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The Buried City
271 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 2, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 25, 2026
A dystopian nightmare!
What happens when you die? Does your soul go to Heaven, or Hell for that matter? Is your soul transported to Purgatory, as the Roman Catholics would have us believe?
This science fantasy/horror story had a young woman waking up in her car with no idea where she was. The car was wrecked, rusty and abandoned. The highway had disappeared and she was in a land of black sand, stretching as far as the eye could see. More importantly her husband was nowhere to be seen. She had but one desire, to find her missing partner.
Thus began her journey through this hell scape towards the 'light'. Her journey takes her through a desert, where she encounters zombie like creatures, towards a forest where she meets other lost souls, journeying towards salvation.
The forest is packed with nightmare creatures intent on devouring the group but, they eventually encounter a ruined city. A place full of danger too!
Book 1 of the series finishes at this point - much to my disappointment. Role on Book 2 in the quest for answers to questions as old as humanity itself.
What happens when you die? Does your soul go to Heaven, or Hell for that matter? Is your soul transported to Purgatory, as the Roman Catholics would have us believe?
This science fantasy/horror story had a young woman waking up in her car with no idea where she was. The car was wrecked, rusty and abandoned. The highway had disappeared and she was in a land of black sand, stretching as far as the eye could see. More importantly her husband was nowhere to be seen. She had but one desire, to find her missing partner.
Thus began her journey through this hell scape towards the 'light'. Her journey takes her through a desert, where she encounters zombie like creatures, towards a forest where she meets other lost souls, journeying towards salvation.
The forest is packed with nightmare creatures intent on devouring the group but, they eventually encounter a ruined city. A place full of danger too!
Book 1 of the series finishes at this point - much to my disappointment. Role on Book 2 in the quest for answers to questions as old as humanity itself.
June 24, 2026
4.5 ⭐️s rounded to 5 ⭐️s
Was I excited when I found out Boris had a new horror series coming out? Hell yeah!! And this first installment did not disappoint! 🙌
Picture waking up in hell, yet not… 👀 I was hooked from the start! A bit of a mix of cosmic horror, found family, and Dark Tower vibes! I really enjoyed this and I’m so looking forward to the next installment! 👏
Thank you Boris Bacic for the opportunity to read the eARC in exchange for my honest review! ❤️
Was I excited when I found out Boris had a new horror series coming out? Hell yeah!! And this first installment did not disappoint! 🙌
Picture waking up in hell, yet not… 👀 I was hooked from the start! A bit of a mix of cosmic horror, found family, and Dark Tower vibes! I really enjoyed this and I’m so looking forward to the next installment! 👏
Thank you Boris Bacic for the opportunity to read the eARC in exchange for my honest review! ❤️
July 8, 2026
The Buried City - The Beyond Book 1 hooked me. I've already ordered Book 2
I have been a regular reader of books by writer Boris Bacic. I have said if you are looking interesting, unusual and sometimes terrifying, this writer will deliver. This first book in a new series, 'The Buried City', has a touch of the old TV series, the 'Twilight Zone'. If you are familiar with the old B&W show, it always ended with an unexpected twist. This is what I like about 'The Buried City (The Beyond Book 1). The story moves along nicely as the seriousness of the characters circumstances become increasingly...well, weird! I have already purchased Book2, 'The World Below The World.' Get 'The Buried City' now so we can discuss what's coming, or not! -Mr.Bill
I have been a regular reader of books by writer Boris Bacic. I have said if you are looking interesting, unusual and sometimes terrifying, this writer will deliver. This first book in a new series, 'The Buried City', has a touch of the old TV series, the 'Twilight Zone'. If you are familiar with the old B&W show, it always ended with an unexpected twist. This is what I like about 'The Buried City (The Beyond Book 1). The story moves along nicely as the seriousness of the characters circumstances become increasingly...well, weird! I have already purchased Book2, 'The World Below The World.' Get 'The Buried City' now so we can discuss what's coming, or not! -Mr.Bill
July 9, 2026
I wish I could rate it 10 stars!
