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The Other: Encounters with the Cthulu Mythos: The Nyarlathotep Cycle #1
The Other: Encounters With The Cthulhu Mythos
Second Edition Re-edited June, 2023
Also available as a printed omnibus containing all three books in the series from Amazon.
It started as a typical day in a sleepy little coastal village. But little did they know everything was about to change forever.
Corporal Joe Mills of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police arrives at Gallou Cove, certain the reported ‘sea monster’ washed ashore would be nothing. What he found there on the beach chilled him to the core.
Dr. Adele Kramer, a marine biologist, shows up to categorize the find. The creature defies any known life found on Earth. At least, nothing originating on the planet.
So begins their introduction to ‘The Other’, the secret world of cosmic horrors plaguing humanity since before the dawn of time. They soon find themselves drawn into a plot many millennia-old to prevent the end of all existence in the universe. Can they survive the Crawling Chaos and prevent He Who Lies Dreaming from awakening?
This book is the first in a trilogy, containing six of eighteen linked novelettes and novellas meant to be read in order and set in H. P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu Mythos. The book contains the following It Came From The the remains of a mysterious creature is washed ashore on a small Cape Breton village, forever changing the lives of all who see it. It Slumbers Beneath The An ancient entity of cosmic evil lies trapped in the ice of the Canadian Arctic. A mysterious cult seeks to free it from its prison, an event the investigators rush to prevent. It Lives In The A cultist summons an entity from the Dreamlands and unleashes it on this world with deadly consequences. Hides In The Small rural towns are breeding grounds for Mythos activity, where a dedicated group of followers assists The Black Pharoah in his plans to spread discord and chaos. It Lurks In The An investigator is recovering from her encounters with The Other when she learns of an entity of unspeakable evil imprisoned in the basement of a home in her neighbourhood. It Ends Where It All of the investigators are brought together and return to the blighted Cape Breton village where their odyssey began and learn of the diabolical plan of a malign deity and one of the Mythos’ most active antagonists. The Happenings of December 13, 2012: The story of the investigator’s mysterious handler, and how The Other first drew him into its web of terror.
Also available as a printed omnibus containing all three books in the series from Amazon.
It started as a typical day in a sleepy little coastal village. But little did they know everything was about to change forever.
Corporal Joe Mills of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police arrives at Gallou Cove, certain the reported ‘sea monster’ washed ashore would be nothing. What he found there on the beach chilled him to the core.
Dr. Adele Kramer, a marine biologist, shows up to categorize the find. The creature defies any known life found on Earth. At least, nothing originating on the planet.
So begins their introduction to ‘The Other’, the secret world of cosmic horrors plaguing humanity since before the dawn of time. They soon find themselves drawn into a plot many millennia-old to prevent the end of all existence in the universe. Can they survive the Crawling Chaos and prevent He Who Lies Dreaming from awakening?
This book is the first in a trilogy, containing six of eighteen linked novelettes and novellas meant to be read in order and set in H. P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu Mythos. The book contains the following It Came From The the remains of a mysterious creature is washed ashore on a small Cape Breton village, forever changing the lives of all who see it. It Slumbers Beneath The An ancient entity of cosmic evil lies trapped in the ice of the Canadian Arctic. A mysterious cult seeks to free it from its prison, an event the investigators rush to prevent. It Lives In The A cultist summons an entity from the Dreamlands and unleashes it on this world with deadly consequences. Hides In The Small rural towns are breeding grounds for Mythos activity, where a dedicated group of followers assists The Black Pharoah in his plans to spread discord and chaos. It Lurks In The An investigator is recovering from her encounters with The Other when she learns of an entity of unspeakable evil imprisoned in the basement of a home in her neighbourhood. It Ends Where It All of the investigators are brought together and return to the blighted Cape Breton village where their odyssey began and learn of the diabolical plan of a malign deity and one of the Mythos’ most active antagonists. The Happenings of December 13, 2012: The story of the investigator’s mysterious handler, and how The Other first drew him into its web of terror.
