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The Mycelic Verge
A dark, immersive fantasy about survival, guilt, and the slow return of hope in a land left to rot.
Ellandria has been dying for a century. A fungal plague has hollowed its forests and twisted its creatures, while the last flickers of civilisation are crushed under Warden rule. Maren survives by keeping her distance from people, from hope, from anything that might break.
But when a desperate mother offers her an amulet identical to the one her brother wore the day she last saw him, Maren agrees to lead her and her infected child through the decayed wilderness toward a forgotten temple said to hold a cure.
Their path winds deep into the Hollowed Forest, where spores reshape beasts into nightmares and the land itself recoils at their presence. As the child weakens and the mother's resolve hardens, Maren must decide whether to reclaim what remains of her humanity or surrender to the rot that threatens to consume them all.
Ellandria has been dying for a century. A fungal plague has hollowed its forests and twisted its creatures, while the last flickers of civilisation are crushed under Warden rule. Maren survives by keeping her distance from people, from hope, from anything that might break.
But when a desperate mother offers her an amulet identical to the one her brother wore the day she last saw him, Maren agrees to lead her and her infected child through the decayed wilderness toward a forgotten temple said to hold a cure.
Their path winds deep into the Hollowed Forest, where spores reshape beasts into nightmares and the land itself recoils at their presence. As the child weakens and the mother's resolve hardens, Maren must decide whether to reclaim what remains of her humanity or surrender to the rot that threatens to consume them all.
158 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2025
6 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
October 12, 2025
★★★★☆ (4.0/5.0)
The Mycelic Verge is a dark, atmospheric fantasy that seeps under your skin like the very rot it describes. From the first page, I was drawn in, my mind rampant with questions. The story offers just enough to ignite curiosity, leaving you desperate to piece together how this world works and what’s beneath its surface.
“She had seen Wardens fall just as quickly as villagers, the Order's open palms raised in blessing before the Rot hollowed them from within. You didn’t hesitate. You ended them before they touched you. Survival meant denying rot its chance.”
The writing is sharp and immersive, sometimes almost too fleeting. I found myself wishing for a prologue to anchor the story more firmly at the start. Still, every line feels purposeful. There’s a beauty to it, the world-building spreads quietly and insistently until you realize how complex it really is.
“The coverings filtered little. Everyone knew it, yet they still dragged the fabric up, twitching with the reflex of trained rats.”
Maren is the heart of this story. She’s strong yet quietly sensitive, a survivor who refuses to break for anyone. Some might call her morally grey, but to me she reads as fiercely self-determined. Her reasoning felt harsh but true to her world.
By the end, I was obsessed with the lore and the lingering mystery of what’s next.
“If it was a beacon, we follow. Whoever did this could prove we’re not whispers but fire. The people suffer because no one dares to stand. Show them we’re not shadows but flame, and they’ll rise with us.”
Beyond grateful to be part of the ARC team!
The Mycelic Verge is a dark, atmospheric fantasy that seeps under your skin like the very rot it describes. From the first page, I was drawn in, my mind rampant with questions. The story offers just enough to ignite curiosity, leaving you desperate to piece together how this world works and what’s beneath its surface.
“She had seen Wardens fall just as quickly as villagers, the Order's open palms raised in blessing before the Rot hollowed them from within. You didn’t hesitate. You ended them before they touched you. Survival meant denying rot its chance.”
The writing is sharp and immersive, sometimes almost too fleeting. I found myself wishing for a prologue to anchor the story more firmly at the start. Still, every line feels purposeful. There’s a beauty to it, the world-building spreads quietly and insistently until you realize how complex it really is.
“The coverings filtered little. Everyone knew it, yet they still dragged the fabric up, twitching with the reflex of trained rats.”
Maren is the heart of this story. She’s strong yet quietly sensitive, a survivor who refuses to break for anyone. Some might call her morally grey, but to me she reads as fiercely self-determined. Her reasoning felt harsh but true to her world.
By the end, I was obsessed with the lore and the lingering mystery of what’s next.
“If it was a beacon, we follow. Whoever did this could prove we’re not whispers but fire. The people suffer because no one dares to stand. Show them we’re not shadows but flame, and they’ll rise with us.”
Beyond grateful to be part of the ARC team!
October 17, 2025
*I want to preface this by saying all thoughts and opinions in this review are my own!*
I’ve been reading horror and fantasy for quite a few years now and somehow hadn’t managed to ever read a fungal horror/dark fantasy book. This was my first and boy am I glad it was.
Everything about this book was bleak and some scenes made my heart ache. Not just for our MC Maren but for her travel mates, too.
We follow Maren on a journey and she leads Selene to a place in hopes of finding a cure for her daughter. Along the journey there are trials and arguments, and I found myself really feeling for Maren along the way as she’s wracked with grief.
Blackmoore gives us such a bleak and unsettling atmosphere throughout the entire book. His prose and tone is almost poetic in a way, and he paints such a vivid picture in my head that plays along like a movie while you’re reading. The body horror is truly unsettling and quite descriptive, leaving not an ounce to the imagination as to what’s happening.
One thing I love about any kind of fantasy is the world building and even in this less than 200 page novella, Blackmoore does a phenomenal job of creating that vivid, engaging world.
I want to thank Gideon Blackmoore for allowing me to be on the ARC team and get an early glimpse into this world. I’m excited to see where Maren’s journey goes and can’t wait for book two!
The Mycelic Verge comes out November 17th, 2025, so mark your calendar folks!
I’ve been reading horror and fantasy for quite a few years now and somehow hadn’t managed to ever read a fungal horror/dark fantasy book. This was my first and boy am I glad it was.
Everything about this book was bleak and some scenes made my heart ache. Not just for our MC Maren but for her travel mates, too.
We follow Maren on a journey and she leads Selene to a place in hopes of finding a cure for her daughter. Along the journey there are trials and arguments, and I found myself really feeling for Maren along the way as she’s wracked with grief.
Blackmoore gives us such a bleak and unsettling atmosphere throughout the entire book. His prose and tone is almost poetic in a way, and he paints such a vivid picture in my head that plays along like a movie while you’re reading. The body horror is truly unsettling and quite descriptive, leaving not an ounce to the imagination as to what’s happening.
One thing I love about any kind of fantasy is the world building and even in this less than 200 page novella, Blackmoore does a phenomenal job of creating that vivid, engaging world.
I want to thank Gideon Blackmoore for allowing me to be on the ARC team and get an early glimpse into this world. I’m excited to see where Maren’s journey goes and can’t wait for book two!
The Mycelic Verge comes out November 17th, 2025, so mark your calendar folks!
November 11, 2025
ARC REVIEW
The forest is alive.
It infects. It devours. It remembers.
In this world, the rot isn’t just a disease
IT’S a god.
Spores cover every surface.
Mushroom-crowned vultures roam.
THE ROOTs HAVE LIMBS.
And healing may be a myth.
The story follows a woman haunted
by the brother she left behind and an amulet
that might still carry his soul.
A sick child.
A desperate mother.
A stranger in the woods.
A temple buried in decay.
No one is safe.
Especially not from each other.
The writing? Vivid, bizarre, drenched in metaphor.
The worldbuilding? Massive.
The pacing? A bit messy.
The vibe? Fully possessed.
This book doesn’t want to be understood.
It wants to consume you.
the fungus remember all.
the verge takes all.
The forest is alive.
It infects. It devours. It remembers.
In this world, the rot isn’t just a disease
IT’S a god.
Spores cover every surface.
Mushroom-crowned vultures roam.
THE ROOTs HAVE LIMBS.
And healing may be a myth.
The story follows a woman haunted
by the brother she left behind and an amulet
that might still carry his soul.
A sick child.
A desperate mother.
A stranger in the woods.
A temple buried in decay.
No one is safe.
Especially not from each other.
The writing? Vivid, bizarre, drenched in metaphor.
The worldbuilding? Massive.
The pacing? A bit messy.
The vibe? Fully possessed.
This book doesn’t want to be understood.
It wants to consume you.
the fungus remember all.
the verge takes all.
November 20, 2025
This is such a great debut novel and I'm honestly so excited to see where the story is going to go from here
August 9, 2025
This novella had physiological horror, dark fantasy. Rotting decay, in the best way. I loved the style of writing, it was immersive and gripping. I wish it were longer but I can't wait to see where it goes.
November 18, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Thank you to author Gideon Blackmoore for allowing me the opportunity to read and review an ARC of The Mycelic Verge. Available November 2025.
“The Rot spreads because you pretend not to see it. The cure comes only when you know the sickness.”
