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Terrible Worlds: Transformations
Preaching to the Choir
Elena Mendes thought she understood what “old money” was.
She knew her boyfriend Ross Enderbough was rich. Like, “old money” rich. She knew he was the scion of some eccentric British line that predates the whole United States. She knew he didn’t really get on with his family, and that he fled to America to study free of their influence.
Ross has been summoned to Enderby, the family mansion built as a monastery centuries ago, for an exclusive, mysterious family gathering that happens only once a generation. Spouses and partners aren’t invited, but Ross has asked Elena to come anyway for moral support.
But there are secrets in the mouldering old pile, and terrors in the unkempt woods on the estate. And Elena slowly comes to realise that “old money” means so much more than she’d ever imagined…
She knew her boyfriend Ross Enderbough was rich. Like, “old money” rich. She knew he was the scion of some eccentric British line that predates the whole United States. She knew he didn’t really get on with his family, and that he fled to America to study free of their influence.
Ross has been summoned to Enderby, the family mansion built as a monastery centuries ago, for an exclusive, mysterious family gathering that happens only once a generation. Spouses and partners aren’t invited, but Ross has asked Elena to come anyway for moral support.
But there are secrets in the mouldering old pile, and terrors in the unkempt woods on the estate. And Elena slowly comes to realise that “old money” means so much more than she’d ever imagined…
167 pages, Hardcover
First published August 11, 2026
About the author
Adrian Tchaikovsky
198 books20.1k followersADRIAN TCHAIKOVSKY was born in Lincolnshire and studied zoology and psychology at Reading, before practising law in Leeds. He is a keen live role-player and occasional amateur actor and is trained in stage-fighting. His literary influences include Gene Wolfe, Mervyn Peake, China Miéville, Mary Gently, Steven Erikson, Naomi Novak, Scott Lynch and Alan Campbell.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews
August 12, 2026
I can immediately picture Preaching to the Choir being adapted into a horror film. It begins with a familiar genre setup: Elena Mendes accompanies her boyfriend, Ross Enderbough, to a gathering at his family’s ancient English estate. Ross comes from the kind of old money that predates the United States, but his relationship with his family is so stifling that he fled to America, where he met Elena.
To no one’s surprise, things feel wrong from the start. Elena and Ross arrive after dark at Enderby, a centuries-old monastery turned family mansion surrounded by neglected woods and creepy statues. Adrian Tchaikovsky’s descriptive writing makes the entire estate feel steeped in history, isolation, and something far more sinister. The atmosphere alone is enough to unnerve Elena and the reader…even before the true horror begins.
Elena does not receive a warm welcome. Ross’s relatives quickly remind him that this once-in-a-generation gathering is strictly for family. That reception alone would have sent me packing, but Elena persists. During her first night at Enderby, she witnesses evidence that something disturbing is happening within the family, only to find herself mysteriously forgetting what she has seen. By the time she realizes she needs to leave, the situation has become genuinely threatening.
The elder Enderboughs are an eccentric, entitled, and deeply distrustful group who do not take kindly to outsiders like Elena. They also keep secrets from the younger members of their own family, leaving Elena and Ross to uncover traditions far older and stranger than either of them understands. This once-in-a-generation meeting proves to be far more sinister than auspicious. It is certainly not your typical family reunion.
What begins as a gothic family mystery gradually becomes a tense survival story as Elena and others attempt to escape a bizarre, heavily wooded estate steeped in dangerous lore. Tchaikovsky reveals just enough at a time to maintain the mystery while steadily intensifying the danger. As usual, he chooses exactly the right words (some less commonly used than others) to make readers feel as if they are trapped inside this increasingly desperate situation.
Although Tchaikovsky is best known for science fiction and fantasy, Preaching to the Choir leans more explicitly into gothic horror. He is one of my favorite writers precisely because he can move between genres without losing the intelligence, imagination, and command of language that make his work so distinctive. Some authors really can write anything successfully.
Give this novella a try if you enjoy atmospheric horror filled with mystery, tension, sinister family traditions, and the growing certainty that everyone should have left the estate long ago.
Thank you to NetGalley and Solaris for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
To no one’s surprise, things feel wrong from the start. Elena and Ross arrive after dark at Enderby, a centuries-old monastery turned family mansion surrounded by neglected woods and creepy statues. Adrian Tchaikovsky’s descriptive writing makes the entire estate feel steeped in history, isolation, and something far more sinister. The atmosphere alone is enough to unnerve Elena and the reader…even before the true horror begins.
Elena does not receive a warm welcome. Ross’s relatives quickly remind him that this once-in-a-generation gathering is strictly for family. That reception alone would have sent me packing, but Elena persists. During her first night at Enderby, she witnesses evidence that something disturbing is happening within the family, only to find herself mysteriously forgetting what she has seen. By the time she realizes she needs to leave, the situation has become genuinely threatening.
The elder Enderboughs are an eccentric, entitled, and deeply distrustful group who do not take kindly to outsiders like Elena. They also keep secrets from the younger members of their own family, leaving Elena and Ross to uncover traditions far older and stranger than either of them understands. This once-in-a-generation meeting proves to be far more sinister than auspicious. It is certainly not your typical family reunion.
What begins as a gothic family mystery gradually becomes a tense survival story as Elena and others attempt to escape a bizarre, heavily wooded estate steeped in dangerous lore. Tchaikovsky reveals just enough at a time to maintain the mystery while steadily intensifying the danger. As usual, he chooses exactly the right words (some less commonly used than others) to make readers feel as if they are trapped inside this increasingly desperate situation.
Although Tchaikovsky is best known for science fiction and fantasy, Preaching to the Choir leans more explicitly into gothic horror. He is one of my favorite writers precisely because he can move between genres without losing the intelligence, imagination, and command of language that make his work so distinctive. Some authors really can write anything successfully.
Give this novella a try if you enjoy atmospheric horror filled with mystery, tension, sinister family traditions, and the growing certainty that everyone should have left the estate long ago.
Thank you to NetGalley and Solaris for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
There are a lot of books and movies out there about the "normal" girlfriend / bride discovering the unspeakable horrors behind the fortune of her boyfriend / fiancé's family.
This is one of the great ones.
Adrian Tchaikovsky's writing is really fantastic in any genre, and I love his take on old money supernatural horror.
I especially loved that for once, the outsider wasn't alone but supported by other members of the family. These secondary characters were really interesting and got me even more involved.
Thank you Solaris for this ARC!
This is one of the great ones.
Adrian Tchaikovsky's writing is really fantastic in any genre, and I love his take on old money supernatural horror.
I especially loved that for once, the outsider wasn't alone but supported by other members of the family. These secondary characters were really interesting and got me even more involved.
Thank you Solaris for this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
🏚️🩸 Preaching to the Choir 🔪🕯️
I went into this novella completely blind, and I am SO glad I did because this book was wild. 🤣
I don't even know how to review it without giving anything away! This was a short, quick read, but it seriously packed a punch. The less you know going in, the better. 👀
I also really liked the ending! I thought I knew exactly where things were headed, but I was pleasantly surprised when the story went in a different direction.
I will definitely be listening to the audiobook as soon as it releases! 🎧
What to Expect
🕯️ Horror Novella
🏚️ Gothic Mansion
💰 Old Money
🤫 Family Secrets
🔪 Survival Horror
🖤 Isolated Estate
👀 Outsider FMC
_ _ _ _
📅 Pub Date: August 11, 2026
Thank you to Solaris and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
I went into this novella completely blind, and I am SO glad I did because this book was wild. 🤣
I don't even know how to review it without giving anything away! This was a short, quick read, but it seriously packed a punch. The less you know going in, the better. 👀
I also really liked the ending! I thought I knew exactly where things were headed, but I was pleasantly surprised when the story went in a different direction.
I will definitely be listening to the audiobook as soon as it releases! 🎧
What to Expect
🕯️ Horror Novella
🏚️ Gothic Mansion
💰 Old Money
🤫 Family Secrets
🔪 Survival Horror
🖤 Isolated Estate
👀 Outsider FMC
_ _ _ _
📅 Pub Date: August 11, 2026
Thank you to Solaris and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
September 30, 2026
I love it
July 25, 2026
An excellent and dark story of a once-in-a-generation family get-together in the ranging old mansion of a long-standing wealthy and powerful English family. Elena, the American girlfriend of one of the family members is unwittingly and mistakenly brought along to this family gathering, much to the displeasure of the elders.
The atmosphere is deliciously creepy and foreboding, as some of the younger members of the family are increasingly concerned about what is going on, and what the purpose of the gathering is. The story has a gothic and claustrophobic feel, with an unsettling sense of what might be around the next corner. Any more detail than this would run the risk of being spoilers. And while the final conclusion was somewhat inevitable, the journey to get there was excellent.
I have enjoyed all of Tchaikovsky’s “Terrible Worlds” novellas, and this is up there with the best of them.
Thank you #NetGalley and Solaris for the free review copy of #PreachingtotheChoir without obligation. All opinions are my own.
The atmosphere is deliciously creepy and foreboding, as some of the younger members of the family are increasingly concerned about what is going on, and what the purpose of the gathering is. The story has a gothic and claustrophobic feel, with an unsettling sense of what might be around the next corner. Any more detail than this would run the risk of being spoilers. And while the final conclusion was somewhat inevitable, the journey to get there was excellent.
I have enjoyed all of Tchaikovsky’s “Terrible Worlds” novellas, and this is up there with the best of them.
Thank you #NetGalley and Solaris for the free review copy of #PreachingtotheChoir without obligation. All opinions are my own.
August 30, 2026
Atmospheric and tense, this neo-gothic novella foregoes the languid Romanticism of traditional gothic literature in favor of snappy language and an urgent pace that parallels its social commentary. As Tchaikovsky seems fond of doing in his novellas, the story starts with a premise you have seen before, in countless traditional gothic stories as well as neo-gothic art such as Jordan Peele’s Get Out or Radio Silence’s Ready or Not, but it adds new twists and ideas to the story to keep the audience on their toes. There are a bounty of rich characters who bring an unexpected levity to the story that was a welcome contrast to the dark & stormy night atmosphere, and I appreciated the immediate coterie that was formed, and I enjoyed spending time with them. As usual Tchaikovsky is exploring themes related to social justice, most immediately the ideas of privilege, power, and morality. None of his explorations here are particularly new but they fit the story well and feel perfectly in lockstep with the story, not forced on the characters or world, and as such bring interesting and thoughtful viewpoints to the conversation. I especially like the idea he briefly mentions of “diffuse” evil, the nefarious and insidious type of evil that is not showy, it is not in anyone’s face, and so it festers unregulated in the shadows. This story wants you to address the privileges you have taken for granted and ask what you might sacrifice for power and prestige. Do wealth and power preclude you from normative social conventions? Is it possible to ever yield extraordinary power without being corrupted by it? When you are born with an inheritance of power and wealth are you responsible for the blood that has been shed by your forebears to acquire it?
This story moves quickly, has witty and clever dialogue, and a bunch of interesting and engaging characters. The world building borrows imagery and ideas common to the genre, but it employs them effectively and in service of story and idea. The underlining moral and thematic explorations are fun and add a reflective space to the story’s tight pacing and lean plotting. Eat the rich, protect the vulnerable, and avoid creepy old country estates the pre-date modern history!
This story moves quickly, has witty and clever dialogue, and a bunch of interesting and engaging characters. The world building borrows imagery and ideas common to the genre, but it employs them effectively and in service of story and idea. The underlining moral and thematic explorations are fun and add a reflective space to the story’s tight pacing and lean plotting. Eat the rich, protect the vulnerable, and avoid creepy old country estates the pre-date modern history!
August 12, 2026
It starts out great and the creepiness slowly builds until it's like panic time. But I had a problem with the end and character motivation, which is why I downgraded it to a 3. Not his best, but still beautifully written.
September 8, 2026
This was mostly a very enjoyable and quick read. A Gothic setting in the UK and a bit of culture clash, British and American, plus mysterious reasons for the family reunion. And aren’t all the older members of the family quite hale and hearty for gaining on 100 years old?!? Outsiders are not allowed at these once in a generation family reunions. Not even spouses, so when the American girlfriend of one of the youngest generation comes along, things are thrown off kilter and nobody knows quite what to do. Things just get worse from there.
It’s a great story, tightly told, with an interesting twist. However, I’ve deducted a partial star because I have issues with the language of the 3rd Person omniscient POV. We were in the head of the young American woman, the interloper, who had never been to the UK before. The POV kept using very British idioms and colloquialisms, which totally threw me out of the story. In that respect, the writing was a bit uneven, because sometimes it would be quite American and others quite British. I wish Tchaikovsky had gotten an American to read for such things before publishing. Your mileage may vary as it pertains to such things. Still a great story.
It’s a great story, tightly told, with an interesting twist. However, I’ve deducted a partial star because I have issues with the language of the 3rd Person omniscient POV. We were in the head of the young American woman, the interloper, who had never been to the UK before. The POV kept using very British idioms and colloquialisms, which totally threw me out of the story. In that respect, the writing was a bit uneven, because sometimes it would be quite American and others quite British. I wish Tchaikovsky had gotten an American to read for such things before publishing. Your mileage may vary as it pertains to such things. Still a great story.
August 8, 2026
When an author like Adrian Tchaikovsky writes something in a classical genre like gothic horror, I'm always curious to see how it is made unique; with Preaching to the Choir, we have Tchaikovsky's interpretation of such a classic motif as the bride to be learning about the secrets of her political family, in a heavy atmospherical proposal that still has those touches that makes you immediately recognise the author.
A story centered on Elena Mendes, who finds herself in the middle of a family gathering at the ancestral house of her boyfriend, Ross. He comes from one of those old, wealthy families, almost as antique as the house itself; Elena is not exactly thrilled to be in the middle of all of this, but when strange things start to happen, we soon discover there's more behind Ross' lineage and how they survive in the time.
A great take on the "ancient house/ancient lineage" motif, especially as Tchaikovsky gets the most building the atmosphere, creating that sensation that something onerous is happening; the outsider, Elena, is slowly trapped into the mystery, almost by an accident as the family didn't plan for somebody not related to the lineage. She wants to save Ross and the younger generation, but things will get progressively darker, submerging us into the secrets of the family.
In general, I found this to be a quite enjoyable bite of what Tchaikovsky can do outside of his usual genres (even if you could argue this is adjacent towards fantasy/sci-fi); said that, I think it could have benefited from being a bit longer, especially as I felt some concepts ended being under developed. Overall, another great entry in the Terrible Worlds series.
A story centered on Elena Mendes, who finds herself in the middle of a family gathering at the ancestral house of her boyfriend, Ross. He comes from one of those old, wealthy families, almost as antique as the house itself; Elena is not exactly thrilled to be in the middle of all of this, but when strange things start to happen, we soon discover there's more behind Ross' lineage and how they survive in the time.
A great take on the "ancient house/ancient lineage" motif, especially as Tchaikovsky gets the most building the atmosphere, creating that sensation that something onerous is happening; the outsider, Elena, is slowly trapped into the mystery, almost by an accident as the family didn't plan for somebody not related to the lineage. She wants to save Ross and the younger generation, but things will get progressively darker, submerging us into the secrets of the family.
In general, I found this to be a quite enjoyable bite of what Tchaikovsky can do outside of his usual genres (even if you could argue this is adjacent towards fantasy/sci-fi); said that, I think it could have benefited from being a bit longer, especially as I felt some concepts ended being under developed. Overall, another great entry in the Terrible Worlds series.
August 15, 2026
Preaching to the Choir by Adrian Tchaikovsky
Enter a world where darkness and atmosphere collide in Adrian Tchaikovsky’s unsettling tale, Preaching to the Choir. I anticipated a moody, atmospheric read, but what I encountered was something far stranger and far more disturbing.
The story centers on Elena Mendes, who finds herself swept up in an eerie family gathering at the ancestral home of her boyfriend, Ross Enderbough. Ross hails from one of those impossibly old, fabulously wealthy families, the kind where the family tree seems to stretch back further than the building itself. Elena isn’t exactly thrilled to be there, especially when she senses that the Enderboughs do things a little… differently.
Enderby, the sprawling mansion where the family reunites, or should I say, where it seems the mansion itself *is* a character , exudes an ancient, gloomy presence. Once a monastery, it carries a sinister aura, and with the family only gathering once every generation, you quickly begin to understand why.
What makes this story compelling is Elena’s outsider perspective. Watching her decipher the strange, intricate web of family customs while Ross gets increasingly entangled adds a layer of tension. The family members, cloaked in their wealth and secrecy, create a palpably uncomfortable atmosphere, like listening to a dark, twisted comedy about old money.
And then, things take a sharp, sinister turn.
What starts as an awkward reunion morphs into something far darker, as the Enderboughs’ history, riches, and buried secrets intertwine ominously with the mansion’s foreboding presence. Tchaikovsky delights in playing with themes of old money, turning phrases into literal horrors that will make you think twice about inheriting wealth.
This story is a blend of gothic gloom, subterranean secrets, and shocking surprises. At times, it feels like a twisted comedy of manners set among haunted halls, but don’t be fooled this is pure horror.
Elena’s journey to understand what’s really happening makes her a relatable guide to this strange world. Meanwhile, Ross’s strained relationship with Elena and his haunting family ties add depth and tension.
Though only 165 pages, Tchaikovsky packs a punch, with an isolated mansion, ancient rituals, monstrous entities, and social commentary about privilege and corruption.
If gothic horror, haunted mansions, dysfunctional families, and the dark side of wealth appeal to you, Preaching to the Choir is an absolute must-read.
Tchaikovsky’s signature style shines through as he pushes familiar ideas into unsettling new territory. And, honestly, it’s a relief not to have to attend any mysterious family gatherings at an ancient English manor any time soon.
A creepy, atmospheric, and wonderfully strange horror story that will leave you questioning what’s really going on, if you dare to read.
Enter a world where darkness and atmosphere collide in Adrian Tchaikovsky’s unsettling tale, Preaching to the Choir. I anticipated a moody, atmospheric read, but what I encountered was something far stranger and far more disturbing.
The story centers on Elena Mendes, who finds herself swept up in an eerie family gathering at the ancestral home of her boyfriend, Ross Enderbough. Ross hails from one of those impossibly old, fabulously wealthy families, the kind where the family tree seems to stretch back further than the building itself. Elena isn’t exactly thrilled to be there, especially when she senses that the Enderboughs do things a little… differently.
Enderby, the sprawling mansion where the family reunites, or should I say, where it seems the mansion itself *is* a character , exudes an ancient, gloomy presence. Once a monastery, it carries a sinister aura, and with the family only gathering once every generation, you quickly begin to understand why.
What makes this story compelling is Elena’s outsider perspective. Watching her decipher the strange, intricate web of family customs while Ross gets increasingly entangled adds a layer of tension. The family members, cloaked in their wealth and secrecy, create a palpably uncomfortable atmosphere, like listening to a dark, twisted comedy about old money.
And then, things take a sharp, sinister turn.
What starts as an awkward reunion morphs into something far darker, as the Enderboughs’ history, riches, and buried secrets intertwine ominously with the mansion’s foreboding presence. Tchaikovsky delights in playing with themes of old money, turning phrases into literal horrors that will make you think twice about inheriting wealth.
This story is a blend of gothic gloom, subterranean secrets, and shocking surprises. At times, it feels like a twisted comedy of manners set among haunted halls, but don’t be fooled this is pure horror.
Elena’s journey to understand what’s really happening makes her a relatable guide to this strange world. Meanwhile, Ross’s strained relationship with Elena and his haunting family ties add depth and tension.
Though only 165 pages, Tchaikovsky packs a punch, with an isolated mansion, ancient rituals, monstrous entities, and social commentary about privilege and corruption.
If gothic horror, haunted mansions, dysfunctional families, and the dark side of wealth appeal to you, Preaching to the Choir is an absolute must-read.
Tchaikovsky’s signature style shines through as he pushes familiar ideas into unsettling new territory. And, honestly, it’s a relief not to have to attend any mysterious family gatherings at an ancient English manor any time soon.
A creepy, atmospheric, and wonderfully strange horror story that will leave you questioning what’s really going on, if you dare to read.
August 29, 2026
Adrian Tchaikovsky wrote a Gothic Horror novel. Who woulda thunk it?
Actually, I'm wondering if there's any niche of the genre he won't touch. 'Service Model' was an excellent story of AI/robots and human interaction, 'Shroud' was the best first contact story on an alien planet I've ever read, and there's his various sets of big, chunky series like 'Children of Time' and 'Tyrant Philosophers'.
Anyhow, in this book a college age scion of a generationally wealthy British family returns from America for a once-a-generation family reunion - and brings a girlfriend. This is Not Done, as various family members insist: this is for family only. Ross just thinks they're being stuffy and obdurate, but there's a very good reason - they have secrets: horrible, ghastly secrets that go the very core of the family's fortune and longevity.
No, they're not vampires. Nice guess, though. Our POV character, the American Elena Mendes, thinks so for a bit, but she's wrong but sort of on the right track.
Tchaikovsky rings the changes on the Gothic themes effectively, including the spooky woods full of rustlings and strange noises.
When we finally get to the inevitable conclusion, Tchaikovsky throws a nod to Ursula Le Guin by bringing up the Omelas question: Do you stay or do you go, now that you know? It may be an unexpected ending but I loved it.
Actually, I'm wondering if there's any niche of the genre he won't touch. 'Service Model' was an excellent story of AI/robots and human interaction, 'Shroud' was the best first contact story on an alien planet I've ever read, and there's his various sets of big, chunky series like 'Children of Time' and 'Tyrant Philosophers'.
Anyhow, in this book a college age scion of a generationally wealthy British family returns from America for a once-a-generation family reunion - and brings a girlfriend. This is Not Done, as various family members insist: this is for family only. Ross just thinks they're being stuffy and obdurate, but there's a very good reason - they have secrets: horrible, ghastly secrets that go the very core of the family's fortune and longevity.
No, they're not vampires. Nice guess, though. Our POV character, the American Elena Mendes, thinks so for a bit, but she's wrong but sort of on the right track.
Tchaikovsky rings the changes on the Gothic themes effectively, including the spooky woods full of rustlings and strange noises.
When we finally get to the inevitable conclusion, Tchaikovsky throws a nod to Ursula Le Guin by bringing up the Omelas question: Do you stay or do you go, now that you know? It may be an unexpected ending but I loved it.
Read
July 2, 2026Tchaikovsky's fourth book of the year* begins as pastiche gothic, a lad from a rich old English family bringing his American girlfriend to meet the family, who turn out to be a sprawling clan of grotesques assembled in an even more sprawling and grotesque ancestral home, which is of course positively stuffed with sinister secrets. The narration is beautifully pitched, so that Elena is clearly bright and engaging (I loved the description of a rhino's head on the wall: "Its expression suggested it knew exactly what percentage of its species it had represented when some pith-helmeted Enderbough scion had shot it"), but still thoroughly out of her element ("there was a wall of swords and breastplates and the long things that start off as spears but then decide they're going to be axes at the business end"), which in turn makes it more plausible that she's slow to fully twig that the Enderboughs are weird even beyond the weirdness to be expected of rich old English families. That, plus not wanting to give the more unwelcoming older relations the satisfaction, explaining why she sticks around despite the obligatory torrent of red flags. Which double as breadcrumbs, though when I thought I'd worked out what was afoot, I was entirely wrong. The real answer is ingenious, if not entirely convincing; it's a tempting metaphor for the perpetuation of power and privilege, but rooted so firmly in that self-assurance some of the rich and powerful display that it rather ignores how many others seem so desperately, embarrassingly insecure. Still, it's not as if a short chiller can be expected to fully anatomise a problem that has beset humanity for millennia.
*Not counting the graphic novel.
(Netgalley ARC)
*Not counting the graphic novel.
(Netgalley ARC)
Want to Read
November 30, 2025what?
September 26, 2026
Actual Rating: 4.5
Preaching to the Choir was my first dive into Tchaikovsky's shorter works, having previously only read his novels. Despite its shorter length, it still delivers the rich world-building, compelling characters, and gripping storytelling you'd expect from one of the giants of modern SFF.
However, Preaching to the Choir leans much more heavily into horror than his longer works (I’ve read), creating an atmosphere that is consistently creepy, unsettling, and deeply unnerving throughout.
I read this via audiobook, and the narrator was absolutely perfect for the protagonist. Her performance captured the character brilliantly and set the tone for the entire story, elevating an already immersive reading experience.
Thank you to Libro.fm for providing an audio copy in exchange for an honest review.
Preaching to the Choir was my first dive into Tchaikovsky's shorter works, having previously only read his novels. Despite its shorter length, it still delivers the rich world-building, compelling characters, and gripping storytelling you'd expect from one of the giants of modern SFF.
However, Preaching to the Choir leans much more heavily into horror than his longer works (I’ve read), creating an atmosphere that is consistently creepy, unsettling, and deeply unnerving throughout.
I read this via audiobook, and the narrator was absolutely perfect for the protagonist. Her performance captured the character brilliantly and set the tone for the entire story, elevating an already immersive reading experience.
Thank you to Libro.fm for providing an audio copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 20, 2026
Tchaikovsky should write more horror.
September 18, 2026
Horror + Thriller
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ • 🥛
🕯️ atmosphere • 🖋️ writing • 🐇 pacing
•••••••••••••••
𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙚𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝...
‣ Slow burn, atmospheric novellas with a sense of foreboding + dread
‣ Locked room—or locked mansion—thrillers
‣ Outsider FMC trying to survive
‣ Old money + family secrets 🤫
𝙈𝙮 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨…
This is my second Adrian Tchaikovsky book this year, and it is quite different from the first one I read: 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐬.
𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐢𝐫 is a horror novella where Elena Mendes accompanies her British boyfriend Ross to his family’s ancestral home for their generational get together. Immediately, Elena senses something is wrong and witnesses something she knows she shouldn’t have seen.
Tchaikovsky did a fantastic job at slowly revealing just enough information to keep the reader interested while still allowing an air of mystery and unease to cover the story.
My only complaint with the audiobook is that the narrator’s American accent wasn’t great. 😅 Otherwise, she did a good job and brought the tense atmosphere to life.
Thank you to LibroFM for the advanced listening copy (ALC)! 🫶🏼 This was a great read for spooky season, and I definitely recommend it.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ • 🥛
🕯️ atmosphere • 🖋️ writing • 🐇 pacing
•••••••••••••••
𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙚𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝...
‣ Slow burn, atmospheric novellas with a sense of foreboding + dread
‣ Locked room—or locked mansion—thrillers
‣ Outsider FMC trying to survive
‣ Old money + family secrets 🤫
𝙈𝙮 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨…
This is my second Adrian Tchaikovsky book this year, and it is quite different from the first one I read: 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐬.
𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐢𝐫 is a horror novella where Elena Mendes accompanies her British boyfriend Ross to his family’s ancestral home for their generational get together. Immediately, Elena senses something is wrong and witnesses something she knows she shouldn’t have seen.
Tchaikovsky did a fantastic job at slowly revealing just enough information to keep the reader interested while still allowing an air of mystery and unease to cover the story.
My only complaint with the audiobook is that the narrator’s American accent wasn’t great. 😅 Otherwise, she did a good job and brought the tense atmosphere to life.
Thank you to LibroFM for the advanced listening copy (ALC)! 🫶🏼 This was a great read for spooky season, and I definitely recommend it.
August 9, 2026
This is a quick novella featuring the American lead making an ill-advised visit to her boyfriend’s ancestral home for their once-a-generation get-together. It immediately put me in the mind of something like Get Out, but for class instead of race. And the book doesn’t really make much secret about what it will be. It’s genre-aware, and while the details are saved for a later reveal, the horrifying basics come through pretty early. Everyone knows it’s dangerous, the question is whether they can escape.
I worried that the genre-awareness might make the story as a whole seem very matter of course, and while I do think the cost of the earlier reveals is a little bit of tension lost, but there’s enough kept back to make for an interesting finish. And not just interesting, it’s a finish that genuinely did not feel predictable, that was sufficiently horrifying and also did a good job diving into the themes.
This is the fourth I’ve read of Tchaikovsky’s Terrible Worlds novellas (IIRC he has nine, all standalones), and while this one doesn’t hit quite the heights of Ogres, it’s easily my second-favorite of the four.
First impression: 17/20
I worried that the genre-awareness might make the story as a whole seem very matter of course, and while I do think the cost of the earlier reveals is a little bit of tension lost, but there’s enough kept back to make for an interesting finish. And not just interesting, it’s a finish that genuinely did not feel predictable, that was sufficiently horrifying and also did a good job diving into the themes.
This is the fourth I’ve read of Tchaikovsky’s Terrible Worlds novellas (IIRC he has nine, all standalones), and while this one doesn’t hit quite the heights of Ogres, it’s easily my second-favorite of the four.
First impression: 17/20
August 10, 2026
The Enderbough family is filthy rich, and like all these kind of ‘old money’ families, the Enderboughs had dark secrets. So when Elena Mendes, a normal girl from the States went with her British boyfriend Ross Enderbough to visit his estranged family, she was up against something she wouldn’t have imagined in her wildest dreams. Because the woods are soaked in the blood of innocents and there’s a deal with the devil. As she, Ross and some other cousins try to escape from the hellish mansion, Elena realises that the Enderboughs have been hiding something truly dark within their lands. And it may be too late for her and Ross.
Creepy, gothic, action-packed novella with a weird ending. I have mixed feelings about that. The pace picked up from the first page itself and I was hooked. It was an interesting read. Recommend for horror enthusiasts.
I thank Netgalley and Solaris for the e-ARC.
Creepy, gothic, action-packed novella with a weird ending. I have mixed feelings about that. The pace picked up from the first page itself and I was hooked. It was an interesting read. Recommend for horror enthusiasts.
I thank Netgalley and Solaris for the e-ARC.
July 26, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
Another great novella from Tchaikovsky. The setting is appropriately creepy, the pacing is good, and Tchaikovsky writes Elena as a convincing American (aside from the use of the word "motorway"). I questioned why images were necessary to tell this story, but they do genuinely add something, as it's a bit challenging to envision what Tchaikovsky is putting down. The slow reveal of what is actually going on is very well done; it leaves you think that you should have been able to spot it all along, but it still comes across as a surprise.
A very fun spooky story; I wish I had been able to read it in autumn while out in the English countryside!
Another great novella from Tchaikovsky. The setting is appropriately creepy, the pacing is good, and Tchaikovsky writes Elena as a convincing American (aside from the use of the word "motorway"). I questioned why images were necessary to tell this story, but they do genuinely add something, as it's a bit challenging to envision what Tchaikovsky is putting down. The slow reveal of what is actually going on is very well done; it leaves you think that you should have been able to spot it all along, but it still comes across as a surprise.
A very fun spooky story; I wish I had been able to read it in autumn while out in the English countryside!
August 19, 2026
This book is a lot like Get Out, only instead of a black guy having to escape an evil white family, it’s about an American having to escape an evil British household. I appreciate that Tchaikovsky wanted to warn us that all British people are monstrous inbred freaks leftover from the dawn of time, but honestly, we kinda already knew.
August 22, 2026
What an amazing gothic story with a special 'Tchaikovsky-twist' to it.
One of the best books I read this year, which I also read in one sitting because I could not put it down.
I liked the latino girl/foreigner representation here too.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley.
Thanks to NetGalley, Solaris and the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
One of the best books I read this year, which I also read in one sitting because I could not put it down.
I liked the latino girl/foreigner representation here too.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley.
Thanks to NetGalley, Solaris and the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 19, 2026
3.5/5
Чайковський чудово пише, і початок дуже атмосферно-готичний, але друга половина і особливо мотивація героїні наприкінці сподобалися менше.
Чайковський чудово пише, і початок дуже атмосферно-готичний, але друга половина і особливо мотивація героїні наприкінці сподобалися менше.
July 10, 2026
This just reads like a bad Dr Who fanfic tbh
August 24, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC against an honest review!
I never read Adrian Tchaikovsky in the horror genre, so I was eager to get to this novella!
The setting, which does a lot here, is well-handled with this huge mansion isolated from the rest of the world, its strange architecture and expansive rooms, its creepy forest where it's not a good idea to roam at night. The characters are believable - even though the family might be a bit much - and the horror creeps on the reader little by little. The photos/illustrations added to match the descriptions of the "things" were creepy - maybe because I saw these in the dark, just before bedtime, but still! And the whole idea of it sent chills down my spine!
The only real drawback might be that, as it is quite short, the repetitions are a bit too much. I got that the family was racist and didn't accept Elena, even the mere idea of her, but I didn't need it to be repeated so often in a short while. Same for the fact that, at the end, It got me out of the story at times.
Plus, I think I should have read this book quicker to get the most of the tense atmosphere; it would have worked better, I think! I sensed that the novella was tense and dark, but I didn't "live" it properly, except for the ending...
... which I loved, with all the explanations brought by It felt a bit like the villain was explaining their plan because the novella was drawing to a close, but it was justified in the end - though I didn't like the interrogation part, it felt not quite authentic, but it might just be because it is used a lot and I'm a bit tired of it. I loved the reflection about power and visibility in the media: And I loved the very end too: I totally got her decision, as I would have totally got it if she got the other way.
