Thomas dropped into the bloody murk and greedily slurped it off the floor of the carriage. His mouth was a vacuum, sucking up every morsel of digested blood and bone. The larger pieces he chewed and gulped down; the feeling of it sliding down his throat was pure ecstasy to the urge. The feeding was almost trance-like, with Thomas at its mercy. He shivered as he gorged himself, the act a whole-of-body experience that had an immediate effect upon his own skin.”
Similar panegyrics punctuate almost every encounter, and how the individual reader responds will impact greatly upon her enjoyment of this book. But what could have been a mere cauldron of horrors is bound together by strong and memorable characters, such as Calea, the rebel Phagus who does not fear to consort with Skiift, the grisly hierophant Shal-Ekh, and Vorn the human sorcerer. In fact, I found the scenes involving the human contingent—Vorn's employer Niles and the mercenary Colton—and their journey, as outsiders, into the depths, to be among the most effective. However sympathetic a monster may be, the perspective of even an ignorant and villainous human, seeing such things for the first time, is the one that gets under the skin.
There is true vision here; of seething, anonymous cities, of secret, millennial wars, of humanity as ferals to be culled. If more is implied than is explained, and if the prose occasionally explodes, the story proceeds at a rocketing pace and the climax, as well as drawing things together, brings metaphor and method to a culmination that is actually quite beautiful. There is risk in trying anything different to the rotes of zombies, vampires and haunted houses, and in the case of Netherkind, I consider that risk pays off.
“I ain't no fucking vampire!” the creature said, spitting at them.
Vorn sneered. “But what you are is rude...”
Deep under the earth dwell the tribes, those that were granted the powers of extended life, skin-changing and magic. The powerless, fit only for food, came to populate the surface and to call themselves human. Thomas knows only that he is not human, that he suffers terrible cravings and, if he denies them, his own flesh starts breaking down. But a secret such as him cannot be hidden forever and, as it turns out, not all humans are powerless.
Chapman's third novel surpasses his previous work in sophistication and imaginative flair. The torrent of grotesque invention all but runs out of control, as skin tears and bones morph, wings sprout and ancient prophecies lurch towards the Flaeschama to be born. But beneath all this lies a familiar tale. Thomas is a young man who believes, despite everything, that there must be more to life. When his fantasy is dashed, he flees into the underworld, encountering terror but finding companions and a purpose. To redeem himself, he must discover the truth of his origins and, in the process, shed his prejudices and those of society. Then, he will become a hero for his time. It's just that, in Thomas's case, this involves an awful lot of eating people.
As a metaphor for human relations and the exercise of power, anthropophagy is very strong. In Chapman's hands, it becomes not only alarmingly sensual, but the book's methodology, central to how the tale proceeds.
“Thomas dropped into the bloody murk and greedily slurped it off the floor of the carriage. His mouth was a vacuum, sucking up every morsel of digested blood and bone. The larger pieces he chewed and gulped down; the feeling of it sliding down his throat was pure ecstasy to the urge. The feeding was almost trance-like, with Thomas at its mercy. He shivered as he gorged himself, the act a whole-of-body experience that had an immediate effect upon his own skin.”
Similar panegyrics punctuate almost every encounter, and how the individual reader responds will impact greatly upon her enjoyment of this book. But what could have been a mere cauldron of horrors is bound together by strong and memorable characters, such as Calea, the rebel Phagus who does not fear to consort with Skiift, the grisly hierophant Shal-Ekh, and Vorn the human sorcerer. In fact, I found the scenes involving the human contingent—Vorn's employer Niles and the mercenary Colton—and their journey, as outsiders, into the depths, to be among the most effective. However sympathetic a monster may be, the perspective of even an ignorant and villainous human, seeing such things for the first time, is the one that gets under the skin.
There is true vision here; of seething, anonymous cities, of secret, millennial wars, of humanity as ferals to be culled. If more is implied than is explained, and if the prose occasionally explodes, the story proceeds at a rocketing pace and the climax, as well as drawing things together, brings metaphor and method to a culmination that is actually quite beautiful. There is risk in trying anything different to the rotes of zombies, vampires and haunted houses, and in the case of Netherkind, I consider that risk pays off.
“I ain't no fucking vampire!” the creature said, spitting at them.
Vorn sneered. “But what you are is rude...”
June 14, 2019
Netherkind
By Greg Chapman
Genre - Fiction
Subgenre - Dark Fantasy/Horror/Speculative Fiction
Pages - 303
Publication Information - Omnium Gatherum Media, April 26, 2019
Format - Digital
Reviewed by William C. Bitner, Jr. (https://booksinmylibraryblog.wordpres...)
Rating - 📙📙📙📙📙
If you really want to know who your are, you must first accept what you are, or vise versa. Or at least that’s what Thomas would have to learn in the newest creation from Greg Chapman. “Netherkind” is a new kind of monster, conjured up from the nether regions of Greg Chapman’s very creative mind. Not only does he give us a look at a different kind of monster, but he has created a lineage, history and mythology of these creatures. That was when this book, for me at least, shifted into a dark fantasy at top speeds. Thought provoking and visceral in its narrative. You will discover the humanity and inhumanity of these creatures. There are multiple metaphors running throughout this tale in regards to the dangers of religion, war, hate, and greed just to name a few, and how they are handled within the different “tribes”. There is so much more to this book than meets the eye, or that is described in the synopsis. It’s a whole other world, and you really should be putting this on your list of books to read!
From the back cover: Thomas is no ordinary man.
To live, he must devour human flesh. His habitual existence is one of killing and feeding and taking on the physical characteristics of his victims.
Thomas tries to fit in with the rest of humanity, but when his beautiful neighbor, Stephanie deceives him and turns out to be a monster just like him, he decides to discover his heritage and take revenge. Little does he know that there are many other “Fleshers” out there hiding in the shadows of the world and they are at war with each other.
About the Author: Greg Chapman is the Bram Stoker Award-nominated® and Australian Shadows Award-nominated author of Hollow House and the author of five novellas: Torment (2011 and 2016), The Noctuary (2011), Vaudeville (2012), The Last Night of October (2013 and 2016) and The Eschatologist (2016), and The Noctuary: Pandemonium, published by Bloodshot Books in December 2017. His debut collection, Vaudeville and Other Nightmares, was published in 2014.
His short stories have appeared in numerous publications, including Dark Eclipse, DevolutionZ, SQ Mag, Midnight Echo, and several anthologies. His short story, The Bone Maiden, was an Australian Shadows Award finalist in 2015, as was his novella, The Eschatologist in 2016.
He is also a horror artist and his first graphic novel Witch Hunts: A Graphic History of the Burning Times, written by authors Rocky Wood and Lisa Morton, won the Superior Achievement in a Graphic Novel category at the Bram Stoker Awards® in 2013.
He also illustrated the comic series Allure of the Ancients for Midnight Echo Magazine and the one-shot comic, Bullet Ballerina, written by Tom Piccirilli.
By Greg Chapman
Genre - Fiction
Subgenre - Dark Fantasy/Horror/Speculative Fiction
Pages - 303
Publication Information - Omnium Gatherum Media, April 26, 2019
Format - Digital
Reviewed by William C. Bitner, Jr. (https://booksinmylibraryblog.wordpres...)
Rating - 📙📙📙📙📙
If you really want to know who your are, you must first accept what you are, or vise versa. Or at least that’s what Thomas would have to learn in the newest creation from Greg Chapman. “Netherkind” is a new kind of monster, conjured up from the nether regions of Greg Chapman’s very creative mind. Not only does he give us a look at a different kind of monster, but he has created a lineage, history and mythology of these creatures. That was when this book, for me at least, shifted into a dark fantasy at top speeds. Thought provoking and visceral in its narrative. You will discover the humanity and inhumanity of these creatures. There are multiple metaphors running throughout this tale in regards to the dangers of religion, war, hate, and greed just to name a few, and how they are handled within the different “tribes”. There is so much more to this book than meets the eye, or that is described in the synopsis. It’s a whole other world, and you really should be putting this on your list of books to read!
From the back cover: Thomas is no ordinary man.
To live, he must devour human flesh. His habitual existence is one of killing and feeding and taking on the physical characteristics of his victims.
Thomas tries to fit in with the rest of humanity, but when his beautiful neighbor, Stephanie deceives him and turns out to be a monster just like him, he decides to discover his heritage and take revenge. Little does he know that there are many other “Fleshers” out there hiding in the shadows of the world and they are at war with each other.
About the Author: Greg Chapman is the Bram Stoker Award-nominated® and Australian Shadows Award-nominated author of Hollow House and the author of five novellas: Torment (2011 and 2016), The Noctuary (2011), Vaudeville (2012), The Last Night of October (2013 and 2016) and The Eschatologist (2016), and The Noctuary: Pandemonium, published by Bloodshot Books in December 2017. His debut collection, Vaudeville and Other Nightmares, was published in 2014.
His short stories have appeared in numerous publications, including Dark Eclipse, DevolutionZ, SQ Mag, Midnight Echo, and several anthologies. His short story, The Bone Maiden, was an Australian Shadows Award finalist in 2015, as was his novella, The Eschatologist in 2016.
He is also a horror artist and his first graphic novel Witch Hunts: A Graphic History of the Burning Times, written by authors Rocky Wood and Lisa Morton, won the Superior Achievement in a Graphic Novel category at the Bram Stoker Awards® in 2013.
He also illustrated the comic series Allure of the Ancients for Midnight Echo Magazine and the one-shot comic, Bullet Ballerina, written by Tom Piccirilli.
June 14, 2022
This is my third read by the author. I liked the first one and really didn’t the second one. This one was shaping up to be somewhere firmly in the middle of that, but, to be honest, it ended up somewhere toward the didn’t-care-for-it level.
It was ambitious enough, certainly. On the epic scale, really, with all tis world-building and action. But ultimately, this tale of anthropophagy just didn’t sing for me.
I was trying to nail down why and I’ve come up with something like…it was too much like a high fantasy almost (sword no sandals variety) with all these courtly powers struggles and different warring factions. That sort of thing seldom if ever works for me outside of Game of Thrones.
That wasn’t all, though. The writing didn’t do much for me either. It was perfectly serviceable, which seems to be Crossroads Press’ standard, but nothing special. Didn’t care for any of the characters, either. Of any of the species and subspecies.
I suppose the best aspect of this novel was its concept, in that it was original and different, but that just depends on how much interest you can muster up for a bunch of Fleshers i.e. flesh eating beings who live in the world beneath our own, war with each other, and munch on unsuspecting humans above. Or their own kind if the spirit moves them.
We are given entry into this world through the novel’s protagonist, a Flesher who lives among humans and thinks he’s the only one of his kind only to find out that a. he isn’t, and b. he’s got a role to play in the intrigues of the Phaguns (that’s what they call themselves, the hungry ones) below.
And then there are some people (collector, mercenary, etc.) who are after all Phaguns out of pure interest and greed.
So it’s a lot. There’s a lot going on in this novel. And maybe it’ll work for you more. Readers differ, tastes differ. This is just one (unimpressed) opinion. Thanks Netgalley.
It was ambitious enough, certainly. On the epic scale, really, with all tis world-building and action. But ultimately, this tale of anthropophagy just didn’t sing for me.
I was trying to nail down why and I’ve come up with something like…it was too much like a high fantasy almost (sword no sandals variety) with all these courtly powers struggles and different warring factions. That sort of thing seldom if ever works for me outside of Game of Thrones.
That wasn’t all, though. The writing didn’t do much for me either. It was perfectly serviceable, which seems to be Crossroads Press’ standard, but nothing special. Didn’t care for any of the characters, either. Of any of the species and subspecies.
I suppose the best aspect of this novel was its concept, in that it was original and different, but that just depends on how much interest you can muster up for a bunch of Fleshers i.e. flesh eating beings who live in the world beneath our own, war with each other, and munch on unsuspecting humans above. Or their own kind if the spirit moves them.
We are given entry into this world through the novel’s protagonist, a Flesher who lives among humans and thinks he’s the only one of his kind only to find out that a. he isn’t, and b. he’s got a role to play in the intrigues of the Phaguns (that’s what they call themselves, the hungry ones) below.
And then there are some people (collector, mercenary, etc.) who are after all Phaguns out of pure interest and greed.
So it’s a lot. There’s a lot going on in this novel. And maybe it’ll work for you more. Readers differ, tastes differ. This is just one (unimpressed) opinion. Thanks Netgalley.
May 24, 2019
** Edited as review is now live on Kendall Reviews! **
I first discovered Chapman last year when I read his fantastic novella The Followers (which is also known as The Eschatologist). It was a really well-done tale that had a nice, unique spin on post-apocalyptic horror. At the time I wrote the review I was fairly jaded with dystopian stuff (which I still am) but Chapman presented a narrative that had me riveted.
When Netherkind was offered up for review, I jumped on it. The artwork was amazing and I was looking forward to a long-read from Greg. Then I read the synopsis and truthfully, I was put off. It read like a zombie book and if there’s one genre I am currently avoiding like the plague – its zombies. I just can’t do zombie stuff lately, doesn’t interest me and I find I either don’t choose it or just don’t make an effort to read it. I know a ton of folks still love the zombie world, but for me, I need a break.
Netherkind isn’t a zombie book. I need to say that for other folks who are in the ‘no-zombie’ boat like me right now. The synopsis leads you to believe that and even the opening few chapters introducing the main character Thomas to the reader will make you think you’re about to head down the zombie plotline, but I’ll yell it again – NETHERKIND ISN’T A ZOMBIE BOOK!
What Netherkind is… is a stunning achievement by Chapman. Within this book, Chapman has created three new species/breeds of monsters that dwell in a subterranean world, miles below our feet. Sure they have elements seen before in fiction, but what Greg does it put a Barker style spin on them and then makes them his own. They don’t want to mingle or mix with humans, instead, they all struggle to co-mingle in the environment, and often scores get settled through bloody wars. In this case, the war has been raging on for hundreds of years.
Chapman does an amazing job of introducing a few key characters that really got my interest. Specifically – a billionaire obsessed with acquiring rare artefacts and creatures, an occultist that is hired to find said artefacts and creatures and a mercenary, bounty hunter who is also hired to help when needed.
This injection of non-monster characters elevates the tension throughout and I found I was racing through this book. It did take me a bit to get going, simply because in the back of my mind I was worried we’d be tossed into a full-on zombie trope, but it never happens. Instead, Chapman suddenly winds up telling a stunning fantasy-horror novel. I know the term fantasy can be off-putting, but for this book, it really is the only way to describe it. We’re not talking knights, horses and dragons – no we’re talking an ancient God expected to come back, a tribe of priests who live within an abandoned church, a race of creatures living in an enchanted style forest and a prophecy played out through specific actions, dreams and bloodlines. There is a deep running allegory throughout this tale, showing the pitfalls of religious turmoil and war based on beliefs, but if religious plot-lines put you off, then this book is fantastic because you can just let the story run on its own merit.
I’ve always been drawn to tales told with clashing families/cities that feature beasts and these tales are always elevated when the author has created the mythology first, then write the story. I’d hazard a guess that Chapman did approach it this way as never once did I find a stumble or an odd moment when things felt like they were falling apart. No, here Chapman knows the history of each clan front to back and weaves the tale between all as the story really ramps up. I began to realize I was getting close to the end and it was at this point I knew this story had elevated itself and I would be giving it 5 stars. I dreaded it ending. I didn’t want it to stop. I wanted one of the characters to arrive and the prophecy that was foretold, to continue on. Here’s hoping that Greg has a follow up planned as what he’s laid before us works so well as a stand-alone, but I want to revisit the world again.
This should be on everyone’s TBR – if it’s not you really need to fix that, and please look beyond the “Flesher” designation in the synopsis. This book is so much more.
I first discovered Chapman last year when I read his fantastic novella The Followers (which is also known as The Eschatologist). It was a really well-done tale that had a nice, unique spin on post-apocalyptic horror. At the time I wrote the review I was fairly jaded with dystopian stuff (which I still am) but Chapman presented a narrative that had me riveted.
When Netherkind was offered up for review, I jumped on it. The artwork was amazing and I was looking forward to a long-read from Greg. Then I read the synopsis and truthfully, I was put off. It read like a zombie book and if there’s one genre I am currently avoiding like the plague – its zombies. I just can’t do zombie stuff lately, doesn’t interest me and I find I either don’t choose it or just don’t make an effort to read it. I know a ton of folks still love the zombie world, but for me, I need a break.
Netherkind isn’t a zombie book. I need to say that for other folks who are in the ‘no-zombie’ boat like me right now. The synopsis leads you to believe that and even the opening few chapters introducing the main character Thomas to the reader will make you think you’re about to head down the zombie plotline, but I’ll yell it again – NETHERKIND ISN’T A ZOMBIE BOOK!
What Netherkind is… is a stunning achievement by Chapman. Within this book, Chapman has created three new species/breeds of monsters that dwell in a subterranean world, miles below our feet. Sure they have elements seen before in fiction, but what Greg does it put a Barker style spin on them and then makes them his own. They don’t want to mingle or mix with humans, instead, they all struggle to co-mingle in the environment, and often scores get settled through bloody wars. In this case, the war has been raging on for hundreds of years.
Chapman does an amazing job of introducing a few key characters that really got my interest. Specifically – a billionaire obsessed with acquiring rare artefacts and creatures, an occultist that is hired to find said artefacts and creatures and a mercenary, bounty hunter who is also hired to help when needed.
This injection of non-monster characters elevates the tension throughout and I found I was racing through this book. It did take me a bit to get going, simply because in the back of my mind I was worried we’d be tossed into a full-on zombie trope, but it never happens. Instead, Chapman suddenly winds up telling a stunning fantasy-horror novel. I know the term fantasy can be off-putting, but for this book, it really is the only way to describe it. We’re not talking knights, horses and dragons – no we’re talking an ancient God expected to come back, a tribe of priests who live within an abandoned church, a race of creatures living in an enchanted style forest and a prophecy played out through specific actions, dreams and bloodlines. There is a deep running allegory throughout this tale, showing the pitfalls of religious turmoil and war based on beliefs, but if religious plot-lines put you off, then this book is fantastic because you can just let the story run on its own merit.
I’ve always been drawn to tales told with clashing families/cities that feature beasts and these tales are always elevated when the author has created the mythology first, then write the story. I’d hazard a guess that Chapman did approach it this way as never once did I find a stumble or an odd moment when things felt like they were falling apart. No, here Chapman knows the history of each clan front to back and weaves the tale between all as the story really ramps up. I began to realize I was getting close to the end and it was at this point I knew this story had elevated itself and I would be giving it 5 stars. I dreaded it ending. I didn’t want it to stop. I wanted one of the characters to arrive and the prophecy that was foretold, to continue on. Here’s hoping that Greg has a follow up planned as what he’s laid before us works so well as a stand-alone, but I want to revisit the world again.
This should be on everyone’s TBR – if it’s not you really need to fix that, and please look beyond the “Flesher” designation in the synopsis. This book is so much more.
May 22, 2019
This was my original praise, and I stand by it!" "Dark, tragic, vengeful, and epic in scale, NETHERKIND is the type of fantasy horror that leaves the reader reeling from sensory overload; it is a 'feast', both of flesh and of lurid reading pleasure!" 5 out of 5 stars.
November 28, 2022
https://fictionmajorette.blogspot.com...
I'll say right at the top that this is not my usual read. When I requested this book on NetGalley, it was only listed as a horror and thus I thought it would really lean into the quasi-cannibalism of these creatures. However, these creatures ended up having a much more complex societal structure than I was expecting and there was a good amount of political machinations going on as well. We even get some supernatural/magical elements which again upped the fantasy percentage for me. We start out the story in solid horror territory but it quickly turns into a more fantasy-heavy read.
I really loved the characters in this ... except for Thomas. I didn't particularly dislike him, but I was pretty meh about him and his journey. He felt very much like a reader stand in since he didn't know anything about these other creatures or their dynamics. I can understand the plot reasons why he wouldn't know anything and would need to have everything explained to him, but it ended up feeling like he was pretty devoid of any defining characteristics. I would have preferred Thomas taking a more active role in the plot and maybe doing some investigation/research on his own.
The horror elements were pretty solidly body horror with a dash of cannibalism. The opening 10% is pretty heavy on the blood and gore of Thomas's life and how he feeds and then transforms. However, I did then find that the middle section from 25%-75% was lighter on the horror and really leaned into the fantasy elements. But that last 75% we get some really fantastic descriptions and scenes that I absolutely loved.
The fantasy elements were a bit hit and miss for me - but again, fantasy is not my genre. I absolutely loved the world-building and lore that Chapman managed to fit into this 303 page read. I thought everything was really well laid out and we learned about this new world in layers so it never felt overwhelming. We have 3 pretty significant groups of conflicting beings (plus another one on the fringe and a couple humans thrown in the mix) so there's a lot of ground to cover. However, Chapman did a great job of rotating through these different sections of the story so the reader is consistently reminded of the dynamics at play.
Overall, this was a pretty fun read but it did lean a bit more toward fantasy than I personally like. That being said, I still enjoyed it and loved the world building, side characters, and horror elements.
Thanks NetGalley and Crossroad Press for the ARC
Publication date was May 28, 2022
I'll say right at the top that this is not my usual read. When I requested this book on NetGalley, it was only listed as a horror and thus I thought it would really lean into the quasi-cannibalism of these creatures. However, these creatures ended up having a much more complex societal structure than I was expecting and there was a good amount of political machinations going on as well. We even get some supernatural/magical elements which again upped the fantasy percentage for me. We start out the story in solid horror territory but it quickly turns into a more fantasy-heavy read.
I really loved the characters in this ... except for Thomas. I didn't particularly dislike him, but I was pretty meh about him and his journey. He felt very much like a reader stand in since he didn't know anything about these other creatures or their dynamics. I can understand the plot reasons why he wouldn't know anything and would need to have everything explained to him, but it ended up feeling like he was pretty devoid of any defining characteristics. I would have preferred Thomas taking a more active role in the plot and maybe doing some investigation/research on his own.
The horror elements were pretty solidly body horror with a dash of cannibalism. The opening 10% is pretty heavy on the blood and gore of Thomas's life and how he feeds and then transforms. However, I did then find that the middle section from 25%-75% was lighter on the horror and really leaned into the fantasy elements. But that last 75% we get some really fantastic descriptions and scenes that I absolutely loved.
The fantasy elements were a bit hit and miss for me - but again, fantasy is not my genre. I absolutely loved the world-building and lore that Chapman managed to fit into this 303 page read. I thought everything was really well laid out and we learned about this new world in layers so it never felt overwhelming. We have 3 pretty significant groups of conflicting beings (plus another one on the fringe and a couple humans thrown in the mix) so there's a lot of ground to cover. However, Chapman did a great job of rotating through these different sections of the story so the reader is consistently reminded of the dynamics at play.
Overall, this was a pretty fun read but it did lean a bit more toward fantasy than I personally like. That being said, I still enjoyed it and loved the world building, side characters, and horror elements.
Thanks NetGalley and Crossroad Press for the ARC
Publication date was May 28, 2022
June 13, 2022
Thomas struggles to fight the urge… the hunger… to draw sustenance from human flesh!
He learns, after years of isolation, that he is not alone; instead, he is part of an ancient civilization that is warring amongst its own tribes.
Travelling along with Thomas we get to see the awesome world building Greg Chapman has created. This is such a great read that steps outside of the common sci fi/ fantasy genre and pulls the reader in.
Thank you to NetGalley, Crossroad Press, and Greg Chapman for a copy.
He learns, after years of isolation, that he is not alone; instead, he is part of an ancient civilization that is warring amongst its own tribes.
Travelling along with Thomas we get to see the awesome world building Greg Chapman has created. This is such a great read that steps outside of the common sci fi/ fantasy genre and pulls the reader in.
Thank you to NetGalley, Crossroad Press, and Greg Chapman for a copy.
June 24, 2022
A monstrous tale that eats away at the flesh, leaving the urge satisfied. But not satisfied for long. Thomas thought he was the only one of his kind until he was accosted and attacked by a female monster who stole his seed. Then he finds a whole underground world of monsters who are suspicious that they’ve never encountered him before.
June 17, 2022
I tried to enjoy this story, but it was very bland. The actual story itself was good, but it was not exciting. I am interested in reading more from Greg Chapman because I feel once he finds his niche, he could write a great story. I just needed more feeling and excitement in this one.
July 30, 2022
An interesting novel but one that just did not quite work for me in the end
For a full review, please go to https://areviewerdarkly.blogspot.com/... and follow me on Twitter @josenher
For a full review, please go to https://areviewerdarkly.blogspot.com/... and follow me on Twitter @josenher
June 24, 2019
Weird ending
February 8, 2024
I absolutely loved it, it's the kind of tale that keeps you reading right through the night, it's truly spectacular
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