The Mycelic Verge is a grim dark fantasy set in a world overrun by fungal rot. We follow Maren, Aleric, Selene, and Liora as they journey to an Alchemitorium in search of aid and answers.
A big factor for me with fantasy, or any genre, is world building. I firmly believe that a good story can be made great with solid world building. This might be my favorite case of world building yet.
Fungus has taken over not only the people but the environment as well. Blackmoore does a beautiful job building this dark fantasy world where you get to witness how the fungus effects the people, animals, buildings, plant life, etc. without drawing too much attention away from the plot. The scene is being set while you watch a world rot.
To add to the world building we get to see how wildlife is effected by the fungus. From this we get some really interesting creatures like Spore wolves and Mycelid vultures. I live for a good odd creature, especially when they flow seamlessly with the story. The author used common, realistic animals we would expect to find in a fantasy setting and made them grotesque. Not only did this make the environment more twisted and gloomy, it makes it much more believable and immersive.
There’s also Spore wardens. This is such a cool concept. They appear be a sentient version of the fungus and I’m hoping we get to see more of this as the universe continues!
The main cast of characters is fun and each character is relatable in someway. The main character Maren is caught between doing the right thing or protecting herself, Alaric struggles with the lose of his wife and Selene is a mother willing to protect her baby at all costs. But the character that really hooked me was Veynar. We get a couple mini POV moments with this character. He’s mysterious and manipulative. Im very intrigued about how he’s going to playout in this story.
This was a read like no other, I love dark fantasy but have yet to encounter one that takes this perspective. Blackmoore’s writing is smooth, digestible and gripping. This story has peaked my interest in fungal horror and I’m looking forward to seeing more work from this up and coming indie author!
Thank you to author Gideon Blackmoore for allowing me the opportunity to read and review an ARC of The Mycelic Verge. Available November 2025.
“The Rot spreads because you pretend not to see it. The cure comes only when you know the sickness.”
The Mycelic Verge is a grim dark fantasy set in a world overrun by fungal rot. We follow Maren, Aleric, Selene, and Liora as they journey to an Alchemitorium in search of aid and answers.
A big factor for me with fantasy, or any genre, is world building. I firmly believe that a good story can be made great with solid world building. This might be my favorite case of world building yet.
Fungus has taken over not only the people but the environment as well. Blackmoore does a beautiful job building this dark fantasy world where you get to witness how the fungus effects the people, animals, buildings, plant life, etc. without drawing too much attention away from the plot. The scene is being set while you watch a world rot.
To add to the world building we get to see how wildlife is effected by the fungus. From this we get some really interesting creatures like Spore wolves and Mycelid vultures. I live for a good odd creature, especially when they flow seamlessly with the story. The author used common, realistic animals we would expect to find in a fantasy setting and made them grotesque. Not only did this make the environment more twisted and gloomy, it makes it much more believable and immersive.
There’s also Spore wardens. This is such a cool concept. They appear be a sentient version of the fungus and I’m hoping we get to see more of this as the universe continues!
The main cast of characters is fun and each character is relatable in someway. The main character Maren is caught between doing the right thing or protecting herself, Alaric struggles with the lose of his wife and Selene is a mother willing to protect her baby at all costs. But the character that really hooked me was Veynar. We get a couple mini POV moments with this character. He’s mysterious and manipulative. Im very intrigued about how he’s going to playout in this story.
This was a read like no other, I love dark fantasy but have yet to encounter one that takes this perspective. Blackmoore’s writing is smooth, digestible and gripping. This story has peaked my interest in fungal horror and I’m looking forward to seeing more work from this up and coming indie author!
October 13, 2025
Wow.
This novella was a throat punch in the best way. If you enjoy dark fantasy, grimdark, body horror of any kind, then this is for you.
The Mycelic Verge is a blade-sharp, punchy story absolutely dripping with atmosphere and slick, gross mushroom-based imagery. As the opening chapter to a grimdark series, it absolutely demands attention and holds your interest the whole way through, ensuring you can’t tear your eyes away from the page. I was almost late to work one day because I started reading the first few chapters on my commute and lost track of time. It’s that gripping.
“The growth pulsed, slow and deliberate, as if drawing breath.”
Although absolutely every aspect of this book was crafted to perfection, what grabbed me by the throat the hardest was the author’s mastery of language and how he made each description cut like a poisoned knife. The narrative is laden with visceral and uniquely gross depictions of body horror, and even the setting itself feels diseased and broken. You genuinely start to believe that to be infected is a fate worse than death, and as a result end up fearing for the lives of each of the central characters.
As far as these characters go, Maren is an engaging protagonist. She’s flawed and complexly realistic, starting off from a point of self-preservation being her key interest. As the narrative progresses, Maren’s character develops. Though still an accomplished survivalist whose instinct is to put herself first, the plot demands certain compromises from her, forcing her to act in ways she’d prefer not to. She’s not a selfless hero, bravely martyring herself for a cause; more accurately, she’s someone who’s just had an unwanted burden thrust upon her.
“The water churned violently around her, a relentless tide mirroring the storm inside.”
Selene and Alaric, the two chief secondary characters, were unique in their own ways. Where Selene was compassionate and desperate, Alaric seemed to traipse through the story without a care in the world. It would be easy, at face value, to see Selene as a weak and vulnerable mother determined to save her child to the detriment of all else. However, there’s a soft strength to her, and she understands the risks she asks of others even if she’s unwilling to take no for an answer.
And beneath that uncaring veneer, Alaric is just as tortured a soul as everyone else in this dark, dank world. Seemingly a companion without a purpose, he begins to frame himself as someone possessing key knowledge, as harbouring motivations of his own. As perhaps, even, needing something more from the protagonist than he makes clear?
A brief mention needs to go to Veynar, too, who is being framed as someone who might well be a truly sinister and awful antagonist in later books. As self-serving as the average politician, there’s an element of chillingly cold competence to Veynar. Yes, he can get stuff done. But do we really want him to? And, more ot the point: do we want him having more power than he already enjoys?
“Shadows peeled away from the canopy like sloughing skin.”
The world around these characters felt old and damaged and lived-in. It’s relentlessly dark, and yet there exist persistent glimmers of hope. The story never strays fully into abject nihilism, ensuring there’s always something worth fighting for, or someone worth investing in. It’s the kind of grimdark setting that promises happiness or success, however scant, as a way of balancing the merciless grimness.
As for the plot itself: it’s as tightly edited and clear as it needs to be. Maren and company have a singular goal in mind, and they work towards it over the course of the novella. There’s never any confusion about which direction we’re marching towards, nor what we need to do once we get there. There’s also no quibbling, and no needless padding. Every single word earns its keep, and every chapter is a necessary waypoint in the journey.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and found it to be an incredible, cynical, grotesque introduction to a world that promises to engage, disgust, and entertain in equal measure.
Thank you to the author for my ARC copy.
This novella was a throat punch in the best way. If you enjoy dark fantasy, grimdark, body horror of any kind, then this is for you.
The Mycelic Verge is a blade-sharp, punchy story absolutely dripping with atmosphere and slick, gross mushroom-based imagery. As the opening chapter to a grimdark series, it absolutely demands attention and holds your interest the whole way through, ensuring you can’t tear your eyes away from the page. I was almost late to work one day because I started reading the first few chapters on my commute and lost track of time. It’s that gripping.
“The growth pulsed, slow and deliberate, as if drawing breath.”
Although absolutely every aspect of this book was crafted to perfection, what grabbed me by the throat the hardest was the author’s mastery of language and how he made each description cut like a poisoned knife. The narrative is laden with visceral and uniquely gross depictions of body horror, and even the setting itself feels diseased and broken. You genuinely start to believe that to be infected is a fate worse than death, and as a result end up fearing for the lives of each of the central characters.
As far as these characters go, Maren is an engaging protagonist. She’s flawed and complexly realistic, starting off from a point of self-preservation being her key interest. As the narrative progresses, Maren’s character develops. Though still an accomplished survivalist whose instinct is to put herself first, the plot demands certain compromises from her, forcing her to act in ways she’d prefer not to. She’s not a selfless hero, bravely martyring herself for a cause; more accurately, she’s someone who’s just had an unwanted burden thrust upon her.
“The water churned violently around her, a relentless tide mirroring the storm inside.”
Selene and Alaric, the two chief secondary characters, were unique in their own ways. Where Selene was compassionate and desperate, Alaric seemed to traipse through the story without a care in the world. It would be easy, at face value, to see Selene as a weak and vulnerable mother determined to save her child to the detriment of all else. However, there’s a soft strength to her, and she understands the risks she asks of others even if she’s unwilling to take no for an answer.