From the opening sentence to the final page; this book grabbed my imagination and did not let go. While reading this book I was confused as Trish as to where she was. Nothing like coming to consciousness and not recognizing where one is. The scenery was daunting as well as depressing. I guess if Trish had been a different type of personality then there would be no story. Due to her persistence, Trish had to keep going even though she had no idea where she was headed. The journey was perilous and filled with situations that procrastinating was not an option. Now deciding what was the most terrifying about this book was not an easy choice. Being completely isolated with no directions would be frightening. So would making the decision to stay where you are or keep going not knowing what could be in the coming future. Because time was not easily kept the journey to each place seemed to take forever. When the other people were introduced it was still unclear as to how each person became to be where Trish joined them. One might think being in a group would be somewhat easier but different problems came about. When the group was deciding what to do next religion was brought up. There was much discussion on where God fit in. I found this part in the book so interesting. “But that was the thing with religions. Although they were preaching benevolence at the core, people conveniently loved to misinterpret and twist the verses into something that enforced their hatred and absolved their own sins.” I guess this would make people think about why they were continuing to move forward. The buried city was something quite extraordinary. There were no people but there were signs of life. I felt that with each decision came more harrowing consequences; some good, some bad. Right until the end of this book I was constantly thinking about what I might do in this case. The author did an incredible job of writing this journey in a way that I HAD to know more and then……the end. What!?!? I have to have more…………luckily I have the other books in this series. Do not miss out on this epic journey about what people find themselves capable of when having to show up for themselves and others.
From the opening sentence to the final page; this book grabbed my imagination and did not let go. While reading this book I was confused as Trish as to where she was. Nothing like coming to consciousness and not recognizing where one is. The scenery was daunting as well as depressing. I guess if Trish had been a different type of personality then there would be no story. Due to her persistence, Trish had to keep going even though she had no idea where she was headed. The journey was perilous and filled with situations that procrastinating was not an option. Now deciding what was the most terrifying about this book was not an easy choice. Being completely isolated with no directions would be frightening. So would making the decision to stay where you are or keep going not knowing what could be in the coming future. Because time was not easily kept the journey to each place seemed to take forever. When the other people were introduced it was still unclear as to how each person became to be where Trish joined them. One might think being in a group would be somewhat easier but different problems came about. When the group was deciding what to do next religion was brought up. There was much discussion on where God fit in. I found this part in the book so interesting. “But that was the thing with religions. Although they were preaching benevolence at the core, people conveniently loved to misinterpret and twist the verses into something that enforced their hatred and absolved their own sins.” I guess this would make people think about why they were continuing to move forward. The buried city was something quite extraordinary. There were no people but there were signs of life. I felt that with each decision came more harrowing consequences; some good, some bad. Right until the end of this book I was constantly thinking about what I might do in this case. The author did an incredible job of writing this journey in a way that I HAD to know more and then……the end. What!?!? I have to have more…………luckily I have the other books in this series. Do not miss out on this epic journey about what people find themselves capable of when having to show up for themselves and others.
July 10, 2026
I’ve read a lot of this author’s books, but this one was not a favorite of mine. I kept pushing through, convinced it had to get better, but it never did. Trish was an unlikable main character to me. The plot dragged, the pacing felt sluggish, and I never found myself invested in what was happening. It ended on a cliffhanger. Unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll be continuing the series.
July 2, 2026
"The Buried City” is quality existential-slash-liminal horror, giving very strong "A Short Stay in Hell" and "The Farm" vibes, definitely a surreal epic of monstrous proportions and unfettered imagination, it being the first volume in a powerfully conceived dark fantasy 5-book adventure!
It figures Trish, a woman who wakes up alone in a strange place, and slowly uncovers the rules and the deep secrets of the reality she's apparently stranded in without any explanation. Deciding to go find her husband who was supposed to be by her side all along but is now nowhere to be seen, she embarks on a journey through an unknown and hostile world, encountering bizarre creatures, menacing entities, and, eventually, people. People just as lost and confused as her.