209 pages, Paperback
Published March 2, 2020
259 people are currently reading
324 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
July 6, 2021
I’ve waited to write a review because I loved this book. Even with some sloppy dialogue and some in need of editing paragraphs the story was great and unique.
I loved it right up to the 95% mark and then, I hated it.
I hated the ending, I hated the sudden cut off of the stories of the three main characters, I hated the stupidity of it. A great story that the author had no clue how to tie up so he invented shit like “it was all a dream” TV series do.
So from 5 stars to 2 If you love it, just close the book at 95% and pretend it just continues in the next one.
I loved it right up to the 95% mark and then, I hated it.
I hated the ending, I hated the sudden cut off of the stories of the three main characters, I hated the stupidity of it. A great story that the author had no clue how to tie up so he invented shit like “it was all a dream” TV series do.
So from 5 stars to 2 If you love it, just close the book at 95% and pretend it just continues in the next one.
October 18, 2020
Excellent collection of Canadian set Lovecraft Mythos stories. I liked them so much I read the individuals singly and then bought the collection as a paperback so I could read the bonus story. I really like the way a wider story is threaded through each individual story. And I've said this repeatedly in my story reviews, but Lovecraft rarely, if ever bothered with the personalities of his story protagonists, and as much as I love his cosmic horror, I love some character development. Troy Young maybe doesn't quite get to H.P.'s heights with the former, but he certainly trups him on great characters. Highly recommended for Lovecraft fans.
October 29, 2021
It took a bit for me to get into it, but overall, I quite enjoyed it!
And to those who hate the ending, uh, read the original Lovecraft. It very, very rarely ends even ok for the heroes. They usually end up in far worse shape than they began(assuming they dont just end up dead. Or wishing they were dead...)
Some rough dialog here and there, but not a deal breaker.
Looking forward to reading the second one in the future
And to those who hate the ending, uh, read the original Lovecraft. It very, very rarely ends even ok for the heroes. They usually end up in far worse shape than they began(assuming they dont just end up dead. Or wishing they were dead...)
Some rough dialog here and there, but not a deal breaker.
Looking forward to reading the second one in the future
January 26, 2022
Of Al the collected and connected works of the mythos I enjoyed this one so much! This is right up there with Ruthanna Emrys!
October 28, 2020
Totally digging Mythos from the Canadian perspective. The last two chapters were perfect.
September 5, 2021
I've read all of Lovecraft, but this is my first real foray into the extra Mythos (fan fiction, if you will).
This book is great, effectively bringing the horror into the 21st century. It's still very Lovecraftian, while having the right amount of modern touches to make it real for today.
This is book one of a trilogy, and I'll be finishing it!
This book is great, effectively bringing the horror into the 21st century. It's still very Lovecraftian, while having the right amount of modern touches to make it real for today.
This is book one of a trilogy, and I'll be finishing it!
September 30, 2025
Straight to Favourites.
This book was a breath of fresh air that made me realize that even old things , like lovecraftian horror, can still improve and enhanced this Mythos and not copy paste of other stuff or something so far way removed that loses all interest.
First of all, what held my breath was the Scenery. It's set on Canada, most tales on the wilderness of Canada. Canada is such an interesting place to have horror stuff.
About the story, this is a compilation of interconnected short stories, more novelletes & novellas in a big, far wider world. As the story progress, I guess this author could make hundreds or thousand of pages of content that would enhanced this world.
So, in this world, we have lovecraftian horrors that plague humanity and in Canada there is a hidden department that will try to handle, contain and study this appearances. What was most interesting on this was the way they recruit the new people & more important is the effect of beings in humans.
Everytime someone is confronted with one of these beings, they will be plagued with visions, of these monsters that will lead to death, eventually. So, the only way to try to delay death, a person must continue to investigate and thwart their incursions.
There are dozens of branches in the world and they all communicate in some way to share information. Everyone that works in these companies is basically a ticking time bomb that will either die or kill due the lovecraftian horror they encountered. They are encouraged of leaving their family because they've become liabilities.