And beneath that uncaring veneer, Alaric is just as tortured a soul as everyone else in this dark, dank world. Seemingly a companion without a purpose, he begins to frame himself as someone possessing key knowledge, as harbouring motivations of his own. As perhaps, even, needing something more from the protagonist than he makes clear?
A brief mention needs to go to Veynar, too, who is being framed as someone who might well be a truly sinister and awful antagonist in later books. As self-serving as the average politician, there’s an element of chillingly cold competence to Veynar. Yes, he can get stuff done. But do we really want him to? And, more ot the point: do we want him having more power than he already enjoys?
“Shadows peeled away from the canopy like sloughing skin.”
The world around these characters felt old and damaged and lived-in. It’s relentlessly dark, and yet there exist persistent glimmers of hope. The story never strays fully into abject nihilism, ensuring there’s always something worth fighting for, or someone worth investing in. It’s the kind of grimdark setting that promises happiness or success, however scant, as a way of balancing the merciless grimness.
As for the plot itself: it’s as tightly edited and clear as it needs to be. Maren and company have a singular goal in mind, and they work towards it over the course of the novella. There’s never any confusion about which direction we’re marching towards, nor what we need to do once we get there. There’s also no quibbling, and no needless padding. Every single word earns its keep, and every chapter is a necessary waypoint in the journey.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and found it to be an incredible, cynical, grotesque introduction to a world that promises to engage, disgust, and entertain in equal measure.
Thank you to the author for my ARC copy.
October 15, 2025
The world of Ellandria grabs you hard and fast, taking root just like the Hollowing; merciless.
We're thrown into the deep end of this tale, into a land thick with fungal rot, and a protagonist who's own survival is first and foremost. Despite that she's quickly plunged into a quest she didn't wish to partake in with an unexpected travelling party of people she'd sooner abandon.
I was hooked from start to finish. There's not much room to breathe as the frantic, dangerous journey whisks the characters along, and yet the pacing remains perfect. As we travel we learn the world, what the Hollowing is, and see firsthand the dangers that it presents, and how nobody is truly safe from it. This all culminates in an explosive finale with world-altering proportions, leaving me simultaneously satisfied and craving so much more.
Gideon Blackmoore has truly captured something special with this fantastic world, and I'm entirely on board seeing where this will lead.
Extra mention- Alaric is absolutely brilliant. His alchemic combat style is totally unique and I hope we get to see more of his powders, mixtures and salves in the future!
We're thrown into the deep end of this tale, into a land thick with fungal rot, and a protagonist who's own survival is first and foremost. Despite that she's quickly plunged into a quest she didn't wish to partake in with an unexpected travelling party of people she'd sooner abandon.
I was hooked from start to finish. There's not much room to breathe as the frantic, dangerous journey whisks the characters along, and yet the pacing remains perfect. As we travel we learn the world, what the Hollowing is, and see firsthand the dangers that it presents, and how nobody is truly safe from it. This all culminates in an explosive finale with world-altering proportions, leaving me simultaneously satisfied and craving so much more.
Gideon Blackmoore has truly captured something special with this fantastic world, and I'm entirely on board seeing where this will lead.
Extra mention- Alaric is absolutely brilliant. His alchemic combat style is totally unique and I hope we get to see more of his powders, mixtures and salves in the future!
August 25, 2025
This book unexpectedly found its way to me, and I couldn’t be more grateful that it did. After the author followed me on social media, I grew intrigued by his work, and his posts convinced me to dive in. As a fan of dark fantasy, horror, and all things grim, I was immediately captivated. His writing style is immersive and evocative, pulling me straight into the story’s unsettling world.
Through Maren’s eyes, I felt the weight of survival in the midst of a horrific fungus plague. Her instinct to remain isolated resonated deeply, and her reluctant entanglement with others—who ultimately sought to exploit her—was both heartbreaking and compelling. The tension built beautifully, and just when I thought I knew where the story was heading, the ending surprised me entirely.
I closed the book with a sense of both satisfaction and longing—satisfaction for such a well-crafted tale, and longing because I want more. Maren’s journey feels far from over, and I truly hope the author continues her story. I’m invested in her fate, and I’ll be first in line for whatever comes next.
Through Maren’s eyes, I felt the weight of survival in the midst of a horrific fungus plague. Her instinct to remain isolated resonated deeply, and her reluctant entanglement with others—who ultimately sought to exploit her—was both heartbreaking and compelling. The tension built beautifully, and just when I thought I knew where the story was heading, the ending surprised me entirely.
I closed the book with a sense of both satisfaction and longing—satisfaction for such a well-crafted tale, and longing because I want more. Maren’s journey feels far from over, and I truly hope the author continues her story. I’m invested in her fate, and I’ll be first in line for whatever comes next.
November 12, 2025
Arc Review, thank you for allowing me early access to this book.
This is a grimdark fantasy that honestly blew me away with how descriptive someone can get describing mould and fungus. It gave me Last of Us crossed with Horizon Zero Dawn vibes.
Gideon Blackmoore did an amazing job describing an infected landscape literally breathing and watching the characters' every move because.....it's all infected with shrooms, and it's all connected!
I appreciated that he didn't pull his punches with his characters. They were all getting messed up from the spores, and you could see the consequences of their journey.
The main character, Maren, was actually a baddie, and I found myself rooting for her every step of the way because she was wildly competent thrown into a shitty situation.
My main criticism is that the plot was overly simple and basic, but I can forgive then with the overly graphic depictions of fungal bloom popping clouds of spores into the air forcing infection at every turn.
Spoiler: I've been wary of anyone named Alaric since Vampire Diaries.
This is a grimdark fantasy that honestly blew me away with how descriptive someone can get describing mould and fungus. It gave me Last of Us crossed with Horizon Zero Dawn vibes.
Gideon Blackmoore did an amazing job describing an infected landscape literally breathing and watching the characters' every move because.....it's all infected with shrooms, and it's all connected!
I appreciated that he didn't pull his punches with his characters. They were all getting messed up from the spores, and you could see the consequences of their journey.
The main character, Maren, was actually a baddie, and I found myself rooting for her every step of the way because she was wildly competent thrown into a shitty situation.
My main criticism is that the plot was overly simple and basic, but I can forgive then with the overly graphic depictions of fungal bloom popping clouds of spores into the air forcing infection at every turn.
Spoiler: I've been wary of anyone named Alaric since Vampire Diaries.
November 17, 2025
4 ⭐️ Read this one overnight!!
- Apocalyptic / last of us vibes
- Horror / dark fantasy
- Fungal plague is wildly out of control
This book was very unsettling, some dark themes and triggers so check those first!
Following the MFC Maren, a story of survival, every man for themselves, morally grey situations. Maren meets some people along the way, gets herself in some sticky situations, literally. On the search for a cure or even a sliver of hope, the trio end up taking on more than they expected.
Ending on a cliffhanger, I definitely need more. I will indeed be waiting for the next book. I will also be sitting here considering the use of a face mask for the foreseeable future. 😷 will not look at any mushrooms the same.
November 4, 2025
ARC review - thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of the team! 🩶
A book that truly creeps under your skin and takes root in your mind and bones.
I really enjoyed the claustrophobic feeling of the setting, surrounded by rot and decay and following our characters through a world I sure as hell wouldn't be brave enough to navigate.
The characters are as flawed as the rot, and I personally appreciate grey morality and nuances rather than lawful good or evil.
I look forward to the next book, and can't wait to see how the story develops and how the author continues to grow (no pun intended).
My only "issue" was pacing, I think the author could have made this book longer and delve deeper into developments but it still felt well paced.
A book that truly creeps under your skin and takes root in your mind and bones.
I really enjoyed the claustrophobic feeling of the setting, surrounded by rot and decay and following our characters through a world I sure as hell wouldn't be brave enough to navigate.
The characters are as flawed as the rot, and I personally appreciate grey morality and nuances rather than lawful good or evil.
I look forward to the next book, and can't wait to see how the story develops and how the author continues to grow (no pun intended).
My only "issue" was pacing, I think the author could have made this book longer and delve deeper into developments but it still felt well paced.
November 4, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Mycelic Verge is a haunting, beautifully crafted story that lingers long after the final page. Gideon Blackmoore has built a world that feels both decaying and alive — a realm where grief, guilt, and the whisper of rot intertwine in the most poetic way.
Maren’s journey through the Hollowing is raw and unforgettable. She’s a character burdened by loss yet driven by a fragile, flickering hope that feels painfully human. The fungal wilderness is described so vividly you can almost smell the earth, feel the spores settling, and hear the land breathing beneath the decay.
