Abyss

by Nicholas Binge

Severance meets Lovecraft in this surreal tale of corporate horror and existential dread.

Joe always had potential, but he doesn't expect much, and he hopes that his new job as an admin assistant won't expect much of him. But when he enters the offices of Ponos—a company he's never heard of and knows nothing about—he discovers that potential is exactly what they want from him.

A feverish dive into the inhumanity of both late-stage capitalism and the crippling anxieties of modern life, Abyss adds a new level of meaning to 'wage slave'.

Genres: Horror, Fiction, Novella, Thriller, Adult

160 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication May 12, 2026

About the author

Nicholas Binge is a bestselling author of speculative thrillers that blend big sci-fi concepts with psychological horror. His latest novel, Dissolution, was hailed as one of the best thrillers of 2025 by The New York Times and is being adapted into a major motion picture by Sony Pictures, with Oscar-nominated screenwriter Eric Heisserer (Arrival, Birdbox) penning the script.

His breakout novel Ascension was a New York Times Editor's Choice Pick, finalist for the Goodreads' Choice Awards and Ignotus Award, and named a best book of 2023 by Vulture, Goodreads, The LA Times, and The Sunday Times. It is also being adapted for film. His work has been translated into over a dozen languages and featured across major international outlets from The Guardian to Entertainment Weekly.

Binge has lived across Asia and Europe — from Singapore to Switzerland to Hong Kong —before settling in Edinburgh, where he lectures in Creative Writing at Edinburgh Napier University and co-hosts the Binge Reading Book Club podcast. Beyond fiction, he has written for The Guardian, Literary Hub, and other leading outlets, and is a regular speaker at book festivals across Scotland and the UK.

His next novel, Extremity, arrives September 2025.

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC for review. To be published May 12, 2026.

3 stars

The story of a loner who goes to work in what appears to be a nearly empty office building and all the insanity that follows. The story had promise in a THERE IS NO ANTI-EMETICS DIVISION way but this didn’t have the scope of that superior book. There were parts that were interesting, though.

[Becky Spratford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading for review on the April 2026 issue of Library Journal

Three Words That Describe This Book: intense disorientation, Lovecraftian, Tech/corporate horror combo

Other words, rise of machines, terrifyingly realistic, first person-- Joe.

First, read this novella in as few sittings as possible-- it is meant to be experiences. You will feel the disorientation as Joe gets trapped in his new place of work and cannot get out.

Now on the rest of the review.

Binge sets the disorientation from the start with a chancer labelled -- Inside, Second Instance 27 second. It is ominous. Then we pull back to meet Joe. A young man who has lost connection in the real world. He has no job, no friends, barely talks to his mother who he loves but doesn't seem to have time after all his internet scrolling to visit or call back.

He gets a job that seems easy enough. When he goes to work no one is there but he finds his way, logs into the WelBot AI a 2001 HAL like program that seems to know everything about him.

And well, things are not as they seem as this is a horror novel. The few people he meets are odd and never seem to leave. And now Joe can't seem to leave eaither-- nothing that he even wants to.

Those "Inside" mini chapters pop up a few more times as well.

Readers follow Joe even as time becomes more of a construct. But there is adventure here and there is a monster at the heart of it all.

Despite the disorientation-- done on purpose by the author to help the reader be in synch with Joe-- the story moves swiftly and easily. The details come at the right pace. A solid 1 -2 sitting story that is not what readers will expect going in-- in a good way.

Readalikes-- 100% for fans of The Dead Take the A Train by Kadrey and Khaw. Also Blake Crouch, The Warehouse by Rob Hart. Any corporate techno or Lovecraftian horror. Also Travlers Rest by Kieth Lee Morris (a backlist fav of mine). Coup de Grace by Ajram as well-- but Abyss is was more techy.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this fun, freaky little novella in one sitting! If you like your existential dread in bite-sized packages, this is perfect for you!

Joe had a lot of promise but got lost somewhere along the way. Now he's lonely, struggling, and jobless, but his new position at a mysterious corporation may take him to horrific new depths.

Severance is probably a good comp but I haven't watched it, so I'm going to say this book is like The Stanley Parable but specifically that one bit where you get trapped walking in a loop in the basement like Silent Hill. Now that I have compared this book to two video games, I can proceed with the review! Anyway, this was a fun cosmic/existential/corporate horror with a lot of themes that will resonate with you if you've become numb to the parasitic effect of large corporations and social media on your health and well-being. It's got great liminal vibes and some moments of body horror which I'm a fan of. It ended really abruptly and in a way that doesn't really make it clear how Joe escaped the Big Bad, but it doesn't sour the book as a whole or anything.

If you just need a little horror pick-me-up (or a put-me-down) I think tis is a great pick and it makes me want to check out Nicholas Binge's other stuff!

Thank you to Nicholas Binge and Tor Nightfire for this ARC in exchange for my full, honest review!

Happy reading!

[Megan Magee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one blends a lot of genres into a short book- there’s science fiction, a tormented and bored MMC, a mamas boy mentality, and a new job on the horizon. When Joe finds himself working in a regular office setting, he immediately discovers he bit off more than he can chew and I’ll leave it there to avoid spoilers. This is one I’d never read in the dark again- some of the moments in it were viscerally terrifying. I enjoyed the plot, premise, and how the quickly the plot moved- my only complaint was I’d have liked a touch more description for the “why” of it all. Thanks so much to the author and Tor Nightfire for the chance to read and review this EARC!

[Lexi Denee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Y’all already know how much I love a creepy little novella. Abyss delivered SO MUCH in under 200 pages and it hit incredibly hard while it did so.

This story centers around corporate greed with a focus on losing individuality to efficiency, and how being human just…. Isn’t enough anymore. With automation looming in so many industries I think this is an incredible read for the current times, and it had me saying “YUPP!!!” at so many points.

On top of all the “real” talk in this book it is also a bat$hit crazy ride of cosmic/Lovecraftian horror. I love an absurd look at current times, and the social satire elements in this one reminded me of a cross between Vonnegut/Palahniuk (two of my favorites!!)

Here is my favorite quote that had me hollering:

“Life can be more efficient and convenient for you, if you want. All you have to do is sacrifice everything.”

Alright, that’s the end of my rave but please check this one out if you hate corporate greed, love corporate horror, social satire, and sometimes question everything while you are running in the rat race of survival!

**Thank you to Tor Nightfire for the eARC of this title, you guys have so many bangers coming out!!**

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Abyss is a compact read, one you can easily finish in a single sitting, but it packs in a surprising amount of atmosphere for its length. I found the first half especially compelling. It’s vague and eerie in all the right ways, the kind of unsettling slow burn that pulls you in and makes you eager to figure out what exactly is happening beneath the surface.

The second half, though, veers into territory that was a bit more bizarre than I was expecting. While I more or less understood what the ending was aiming for, I also walked away feeling like I didn’t entirely “get” it at the same time. There were a few intriguing threads woven through the story that I would have loved more explanation or closure on.

Still, the writing itself is strong, and the pacing kept me interested throughout. Even with my mixed feelings about the later twists, this was a quick, engaging read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Cindy C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicholas Binge's The Abyss is such an appropriate story for today! This is a compact, chilling novella that blends psychological horror with speculative fiction, offering a sharp critique of corporate culture and the alienation of modern life. Set in a sterile office tower in Canary Warf, the story follows Joe Rice, a low-level employee at the mysterious Ponos Corporation, who begins to unravel as his workplace, and his mind, descend into surreal chaos. Joe is a quiet, unambitious man who lands a job at Ponos, a company that promises to unlock his "potential." But the office is eerily empty, is manager is paranoid, and his only companion is WellBot, an AI wellness chatbot that monitors is emotions and behavior. As Joe tries to navigate the increasingly bizarre demands of his job, he begins to experience hallucinations, time distortions, and a creeping sense that something monstrous lurks beneath the surface of his reality. The novella critiques how technology used to enforce emotional transparency and productivity, turning wellness into a tool of control. Joe's decent into madness mirrors the loneliness and disconnection of modern life, especially with the ever-growing reliance on technology. This was a haunting, thought provoking read that will resonate with anyone who ever felt lost in the machinery of modern life! I loved every minute of it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor for the advance readers copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

[Jess Reads Horror · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for the ARC.

Joe is an anxious young man who, like many, is struggling with staying in touch with people, socializing, and doomscrolling. He finds a new job and everything is bizarre from the start. Once he starts, he quickly realizes things are not as they seem, and it becomes a race to save himself, or be eaten by the machine.

This was a super quick read, packed with action, creepy vibes, and unreliability. It reminds me of creepypastas, SCP type stories, and the video game Control (mostly the setting). Part one and part two give very different energy. I flew through part one because the set up was just that good. Imagine going to work, which can be a nightmare already, but imagine this AI chatbot that won’t leave you alone, and the building wants you to stay forever? Work anxiety to the max.

Part two though felt a bit rushed. I would probably have liked some more insight into the history, the villains, and even Virgil. I also understand this is a novella so gotta keep it on the short and straightforward end. I quite liked the ending, even though it was kind of ambiguous. Did he do the right thing? I have no idea.

Would recommend to horror readers and to those who need to feel better about their corporate jobs, probably.

[Hannah Grimm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Nicholas Binge and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review Abyss. This book was steeped in dread and themes of existentialism. I found the writing to be clear and the pacing of the story felt natural. I empathized with the viewpoint characters anxieties and struggles with life and I easily found myself rooting for him early on. The story was strange and wonderful and I genuinely enjoyed both the horror elements and the critiques of capitalism baked in. This is one of those books that feels like pressing a reset button for your brain and really puts the value of life into perspective.

[rachel x]

"A story about the evils of A.I. in the workplace and the inhuman beings that rely on it"

terrifying

[Hope Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joe Rice’s life is already a kind of void, lonely, disconnected, terminally online, so when he lands a new admin job at the Ponos corporation, he expects boredom, not revelation. But from day one, the place is wrong: a massive Canary Wharf office that is eerily empty, a manager vibrating with paranoia, and an “AI wellness” chatbot called WellBot that monitors him with the cheery menace of a mandated smile.

What I loved most is how Binge weaponizes Joe’s emptiness. Joe is not a plucky hero or a chosen one. He is a man who has optimized his life for minimal human contact and does not even realize what it has cost him until the office forces him to look straight at it. The horror does not arrive with a jump scare. It seeps in through policy language, automated “care,” and the kind of surveillance that insists it is doing you a favor. The book leans into that claustrophobic isolation, being watched, being measured, and slowly unraveling as reality starts to warp around you.

And yes, the themes can be heavy handed. But honestly, it earns the bluntness. Abyss is an ugly, deliciously bitter parable about late stage capitalism, about how the rich will hollow out everyone else to keep their comfort plush and their profits compounding. It feels like an Ayn Rand fever dream rewritten by someone who actually noticed the bodies under the bridge. The story does not just say “wage slave.” It makes you feel the chain around the ankle and the corporate voice asking if you are “thriving” while it tightens.

If you like your horror surreal, systemic, and uncomfortably familiar, with Severance vibes and a creeping Lovecraftian undertow, this one will eat you alive in the best way.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Tor Publishing Group for providing a copy of this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Nicholas Binge has become one of my go-to authors for sci-fi that’s both emotionally layered and formally inventive — stories that take big swings with structure while still delivering heart. So I went into Abyss expecting his signature blend of ambition and intensity. Instead, what I got felt like the made-for-TV version of a Nicholas Binge story.

The setup has promise: Joe, an aimless new hire at a mysterious company, finds himself swallowed by an office that’s far weirder — and far more sinister — than anything he read in the employment contract. There’s corporate horror, surreal twists, and the creeping sense that capitalism might literally be eating us alive.

But unlike Ascension or Dissolution, which married high-concept ideas with surprising emotional depth, Abyss never quite pushes beyond the expected beats of a “weird office” story. The themes — exploitation, identity, alienation — are resonant but well-trodden by now, and the plot unfolds with a predictability that kept me at arm’s length.

All told, Abyss is a fine slice of corporate horror — quick, moody, clever — but it didn’t leave much of an impression on me. I’ll happily keep reading Nicholas Binge, because I know what he’s capable of. This novella just wasn’t one of the ones that best showcases his talent.

[Jazmyn Hartman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joe, post COVID has fully isolated himself in his flat. He doesn't talk to his friends, doesn't really respond to his mom's texts or calls. He gets everything delivered to his house. He just mindlessly scrolls on Reddit and Instagram, overthinking anything and everything. Not only has he let his anxiety get the better of him, he's lost his work from home job. He finally gets a response to one of his applications, but it's a company he's never heard of before. Regardless, he needs to pay rent, so he shows up. But things are weird, not only is the AI chat bot extremely off-putting and intense, but there's hardly anyone in the building. He feels almost as isolated here as at home. When he is set a task that's not "AI chat bot" approved, everything starts to spiral. And maybe he'll never get out?

What a fun, wild ride of a book. This was my first venture into corporate horror, and I loved it. It definitely gave me "backrooms" vibes. The social commentary hit SO close to home it was almost hard to read. I kept thinking, "Work to live. Live to work." The sad truth of many a persons life. We only matter if we are productive. Aside from that, the eldritch horror was a great spooky element to tie in what's really going on (no spoilers). A genuinely enjoyable, spooky, and surprisingly thought provoking little novella!

[Holly Bevans · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Abyss is the kind of read that creeps up on you quietly, a compact descent you can finish in one sitting, yet it lingers like a shadow just beyond your peripheral vision. The first half pulled me under with its haunting atmosphere. It’s vague, eerie, and unsettling in the best way, a slow burning dread that coils tighter with every page and makes you desperate to uncover what’s lurking beneath it all.

But somewhere in the darkness, the story takes a stranger turn than I anticipated. While I can sense what the ending was reaching for, I closed the book feeling more disoriented than enlightened. It felt like waking from a nightmare you can’t quite piece together. Several intriguing threads drift through the narrative, and I found myself wishing for a bit more clarity… or at least a lantern to guide me toward some closure.

Even so, the writing is undeniably strong, and the pacing kept me wandering deeper when I probably should’ve turned back. Despite my confusion over the final twists, Abyss remains a quick, chilling read that horror lovers may still enjoy, just be prepared to sit with the strange echoes it leaves behind.

[love. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent addition to the "Work Is Hell" science fiction that has become zeitgeisty recently. The comparison to Severance is very apt: infinite hallways, loss of self in both literal and figurative senses, unknown "Work" and creepy bots. It reminded me too of Qntm's 2025 "There Is No Antimemetics Division" and SCP Foundation worldbuilding in general.

Definitely fun, with a novella-sized character arc that felt satisfying and some good, classic horror tropes. A bit or gore, a bit of existential dread, and a Lovecraftian space entity to top it off.

Around the 75% mark we get a rushed ending, full of explanations and unbelievable character speeches as the story (and its lore) hastily knits itself closed. It's commentary on capitalism and work culture was often too heavy handed in this latter half of the book for my tastes. I wonder if this was a longer novel, some of these problems would be more smoothly executed.

All in all, it was fun and I'll be watching for longer works from this author in the future. And putting his novel Ascension on my TBR!

[Liz Chardon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had me hooked from chapter 1. Story about a man who was looking for work and trying to find work that does not require a lot of effort. This is a very interesting read as it identifies today’s world of wage salary and the corporate world and how you get sucked into it. As he continues to work for the company, strange things begin to happen. There are some areas within the book that seem to be missing details but the moral of the story is very unique. This is a fast and easy read and will keep you guessing throughout the book. I enjoyed the read as it was fast paced and kept you guessing. I write this a 3.5 star only because of the lack of detailing to specific areas within the book however, overall I did enjoy it.

This book publishes on May 2026 and I received it from Netgalley. Thank you Nicholas Binge and Netgalley for this great ARC.

[Emily Westerwick · Rating 3 out of 5]

An anxious under-achiever takes an entry-level job at a company that he quickly finds to exist in a realm outside of reality that he struggles to escape. 

A bit heavy-handed allegory of corporate greed and AI depersonalization. Definitely delivers on the Severance-meets-Lovecraft promise. I had more fun with the world-building and exposition than I did with the action, but I tend to feel that way with most sci-fi/fantasy. The author did a good job making me feel the unease that the main character felt when first exploring Ponos. Overall, this story was well-suited for the novella length we were given. 

Big thanks to NetGalley and the author and the publisher for the ARC.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC for review; to be published on 12 May 2026.

This book is short and can be read in one sitting. I really enjoyed the first half of the story. It was just vague and unsettling enough to pull me in and wonder what was going and then looking forward to finding out.

The second half became a bit more bizarre than I had wanted, I also felt like, while I “got” the ending, I also didn’t quite get it at the same time. There were some threads in the story that I would have liked more information on.

All in all, I would read more by this author. This was well-written and a quick, mostly interesting read.

[Amber Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joe, the MMC, is alone in this sterile environment that is his work. His only companion is an AI chatbot called WellBot, who monitors Joe's behaviors and emotions.

The book delves into Joe's spiral into insanity as he hallucinates, time starts distorting, and feelings of isolation and being watched. There were plenty of intense moments that felt terrifying. Imagine being stuck in a time loop, where nothing was as it seemed, you were forced to do things at work that were more than you could handle, and you were all alone.

Pacing was great, the emotions were real, and the descriptions were fantastic. Quite a punch for a short book!

[Kera’s Always Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one really creeped me out. The loss of control and the coming in and out of coherence of the perilous situation these characters were in really affected me with this one… in the best way!

There isn’t much you can say without revealing spoilers, so just check it out. This is creepy existential horror with some great psychological horror and some gore thrown in. I definitely recommend this one.

[Sandra Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This intense horror is impossible to shake. Joe thinks he’s finally getting out of his rut when he lands a job at a promising company. The deeper Joe gets into the job, the stranger things become, he starts seeing things, losing track of time, and the uneasy feeling that something dark is lurking just below the surface keeps growing. A spine-chilling look at how technology, masked as well-being, can slowly isolate and control us.
A definite must-read! 5 stars!!

[Shannon Mccann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually enjoyed this story quite a bit more than I thought I would. The world building in this novella is very well done and so much was accomplished within its pages without feeling rushed. It was creepy and unsettling and I wasn’t exactly sure how it would end but I was satisfied with where it left us as readers!

[Morgan Murphy 🫀 · Rating 3 out of 5]

A witty, short, eldritch horror read that the bookstore I work at got sent in advance. I don’t really think the length did it justice as the settings were incredibly limited, but I enjoyed the premise and it felt very topical. While I didn’t personally find it too creepy, I like how strange it felt!

[Bandit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Binge won me over with Ascension, and I've been disappointed to various degrees ever since by his inability to live up to the promise of that amazing book.
Dissolution, which I've just read, sort of dissolved under the weight of its own convolutions and sappiness.
Binge's first novella with Tor was as crappy as its cover--very. This, his second one, is much better. It actually corresponds to its "meets" tag and indeed strongly echoes both Severance and cosmic motifs.
Bine has even woven a sociopolitical message into the fabric of this story. The haves exploit the have-nots in a rather creative fashion.
You can follow the adventures of a semi-sympathetic loser on a new job and find out exactly how.
This one was rather fun, and Binge writing well and engagingly, but the ending was something of a letdown.
Still, a quick, entertaining read. Thanks Netgalley.

This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joe is isolated, never socializing, staring at his phone all day. Joe then takes an admin job but finds that it isn't what it seems. Productivity is all that matters to something in this building he finds he cannot leave.

Shades of Severance. Quick read.

[Stefanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

So glad I got to check this out before it’s published! The story is compelling and relatable as hell. Some of the mechanisms lost me a bit and it may have benefited from reading in one sitting. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

[Josh Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the start way more than the finish, but given its size, I didn’t mind hanging out in this world for a couple hours. Prob my least-fav from Bings so far, though.

Thanks to Net Galley for an ARC.

6/10

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this creepy workplace novella which offers a social commentary on * (*no spoilers). Recommended for both horror fans and sci-fi fans.

I am a library associate and received an advance copy from #NetGalley.

[Marin Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

FLAWLESS. I stayed up until 3:40 am reading this, so review to come.

[Brandon Kerr]

Had a good time with this one! Will definitely be reading more Nicholas Binge. Full review to drop in 2026.