Deluge: The Conqueror Worms II

The Earthworm Gods #2

by Brian Keene

The sequel to Conqueror Worms. Free serialized e-novel.

Genres: Horror, Lovecraftian, Fiction, Post Apocalyptic, Ebooks, Monsters, Science Fiction

ebook

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

BRIAN KEENE writes novels, comic books, short fiction, and occasional journalism for money. He is the author of over forty books, mostly in the horror, crime, and dark fantasy genres. His 2003 novel, The Rising, is often credited (along with Robert Kirkman’s The Walking Dead comic and Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later film) with inspiring pop culture’s current interest in zombies. Keene’s novels have been translated into German, Spanish, Polish, Italian, French, Taiwanese, and many more. In addition to his own original work, Keene has written for media properties such as Doctor Who, Hellboy, Masters of the Universe, and Superman.

Several of Keene’s novels have been developed for film, including Ghoul, The Ties That Bind, and Fast Zombies Suck. Several more are in-development or under option. Keene also serves as Executive Producer for the independent film studio Drunken Tentacle Productions.

Keene also oversees Maelstrom, his own small press publishing imprint specializing in collectible limited editions, via Thunderstorm Books.

Keene’s work has been praised in such diverse places as The New York Times, The History Channel, The Howard Stern Show, CNN.com, Publisher’s Weekly, Media Bistro, Fangoria Magazine, and Rue Morgue Magazine. He has won numerous awards and honors, including the World Horror 2014 Grand Master Award, two Bram Stoker Awards, and a recognition from Whiteman A.F.B. (home of the B-2 Stealth Bomber) for his outreach to U.S. troops serving both overseas and abroad. A prolific public speaker, Keene has delivered talks at conventions, college campuses, theaters, and inside Central Intelligence Agency headquarters in Langley, VA.

The father of two sons, Keene lives in rural Pennsylvania.

Reviews

[Fabiano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oggi vi parlo della dilogia “Vermi conquistatori” di Brian Keene. Ma chi è costui? Brian Keene è uno scrittore Americano dalla penna assai prolifica. E che genere scrive? Prevalentemente Horror e Dark Fantasy.

Leggere Brian Keene è come scolarsi un birrone gelato in piena estate, una goduria (se siete astemi, sostituite “birrone gelato” con ciò che più vi aggrada). Niente di mirabolante, ma la sua penna è scorrevolissima, capace di trasportare il lettore dalla prima all’ultima parola.

La serie “Vermi conquistatori” presenta ai nostri occhi strabuzzati un mondo colpito da piogge incessanti. Un diluvio universale e apocalittico che ha portato al collasso sociale. Coste, città e pianure sono scomparse, inghiottite dall’acqua che, giorno dopo giorno, continua a salire inesorabilmente. I sopravvissuti hanno trovato rifugio sulla sommità delle montagne o in cima ai grattacieli.

Questo fenomeno climatico non è naturale, dalla terra emergono mastodontici vermi carnivori, creature assetate di sangue dominano i mari, una malevola muffa bianca inizia a diffondersi ovunque, antichi culti riprendono vita, entità innominabili osservano celate nell’ombra…

Il cast di personaggi messo in scena da Keene è ben caratterizzato e approfondito, i protagonisti sono verosimili e suscitano un forte senso di empatia. Lo stile è fresco e pulito, capace di alternare momenti di ironia a momenti di puro orrore e tensione. Le atmosfere sono di forte impatto emotivo, grazie a una prosa ricca e avvincente.

In Brian Keene troverete un po’ di tutto, dal Pulp al Weird Lovecraftiano, dai B-Movie alla cultura Horror anni ‘80/’90. Un mix che funziona, diverte e intrattiene, perfetto per gli amanti del genere e per chiunque voglia approcciare questo tipo di letteratura.

