What do you think?
Rate this book
The Dark Book of Gwenna Luna: Six Dreams of the Supernatural
“There’s a lot of horrible things to be afraid of. I want to stop something. I want to save someone. I want to know I did some good, have a use. I want to say to myself, just “Bam. Good witch.” Gwenna Luna is seventeen and on the run. And she dreams of strange A child-eating giant who lives in the woods; ghosts haunting a laboratory; a valley of the undead; a magical book and Jack the Ripper‘s escape from hell… Why did Gwenna Luna seek out the help of a jaded psychiatrist to unravel these dreams? And is it wise to listen to a girl who just may be… a witch?
144 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 12, 2019
32 people are currently reading
162 people want to read
About the author
Guenther Primig
2 books12 followersGuenther Primig was born in Austria and emigrated to Los Angeles, where he lived for 17 years. His supernatural fiction has appeared in many magazines and the anthology Shades of Darkness (Ash Tree Press). He lives in Berlin. Gwenna Luna is his first book.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
June 18, 2020
I received this book thanks to @gwennaluna on Instagram, but as always, that does not interfere with my reviews.
Before developing my review, I want to say this book is so under hyped and is one many people should start reading!
We have Gwenna Luna, a girl who goes to a psychiatrist because is starting to experiment certain questions about her, the family and it seems that’s the only way she has to have someone believe in her. What does she do? She doesn’t uses a lot of words, instead she show six dreams and that is where our journey begins.
What a ride! I think it will be not fair to describe the book as a whole, because the six dreams are good in each own way, so I rather talk a bit about each one:
The Coachman: A story about a group of boys who discover an urban legend and it turns out to be truth. This is definitely at my top 3. It is the first one and how amazing it was. I think the author knew this will be where the reader decides to continue or not and I’m pretty sure you will not stop. The creepiness and the ending of this story just let me speechless. Also, there are certain scenes where your imagination will travel between colors, then black and white and then the suspense for our characters here.
Grollbein: Oh, this one I’m pretty sure was the funniest (not because it was bad, if not it represents a fear everyone had one time). A monster that scary adults more than children? Yes! I think the drama involved here and how our narrator made us feel scared is completely amazing. I enjoyed this story because of the background story we have to know our creature.
The Ardale Ghost: I think this is my least favorite and I don’t think is bad, is just that I didn’t find it that creepy as all the stories in the collection, but it fits good somehow due to the different elements the author uses in all the stories.
The Valley without Laughter: This is a must favorite! I read this story without stop. I loved the story of a “Freak Circus” coming to town and then horrible things happen. As well, our main character is what carries the story so well. The development of actions and background stories are what make this story really good.
A Pawnshop Near Whitechapel: This story reminded me of one I read from Richard Matheson. I am not saying they are the same, but it has the same vibes. I think it is very creepy and when we talk about “Pawnshops or old items”, you can be pretty sure nothing good will come from them. I think the fear of the character is transmitted through the writing and I got so desperate because as a reader, you know more than him and is impossible to help.
The Wishes Tree: This is out last story and I think it gives a proper ending to the story. I am not pretty sure if it is as good as the previous one, but it is pretty interesting perhaps.
The book says there will be a second part, so I am really excited to see what will happen with Gwenna and if we will have the same type of stories or it will just focus on her. Totally recommended if you love gothic and fairy tales.
Before developing my review, I want to say this book is so under hyped and is one many people should start reading!
We have Gwenna Luna, a girl who goes to a psychiatrist because is starting to experiment certain questions about her, the family and it seems that’s the only way she has to have someone believe in her. What does she do? She doesn’t uses a lot of words, instead she show six dreams and that is where our journey begins.
What a ride! I think it will be not fair to describe the book as a whole, because the six dreams are good in each own way, so I rather talk a bit about each one:
The Coachman: A story about a group of boys who discover an urban legend and it turns out to be truth. This is definitely at my top 3. It is the first one and how amazing it was. I think the author knew this will be where the reader decides to continue or not and I’m pretty sure you will not stop. The creepiness and the ending of this story just let me speechless. Also, there are certain scenes where your imagination will travel between colors, then black and white and then the suspense for our characters here.
Grollbein: Oh, this one I’m pretty sure was the funniest (not because it was bad, if not it represents a fear everyone had one time). A monster that scary adults more than children? Yes! I think the drama involved here and how our narrator made us feel scared is completely amazing. I enjoyed this story because of the background story we have to know our creature.
The Ardale Ghost: I think this is my least favorite and I don’t think is bad, is just that I didn’t find it that creepy as all the stories in the collection, but it fits good somehow due to the different elements the author uses in all the stories.