And thus enter our main protagonists which are Joe Mills (A Royal Canadian Mounted Polcice), You've got Adele Krame a Marine Biologist.
It started as a typical day in a sleepy little coastal village. But little did they know everything was about to change forever.
Corporal Joe Mills of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police arrives at Gallou Cove, certain the reported ‘sea monster’ washed ashore would be nothing. What he found there on the beach chilled him to the core.
Dr. Adele Kramer, a marine biologist, shows up to categorize the find. The creature defies any known life found on Earth. At least, nothing originating on the planet.
In this book, which is the first of a trilogy of six stories each.
It came from the the sea which deals with something that died an appeared on the shores.
(We are first introduced to both characters here)
The next story we travel to the artic where there is something imprisoned there. Some really interesting stories about a cult & culture of the artic people. We are introduced to a third character.
We've got a hidden cult in a small town, we've got other being in a basement and then the last concluding story of the six that end quite nicely. Some people didn't enjoy, I did.
Lovecraftian Horror is meant to be dark and depressing and hard. It's not about happy endings. I enjoyed it and it's one my favourite books of the year.
This book was a breath of fresh air that made me realize that even old things , like lovecraftian horror, can still improve and enhanced this Mythos and not copy paste of other stuff or something so far way removed that loses all interest.
First of all, what held my breath was the Scenery. It's set on Canada, most tales on the wilderness of Canada. Canada is such an interesting place to have horror stuff.
About the story, this is a compilation of interconnected short stories, more novelletes & novellas in a big, far wider world. As the story progress, I guess this author could make hundreds or thousand of pages of content that would enhanced this world.
So, in this world, we have lovecraftian horrors that plague humanity and in Canada there is a hidden department that will try to handle, contain and study this appearances. What was most interesting on this was the way they recruit the new people & more important is the effect of beings in humans.
Everytime someone is confronted with one of these beings, they will be plagued with visions, of these monsters that will lead to death, eventually. So, the only way to try to delay death, a person must continue to investigate and thwart their incursions.
There are dozens of branches in the world and they all communicate in some way to share information. Everyone that works in these companies is basically a ticking time bomb that will either die or kill due the lovecraftian horror they encountered. They are encouraged of leaving their family because they've become liabilities.
And thus enter our main protagonists which are Joe Mills (A Royal Canadian Mounted Polcice), You've got Adele Krame a Marine Biologist.
It started as a typical day in a sleepy little coastal village. But little did they know everything was about to change forever.
Corporal Joe Mills of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police arrives at Gallou Cove, certain the reported ‘sea monster’ washed ashore would be nothing. What he found there on the beach chilled him to the core.
Dr. Adele Kramer, a marine biologist, shows up to categorize the find. The creature defies any known life found on Earth. At least, nothing originating on the planet.
In this book, which is the first of a trilogy of six stories each.
It came from the the sea which deals with something that died an appeared on the shores.
(We are first introduced to both characters here)
The next story we travel to the artic where there is something imprisoned there. Some really interesting stories about a cult & culture of the artic people. We are introduced to a third character.
We've got a hidden cult in a small town, we've got other being in a basement and then the last concluding story of the six that end quite nicely. Some people didn't enjoy, I did.
Lovecraftian Horror is meant to be dark and depressing and hard. It's not about happy endings. I enjoyed it and it's one my favourite books of the year.
December 4, 2020
This book was great! Each chapter in this book is essentially a short story on its own but circulates through characters you’re introduced to in the first and second story, so I quite like that. There is a thread to the story that continues through them all and helps create continuity.
I love that the stories take place in various places in Canada, which brings the Cthulhu Cycle closer to home than it usually does. My forays into Lovecraftian fiction often take me to places in the United States and in the UK. Troy Young’s anthological novel takes you to many places in Canada, a strange number to which I have personal connections. AND I love that! This novel reminds me in a way of Charles de Lint’s novel, “Jack the Giant Killer” which is set in Ottawa, and you can actually travel to various places in the city and know what’s happened in which locals. Troy Young’s book evokes that same kind of realism and presence.