[Kenneth McKinley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although sequels are rarely as good as the original, Earthworm Gods II: Deluge was close. Keene follows the same format as the first book. The first third takes us back to the flooding mountain in West Virginia where we're introduced to Henry, who is trapped in the top of a grain silo and escapes to meet up with our survivors from the first Earthworm Gods. In the second third, we meet another band of survivors in a catamaran yacht. The two parties meet up with each in the climactic last third of the book. Along the way, we're greeted to more Lovecraftian-inspired monsters and themes as Earthworm Gods II evolves from a monster movie feel to one of a Lovecraft-inspired world of fantasy. Keene also ties in LeHorn's Hollow from his book, Dark Hollow, as well as slight references to characters in his zombie novels The Rising and City of the Dead. The only downside, to me, were the characters. While Keene still delivered the goods, the characters in the first EG, Teddy and Carl, were superb. Unfortunately, I didn't connect with the characters in EG II as much as I did with the ones in the first one. That's not saying that the characterization was poor. It's more of a tribute to how good those two were in the first story. All in all, I'm liking what Keene is doing with his saga and can't wait to jump into the next one to see where it leads.

4 out of 5 stars


You can also follow my reviews at the following links:

https://kenmckinley.wordpress.com

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A2J1...

TWITTER - @KenMcKinley5

[Badseedgirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Added to TBR List May 2022
Read as part of the Gagents of Chaos 2023 Challenge on Facebook. - Brian Keene

It is not all that often that I enjoy a second book in a trilogy. Most of the time they are just a bridge between the first and the third book. And I guess technically, Earth Worm Gods II is part of a trilogy on name only. It appears as though the last book in the series Earthworm Gods: Selected Scenes from the End of the World is in reality a short story collection set in the same level (world) as the first two books. Regardless, I enjoyed this book quite a bit more then the first one. I knew what I was expecting this time around. I knew I would be dealing with way more than just giant worms, and the wildness only got more wild with this second book in the series.

I am intrigued by Mr. Keene’s other works, because apparently, they are all interconnected. Although I really did not care for his zombie works, The Rising, I might try and go back and read them again…. At some point.

Mr. Keene really enjoys killing off characters, and animals, and kids, and lovable old coots, and all life on planet Earth except 3 people. He took, “you don’t kill the dog” and kicked that bitch to the curb. Although when I think about it, He did not actually kill any dogs on the pages, it was just heavily implied. I was thrilled by how much I enjoyed this tale. I look forward to reading his short story collection next.

[Iophil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ho voluto provare con il secondo di questa serie, perché col primo avevo avuto un rapporto un po' tormentato. Mi erano piaciute molto l'ambientazione, l'idea e l'atmosfera, ma avevo avuto qualche problema in più con la caratterizzazione dei personaggi e lo stile in generale, che avevo trovato un po' pesante e proprio poco coinvolgente.

Tutto sommato questo secondo mi ha appassionato di più (quindi penso di passare dalle 2 alle 3 stelline), ma c'è qualcosa che continua a non convincermi... Non so neanche bene come definirlo.
In certe situazioni il comportamento e i dialoghi dei personaggi mi sono sembrati fuori posto, rispetto alla situazione che stanno vivendo (cosa che avevo notato anche nel primo). Penso sia proprio una questione personale, evidentemente io e lo stile di Keene non andiamo propriamente d'accordo, per quanto riguarda in particolare la gestione dei personaggi.
Inoltre, anche alcune "coincidenze" e scelte narrative, per quanto funzionali alla trama, fanno un po' cadere la sospensione dell'incredulità.

Detto questo, Keene secondo me è un buon scrittore. Il romanzo è accattivante, riesce a creare molto bene l'atmosfera peculiarmente apocalittica e c'è anche un po' di sano schifidume che non fa mai male! :D Secondo me una degna conclusione per il primo capitolo!

Credo sia una buona lettura, che io non ho apprezzato appieno più per un problema mio che per effettive mancanze del libro. Quindi agli appassionati di horror sovrannaturale, postapocalittico e con un pizzico di splatter mi sento di consigliare sia questo sia il primo volume: I vermi conquistatori!

[John Ibarzabal · Rating 5 out of 5]

So yeah people praise G.R.R. Martin, and how he is so ruthless and kills characters that you love, with no care to your poor heart, but hear me... Brian Keene KILLS WORLDS.

He is one of my favorite Horror authors, and man, when you start to read one of his books, forget about HOPE.

I will not spoil the story, and in order to read this one, you need to read the first book otherwise you will feel very disconnected to the situation the world is going in.

