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Lacuna
On Silent Edge, questions get you killed. Information is lethal.
Like the expeditions before them, lieutenants Noa Voss and Mina Larx are dispatched into the Void—a region of space abandoned by time—where silence has a pulse and every fear takes form. What begins as a search-and-rescue mission becomes a descent into a place that feeds on fear and never gives back what it takes. Together, they must face a darkness older than memory itself—before the Void devours them entirely.
Mina is hunted by the ghosts of decisions she can’t undo.
Noa is haunted by a history she refuses to claim.
And the Void doesn’t forgive the curious.
Like the expeditions before them, lieutenants Noa Voss and Mina Larx are dispatched into the Void—a region of space abandoned by time—where silence has a pulse and every fear takes form. What begins as a search-and-rescue mission becomes a descent into a place that feeds on fear and never gives back what it takes. Together, they must face a darkness older than memory itself—before the Void devours them entirely.
Mina is hunted by the ghosts of decisions she can’t undo.
Noa is haunted by a history she refuses to claim.
And the Void doesn’t forgive the curious.
- GenresHorrorScience Fiction
ebook
Published November 4, 2025
5 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
D.L. Houpt
7 books88 followersAs a mom of two littles, D.L. Houpt is used to the daily chaos. From a young age, she found herself escaping in the pages of novels. She loves writing stories, dreaming up magical worlds, and doom scrolling astrophysics videos that send her into an existential crisis. When she isn’t found typing up her new idea (most likely ignoring her husband to write), she’s in the garden with her daughter or enjoying a book with her son.
Engineer by day, she uses her writing as an outlet to uplift powerful women whether they be behind a computer monitor in an office or a shield on the battlefield
Engineer by day, she uses her writing as an outlet to uplift powerful women whether they be behind a computer monitor in an office or a shield on the battlefield
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
November 2, 2025
SPOILERS INBOUND FOR LACUNA'S STORY
Where do I even begin with this story? This took me on a roller coaster of emotions and led me to one of the biggest crash outs of the century. This is probably one of my favorite deep dives into cosmic horror and psychological terror in space that I've ever had the pleasure of experiencing.
To start, Lacuna is a story revolving around two main narrators: Lieutenants Noa Voss and Mina Larx, who have lived on Silent Edge and have been sent on an Expedition to the deepest parts of space, passing through the Fringe and heading to a worm hole and reporting back their findings.
I truly was not going into this expecting to be absolutely blown out of the water by this novella. I was excited, of course, but the level of twist that this novella provided was absolutely flabbergasting. From the reveal of what truly happened to Lieutenant Kieran Arnold, the conspiracy to cover it up, the backstory that Lieutenant Voss shares with the reader, all of it threw me for the most wondrous loop.
That doesn't even TOUCH on the parallel universe theorem that was explored absolutely wonderfully here. The idea of seeing and living these parallel universes all at once and, as a result, feeling like you're going insane as you remember things? A WONDERFUL way to actually work with that. As a STEM major with a special interest in astronomy, astrophysics, and space in general, this was an incredibly exciting read from start to finish that had me hooked the entire time! I found myself constantly going back to it, going "I'll just read one more chapter" and then realizing that I had stayed up until 1 am just reading on my phone despite needing to go to bed.
This book is a wonderful read, especially if you're into the unfathomable, unknowing horror of the universe and its secrets. As a sci-fi horror writer, this is definitely going to be one of my inspirations as I work on my own novels, and I greatly appreciate the opportunity to have this ARC given to me!
Please, if you are given the opportunity to read this, run don't walk to get this novella. It will change your life.
I am very grateful to D. L. Houpt and BookFunnel for the ARC! This is a voluntary review of the book.
Where do I even begin with this story? This took me on a roller coaster of emotions and led me to one of the biggest crash outs of the century. This is probably one of my favorite deep dives into cosmic horror and psychological terror in space that I've ever had the pleasure of experiencing.
To start, Lacuna is a story revolving around two main narrators: Lieutenants Noa Voss and Mina Larx, who have lived on Silent Edge and have been sent on an Expedition to the deepest parts of space, passing through the Fringe and heading to a worm hole and reporting back their findings.
I truly was not going into this expecting to be absolutely blown out of the water by this novella. I was excited, of course, but the level of twist that this novella provided was absolutely flabbergasting. From the reveal of what truly happened to Lieutenant Kieran Arnold, the conspiracy to cover it up, the backstory that Lieutenant Voss shares with the reader, all of it threw me for the most wondrous loop.
That doesn't even TOUCH on the parallel universe theorem that was explored absolutely wonderfully here. The idea of seeing and living these parallel universes all at once and, as a result, feeling like you're going insane as you remember things? A WONDERFUL way to actually work with that. As a STEM major with a special interest in astronomy, astrophysics, and space in general, this was an incredibly exciting read from start to finish that had me hooked the entire time! I found myself constantly going back to it, going "I'll just read one more chapter" and then realizing that I had stayed up until 1 am just reading on my phone despite needing to go to bed.
This book is a wonderful read, especially if you're into the unfathomable, unknowing horror of the universe and its secrets. As a sci-fi horror writer, this is definitely going to be one of my inspirations as I work on my own novels, and I greatly appreciate the opportunity to have this ARC given to me!
Please, if you are given the opportunity to read this, run don't walk to get this novella. It will change your life.
I am very grateful to D. L. Houpt and BookFunnel for the ARC! This is a voluntary review of the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 5, 2025
I received the ARC for Lacuna and was very excited to get into it.
An interstellar horror with twists and turns that keep you strapped into your seat. The existential dread of our two main characters- Noa and Mina- settles deep in your bones, seeing as their lives not only unravel metaphorically, but literally as well.
Despite being a short story it captivates you instantly and you won't be able to put it down until you finish it. So many things happen that you can't tell if it's real or not, and thats the fun in it.
The time skips and alternative scenarios/outcomes was an amazing effect of the void, and an interesting plot point to have to realize (even though they realize it too late...) Noone was safe, their hope crushed the second they got on board.
If you love Science Fiction, Horror, and exploring themes of dread and otherworldly pain & horrors, this is definitely a book you should pick up.
An interstellar horror with twists and turns that keep you strapped into your seat. The existential dread of our two main characters- Noa and Mina- settles deep in your bones, seeing as their lives not only unravel metaphorically, but literally as well.
Despite being a short story it captivates you instantly and you won't be able to put it down until you finish it. So many things happen that you can't tell if it's real or not, and thats the fun in it.
The time skips and alternative scenarios/outcomes was an amazing effect of the void, and an interesting plot point to have to realize (even though they realize it too late...) Noone was safe, their hope crushed the second they got on board.
If you love Science Fiction, Horror, and exploring themes of dread and otherworldly pain & horrors, this is definitely a book you should pick up.
April 30, 2025
I just know this is gonna be good.
October 22, 2025
DL Houpt you created the most unhinged book I’ve probably ever read, in the best way possible.
