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Find Me Where It Ends
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Expected 6 Oct 26Win a free print copy of this book!
12 days and 03:29:58
50 copies available
U.S. only
A young woman wakes up to find the black hound of Death at her front door in this hauntingly beautiful tale from USA Today bestselling author Cassandra Khaw.
Antigone is no stranger to death.
For the women of her family, death always comes in the form of a black dog.
When Antigone’s own black dog arrives, she isn’t afraid. She invites it inside, where it soon becomes a daily source of companionship and comfort. It also forces her to reflect on the life she’s led—the parts of herself she’s hollowed out for the sake of others, and the bone-deep exhaustion that’s hounded her every step.
Her Death’s arrival must be a sign, permission to finally let go. To rest. Because while mortality is inevitable, living is a choice.
But a good death comes at a price.
Also by Cassnadra Khaw:
The Library at Hellebore
The Salt Grows Heavy
Nothing But Blackened Teeth
A Song for Quiet
Hammers on Bone
The Dead Take the A Train (co-written with Richard Kadrey)
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
Antigone is no stranger to death.
For the women of her family, death always comes in the form of a black dog.
When Antigone’s own black dog arrives, she isn’t afraid. She invites it inside, where it soon becomes a daily source of companionship and comfort. It also forces her to reflect on the life she’s led—the parts of herself she’s hollowed out for the sake of others, and the bone-deep exhaustion that’s hounded her every step.
Her Death’s arrival must be a sign, permission to finally let go. To rest. Because while mortality is inevitable, living is a choice.
But a good death comes at a price.
Also by Cassnadra Khaw:
The Library at Hellebore
The Salt Grows Heavy
Nothing But Blackened Teeth
A Song for Quiet
Hammers on Bone
The Dead Take the A Train (co-written with Richard Kadrey)
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
144 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication October 6, 2026
About the author
Cassandra Khaw
128 books3,089 followersCassandra Khaw is an award-winning game writer.
Their recent novella Nothing but Blackened Teeth was a British
Fantasy, World Fantasy, Shirley Jackson, and Bram Stoker
Award finalist. Their debut collection Breakable Things is now
out.
Their recent novella Nothing but Blackened Teeth was a British
Fantasy, World Fantasy, Shirley Jackson, and Bram Stoker
Award finalist. Their debut collection Breakable Things is now
out.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
Want to Read
February 13, 2026This cover is incredible
April 18, 2026
Oh. Oh dear. That was painful, beautiful, sad, and strangely uplifting. It was souls dancing in the dark around one another.
A story of sadness and darkness so complete they leave no room for life, obliterating all hope, all kindness, all things soft and lovely. Also though, the story of those who love us, unconditionally, those who understand the little things that make us whole. The ways they remind us.
So yes, sad. Painful? Absolutely. But beautiful in every way. 5 stars.
A story of sadness and darkness so complete they leave no room for life, obliterating all hope, all kindness, all things soft and lovely. Also though, the story of those who love us, unconditionally, those who understand the little things that make us whole. The ways they remind us.
So yes, sad. Painful? Absolutely. But beautiful in every way. 5 stars.
Want to Read
April 1, 2026Logging this so I don’t forget to tattoo that cover on my goddamn body.
Want to Read
February 18, 2026omg as someone who owns a black dog (who has some hound in her) i NEED to read this
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Tor, for providing me an e-ARC in exchange of an honest review.
for a novella, this baby sure did pack a punch, whew!! i may have shed a tear or two at the end.
here we follow Antigone and her black dog, or what is actually her "Death". right away, you learn that her family members are visited by a black dog when their time is near - from her grandmother being visited by a terrier while terminally ill, to a cane corso finding her mother at home, leading to a quick sought out death at her own hands. Antigone's own is a german shepherd, one that keeps her company throughout the next few months while our main character ponders her own hand in deciding her fate.
while this was a quick & fast-paced read, i thought the world building was solid in the glimpses we were able to see. i thoroughly enjoyed each character we were introduced to, and even though we truly never got to know them completely, i felt as if i knew their honest thoughts and feelings rather than them being read as one dimensional.
overall, this book is a examination of depression, the ever-looming presence of death, and how we make our own lives. the way that Cassandra Khaw wrote about Death in the form of a dog was so, so tender. i loved how Antigone did not despise her Death the entire time: in fact, she became fond of it, allowed it to make a home in her every day life. often times, these scenes were written as quiet moments and quick actions but still felt so raw and honest in what was being conveyed. i loved it.
in contrast to how many stories paint Death as something to run from, something to be scared of, i appreciate what Khaw is telling us here: don't seek death out, don't encourage it, but allow it to make space next to the life you live, because living and dying go hand in hand for us. i plan on coming back to this review to add some quotes once the book is published, because Khaw captured this feeling and idea perfectly.
my only 'complaint' is that it felt Antigone fell into her depression and decided on her decision quite quickly, but i think if you pick up the hints dropped throughout the story regarding her mother, her sister, and how she fell into the life she has now, it makes sense that this was building up,and that her black dog was inevitable. not a huge nitpick, but something that i chewed on for a bit while reading.
5/5 stars for what this is and how i resonated with it. lovely.
for a novella, this baby sure did pack a punch, whew!! i may have shed a tear or two at the end.
here we follow Antigone and her black dog, or what is actually her "Death". right away, you learn that her family members are visited by a black dog when their time is near - from her grandmother being visited by a terrier while terminally ill, to a cane corso finding her mother at home, leading to a quick sought out death at her own hands. Antigone's own is a german shepherd, one that keeps her company throughout the next few months while our main character ponders her own hand in deciding her fate.
while this was a quick & fast-paced read, i thought the world building was solid in the glimpses we were able to see. i thoroughly enjoyed each character we were introduced to, and even though we truly never got to know them completely, i felt as if i knew their honest thoughts and feelings rather than them being read as one dimensional.
overall, this book is a examination of depression, the ever-looming presence of death, and how we make our own lives. the way that Cassandra Khaw wrote about Death in the form of a dog was so, so tender. i loved how Antigone did not despise her Death the entire time: in fact, she became fond of it, allowed it to make a home in her every day life. often times, these scenes were written as quiet moments and quick actions but still felt so raw and honest in what was being conveyed. i loved it.
in contrast to how many stories paint Death as something to run from, something to be scared of, i appreciate what Khaw is telling us here: don't seek death out, don't encourage it, but allow it to make space next to the life you live, because living and dying go hand in hand for us. i plan on coming back to this review to add some quotes once the book is published, because Khaw captured this feeling and idea perfectly.
my only 'complaint' is that it felt Antigone fell into her depression and decided on her decision quite quickly, but i think if you pick up the hints dropped throughout the story regarding her mother, her sister, and how she fell into the life she has now, it makes sense that this was building up,and that her black dog was inevitable. not a huge nitpick, but something that i chewed on for a bit while reading.
5/5 stars for what this is and how i resonated with it. lovely.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I'm such a big fan of Cassandra Khaw's particular brand of horror. Visceral, vivid, dark, gory, and always vaguely existential which is all the more terrifying. Honestly, her brain? Sounds crazy.
I was incredibly moved when reading the acknowledgements and learning about Khaws history of depression. The book felt really intimate and sad. Even before having it confirmed, I could tell the author intimately understood the feelings she was talking about.
The idea of this family that gets warning of their deaths by the appearance of a dog that follows them around until they die is really strong. It remained that way until around 60% of the way through where the metaphor started to fall apart a little and cross too far into reality. The lore started to fall apart as it became less clear on whether or not the dog was even real (even though multiple people see and acknowledge it during the book) or what the actual cause of death would be. It just got a little too muddy, in my opinion, and made less sense as the book went on.
Generally, I really loved the vibe of this book and the glimpses of a magical version of our world with psychics and curses and demons was super enjoyable. While it didn't really stick the ending, I thought that it was still worth the read anyways just to experience the vivid horror elements. I also think that anyone looking to better understand the feeling of depression might benefit might find this worth reading.
I was incredibly moved when reading the acknowledgements and learning about Khaws history of depression. The book felt really intimate and sad. Even before having it confirmed, I could tell the author intimately understood the feelings she was talking about.
The idea of this family that gets warning of their deaths by the appearance of a dog that follows them around until they die is really strong. It remained that way until around 60% of the way through where the metaphor started to fall apart a little and cross too far into reality. The lore started to fall apart as it became less clear on whether or not the dog was even real (even though multiple people see and acknowledge it during the book) or what the actual cause of death would be. It just got a little too muddy, in my opinion, and made less sense as the book went on.
Generally, I really loved the vibe of this book and the glimpses of a magical version of our world with psychics and curses and demons was super enjoyable. While it didn't really stick the ending, I thought that it was still worth the read anyways just to experience the vivid horror elements. I also think that anyone looking to better understand the feeling of depression might benefit might find this worth reading.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’m a firm believer that books find you exactly when you need them- and I needed to read this exactly when I did.