What I loved most is how the story balances horror and heart — it’s dark and unsettling, yes, but also deeply emotional. Every page pulses with atmosphere, and every sentence feels deliberate. This is dark fantasy done right: strange, mournful, and full of quiet beauty.
Thank you, Gideon, for selecting me as an ARC reader. This read was an absolute gift — haunting, immersive, and unlike anything I’ve read before. 🍄💚
🍄 May the spores remember!
The Mycelic Verge is a haunting, beautifully crafted story that lingers long after the final page. Gideon Blackmoore has built a world that feels both decaying and alive — a realm where grief, guilt, and the whisper of rot intertwine in the most poetic way.
Maren’s journey through the Hollowing is raw and unforgettable. She’s a character burdened by loss yet driven by a fragile, flickering hope that feels painfully human. The fungal wilderness is described so vividly you can almost smell the earth, feel the spores settling, and hear the land breathing beneath the decay.
What I loved most is how the story balances horror and heart — it’s dark and unsettling, yes, but also deeply emotional. Every page pulses with atmosphere, and every sentence feels deliberate. This is dark fantasy done right: strange, mournful, and full of quiet beauty.
Thank you, Gideon, for selecting me as an ARC reader. This read was an absolute gift — haunting, immersive, and unlike anything I’ve read before. 🍄💚
🍄 May the spores remember!
August 2, 2025
This was such a fun read. It had last of us vibes meets magic & intrigue. There were a few plot holes, but all in all still worth the read. I thought there were several things G.B. did well, including building curiosity & mood. I felt the suspense at times! I can’t wait to see where the author takes us on this quest!
October 12, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (ARC Review)
The Mycelic Verge by Gideon Blackmore
Publication date: November 17th
The Mycelic Verge gave me strong First Law (Joe Abercrombie) vibes — grimy, violent, morally grey — with a huge splash of The Last of Us in both tone and aesthetic. It’s a dark, fungal apocalypse fantasy with an edge, and while it didn’t completely land for me, there’s definitely something intriguing in the world Gideon Blackmore has built.
Our female lead is a hardened survivor who suddenly finds herself thrust into the role of reluctant hero and possible world saviour. I liked her grit and realism, but I wish her emotional and romantic development had been given more space. She forms intense connections with both a man and a woman almost overnight, and while the idea is interesting, it felt rushed — there was potential for real depth there that just wasn’t explored fully.
The world-building is easily the book’s strongest feature. The atmosphere, the creeping fungal imagery, and the constant sense of decay and danger were all vividly done. There’s clearly a lot happening behind the scenes in this world, but at times I wasn’t entirely sure what those background threads were leading to — a bit more clarity could have helped the story’s momentum.
There are also some dark, brutal moments that hit exactly the tone I look for in grimdark fantasy — unapologetic, visceral, and unsettling in all the right ways.
Overall, I think 4 stars might be me being generous, but it’s an ambitious and memorable debut with some standout ideas. With tighter pacing and more emotional depth, it could have been excellent.
The Mycelic Verge by Gideon Blackmore
Publication date: November 17th
The Mycelic Verge gave me strong First Law (Joe Abercrombie) vibes — grimy, violent, morally grey — with a huge splash of The Last of Us in both tone and aesthetic. It’s a dark, fungal apocalypse fantasy with an edge, and while it didn’t completely land for me, there’s definitely something intriguing in the world Gideon Blackmore has built.
Our female lead is a hardened survivor who suddenly finds herself thrust into the role of reluctant hero and possible world saviour. I liked her grit and realism, but I wish her emotional and romantic development had been given more space. She forms intense connections with both a man and a woman almost overnight, and while the idea is interesting, it felt rushed — there was potential for real depth there that just wasn’t explored fully.
The world-building is easily the book’s strongest feature. The atmosphere, the creeping fungal imagery, and the constant sense of decay and danger were all vividly done. There’s clearly a lot happening behind the scenes in this world, but at times I wasn’t entirely sure what those background threads were leading to — a bit more clarity could have helped the story’s momentum.
There are also some dark, brutal moments that hit exactly the tone I look for in grimdark fantasy — unapologetic, visceral, and unsettling in all the right ways.
Overall, I think 4 stars might be me being generous, but it’s an ambitious and memorable debut with some standout ideas. With tighter pacing and more emotional depth, it could have been excellent.
November 17, 2025
It is grim. It is dark. There’s an emotional energy to this book that feels the way radio static sounds. Foreboding and ominous but somehow just fading below the radar - you panic and you aren’t sure why. SO GOOD. I couldn’t put it down, and it took up residence in my brain.
“ She had come back for something real, something to hold onto. And walked into betrayal instead.”
There’s no one to trust, not even the air you breathe. It is a dystopian nightmare swathed in a mycelic plague that had me holding my breath, heart racing, as I read along.
“ She had come back for something real, something to hold onto. And walked into betrayal instead.”
There’s no one to trust, not even the air you breathe. It is a dystopian nightmare swathed in a mycelic plague that had me holding my breath, heart racing, as I read along.
December 30, 2025
I love a dark mushroom story and this one did not disappoint! The world has been taken over by spores, fungus, and rot. Everyone is struggling to get by and hopefully not contract the mycelic verge, which is basically a painfully slow death by fungus.
Maren is a strong fmc and I enjoyed her character growth. I liked Alaric, but I am on the fence about him. Selene, while not a strong character, loves her daughter and will do anything to save her. These characters have so much potential and I'm curious what the next book will bring!
This book is short, but packs a punch. Perfect for fall!
Maren is a strong fmc and I enjoyed her character growth. I liked Alaric, but I am on the fence about him. Selene, while not a strong character, loves her daughter and will do anything to save her. These characters have so much potential and I'm curious what the next book will bring!
This book is short, but packs a punch. Perfect for fall!
December 31, 2025
This was a quick but immersive fantasy read that left a strong impression despite its shorter length. The writing style is engaging and visually rich, and while the story doesn’t linger long enough to fully explore every aspect of its characters or world, it succeeds in creating a distinctive setting that draws the reader in and leaves them curious for more. Because of its fast pace, the book does lack some depth in character backstories, worldbuilding, and lore. However, this feels more like a deliberate stylistic choice than a flaw. It provides just enough detail to establish the world and its rules, allowing the narrative to move swiftly while still grounding the reader in vivid imagery. Reading the book may feel almost like an alien crash-landing into an unfamiliar land: everything is strange, fascinating, and only partially understood. You take in the sights and sensations without lingering long enough to grasp every detail, yet the experience is compelling enough to make you want to return and learn more.
The story is told in a third-person narrative with shifting perspectives, though it primarily follows Maren. This approach allows the reader to observe the world from multiple angles while maintaining a central emotional throughline. Blackmore excels at revealing only what is necessary at the right moments, ensuring that the important aspects of the story are clear without overwhelming the reader with exposition. The restraint in worldbuilding works in the story's favor, keeping the mystery intact and maintaining momentum.
Although the story is firmly rooted in fantasy (drawing heavily on mushroom lore, fungal imagery, and a religion-based organizational structure intertwined with politics), it carries a noticeable science fiction tone. The laboratory-like environment, technical terminology, and the heavy emphasis on mycology lend the story a scientific edge that blurs traditional genre boundaries. In many ways, the novel demonstrates how fantasy, religion, and science fiction can coexist seamlessly, especially when used as tools for lore and worldbuilding. The result is a setting that feels both organic and unsettling, mystical yet analytical.
The characters serve as effective guides through the story and its world. While the narrative does not delve deeply into their personal histories, they are developed through their actions, decisions, and reactions to unfolding events. At first, the speed at which certain character relationships develop can feel rushed. However, when viewed through the lens of a world where survival is paramount and leisure (especially long, reflective conversations) is a luxury few can afford, this rapid bonding begins to make sense. In a setting where each moment could be your last, connections are forged quickly out of necessity rather than comfort. This idea is reinforced through Maren herself, whose mistrust and emotional disconnect from others highlight both the fragility and urgency of human relationships in such a dangerous environment. Character growth emerges organically through situational experiences rather than extended exposition. As readers, we come to understand and relate to the cast through conflict, tension, and moments of resolution, which helps ground the story emotionally despite the limited background detail.
As the first book in a series, it feels intentionally incomplete in the best way. The unanswered questions, restrained worldbuilding, and hints of deeper lore suggest a much larger narrative waiting to unfold. Rather than being disappointed by what is left unexplored, I’m intrigued and hopeful that future installments will expand on the mysteries, deepen the characters, and further develop the fascinating world Blackmore has begun to construct. Overall, The Mycelic Verge is a strong opening that balances atmosphere, pacing, and intrigue, making it a compelling start to what promises to be an ambitious, genre-blending series.