The Valley without Laughter: This is a must favorite! I read this story without stop. I loved the story of a “Freak Circus” coming to town and then horrible things happen. As well, our main character is what carries the story so well. The development of actions and background stories are what make this story really good.
A Pawnshop Near Whitechapel: This story reminded me of one I read from Richard Matheson. I am not saying they are the same, but it has the same vibes. I think it is very creepy and when we talk about “Pawnshops or old items”, you can be pretty sure nothing good will come from them. I think the fear of the character is transmitted through the writing and I got so desperate because as a reader, you know more than him and is impossible to help.
The Wishes Tree: This is out last story and I think it gives a proper ending to the story. I am not pretty sure if it is as good as the previous one, but it is pretty interesting perhaps.
The book says there will be a second part, so I am really excited to see what will happen with Gwenna and if we will have the same type of stories or it will just focus on her. Totally recommended if you love gothic and fairy tales.
March 10, 2020
A Huge Thank You to @gwennaluna
For sending me this debut. I feel that this was underhyped and deserves much more attention.
🖤
I finished up this little beauty this morning. Are you a fan of Dark Fairy Tales? I believe many of you would love and appreciate Guenther Primig's work. He is Brilliant!
🖤
Seventeen year old Gwenna Luna, who may have some witchy abilities, shows up to a psychiatrist office for help. She shows the Doctor six of her haunting dreams, making him begin to question his own reality at times. What is the purpose of her showing these dreams to him? What are her intentions? Or is she just really good at projecting her psychosis onto others? Go grab this on kindle and find out people! It's just over 100 pages and I'd love to hear your thoughts. 😉
🖤
It's so hard to choose a favorite story. They were all so different and I really enjoyed each one.
Grollbein was a lot of fun for me. I'll be warning my children to watch out for him if they are too loud at night. I'm kidding. I want them to sleep and not be terrified.
The Valley Without Laughter was another I absolutely loved.
I could just list them all one by one.
🖤
I really like the concept of each story being someone's dream. Each a little spooky mix with mystery while leaving room for your own imagination to run wild. His writing style made it very easy to visualize what was happening and I look forward to reading more by this talented Author, hopefully soon. Thank You.
🖤
For sending me this debut. I feel that this was underhyped and deserves much more attention.
🖤
I finished up this little beauty this morning. Are you a fan of Dark Fairy Tales? I believe many of you would love and appreciate Guenther Primig's work. He is Brilliant!
🖤
Seventeen year old Gwenna Luna, who may have some witchy abilities, shows up to a psychiatrist office for help. She shows the Doctor six of her haunting dreams, making him begin to question his own reality at times. What is the purpose of her showing these dreams to him? What are her intentions? Or is she just really good at projecting her psychosis onto others? Go grab this on kindle and find out people! It's just over 100 pages and I'd love to hear your thoughts. 😉
🖤
It's so hard to choose a favorite story. They were all so different and I really enjoyed each one.
Grollbein was a lot of fun for me. I'll be warning my children to watch out for him if they are too loud at night. I'm kidding. I want them to sleep and not be terrified.
The Valley Without Laughter was another I absolutely loved.
I could just list them all one by one.
🖤
I really like the concept of each story being someone's dream. Each a little spooky mix with mystery while leaving room for your own imagination to run wild. His writing style made it very easy to visualize what was happening and I look forward to reading more by this talented Author, hopefully soon. Thank You.
🖤
November 16, 2020
Glenna Who?
Its sort of a fun book, I will say. Each one of the stories is good dark creepiness and they are all relatively interesting. My biggest issue is that they don't come together in a cohesive manner. What was the main story in this anthology? Often the transition from dream to reality didn't go too well. The last story ended so terribly and I still don't understand what happened?
Its sort of a fun book, I will say. Each one of the stories is good dark creepiness and they are all relatively interesting. My biggest issue is that they don't come together in a cohesive manner. What was the main story in this anthology? Often the transition from dream to reality didn't go too well. The last story ended so terribly and I still don't understand what happened?
March 31, 2020
A collection of six stylish ghost stories, in the tradition of M.R. James. While each story stands solidly on its own, the protagonist, Gwenna Luna, ties all of the spooky tales together in an intriguing frame. Can't wait to read more!
January 30, 2021
Mezmering and spooky! I'm so glad to finally find a contemporary author with great ghost stories! I really enjoy the format with the main story that links all the short stories together, it definitely reminded me of Sheridan Le Fanu in the best way. The rhythm of the stories is catchy and the descriptions make it easy to picture yourself in the middle of the action. The dialogues are lively and realistic. Another bonus: the illustrations!