But this is just the tip of the iceberg, since the author has plenty of surprises and unexpected complications up his sleeve, be it the details of the landscape itself, the backstories of the group of people Trish ends up hanging with, or even the far away Pillar everyone seems to be heading to. Whatever Trish experiences on the way, challenges her set ideas, evokes cherished memories, provokes internal growth, and seems to introduce a new mystery - until the group reaches the titular Buried City, and aspects of this bizarre reality reveal themselves to the astonishment of everyone involved.
The book naturally ends on a major cliffhanger, after several instances of loss, and a couple of setbacks. But it's not easy to puzzle out what is really happening at this point; I myself have no idea where the story is supposed to be going: is it a quest, a pilgrimage, or a trial of sorts? Is it Purgatory, Hell, or a version of the afterlife? Whatever it is, the narrative is addictive, the characters deliciously relatable, and the new, mysterious reality itself a metaphysical enigma worth exploring and fathoming in the next few volumes. Recommended!
It figures Trish, a woman who wakes up alone in a strange place, and slowly uncovers the rules and the deep secrets of the reality she's apparently stranded in without any explanation. Deciding to go find her husband who was supposed to be by her side all along but is now nowhere to be seen, she embarks on a journey through an unknown and hostile world, encountering bizarre creatures, menacing entities, and, eventually, people. People just as lost and confused as her.
But this is just the tip of the iceberg, since the author has plenty of surprises and unexpected complications up his sleeve, be it the details of the landscape itself, the backstories of the group of people Trish ends up hanging with, or even the far away Pillar everyone seems to be heading to. Whatever Trish experiences on the way, challenges her set ideas, evokes cherished memories, provokes internal growth, and seems to introduce a new mystery - until the group reaches the titular Buried City, and aspects of this bizarre reality reveal themselves to the astonishment of everyone involved.
The book naturally ends on a major cliffhanger, after several instances of loss, and a couple of setbacks. But it's not easy to puzzle out what is really happening at this point; I myself have no idea where the story is supposed to be going: is it a quest, a pilgrimage, or a trial of sorts? Is it Purgatory, Hell, or a version of the afterlife? Whatever it is, the narrative is addictive, the characters deliciously relatable, and the new, mysterious reality itself a metaphysical enigma worth exploring and fathoming in the next few volumes. Recommended!
June 29, 2026
I read The Buried City by author Boris Bacic. It is book one of The Beyond.
Trish wakes up in her car in a place that she does not recognize. Her husband is missing. All around her is a surreal beach, of sorts. A black empty desert. In the distance… something. What she and the wandering others she joins encounter on their journey for answers …will challenge their most terrifying nightmares.
OK, have you ever found a streaming show that you binge over the entire weekend? You don’t shower, you barely look at your phone and you just snack on junk, captivated by the screen? And then suddenly at the end of one of the episodes it doesn’t take you to the next episode? And you sit there anxious and empty, wondering “ OMG, is there another season? When is it coming?”
Well, let me introduce you to this book!
It has the essence of The Dark Tower.. with terrors worse than lobstrocities. IYKYK. The hook is immediate and then it is just a suspenseful, anxious, dread filled ride waiting for the next scare to happen. And a scene about halfway through that now lives burned in my brain in the most delicious way for a horror fan. The characters remain so real and believable even in these unprecedented unimaginable situations. And the world building, home run.
I also have to mention that the author uses some wonderful, incredibly specific descriptive words. Some I had to look up. And I love that when that happens! It paints a more precise picture in my head. It elevates the movie in my mind that I see as I’m reading.
And guess who went to Amazon and immediately bought book 2? That would be me. And now I will wait patiently for a few weeks, as patiently as I can, to continue this traumatic adventure.
Definitely recommend!
I received an advanced reader copy from the Author. This is my voluntary and honest review.
Trish wakes up in her car in a place that she does not recognize. Her husband is missing. All around her is a surreal beach, of sorts. A black empty desert. In the distance… something. What she and the wandering others she joins encounter on their journey for answers …will challenge their most terrifying nightmares.