I love that there’s a department in the government that is investigating The Other - the presence of Cthulhu Cycle deities, creatures, and threats in Canada and I want more! I’ve already bought The Other: Encounters with the Cthulhu Mythos - Book Two, so I will start the first story of that novel tonight. I also downloaded The House at the Edge of Time and Space, and The Shade of Pierre Girault, two stories which will eventually be in The Other: Book 3.
I very much recommend this collection of stories and would recommend it to anyone who likes Lovecraftian fiction, but especially if you want to Lovecraft set in Canada.
I love that the stories take place in various places in Canada, which brings the Cthulhu Cycle closer to home than it usually does. My forays into Lovecraftian fiction often take me to places in the United States and in the UK. Troy Young’s anthological novel takes you to many places in Canada, a strange number to which I have personal connections. AND I love that! This novel reminds me in a way of Charles de Lint’s novel, “Jack the Giant Killer” which is set in Ottawa, and you can actually travel to various places in the city and know what’s happened in which locals. Troy Young’s book evokes that same kind of realism and presence.
I love that there’s a department in the government that is investigating The Other - the presence of Cthulhu Cycle deities, creatures, and threats in Canada and I want more! I’ve already bought The Other: Encounters with the Cthulhu Mythos - Book Two, so I will start the first story of that novel tonight. I also downloaded The House at the Edge of Time and Space, and The Shade of Pierre Girault, two stories which will eventually be in The Other: Book 3.
I very much recommend this collection of stories and would recommend it to anyone who likes Lovecraftian fiction, but especially if you want to Lovecraft set in Canada.
May 10, 2022
I really enjoyed all of the stories, kept me interested all the way through the book.
November 4, 2022
3.5 stars
A lazy comparison perhaps, but it's X-Files vs Lovecraftian horrors. Long-ish short stories about a secretive Canadian agency tracking Lovecraftian entities that appear randomly around Canada and indeed the world. It's a fun, easy read, the kind of book I have on hand for when I've a spare half hour to kill and fancy reading a complete story. There's nothing strikingly original about it and I'm not desperate to read more, but I enjoyed my time with it and may pick up others in the series.
A lazy comparison perhaps, but it's X-Files vs Lovecraftian horrors. Long-ish short stories about a secretive Canadian agency tracking Lovecraftian entities that appear randomly around Canada and indeed the world. It's a fun, easy read, the kind of book I have on hand for when I've a spare half hour to kill and fancy reading a complete story. There's nothing strikingly original about it and I'm not desperate to read more, but I enjoyed my time with it and may pick up others in the series.
April 6, 2022
Interesting take on Cthulu
Enjoyed reading this. The weaving of the tale sparked constant interest. It gripped me from the beginning! Definitely recommend reading.
Enjoyed reading this. The weaving of the tale sparked constant interest. It gripped me from the beginning! Definitely recommend reading.
April 6, 2024
Excellent Cthulhu investigator styled stories. Shorts that all contribute to the storyline arc. Similar to the Delta Green RPG if you played it. Great book. Going onto the 2nd book.
March 29, 2022
Sabe quando você se depara com um livro que nunca viu antes, se interessa pela capa, resolve lê-lo e acaba tendo uma grata surpresa? Foi exatamente este o caso com "The Other": bati o olho no e-book disponível no Kindle Unlimited, entendi que tinha algo de horror cósmico, e resolvi ler!
Em Gallou Cove, uma pequena cidade costeira do Canadá, o policial Joe Mills e a bióloga marinha Adele Kramer são chamados para investigar uma nova espécie que apareceu na praia. Mas esse não é qualquer animal marinho, já que os investigadores começam a ter pesadelos completamente perturbadores após o seu primeiro contato com o bicho, sem contar que o espécime aparece distorcido em fotografias e causa tontura e mal-estar aos que estão ao seu redor.