If you are a fan of H.P. Lovecraft´s Chutlhu Mythos, Earthworm Gods (both the previous book and this one) is for you.

This is a modern take in that mythos, a more bloody, violent and in your face take, and man, what a ride.

Just remember:

"Leave hope outside, before entering this world"

[Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A remarkable sequel that is just as good if not better than the first book, the ending was perfect and the story addictive. This is a must read is you’ve read the first book, if you haven’t yet do yourself a favour and give it a go!

[Adam Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brian Keene has taken his rightful place in my top five authors (not just horror authors) after reading this one. It wasn't perfect, but Deluge seemlessly carries on

the tale of The Conqueror Worms which was my first Keene read. First of all, I always love stories where the weather is a factor in the story. Sure, it is more about

the creatures that came after the rain had fallen for a while and the people who are still struggling to survive, but I always love the atmosphere of novels like this.

Everything is gray, muddy, gloomy, hopeless... a perfect setting for a horror novel. Also, Keene refrains from making some or all of his characters curse with every

other word. I am sure I have already made this point but I am not against a little of Carlin's bad words in books, especially horror novels. But it when it is fucking

all fuck the fucking goat-shitting fucker time bitch fuckdoodle, it gets to be not only annoying, but more fake seeming than a B-movie from the nineties. Bad dialog

will almost always ruin a book for me but Keene doesn't let it ruin this one. It does pop up every once in a while, but it is easy to deal with. The only thing that

some may complain about is that the ending might seem a bit rushed but I loved it. I hope that this and The Conqueror Worms are slammed together to make one 600 or so

page novel. If this happened, I bet a lot of folks would give it five stars.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

As much as I loved Earthworm Gods (it was actually called Conqueror Worms when I read it for the first time) I enjoyed the sequel even more.

Why?

Because Keene has come a long way since he wrote that first book. Many other great books followed, and, even more, the Keeneverse is much more fleshed out now. As someone who has read almost everything the guy has written, minus the really hard to get limited editions, I loved how he ties this fantastic story in with his other works.

I am a bit in awe of how massive (and consistent) his mythology has become. I read somewhere that someone has mapped it all out and keeps track of all the references and cross connections and I believe it. There are tie-ins to a dozen other works.

Ok, back to EG2.

Picks up right where EG (or CW if you read it a while ago) left off. We blend some old characters with a bunch of new ones and we are finally sat down and told exactly how bad the situation, which we already knew was really really bad, is. Bleak doesn’t begin to describe it. Magical forces are at work and it most likely is waaay too late to do much about it.

The creatures get nastier, the creepiness gets amped up. We rush head long through a melting world hoping against hope to reach some place or portal of safety that may not even exist.

How long can you tread water while trying not to think of what hungry thing is rushing up below you?

[Lisa Sandberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a great sequel!

I was so pulled into this book, that I felt as if I was there with them. The whole time I read Part 1 of this book I was itching all over...soft...white fuzz...soft.

What caused all this and what is happening to Earth is finally explained, what the worms part in it all was, along with all the sea creatures. Amazing imagination and writing by Keene.

I really got to know the characters, even the new ones, and was so rooting for the survivors to make it. Even teared up when some didn't make it. :(

As the book came to an end, I wanted more, more, more!

I read this and the first book as a group buddy read with some good friends and awesome people. We have had a blast. :)

I am a big fan of post- apocalyptic books and I must say these two books are on my favorites list. Highly recommended!!

[Adam Light · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not only a worthy follow-up to the first book, but it may even be slightly better than it.
Brian Keene writes end-of-the-world scenarios with a vengeance. His characters, for the most part, are drawn realistically. Will certainly be checking out many more of his books, especially since there apparently is a mythos that ties many of them together. Having read precious few of Keene's books, I still recognized plenty of the material from Darkness on the Edge of Town.

[B. Kirby · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great sequel to the franchise. Lots of nods to his other books and just all around classic Keene writing. Full of new creatures and unexpected twists. All around fun adventure when reading but definitely wouldn’t want to be there.

