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The Abyssal Plain: The R'lyeh Cycle
With The Abyssal Plain, Holloway and Talley have managed to transform the Cthulhu Mythos into something with a more modern flavor, drawing not just from the well of cosmic horror, but from technothrillers, survival horror, and splatterpunk, with just a dash of the lost sensibilities of the shudder pulps. A cup full of tentacles mixed with existential nihilism and sprinkled with liberal quantities of gore, this is Lovecraftian horror with a bloody bent that few others have dared to explore. --Peter Rawlik, author of Reanimators
They called it the Event.
The Event changed everything. The earthquakes came first, including the Big One, shattering the Pacific Rim and plunging the world into chaos. Then the seas came, the skies opened, and the never-ending rain began. But as bad as that was, there is something worse.
The Rising has begun.
A lone man who abandoned the world for his addictions searches a waterlogged Austin for something, anything to cling to. Little does he know that something else searches for him.
In the Sonoran Desert, the downtrodden of the world search for a better life north of the border, only to see the desert become an ocean: an ocean that takes life and gives death.
In the woods of Alabama, survivors escape to Fort Resistance, but soon discover that it isn't just the horrors of the deep places of the world that they need to fear; but rather a new and more deadly pestilence that has grown in their own ranks.
In England, it's too late to fight, and all that's left is to survive. One man reaches for his own humanity, but what to do when humanity is an endangered species?
And in the Pacific, He is rising.
In The Abyssal Plain: The R'lyeh Cycle, authors William Holloway, Michelle Garza and Melissa Lason, Brett J. Talley, and Rich Hawkins have created a timely and uniquely modern reimagining of the Cthulhu Mythos.
They called it the Event.
The Event changed everything. The earthquakes came first, including the Big One, shattering the Pacific Rim and plunging the world into chaos. Then the seas came, the skies opened, and the never-ending rain began. But as bad as that was, there is something worse.
The Rising has begun.
A lone man who abandoned the world for his addictions searches a waterlogged Austin for something, anything to cling to. Little does he know that something else searches for him.
In the Sonoran Desert, the downtrodden of the world search for a better life north of the border, only to see the desert become an ocean: an ocean that takes life and gives death.
In the woods of Alabama, survivors escape to Fort Resistance, but soon discover that it isn't just the horrors of the deep places of the world that they need to fear; but rather a new and more deadly pestilence that has grown in their own ranks.
In England, it's too late to fight, and all that's left is to survive. One man reaches for his own humanity, but what to do when humanity is an endangered species?
And in the Pacific, He is rising.
In The Abyssal Plain: The R'lyeh Cycle, authors William Holloway, Michelle Garza and Melissa Lason, Brett J. Talley, and Rich Hawkins have created a timely and uniquely modern reimagining of the Cthulhu Mythos.
302 pages, Paperback
Published November 29, 2019
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January 10, 2020
Το The Abyssal Plain αποτελεί μια σύμπραξη συγγραφέων τρόμου. Τα βάλανε κάτω και γράψανε ένα βιβλίο μαζί, όπου οι Μεγάλοι Παλαιοί ξυπνάνε και κάνουν πραγματικότητα τον μεγαλύτερο εφιάλτη που έχει ονειρευτεί η ανθρωπότητα. Οι συγγραφείς δεν θα είναι γνωστοί στο κοινό που δεν ασχολούνται με το είδος. Ανήκουν, όμως, σε μια κοινότητα δημιουργών που κατ' εμέ κρατούν ζωντανό το είδος. Γράφουν με αγάπη για το είδος που υπηρετούν, με βαθιά γνώση, και αποτελούν τους ήρωες των ανθρώπων που θέλουν να διαβάζουν καλό τρόμο δίχως εκτπώσεις. Από τους δημιουργούς, μόνο την δουλειά του Brett J. Talley γνώριζα, την οποία έχω σε τεράστια εκτίμηση, και που μου έχει χαρίσει ώρες ανεκτίμητης απόλαυσης (προτείνω με τα μάτια κλειστά το απολαυστικό That Which Should Not Be και την ακόμα καλύτερη συνέχεια, He Who Walks in Shadow). Τελικά, μόνο κερδισμένος βγήκα από αυτό το βιβλίο.
Το βιβλίο αυτό δεν είναι μια συλλογή, με έναν θεματικό άξονα που λειτουργεί ως πρόφαση. Δεν είναι μια ανθολογία-δικαιλογία για να γράψει ο κάθε συγγραφέας αυτό που θέλει, αλλά ένα εφιαλτικό δράμα που καθώς εξελίσσεται, ο ένας συγγραφέας δίνει την αφηγηματική σκυτάλη στον επόμενο. Έτσι η ιστορία σπάει σε τέσσερα μέρη. Η γραφή είναι εξαιρετική, το όραμα των ανθρώπων αυτών είναι μακάβριο και τόσο τρομαχτικό, που θα το σκεφτείτε δεύτερη φορά πριν αστειευτείτε με τους Μεγάλους Παλαιούς. Το μυαλό τους είναι ζωώδες και την ίδια στιγμή απύθμενο, ψυχρό, αδύνατον να το κατανοήσει ο άνθρωπος. Δεν θα είμαστε ποτέ προετοιμασμένοι για μια τέτοια έλευση, και τα memes και gifs που καθιστούν τον Κθούλου ένα χαριτωμένο ποπ είδωλο, το μόνο που καταφέρνουν είναι να μας κρατούν στην άγνοια.
Το The Abyssal Plain: The R'lyeh Cycle είναι μια εξαιρετική ιστορία τρόμου που είναι ειπωμένη μ' έναν εξαιρετικό τρόπο. Η ανάθεση κάθε τμήματος σ' έναν άλλον συγγραφέα είναι η ιδανική προσέγγιση, καθώς κάθε ιστορία είναι ένα βήμα μπροστά στο επικείμενο τέλος, μέσα από τα μάτια διαφορετικών ηρώων, σε διαφορετικές τοποθεσίες. Όλες εξυπηρετούν το σύνολο, και φαίνεται πως είναι προϊούσες προσεκτικού, κοινού σχεδιασμού από τους συγγραφείς. Ξεχώρισα το πρώτο μέρος, γραμμένο από τον Holloway. Δίχως να θέλω να μειώσω την εξαιρετική δουλειά των υπολοίπων, ο Holloway γράφει με τον τρόπο που θέλω να βλέπω γραμμένα αυτά που διαβάζω.
Μην διστάζετε. Είτε διαβάσετε είτε όχι αυτό το βιβλίο, οι Μεγάλοι Παλαιοί θα ξυπνήσουν κάποια στιγμή. Το βιβλίο θα σας κάνει να εκτιμήσετε τον κόσμο στον οποίον ζούμε, πριν αυτός χαθεί για πάντα.
Το βιβλίο αυτό δεν είναι μια συλλογή, με έναν θεματικό άξονα που λειτουργεί ως πρόφαση. Δεν είναι μια ανθολογία-δικαιλογία για να γράψει ο κάθε συγγραφέας αυτό που θέλει, αλλά ένα εφιαλτικό δράμα που καθώς εξελίσσεται, ο ένας συγγραφέας δίνει την αφηγηματική σκυτάλη στον επόμενο. Έτσι η ιστορία σπάει σε τέσσερα μέρη. Η γραφή είναι εξαιρετική, το όραμα των ανθρώπων αυτών είναι μακάβριο και τόσο τρομαχτικό, που θα το σκεφτείτε δεύτερη φορά πριν αστειευτείτε με τους Μεγάλους Παλαιούς. Το μυαλό τους είναι ζωώδες και την ίδια στιγμή απύθμενο, ψυχρό, αδύνατον να το κατανοήσει ο άνθρωπος. Δεν θα είμαστε ποτέ προετοιμασμένοι για μια τέτοια έλευση, και τα memes και gifs που καθιστούν τον Κθούλου ένα χαριτωμένο ποπ είδωλο, το μόνο που καταφέρνουν είναι να μας κρατούν στην άγνοια.
Το The Abyssal Plain: The R'lyeh Cycle είναι μια εξαιρετική ιστορία τρόμου που είναι ειπωμένη μ' έναν εξαιρετικό τρόπο. Η ανάθεση κάθε τμήματος σ' έναν άλλον συγγραφέα είναι η ιδανική προσέγγιση, καθώς κάθε ιστορία είναι ένα βήμα μπροστά στο επικείμενο τέλος, μέσα από τα μάτια διαφορετικών ηρώων, σε διαφορετικές τοποθεσίες. Όλες εξυπηρετούν το σύνολο, και φαίνεται πως είναι προϊούσες προσεκτικού, κοινού σχεδιασμού από τους συγγραφείς. Ξεχώρισα το πρώτο μέρος, γραμμένο από τον Holloway. Δίχως να θέλω να μειώσω την εξαιρετική δουλειά των υπολοίπων, ο Holloway γράφει με τον τρόπο που θέλω να βλέπω γραμμένα αυτά που διαβάζω.
Μην διστάζετε. Είτε διαβάσετε είτε όχι αυτό το βιβλίο, οι Μεγάλοι Παλαιοί θα ξυπνήσουν κάποια στιγμή. Το βιβλίο θα σας κάνει να εκτιμήσετε τον κόσμο στον οποίον ζούμε, πριν αυτός χαθεί για πάντα.
February 3, 2023
I thought it gave more splattery creature feature than straight up cosmic horror, but I do think it’s worth the read if you’re in the mood for some depraved end of the world brutality!
Some of the dialogue took me out of it a bit unfortunately, but overall I enjoyed it. I think the last two stories were my favorites!
Some of the dialogue took me out of it a bit unfortunately, but overall I enjoyed it. I think the last two stories were my favorites!
September 16, 2024
“Who knows the end? What has risen may sink, and what has sunk may rise. Loathsomeness waits and dreams in the deep, and decay spreads over the tottering cities of men.”
―H.P. Lovecraft
Four stories combine to detail the end of the world due to nefarious cosmic forces.
Touching on Lovecraftian/Cthulhu mythos, but uniquely their own, these authors have crafted an epic tome of tales. Full of characters who experience the worst of humanity as well as having to battle the monstrous squid creatures that rise out of the ocean’s depths.
“The Rise and the Fall” was my favourite- following a soldier as he goes on reconnaissance and fights to defend the remaining outpost from gigantic mutated cephalopods.
Overall, I would’ve loved to have a bit more closure from each story, maybe an epilogue detailing what happens for all the characters we’ve read about on this journey. I felt they all ended a little abruptly. It’s so hard for me to get attached to the narrators, see and experience their challenges and obstacles, and then not know if they’ll be ok going forward.
“He dreamed of water, of a great deluge. Sometimes he was an ant, and the water poured down ant-sized corridors, washing all the citizens of the ant megalopolis down, down, down into the depths of the earth to die together in a writhing drowning pool.”
For any fans of cosmic/scifi horror, this is definitely a must-own collection. Especially with the incredible cover art by Mikio Murakami.
―H.P. Lovecraft
Four stories combine to detail the end of the world due to nefarious cosmic forces.
Touching on Lovecraftian/Cthulhu mythos, but uniquely their own, these authors have crafted an epic tome of tales. Full of characters who experience the worst of humanity as well as having to battle the monstrous squid creatures that rise out of the ocean’s depths.
“The Rise and the Fall” was my favourite- following a soldier as he goes on reconnaissance and fights to defend the remaining outpost from gigantic mutated cephalopods.
Overall, I would’ve loved to have a bit more closure from each story, maybe an epilogue detailing what happens for all the characters we’ve read about on this journey. I felt they all ended a little abruptly. It’s so hard for me to get attached to the narrators, see and experience their challenges and obstacles, and then not know if they’ll be ok going forward.
“He dreamed of water, of a great deluge. Sometimes he was an ant, and the water poured down ant-sized corridors, washing all the citizens of the ant megalopolis down, down, down into the depths of the earth to die together in a writhing drowning pool.”
For any fans of cosmic/scifi horror, this is definitely a must-own collection. Especially with the incredible cover art by Mikio Murakami.
January 18, 2020
This book is a collection of four pieces by four different authors. Normally the quality of anthology books is uneven. This book, however, is the exception. Every one of the four was excellent, leaving me panting and wanting more.
Ammonia by William Holloway sets the stage for an “event” which has occurred in Antarctica, splitting the Ross Ice Shelf. It is the story of the beginning of an apocalypse. It sets the ground rules for the stories that follow, opens the mysteries which will be unveiled in the following tales, and establishes the tone of bleak nihilism which the hallmark of all great Lovecraftian storytelling.
Michelle Garza and Melissa Lason’s The Sunken Desert introduces us to life in the new world order created by “the event“. It is almost something of an adventure caper, fun and thrilling. Criminals, cops, and tough minded women and together to make their way in a new world where the rules are only just beginning to be understood. At the same time it introduces us the a world of squid beasts, insane cultists, and survivors doing their best.
Brett J Talley’s Rise and Fall brings us to a world where the apocalypse has been settled. People finally understand what’s going on, more or less. We experience organized human resistance, communities trying to rebuild themselves, and a culture in radical flux. Talley explores the different ways in which humans and our communities break under unbelievable strain. He does to to great effect. I have long maintained that Talley is one of the best modern practitioners of Lovecraftian tales. This story shows him in his full glory, weaving issues of interpersonal relationships, religion, culture, survival, and family and exploring them within a world gone as mad and brutal as possible.
Rich Hawkin’s work “The Great Beast” is the perfect companion piece to Talley’s. Talley looks at the larger social effects of a Lovecraftian nightmare world come to be. Hawkins leaves behind the communal exploration for the individual. He gives us a protagonist somehow left behind in a dead world now ruled by horrific beasts. We see the effects and strain of this world. Slowly, as a few new characters are introduced, we see what this world has made of them.
This work is a first class exploration of humanity confronted with the unknown, the horrific, and the insanity inducing. It’s well worth the time of horror nerds. It should be required readings for any Lovecraft geeks.
Ammonia by William Holloway sets the stage for an “event” which has occurred in Antarctica, splitting the Ross Ice Shelf. It is the story of the beginning of an apocalypse. It sets the ground rules for the stories that follow, opens the mysteries which will be unveiled in the following tales, and establishes the tone of bleak nihilism which the hallmark of all great Lovecraftian storytelling.
Michelle Garza and Melissa Lason’s The Sunken Desert introduces us to life in the new world order created by “the event“. It is almost something of an adventure caper, fun and thrilling. Criminals, cops, and tough minded women and together to make their way in a new world where the rules are only just beginning to be understood. At the same time it introduces us the a world of squid beasts, insane cultists, and survivors doing their best.
Brett J Talley’s Rise and Fall brings us to a world where the apocalypse has been settled. People finally understand what’s going on, more or less. We experience organized human resistance, communities trying to rebuild themselves, and a culture in radical flux. Talley explores the different ways in which humans and our communities break under unbelievable strain. He does to to great effect. I have long maintained that Talley is one of the best modern practitioners of Lovecraftian tales. This story shows him in his full glory, weaving issues of interpersonal relationships, religion, culture, survival, and family and exploring them within a world gone as mad and brutal as possible.
Rich Hawkin’s work “The Great Beast” is the perfect companion piece to Talley’s. Talley looks at the larger social effects of a Lovecraftian nightmare world come to be. Hawkins leaves behind the communal exploration for the individual. He gives us a protagonist somehow left behind in a dead world now ruled by horrific beasts. We see the effects and strain of this world. Slowly, as a few new characters are introduced, we see what this world has made of them.
This work is a first class exploration of humanity confronted with the unknown, the horrific, and the insanity inducing. It’s well worth the time of horror nerds. It should be required readings for any Lovecraft geeks.
December 1, 2019
The Abyssal Plain: The R’Lyeh Cycle is an epic Eldritch Apocalypse Horror that will change apocalypse fiction forever. The novel is comprised of four separate parts, each one a story of the events from a different area told by a different author.
It begins with “Ammonia” by William Holloway. Holloway’s masterful way with cosmic and Lovecraftian Horror is at its finest as he immerses you in The Event and one man’s subsequent struggle in the wake of it. Unrelenting suspense and terror compel you on as the true horror of The Event begins to unfold. This story is unparalleled in concept and execution, a brilliant creation bringing myth into reality with all of modern science to back it. It is the final evolution of Lovecraftian Horror.
But wait, there’s more.
The Sisters of Slaughter continue this epic horror with “A Sunken Desert.” Michelle Garza and Melissa Lason, aka The Sisters of Slaughter, take us to the Arizona desert where the human horror element is rampant. Is it insanity or human nature or something more profound? The Sisters’ vivid, well-developed characters take us deeper into the ever-changing horrors of the aftermath of The Event.
“The Rise and Fall” by Brett J Talley is a tale of physical and mental survival in Alabama as the horror of The Event spreads. Talley uses action, suspense, and human failing to keep you glued to the pages. The formula is reminiscent of classic King, but the telling and content is pure Talley.
The concluding story is “The Great Beast” by Rich Hawkins. Hawkins takes us to England and tells the story of a man in the midst of horrors from the Event, horrors both human and not human, horrors we have not seen prior. Hawkins’s rich and flowing storytelling reveal the final stage of events leading to the climax of this epic apocalyptic horror.
Cosmic Horror. Apocalypse Horror. Lovecraftian Horror. Suspense, terror, action, cults, disasters, violence, and horrifying creatures. The Abyssal Plain is a horror masterwork, a brilliant concept brought to life by brilliant authors, an epic apocalyptic horror unlike any other.
It begins with “Ammonia” by William Holloway. Holloway’s masterful way with cosmic and Lovecraftian Horror is at its finest as he immerses you in The Event and one man’s subsequent struggle in the wake of it. Unrelenting suspense and terror compel you on as the true horror of The Event begins to unfold. This story is unparalleled in concept and execution, a brilliant creation bringing myth into reality with all of modern science to back it. It is the final evolution of Lovecraftian Horror.
But wait, there’s more.
The Sisters of Slaughter continue this epic horror with “A Sunken Desert.” Michelle Garza and Melissa Lason, aka The Sisters of Slaughter, take us to the Arizona desert where the human horror element is rampant. Is it insanity or human nature or something more profound? The Sisters’ vivid, well-developed characters take us deeper into the ever-changing horrors of the aftermath of The Event.
“The Rise and Fall” by Brett J Talley is a tale of physical and mental survival in Alabama as the horror of The Event spreads. Talley uses action, suspense, and human failing to keep you glued to the pages. The formula is reminiscent of classic King, but the telling and content is pure Talley.
The concluding story is “The Great Beast” by Rich Hawkins. Hawkins takes us to England and tells the story of a man in the midst of horrors from the Event, horrors both human and not human, horrors we have not seen prior. Hawkins’s rich and flowing storytelling reveal the final stage of events leading to the climax of this epic apocalyptic horror.
Cosmic Horror. Apocalypse Horror. Lovecraftian Horror. Suspense, terror, action, cults, disasters, violence, and horrifying creatures. The Abyssal Plain is a horror masterwork, a brilliant concept brought to life by brilliant authors, an epic apocalyptic horror unlike any other.
February 3, 2021
It has a very cool concept and that it's an antologi makes it a little bit cooler + it's well written. I would recommend giving this ago but I myself wasn't in love with it. I had a hard time getting sucked in the audiobook of this. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had read it instead
December 29, 2019
Disclaimer: I did receive a copy of this book in exchange for a fair, unbiased review.
I'm always first in line for a new Brett Talley book/collection, and this was no different. He knows his Mythos and I was more than excited to see a collection he cultivated based around a scenario of R'lyeh rising in the modern age. Four tales in all, and with varying degrees of success.
“Ammonia” by William Holloway: a good intro to the Event and it does a great job of establishing the bleakness left in its wake. Told from the perspective of a junkie which bolstered the desolation coloring landscape as it unfolded. I know Holloway's in his element in this sort of playground, but I felt this one ran a little longer than necessary. A great character story, but about a third too long.
“A Sunken Desert” by Michelle Garza/Melissa Lason: A flooded prison is center stage and an eclectic cast of characters people it in an action-packed tale of rescue whilst the waters rise and the clock is ticking.
“The Rise and Fall” by Brett J Talley: The story I'd most anticipated. Well worth the wait. The story and pacing are spot on, spinning out to tell the tale of folks fighting to survive at Fort Resistance. A tense tale that unfolds as the evolving creatures worry their defenses and grow even more threatening as the learn. Best tale of the bunch.
“The Great Beast” by Rich Hawkins: a lone Brit encounters children, cultists, and new horrors as he roams the flooded and burnt English city. The real horrors can often come from the least expected places, as the hero finds in his journey.
A solid "Buy" from me. This book has a lot to offer and continues Talley win streak for me. Much like Doug Wynne's Spectra Files, this collection proves that Lovecraft's creations can serve a strong story in any 'era' when it's handled by skilled crafters.
I'm always first in line for a new Brett Talley book/collection, and this was no different. He knows his Mythos and I was more than excited to see a collection he cultivated based around a scenario of R'lyeh rising in the modern age. Four tales in all, and with varying degrees of success.
“Ammonia” by William Holloway: a good intro to the Event and it does a great job of establishing the bleakness left in its wake. Told from the perspective of a junkie which bolstered the desolation coloring landscape as it unfolded. I know Holloway's in his element in this sort of playground, but I felt this one ran a little longer than necessary. A great character story, but about a third too long.
“A Sunken Desert” by Michelle Garza/Melissa Lason: A flooded prison is center stage and an eclectic cast of characters people it in an action-packed tale of rescue whilst the waters rise and the clock is ticking.
“The Rise and Fall” by Brett J Talley: The story I'd most anticipated. Well worth the wait. The story and pacing are spot on, spinning out to tell the tale of folks fighting to survive at Fort Resistance. A tense tale that unfolds as the evolving creatures worry their defenses and grow even more threatening as the learn. Best tale of the bunch.
“The Great Beast” by Rich Hawkins: a lone Brit encounters children, cultists, and new horrors as he roams the flooded and burnt English city. The real horrors can often come from the least expected places, as the hero finds in his journey.
A solid "Buy" from me. This book has a lot to offer and continues Talley win streak for me. Much like Doug Wynne's Spectra Files, this collection proves that Lovecraft's creations can serve a strong story in any 'era' when it's handled by skilled crafters.
June 10, 2023
If, like me, you picked this up expecting Lovecraftian, post-apocalyptic, cosmic horror, in which mad-blasted, unknowable, indescribable entities of ancient, alien intelligence, rise up from their fathomless slumber in their cyclopean, non-Euclidean megalopolis, and cause the Earth to become over run with nightmare induced madness, breaking the bonds of reality, as vast, demented, Elder Gods reshape the very fabric of our febrile world, you will be disappointed. This book is more like The Walking Dead, but with octopi instead of zombies.
January 18, 2021
If for no other reason, get this to read the first novella inside, Ammonia by William Holloway. That alone is worth the price of admission and is a 5 star read all on its own. I thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Talley's contribution as well.
November 7, 2021
This one doesn't do it for me. Lovecraft's mastery was not so much in describing eldritch horrors as it was in describing individuals' reactions to those horrors. This was a collection of mere slasher horror, some of which touches on the border of Lovecraftian.
June 5, 2023
I really, really wanted to love this one. A great idea, four novellas all connected by "the Event" or the thing that ultimately wakes dead Cthulhu from his dream state in his house at R'lyeh. Cool, right?
Well, ultimately for me, only a little.
Here's my thing when it comes to Lovecraftian horror...I love it. Hell, I've written it. But for me, it only really works when you work within the framework, or respect the mythology that Lovecraft built (and yes, I'm also aware that his mythos doesn't necessarily all fit together well, but still).
And after digesting the stories in this book for a bit, I feel that this is the central issue of why this didn't quite work for me. Cthulhu is name-checked a few times, but overall, the Great Old One mostly hangs around off stage and, while his influence is felt through the four stories, he plays virtually no direct role.
Instead, we're left with several characters fighting "squids" that have evolved under some influence from their god. And while the stories are interesting, I just found myself waiting for the mind-numbing lumbering of some monstrosity into the playing field that only sorta kinda happened.
Through the stories, we're instead given some very real, but mostly either utterly unlikeable characters (the heroin junkies and corrupt politicians in the first entry, the criminals in the second), or reasonably banal characters (the reluctant soldier in the third entry, the religious martyr in the final one) and, frustratingly, not a lot of them have any agency in any of the stories, seeming to lurch from situation to situation.
And while I'd hoped for some sort of point to all of this—because the preceding stories did feel like they were tiptoeing to some conclusion in the final one—it never really coalesced into anything definitive.
Stuff happens. Bad stuff happens. Worse stuff happens. The end.
And yes, if that ain't pulled right out of the Lovecraftian playbook, I don't know what is, but still, we're almost a century past Howard Phillips now, and I'd like to see some continuation and exploration of the mythos. I got a little excited when the Christian God was thrown up against Cthulhu, but again it kind of didn't go anywhere.
So, overall, while it was well-written and had some good stuff in there, overall, it didn't quench my thirst the way I'd hoped.
As TV Guide used to state about certain movies, this one could be considered "an okay time-waster."
Well, ultimately for me, only a little.
Here's my thing when it comes to Lovecraftian horror...I love it. Hell, I've written it. But for me, it only really works when you work within the framework, or respect the mythology that Lovecraft built (and yes, I'm also aware that his mythos doesn't necessarily all fit together well, but still).
And after digesting the stories in this book for a bit, I feel that this is the central issue of why this didn't quite work for me. Cthulhu is name-checked a few times, but overall, the Great Old One mostly hangs around off stage and, while his influence is felt through the four stories, he plays virtually no direct role.
Instead, we're left with several characters fighting "squids" that have evolved under some influence from their god. And while the stories are interesting, I just found myself waiting for the mind-numbing lumbering of some monstrosity into the playing field that only sorta kinda happened.
Through the stories, we're instead given some very real, but mostly either utterly unlikeable characters (the heroin junkies and corrupt politicians in the first entry, the criminals in the second), or reasonably banal characters (the reluctant soldier in the third entry, the religious martyr in the final one) and, frustratingly, not a lot of them have any agency in any of the stories, seeming to lurch from situation to situation.
And while I'd hoped for some sort of point to all of this—because the preceding stories did feel like they were tiptoeing to some conclusion in the final one—it never really coalesced into anything definitive.
Stuff happens. Bad stuff happens. Worse stuff happens. The end.
And yes, if that ain't pulled right out of the Lovecraftian playbook, I don't know what is, but still, we're almost a century past Howard Phillips now, and I'd like to see some continuation and exploration of the mythos. I got a little excited when the Christian God was thrown up against Cthulhu, but again it kind of didn't go anywhere.
So, overall, while it was well-written and had some good stuff in there, overall, it didn't quench my thirst the way I'd hoped.
As TV Guide used to state about certain movies, this one could be considered "an okay time-waster."
September 15, 2024
i feel a bit bad about my rating because the last two stories, and especially the last, were quite good, however the first two were so comically bad that i can’t possibly rate this book favorably.
the first story was just 100 pages of man-baby whining, and the second featured possibly the blandest writing i have ever seen. every scene was written in a monotone, making the action really boring and the characters forgettable.
in addition, i noticed that multiple of the stories had an oddly pro-life tone? newsflash asshole: abortion is not killing a baby, and fetuses are not unborn children.
the first story was just 100 pages of man-baby whining, and the second featured possibly the blandest writing i have ever seen. every scene was written in a monotone, making the action really boring and the characters forgettable.
in addition, i noticed that multiple of the stories had an oddly pro-life tone? newsflash asshole: abortion is not killing a baby, and fetuses are not unborn children.
October 21, 2023
First story 5/5
Second 4.5/5
Third 3.5/5
Last 5/5
A very fantastic modern telling, a more concrete and tangible terror, of the trials of a world taken by the deep. Absolutely magnificent work
Second 4.5/5
Third 3.5/5
Last 5/5
A very fantastic modern telling, a more concrete and tangible terror, of the trials of a world taken by the deep. Absolutely magnificent work
July 12, 2020
4 separate stories by 4 different authors about the same topic. Awesome stories! I was confused after I got to the second story wondering if all stories were related but eventually realized it doesn't matter. Anyway it was a very good read.
November 6, 2024
This book is a collection of 4 stories very loosely connected. The 1st story, Ammonia, was the reason this book got 4 stars instead of 5. It was just mid. The story follows a heroin addict and a woman who made some bad choices. It was creepy, but not great. The other 3 stories were awesome! I read an article somewhere that Lovecraft made a forgettable universe, which others turned into a crystal kingdom... or something like that. The Abyssal Plain is proof of that statement.
February 22, 2020
Watery lovecraftian goodness it was so well written slithering in the night into the depths save yourself my dears
the call of chthulu awaits you in this one. Terrible watery ugliness enslaves you. You will love this book now
the call of chthulu awaits you in this one. Terrible watery ugliness enslaves you. You will love this book now
February 3, 2021
Incredible mini-collection of cosmic horror tales.
I was especially impressed, yet totally unsurprised by how good Rich Hawkins contribution was.
Still one of the finest British horror writers i've had the pleasure to read.
Thoroughly enjoyable.
I was especially impressed, yet totally unsurprised by how good Rich Hawkins contribution was.
Still one of the finest British horror writers i've had the pleasure to read.
Thoroughly enjoyable.
February 6, 2024
This was about as anti-climactic of a book of this genre as they come.
October 30, 2024
This was fine, I'd recommend skipping the first two stories though.
July 25, 2022
Hit and Miss Cosmic Horror
I've been an avid reader of Lovecraft for years now, and upon reading the summary of this book, bought without hesitation for the idea and setting was simply fantastic. What fan of cosmic horror wouldn't want to witness firsthand the fall of Man and the rise of R'lyeh?! With that being said, however, I cannot say that the short stories within this anthology fully met my expectations. They are not terrible, and I had fun reading through the book and always wanted to read more, but each story seems to struggle in its own ways.
Ammonia: My least favorite of the four, as it was this story that confused and frustrated me the most. Holloway, to his credit, does have moments of profoundly bleak and nihilistic atmosphere which works to his credit. In fact, my favorite scene in the whole book occurs in his story (pg. 74-75). However, his plot I found to be unnecessarily focused on the characters. While I was interested in Quincy's character arc, I had none for Nathalie's, and while I appreciate characterization and enjoy when artists break away from Lovecraft's mold; I found the sheer emphasis on the people instead of the situation to hurt the storytelling. Especially given that this is the story that sets up the rest of the novel. His ending also left me confused and frustrated, as I felt that it made absolutely no sense.
A Sunken Desert: My favorite story of the bunch. Very fast-paced and very violent, especially when we are introduced to the Risen. They were truly threatening and I was fully alert whenever the story returned to the cult and its completely appalling and despicable behavior. The characters within this story also were very entertaining, and I found myself most drawn to the brothers, but all involved had my interest. This was a Lovecraftian horror story that made me really want to root for the protagonists, something that I have never had the privilege of reading before. While this is easily the most entertaining story of the bunch, it is only really scary for the first third of the plot. After the party gains access to firearms, it really just morphs into an action-adventure with some Lovecraftian elements. Still, a blast to read but very tonally different from the rest of the book's bleak and hopeless tone. Overall though, quite a good story.