This story is from two povs, Noa and Mina who are both are on a “rescue mission” in the void, where it turns haunting, psychologically confusing and terrifying.
You’ll have that feeling of dread stuck with u throughout the book.
The world is incredibly compelling, puzzling and unnerving. Such a wild ride filled with so many devastating secrets.
Space horror is indeed what this is.
If you’re looking for a quick read that u can pick up at any time, then this novella is for you.
it’s fast paced and creepy, lots of sinister moments and mind bending events, It will have u on edge and left with so many questions at the end.
- “He bleeds life, but you bleed time” 🩶
Never read anything like this, and I’m thankful to have received this ARC copy to read and enjoy!
This story is from two povs, Noa and Mina who are both are on a “rescue mission” in the void, where it turns haunting, psychologically confusing and terrifying.
You’ll have that feeling of dread stuck with u throughout the book.
The world is incredibly compelling, puzzling and unnerving. Such a wild ride filled with so many devastating secrets.
Space horror is indeed what this is.
If you’re looking for a quick read that u can pick up at any time, then this novella is for you.
it’s fast paced and creepy, lots of sinister moments and mind bending events, It will have u on edge and left with so many questions at the end.
- “He bleeds life, but you bleed time” 🩶
Never read anything like this, and I’m thankful to have received this ARC copy to read and enjoy!
November 4, 2025
I think this novella just got me into Sci-fi. I’m finding it hard to review since it’s so unlike what I usually read. I couldn’t put it down. Thrilling suspense. Mysteriously captivating. It was like an outer space episode of the twilight zone or black mirror. Or like interstellar and inception had a horror baby. Several moments of “WTF was that?” and “are they hallucinating or am I?”… I already loved Houpt’s previous fantasy work. I now know I’ll be reading anything she writes. 🪐🚀🧑🚀
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🫑
😭😭😭
🔪👻🪦
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🫑
😭😭😭
🔪👻🪦
November 2, 2025
Horror? Space? Hallucinations?
I don't know what I am feeling but I absolutely loved this novella.
It was so immersive, chilling and beautifully written.
What is life and are we alive?
It kinda reminds me of and has similar vibes to the Love, Death and Robots episode "The Very Pulse Of The Machine."
I don't know what I am feeling but I absolutely loved this novella.
It was so immersive, chilling and beautifully written.
What is life and are we alive?
It kinda reminds me of and has similar vibes to the Love, Death and Robots episode "The Very Pulse Of The Machine."
October 17, 2025
I am so incredibly grateful to have been a beta reader and also have received an advanced copy of Lacuna from the author! 🫶
Did I finish Lacuna or did Lacuna finish me?! 😱🙀🙈 I don’t even know the answer to that question because my mind is in shock from everything that went down in this story! 😳😳😳 It truly is horror at its absolute finest and this book is forever going to be one that I will be recommending to everyone to read! 🥹🖤 I read the whole thing in one sitting both times that I had the opportunity to read this (once as a beta reader and once as an ARC read) and I can’t get enough. I seriously need more from this world ASAP! 🫶
It’s haunting, gives the reader the feeling of existential dread in the best way, and is unhinged times infinity! 🙊😱🤯 The worldbuilding was beautifully intricate and how the story slowly revealed more and more puzzle pieces to how everything fit together had my eyes glued to the page while being the level of obsessed I am with eating a bowl of buttered popcorn! 🫶
If you love horror, deep space, lots of plot twists, and a book that will bring you on a wild ride then this is the book for you! 🫶
Did I finish Lacuna or did Lacuna finish me?! 😱🙀🙈 I don’t even know the answer to that question because my mind is in shock from everything that went down in this story! 😳😳😳 It truly is horror at its absolute finest and this book is forever going to be one that I will be recommending to everyone to read! 🥹🖤 I read the whole thing in one sitting both times that I had the opportunity to read this (once as a beta reader and once as an ARC read) and I can’t get enough. I seriously need more from this world ASAP! 🫶
It’s haunting, gives the reader the feeling of existential dread in the best way, and is unhinged times infinity! 🙊😱🤯 The worldbuilding was beautifully intricate and how the story slowly revealed more and more puzzle pieces to how everything fit together had my eyes glued to the page while being the level of obsessed I am with eating a bowl of buttered popcorn! 🫶
If you love horror, deep space, lots of plot twists, and a book that will bring you on a wild ride then this is the book for you! 🫶
November 8, 2025
ARC Review✨
I received an advanced copy of the e-book for an honest review.
D.L. Houpt has me in a chokehold. She has literally become one of my favorite authors of all time. Automatic buy from here on out with anything she writes. Ahh. SO GOOD.
First of all, her prose is just amazing. Her writing style, her voice. Everything. It’s so refreshing and so, so well thought out. Above and beyond with all the research she had to do to put this novella together.
The story itself left me utterly speechless. I could not put it down. It has cosmic horror. It’s psychologically unsettling. It is mind melting. It is gripping. It is haunting.
I cannot recommend this enough. 10/10
Go read for yourself.
p.s. Check the trigger warnings.
I received an advanced copy of the e-book for an honest review.
D.L. Houpt has me in a chokehold. She has literally become one of my favorite authors of all time. Automatic buy from here on out with anything she writes. Ahh. SO GOOD.
First of all, her prose is just amazing. Her writing style, her voice. Everything. It’s so refreshing and so, so well thought out. Above and beyond with all the research she had to do to put this novella together.
The story itself left me utterly speechless. I could not put it down. It has cosmic horror. It’s psychologically unsettling. It is mind melting. It is gripping. It is haunting.
I cannot recommend this enough. 10/10
Go read for yourself.
p.s. Check the trigger warnings.
November 10, 2025
I always start every review by mentioning that I am so grateful to the author for giving me the privilege of reviewing their ARC’s. This was my first time reading a book from D.L. Houpt and I really enjoyed the experience! I am looking forward to reading their other book, “ Europa.”
Plot:
The plot follows a flight expedition based out of a space exploration station under the name of The Silent Edge. The Silent Edge has been working for centuries travelling beyond the stars after the destruction of earth has pushed humanity to the void in search of other habitable systems. In this particular story, the expedition that the reader goes on follows three of the members of the Silent Edge as they are sent to recover information from a previous trip that hadn’t returned. While most expeditions rarely make a triumphant return, this is the first time the command has sent those on any type of recovery mission. For information, to find anything- the three protagonists have a thirty-seven year trip ahead of them into the void. This was a riveting and heart pounding read, I genuinely felt uneasy as the characters tackle obstacles that they run into. The plot, and the way that the story unfolds was unpredictable and had me verbally exclaiming that there's no way that the story could have gone the way it did! I really enjoyed it!