[Иван Величков · Rating 3 out of 5]

Много добро продължение на първата книга, което отговаря на всички въпроси поставени в нея и докарва нещата до типично грандиозен завършек. Също така заплита сюжета в огромната мултивселена на останалите произведения на автора, което вече му е запазена марка и отново прави реверанс към Лъвкрафт, като този път директно свързва единият от тринадесетте - Левитан - с образа на Ктхулу.

Книгата е безплатен електронен роман-подарък за феновете на Кийн, който е писан по една глава на седмица в продължение на близо три години. И точно тук, в този дикенсов прийом започват проблемите. Както е типично за такива издания, където частите са по-внимателно работени от цялото, има пълнеж, копиране на стари идеи, напъване на сюжета и една неволна липса на динамика в сюжетното развитие, чак до един пресилен финал за компенсация.

Романът следва структурата на предшественика си, като отново е разделен на три части.

В първата, единствените двама оцелели след чудовищния сблъсък с Бехемот - Сара и Кевин, продължават да правят всичко възможно да оцелеят и макар точно този представител на тринадесетте древни да се е разкарал от тази равнина на съществуване, братчето му Левитан продължава да се опитва да я слее със своята Велика Бездна с помощта на бялата плесен, която превзема и втечнява всяка жива и нежива материя.

Във втората час се сблъскваме с група оцелели хора, пътуващи на кораб, чиято бройка всекидневно е смалявана от изродите на Левитан - русалки-вампири, хора морски звезди, хора акули, летящи пирани, бронирани раци и всякаква друга гад. Сушата също е все по-малко(пороите от първата книга не са спирали и за секунда), което намалява запасите им от... всичко, включително психика. На всичкото от горе, половината група прави метеж и оставя няколко човека да се оправят в малка лодка насред обгърналия цялата планета океан и кошмарните му обитатели.

В третата час тези две групи се събират и с малко обещание за магическа помощ от неочаквано място си възвръщат надеждата и желанието за живот. Само трябва да се изправят срещу самия велик Левитан. А Земята? - Точно това и проявление е обречено да се слее с Великата Бездна и нищо не може да го спаси.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the first book, The Conqueror Worms, the protagonist, Teddy Garnett really made the book for me. And his nut case neighbor, Earl. Earth Worm Gods II: Deluge (I kinda get bugged when they go switching titles on me) picked up right where the last one left off, and some new creatures from 'The Great Deep' make their appearance. So, yes, there's still a whole lot of rain, and Brian Keene's merciless bleakness, but I love how the characters keep on truckin', or should I say, floatin'. Oh, sure they get pretty beleaguered, but there's an interesting character who comes forward and helps to explain things, helps give just a tiny, minuscule sliver of hope for our soggy protagonists. I highly recommend this book to those who loved the first one. It's just damn good entertainment, and this one helps to sort of explain the situation a little better. Definitely gonna read 'Selected Stories', and some other Brian Keene books.

[Lenny V. · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Vermi Conquistatori 2 - Diluvio” di Brian Keene parte da dove si era interrotto il primo volume, con i protagonisti che vagano in un mondo ormai completamente sommerso dall’acqua e martoriato da piogge interrotte. Non esiste un luogo sicuro, le acque sono popolate da creature terrificanti e mortali, quel poco di terre emerse rimaste sono infestate da un fungo che infetta ed assorbe qualsiasi cosa.
Keene spinge il lettore, pagina dopo pagina, grazie ad una scrittura diretta, frizzante e a frasi brevi, a seguire senza sosta le imprese dei personaggi costantemente coinvolti in una corsa senza speranza attraverso un mondo che non ha più possibilità di salvezza, in una continua fuga dalla follia e dalla paura di morire in modi orribili e dolorosi.
Gli amanti dell’horror, del weird, di Lovecraft e della letteratura a cui ha dato origine troveranno in “Vermi Conquistatori 2 - Diluvio” un’insana fonte di divertimento.

[Sotiris Kosmas · Rating 1 out of 5]

Such a disappointment of a book. The first 200 pages (2/3) are fine and more of the same, meaning if you liked Conqueror Worms 1, you'll like this as well. But then the author starts explaining the mystery behind it all. You can only suspend your disbelief so much before it reaches breaking point. As if the mermaids and the shark men were not bad enough as monsters, the Black Lodge is introduced and it all falls completely apart in a farce. Such a shame since the author can clearly spin a yarn when he focuses on the personal horror

[Germán Landart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one. Way better than the first one, even when the first one was great. I love how he describes his characters, it's sort of like you know them by the end of the book.