The story is told in a third-person narrative with shifting perspectives, though it primarily follows Maren. This approach allows the reader to observe the world from multiple angles while maintaining a central emotional throughline. Blackmore excels at revealing only what is necessary at the right moments, ensuring that the important aspects of the story are clear without overwhelming the reader with exposition. The restraint in worldbuilding works in the story's favor, keeping the mystery intact and maintaining momentum.
Although the story is firmly rooted in fantasy (drawing heavily on mushroom lore, fungal imagery, and a religion-based organizational structure intertwined with politics), it carries a noticeable science fiction tone. The laboratory-like environment, technical terminology, and the heavy emphasis on mycology lend the story a scientific edge that blurs traditional genre boundaries. In many ways, the novel demonstrates how fantasy, religion, and science fiction can coexist seamlessly, especially when used as tools for lore and worldbuilding. The result is a setting that feels both organic and unsettling, mystical yet analytical.
The characters serve as effective guides through the story and its world. While the narrative does not delve deeply into their personal histories, they are developed through their actions, decisions, and reactions to unfolding events. At first, the speed at which certain character relationships develop can feel rushed. However, when viewed through the lens of a world where survival is paramount and leisure (especially long, reflective conversations) is a luxury few can afford, this rapid bonding begins to make sense. In a setting where each moment could be your last, connections are forged quickly out of necessity rather than comfort. This idea is reinforced through Maren herself, whose mistrust and emotional disconnect from others highlight both the fragility and urgency of human relationships in such a dangerous environment. Character growth emerges organically through situational experiences rather than extended exposition. As readers, we come to understand and relate to the cast through conflict, tension, and moments of resolution, which helps ground the story emotionally despite the limited background detail.
As the first book in a series, it feels intentionally incomplete in the best way. The unanswered questions, restrained worldbuilding, and hints of deeper lore suggest a much larger narrative waiting to unfold. Rather than being disappointed by what is left unexplored, I’m intrigued and hopeful that future installments will expand on the mysteries, deepen the characters, and further develop the fascinating world Blackmore has begun to construct. Overall, The Mycelic Verge is a strong opening that balances atmosphere, pacing, and intrigue, making it a compelling start to what promises to be an ambitious, genre-blending series.
October 23, 2025
I’ve thought a lot about this review, I received this as an ARC and was very hopeful. This is a book that was published earlier this year, and then taken down to be worked on some more after the author received feedback.
In my personal opinion, the pacing is very off. We begin with a martyr, her cause is not really explained at all, despite showing up a couple times throughout the story.
Also the world is covered in fungus and spores.
We also don’t know much about how that happened but that it’s just been that way for centuries.
We then move to our main protagonist, Maren. She is traumatised by the apparent death of her brother, Joren. This is referenced REPEATEDLY and is a major plot device. Despite this, we know nearly nothing about the event beyond that she didn’t /actually/ see him die. We don’t know anything about Maren’s life prior to her adventures on the page, only the vague details of Joren. We don’t know how she ended up where she is, how old she is, what happened to her family? Was she always a scavenger?
Maren meets Selene, a mother praying desperately for her small infant to survive a mycelic infection.
We also know nothing of Selene. Who is Liora’s father? How did her daughter get infected? Why is she alone? Selene convinces Maren to chaperone her to the Alchemitorium, an almost mythic compound on the other side of the forest that may, possibly, have a cure for the mycelic infection. Alaric, an apparent scholar, shows up and joins them, purely by refusing to leave them alone.
Immediately action starts, and continues until they settle down for the night. We get an interesting amount of backstory for Alaric and then back to the non stop action until end.
My issues stem from the lack of opportunity for our protagonists to get to know each other. They, apparently, spend two days in near silence as they make their journey. However, as we near the climax, the characters start spouting lines in the vain of, “I’m never leaving you,” “How could you have all people do this to me?”, etc. etc. So now I’m left wondering where all this sentimentality came from because these people have known each other for less than 48hours. They are, essentially, strangers.
On top of that, I’m left with way too many questions about the world’s lore. Who is the Spore King? Why did no one ask that. If everyone already knew about the Spore King why did no one mention it until then? Things of this vain.
Despite this, there is real potential. This is, supposedly, meant to be a 9 book series . This is likely because the book is only about 30K words. It takes about 2(ish) hours of continuous reading to get through the whole thing, which is not inherently bad, but is odd considering how many sequels are planned.
The final, and potentially (depending how you view it) most important issue- all promotional materials for the book is AI generated. The world of AI is a contentious and nuanced one. Personally, I don’t see the point really but I digress. The use of AI so freely in promotional material for the book may lead some to question the integrity of the story itself. If the author is so blasé about using AI for that, why wouldn’t they use it for the writing. I don’t personally believe this was written by AI but you understand how it’s a slippery slope.
Overall, the book is a 2.5 (rounded up to 3) in my opinion. It is not terrible, it is not great. I am curious to see where the series goes.
In my personal opinion, the pacing is very off. We begin with a martyr, her cause is not really explained at all, despite showing up a couple times throughout the story.
Also the world is covered in fungus and spores.
We also don’t know much about how that happened but that it’s just been that way for centuries.
We then move to our main protagonist, Maren. She is traumatised by the apparent death of her brother, Joren. This is referenced REPEATEDLY and is a major plot device. Despite this, we know nearly nothing about the event beyond that she didn’t /actually/ see him die. We don’t know anything about Maren’s life prior to her adventures on the page, only the vague details of Joren. We don’t know how she ended up where she is, how old she is, what happened to her family? Was she always a scavenger?
Maren meets Selene, a mother praying desperately for her small infant to survive a mycelic infection.
We also know nothing of Selene. Who is Liora’s father? How did her daughter get infected? Why is she alone? Selene convinces Maren to chaperone her to the Alchemitorium, an almost mythic compound on the other side of the forest that may, possibly, have a cure for the mycelic infection. Alaric, an apparent scholar, shows up and joins them, purely by refusing to leave them alone.
Immediately action starts, and continues until they settle down for the night. We get an interesting amount of backstory for Alaric and then back to the non stop action until end.
My issues stem from the lack of opportunity for our protagonists to get to know each other. They, apparently, spend two days in near silence as they make their journey. However, as we near the climax, the characters start spouting lines in the vain of, “I’m never leaving you,” “How could you have all people do this to me?”, etc. etc. So now I’m left wondering where all this sentimentality came from because these people have known each other for less than 48hours. They are, essentially, strangers.
On top of that, I’m left with way too many questions about the world’s lore. Who is the Spore King? Why did no one ask that. If everyone already knew about the Spore King why did no one mention it until then? Things of this vain.
Despite this, there is real potential. This is, supposedly, meant to be a 9 book series . This is likely because the book is only about 30K words. It takes about 2(ish) hours of continuous reading to get through the whole thing, which is not inherently bad, but is odd considering how many sequels are planned.
The final, and potentially (depending how you view it) most important issue- all promotional materials for the book is AI generated. The world of AI is a contentious and nuanced one. Personally, I don’t see the point really but I digress. The use of AI so freely in promotional material for the book may lead some to question the integrity of the story itself. If the author is so blasé about using AI for that, why wouldn’t they use it for the writing. I don’t personally believe this was written by AI but you understand how it’s a slippery slope.
Overall, the book is a 2.5 (rounded up to 3) in my opinion. It is not terrible, it is not great. I am curious to see where the series goes.
August 3, 2025
In Gideon Blackmoore’s dark fantasy novella The Mycelic Verge, Book One of the Inflorescence series, a hardened survivor named Maren navigates a world ravaged by the Hollowing, a fungal plague that’s left cities like Sparrowwood in ruins. Drawn to a mysterious amulet tied to her late brother Joren, Maren’s journey is one of survival and buried grief, set in a vividly grim landscape that feels as alive as the characters themselves. I found myself caught up in this haunting tale, turning pages to see if Maren could outrun her past and the rot around her.
The story begins with Maren scavenging in Sparrowwood’s decaying outskirts, where a faint whimper cuts through the eerie silence. Strange encounters—a scholar collecting fungal spores, whispers of a temple linked to the Hollowing—pull her toward the Alchemitorium, an ancient site where she’s ensnared in a cryptic machine. The amulet sparks a force that obliterates the fungal Hollow Lords, briefly reviving the land with green life, only for the rot to creep back. Blackmoore balances these vivid moments with Maren’s memories of Joren, whose loss haunts her every step. The pacing keeps a steady rhythm, though early market scenes linger a bit long, slowing the tension.