So, I'm glad I read this novella and discovered Tchaikovsky in another genre - even though it's still SF-oriented! I'll keep reading this author.
I never read Adrian Tchaikovsky in the horror genre, so I was eager to get to this novella!
The setting, which does a lot here, is well-handled with this huge mansion isolated from the rest of the world, its strange architecture and expansive rooms, its creepy forest where it's not a good idea to roam at night. The characters are believable - even though the family might be a bit much - and the horror creeps on the reader little by little. The photos/illustrations added to match the descriptions of the "things" were creepy - maybe because I saw these in the dark, just before bedtime, but still! And the whole idea of it sent chills down my spine!
The only real drawback might be that, as it is quite short, the repetitions are a bit too much. I got that the family was racist and didn't accept Elena, even the mere idea of her, but I didn't need it to be repeated so often in a short while. Same for the fact that, at the end, It got me out of the story at times.
Plus, I think I should have read this book quicker to get the most of the tense atmosphere; it would have worked better, I think! I sensed that the novella was tense and dark, but I didn't "live" it properly, except for the ending...
... which I loved, with all the explanations brought by It felt a bit like the villain was explaining their plan because the novella was drawing to a close, but it was justified in the end - though I didn't like the interrogation part, it felt not quite authentic, but it might just be because it is used a lot and I'm a bit tired of it. I loved the reflection about power and visibility in the media: And I loved the very end too: I totally got her decision, as I would have totally got it if she got the other way.
So, I'm glad I read this novella and discovered Tchaikovsky in another genre - even though it's still SF-oriented! I'll keep reading this author.
July 27, 2026
This was my first Adrian Tchaikovsky book and it did not disappoint at all.
The eerie, dark atmosphere hooked me right away. The pacing was consistent too. Nothing dragged or felt like it fell out of the story while I was reading.
The plot itself was pretty predictable, but honestly that didn't bother me much. I still had a great time with it overall. The cast of characters really carried things for me, they felt dynamic and distinct.
Elena stood out especially. She's the sole American surrounded by this rich old British family, and that contrast was written really well. You could feel her as the outsider in a way that added a lot to her character.
The one thing I'm still not sure about is the illustrations. I don't know if they actually added anything to the story for me, but they were interesting enough to look at, so I don't hold it against the book.
Overall a solid introduction to this author for me, and I'm curious to check out more of his work now.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The eerie, dark atmosphere hooked me right away. The pacing was consistent too. Nothing dragged or felt like it fell out of the story while I was reading.
The plot itself was pretty predictable, but honestly that didn't bother me much. I still had a great time with it overall. The cast of characters really carried things for me, they felt dynamic and distinct.
Elena stood out especially. She's the sole American surrounded by this rich old British family, and that contrast was written really well. You could feel her as the outsider in a way that added a lot to her character.
The one thing I'm still not sure about is the illustrations. I don't know if they actually added anything to the story for me, but they were interesting enough to look at, so I don't hold it against the book.
Overall a solid introduction to this author for me, and I'm curious to check out more of his work now.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
August 16, 2026
I hope Tchaikovsky never stops writing these terrible world novellas.
I think there’s a chance some would find this story archetype almost too familiar and knock it for that but for me this was a right place right time I think because I loved it. This is a very familiar story that plays out somewhat how you would expect and I think that’s perfect for a novella.
Adrian gets going right away no wasted time gets in and out and writes the story you want. I love when he leans into horror which he does here really well. In fact I could have gone for even more horror.
And of course it’s Tchaikovsky so…. You guessed it bugs! The man just loves bugs.
I think there’s a chance some would find this story archetype almost too familiar and knock it for that but for me this was a right place right time I think because I loved it. This is a very familiar story that plays out somewhat how you would expect and I think that’s perfect for a novella.
Adrian gets going right away no wasted time gets in and out and writes the story you want. I love when he leans into horror which he does here really well. In fact I could have gone for even more horror.
And of course it’s Tchaikovsky so…. You guessed it bugs! The man just loves bugs.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2026
3 and a half stars
It took me a while to get into this book as it was a completely different style to the other books by Adrian Tchaikovsky that I have read. As a short little novella though it was an interesting and quick read that kept me hooked and in suspense until the end.
It took me a while to get into this book as it was a completely different style to the other books by Adrian Tchaikovsky that I have read. As a short little novella though it was an interesting and quick read that kept me hooked and in suspense until the end.
September 23, 2026
Disappointing in spite of an intriguing premise, primarily because I found the ostensible main character's choices prompted by authorial need to Make. A. Point. rather than genuine character development.
August 24, 2026
Not quite 4, nice twists
September 12, 2026
2.5 stars. Short but somehow still repetitive and a bit boring. It had the content of a short story.
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