Me encantó. Mucho mejor que el primero, incluso cuando el primero fue genial. Amo como describe a sus personajes, es como si los conocieras para el final del libro.

[Todd Condit · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the universe (aka level) that this and its predecessor live in. The creatures are great, the mythology solid, and it's a quick read. Obviously read Part 1 first.

[Ivanhoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me gusto la referencia a Cthulhu.

[Jeremy Maddux · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished Earthworm Gods earlier this year, floored by what I just read, and the afterword by Brian Keene explaining some of his stylistic/storytelling choices, as well as the battle over proper marketing of his baby. Apparently, the vision the marketing department had trumped his own vision, which would have been much more in line with the story he set out to tell. Then, Jeff Burk came along, and rescued the Conqueror Worms from obscurity, re-releasing it through his Eraserhead Press imprint: Deadite Press.

The story of Earthworm Gods 2: The Deluge picks up where the original left off, only focusing on the characters who decided to set out on their own for the radio tower to look for help. It is framed in much the same way as the original Earthworm Gods, in that the first half is from one character's perspective, then the second half contains a new character detailing their exploits, and how they came to meet the original main character. This approach is not unlike the one H.G. Wells used in War of the Worlds, a huge inspiration for Mr. Keene's magnum opus here.

While I reveled in the continuation of the series, I have to scratch my head at the choice of introducing the supernatural into the equation. I rather liked the idea of never fully knowing what was behind the giant earthworms, the shark men and sirens. I was actually a bit disappointed to find it one huge nod to the Cthulhu Mythos, but this decision aside, I can totally understand why Brian Keene went in this direction.

Fans of Walking Dead should have no problem embracing these books of bareboned survivalist horror.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know, I know, you're thinking, "Why on earth would anyone read a book called Earth Worm Gods II: Deluge? Well, first off, there were a lot of unanswered questions in Earthworm Gods I (which was actually titled The Conquerer Worms when I read it a few years back. Second, sometimes I just need to chill, mentally, and books like this serve that purpose. This is the literary equivalent of Creature Double Feature, the old Saturday morning monster show from my youth. I've read about ten of Brian Keene's books, and I always enjoy them. They are fun! Lots and lots of monsters, lots and lots of 'this is the way the world ends,' lots and lots of action. I especially enjoy the mythology he's developed that connects all of his stories together: levels and clickers and the Thirteen...oh my!

I gave up reading horror some time ago since I had gone through everything that was good, and found what was being published to be boring or entirely rote. Brian Keene is one of, if not the only, horror author who I still regularly read. Look, this isn't Jonathan Franzen, but it's competently written, highly entertaining, and--in my opinion--honorably produced. Brian Keene knows he's not going to win a Pulitzer, but he makes damn sure that he writes a rip-snorting horror yarn that fans like me can sink their teeth in to.

Very enjoyable. Four stars because there were about twelve characters, and I could only distinguish three of them from the rest. I am already looking forward to Clickers vs. Zombies!

[Joshua Wiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brian Keene proves he is a master of horror once again in this sequel to Earthworm Gods. One day it started to rain and never stopped. And then all manner of monster started to appear from giant earthworms to vampiric mermaids to a white fungus that liquefies anything it touches to the dreaded Leviathan, an entity similar to the dread Cthulhu. We follow several different characters as they try to survive this apocalypse. With the sharp characterization under Keene's pen you soon come to know the characters as well as you do your own friends. You soon feel the horror they are going through as if you were in the midst of it yourself. Before long you have a stake in their fight and survival as well. Very few authors have that kind of ability, which is why Brian Keene is one of the best. I've never been disappointed by a story of his.

This book adds even more to the underlying mythos of his books. While you don't have to read his other works (save Earthworm Gods) to understand this, its connection to the Labyrinth will make you want to read his other works. We learn more about the Labyrinth, the origins the various universes that comprise it and why the Thirteen want to destroy it. But the story never feels bogged down by it or any less scary.

If you are a Brian Keene fan or just a horror freak in general this is a book not to be missed. And if you're not a Keene fan yet, you will be after you read the Earthworm Gods series.

[John Copeland · Rating 4 out of 5]

A strong sequel to one of Keene's better books. Originally published on his website for free, I do not know whether it was changed or improved since this free version but at times it feels rushed, like one might expect. Could have used some editing in parts. He uses the word "denizens" constantly and I'm pretty sure that the name of a minor character changed from "Mark" to "Sylva" half way through the book.

Nontheless, it is a fast paced read with little fat. For the most part it is well written, though a few horror cliches slip through the net (I find it hard to believe that good writers still use the "he heard a scream then realised it was his own" cliche but it is here). The monsters are creative, if a little silly and the ending feels rushed. It was also very easy to spot who would survive, who was there to make up the numbers and be killed and who would make a gallant sacrifice to ensure the survival of those expected to survive.

That said, this is a very enjoyable book and hard to put down. If you go into a book about giant worms you should be prepared not to think too deeply about it. Keene can be hit or miss but this is one of his hits, for sure.

[Victoria Timpanaro · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great follow up to Keene's classic novel of an apocalypse of rain and demons. We catch up with a few groups of survivors as the rain continues. This book helps to firmly place this series within the shared universe of The Rising and Dark Hollow.

[Webberly Rattenkraft · Rating 4 out of 5]

Earthworm Gods!
Through soil they do crawl!
Earthworm Gods!
They bring doom to us all!

God is such an asshole, killed the prior Universe,
Now ours will come to a splashing end. Iä! Iä! Iä!

Earthworm Gods!
They're rotten, evil guys!
Earthworm Gods!
Now everybody dies!

Destroying every Universe,
Having evil fun!
Here comes old Behemoth,
Over there's Leviathan, oh fuck!

Starfish men and mermaids who will sing you to your death!
Tentacles that drag you down, hope you can hold your breath!
Don't forget the fungus, better keep your pant legs tucked!
You can run or you can swim, you're still completely fucked!

Earthworm Gods!
They're such a bunch of dicks!
Earthworm Gods!
Can no one stop their tricks?

[Karl]

This is copy 108 of 300 signed and numbered copies.

This is book 1 of 3 of Brian Keene’s Maelstrom Series 3.

[⚔️Kelanth⚔️ · Rating 2 out of 5]

"I vermi conquistatori 2" di Brian Keene, purtroppo, non riesce a mantenere il livello di tensione e coinvolgimento del primo libro. La trama, che inizialmente promette di espandere l'universo post-apocalittico introdotto nel capitolo precedente, si sviluppa in modo frammentato e poco coerente. Oltretutto la casa editrice che ha pubblicato il seguito che era edito Mondadori ci presenta un testo con una traduzione mediocre, con strafalcioni e refusi nel testo.

Comunque uno dei principali difetti del romanzo è la caratterizzazione dei nuovi personaggi. Mentre nel primo libro i protagonisti erano ben delineati e capaci di suscitare empatia, in questo seguito appaiono piatti e privi di profondità. Le loro azioni e motivazioni risultano spesso prevedibili, rendendo difficile per il lettore appassionarsi alle loro vicende.

Inoltre, la narrazione soffre di una certa ripetitività. Le situazioni di pericolo e i confronti con le creature mostruose sembrano seguire schemi già visti, senza aggiungere nuovi elementi di suspense o innovazione. Questo porta a una sensazione di déjà vu che smorza l'effetto sorpresa e rende la lettura meno avvincente.

Soprattutto l'ambientazione, che nel primo libro era stata uno dei punti di forza, perde molto del suo fascino: le descrizioni della grande città post-apocalittica sono molto meno vivide e poco dettagliate, risultando meno immersive rispetto alle atmosfere claustrofobiche e inquietanti del primo romanzo.

Infine, il ritmo del libro è spesso irregolare. Alcune parti della storia sembrano trascinarsi senza un vero scopo, mentre altre che potrebbero essere sviluppate più a fondo vengono trattate in modo superficiale. Questo squilibrio narrativo può frustrare il lettore e rendere difficile mantenere l'attenzione fino alla fine.