Maren shines as a complex lead, her tough exterior masking a heart still raw from losing Joren. Her attachment to his amulet, despite her claim that “symbols don’t save anyone,” adds rich depth. Selene, a mother desperate to save her infected daughter Liora, tugs at the heart with her quiet resolve, while Alaric’s shift from betrayal to sacrifice for his wife Selis offers a layered, flawed humanity. Blackmoore paints the fungal-choked world with unsettling detail—you can almost smell the damp rot—though I wished for more clarity on the Fungal King, whose shadowy presence feels a tad elusive.
The novella’s strength lies in its cast and atmosphere. Maren’s grief and Selene’s love ground the fantastical horror, while the Hollowing mirrors real-world decay, urging reflection on our own choices. The ending, with Maren eyeing a quest to Orisca, feels satisfying yet open, hinting at more to come in future installments of the series. It’s not without flaws—the Fungal King’s vagueness and occasional slow patches stand out—but Blackmoore delivers a world and characters that linger. The Mycelic Verge is a compelling read for anyone drawn to dark fantasy with emotional weight. I’m eager to see where Maren’s path leads next.
The story begins with Maren scavenging in Sparrowwood’s decaying outskirts, where a faint whimper cuts through the eerie silence. Strange encounters—a scholar collecting fungal spores, whispers of a temple linked to the Hollowing—pull her toward the Alchemitorium, an ancient site where she’s ensnared in a cryptic machine. The amulet sparks a force that obliterates the fungal Hollow Lords, briefly reviving the land with green life, only for the rot to creep back. Blackmoore balances these vivid moments with Maren’s memories of Joren, whose loss haunts her every step. The pacing keeps a steady rhythm, though early market scenes linger a bit long, slowing the tension.
Maren shines as a complex lead, her tough exterior masking a heart still raw from losing Joren. Her attachment to his amulet, despite her claim that “symbols don’t save anyone,” adds rich depth. Selene, a mother desperate to save her infected daughter Liora, tugs at the heart with her quiet resolve, while Alaric’s shift from betrayal to sacrifice for his wife Selis offers a layered, flawed humanity. Blackmoore paints the fungal-choked world with unsettling detail—you can almost smell the damp rot—though I wished for more clarity on the Fungal King, whose shadowy presence feels a tad elusive.
The novella’s strength lies in its cast and atmosphere. Maren’s grief and Selene’s love ground the fantastical horror, while the Hollowing mirrors real-world decay, urging reflection on our own choices. The ending, with Maren eyeing a quest to Orisca, feels satisfying yet open, hinting at more to come in future installments of the series. It’s not without flaws—the Fungal King’s vagueness and occasional slow patches stand out—but Blackmoore delivers a world and characters that linger. The Mycelic Verge is a compelling read for anyone drawn to dark fantasy with emotional weight. I’m eager to see where Maren’s path leads next.
October 17, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.5 stars
Part of the following summary is taken directly from the book description and author blurb.
“A dark, immersive fantasy about survival, guilt, and the slow return of hope in a land left to rot.
For a hundred years, Ellandria has rotted from a fungal plague twisting beasts into nightmares and hollowing the living from the inside out. The fungus remembers Maren. And it’s calling her name.
When a stranger offers Maren an amulet identical to her missing brother’s, she’s drawn into a hunt through forests choked with rot and whispers of secrets only the spores know. Haunted by guilt and pursued by an ancient force, Maren must choose between saving her humanity or letting the hollowing consume her and everyone she loves.”
(from the author blurb & Goodreads description)
My thoughts:
This book is dark fantasy at its best - beautifully atmospheric, vividly descriptive, and unsettling in all the right ways. The language and imagery gave me a really clear vision of Ellandria, its decay, and its dangers. It gave me strong The Last of Us vibes, with the fungus transforming creatures into terrifying horrors.
Maren is a complex, layered protagonist. She’s guarded and shaped by past traumas, but her humanity is still buried there - she can’t turn away from people who need her help, even when it puts her at risk and she has to fight her desire to remain alone.
The spore-creatures are both fascinating and horrifying, and the world-building is deep and detailed. There are intriguing hints at wider politics (fungus kings, councils) that I’m sure will grow as the series continues. We meet a few additional characters whose stories don’t fully unfold here, but I suspect they’ll become important in future books.
And that ending… not at all what I expected, and now I need book two immediately.
A dark, immersive read I’ll be recommending to fans of atmospheric fantasy, horror elements, and complex world-building.
Huge thanks to the author for providing me with an ARC 🍄🟫
Part of the following summary is taken directly from the book description and author blurb.
“A dark, immersive fantasy about survival, guilt, and the slow return of hope in a land left to rot.
For a hundred years, Ellandria has rotted from a fungal plague twisting beasts into nightmares and hollowing the living from the inside out. The fungus remembers Maren. And it’s calling her name.
When a stranger offers Maren an amulet identical to her missing brother’s, she’s drawn into a hunt through forests choked with rot and whispers of secrets only the spores know. Haunted by guilt and pursued by an ancient force, Maren must choose between saving her humanity or letting the hollowing consume her and everyone she loves.”
(from the author blurb & Goodreads description)
My thoughts:
This book is dark fantasy at its best - beautifully atmospheric, vividly descriptive, and unsettling in all the right ways. The language and imagery gave me a really clear vision of Ellandria, its decay, and its dangers. It gave me strong The Last of Us vibes, with the fungus transforming creatures into terrifying horrors.
Maren is a complex, layered protagonist. She’s guarded and shaped by past traumas, but her humanity is still buried there - she can’t turn away from people who need her help, even when it puts her at risk and she has to fight her desire to remain alone.
The spore-creatures are both fascinating and horrifying, and the world-building is deep and detailed. There are intriguing hints at wider politics (fungus kings, councils) that I’m sure will grow as the series continues. We meet a few additional characters whose stories don’t fully unfold here, but I suspect they’ll become important in future books.
And that ending… not at all what I expected, and now I need book two immediately.
A dark, immersive read I’ll be recommending to fans of atmospheric fantasy, horror elements, and complex world-building.
Huge thanks to the author for providing me with an ARC 🍄🟫
November 17, 2025
An intense, morally ambiguous fantasy adventure that pushes its protagonist to the brink.
In a world ovecome by spores and militant procedure against them, Maren is extorted into leading a quest up a mountain in the hopes of a cure. Haunted and hunted, Maren and her parasites-turned-symbiotic co-survivors face morally fraught choices as futuristic technology and ancient magic collide.
The world-building in this piece is hauntingly beautiful. The decriptions of the fallen forests and crumbling buildings elicit a Gothic feeling that takes root in the first page and grows steady through the book. The book is short - I could have read it in a day if I'd had time, but found it was easy to jump back in after pausing for a couple of days. This is something I usually struggle with in dark fantasy, but the story is kept concise and sharply written, and the poetic writing style is one I don't think I'll forget for a while.
My issues with the book that I found the ending abrupt. It's the first in a series, but up until the final chapter it could have worked well as a standalone novella. It gave me the sense that it was going to be a standalone, but a bit extra was tacked on the end to make it into a series.
The author has also acknowledged that AI was used in the making of the cover. I was disappointed to learn this, but as it was close to the release date it was too late to change anything. The writer has apologised and taken suggestions for cover artists for the rest of the series, which I appreciate. I was part of the ARC team for this book - my pitch for being in the ARC team was literally "I like mushrooms and also gothic horror" and was accepted - so want to give a huge thank you to Gideon for that.
I would recommend this book as a taster of dark fantasy; it's concise, tightly yet poetically written, with characters that will haunt you for days to follow.
In a world ovecome by spores and militant procedure against them, Maren is extorted into leading a quest up a mountain in the hopes of a cure. Haunted and hunted, Maren and her parasites-turned-symbiotic co-survivors face morally fraught choices as futuristic technology and ancient magic collide.
The world-building in this piece is hauntingly beautiful. The decriptions of the fallen forests and crumbling buildings elicit a Gothic feeling that takes root in the first page and grows steady through the book. The book is short - I could have read it in a day if I'd had time, but found it was easy to jump back in after pausing for a couple of days. This is something I usually struggle with in dark fantasy, but the story is kept concise and sharply written, and the poetic writing style is one I don't think I'll forget for a while.
My issues with the book that I found the ending abrupt. It's the first in a series, but up until the final chapter it could have worked well as a standalone novella. It gave me the sense that it was going to be a standalone, but a bit extra was tacked on the end to make it into a series.
The author has also acknowledged that AI was used in the making of the cover. I was disappointed to learn this, but as it was close to the release date it was too late to change anything. The writer has apologised and taken suggestions for cover artists for the rest of the series, which I appreciate. I was part of the ARC team for this book - my pitch for being in the ARC team was literally "I like mushrooms and also gothic horror" and was accepted - so want to give a huge thank you to Gideon for that.
I would recommend this book as a taster of dark fantasy; it's concise, tightly yet poetically written, with characters that will haunt you for days to follow.
November 10, 2025
The Mycelic Verge: The Best Fungal Nightmare Fuel!
The Mycelic Verge is an excellent and immersive Dark Fungal Fantasy that blends atmospheric horror with a relentless story of survival in a world of rot and decay. This is a story set in Ellandria, a land devastated by a fungal plague known as the Hollowing. The world-building here is excellent, and the author really hits all the right notes. The best comparison I can think of is The Last of Us set in a medieval style fantasy world - and it really works brilliantly.
While the backdrop is fantastic, the story is really driven by a cast of compelling characters. The protagonist Maren is a broken yet fiercely strong main character whose survival instincts and deep painful wounds, including a devastating recent loss, inform her every choice. You can feel these motivations driving her, making her immediately understandable even when her choices seem harsh. The supporting cast is equally strong: Selene's primary motivation is so powerful it's all you really need to understand, and Alaric is a great character you immediately want to like. His presence also provides some much needed levity, even given the dark circumstances.
Gideon Blackmoore has created an original and relentless story about survival, guilt, and the slow creep of hope, even when things seem hopeless. The Hollowing decay feels like it's crawling under your skin, making every encounter and decision feel critical.
If you're looking for a morally complex, character-driven fantasy with heavy horror elements that thrives on atmosphere and high-stakes peril, The Mycelic Verge is a must-read.
The Mycelic Verge is an excellent and immersive Dark Fungal Fantasy that blends atmospheric horror with a relentless story of survival in a world of rot and decay. This is a story set in Ellandria, a land devastated by a fungal plague known as the Hollowing. The world-building here is excellent, and the author really hits all the right notes. The best comparison I can think of is The Last of Us set in a medieval style fantasy world - and it really works brilliantly.
While the backdrop is fantastic, the story is really driven by a cast of compelling characters. The protagonist Maren is a broken yet fiercely strong main character whose survival instincts and deep painful wounds, including a devastating recent loss, inform her every choice. You can feel these motivations driving her, making her immediately understandable even when her choices seem harsh. The supporting cast is equally strong: Selene's primary motivation is so powerful it's all you really need to understand, and Alaric is a great character you immediately want to like. His presence also provides some much needed levity, even given the dark circumstances.
Gideon Blackmoore has created an original and relentless story about survival, guilt, and the slow creep of hope, even when things seem hopeless. The Hollowing decay feels like it's crawling under your skin, making every encounter and decision feel critical.
If you're looking for a morally complex, character-driven fantasy with heavy horror elements that thrives on atmosphere and high-stakes peril, The Mycelic Verge is a must-read.
November 10, 2025
“Something was different tonight. The decay was the same, the Rot spreading unchecked, but there was something else. A weight. A presence, waiting.”
Captivating. That’s the first thing that comes to mind to describe this debut novella by @gideonblackmoore. The Mycelic Verge is a brilliantly written grimdark fantasy. The world building is extensive and so descriptive. It felt like I was sucked into the pages and was right there with the characters. The rules on how the infection is caught and sets in left no questions. It was clear that this was well thought out and executed. Our FMC is struggling with the loss of her brother and comes across a woman trying to save her infant’s life from the infection. She reluctantly leads this woman on a treacherous journey, in hopes to obtain an artifact that once belonged to her brother as payment, to a temple where they believe holds a cure. On this journey, they are faced with monstrous infected creatures, the risk of spores getting into their lungs, not to mention the type of humans you don’t want to run into when the world goes to shit. I felt myself constantly holding my breath while reading this book so as not to infect myself with the spores, that’s how real it felt while I was reading it. I was thoroughly gripped, thoroughly creeped out, and thoroughly satisfied after reading this book. What a great debut and I can’t wait to read more by Gideon Blackmoore!!
Captivating. That’s the first thing that comes to mind to describe this debut novella by @gideonblackmoore. The Mycelic Verge is a brilliantly written grimdark fantasy. The world building is extensive and so descriptive. It felt like I was sucked into the pages and was right there with the characters. The rules on how the infection is caught and sets in left no questions. It was clear that this was well thought out and executed. Our FMC is struggling with the loss of her brother and comes across a woman trying to save her infant’s life from the infection. She reluctantly leads this woman on a treacherous journey, in hopes to obtain an artifact that once belonged to her brother as payment, to a temple where they believe holds a cure. On this journey, they are faced with monstrous infected creatures, the risk of spores getting into their lungs, not to mention the type of humans you don’t want to run into when the world goes to shit. I felt myself constantly holding my breath while reading this book so as not to infect myself with the spores, that’s how real it felt while I was reading it. I was thoroughly gripped, thoroughly creeped out, and thoroughly satisfied after reading this book. What a great debut and I can’t wait to read more by Gideon Blackmoore!!
November 18, 2025
A fungal rot horror that will have you flipping pages!
What a read!! I so enjoyed this and I loved trying something that was so far apart from my usual book or genre choice. Even better? It absolutely paid off.
If you've never heard of or read fungal rot before, that's ok, neither had I but am I going to read the next book? Absolutely!!
This was a fast paced read. It was grim. It was dark and atmospheric and it had me turning pages so fast because I was invested in the characters and their quest. The writing itself is fabulous and immersive and makes it so easy to picture the fungal rot infested world and the characters so clearly which adds to the horror.
Maren is such a likeable FMC. She's determined, she's got grit, she's brave and a survivor but she also battles to make the tough selfish decisions to ensure her own survival. Instead she often goes against what she knows she should do to live and does what she feels is the morally right thing to do instead.
The supporting cast of characters are just as multifaceted and flawed. Selene is a mother of a young child infected with fungal rot and will do absolutely anything to protect her child. Alaric is still struggling with the death of his wife to the fungal rot. And then there is Veynar. We're given a couple of POVs from him but left wanting more and with so many questions!
Overall a great read and I highly recommend!
What a read!! I so enjoyed this and I loved trying something that was so far apart from my usual book or genre choice. Even better? It absolutely paid off.
If you've never heard of or read fungal rot before, that's ok, neither had I but am I going to read the next book? Absolutely!!
This was a fast paced read. It was grim. It was dark and atmospheric and it had me turning pages so fast because I was invested in the characters and their quest. The writing itself is fabulous and immersive and makes it so easy to picture the fungal rot infested world and the characters so clearly which adds to the horror.
Maren is such a likeable FMC. She's determined, she's got grit, she's brave and a survivor but she also battles to make the tough selfish decisions to ensure her own survival. Instead she often goes against what she knows she should do to live and does what she feels is the morally right thing to do instead.
The supporting cast of characters are just as multifaceted and flawed. Selene is a mother of a young child infected with fungal rot and will do absolutely anything to protect her child. Alaric is still struggling with the death of his wife to the fungal rot. And then there is Veynar. We're given a couple of POVs from him but left wanting more and with so many questions!
Overall a great read and I highly recommend!
October 11, 2025
Some worlds don’t end with fire. They rot from the inside out.
This story isn’t just dark; it seeps into you. Every page feels damp and feverish, as if you’re breathing the same tainted air as Maren (our FMC). Ellandria is a world long past saving, and yet I couldn���t look away. It’s full of rot and ruin, but there’s this fragile thread of humanity that refuses to die, and that’s what hurts the most.
Maren broke me. She’s not a warrior or a savior; she’s a survivor who’s already lost too much. Watching her stumble through grief and guilt, dragged back into a nightmare she never asked for, was like watching a wound try to heal in a world that only knows how to fester.
The writing is beautiful in that terrible, aching way. It’s lyrical and suffocating all at once. Every image of decay, every whisper of the Hollowing, feels alive. And when the story finally peels back what’s waiting beneath the surface...it’s not just horror. It’s love twisted into something unrecognizable.
This isn’t a comforting read. It’s a slow, stunning and unraveling. A story about what we become when hope curdles and the only thing left is the choice between surrender and transformation.
If you crave dark fantasy that bleeds, that smells like earth and grief and impossible mercy, this one will haunt you long after the last page!
This story isn’t just dark; it seeps into you. Every page feels damp and feverish, as if you’re breathing the same tainted air as Maren (our FMC). Ellandria is a world long past saving, and yet I couldn���t look away. It’s full of rot and ruin, but there’s this fragile thread of humanity that refuses to die, and that’s what hurts the most.
Maren broke me. She’s not a warrior or a savior; she’s a survivor who’s already lost too much. Watching her stumble through grief and guilt, dragged back into a nightmare she never asked for, was like watching a wound try to heal in a world that only knows how to fester.
The writing is beautiful in that terrible, aching way. It’s lyrical and suffocating all at once. Every image of decay, every whisper of the Hollowing, feels alive. And when the story finally peels back what’s waiting beneath the surface...it’s not just horror. It’s love twisted into something unrecognizable.
This isn’t a comforting read. It’s a slow, stunning and unraveling. A story about what we become when hope curdles and the only thing left is the choice between surrender and transformation.
If you crave dark fantasy that bleeds, that smells like earth and grief and impossible mercy, this one will haunt you long after the last page!
October 13, 2025
Rating is 4.5/5
I was drawn into this novella from the first page and was captivated by the world-building and unique post-apocoltptic setting. In such few pages, it was very well described and really transported the reader into that world. It was hard to believe this was a debut novella from Gideon Blackmoore.
The FMC, Maren, was strong and independent. She was a loner, resistant to human interaction. But, despite loss and grief of her own, she has not lost her humanity and empathy. I loved the connections she made with Selene and Liora
The spore creatures - specifically the wolves and vultures - were creative and lent well to the story. The description of them in their altered state was creepy and added to the horror aspect of the novella.
Knowing that this is a planned series left me confident my lingering questions would be answered. Gideon's writing style is immersive and descriptive in the best ways - not overly done but perfect to balance the story.
I am excited to learn more about Spore Wardens, Kaelen Vorr, and Veynar. Their introductions, though brief, were leaving me wanting more of their back story.
I'm thankful for the opportunity to have read this ARC and look forward to continuing the journey in 2026!
I was drawn into this novella from the first page and was captivated by the world-building and unique post-apocoltptic setting. In such few pages, it was very well described and really transported the reader into that world. It was hard to believe this was a debut novella from Gideon Blackmoore.
The FMC, Maren, was strong and independent. She was a loner, resistant to human interaction. But, despite loss and grief of her own, she has not lost her humanity and empathy. I loved the connections she made with Selene and Liora
The spore creatures - specifically the wolves and vultures - were creative and lent well to the story. The description of them in their altered state was creepy and added to the horror aspect of the novella.
Knowing that this is a planned series left me confident my lingering questions would be answered. Gideon's writing style is immersive and descriptive in the best ways - not overly done but perfect to balance the story.
I am excited to learn more about Spore Wardens, Kaelen Vorr, and Veynar. Their introductions, though brief, were leaving me wanting more of their back story.
I'm thankful for the opportunity to have read this ARC and look forward to continuing the journey in 2026!
October 15, 2025
4.5 stars :)
The Mycelic Verge is a dark fantasy novella following the harrowing journey of our main character, Maren, as she teams up with a lone scholar and a mother who is willing to do anything to save her infected baby from "the rot". As their world crumbles in front of their eyes through corruption and a deadly infection that comes from spores, their morals are questioned at every turn. This was such a captivating read, at only 158 pages, the author is able to build a world with such incredible imagery, you feel as though you are exactly where the characters stand. The world building is so detailed and its written in a way that you can perfectly imagine every single scene. The characters are also created in a realistic way, with their morals and values constantly being challenged as the story goes on, and it poses the question to readers; what would you do? The story itself is interesting, entertaining, haunting, and also heartbreaking - I cried, I won't even deny it. The ending of this one sets up the beginning for the next book so well, it makes you want to keep going with the series. I will definitely be continuing with Gideon Blackmoore's work, because I'm curious to see where the story goes from here.
The Mycelic Verge is a dark fantasy novella following the harrowing journey of our main character, Maren, as she teams up with a lone scholar and a mother who is willing to do anything to save her infected baby from "the rot". As their world crumbles in front of their eyes through corruption and a deadly infection that comes from spores, their morals are questioned at every turn. This was such a captivating read, at only 158 pages, the author is able to build a world with such incredible imagery, you feel as though you are exactly where the characters stand. The world building is so detailed and its written in a way that you can perfectly imagine every single scene. The characters are also created in a realistic way, with their morals and values constantly being challenged as the story goes on, and it poses the question to readers; what would you do? The story itself is interesting, entertaining, haunting, and also heartbreaking - I cried, I won't even deny it. The ending of this one sets up the beginning for the next book so well, it makes you want to keep going with the series. I will definitely be continuing with Gideon Blackmoore's work, because I'm curious to see where the story goes from here.
October 15, 2025
🍄🟫 ARC review 🍄🟫
The Mycelic Verge is a Grimdark Fantasy with fungal horror themes magically woven into this new novella by Gideon Blackmore.
It is not often that a story grabs you and draws you in so quickly, but Gideon achieves this with horrifying imagery, dystopian and corrupt ruling and relatable characters.
The thing I liked most was how unique the setting and story is, you can feel the spores settling deeper into your lungs with every chapter read.
Maren is a woman who has lost everything and whose intense survival instincts influence each and every movement she makes.
Selene, a mother who will stop at nothing to save her daughter.
A mysterious scholar, Alaric, who may have nefarious intentions to getting Maren to the temple at the centre of the Hollowed Forest.
A gripping, immersive novella which sets a great precedence for the series, I’m looking forward to continuing and reading more about the spore wardens and if a long forgotten cure can be found to stop the rot from overwhelming the world once and for all.
Perfect spooky season read! 4 ⭐️
#MycelicVerge #Inflorescence #GrimdarkFantasy #FungalHorror #DarkFantasyReads #IndieAuthor #BookstagramReads #TheMycelicVerge #BookLaunch
The Mycelic Verge is a Grimdark Fantasy with fungal horror themes magically woven into this new novella by Gideon Blackmore.
It is not often that a story grabs you and draws you in so quickly, but Gideon achieves this with horrifying imagery, dystopian and corrupt ruling and relatable characters.
The thing I liked most was how unique the setting and story is, you can feel the spores settling deeper into your lungs with every chapter read.
Maren is a woman who has lost everything and whose intense survival instincts influence each and every movement she makes.
Selene, a mother who will stop at nothing to save her daughter.
A mysterious scholar, Alaric, who may have nefarious intentions to getting Maren to the temple at the centre of the Hollowed Forest.
A gripping, immersive novella which sets a great precedence for the series, I’m looking forward to continuing and reading more about the spore wardens and if a long forgotten cure can be found to stop the rot from overwhelming the world once and for all.
Perfect spooky season read! 4 ⭐️
#MycelicVerge #Inflorescence #GrimdarkFantasy #FungalHorror #DarkFantasyReads #IndieAuthor #BookstagramReads #TheMycelicVerge #BookLaunch
November 20, 2025
The Mycelic Verge is not simply grimdark fantasy — it’s fungal horror disguised within an epic adventure. Blackmoore doesn’t build a setting; he lets it fester.
We follow 4 main characters as they travel toward an Alchemitorium, chasing answers — or maybe just something that isn’t death.
Worldbuilding has always been my happy place in true fantasy. If the world isn’t built on a solid foundation, can you truly be in the story? What this author builds is more than just solid — it’s alive, crawling, consuming. The fungus doesn’t decorate this world; it owns it, until you can almost smell the decay through the pages.
Even the wildlife is twisted into something strangely beautiful. Amid all that ruin, the human story doesn’t get lost — even characters with limited roles leave an impression. I cannot wait to see how they all play into what’s coming next.
The Mycelic Verge doesn’t just tell a story; it infects you. It seeps under your skin and stays there — dark and weird in the best way. If this is only the beginning of Blackmoore’s world, then I’ll gladly let it spread. I can only hope the next installment lets us see what truly drives this strange, rotting universe
We follow 4 main characters as they travel toward an Alchemitorium, chasing answers — or maybe just something that isn’t death.
Worldbuilding has always been my happy place in true fantasy. If the world isn’t built on a solid foundation, can you truly be in the story? What this author builds is more than just solid — it’s alive, crawling, consuming. The fungus doesn’t decorate this world; it owns it, until you can almost smell the decay through the pages.
Even the wildlife is twisted into something strangely beautiful. Amid all that ruin, the human story doesn’t get lost — even characters with limited roles leave an impression. I cannot wait to see how they all play into what’s coming next.
The Mycelic Verge doesn’t just tell a story; it infects you. It seeps under your skin and stays there — dark and weird in the best way. If this is only the beginning of Blackmoore’s world, then I’ll gladly let it spread. I can only hope the next installment lets us see what truly drives this strange, rotting universe
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