January 14, 2021
Such a fun collection of genuinely frightening stories!
September 30, 2020
review to come
May 1, 2020
Charmingly creepy and a beautiful read at the same time. Leaves you with a sense of mystery, in anticipation for the next book.
December 29, 2019
Breezed through this one. Really liked it, and because they're short stories it made it easy to just read one of the 'dreams' whenever I had a bit of time. Not that I didn't just binge read more than half of the book on the day I started it, mind you. If you're expecting all the answers at the end of a novel, maybe this isn't for you, but if you love mystery and the right amount of horror, this is perfect. It gave me just enough information about the characters and the lore in each story to make my imagination run wild, thinking about what else the story's universe might hold.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and it broke me right out of the reading rut I'd been having.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and it broke me right out of the reading rut I'd been having.
January 25, 2020
Loved it!
What a wonderful collection of supernatural tales. Each of them meticulously written. Gwenna Luna's dreams are terrifying and haunting. 2 of my favourites were The Coachman and The Ardale Ghost. The latter is actually making me imagine something standing at the corner of my vision. I guess I will not sleep tonight. Really enjoyed reading this book. Looking forward to more of this!
What a wonderful collection of supernatural tales. Each of them meticulously written. Gwenna Luna's dreams are terrifying and haunting. 2 of my favourites were The Coachman and The Ardale Ghost. The latter is actually making me imagine something standing at the corner of my vision. I guess I will not sleep tonight. Really enjoyed reading this book. Looking forward to more of this!
June 28, 2022
This was amazing. I often have a harder time getting into short stories but I loved every single one of these. The atmosphere in each of the stories was creepy and fantastic! I can’t wait for the next book!
October 9, 2024
One of the like 7-14 books I read when on vacation in July in Northport, MI - I brought this because I thought it was a comic book, and it is not. (The size and shape and formatting of it is 100% like a graphic novel, and there are a few illustrations but... otherwise it's just very plain/low quality typed pages - kinda odd.)
It's got a weird bookend story about a young woman who thinks she is a witch, or her mother was a witch, visiting a psychologist, and telling him tales from the "dark book" her mother left her which... will prove she's a witch? or her mother was? or she's not crazy? I think she just shows up at his offices w/ a random appointment so like... he doesn't care? She's not trying to keep herself from being committed. If I remember, there might be something about prophecy and warning the doctor of something - like that was the reason she came to him? At one point she mentions something like, just wanting to be good, or using her powers for good for a change.
This book didn't make a lot of sense, I'm not gonna lie. And, I think the individual stories inside the bookends were... meh. If they had been great, I would have cared less that the bookend was a bit nonsensical or pointless (I mean, who really likes bookends anyway - at best they are too cheesy and emotionally manipulative, or just, an attempt to over-explain what you didn't show somehow in the novel or whatever.) I also think that if it HAD been a comic book, I would have been a lot more forgiving. As it is neither of those things, 2 stars. (I also use the tag "horror" somewhat lightly - the tales are clearly meant to be spooky, but they are also pretty far from horrific, mostly.)
It's got a weird bookend story about a young woman who thinks she is a witch, or her mother was a witch, visiting a psychologist, and telling him tales from the "dark book" her mother left her which... will prove she's a witch? or her mother was? or she's not crazy? I think she just shows up at his offices w/ a random appointment so like... he doesn't care? She's not trying to keep herself from being committed. If I remember, there might be something about prophecy and warning the doctor of something - like that was the reason she came to him? At one point she mentions something like, just wanting to be good, or using her powers for good for a change.
This book didn't make a lot of sense, I'm not gonna lie. And, I think the individual stories inside the bookends were... meh. If they had been great, I would have cared less that the bookend was a bit nonsensical or pointless (I mean, who really likes bookends anyway - at best they are too cheesy and emotionally manipulative, or just, an attempt to over-explain what you didn't show somehow in the novel or whatever.) I also think that if it HAD been a comic book, I would have been a lot more forgiving. As it is neither of those things, 2 stars. (I also use the tag "horror" somewhat lightly - the tales are clearly meant to be spooky, but they are also pretty far from horrific, mostly.)
December 28, 2021
"There's a lot of things to be afraid of," she finally said. "There's a lot of horrible things to be afraid of. I want to stop something. I want to save someone. I want to know I did some good, have a use. I want to say to myself, just once: "Bam. Good witch."
This anthology of horror stories was a Christmas gift from Tania and I devoured it in two sittings.
Gwenna Luna is a seventeen year old runaway who turns up out of the blue at a psychiatrist's office. She claims her mother was a witch and killed her father and she keeps saying "help". Despite having no insurance or address, the psychiatrist is intrigued and decides to probe her for some more information before deciding whether to treat her for free or not.
However, things soon take a strange turn when Gwenna claims she is also a witch and that she has dreams which turn out to be true events from the past. Taking out her spell book, she shows the psychiatrist her dreams, literally transporting his mind so her experience of the dream is repeated in him.
There are 6 dreams in all, each a horrific tale. We meet a dwarf whose friend is a vampire, the spirit of Jack the Ripper, escaped from hell, a ghost in a chemistry laboratory, and a child stealing giant, amongst others. Their meaning seemingly lost to the psychiatrist, as he becomes more and more jaded with each experience.
What is Gwenna Luna trying to achieve? What 'help' does she seek? Dive into this stunning first book to find out! 5 stars.
This anthology of horror stories was a Christmas gift from Tania and I devoured it in two sittings.
Gwenna Luna is a seventeen year old runaway who turns up out of the blue at a psychiatrist's office. She claims her mother was a witch and killed her father and she keeps saying "help". Despite having no insurance or address, the psychiatrist is intrigued and decides to probe her for some more information before deciding whether to treat her for free or not.
However, things soon take a strange turn when Gwenna claims she is also a witch and that she has dreams which turn out to be true events from the past. Taking out her spell book, she shows the psychiatrist her dreams, literally transporting his mind so her experience of the dream is repeated in him.
There are 6 dreams in all, each a horrific tale. We meet a dwarf whose friend is a vampire, the spirit of Jack the Ripper, escaped from hell, a ghost in a chemistry laboratory, and a child stealing giant, amongst others. Their meaning seemingly lost to the psychiatrist, as he becomes more and more jaded with each experience.
What is Gwenna Luna trying to achieve? What 'help' does she seek? Dive into this stunning first book to find out! 5 stars.
May 27, 2020
It contains six stories that Gwenna Luna saw and wanted to tell – or rather show - Dr. Wilson. All six short tales are interesting and spooky in their own way. My favorite is definitely Grollbein. Something about kids talking to someone – a giant who eats children in this case – outside their window really freaks me out. I could just imagine it staring at me from my window while i’m lying down on my bed. My second favorite would be The Coachman because of how Guenther Primig described the scenario and the idea of the character being transported from present day to the Victorian Era (is it Victorian??) was so unnerving for me. There are scenes in the book so grotesque and good that I actually wish someone could make Gwenna Luna’s story into a short film or tv series. It would definitely scare a whole bunch of kids and adults alike.
I have an in depth review in my blog (unravelthestory.wordpress.com) if you're interested to read it!
I have an in depth review in my blog (unravelthestory.wordpress.com) if you're interested to read it!
February 21, 2021
If you love crime, horror, and suspense then Gwenna Luna is the book for you. From the moment the main character is introduced, I was instantly intrigued. As the first chapter skillfully pulls you in, it is when the doctor was sucked into the book of dreams, I took the deep dive with him.
I highly recommend this book and I dare you not to binge read it while quaranteening. I chose to pace myself and even reread chapters because there is so much hidden in the text.
This is definitely a good read!
I highly recommend this book and I dare you not to binge read it while quaranteening. I chose to pace myself and even reread chapters because there is so much hidden in the text.
This is definitely a good read!
May 9, 2020
The Dark Book of Gwenna Luna is read like a feverish, cold-sweating dream - dreamt up by an author with envy-inducing creativity and imagination. With playful and suspenseful strokes, one line takes (or demands) the next, drawing you into a layered multiverse of horror and gore mixed with curiosity and care.
An entertaining horror-stories-for-grownups book you have been longing for, but never knew you needed. Now you do. Get it! Read it! Preferably with the lights on...
An entertaining horror-stories-for-grownups book you have been longing for, but never knew you needed. Now you do. Get it! Read it! Preferably with the lights on...
January 1, 2024
Intriguing and well written tales of the supernatural
My next book will be the 2nd Gwenna Luna book, since this 1st one was quite good! There are short stories connected by a framing device (the storyteller sits in a doctor’s office), and each story is gripping and engaging. These are encounters with the evil unknown, and they read like a slightly less bloody Clive Barker, or even Tales from the Crypt.
My next book will be the 2nd Gwenna Luna book, since this 1st one was quite good! There are short stories connected by a framing device (the storyteller sits in a doctor’s office), and each story is gripping and engaging. These are encounters with the evil unknown, and they read like a slightly less bloody Clive Barker, or even Tales from the Crypt.
October 7, 2020
With autumn and winter around the corner, this is the perfect book to accompany you! Guenther Primig has a way with words that is unmatched, and each one of the short stories will send chills up your spine - in the best possible sense! I was lucky enough to attend a live reading by Guenther earlier this year, which I would also highly recommend if you get the opportunity.
October 24, 2020
Six great stories, held together nicely
One of the problems I often find when reading books with short stories, is that not all of them are good, we get a couple of good stories, a couple bad stories, and the others mediocre at best, but this one keeps the same level all through the book, and all of them are good.
All the stories are connected through Luna Gwenna as she shows them to a doctor. Each has different characters, take place in different places and shows different kinds of fears. In some the people get rescued, in some they are lost, but they are all good.
One of the problems I often find when reading books with short stories, is that not all of them are good, we get a couple of good stories, a couple bad stories, and the others mediocre at best, but this one keeps the same level all through the book, and all of them are good.
All the stories are connected through Luna Gwenna as she shows them to a doctor. Each has different characters, take place in different places and shows different kinds of fears. In some the people get rescued, in some they are lost, but they are all good.
March 12, 2020
I can highly recommend this extraordinary book, I enjoyed every page. As well the wonderful illustrations, which makes it just perfect also as a gift for friends.
I cant wait till the next book comes out:-)))
I cant wait till the next book comes out:-)))
December 22, 2022
I was lucky enough to receive a copy of this book at a reading held in Berlin, in which I participated; Guenther Primig read from both this and the second book, after which I went home and gobbled up the rest, reading it at night to ease me into the eerie and wonderful world of slumber.
The stories are dark little delights, my personal favourites being The Valley without Laughter and A Pawnshop Near Whitechapel. Second book is already available too - go immerse yourself! Perfect for those wintery months..
The stories are dark little delights, my personal favourites being The Valley without Laughter and A Pawnshop Near Whitechapel. Second book is already available too - go immerse yourself! Perfect for those wintery months..
December 9, 2023
The dark book of Gwenna Luna is an absolutely brilliant collection of six very dark short tales.
The stories are all highly original and well written.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone that enjoys the weird and macabre.
The stories are all highly original and well written.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone that enjoys the weird and macabre.
January 30, 2020
Fascinating and engaging read for those who appreciate the genre . Mysterious short stories elegantly written by the author . Great debut , highly recommended
April 20, 2020
What a great book of amazingly written short stories. I enjoyed every page. Waiting for next one.
June 14, 2020
I loved this book so much! Every single story was incredibly well written and the way they were connected via Gwenna visiting the Psychiatrist was genius. I cannot wait to read more by this author
October 31, 2020
Gwenna Luna
For a bewitchingly good read and a trip to a slanted land, get ‘Gwenna Luna’ forthwith.
Günther Primig’s first novel features the highly intriguing Gwenna and her mysterious dreams that first peak the interest of, then captivate, then capture her specially-chosen psychiatrist, the hapless August Wilson. Engaging the flimsy borders between the time zones of our world, the novel draws you in right from the first page and soon renders you as helplessly entrapped as the good doctor himself.
Weaving skillfully from character to character to an enticingly odd dream-realm and back to a skewed present, Primig creates a mood-state that will satisfy any reader with a penchant for the mysteriously obscure.
The style is masterly, the language precise, not one word out of place – qualities adhering to the dicta of E.A. Poe.
Can’t wait for the forthcoming sequel !
George Vance
For a bewitchingly good read and a trip to a slanted land, get ‘Gwenna Luna’ forthwith.
Günther Primig’s first novel features the highly intriguing Gwenna and her mysterious dreams that first peak the interest of, then captivate, then capture her specially-chosen psychiatrist, the hapless August Wilson. Engaging the flimsy borders between the time zones of our world, the novel draws you in right from the first page and soon renders you as helplessly entrapped as the good doctor himself.
Weaving skillfully from character to character to an enticingly odd dream-realm and back to a skewed present, Primig creates a mood-state that will satisfy any reader with a penchant for the mysteriously obscure.
The style is masterly, the language precise, not one word out of place – qualities adhering to the dicta of E.A. Poe.
Can’t wait for the forthcoming sequel !
George Vance
February 1, 2021
A truly gripping read for lovers of restrained yet effective spooks!
February 28, 2021
Captivating and underrated with a pinch of eeriness. Hoping to read more works like this from the author.
March 11, 2021
Excellent book. Great illustrations. Recommended
August 26, 2021
3.75 rounded up. A fun book of semi-scary stories that took a fe unexpected turns. Read it in my hammock while camping. Worth the time spent.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews