The Obsidian Mirror

by Zak Cowell, Alien Buddha (Contributor)

129 pages, Paperback

Published February 6, 2026

Reviews

[Jacy Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

With The Obsidian Mirror, Zak Cowell presents the reader with a gothic mystery, gift-wrapped in liminal spaces and dark history. He hands the reader epistolic shears and invites them to slice away at the fog of the macabre to reveal a mystery both cosmic and tragic in equal measures. Recommended for people who like spooky vibes and a world that feels lived in… and died in.

[Carson Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cowell’s The Obsidian Mirror is an atmospheric novella that propels folk horror beyond that of rural rites, into the realm of the cosmic. A quick, fun read for horror fans that yearn for remote manors, weird paintings, and dark histories.

[Amber Hathaway · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably the element of this novella that stuck out to me the most was the Mausoleum of Dreams. I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll just say that the concept and atmosphere are both super creepy. It's the kind of place that has the potential to haunt your imagination well after the story is over.

There were elements of Cowell's writing style that I really enjoyed, and there were some places where the description was so on point and really packed a punch. However, I also felt like there were places where the descriptions got a bit repetitive and hampered the pacing. Additionally, I personally would have preferred a little more showing and less telling, but I do appreciate that Cowell's straightforward approach eliminates the ambiguity that an abundance of showing can bring.

I love epistolary elements in stories, so I enjoyed the inclusion of the website posts. I thought that made for a fun element of the story. I don't want to spoil the ending, so I'm being a bit vague here, but I liked Cowell's approach. It was different from most of the cosmic horror I've read, more subtle than apocalyptic, and in some ways that made it more horrifying.

[E.J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Obsidian Mirror takes us to Devil’s Peak; a foggy, creepy town with an intriguing backstory that sticks with you. The bits of lore, art references and connections to history give the story a nice balance of mystery, darkness and dread. The author does a great job building the suspense all the way to the end. I really enjoyed this novella and look forward to more of Zak’s work!

[Connor Metcalf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got the chance to read this as an ARC from the author. Thanks, Zac, for the opportunity! The Obsidian Mirror delivers in every way a horror novella should. The story is quick, but it’s got real texture. There’s a story happening on the surface, and interstitials woven through the manuscript deepen the novel's mythology. The interstitials were my favorite part—they felt so reminiscent of Machen or Lovecraft’s best works, and they left me utterly unnerved (and wanting to spend more time in them). If you loved The Shining and are fancying a hotel with a dark past… you should pick this up immediately!

Thanks again, Zac!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Obsidian Mirror is a twisted cosmic horror story with gorgeous imagery, liminal architecture, and deep, disturbing lore. I couldn’t get enough, and will be thinking about it well after the final page. Cowell threads together Diana's personal journey with an indifferent universe using beautiful prose and lasting symbolism.

[Ivy Grimes · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Obsidian Mirror begins as a classic gothic story of a housekeeper investigating the secrets of an old North Carolina mansion, and it goes on to include surprising elements of folk and cosmic horror as well. Full of thin places and ancient secrets, The Obsidian Mirror is a chilling adventure!