In sintesi, "I vermi conquistatori 2" non riesce a riprodurre la magia e l'orrore del primo libro. Nonostante alcune buone idee, la mancanza di coerenza nella trama, la caratterizzazione debole dei personaggi e la ripetitività delle situazioni rendono questo seguito meno coinvolgente e soddisfacente. Una delle maggiori delusioni riguarda le spiegazioni e le trovate narrative che dovrebbero giustificare il mondo post-apocalittico. Mentre nel primo romanzo questi elementi erano solo abbozzati, lasciando il lettore con un senso di mistero e anticipazione, nel seguito risultano sviluppati in modo deludente e poco convincente. Le rivelazioni sulle cause dell'apocalisse e sull'origine dei vermi giganti, invece di arricchire la trama, finiscono per banalizzarla. Ciò che avrebbe potuto essere un'espansione affascinante del mondo narrativo, diventa una serie di spiegazioni forzate e prive di originalità. Inoltre, le nuove informazioni introdotte in questo seguito mancano di coerenza e spesso contraddicono elementi stabiliti nel primo libro. Questo non solo crea confusione, ma erode anche la credibilità dell'intero universo narrativo.

Per chi ha amato il primo capitolo, il secondo risulterà sicuramente una delusione, lasciate perdere e passate oltre: questo seguito, invece di espandere e arricchire l'universo creato da Keene, finisce per impoverirlo, lasciando il lettore con un senso di insoddisfazione e disillusione.

[Hear My Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ci troviamo in un mondo dove le cose non sono andate nel verso giusto e in cui esseri, che sembrano nati dai peggiori incubi, iniziano a divorare gli umani nei modi più disparati e più violenti possibili. E piove.

Piove così tanto che, l’unico e vero grande desiderio che sboccia nei cuori di tutti, è sentirsi di nuovo asciutti. Sentirsi al sicuro è un’utopia, nessun posto è davvero inespugnabile, sia perché è in attivo una muffa che divora e infetta cose, persone e animali, ma perché gli orrori che si aggirano nel mondo a volte sono così grandi da poter sbriciolare interi palazzi.

E gli esseri umani che fine fanno? Sopravvivono, nei loro modi migliori, tentando il tutto per tutto o semplicemente lasciandosi andare, preferendo mettere fine di propria mano alla loro vita piuttosto che essere mangiati da mostri o muffe letali.

Vermi 2, come suggerisce il titolo stesso, è il secondo libro di Keene ambientato in questo mondo lovecraftiano, in cui l’ansia e la paura la fanno da padrone. Eppure, anche se ci addentriamo in una storia già iniziata e dove alcuni pezzi non li conosciamo, non pesa affatto la mancanza di una lettura del primo volume. Spuntano nuovi personaggi ed è una lettura così adrenalitica e così pressante, da non darti neanche il tempo di prendere un respiro e chiederti cosa sia accaduto prima. Ti importa poco, perché sei lì con i protagonisti che ti guardi ad ogni svolta, scruti ogni angolo e corri, corri come se ne dipendesse la tua vita anche se sei al sicuro a casa tua e all’asciutto.

Lo scrittore ha uno stile che io ho trovato molto visivo, mi ha permesso di immergermi immediatamente nella narrazione senza sentirmi confusa e insicura, mi ha gettata nelle braccia di un incubo senza via di scampo e arrancavo pagina dopo pagina, non perché fosse complesso andare avanti, ma perché volevo sapere come finisse ma avevo anche paura del prossimo mostro che sarebbe spuntato tra le righe.

Non provavo un senso così angosciante da molto tempo, l’orrore non è tanto nel nuovo pericolo in sé ma proprio per quella sensazione che da nessuna parte ti puoi sentire salvo, non ci sono posti in cui rifugiarti e tirare un sospiro di sollievo, non ci sono ombre che ti celino a tutto quello che ti gravita intorno famelico.

Non ho faticato a vedere con i miei occhi non più le lettere, che scivolano dinnanzi a me, ma le scene che Keene mi presentava e non riuscivo ad immaginare come io mi sarei comportata in determinati momenti e se io sarei stata in grado di avere la forza e la determinazione non non scegliere mai la via più breve ma di andare ostinatamente avanti, incurante delle difficoltà.

Credo di non essere una che si entusiasma con facilità, né dona giudizi favorevoli in modo eccessivo. In questo caso, non ho potuto esimermi dal mettere 5 stelle, perché anche se i caratteri dei personaggi sono appena abbozzati o alcune scelte finali mi sono sembrate un filo frettolose, l’insieme della narrazione è stata talmente coinvolgente che nulla di tutto questo ha inficiato la qualità del prodotto.

[K De · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Earthworm Gods II: Deluge" by Brian Keene is a fitting ending for the apocalypse which happens now. A cast of characters deftly handled as each one is decimated by the ceaseless rainfall of doom carried out by the Thirteen who want to end Earth and all other possible Earths under the rules of String Theory. The Thirteen were beings who survived the destruction of their universe by a unknowable creator. The creator then used that destructive energy to create the known universe by a new set of rules that we call String Theory.

The two that are known of the Thirteen are beings with the human names of Leviathan and Behemoth. Along with the creation of the "white fuzz" which is a essential tool by Leviathan to dissemble all higher forms of matter back to water. Once accomplished then Earth will be drawn into the Great Deep to cease to exist.

This is a uncompromising conclusion to the Earthworm Gods saga. The novel is fast paced with the characters having to deal with "what if there is no escape" problem. Both storylines deal with how the characters Sarah, Kevin, Novak, Gail, Thomas, and others within those two tiny groups are able to cope with the monsters of this apocalypse. Giant worms, shark men, shambling white fuzz consumed zombie creatures as well as the ultimate out of this universe cosmic horrors give this work high marks in the Cthulhu inspired fiction-verse of HPL. Well worth reading.

[Federico · Rating 2 out of 5]

Avevo alte aspettative per questo seguito e la maggior parte sono andate in fumo.

Il libro parte immediatamente dopo la fine del primo volume e con gli stessi personaggi, che si rifugiano in cima alla montagna, in una torretta d'osservazione della guardia forestale, assediati dalla Muffa Bianca.
Per la seconda parte ci spostiamo su una piccola nave con altri sopravvissuti che devono tener testa ai mostri marini che ormai dominano il pianeta.
Infine i due gruppi si incontrano nell'ultima parte alla ricerca della salvezza.
La struttura è uguale a quella del primo volume, così come lo stile leggero e rapido di Keene, ma qui si sente la mancanza di personaggi che si fanno "sentire". E se non ci si affeziona ai personaggi, si rimane anche indifferenti a quello che gli capita. La mia esperienza con questo libro è stata come guardare un film horror di serie B che sì, lo guardi e ti diverti per quel lasso di tempo, ma poi finisce lì e non ti lascia nulla.
Comunque qui una spiegazione al diluvio, ai vermi e ai mostri c'è.

Menzione a parte: la Independent Legions mi ha abituato a libri con ottime traduzioni e praticamente senza errori. Questo no. Il libro contiene decine di refusi e la traduzione stride su alcuni passaggi.

COSA MI È PIACIUTO
- non c'è speranza, tutto è perduto
- tanta azione
- mostri giganti!

COSA NON MI È PIACIUTO
- nessun personaggio degno di nota
- il solito cliché di Cthulhu
- personaggio deus ex machina

[Thomas Goddard · Rating 4 out of 5]

And book two was almost as good as the first.

We carry on the stories of the previous novel and add some extra characters.

Things get even more crazy, which I would have thought was impossible.

Let's lead with what let it down. It got itself concerned with redemption. A tiny flicker of hope was introduced and it spoilt the stew for me. I wasn't all that interested in people being saved. I liked the tone of the last novel where things were entirely out of control and it was only dumb luck that seemed to shift characters in and out of the path of danger.

With that out of the way... what continued to be amazing fun was the endless and varied horrors unleashed. Slightly fewer in number in this novel. No less creepy.

And the characters were up to par, again. We're treated, in a very real sense, to living and breathing - believable characters. People you come to care about and who earn your affection quickly and with lasting strength.

Honestly, I've been so impressed. Brian Keene and Bentley Little have been two fantastic discoveries this year and they represent a new frequency to my literary enjoyment.