Durante a progressão da história, conheceremos pessoas que, em algum momento, presenciaram algum acontecimento sobrenatural envolvendo seres extra-dimensionais. E uma divisão secreta do governo decide contratá-los para continuar explorando essas entidades que podem destruir a Terra...
Enquanto lia, adorei não apenas a forma como Troy Young resolveu contar essa história, de maneira fluida e instigante, mas também como ele usou seu conhecimento sobre Lovecraft para desenvolver o enredo: capítulo após capítulo, é possível acompanhar os personagens encontrando vários tipos de monstros lovecraftianos, como Dagon, Nyarlathotep, Shoggoths e, é claro, o próprio Cthulhu.
No geral, eu tive uma ótima experiência com esse primeiro livro de uma trilogia (tirando uma ou outra decisão feita pelo autor), pois além de gostar dos protagonistas, me diverti demais vendo como os mitos de Cthulhu são explorados aqui, já que é possível encontrar muitas referências interessantes trabalhadas de forma a seguir os contos originais, misturando sci-fi e terror, mas também percebendo como Young é capaz de apresentar um enredo totalmente novo!
É verdade que li esse livro sem saber absolutamente nada sobre ele... E também é verdade que mal posso esperar para ler os próximos volumes dessa trilogia cujo início eu tanto gostei!
Mais resenhas no instagram literário @livre_em_livros e no canal do Youtube "Livre em Livros"!
Em Gallou Cove, uma pequena cidade costeira do Canadá, o policial Joe Mills e a bióloga marinha Adele Kramer são chamados para investigar uma nova espécie que apareceu na praia. Mas esse não é qualquer animal marinho, já que os investigadores começam a ter pesadelos completamente perturbadores após o seu primeiro contato com o bicho, sem contar que o espécime aparece distorcido em fotografias e causa tontura e mal-estar aos que estão ao seu redor.
Durante a progressão da história, conheceremos pessoas que, em algum momento, presenciaram algum acontecimento sobrenatural envolvendo seres extra-dimensionais. E uma divisão secreta do governo decide contratá-los para continuar explorando essas entidades que podem destruir a Terra...
Enquanto lia, adorei não apenas a forma como Troy Young resolveu contar essa história, de maneira fluida e instigante, mas também como ele usou seu conhecimento sobre Lovecraft para desenvolver o enredo: capítulo após capítulo, é possível acompanhar os personagens encontrando vários tipos de monstros lovecraftianos, como Dagon, Nyarlathotep, Shoggoths e, é claro, o próprio Cthulhu.
No geral, eu tive uma ótima experiência com esse primeiro livro de uma trilogia (tirando uma ou outra decisão feita pelo autor), pois além de gostar dos protagonistas, me diverti demais vendo como os mitos de Cthulhu são explorados aqui, já que é possível encontrar muitas referências interessantes trabalhadas de forma a seguir os contos originais, misturando sci-fi e terror, mas também percebendo como Young é capaz de apresentar um enredo totalmente novo!
É verdade que li esse livro sem saber absolutamente nada sobre ele... E também é verdade que mal posso esperar para ler os próximos volumes dessa trilogia cujo início eu tanto gostei!
Mais resenhas no instagram literário @livre_em_livros e no canal do Youtube "Livre em Livros"!
October 26, 2022
Lovecraft minus the love, and the craft...
Take the Cthulhu mythos, the vast cosmic horrors, the malignant entities haunting your nightmares and the oppressive weight of an uncaring, incomprehensible universe that threatens to break the mind of anyone who attempts to face it head on. Take all that and fit it into the mold of a late afternoon action adventure TV series and this is very much the essence of what's on offer here.
Now I don't want to diminish it on that basis alone. No doubt there's something in that idea, even if it depends on walking a very fine line maintaining the horror and the lighter tone in equal measure. Despite some good intentions here, I just don't think it comes together in a satisfying way by the time we get to the end of this collection.
Its a nice idea in theory, a collection of separate but interconnected tales touching on various aspects of Lovecraftian lore. Problem is it all feels a touch too underdeveloped and rushed to the point of conclusion. The main characters feel a bit too broadly drawn, the dialogue is uninspired and the plotting feels like it's going through the motions with very little sense of building to the finale.
Rarely is anything novel introduced into these proceedings. Its tried and true material to be sure but without any flair to it. No new twist or take is to be found here sadly and it's a shame as I say as I feel there's definite potential to the idea. Its Lovecraft minus much of what made those stories remarkable. You get the creatures but without the superbly conveyed sense of place, atmosphere and unspeakable dread.
There's the core of a sound concept here, but I fear it was a fair few drafts away from hitting the sweet spot. What's left is a bare bones pitch for a cross between X-Files, Warehouse 13 and Fringe without it being as enjoyable as any one of them. A solid pass from me I'm afraid.
Take the Cthulhu mythos, the vast cosmic horrors, the malignant entities haunting your nightmares and the oppressive weight of an uncaring, incomprehensible universe that threatens to break the mind of anyone who attempts to face it head on. Take all that and fit it into the mold of a late afternoon action adventure TV series and this is very much the essence of what's on offer here.
Now I don't want to diminish it on that basis alone. No doubt there's something in that idea, even if it depends on walking a very fine line maintaining the horror and the lighter tone in equal measure. Despite some good intentions here, I just don't think it comes together in a satisfying way by the time we get to the end of this collection.
Its a nice idea in theory, a collection of separate but interconnected tales touching on various aspects of Lovecraftian lore. Problem is it all feels a touch too underdeveloped and rushed to the point of conclusion. The main characters feel a bit too broadly drawn, the dialogue is uninspired and the plotting feels like it's going through the motions with very little sense of building to the finale.
Rarely is anything novel introduced into these proceedings. Its tried and true material to be sure but without any flair to it. No new twist or take is to be found here sadly and it's a shame as I say as I feel there's definite potential to the idea. Its Lovecraft minus much of what made those stories remarkable. You get the creatures but without the superbly conveyed sense of place, atmosphere and unspeakable dread.
There's the core of a sound concept here, but I fear it was a fair few drafts away from hitting the sweet spot. What's left is a bare bones pitch for a cross between X-Files, Warehouse 13 and Fringe without it being as enjoyable as any one of them. A solid pass from me I'm afraid.
March 10, 2024
It's hard for me to turn down the chance to read anything involving Cthulhu, so I was pretty intrigued with this book. Is it weird to say that these stories make for cozy cosmic horror reads? Hopefully that doesn't come across as offensive, but that is exactly how I feel. I wanted to curl up and read this while eating clam chowder and watching a rain storm on a blustery coastline.
We're introduced to some people who become investigators so either paired up or singly, they encounter differing experiences. It does make you wonder if this could be turned into a tv series but it would be hard to do it justice, as Lovecraft fans can get persnickety about things. So for the diehard fans, they might feel that these stories are a diet version of Cthulhu mythos, but I would TOTALLY recommend this series for some one who is curious about the Mythos but might not be quite ready to dive into full on Lovecraft?
I absolutely appreciate this work, I think there are a variety of Mythos fans out there and this series should find an appropriate and welcoming audience.
We're introduced to some people who become investigators so either paired up or singly, they encounter differing experiences. It does make you wonder if this could be turned into a tv series but it would be hard to do it justice, as Lovecraft fans can get persnickety about things. So for the diehard fans, they might feel that these stories are a diet version of Cthulhu mythos, but I would TOTALLY recommend this series for some one who is curious about the Mythos but might not be quite ready to dive into full on Lovecraft?
I absolutely appreciate this work, I think there are a variety of Mythos fans out there and this series should find an appropriate and welcoming audience.
October 25, 2020
Enjoyable and inventive.
I read a lot of mythos tales, some good, some bad and some just tangential. This is one of the better ones. It keeps an up to date feel without sacrificing too much the mythos’ ‘pulp’ origins and character. The stories improved over the course of the book as they seemed a little stilted in dialogue at the outset. Toward the end they became polished and I could sense the author’s voice coming through. Nice to have a tale set in Canada for once. I have some minor irks. There are occasional typos but I have persevered with stories that had many. My main issue was the misspelling of ‘Tekeli-li’ in one tale written as ‘Telkeli- li’. Minor and forgivable except to this pedantic Mythos fan. But don’t let my niggles put you off. This is a great read with many inventive stories.
I read a lot of mythos tales, some good, some bad and some just tangential. This is one of the better ones. It keeps an up to date feel without sacrificing too much the mythos’ ‘pulp’ origins and character. The stories improved over the course of the book as they seemed a little stilted in dialogue at the outset. Toward the end they became polished and I could sense the author’s voice coming through. Nice to have a tale set in Canada for once. I have some minor irks. There are occasional typos but I have persevered with stories that had many. My main issue was the misspelling of ‘Tekeli-li’ in one tale written as ‘Telkeli- li’. Minor and forgivable except to this pedantic Mythos fan. But don’t let my niggles put you off. This is a great read with many inventive stories.
July 17, 2022
This is a book of linked short stories, rather than a single narrative.
Summary - if you like the Cthulhu Mythos they’re worth a go, just grit your teeth through the dialogue…
I’m slightly conflicted with this one.
On the one hand, Troy Young starts off with a lead ear for dialogue. It does improve some over the course of the stories, but as can be seen from the dialogue I’ve highlighted it goes from lead to merely tin.
On the other hand, I wanted to keep reading despite that. Young can write narrative and scene setting prose competently, and the actual story made me want to keep turning the pages.
I guess the real test is would I read more, and the answer is yes - I’ve moved on to the second book in the series.
Summary - if you like the Cthulhu Mythos they’re worth a go, just grit your teeth through the dialogue…
I’m slightly conflicted with this one.
On the one hand, Troy Young starts off with a lead ear for dialogue. It does improve some over the course of the stories, but as can be seen from the dialogue I’ve highlighted it goes from lead to merely tin.
On the other hand, I wanted to keep reading despite that. Young can write narrative and scene setting prose competently, and the actual story made me want to keep turning the pages.
I guess the real test is would I read more, and the answer is yes - I’ve moved on to the second book in the series.
August 16, 2025
The Other presents a readable, engaging, alternative view of The Old Ones from a Canadian perspective that I absolutely love! It made me feel like I was in a cabin in Big Sur, hearing strange noises outside... in a very soothing way. It is a dark novel, a series of connected stories with the same three investigators who had no choice but to join a nefarious Canadian agency that fights the creeping influence of the Cthulhu Mythos with varying degrees of success and a brutal casualty rate. I recommend this book to all Lovecraft fans :) I am just now starting its sequal The Other 2.
July 9, 2021
Answer the Call... If you dare!
I've been a Cthulhu fan for most of my life. I've read Lovecraft, Derleth, Lumley, King and many other takes on the Mythos. The Other is a refreshing take on the Mythos in modern times. One of my biggest issues is the original stuff is such a dry read. That's not a problem here. The stories are crisp, fast paced and eerie as the original stuff! I can't wait to read the next book to find out what happens next!
I've been a Cthulhu fan for most of my life. I've read Lovecraft, Derleth, Lumley, King and many other takes on the Mythos. The Other is a refreshing take on the Mythos in modern times. One of my biggest issues is the original stuff is such a dry read. That's not a problem here. The stories are crisp, fast paced and eerie as the original stuff! I can't wait to read the next book to find out what happens next!
February 26, 2020
Good collection of connected short stories.
I enjoyed this collection in of stories based on the Cthulhu Mythos. The three main characters are sent on missions either together or alone. Each story is filled with mystery and horror. I recommend this book for anyone who likes Lovecraft's creatures.
I enjoyed this collection in of stories based on the Cthulhu Mythos. The three main characters are sent on missions either together or alone. Each story is filled with mystery and horror. I recommend this book for anyone who likes Lovecraft's creatures.
July 13, 2021
I got my copy yesterday and finished this afternoon. I really loved this book.
Each individual story added parts and slowly grows the world whilst being a fun mini adventure. It’s written almost exactly like a fun Sci Fi tv show.
Great book to read in the sun that will still have you wondering at night if there really is something weird out in the world.
Each individual story added parts and slowly grows the world whilst being a fun mini adventure. It’s written almost exactly like a fun Sci Fi tv show.
Great book to read in the sun that will still have you wondering at night if there really is something weird out in the world.
October 17, 2021
I enjoyed these stories quite a bit.
There could have been another round of editing to clean up some of the dialogue, but this was still a good dive into the Mythos.
The ending didn't offend me as much as others, but I can see why people didn't like it. It was a bit sudden. Could have been built up to a bit more.
There could have been another round of editing to clean up some of the dialogue, but this was still a good dive into the Mythos.
The ending didn't offend me as much as others, but I can see why people didn't like it. It was a bit sudden. Could have been built up to a bit more.
April 13, 2022
Really enjoyed this book and am starting on the second one.
A good read, like an old serial novel in the aspects of adventure and story telling.
It ticks off a lot on the Lovecraft checklist, was nice to see all the references along the way.
It was never dull and I looked forward to each chapter.
Hope the second is as good as the first.
A good read, like an old serial novel in the aspects of adventure and story telling.
It ticks off a lot on the Lovecraft checklist, was nice to see all the references along the way.
It was never dull and I looked forward to each chapter.
Hope the second is as good as the first.
April 20, 2022
Not Recommended
The first story is interesting, but overall this book is like a budget version of Delta Green. Strangely edited and dull dialogue - hard to track who’s saying what as the characters are all interchangeable, lots of badly put together sentences too.
I hope the series gets better and the author develops his craft, but I’m out for now
The first story is interesting, but overall this book is like a budget version of Delta Green. Strangely edited and dull dialogue - hard to track who’s saying what as the characters are all interchangeable, lots of badly put together sentences too.
I hope the series gets better and the author develops his craft, but I’m out for now
October 31, 2022
Interesting tales
Each chapter is a stand alone story. The book ends in a cliffhanger, leaving an opening for more one chapter stories in future books. This makes the size of the book manageable. I would probably read more of this story, but won't go out of my way, having that "been there done that" feeling.
Each chapter is a stand alone story. The book ends in a cliffhanger, leaving an opening for more one chapter stories in future books. This makes the size of the book manageable. I would probably read more of this story, but won't go out of my way, having that "been there done that" feeling.
September 9, 2024
Cosmic horror that is primarily based in eastern Canada? As someone from eastern Canada and a huge fan of cosmic horror, sign me up lol. It's definitely interesting reading about these otherworldly encounters taking place in areas just down the road or only a few hours drive away. Overall a fun addition to the Cthulhu mythos with some engaging characters and interesting twists.
July 27, 2021
Fun spin for HPL fans
I received an ad for this book through Facebook, and found the premise interesting. I bought it and am glad I did. Its a fun tribute with likeable characters and steady pacing. I'm buying book two as soon as I wrap up this review!
I received an ad for this book through Facebook, and found the premise interesting. I bought it and am glad I did. Its a fun tribute with likeable characters and steady pacing. I'm buying book two as soon as I wrap up this review!
September 8, 2021
Creepy Cthulhu story
This was an interesting, hard to put down tale based on the Cthulhu mythos. I have read a lot of Lovecraft, and thought this book was a great way to introduce modern readers to his stories.
This was an interesting, hard to put down tale based on the Cthulhu mythos. I have read a lot of Lovecraft, and thought this book was a great way to introduce modern readers to his stories.
August 29, 2020
Chilling in a Canadian Way
Low key, seems so ordinary, and then you learn of The Other. Not as unsettling as Stephen King, so one can still sleep!
Low key, seems so ordinary, and then you learn of The Other. Not as unsettling as Stephen King, so one can still sleep!
September 21, 2020
A modern take of the Lovecraft mythos
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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