OK, have you ever found a streaming show that you binge over the entire weekend? You don’t shower, you barely look at your phone and you just snack on junk, captivated by the screen? And then suddenly at the end of one of the episodes it doesn’t take you to the next episode? And you sit there anxious and empty, wondering “ OMG, is there another season? When is it coming?”
Well, let me introduce you to this book!
It has the essence of The Dark Tower.. with terrors worse than lobstrocities. IYKYK. The hook is immediate and then it is just a suspenseful, anxious, dread filled ride waiting for the next scare to happen. And a scene about halfway through that now lives burned in my brain in the most delicious way for a horror fan. The characters remain so real and believable even in these unprecedented unimaginable situations. And the world building, home run.
I also have to mention that the author uses some wonderful, incredibly specific descriptive words. Some I had to look up. And I love that when that happens! It paints a more precise picture in my head. It elevates the movie in my mind that I see as I’m reading.
And guess who went to Amazon and immediately bought book 2? That would be me. And now I will wait patiently for a few weeks, as patiently as I can, to continue this traumatic adventure.
Definitely recommend!
I received an advanced reader copy from the Author. This is my voluntary and honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Title: The Buried City
Series: Beyond, book 1
Author: Boris Bacic
Release date: 7/2/26
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
“The Buried City” follows Trish who wakes up, stranded, in a reality warped, logic-defying environment with no memory of how she got there. Stuck between an endless ocean and black desert, she discovers that her husband, Elias, is missing. Forced to travel across the surreal landscape on foot, she must navigate ruined cities, huge monsters, and deadly entities that come out at night. Along the way, she finds other people, like her, that are wandering with no idea of how they got there. They share a common goal: to get to a towering black pillar where, Trish believes, Elias has gone to. This journey and search for Elias quickly turns into a fight for survival.
I enjoy everything Boris writes and this one was a ton of fun to read. It is a fast-paced, eerie and tense story with a great cast of characters and vividly detailed environment. Speaking of the environment, it acts as a character rather than just a backdrop for the crew of people that are stuck. There is a lot of tension, uneasiness, and creepy moments, much of which is due to the pacing of the story and the “unknown” aspect of what the characters are facing. There is of course a lot of action and violence which adds to how unsettling the book is.
This is a must read, first book of a five book series. Whether you’ve read anything by Boris or not, make sure to check it out.
Series: Beyond, book 1
Author: Boris Bacic
Release date: 7/2/26
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
“The Buried City” follows Trish who wakes up, stranded, in a reality warped, logic-defying environment with no memory of how she got there. Stuck between an endless ocean and black desert, she discovers that her husband, Elias, is missing. Forced to travel across the surreal landscape on foot, she must navigate ruined cities, huge monsters, and deadly entities that come out at night. Along the way, she finds other people, like her, that are wandering with no idea of how they got there. They share a common goal: to get to a towering black pillar where, Trish believes, Elias has gone to. This journey and search for Elias quickly turns into a fight for survival.
I enjoy everything Boris writes and this one was a ton of fun to read. It is a fast-paced, eerie and tense story with a great cast of characters and vividly detailed environment. Speaking of the environment, it acts as a character rather than just a backdrop for the crew of people that are stuck. There is a lot of tension, uneasiness, and creepy moments, much of which is due to the pacing of the story and the “unknown” aspect of what the characters are facing. There is of course a lot of action and violence which adds to how unsettling the book is.
This is a must read, first book of a five book series. Whether you’ve read anything by Boris or not, make sure to check it out.
July 8, 2026
The Buried City by Boris Bacic
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I loved this exciting and suspenseful thriller/horror story!! It has such an engaging storyline, and I didn’t want to stop reading!! It gave me feels of the show “Lost” and I loved that show! It’s mysterious, and exciting!
I was lucky to get an arc of this fantastic book!!
Trish wakes up alone in a strange place and doesn’t know how she got there. The last thing she remembers was driving in a car with her husband. She decides to venture out in the place to look for her husband. Along the way in her search, she encounters other people who are “lost” in this strange world. They continue on a journey of survival and Trish won’t stop until she finds her husband.
This story is very well written and evokes fear and terror on the reader. There’s great imagery and I was able to picture all of the scenes in the book vividly. This book has a To Be Continued on it, so book 2 is a must!
**This book is out now and I highly recommend the read!!**
I’m so excited for book 2, The World Below The World. It comes out July 17th.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I loved this exciting and suspenseful thriller/horror story!! It has such an engaging storyline, and I didn’t want to stop reading!! It gave me feels of the show “Lost” and I loved that show! It’s mysterious, and exciting!
I was lucky to get an arc of this fantastic book!!
Trish wakes up alone in a strange place and doesn’t know how she got there. The last thing she remembers was driving in a car with her husband. She decides to venture out in the place to look for her husband. Along the way in her search, she encounters other people who are “lost” in this strange world. They continue on a journey of survival and Trish won’t stop until she finds her husband.
This story is very well written and evokes fear and terror on the reader. There’s great imagery and I was able to picture all of the scenes in the book vividly. This book has a To Be Continued on it, so book 2 is a must!
**This book is out now and I highly recommend the read!!**
I’m so excited for book 2, The World Below The World. It comes out July 17th.
June 28, 2026
This is my first book by this author, and not my typical genre of reading, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. But it was a pretty good, fast read. The story flowed nicely and kept you enthralled.
Trish wakes up on a beach, that isn’t any beach that she knows, and her husband is missing. When she goes in search of him, she realizes that she has no idea where she is - or if the place is even real. Along her search she runs into a few other people that she ends up joining up with on the quest to get out of wherever they are. And it is not an easy quest! Nothing is as it seems, everything is a danger, and should you really be trusting people you just met?!
This is the first book in the series, and I would definitely be up for reading the rest of the series, just to see how this plays out! I’m definitely intrigued!
I received this book as an advanced copy and I’m writing this review voluntarily
Trish wakes up on a beach, that isn’t any beach that she knows, and her husband is missing. When she goes in search of him, she realizes that she has no idea where she is - or if the place is even real. Along her search she runs into a few other people that she ends up joining up with on the quest to get out of wherever they are. And it is not an easy quest! Nothing is as it seems, everything is a danger, and should you really be trusting people you just met?!
This is the first book in the series, and I would definitely be up for reading the rest of the series, just to see how this plays out! I’m definitely intrigued!
I received this book as an advanced copy and I’m writing this review voluntarily
August 1, 2026
A horror novel about Trish, who has no memory of how she got there and no idea where her husband is, waking in a nightmarish alternate world bordered by an endless ocean on one side and a vast black desert on the other. Day and night don't follow normal rules, giant eyes drift across the sky, disembodied faces hover in the distance, giants roam black oceans, and entire cities lie in ruins, with something even more dangerous emerging at night. Trish must cross this hostile, logic-defying realm following everyone she meets toward a towering black pillar that pierces the sky in hopes of finding her missing husband, Elias, facing horrors along the way that will change her irreversibly.
Overall a decent read. Very creative, with other-worldy environments and strange creatures. Full of adventure, mystery and drama. Three stars because the author intentionally left the story with an abrupt ending and with no closure. For that reason, quite disappointing.
Overall a decent read. Very creative, with other-worldy environments and strange creatures. Full of adventure, mystery and drama. Three stars because the author intentionally left the story with an abrupt ending and with no closure. For that reason, quite disappointing.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Intriguing from the very first page. At first the landscape reminded me of a desolate windy hike I did in Iceland (also with a plane crash), but that’s where the similarities ended. As Trish explores deeper and deeper into this world, it becomes more dangerous and unsettling. Some of the beings and scenarios she encounters were downright terrifying! Who the heck was making the foghorn sounds? What happened to the people of the buried city. Book 1 has me invested left me on a bit of a cliff hanger- cannot wait for the second instalment!
I loved reading “The Last Astronaut” by David Wellington, “The Black Farm” by Elias Witherow, and “Empty Earth” by Ash Ericmore, and Boris’ new series is giving me the same vibes as these other stories, but with a whole new plot. I’m terrified and thrilled and excited to see what happens next for Trish.
I loved reading “The Last Astronaut” by David Wellington, “The Black Farm” by Elias Witherow, and “Empty Earth” by Ash Ericmore, and Boris’ new series is giving me the same vibes as these other stories, but with a whole new plot. I’m terrified and thrilled and excited to see what happens next for Trish.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 3, 2026
Trish wakes up in her car and finds herself on a strange black beach. How did she land up in such alien surroundings and where is her husband, Elias? She goes in search of him only to find herself with unknown people in unknown territory and the horror keeps intensifying as their journey becomes a battle for survival against lurking entities and death traps. A well crafted apocalyptic thriller with fantastic world building where you are transported through forests which come alive, tunnels which are never ending and a city which appears welcoming but lethal with carnivorous winged creatures.
July 8, 2026
Picture yourself waking up somewhere that is completely so foreign you don’t even think you’re on the same planet with no idea how you go there and no idea how to get home. As you begin searching for a way out or home you encounter some of the most gruesome and horrifying things. You also begin to encounter people who are also stuck in the same predicament as you and you have to decide if they are worth trusting and working with or if you should try to navigate the world on your own. This was a great first installment of this series that gave me the creeps throughout and I can’t wait to see what else is in store for Trish.
August 6, 2026
The Mystery Is On
Trish wakes up in her Nissan, but that is where familiarity ends. She seems to be on a beach but doesn't remember how she got there.
The sky looks weird, and she needs to find her husband, who seems to have disappeared.
This is the 1st of a series that makes you have a lot of theories right off the bat. This place would give Dante a run for his money... or maybe Alice? Is this place Hell or Wonderland?
There are so many questions, which is great! The mystery continues...
Trish wakes up in her Nissan, but that is where familiarity ends. She seems to be on a beach but doesn't remember how she got there.
The sky looks weird, and she needs to find her husband, who seems to have disappeared.
This is the 1st of a series that makes you have a lot of theories right off the bat. This place would give Dante a run for his money... or maybe Alice? Is this place Hell or Wonderland?
There are so many questions, which is great! The mystery continues...
July 3, 2026
What the hell was that ride. It felt like stumbling through purgatory’s backstage — bizarre, disorienting, and somehow impossible to look away. Totally gave me Dungeon Crawler Carl energy in the best chaotic way. Already slammed that preorder button for the sequel.
July 8, 2026
unbelievable scenario and hard to stop reading
Everything in this book grabs you immediately and you don’t want to stop reading!! The characters and the storyline are all you could ever ask for in a book!!
Everything in this book grabs you immediately and you don’t want to stop reading!! The characters and the storyline are all you could ever ask for in a book!!
July 25, 2026
What a mess
These characters have found themselves in the city after losing one of their own. I hate Charlie's gone. I liked her the most out of all the other characters. I guess it's on to book 2.
These characters have found themselves in the city after losing one of their own. I hate Charlie's gone. I liked her the most out of all the other characters. I guess it's on to book 2.
July 8, 2026
I finished this in one reading. I really love the atmosphere that is being built. I am eagerly awaiting book #2. Well done Mr. Bacic.
July 15, 2026
Could've been a 5 star. Hopefully, it starts to pay off in book 2 out this week.
July 16, 2026
Trish wakes up in her with no memory and no idea where she is. The surroundings are strange looking her husband is missing. Where is she, why is she there? Psychological horror thriller.
July 24, 2026
FINALLY. A book that's giving me the same high as The Black Farm.
August 10, 2026
On the edge of your seat nightmare story wow!
August 13, 2026
DNF wtf. Not for me.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I absolutely love this authors books. The way he writes his stories always keep me reading way past bedtime. I can already tell that this series will be as addicting as his last. When I started this book I was sure I knew what's was going on. By the end I had serious doubts as to my original assumption. The story pace keeps you wanting more. All the characters feel very relatable and I have liked all of them bar one. Pick any of this authors books and I can garentee you won't be disappointed.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews