Beyond Human

Underground #6

by Matthew A. Clarke

It was supposed to be a simple rescue secure the doctor and exfil to the surface. A task that Nade Wilhelm and Pip Damon of A.L.P.H.A Team could be forgiven for considering beneath them. But there are things thriving in the underground facility that would have been better off undiscovered. Things that make short work decimating the rest of their team in front of them. The pair must act fast and work together to survive against an unstoppable enemy that is out for their blood.

After a startling revelation deeper into the facility, Nade and Pip are forced to question their own motives for survival. Do they really deserve to be the ones to live? Or do they follow their instincts and put a stop to the questionable activities they have uncovered, effectively bringing about the end of all humanity?

Previously published in 2021 by Black Hare Press

Genres: Horror

81 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 15, 2025

About the author

Matthew A. Clarke is a British horror and bizarro author.

He has published fifteen books at the time of writing, and has countless short stories lurking in the darkest corners of the library.

Bizarro


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Bizarro fiction is a contemporary literary genre, which often uses elements of absurdism, satire, and the grotesque, along with pop-surrealism and genre fiction staples, in order to create subversive, weird, and entertaining works. We read that stuff (someone has to) and then write publicly to one another here about the experience of reading it. If you join this group, you can too.

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Connect
Website: www.matthewaclarkeauthor.co.uk
Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/~/e/B082WJJPQ3
Facebook: www.facebook.com/matthewaclarkeauthor

Reviews

[Peter Topside · Rating 3 out of 5]

So my first critique here is that I wasn’t sure whether this was a standalone story within the same world of the Underground series, or just another chapter of it. The Amazon and Goodreads pages were not clear when I compared the two. So that was a little bothersome before I even started reading. Now right off the bat, this book dives into the story. You pick up the general idea, even though it felt rushed. The writing wasn’t bad, but the characters, action and plot just didn’t grab me. This book made me remember playing older Resident Evil and Doom games, if anything. It was a very short read and may have benefited a great deal by being expanded and detailed a bit more, to enhance the experience. But again, depending on the author’s intentions of this book, it may have been done already in the first five books in this series. However, as I glanced at the other books plots, leading up to this entry, it doesn’t seem to be the case.

[Corrina Morse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've only read Matts bizzarro books before now, which were hilariously brilliant. And this book goes to show that he does horror just as brilliantly and just as messed up!! 😉
This was fast paced, action packed, gory, horrific goodness. I really felt for the main character and felt the horror throughout. I would love there to be a sequel to this.......cos I WANT MORE!! 😂
5 gooey skulls from me 💀💀💀💀💀

[DA · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a ride with the action starting on page one! I loved how this was a mix of horror and sci-fi, whether that was intended or not by the author, that is the vibe I got from it. So many grotesque creatures and gruesome kills. The main characters made you feel their anguish and anger.
I'm also appreciative there wasn't too much science-y lingo. That can bog down a book and bore the reader.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ericka Shepherd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received this as an ARC and enjoyed it SO MUCH! It’s got Sci-fi, 100% horror, action, and all the splatter and gore to go with it! My empathy extended to Nade and Pip as they tried to make sense of their new lives as they try to uncover what was happening to them. Seriously, get your hands on this fast-paced book. You won’t regret it!

[Lindsay Crook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ooohhhh I really enjoyed this book the action was packed in from the start and kept me on edge. The descriptions gave me a vivid picture of what was really going on. I kinda wanted to hug both Nade and Pip especially Nade his reactions gave me some feels.

[Todd Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a huge fan of DEEP SPACE, made this read a great action packed adventure that drew me in right away. Who deserves to live and who has the right to choose who dies. It’s a gore filled fight to answer that question. Reading the story of the 2 main characters trying to figure out what is the truth, while trying to survive a living nightmare was a fantastic way to bring this story to life. The underground setting was a character in itself and well thought out. After reading this, I am a life long Clarke fan. I have a few more to read from godless.com, can’t wait to read them.

[Margaret Hamnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matthew has done it again. Even though his unusual brand of strange humour is not as prominent he replaced this with some extra gore and an even more intriguing story. The body horror and general confusion as to the truth of what is really happening also reminded me of one of my favourite books of all time, Necrotech by K. C. Alexander. When there isn’t body horror there is good old fashioned violence. I genuinely feel like I can’t do this book justice by any words I could write so just buy it. I really hope there’s a sequel.

[Ryder Kinlay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into reading this blind, and to be honest it’s not what I’d typically read, but I’m very glad I did!

In my opinion it was the perfect blend/balance of sci fi and horror. And from what I hear quite different to this author’s other books. I’m going to have to get his other books because they sound like they’d be a lot of fun!

Beyond Human was an easy-to-read novella - fast paced, well written and with lots of gore and thrills. I’m definitely adding Clarke to my TBR pile.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

[Kirsty Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

A different style to Matt's other work I've read but it definitely packs a punch. Blink and you'll miss something in this action packed survival horror. The pace is relentless with so much crammed in you won't want to put it down. Some good body horror thrown in too. The book invites a few questions and left me wanting more, the sign of a great author knowing how much to give to leave you thinking.

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Jessie Raven · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this completely blind so I had no idea what I was expecting. So our main characters Nade and Pip are the final survivors on a mission. All they want is to escape.
There was so much going on with this at times I found it hard to keep up with BUT it was done cleverly. This is like resident evil book form. Survival and gritty with twists where I was baffled at how Matt came up with this 😂 if you are wanting a fast paced, mind fuckery of a book I recommend this one. It's definitely stuck with me

[Sammi Dyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond Human written by Matthew A. Clarke. Is a Sci-Fi Horror Survival Tale that will have you holding your breath as you rip through the pages from start to finish. Clarke has a way of grabbing ahold of you with his gruesome tales that will leave your skin crawling and your hair standing on end. If you love a good survival tale, space, Sci-Fi or horrific creatures then this is the perfect horror story for you and even if you don’t….Clarke has a way of pulling you in and holding your attention until the very end. You won’t be able to escape the carnage but, will the main characters?!

[Hazel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intrigued to the end.

Not sure what to say about this lol. Totally not what I was expecting but glad I read it. Kudos to the authors imagination. Pip and Nade are not what I expected either. The whole read was slightly gruesome but in an interesting way.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Beatrix Starling · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was really curious how Matt Clarke (a favourite author) handles sci-fi horror (my favourite combo).
He handled it well. The story starts you off right in the middle of it, so it took me a hot minute to catch up on what's going on exactly, but it keeps you on your toes with it's relentless pace. Lots of gore, creatures - a good survival horror if you're looking for a short read.