Beyond Human

by Matthew A. Clarke

It was supposed to be a simple rescue mission: 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

Paperback

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

[Kate Victoria RescueandReading · Rating 4 out of 5]

What the… WHAT?! Ok folks, if you’re looking for mad scientist, resident evil type vibes, check out this insane little story from Matt Clarke!

The elite Alpha Team soldiers must rescue the lead scientist of a secret lab… they get down and take casualties right away. The survivors hope that is the worst that could happen… then things go absolutely bonkers with freaks, monsters, mutants, and so much more conspiring against Nade & Pip.

I loved the intense, gruesome action and body horror present throughout the entire book!

[Milt Theo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a terrific tale of body horror in a science fictional setting! A wild and action-heavy blend of Aliens 2, Resident Evil, and The Thing. It starts very much as the typical story of a squad on a mission (in this case to rescue a scientist doing mysterious experiments), the mission fails, and all hell breaks loose! Page after page one horror follows another, and then some totally unexpected revelations crop up, which place the book on its own level entirely! If you enjoy chase scenes where monstrosities hunt down people with guns, then this is one hell of a treat!

[Gerhard Geick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one just BEGS to be adapted as a Netflix Limited Series.

Beyond Human is a surreal thriller; a pleasant mixture of sci-fi, fantasy, and body horror. Admittedly, it is a bit of a slow burn compared to some of the other books I have read by this author, but as a tool, Clarke methodically increases the tension towards a completely unexpected conclusion. The book is 100% Clarke. Along with the aforementioned traits, Beyond Human is BIZARRE. It is unbelievable, and yet, as you read, you will be suprised how easy it is to suspend your disbelief. I cannot wait for the next installment.

A note to Constant Reader:

I could see the compound where Beyind Human takes place existing in The Wastelands or the city of Lud, with creatures straight out of a Buik 8, and I loved it!

Whether Clarke was inspired by these Dark tales of Towers or not, it matters not. After all, as we all know, all things serve The Beam, and Everything is Eventual.

[Nicole Sonnenburg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a re-release from 2021. This is an ARC review I was lucky enough to receive from Matt Clarke. This is a Sci-Fi kind of body horror story about the A.L.P.H.A. Team soldiers who go on a mission to rescue the main scientist of a secret lab, and woah, is it ever action packed! I immediately sensed the Resident Evil vibes, and then was interested to see it was indeed an influence. I absolutely loved the wild fun of this story! I don't want to give out any spoilers, but it was a great read that I say is a four out of five stars. I am looking forward to possibly seeing more of this story line.

[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?!

[Jen Ramsden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Described as Resident Evil meets The Thing, this story starts fast paced and action packed and doesn't let up! You're thrown straight into the horror, which becomes more twisted and more gory as the tale progresses. Matt has a great way of writing really likeable characters and then making them suffer in all kinds of unique ways, and his way of writing means that you're swept up, and don't want to put it down until it's all over. I'm looking forward to the next one!

[Brian Mcclain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a ARC for free in exchange for an honest review of this work.

This book starts out feeling like a survival horror novel, and for much of the story it keeps that feeling but along the way things get a little more complicated as the characters make discoveries about what's really going on. What I really liked is even through those twists and all the horror we still get a good view of who the main pov characters are and it's very easy to root for them.

Highly recommended.

[Emily Fleming · Rating 4 out of 5]

This quick little read was absolutely insane in the best way possible! A team is sent on a rescue mission to extract a scientist from an underground facility. This violent sci fi horror story quickly takes a turn right away and all hell breaks loose! You get crazy creatures, body horror, and twists and turns around every corner which made for one action packed story. Another amazing read from one of my all time favorite authors!

[Rainbeaux Harvest · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I read this book, I kept getting the Resident Evil vibe. I love Resident Evil, and the pictures in my head were going faster than what I was reading. I waited to read that Alice was killed again, and they had to start over. This story was another homerun in the game of basketball with Matthew A. Clarke!

[Rena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, that was fun.

Matthew A. Clarke wastes NO time getting right to the story without compromising great story telling and character development.

This fast paced story will have you saying "what the f@#%" multiple times as you try to figure it all out.

it's like an infomercial.....but wait, there's more.

[Daniel Nobles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book starts off hot and heavy with action and horror. Meandering through a labyrinth of sorts to find freedom at all costs. Great story from start to finish!

[Breanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this! Mutants, horrific science experiments, body horror and so much more! It was a fast, action packed adventure that left me feeling unsettled.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoy Matt's work. This one was a quick action packed read.

[Shanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short story packs one hell of a punch. Alpha team is sent in to rescue a scientist. Instead of the scientist they find horror around every corner. All hell breaks loose the farther Nade and Pip venture into the complex.

This is a fantastic blend of sci-fi and horror. Right from the beginning I was getting Resident Evil vibes and I loved it. If you're looking for a short action packed read definitely check this one out.

[Chiara Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can summarise this story with the word “surprising” as this was the feeling I had whilst listening to it until the end! The audiobook was greatly narrated by Joey Xavier Kinsey, conveying the surprise and intensity of the tale.

What feels initially as science fiction with body horror, it suddenly becomes also psychological horror as the protagonists realise what’s really happening in this scientific facility where extreme experiments are carried out.
The ending was truly unexpected and brought the story to another level.

If you enjoy action, tension and psychological dread in your sci-fi horror, this has got it all!

Thanks to the author for the audiobook and this is my honest opinion.