Characters:
The characters in Lacuna are Lieutenant Noa Voss and Mina Larx, with Captain Yargo. The characters are all unbelievably interesting having all different specialities and knowledge to add to the team. The three work together and sometimes against one another. The writing feels scary, and full of tension as these characters sent on this mission feels like a one way trip to the grave, as they fight their own minds and one another for sanity and reason. These horror story characters are written at their finest. The main attraction being that the whole book was based off of unreliable narration, making it enticing and fun to try to piece together which part of the story was true or fake.
Pacing:
At 140 pages on my kindle I felt this was heartstopping, fast paced and unputdownable. I have to attest my friend was on the couch reading her book and at the end I slammed my kindle shut as I had basically walked her through the book after experiencing it. I was immediately satisfied and so excited to learn more about this author and what other work they had available. This was a one sitting read, left me wanting more while being excited about what I had already read.
Conclusion & Thoughts:
This book takes an all time theme of space travel horror, and multiplies it with actual fear, tension, hallucinations, unreliable explanations and narration- and warps it into an unpredictable ending. The characters are smart, lost and scared- I am usually so tough on thrillers and horror novels because I have a hard time getting past something if it doesn’t feel original. This felt original, timeless and a blast to read through. I’d highly recommend it to anyone.
Favorite Quote:
“ I can’t say confidently that we’ll make it out of here, but we’re farther than most expeditions. We’re still here, still moving forward, and that’s something.”
Plot:
The plot follows a flight expedition based out of a space exploration station under the name of The Silent Edge. The Silent Edge has been working for centuries travelling beyond the stars after the destruction of earth has pushed humanity to the void in search of other habitable systems. In this particular story, the expedition that the reader goes on follows three of the members of the Silent Edge as they are sent to recover information from a previous trip that hadn’t returned. While most expeditions rarely make a triumphant return, this is the first time the command has sent those on any type of recovery mission. For information, to find anything- the three protagonists have a thirty-seven year trip ahead of them into the void. This was a riveting and heart pounding read, I genuinely felt uneasy as the characters tackle obstacles that they run into. The plot, and the way that the story unfolds was unpredictable and had me verbally exclaiming that there's no way that the story could have gone the way it did! I really enjoyed it!
Characters:
The characters in Lacuna are Lieutenant Noa Voss and Mina Larx, with Captain Yargo. The characters are all unbelievably interesting having all different specialities and knowledge to add to the team. The three work together and sometimes against one another. The writing feels scary, and full of tension as these characters sent on this mission feels like a one way trip to the grave, as they fight their own minds and one another for sanity and reason. These horror story characters are written at their finest. The main attraction being that the whole book was based off of unreliable narration, making it enticing and fun to try to piece together which part of the story was true or fake.
Pacing:
At 140 pages on my kindle I felt this was heartstopping, fast paced and unputdownable. I have to attest my friend was on the couch reading her book and at the end I slammed my kindle shut as I had basically walked her through the book after experiencing it. I was immediately satisfied and so excited to learn more about this author and what other work they had available. This was a one sitting read, left me wanting more while being excited about what I had already read.
Conclusion & Thoughts:
This book takes an all time theme of space travel horror, and multiplies it with actual fear, tension, hallucinations, unreliable explanations and narration- and warps it into an unpredictable ending. The characters are smart, lost and scared- I am usually so tough on thrillers and horror novels because I have a hard time getting past something if it doesn’t feel original. This felt original, timeless and a blast to read through. I’d highly recommend it to anyone.
Favorite Quote:
“ I can’t say confidently that we’ll make it out of here, but we’re farther than most expeditions. We’re still here, still moving forward, and that’s something.”
November 4, 2025
A haunting slip into the Void..where silence grows teeth, secrets breathe, and what you fear doesn’t stay behind… it follows. 🩶
Lacuna by D.L. Houpt
🤍Blurb🤍
On Silent Edge, questions get you killed. Information is lethal. Like the expeditions before them, lieutenants Noa Voss and Mina Larx are dispatched into the Void-a region of space abandoned by time-where silence has a pulse and every fear takes form. What begins as a search-and-rescue mission becomes a descent into a place that feeds on fear and never gives back what it takes. Together, they must face a darkness older than memory itself-before the Void devours them entirely.
Mina is hunted by the ghosts of decisions she can't undo. Noa is haunted by a history she refuses to claim.
And the Void doesn't forgive the curious.
🩶🩶🩶🩶🩶🩶🩶🩶🩶🩶🩶🩶🩶🩶🩶🩶🩶🩶
There are stories that speak, and then there are stories that listen back.
Lacuna is the latter..quiet, star-cold, and haunting in a way that doesn’t ask for permission before it burrows under your skin.
On Silent Edge, curiosity isn’t a flaw. It’s a death sentence.
What begins as a search-and-rescue spirals into a descent through a stretch of space where silence has a pulse and fear learns how to take shape. The Void isn’t just a setting..it’s a presence. A patient one. And it knows exactly what to do with the pieces of you you’d rather forget.
Voss and Larx don’t walk into darkness, they carry it with them. Mina’s haunted by the echo of choices that won’t stay buried…and Noa clings to a past she refuses to name out loud.
Together, they move like two frayed wires sparking in the dark..drawn together, repelled, and undeniably tethered by what hunts them from the inside out.
This novella does something rare in cosmic horror:
It isn’t loud. It isn’t frantic. It’s intimate.
The terror slips in at the edges, soft as breath against the back of your neck, and tightens slowly..page by page, until you realize you’ve been holding your breath without noticing.
The Void is frightening, yes, but the real horror is the truth it reflects: we all bring something into the dark that knows our name.
And some silences don’t swallow you to punish you…they swallow you to keep you.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A huge thank you to the author for allowing me to ARC read for you.
Lacuna by D.L. Houpt
🤍Blurb🤍
On Silent Edge, questions get you killed. Information is lethal. Like the expeditions before them, lieutenants Noa Voss and Mina Larx are dispatched into the Void-a region of space abandoned by time-where silence has a pulse and every fear takes form. What begins as a search-and-rescue mission becomes a descent into a place that feeds on fear and never gives back what it takes. Together, they must face a darkness older than memory itself-before the Void devours them entirely.
Mina is hunted by the ghosts of decisions she can't undo. Noa is haunted by a history she refuses to claim.
And the Void doesn't forgive the curious.
🩶🩶🩶🩶🩶🩶🩶🩶🩶🩶🩶🩶🩶🩶🩶🩶🩶🩶
There are stories that speak, and then there are stories that listen back.
Lacuna is the latter..quiet, star-cold, and haunting in a way that doesn’t ask for permission before it burrows under your skin.
On Silent Edge, curiosity isn’t a flaw. It’s a death sentence.
What begins as a search-and-rescue spirals into a descent through a stretch of space where silence has a pulse and fear learns how to take shape. The Void isn’t just a setting..it’s a presence. A patient one. And it knows exactly what to do with the pieces of you you’d rather forget.
