Dark Art

by Nathaniel J. Darkish

For fans of survival horror video games like Silent Hill or Resident Evil and the works of H.P. Lovecraft.

The United States government called the May Day Massacre of 2002 a terrorist attack, the follow-up to 9/11. But Isaac Scribe remembers something even more hellish: his family and neighbors torn apart by bizarre and deadly monsters.

Drawn back into the ruined city, Isaac must navigate the lies and trauma and the things still lurking in the dark.

The nightmares never left the city. Neither did the truth.

"Psychological horror at its finest with a heaping dose of the Lovecraftian. Dark Art will leave you spellbound and questioning reality in the best way."
-N.J. Gallegos, author of Time of Death: A Collection of Medical Horror and Eat Your Heart Out

274 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2026

About the author

Nathaniel J. Darkish is a horror writer, podcaster, and educator. He co-hosts the horror podcast Scream Kings. He has taught high school English and creative writing for most of the last decade. He currently resides in Davis County, Utah with his wife and two children. He loves board games, ska music, and reading hundreds of books each year.

Reviews

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reminded me of what would happen if Sketch (2024) met Resident Evil or Silent Hill. It explores what it’s like to feel insane (been there), conspiracy theories, government overreach, man’s desire to become god, the hunt for truth, and the way humans treat each other when everything goes to shit.

Overall, there were some super rad monsters and set pieces in this. I loved the imagery, and the way the post-May Day environment became its own unique character. The greatest compliment I can give this book is that, when I finished it, I couldn’t believe it was nearly 300 pages. I ripped through it so fast I assumed it was a novella.

If you like survival horror mixed with freaky little dude creatures, you want to read Dark Art.

Thanks to the author for supplying an ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Steve · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

Government conspiracy. Intrigue. Life imitating art. Gore. Lots of gore. And survival horror. Think "Last of Us" meets "Fallout 4", and it's a carnival ride of horrors. Isaac, our protagonist, can't help but to return to the site of a citywide massacre he somehow survived and from which he somehow escaped. He knew he wouldn't be able to normalize and fit in with the rest of the world—those who didn't understand, who weren't there. But he also couldn't live with himself if he didn't try to make some kind of sense out of the acid trip of a memory that continued to haunt him. So what is a fellow to do? Set off with a gun, a backpack, and a willingness to do whatever it takes to find out what happened—what is still happening—in his hometown.
This is a survival horror novel for a world that, years later, continues to reel from the atrocities of a single, brutal day. Nathaniel Darkish tells it weird and gruesome but somehow tells it true.

[Andrew Pixton · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

This was Silent Hill meets Stephen King's It. The main character wasn't very likeable at first, but the people around him are also jackasses so give him time, he's working through trauma. I was so excited when I realized he was going back into the city.
And a really enjoyable horror from a friend, though the review is my own.

[N.J. Gallegos · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is perfect for those who love conspiracy theories, creature features, Lovecraftian terrors, and more! Darkish's world building is top notch, and I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. Check this out... you'll be glad you did.

[Nathaniel Darkish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I mean, I think it's pretty great. I wrote it, after all.

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect October read. Truly creepy. This story makes me wish I had a video game controller so I could steer the main character to safety. But then, I wouldn't ever arrive at the twists and turns this story takes. 👀

[Chelsie Staker · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyably bizarre journey from beginning to end.