The Rise and The Fall: I have mixed feelings here. Where "A Sunken Desert" struggled to keep firearms and horror together, this story maintains an excellent ratio of action to horror; and it never felt like the survivors within were winning. It does the best job of explaining Cthulhu's rise, through the scenes with Dr. Sayre, and does have unique twists to Cthulhu which I greatly appreciated. However two plot points I struggled with. The Reverend's twist felt completely out of character and came from nowhere, and the final scene with Sadie felt very much like a Deus Ex Machina moment meant only to save the other protagonists (This is a Lovecraftian horror story, do not be afraid to kill your main characters). Also, the traits exhibited by Sadie are not seen anywhere else in the anthology and are forgotten as soon as they are introduced. I feel it would have been better if Sadie's final actions were not within the story at all for they fly in the face of the rest of the story. I suppose Sadie is supposed to be the same kind of human/Cthulhu hybrid seen later in "The Great Beast" but it is not explained well.
The Great Beast: Very lonely tone and I enjoyed how truly empty the world felt as the curtain call falls on humanity. Josiah's struggles with his faith and how to keep it in the final days of civilization made for truly fascinating reading. The characters of David and Primrose did not intrigue me up until the final pages, when the true extent of David's nature is revealed. The Cult within this story also was somewhat underwhelming, for they were nowhere near as threatening as the Risen were within "A Sunken Desert", and felt more like set pieces than antagonists. The ending scene, the actual rise of Cthulhu, was done quite well but still felt very short and rushed. I would have liked to have read more about Cthulhu's rising, but what happened was still good.
Would I recommend a read? Yes, but I would not say that this is the greatest Lovecraftian horror that I have read.
I've been an avid reader of Lovecraft for years now, and upon reading the summary of this book, bought without hesitation for the idea and setting was simply fantastic. What fan of cosmic horror wouldn't want to witness firsthand the fall of Man and the rise of R'lyeh?! With that being said, however, I cannot say that the short stories within this anthology fully met my expectations. They are not terrible, and I had fun reading through the book and always wanted to read more, but each story seems to struggle in its own ways.
Ammonia: My least favorite of the four, as it was this story that confused and frustrated me the most. Holloway, to his credit, does have moments of profoundly bleak and nihilistic atmosphere which works to his credit. In fact, my favorite scene in the whole book occurs in his story (pg. 74-75). However, his plot I found to be unnecessarily focused on the characters. While I was interested in Quincy's character arc, I had none for Nathalie's, and while I appreciate characterization and enjoy when artists break away from Lovecraft's mold; I found the sheer emphasis on the people instead of the situation to hurt the storytelling. Especially given that this is the story that sets up the rest of the novel. His ending also left me confused and frustrated, as I felt that it made absolutely no sense.
A Sunken Desert: My favorite story of the bunch. Very fast-paced and very violent, especially when we are introduced to the Risen. They were truly threatening and I was fully alert whenever the story returned to the cult and its completely appalling and despicable behavior. The characters within this story also were very entertaining, and I found myself most drawn to the brothers, but all involved had my interest. This was a Lovecraftian horror story that made me really want to root for the protagonists, something that I have never had the privilege of reading before. While this is easily the most entertaining story of the bunch, it is only really scary for the first third of the plot. After the party gains access to firearms, it really just morphs into an action-adventure with some Lovecraftian elements. Still, a blast to read but very tonally different from the rest of the book's bleak and hopeless tone. Overall though, quite a good story.
The Rise and The Fall: I have mixed feelings here. Where "A Sunken Desert" struggled to keep firearms and horror together, this story maintains an excellent ratio of action to horror; and it never felt like the survivors within were winning. It does the best job of explaining Cthulhu's rise, through the scenes with Dr. Sayre, and does have unique twists to Cthulhu which I greatly appreciated. However two plot points I struggled with. The Reverend's twist felt completely out of character and came from nowhere, and the final scene with Sadie felt very much like a Deus Ex Machina moment meant only to save the other protagonists (This is a Lovecraftian horror story, do not be afraid to kill your main characters). Also, the traits exhibited by Sadie are not seen anywhere else in the anthology and are forgotten as soon as they are introduced. I feel it would have been better if Sadie's final actions were not within the story at all for they fly in the face of the rest of the story. I suppose Sadie is supposed to be the same kind of human/Cthulhu hybrid seen later in "The Great Beast" but it is not explained well.
The Great Beast: Very lonely tone and I enjoyed how truly empty the world felt as the curtain call falls on humanity. Josiah's struggles with his faith and how to keep it in the final days of civilization made for truly fascinating reading. The characters of David and Primrose did not intrigue me up until the final pages, when the true extent of David's nature is revealed. The Cult within this story also was somewhat underwhelming, for they were nowhere near as threatening as the Risen were within "A Sunken Desert", and felt more like set pieces than antagonists. The ending scene, the actual rise of Cthulhu, was done quite well but still felt very short and rushed. I would have liked to have read more about Cthulhu's rising, but what happened was still good.
Would I recommend a read? Yes, but I would not say that this is the greatest Lovecraftian horror that I have read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2020
This was a fun read, and I finished it rather quickly. It was interesting seeing the different takes on what's happening around the world during this time.
I enjoyed the first story the most. I thought it had just the right amount of dread interspersed with the strange events happening, and the protagonist exploring the slowly flooding, abandoned city was great. All of the different places they went that were essentially empty gave a very creepy atmosphere, and for some reason the airport really further drove this home. This one kept me engaged and speculating the most, and I only wish it had been a full-length novel in itself. The ending was a little bizarre, but I assumed it would be.
The second story shifted gears quite a bit. Not a bad thing by any stretch. After all, the stories should have a different feeling to them to keep things fresh. The idea of the two brothers trying to survive and teaming up with one of the former guards was a cool concept. I also liked the intro, with the other survivors trying to cross the flooded desert. This story also did great with atmosphere even with changing the location to a desert. It was exactly what I was expecting from the synopsis. This tale was packed with action, and it was effective overall, and reminded me of that film "Hard Rain" if you added killer squid. The Seer speaking to the creature in the tank was different, but I felt it worked here.
The third story had a decent bit of action as well. I liked that we were given more information about "the event," and enjoyed hearing how it originated. Sexton and the rest of the military faction made this feel like a mashup between "Land of the Dead" and "Attack on Titan." Lots of gore for all those horror readers who enjoy that sort of thing, especially toward the end. I felt like once the crazy reverend started going nuts, we were going to have a Mrs. Carmody situation on our hands in the midst of a crisis, but thankfully, the author didn't do that and made it his own.
The last story was enjoyable as well. It had a slower pace which I myself enjoy. The opening is definitely attention grabbing, and started out with a bang. The story took a few turns that I didn't expect, and I assumed the "twist" was going to be something completely different than what it was, so that was a nice surprise. The ending was more bleak than I originally thought it was going to be as well, although the final scene I saw coming. Still memorable imagery.
All in all, it's an entertaining collection of Lovecraftian horror. The few complaints I have are all very small. Minor typos here and there, and while I am no authority on Lovecraftian beings, I like to think there are far more variety than mere squid. Hearing the creatures referred to as such (save on rare occasions) throughout the book sorta took out some of the horror descriptions my imagination could have conjured up otherwise. Although I don't recall for sure, I don't think the first story referred to them by this name, which in hindsight is maybe why I enjoyed it the most? At any rate, this is a great addition to the Lovecraft mythos, and I sincerely hope they do a second book.
I enjoyed the first story the most. I thought it had just the right amount of dread interspersed with the strange events happening, and the protagonist exploring the slowly flooding, abandoned city was great. All of the different places they went that were essentially empty gave a very creepy atmosphere, and for some reason the airport really further drove this home. This one kept me engaged and speculating the most, and I only wish it had been a full-length novel in itself. The ending was a little bizarre, but I assumed it would be.
The second story shifted gears quite a bit. Not a bad thing by any stretch. After all, the stories should have a different feeling to them to keep things fresh. The idea of the two brothers trying to survive and teaming up with one of the former guards was a cool concept. I also liked the intro, with the other survivors trying to cross the flooded desert. This story also did great with atmosphere even with changing the location to a desert. It was exactly what I was expecting from the synopsis. This tale was packed with action, and it was effective overall, and reminded me of that film "Hard Rain" if you added killer squid. The Seer speaking to the creature in the tank was different, but I felt it worked here.
The third story had a decent bit of action as well. I liked that we were given more information about "the event," and enjoyed hearing how it originated. Sexton and the rest of the military faction made this feel like a mashup between "Land of the Dead" and "Attack on Titan." Lots of gore for all those horror readers who enjoy that sort of thing, especially toward the end. I felt like once the crazy reverend started going nuts, we were going to have a Mrs. Carmody situation on our hands in the midst of a crisis, but thankfully, the author didn't do that and made it his own.
The last story was enjoyable as well. It had a slower pace which I myself enjoy. The opening is definitely attention grabbing, and started out with a bang. The story took a few turns that I didn't expect, and I assumed the "twist" was going to be something completely different than what it was, so that was a nice surprise. The ending was more bleak than I originally thought it was going to be as well, although the final scene I saw coming. Still memorable imagery.
All in all, it's an entertaining collection of Lovecraftian horror. The few complaints I have are all very small. Minor typos here and there, and while I am no authority on Lovecraftian beings, I like to think there are far more variety than mere squid. Hearing the creatures referred to as such (save on rare occasions) throughout the book sorta took out some of the horror descriptions my imagination could have conjured up otherwise. Although I don't recall for sure, I don't think the first story referred to them by this name, which in hindsight is maybe why I enjoyed it the most? At any rate, this is a great addition to the Lovecraft mythos, and I sincerely hope they do a second book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 17, 2023
The Abyssal Plain: The R’Lyeh Cycle is a Lovecraftian anthology that focuses on the rise of Cthulhu and the events surrounding it told from four polarizing perspectives. Ammonia, the book’s first story shines in its delivery and page-turning intrigue. I found myself wanting more by its end, but was slightly dissatisfied. I finished the first segment assuming that the characters and circumstances from each would end up colliding within the same story-arc, but that convergence never came. Instead, we are left with two anti-climatic tales and two which provided their own sense of closure.
The pacing suffered a bit towards the end. The attempt to paint the bleak, hopeless atmosphere of a post-apocalyptic society annihilated by “The event” is done very well by each of the authors individually, but it became redundant by the novel’s fourth attraction. For a cosmic-horror, it delivers a fair amount of political commentary, and not much background. I would have enjoyed more of the Cthulhu lore, but it kind of ended coldly just as it was beginning to get interesting.
Fans of splatter horror and disaster fiction will likely eat this one up. It simply didn’t deliver the incomprehensible sense of mysticism typically contained within the cosmic horror genre. There were a few dream sequences and visionary mysteries within the stories, but they felt extremely fragmented. Anytime there are multiple authors working on one title, there exists the possibility of a decline in literary quality and I believe there’s a strong case of that with this work.
The pacing suffered a bit towards the end. The attempt to paint the bleak, hopeless atmosphere of a post-apocalyptic society annihilated by “The event” is done very well by each of the authors individually, but it became redundant by the novel’s fourth attraction. For a cosmic-horror, it delivers a fair amount of political commentary, and not much background. I would have enjoyed more of the Cthulhu lore, but it kind of ended coldly just as it was beginning to get interesting.
Fans of splatter horror and disaster fiction will likely eat this one up. It simply didn’t deliver the incomprehensible sense of mysticism typically contained within the cosmic horror genre. There were a few dream sequences and visionary mysteries within the stories, but they felt extremely fragmented. Anytime there are multiple authors working on one title, there exists the possibility of a decline in literary quality and I believe there’s a strong case of that with this work.
January 31, 2023
When reading a sci-fi horror, I most enjoy learning about the phenomenon happening through the eyes of the scientists. The first story just touched on the discovery process, and then focused on a woman who was very concerned with getting an abortion while the world is falling apart around her and her alcoholic ex boyfriend who is in a heroine-induced stupor. It makes no sense that the woman begins the story literally in the White House, but there is no indication that the government has even acknowledged what should clearly be a national emergency, not to mention if Texas and Arizona are practically under water from the “event” then things would most likely also be happening on the eastern seaboard. The first story was weakest of them all in my opinion.
The second and third were interesting enough and we get to learn quite a bit more about what’s happening through context, but there was still very little scientific context and we only get to see a small snapshot of what’s happening through the eyes of a few survivors. The final story made a little less sense, since it takes place in England and with the rising sea levels I feel like England would not last very long. Otherwise it was fine.
The second and third were interesting enough and we get to learn quite a bit more about what’s happening through context, but there was still very little scientific context and we only get to see a small snapshot of what’s happening through the eyes of a few survivors. The final story made a little less sense, since it takes place in England and with the rising sea levels I feel like England would not last very long. Otherwise it was fine.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 23, 2025
The Lovecraftian eschaton in four different pieces centered around the same framework; The Event wakes (or rather shoots down from space) the Great Old One and we get flashes of the consequences in what feels like a weird tribute to Left Behind with a splash of The Mist. Tentacles rise and people go away, all to the smell of ammonia. Mostly US-focused with a neat UK-focused story to round things out.
This isn't really the psychological or cosmic horror of Lovecraft's gang, it's far more splatterpunk and even ventures into roving cannibal gang The Road territory. Not that you can't do that in the Cthulhu Mythos, but go in with the right expectations. The first and last stories are the standouts for me, which also steer closer to dealing with the bigger picture of the setting.
This isn't really the psychological or cosmic horror of Lovecraft's gang, it's far more splatterpunk and even ventures into roving cannibal gang The Road territory. Not that you can't do that in the Cthulhu Mythos, but go in with the right expectations. The first and last stories are the standouts for me, which also steer closer to dealing with the bigger picture of the setting.
August 21, 2021
I loved this book. I have never read HP Lovecraft but this book was everything you love about the end of days. If you like end of world stories, this book is for you.
So the book has 4 stories by four different authors. Each story has different characters in a different place and time. All the stories are just at a different time line until the end of days.
The first story is the very beginning of the end of the world. The skies open the rains start to fall with little flooding. People are just vanishing. Shadows are being seen but what are they.
Second story is years later and the floods are getting worse. Creatures hunting humans for food. Crazy cults worshipping the creatures and a lot of cannibalism. The creatures are evolving.
Third story is many years later, and you have survivors trying to kill the creatures and move on with living in a new world. Creatures have fully evolved.
Fourth story. Years have past cars are rusted, buildings decayed and not only have the creatures evolved, but have humans evolved to? Cthulhu has risen
I will think of this book every time I eat calamari!!!
So the book has 4 stories by four different authors. Each story has different characters in a different place and time. All the stories are just at a different time line until the end of days.
The first story is the very beginning of the end of the world. The skies open the rains start to fall with little flooding. People are just vanishing. Shadows are being seen but what are they.
Second story is years later and the floods are getting worse. Creatures hunting humans for food. Crazy cults worshipping the creatures and a lot of cannibalism. The creatures are evolving.
Third story is many years later, and you have survivors trying to kill the creatures and move on with living in a new world. Creatures have fully evolved.
Fourth story. Years have past cars are rusted, buildings decayed and not only have the creatures evolved, but have humans evolved to? Cthulhu has risen
I will think of this book every time I eat calamari!!!
October 17, 2020
The four loosely linked short stories in this volume describe a world in which “the stars are right” and the old ones have returned. Cthulhu’s spawn rampage across the drowned world as civilization falls apart and strange cults rise.
As with any anthology, quality varies, but the first story was just too much for me. It was about life-destroying decisions and addictions with Lovecraftian elements as a mere backdrop/counterpoint. I guess it was clever in that it showed that realistic graphicly described human misery is more disturbing than splattery sci-fi, but the torrent of profanity, booze, drugs, vomit, adultery, abortion, theft, murder, and other human misery and self-destructive behavior was more than I wanted to read. The other three stories were fairly standard (if extra splattery) post-apocalyptic Cthulhu fare that could definitely hold their own within the genre.
As with any anthology, quality varies, but the first story was just too much for me. It was about life-destroying decisions and addictions with Lovecraftian elements as a mere backdrop/counterpoint. I guess it was clever in that it showed that realistic graphicly described human misery is more disturbing than splattery sci-fi, but the torrent of profanity, booze, drugs, vomit, adultery, abortion, theft, murder, and other human misery and self-destructive behavior was more than I wanted to read. The other three stories were fairly standard (if extra splattery) post-apocalyptic Cthulhu fare that could definitely hold their own within the genre.
November 14, 2022
Three and half stars. As with any anthology some were better than others. Ammonia was my least favorite of the four and it really pulled my rating for the set down. A Sunken Desert is a good read, but it is not really scary especially the further along the you get. The Rise and The Fall was my favourite of the four, with good pacing, steady action, interesting characters, and a very good treatment of the Cthulhu mythos. The Great Beast was my second favourite, with a lonely bleakness and hopelessness that is perfect for Lovecraftian tales. It's worth a read if you enjoy Lovecraft and horror, but it is not groundbreaking.
July 21, 2021
A collection of 4 short stories about the rise of Cthulhu by 4 different authors. All very well done, this first Ammonia, by William Holloway was my favorite as it takes place right after "The Event" and no one is sure what is happening. The next 3 are all strong but take place well after the fall of civilization and follow survivors struggling to make it.
Through the whole book the phrase in the back of my mind was "Abandon All Hope" Very dark writing but very good. I recommend if you like apocalyptic horror
Through the whole book the phrase in the back of my mind was "Abandon All Hope" Very dark writing but very good. I recommend if you like apocalyptic horror
July 8, 2024
All hail our cephalopod overlords.
This is a good example of a cosmic entity taking over our world and leaving everything in ruin.
4 stories depicting the beginning, surviving, and then the end.
Checks all the boxes for a cosmic horror. Cults✅ Monsters✅ Loss of sanity✅ Minds breaking✅
And of course….Cthulhu. As much as I would like to see a different Old One used in a story Cthulhu always gets the job done.
The last two, “The Rise and the Fall” and “The Great Beast”, are by far the best. The mind shattering end and loss of hope.
This is a good example of a cosmic entity taking over our world and leaving everything in ruin.
4 stories depicting the beginning, surviving, and then the end.
Checks all the boxes for a cosmic horror. Cults✅ Monsters✅ Loss of sanity✅ Minds breaking✅
And of course….Cthulhu. As much as I would like to see a different Old One used in a story Cthulhu always gets the job done.
The last two, “The Rise and the Fall” and “The Great Beast”, are by far the best. The mind shattering end and loss of hope.
June 2, 2025
Not enough of it was good enough to deserve a higher rating. The first story is about a character slowly devolving into drug addiction. I get that when an ancient horror pops out of the ocean and kills almost all of the population that something like this was the result. I just didn’t need to hear how he was sticking needles in his arm multiple times.
The last story was probably the best. Things are just going poorly. Lots of deaths and many you don’t want to see. In the end, no one gets out alive. This is not a spoiler. It’s the result of Cthulhu awakening.
The last story was probably the best. Things are just going poorly. Lots of deaths and many you don’t want to see. In the end, no one gets out alive. This is not a spoiler. It’s the result of Cthulhu awakening.
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