Khaw has such a beautiful way of encapsulating the depth of human emotion in such gorgeous writing, and this one resonated deep in my bones. Antigone wakes up one day to find the familial death dog on her doorstep. She initially tries to get rid of it, then she welcomes it in. The dog forces her to explore her life, her death, and her exhaustion and as she comes to terms with her existence, she decides she’s ready for death to take her- but those around her aren’t ready for her to go.
The gorgeous imagery contained in every sentence is enough to bury you in the grief Antigone is feeling- but this book isn’t about just feeling the grief, but sitting with those who struggle with it. It’s dark, harrowing, and heavy, but it will teach you how to be a place for someone to be while they contemplate the decision of death- will you give them a reason to stay, or cement their decision to leave? Sometimes you don’t need to convince someone, you just need to sit with them, listen, and love.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for the privilege of reading this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Khaw has such a beautiful way of encapsulating the depth of human emotion in such gorgeous writing, and this one resonated deep in my bones. Antigone wakes up one day to find the familial death dog on her doorstep. She initially tries to get rid of it, then she welcomes it in. The dog forces her to explore her life, her death, and her exhaustion and as she comes to terms with her existence, she decides she’s ready for death to take her- but those around her aren’t ready for her to go.
The gorgeous imagery contained in every sentence is enough to bury you in the grief Antigone is feeling- but this book isn’t about just feeling the grief, but sitting with those who struggle with it. It’s dark, harrowing, and heavy, but it will teach you how to be a place for someone to be while they contemplate the decision of death- will you give them a reason to stay, or cement their decision to leave? Sometimes you don’t need to convince someone, you just need to sit with them, listen, and love.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for the privilege of reading this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 20, 2026
I received this as an e-ARC via NetGalley.
In Find Me Where It Ends, Cassandra Khaw turns her lens inward. While marketed as a dark, speculative horror novella, the narrative functions far more effectively as a heavy, unrelenting euphemism for clinical depression. The protagonist moves through a world that feels increasingly detached, graying at the edges, and populated by monsters that seem less like external threats and more like manifestations of a psychological weight. The horror is not found in jump scares, but in the terrifying familiarity of an emotional void. Ultimately, the book works best as a metaphor. The shifting environment and the character’s exhaustion mirror the crushing weight of severe depression - the feeling of being trapped in a reality where every movement requires monumental effort, and the horizon offers no relief. It captures the isolation, the numbness, and the quiet horror of losing pieces of oneself to an unseen force. The theme was not what I was expecting, and I would caution/warn against triggers for those this may impact emotionally.
In Find Me Where It Ends, Cassandra Khaw turns her lens inward. While marketed as a dark, speculative horror novella, the narrative functions far more effectively as a heavy, unrelenting euphemism for clinical depression. The protagonist moves through a world that feels increasingly detached, graying at the edges, and populated by monsters that seem less like external threats and more like manifestations of a psychological weight. The horror is not found in jump scares, but in the terrifying familiarity of an emotional void. Ultimately, the book works best as a metaphor. The shifting environment and the character’s exhaustion mirror the crushing weight of severe depression - the feeling of being trapped in a reality where every movement requires monumental effort, and the horizon offers no relief. It captures the isolation, the numbness, and the quiet horror of losing pieces of oneself to an unseen force. The theme was not what I was expecting, and I would caution/warn against triggers for those this may impact emotionally.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
There was an undeniable horror element in this story, but mostly I just found it sad... and profoundly relatable.
I know this gray space, this fatigue, the want to listen to your black dog. I also know the need to look for the the single ray of sun through the dark clouds. I finished this book crying hard.
The writing style is very much what you expect from this author, almost poetic and certainly emotional. Khaw has the knack to tell a good impactful story in short novellas. We get a good grip on the plot and the characters in a short read. There is also a depth there that asks for rereads, to catch every details and unfold the meaning behind the scenes.
For those who usually skip the acknoledgements: read them please, just this time.
Thank you to Netgalley, Tor Nightfire and Cassandra Khaw for this opportunity.
I know this gray space, this fatigue, the want to listen to your black dog. I also know the need to look for the the single ray of sun through the dark clouds. I finished this book crying hard.