Voss and Larx don’t walk into darkness, they carry it with them. Mina’s haunted by the echo of choices that won’t stay buried…and Noa clings to a past she refuses to name out loud.
Together, they move like two frayed wires sparking in the dark..drawn together, repelled, and undeniably tethered by what hunts them from the inside out.
This novella does something rare in cosmic horror:
It isn’t loud. It isn’t frantic. It’s intimate.
The terror slips in at the edges, soft as breath against the back of your neck, and tightens slowly..page by page, until you realize you’ve been holding your breath without noticing.
The Void is frightening, yes, but the real horror is the truth it reflects: we all bring something into the dark that knows our name.
And some silences don’t swallow you to punish you…they swallow you to keep you.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A huge thank you to the author for allowing me to ARC read for you.
October 24, 2025
It seems impossible for a bite sized story to contain an entire space odyssey…and yet here we are. Lacuna defies both genre and gravity in my book. It’s a fever dream and a physics nightmare. Parallel universes. Infinite possibilities. Wormholes. Madness. All light years away from any semblance of our own reality.
In a distant future after humanity has abandoned Earth, Noa and Mina find themselves on a crew sent by Silent Edge to retrieve one (or possibly several) vessels lost to the void. The void is basically a region of space where nothing makes sense and everything folds in on itself. That’s my very scientific summarization. The crew has trained their entire lives for this mission; some might even say they were bred for it.
The premise alone is wild, but the author piles on space horror and quantum unease (ha) until you’re never sure what’s real. But maybe you’re not supposed to be. The unknowns of deep space make you feel as…. untethered… as the characters. It’s almost like Houpt is letting you glimpse her own space theories through them. It’s popcorn addictive.
As the story unfolds, the crew’s sanity fractures via Stasis, the fringe, and unresolved trauma. Every new phenomenon bends reality a little more , until everything blurs. I gave up trying to predict the next plot point early on and just let Houpt steer the ship. And what a ride.
There’s some body horror, definitely but the real terror for me was in the vastness; being trapped on a ship, surrounded by infinite nothing (or everything?). I was both claustrophobic and lost in the enormity .
The tension among the crew is delicious and is just as vacuous as the atmosphere outside of the ship. This is space horror at its finest: cold, cerebral, and a little interpretive.
With supernatural elements, infinite universes, and a crazy ambitious story fit in under 150 pages, Lacuna is a mind bending trip. And I’m still having an existential crisis.
Thank you to the author for the gifted e-ARC — all opinions are my own.
In a distant future after humanity has abandoned Earth, Noa and Mina find themselves on a crew sent by Silent Edge to retrieve one (or possibly several) vessels lost to the void. The void is basically a region of space where nothing makes sense and everything folds in on itself. That’s my very scientific summarization. The crew has trained their entire lives for this mission; some might even say they were bred for it.
The premise alone is wild, but the author piles on space horror and quantum unease (ha) until you’re never sure what’s real. But maybe you’re not supposed to be. The unknowns of deep space make you feel as…. untethered… as the characters. It’s almost like Houpt is letting you glimpse her own space theories through them. It’s popcorn addictive.
As the story unfolds, the crew’s sanity fractures via Stasis, the fringe, and unresolved trauma. Every new phenomenon bends reality a little more , until everything blurs. I gave up trying to predict the next plot point early on and just let Houpt steer the ship. And what a ride.
There’s some body horror, definitely but the real terror for me was in the vastness; being trapped on a ship, surrounded by infinite nothing (or everything?). I was both claustrophobic and lost in the enormity .
The tension among the crew is delicious and is just as vacuous as the atmosphere outside of the ship. This is space horror at its finest: cold, cerebral, and a little interpretive.
With supernatural elements, infinite universes, and a crazy ambitious story fit in under 150 pages, Lacuna is a mind bending trip. And I’m still having an existential crisis.
Thank you to the author for the gifted e-ARC — all opinions are my own.
November 4, 2025
[ARC Review]
Lacuna by D.L. Houpt
5/5 stars
Releasing November 4th, 2025
After I read the last page, there was about 20 seconds of stillness… and then I started sobbing.
"Silent Edge’s roots are too deep. We’re trained to be ruthless, weary, and worst of all *compliant*."
Why you should read Lacuna:
- Cosmic and existential horror that may leave you absolutely empty
- Characters you want to root for (banging on the glass, trying to warn them-)
- An engaging and utterly rotten sci-fi universe that feels both familiar and horribly *other*
- Unreliable narration that has you questioning every word, every thought, every action
- Incredible, awe-inspiring beauty beneath the horror
"Information is a poison with no antidote."
What worked for me:
- Noa and Mina are both complex and deeply broken characters, even before the void finds them. You want to learn them. You want to help them. You want to *save* them. You can’t.
- The worldbuilding is brilliantly executed. Silent Edge, the fringe, the void - each little bit of detail is delivered exactly when it needs to be and serves to drag the spiral further down down down down
- The pacing is pitch-perfect: each beat lasts exactly as long as it needs to. Nothing is gratuitous. Everything lingers.
- The descriptions are as beautiful as they are unsettling. The vast wrongness of the universe is as visceral and inescapable as its glory.
- Emotional devastation is weaved just as expertly as the horror. I am not okay.
"There’s no breath here. No heartbeat. No weight. Just the sense of falling, endlessly, gently, forever."
While writing this review, I spontaneously burst into tears again. And I am currently crying over it AGAIN.
This is going to stick with me for a long, long time.
Lacuna by D.L. Houpt
5/5 stars
Releasing November 4th, 2025
After I read the last page, there was about 20 seconds of stillness… and then I started sobbing.
"Silent Edge’s roots are too deep. We’re trained to be ruthless, weary, and worst of all *compliant*."
Why you should read Lacuna:
- Cosmic and existential horror that may leave you absolutely empty
- Characters you want to root for (banging on the glass, trying to warn them-)
- An engaging and utterly rotten sci-fi universe that feels both familiar and horribly *other*
- Unreliable narration that has you questioning every word, every thought, every action
- Incredible, awe-inspiring beauty beneath the horror
"Information is a poison with no antidote."
What worked for me:
- Noa and Mina are both complex and deeply broken characters, even before the void finds them. You want to learn them. You want to help them. You want to *save* them. You can’t.
- The worldbuilding is brilliantly executed. Silent Edge, the fringe, the void - each little bit of detail is delivered exactly when it needs to be and serves to drag the spiral further down down down down
- The pacing is pitch-perfect: each beat lasts exactly as long as it needs to. Nothing is gratuitous. Everything lingers.
- The descriptions are as beautiful as they are unsettling. The vast wrongness of the universe is as visceral and inescapable as its glory.
- Emotional devastation is weaved just as expertly as the horror. I am not okay.
"There’s no breath here. No heartbeat. No weight. Just the sense of falling, endlessly, gently, forever."
While writing this review, I spontaneously burst into tears again. And I am currently crying over it AGAIN.
This is going to stick with me for a long, long time.
January 2, 2026
SPOILER FREE ARC REVIEW - thank you to D.L. Houpt for giving me the opportunity to read this as an ARC!
So first and foremost - this is so not my usual genre, and I honestly went in a little unsure. But wow, this completely surprised me in the best way and I was hooked. From the start, the atmosphere pulled me in, and once I settled into the story, I didn’t want to put it down. It’s one of those books that quietly reels you in and then suddenly you’re fully invested.
The writing is sharp and immersive, and the story unfolds in a way that keeps you curious without spoon-feeding you everything. I loved how much trust the author places in the reader. It made the experience feel richer and more rewarding as things clicked into place.
What really stood out to me was how thoughtful the book felt. Even outside my comfort zone, it never felt inaccessible or confusing—just intriguing and different in a way that made me excited to keep reading. It pushed me out of my reading bubble and reminded me why I love trying new genres in the first place.
If you’re someone who wants to branch out, or you enjoy books that feel a little unconventional but deeply engaging, Lacuna is absolutely worth picking up. This one earned its spot on my shelf, and I’m genuinely glad I took the chance on it. ✨📚
So first and foremost - this is so not my usual genre, and I honestly went in a little unsure. But wow, this completely surprised me in the best way and I was hooked. From the start, the atmosphere pulled me in, and once I settled into the story, I didn’t want to put it down. It’s one of those books that quietly reels you in and then suddenly you’re fully invested.
The writing is sharp and immersive, and the story unfolds in a way that keeps you curious without spoon-feeding you everything. I loved how much trust the author places in the reader. It made the experience feel richer and more rewarding as things clicked into place.
What really stood out to me was how thoughtful the book felt. Even outside my comfort zone, it never felt inaccessible or confusing—just intriguing and different in a way that made me excited to keep reading. It pushed me out of my reading bubble and reminded me why I love trying new genres in the first place.
If you’re someone who wants to branch out, or you enjoy books that feel a little unconventional but deeply engaging, Lacuna is absolutely worth picking up. This one earned its spot on my shelf, and I’m genuinely glad I took the chance on it. ✨📚
November 1, 2025
This is a sci-fi horror novel filled with psychological and existential dread.
Set aboard a spacecraft entering a region of space called The Void, in search of a number of previously lost vessels that have entered this region. We are given chapters told from two point of views, Noa Voss and Mina Larx. through them we experience The Void's dense atmosphere with a deafening reverberating silence that manifests in fear.
Our protagonists are haunted by their pasts, and the whole piece has a dark reflective quality as it builds psychological horror.
The setting itself is like a character, and a really interesting place. Space has larger areas of nothing that it does something, and in The Void, where time behaves oddly we are simultaneously given feelings of claustrophobia and agoraphobia.
The struggles experienced as the characters go through periods of stasis, and confront their past traumas bring a real three dimensional quality to the character development. In addition to this, there is an overarching twisted, dark and atmospheric body horror element worked into the psychological in a classic Lovecraftian style.
This is a weird, strange and trippy fever dream of a novel and will leave itself under your skin.
Set aboard a spacecraft entering a region of space called The Void, in search of a number of previously lost vessels that have entered this region. We are given chapters told from two point of views, Noa Voss and Mina Larx. through them we experience The Void's dense atmosphere with a deafening reverberating silence that manifests in fear.
Our protagonists are haunted by their pasts, and the whole piece has a dark reflective quality as it builds psychological horror.
The setting itself is like a character, and a really interesting place. Space has larger areas of nothing that it does something, and in The Void, where time behaves oddly we are simultaneously given feelings of claustrophobia and agoraphobia.
The struggles experienced as the characters go through periods of stasis, and confront their past traumas bring a real three dimensional quality to the character development. In addition to this, there is an overarching twisted, dark and atmospheric body horror element worked into the psychological in a classic Lovecraftian style.
This is a weird, strange and trippy fever dream of a novel and will leave itself under your skin.
November 6, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — A dark, cerebral space horror that gets under your skin.
Lacuna by D.L. Houpt is exactly the kind of science fiction horror I crave—claustrophobic, unsettling, and deeply psychological. It has major Black Mirror energy, but rather than just delivering a twist, it lets the dread build in your chest scene by scene. The dual POV structure works beautifully here, giving us two angles on the same horrifying reality, and the tension between what each character believes versus what is actually happening keeps the pages turning fast.
The atmosphere is immaculate. Houpt writes space the way it should be written—endless, quiet, and terrifying. The isolation hits hard. The creeping sense that something is wrong starts small, almost like a background hum, and then evolves into full-blown panic. It’s the type of book where you start talking out loud to the characters: Don’t go in there. Don’t look at that. Please do not open that door.
And the unhinged elements? Delicious.
This is not a sterile sci-fi. This is messy, emotional, obsessive, break-your-brain tension. The POVs unravel in ways that feel both horrifying and inevitable, and by the end, you’re questioning your own trust in reality right alongside them.
Lacuna by D.L. Houpt is exactly the kind of science fiction horror I crave—claustrophobic, unsettling, and deeply psychological. It has major Black Mirror energy, but rather than just delivering a twist, it lets the dread build in your chest scene by scene. The dual POV structure works beautifully here, giving us two angles on the same horrifying reality, and the tension between what each character believes versus what is actually happening keeps the pages turning fast.
The atmosphere is immaculate. Houpt writes space the way it should be written—endless, quiet, and terrifying. The isolation hits hard. The creeping sense that something is wrong starts small, almost like a background hum, and then evolves into full-blown panic. It’s the type of book where you start talking out loud to the characters: Don’t go in there. Don’t look at that. Please do not open that door.
And the unhinged elements? Delicious.
This is not a sterile sci-fi. This is messy, emotional, obsessive, break-your-brain tension. The POVs unravel in ways that feel both horrifying and inevitable, and by the end, you’re questioning your own trust in reality right alongside them.
October 21, 2025
3.75☆'s
DL Houpt is really establishing herself in the world of mind bending space horror with this one. If you loved Thrum, you are going to love this one.
This book is truly mind-bending. We have two unreliable at times POVs, and honestly, my brain is still trying to wrap around some of the events from this book. Our narrators, Noa and Mina, are slated to go on a mission into the void. We are alternating between their viewpoints and between now and then. Then, being in the time before their mission. Everyone seems to have secrets. Honestly, now that I have finished, I am starting to put together things we were given information on beforehand that reappears later in the story. There is one part of the story I would have liked cleared up a bit, just a bit more informationwould have helped. This novella definitely you could read through several times and pick up new relevant information with each read through.
Thank you to DL Houpt for the advance copy. If you are looking for a truly mind-bending sci-fi horror, look no further. This was a fast, engrossing read that had me guessing what was going to happen the entire time.
Release Date: 04 November 2026
DL Houpt is really establishing herself in the world of mind bending space horror with this one. If you loved Thrum, you are going to love this one.
This book is truly mind-bending. We have two unreliable at times POVs, and honestly, my brain is still trying to wrap around some of the events from this book. Our narrators, Noa and Mina, are slated to go on a mission into the void. We are alternating between their viewpoints and between now and then. Then, being in the time before their mission. Everyone seems to have secrets. Honestly, now that I have finished, I am starting to put together things we were given information on beforehand that reappears later in the story. There is one part of the story I would have liked cleared up a bit, just a bit more informationwould have helped. This novella definitely you could read through several times and pick up new relevant information with each read through.
Thank you to DL Houpt for the advance copy. If you are looking for a truly mind-bending sci-fi horror, look no further. This was a fast, engrossing read that had me guessing what was going to happen the entire time.
Release Date: 04 November 2026
October 22, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Excitingly got to ARC read this! I felt like I was in one of my favorite genres the whole time; Cosmic Horror🌌
Following two perspectives, we are introduced to Lieutenant Voss; an introverted girl forced into the reserves of Silent Edge by her father after the untimely passing of her mother, and Lieutenant Lark; a nepo child of the scientist division. Both are on the same supposedly rescue mission on the Erebus-12, a ship sent to hopefully find lost past mission teams in the void.
The Void is the edge of space as we know, lightless, starless, completely in its entirety void of anything. Silent Edge is an outpost of humanity studying this anomaly and it's wall of distortion proclaimed as "The Fringe". Through this psychologically terrifying journey, we watch seams fray, minds fracture and time slip through the fingers of reality of these two Women, each holding tragic dark secrets that allow the void to further inflict madness upon them. Short, sinister and unnerving, I couldn't put down this deep space terror of a trip🚀
Excitingly got to ARC read this! I felt like I was in one of my favorite genres the whole time; Cosmic Horror🌌
Following two perspectives, we are introduced to Lieutenant Voss; an introverted girl forced into the reserves of Silent Edge by her father after the untimely passing of her mother, and Lieutenant Lark; a nepo child of the scientist division. Both are on the same supposedly rescue mission on the Erebus-12, a ship sent to hopefully find lost past mission teams in the void.
The Void is the edge of space as we know, lightless, starless, completely in its entirety void of anything. Silent Edge is an outpost of humanity studying this anomaly and it's wall of distortion proclaimed as "The Fringe". Through this psychologically terrifying journey, we watch seams fray, minds fracture and time slip through the fingers of reality of these two Women, each holding tragic dark secrets that allow the void to further inflict madness upon them. Short, sinister and unnerving, I couldn't put down this deep space terror of a trip🚀
October 24, 2025
4.5 stars rounded up.
Thank you to D.L. Houpt for allowing me to read and review this ARC. Lacuna reminded me why I love the cosmic and space horror genre. It’s an unnerving, fast-paced novella that I was able to finish in one sitting, and it captures that perfect balance of fear, awe, and isolation that makes the genre so addictive.
Beneath the chilling atmosphere, the story explores themes of grief and anguish, which gives real emotional weight to the horror elements. There is a sense of dread that builds steadily until it’s almost suffocating, yet I couldn’t stop reading. Houpt’s writing makes the Void feel alive in all the worst and best ways possible.
With that said, I wish it had been longer. I would’ve loved even more time with these characters and the eerie world they inhabit. Still, this story will linger with me, which says a lot for a novella of this size.
I’ll definitely be reading the author’s other horror novella, Europa, next. And I hope they continue to write more books in this genre.
Thank you to D.L. Houpt for allowing me to read and review this ARC. Lacuna reminded me why I love the cosmic and space horror genre. It’s an unnerving, fast-paced novella that I was able to finish in one sitting, and it captures that perfect balance of fear, awe, and isolation that makes the genre so addictive.
Beneath the chilling atmosphere, the story explores themes of grief and anguish, which gives real emotional weight to the horror elements. There is a sense of dread that builds steadily until it’s almost suffocating, yet I couldn’t stop reading. Houpt’s writing makes the Void feel alive in all the worst and best ways possible.
With that said, I wish it had been longer. I would’ve loved even more time with these characters and the eerie world they inhabit. Still, this story will linger with me, which says a lot for a novella of this size.
I’ll definitely be reading the author’s other horror novella, Europa, next. And I hope they continue to write more books in this genre.
October 28, 2025
Lacuna - D. L. Houpt
I really really enjoyed this book. I loved how Noa and Mina both descent into madness in their point of view, but when you read the other ones point of view, they’re perfectly sane. This was just such an amazing story. I love the authors writing, and I need to read more, especially in this genre. I would love to see an extended version or a bonus version, or even a sequel with Yargo’s point of view. I think it would be so interesting to read and compare what he was seeing and then see what the girls were seeing.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Out of 5 Stars ⭐️
# of Pages 🌙 120 pages
Release Date 🌟 11/4/25
Format 💫 Gifted Digital Copy
Series 🌙 Unknown/Not Applicable
Genre/Tropes ✨ Time traveling, time warping, space, cosmic horror, horror, science fiction
Favorite Character ☀️ Noa and Mina
Favorite Line 🌟 ‘My fists curl around the hub controls. Kieran’s not real. You saw it yourself, Mina. He’s not real. But his words wring around my neck and squeeze. Right now, though, even sixty-four light years of distance doesn’t feel like enough to escape him.’
I really really enjoyed this book. I loved how Noa and Mina both descent into madness in their point of view, but when you read the other ones point of view, they’re perfectly sane. This was just such an amazing story. I love the authors writing, and I need to read more, especially in this genre. I would love to see an extended version or a bonus version, or even a sequel with Yargo’s point of view. I think it would be so interesting to read and compare what he was seeing and then see what the girls were seeing.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Out of 5 Stars ⭐️
# of Pages 🌙 120 pages
Release Date 🌟 11/4/25
Format 💫 Gifted Digital Copy
Series 🌙 Unknown/Not Applicable
Genre/Tropes ✨ Time traveling, time warping, space, cosmic horror, horror, science fiction
Favorite Character ☀️ Noa and Mina
Favorite Line 🌟 ‘My fists curl around the hub controls. Kieran’s not real. You saw it yourself, Mina. He’s not real. But his words wring around my neck and squeeze. Right now, though, even sixty-four light years of distance doesn’t feel like enough to escape him.’
November 4, 2025
This cosmic horror novella is equal parts fever dream and nightmare. It starts off with an eerie, ominous feelings that intensify as the story progresses. Houpt creates a decent into madness through isolation, hallucinations, and deeply buried secrets.
Noa and Mina provide our dual POV’s and each has their own version one events. Just when you think you have figured out what is happening in the story, conflicting information comes and blows a hole in your certainty. Is anything real? Is it all a dream? Who’s telling the truth? Houpt leaves you questioning your perception, as she does with our FMC’s. But as the story gets closer to the end, the terror, and confusion, ramps up, leading to a complete crumbling of sanity and hope. Resignation is all there is left.
I have read one of D.L.’s novellas before and loved it. I also enjoyed this one as well. She’s a great writer, and her stories will keep you gripped from start to finish. 4.5 stars
A huge thank you to the author for my arc. My opinion is my own.
Noa and Mina provide our dual POV’s and each has their own version one events. Just when you think you have figured out what is happening in the story, conflicting information comes and blows a hole in your certainty. Is anything real? Is it all a dream? Who’s telling the truth? Houpt leaves you questioning your perception, as she does with our FMC’s. But as the story gets closer to the end, the terror, and confusion, ramps up, leading to a complete crumbling of sanity and hope. Resignation is all there is left.
I have read one of D.L.’s novellas before and loved it. I also enjoyed this one as well. She’s a great writer, and her stories will keep you gripped from start to finish. 4.5 stars
A huge thank you to the author for my arc. My opinion is my own.
November 10, 2025
Thank you to D.L. Houpt for the ARC.
Plot 3/5
Characters 3.5/5
Ending 3.75/5
Interest 3/5
Overall 3/5
-Unfortunately, I didn’t feel myself too invested in this storyline. The premise is quite good and I believe that with more depth and more pages, the plot could have been a well flushed out story. But with the small amount of pages there actually were, it didn’t exactly hit the spot for me. There were a lot of moments I felt confused where I wished there was more explanation but as the whole the world was still simple enough.
-The characters were fine. They each had a unique storyline that still kind of resembles and mirror’s the other’s. But in a way, I don’t exactly see how the two main characters come together instead of them just being one and the other as colleagues.
-The ending is where things really got interesting. The storylines from then and now came together and we sort of see how they link together and how it relates to the actions of the now timeline. I do wish there were more pages and more depth.
Plot 3/5
Characters 3.5/5
Ending 3.75/5
Interest 3/5
Overall 3/5
-Unfortunately, I didn’t feel myself too invested in this storyline. The premise is quite good and I believe that with more depth and more pages, the plot could have been a well flushed out story. But with the small amount of pages there actually were, it didn’t exactly hit the spot for me. There were a lot of moments I felt confused where I wished there was more explanation but as the whole the world was still simple enough.
-The characters were fine. They each had a unique storyline that still kind of resembles and mirror’s the other’s. But in a way, I don’t exactly see how the two main characters come together instead of them just being one and the other as colleagues.
-The ending is where things really got interesting. The storylines from then and now came together and we sort of see how they link together and how it relates to the actions of the now timeline. I do wish there were more pages and more depth.
November 26, 2025
Lacuna
By: D.L. Houpt
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
Genre: Sci-Fi Horror
Released: 11/4/2025
🚀Thriller Suspense
🛸Fantasy Horror
🚀Deep Space
🛸Secrets
🚀Existential Dread
Mina is hunted by the ghosts of decisions she can’t undo. Noa is haunted by a history she refuses to claim.
“The void doesn’t forgive the curious”
Holy shit; wtfff did i just read. This story has 2 POVs so make sure you’re paying attention. Noa, Mina & Yargos are on a rescue mission in the void. Once they start their mission this is where it starts to be psychological confusing so once again make sure you’re paying attention. There were hallucinations, plot twists &&& wtf moments. During this mission they are sent out to recover information from a previous mission that didn’t return. And holy shit I was not expecting that ending at all.
This was actually my first sci-fi book in a very long time and I very much enjoyed it!
A huge thank you to D.L. Houpt for the E-ARC!
Please remember to always check your TWs.
By: D.L. Houpt
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
Genre: Sci-Fi Horror
Released: 11/4/2025
🚀Thriller Suspense
🛸Fantasy Horror
🚀Deep Space
🛸Secrets
🚀Existential Dread
Mina is hunted by the ghosts of decisions she can’t undo. Noa is haunted by a history she refuses to claim.
“The void doesn’t forgive the curious”
Holy shit; wtfff did i just read. This story has 2 POVs so make sure you’re paying attention. Noa, Mina & Yargos are on a rescue mission in the void. Once they start their mission this is where it starts to be psychological confusing so once again make sure you’re paying attention. There were hallucinations, plot twists &&& wtf moments. During this mission they are sent out to recover information from a previous mission that didn’t return. And holy shit I was not expecting that ending at all.
This was actually my first sci-fi book in a very long time and I very much enjoyed it!
A huge thank you to D.L. Houpt for the E-ARC!
Please remember to always check your TWs.
October 21, 2025
@authordlhoupt has done it once again !
For enthusiasts of all things horror, gore, deep space, plot developments, this title offers a compelling reading experience. I was absorbed by this book! While reading there was nothing and no one that could pull me out of the trance that is LACUNA. (introspection definitely needed after reading)
A few quotes that stayed with me after reading:
"Come with me, Mina," he says "okay" (soul crushing)
" He bleeds life, but you bleed time"
" The strand wiggles in response to my touch, then retreats back up my nose." (excuse me)
"Rot and decay smother my lips, black sludge fills my nostrils.... All I can taste is dead flesh. All I can breathe is stale, musty air "
I'm collapsing, fragmenting, the void rips me apart, cell by cell."
'Every cell in my body feels wrong, like I've pieces myself back together in the incorrect order"
For enthusiasts of all things horror, gore, deep space, plot developments, this title offers a compelling reading experience. I was absorbed by this book! While reading there was nothing and no one that could pull me out of the trance that is LACUNA. (introspection definitely needed after reading)
A few quotes that stayed with me after reading:
"Come with me, Mina," he says "okay" (soul crushing)
" He bleeds life, but you bleed time"
" The strand wiggles in response to my touch, then retreats back up my nose." (excuse me)
"Rot and decay smother my lips, black sludge fills my nostrils.... All I can taste is dead flesh. All I can breathe is stale, musty air "
I'm collapsing, fragmenting, the void rips me apart, cell by cell."
'Every cell in my body feels wrong, like I've pieces myself back together in the incorrect order"
October 24, 2025
✨✨ARC REVIEW✨✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
‼️‼️CHECK TWS‼️‼️
This book was very unsettling. It is duo pov our two MCs are on a space mission and have to go into stasis for 9 years while on their journey. When they wake up from stasis life seems unreal and weird shit starts happening.
This book filled me with a sense of dread I caught myself looking over my shoulder while reading this book because I was so creeped out. I also found out you probably shouldn’t eat while reading this book because of the bodily horror.
If you are looking for a deep space/ sci-fi horror novella to read then you definitely need to pick Lacuna up! This book comes out November 4th! Thank you to the author for sending me an early copy in exchange for my honest review!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
‼️‼️CHECK TWS‼️‼️
This book was very unsettling. It is duo pov our two MCs are on a space mission and have to go into stasis for 9 years while on their journey. When they wake up from stasis life seems unreal and weird shit starts happening.
This book filled me with a sense of dread I caught myself looking over my shoulder while reading this book because I was so creeped out. I also found out you probably shouldn’t eat while reading this book because of the bodily horror.
If you are looking for a deep space/ sci-fi horror novella to read then you definitely need to pick Lacuna up! This book comes out November 4th! Thank you to the author for sending me an early copy in exchange for my honest review!
October 27, 2025
This story follows Noa and Mina who are scientists on a space mission to an empty void to figure out what is out there and bring any surviving humans home.
However, when they wake from their first stasis of 9 years things get weird. They start seeing and hearing strange things and they don’t know if someone out there is messing with them… the closer the get to the wormhole the weirder things get. But they’re also trying to deal with their own personal horrors on the way too.
I love D. L. Houpt’s writing and I’m now convinced she cannot write a bad story. I loved how creepy the journey was. It wasn’t just gore and blood but the existential dread and realisation that they may already be dead that really gave me chills.
Once again I LOVED it and I need more.
However, when they wake from their first stasis of 9 years things get weird. They start seeing and hearing strange things and they don’t know if someone out there is messing with them… the closer the get to the wormhole the weirder things get. But they’re also trying to deal with their own personal horrors on the way too.
I love D. L. Houpt’s writing and I’m now convinced she cannot write a bad story. I loved how creepy the journey was. It wasn’t just gore and blood but the existential dread and realisation that they may already be dead that really gave me chills.
Once again I LOVED it and I need more.
November 5, 2025
“ᴵᶠ ᴵ ᶜᵃⁿ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ⁱᵗ, ᵗᵒᵘᶜʰ ⁱᵗ, ᵍʳⁱᵖ ⁱᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵐʸ ᶠⁱⁿᵍᵉʳˢ, ⁱᵗ’ˢ ʳᵉᵃˡ.” 🪱🪐☕️🌌📟🕳️🪢
*This book was gifted by the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!*
Lacuna is such a trippy read. If you like science fiction especially if you enjoyed movies like annihilation and Event Horizon then you will love this. This definitely messes with your head and makes you question wtf is truly going on.
You follow a crew of three as they go on a mission that in the past has led to their predecessors being killed and the survivors of the previous mission coming back mentally scarred.
This mission will have them questioning everything, themselves, each other, God, and space itself. Nothing is what it seems and nothing feels real.
If you are looking for a trippy, confusing, anxiety inducing, brain hurting read then look no further. Pick up Lacuna today! It’s officially out and waiting to be added to your tbr. If you are looking for more space fiction, pick up Europa also by D.L. Houpt.
*This book was gifted by the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!*
Lacuna is such a trippy read. If you like science fiction especially if you enjoyed movies like annihilation and Event Horizon then you will love this. This definitely messes with your head and makes you question wtf is truly going on.
You follow a crew of three as they go on a mission that in the past has led to their predecessors being killed and the survivors of the previous mission coming back mentally scarred.
This mission will have them questioning everything, themselves, each other, God, and space itself. Nothing is what it seems and nothing feels real.
If you are looking for a trippy, confusing, anxiety inducing, brain hurting read then look no further. Pick up Lacuna today! It’s officially out and waiting to be added to your tbr. If you are looking for more space fiction, pick up Europa also by D.L. Houpt.
November 3, 2025
*ARC*
My mind is dead I think...this novella just altered my brain. I both have no idea what I just read and have a million theories going on at the same time.
I love that the book is written in both the POVs of Noa and Mina because it just makes things even more odd and you slowly start to see weird occurances happen between the both of them.
I don't know what D.L. Houpt put in the pages of this book but my mind is blown...you literally have no idea what the true reality is. Who is real? Are any of them real? What is lingering out there in space? Is there one timeline or many???? Who knows....clearly I have no idea.
I highly recommend this book, the storytelling was just amazing and makes you question everything.
My mind is dead I think...this novella just altered my brain. I both have no idea what I just read and have a million theories going on at the same time.
I love that the book is written in both the POVs of Noa and Mina because it just makes things even more odd and you slowly start to see weird occurances happen between the both of them.
I don't know what D.L. Houpt put in the pages of this book but my mind is blown...you literally have no idea what the true reality is. Who is real? Are any of them real? What is lingering out there in space? Is there one timeline or many???? Who knows....clearly I have no idea.
I highly recommend this book, the storytelling was just amazing and makes you question everything.
October 31, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Lacuna - ARC read
“On Silent Edge, questions get you killed”
This spooky space horror novella was so fun! You follow three people dispatched into the Void on an expedition to find further spaces/planets to inhabit or use. Focussing on two main characters Mina and Noa who both have a dark background which decided to follow them on this expedition.
This had twists and scenes that gripped you tight, the description of certain horror moments was fantastic. A few trigger warnings in this one.
Such a fun read, something different having space involved for me and I loved it! Thanks for the opportunity to read this one 🫶🏼
“On Silent Edge, questions get you killed”
This spooky space horror novella was so fun! You follow three people dispatched into the Void on an expedition to find further spaces/planets to inhabit or use. Focussing on two main characters Mina and Noa who both have a dark background which decided to follow them on this expedition.
This had twists and scenes that gripped you tight, the description of certain horror moments was fantastic. A few trigger warnings in this one.
Such a fun read, something different having space involved for me and I loved it! Thanks for the opportunity to read this one 🫶🏼
November 6, 2025
Talk about existential dread! I cannot stop thinking about this book days after I finished it. A quick read but it is absolutely packed with a solid plot and characters that keep you engaged the entire time. This book has two main narrators that at times I thought were unreliable however maybe they actually weren't?! There was just enough backstory about the characters that allowed us as the reader to infer certain information. I like the fact that I cannot tell what was real and what wasn't real, I could not put this book down - I had to know what happened! This is the definition of a strong "Sci-Fi" thriller book and now I am looking forward to more from this author. Thank you to D.L. Houpt and BookFunnel for the ARC!
November 4, 2025
What did I just read?!
Mind blown as usual.
I think the author has found her niche in cosmic horror. Lacuna is a terrifying, confusing and insanely good novella that will either have you questioning your sanity or send you down a rabbit hole of what ifs. Every time I thought I had it all figured out, the author would throw another curveball and I’d be back at the beginning, trying to piece together all the little puzzle pieces. Noa was definitely my favorite character because she’s such a mystery and I still didn’t have all the answers even after finishing the book. Can’t wait to see what the author has come up with next. Highly recommended.
Mind blown as usual.
I think the author has found her niche in cosmic horror. Lacuna is a terrifying, confusing and insanely good novella that will either have you questioning your sanity or send you down a rabbit hole of what ifs. Every time I thought I had it all figured out, the author would throw another curveball and I’d be back at the beginning, trying to piece together all the little puzzle pieces. Noa was definitely my favorite character because she’s such a mystery and I still didn’t have all the answers even after finishing the book. Can’t wait to see what the author has come up with next. Highly recommended.
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