The writing style is very much what you expect from this author, almost poetic and certainly emotional. Khaw has the knack to tell a good impactful story in short novellas. We get a good grip on the plot and the characters in a short read. There is also a depth there that asks for rereads, to catch every details and unfold the meaning behind the scenes.
For those who usually skip the acknoledgements: read them please, just this time.
Thank you to Netgalley, Tor Nightfire and Cassandra Khaw for this opportunity.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I didn't really know what this was about when I got started but it ended up being such a thought provoking read. The concept of your death appearing to you as a Black Dog was a totally fresh concept I loved. Suicide/depression is something that has touched my family in a variety of ways so reading this perspective of a women who has lost someone like this & then is dealing with her own thoughts of suicide was touching and allows for space for all the complex emotions that come up with these topics. I appreciated the ambiguity of her "guest", there was intrigue about who/what he is but he was a vital role in reminding her that life is worth living. The mundane holds more importance than we may notice on the day to day. This is a very quick read & offers a different insight to what wrestling with your demons may look like.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Antigone is used to the omen of Death- a black dog that has infamously prowled her family for generations. This is a beautiful exploration of grief and mental illness- a wonderful celebration of those still with us, as well as lending the utmost respect to those we have lost. I love how absolutely bleak yet simultaneously glowing with hope this one made me feel. I could not help but cry alongside Khaw's words: they evoke the most beautiful pain that I'll never forget the introduction of into my body. Utterly visceral in its entirety, Find Me Where It Ends is for anyone who has tried to overcome life, death, and everything in between. Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Nightfire for the eARC. All opinions are entirely my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you so much to NetGalley for access to this advanced readers copy!
What a gorgeous cover and what an impactful little novel. I really appreciate fiction that discusses depression and suicidal thoughts in such a real and honest way. And as a reader, I love when it’s blended in with metaphors and supernatural elements. The concept of a death dog, a black hound baying from the darkness, it was just executed perfectly. And for such a short novel I felt very tender and protective towards our main character.
A few elements of the timeline left me feeling confused, and I think some valuable writing space was used up by too detailed descriptions of the surroundings. Honestly though, I really enjoyed this, and I could see myself coming back to rereading this in the future.
What a gorgeous cover and what an impactful little novel. I really appreciate fiction that discusses depression and suicidal thoughts in such a real and honest way. And as a reader, I love when it’s blended in with metaphors and supernatural elements. The concept of a death dog, a black hound baying from the darkness, it was just executed perfectly. And for such a short novel I felt very tender and protective towards our main character.
A few elements of the timeline left me feeling confused, and I think some valuable writing space was used up by too detailed descriptions of the surroundings. Honestly though, I really enjoyed this, and I could see myself coming back to rereading this in the future.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is such a beautiful little story about our relationship with death and depression. I loved the representation of death as a black dog that follows Antigone, showing that death doesn't always need to be scary. Instead, we can live alongside it and use it remind us to enjoy the little things in life.
The depiction of depression in this story feels all too familiar. Surrounded by those who love her and try to give her reasons to stay, Antigone still seeks the finality and freedom of death. Antigone's internal conflict is raw, heartbreaking, and real. Find Me Where It Ends is a quick, but powerful and emotional, read.
The depiction of depression in this story feels all too familiar. Surrounded by those who love her and try to give her reasons to stay, Antigone still seeks the finality and freedom of death. Antigone's internal conflict is raw, heartbreaking, and real. Find Me Where It Ends is a quick, but powerful and emotional, read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What a read! I’ve only read one other of Khaw’s work and this one has truly blown me away.
When Antigone opens her front door to a great, obsidian dog lying on her front stoop, she knows the end is near; a portent of death, just as it had been for her mother and grandmother. This story is a heart wrenching telling of life, death and the vast ocean that is depression.
This was clearly a deeply personal project to Khaw, coming from a place of experience and perseverance. It was a pleasure to read this. I particularly enjoyed the structure of the whole piece, an active count down with each chapter feeling more desperate.
When Antigone opens her front door to a great, obsidian dog lying on her front stoop, she knows the end is near; a portent of death, just as it had been for her mother and grandmother. This story is a heart wrenching telling of life, death and the vast ocean that is depression.
This was clearly a deeply personal project to Khaw, coming from a place of experience and perseverance. It was a pleasure to read this. I particularly enjoyed the structure of the whole piece, an active count down with each chapter feeling more desperate.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Am I crying? I think I'm actually crying writing this. FIND ME WHERE IT ENDS was unexpectedly raw, wrenching, and gentle, and might be one of the saddest books I've ever read.
I've adored Khaw's previous works, and this is definitely more grounded & different. It's about the smallness & miraculousness of life & death & the complexity of an impossible question: stay or go?
Ultimately, it is about being tired.
But it is also about choosing a name for a cat.
Check content warnings and take care of yourselves ♡
I've adored Khaw's previous works, and this is definitely more grounded & different. It's about the smallness & miraculousness of life & death & the complexity of an impossible question: stay or go?
Ultimately, it is about being tired.
But it is also about choosing a name for a cat.
Check content warnings and take care of yourselves ♡
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Find Me Where It Ends was not what I was expecting. It was a beautiful tale that touched on aspects of mental health that most won't speak about. I really loved the allusion of the black dog being Antigone's depression. I really related to a lot of this book, as someone who has had their own black dog, so to speak. A very charming and heart warming book, wish there was a little more substance though, as the book was quite short.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 20, 2026
From the Dedication and all the way through the acknowledgements, this book had me. This was so beautifully written. Even now as I write this review, tears are falling and I think about the message that this book has to say. Please stay. I recommend this to any and everyone, those suffering, those that know someone suffering and those that can’t even imagine what that suffering could feel like. One of the most important books I’ve read this year.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley, Cassandra Khaw & Tor Nightfire for this e-arc!
The metaphorical nature of novella was fun to think about enough that I likely will end up rereading and spending more time analyzing and studying the particulars of it. This was a well-done spin of the folklore surrounding the black dog, though one could expect nothing else from Khaw.
The metaphorical nature of novella was fun to think about enough that I likely will end up rereading and spending more time analyzing and studying the particulars of it. This was a well-done spin of the folklore surrounding the black dog, though one could expect nothing else from Khaw.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Witchy women, pychopomps, elementals, exorcisms, a library of grimoires... delish. Not my favorite but still, always glad to read something new from Khaw.
"To live was to die so perhaps, the inverse was true too: all deaths require you to live first."
"To live was to die so perhaps, the inverse was true too: all deaths require you to live first."
Review of advance copy
Khaw writes death in a way that feels so natural to the way it creeps in and settles in spite of life. The howling of the black dog is chilling just as it is comforting. I really loved this take as an examination of mental health, and the downwards spiral of simply being tired. Beautiful writing.
April 29, 2026
Damnit.
I’ve been tossing back and forth, struggling to find the words to say about this book.
Depression is a mighty beast, and I too have tread a rocky path growing up, where I too didn’t want to continue living, and every “solution” presented to me didn’t sync up in my brain.
Reading this narrative, where Antigone is so desperate to rest forever, admit defeat from her Death’s arrival and say goodbye, I grew rather irritated with her “roll over and take it” attitude, but that was the depression speaking and no logical mentality.
I’m sure there were plenty of my own pals who grew agitated with caring for me constantly, picking me back up and dusting off my wounds, but I’m so thankful that they did because I’m here now because of them.
So beautifully and horrifically written from the inner workings of a su!c!dal FMC - I’m still at a loss for words.
I’m only giving this 4 stars as it’s a bit triggering and tough to navigate.
I am very thankful to Cassandra Khaw, NetGalley, and Tor Nightfire for advanced access before October 6, 2026.
I’ve been tossing back and forth, struggling to find the words to say about this book.
Depression is a mighty beast, and I too have tread a rocky path growing up, where I too didn’t want to continue living, and every “solution” presented to me didn’t sync up in my brain.
Reading this narrative, where Antigone is so desperate to rest forever, admit defeat from her Death’s arrival and say goodbye, I grew rather irritated with her “roll over and take it” attitude, but that was the depression speaking and no logical mentality.
I’m sure there were plenty of my own pals who grew agitated with caring for me constantly, picking me back up and dusting off my wounds, but I’m so thankful that they did because I’m here now because of them.
So beautifully and horrifically written from the inner workings of a su!c!dal FMC - I’m still at a loss for words.
I’m only giving this 4 stars as it’s a bit triggering and tough to navigate.
I am very thankful to Cassandra Khaw, NetGalley, and Tor Nightfire for advanced access before October 6, 2026.
April 23, 2026
I've never had such a small book make me feel and cry and such a big way. In less than 150 pages, this book made me feel SO many emotions at once and it was honestly pure art. If you want a book that you can connect to in an emotional way and a book that can see you, this is that book. It was absolutely breathtaking in the best way.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews