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The Periphery #1
Boom
In the darkest corners of Washington D.C. lies the Periphery—the entrance into the infinite dimensions that touch our own.
Everard stays far away from the Periphery—after all, nobody who enters comes back untouched. Some return with strange abilities. Others deformed. Most don’t come back at all.
But then Everard is almost killed by a woman whose skin is covered in a swarm of holes. Someone in the Periphery has put a bounty on his head. As it turns out, Everard isn’t just human—he’s a Rebellist. He can alter reality with a single word, an ability that makes him the most dangerous supernatural in the Periphery.
Soon, Everard is thrown into an underground world of magic and danger, where legendary monsters are real, historical cults tout protection, and lethal nightmares lurk around every corner. With an undead strongman trying to recruit him, a magic-wielding lynch mob out for his head, and an ancient soul-eating evil only he can stop, Everard’s only shot at survival lies in embracing his true nature—even if the price he risks paying is a fate worse than death.
For fans of the urban fantasy thrills of The Dresden Files and Sandman Slim, crossed with the weird worldbuilding of Clive Barker and Jeff VanderMeer. BOOM is “non-stop action” with Lovecraftian horrors, unwilling heroes, and a villain who Apex Magazine Managing Editor Lesley Conner called “the stuff of my freaking nightmares.”
Everard stays far away from the Periphery—after all, nobody who enters comes back untouched. Some return with strange abilities. Others deformed. Most don’t come back at all.
But then Everard is almost killed by a woman whose skin is covered in a swarm of holes. Someone in the Periphery has put a bounty on his head. As it turns out, Everard isn’t just human—he’s a Rebellist. He can alter reality with a single word, an ability that makes him the most dangerous supernatural in the Periphery.
Soon, Everard is thrown into an underground world of magic and danger, where legendary monsters are real, historical cults tout protection, and lethal nightmares lurk around every corner. With an undead strongman trying to recruit him, a magic-wielding lynch mob out for his head, and an ancient soul-eating evil only he can stop, Everard’s only shot at survival lies in embracing his true nature—even if the price he risks paying is a fate worse than death.
For fans of the urban fantasy thrills of The Dresden Files and Sandman Slim, crossed with the weird worldbuilding of Clive Barker and Jeff VanderMeer. BOOM is “non-stop action” with Lovecraftian horrors, unwilling heroes, and a villain who Apex Magazine Managing Editor Lesley Conner called “the stuff of my freaking nightmares.”
363 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 18, 2020
280 people are currently reading
497 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
November 13, 2023
I really like Everard as a character and I enjoy the universe Farthing is setting up but this one was too long for me personally. It's very clearly a first installment in a series so it was a lot of setting up the universe and the different groups as well as establishing the secondary characters and as someone who lacks a functioning attention span it was a struggle at times. I'll still look forward to seeing where this series goes next.
August 26, 2020
A delightful story that really uses its surreal elements well. You've got that David Lynch feel that something is off (bolstered by some truly unsettling scenes and bizarre occurrences), but Farthing wisely gives you a story that can hold its own weight without the reader worrying it's going to fall apart into abstract mush the way some more heavily magical realist stories do. With that strong core you've got all of the little details to add color: American Colonial history cults (!) fighting one another, truly grisly stuff, magic that's abstract and unreliable enough to stay interesting, and fantasy creatures out for your hide with names that stick (seriously, the minute you hear the name "Undone Duncan" your brain has already created an image of a guy to stay away from). The supernatural elements shouldn't work together but they do. A smooth read with just enough little baroque touches and stylistic turns to elevate it.
November 22, 2024
I went into this one completely blind so I had no idea what to expect. It was a wild, action packed ride with a very unique cast of characters. It has a little bit of everything and it kept my rapt attention throughout.
I was completely confused for the first several chapters, but in the best way possible. I had no idea what was happening and I couldn’t wait to figure it out.
I really enjoyed this one and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to read something a little different.
Four ghosties: 👻👻👻👻
I was completely confused for the first several chapters, but in the best way possible. I had no idea what was happening and I couldn’t wait to figure it out.
I really enjoyed this one and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to read something a little different.
Four ghosties: 👻👻👻👻
March 1, 2024
Glad I found this - not what I was expecting
Interesting, enjoyable and entertaining.
Mix Neil Gaiman's London underground, the Nightmare before Christmas and a few sci-fi and superhero concepts and you get this thoroughly enjoyable book.
I was expecting a horror novel but got something much better.
Begs for sequel - hoping there is one.
Interesting, enjoyable and entertaining.
Mix Neil Gaiman's London underground, the Nightmare before Christmas and a few sci-fi and superhero concepts and you get this thoroughly enjoyable book.
I was expecting a horror novel but got something much better.
Begs for sequel - hoping there is one.
January 26, 2024
This book is a non-stop, full-tilt, action-packed romp through bizzarro world and I loved every single second of it!
It's a super weird and wonderful mash-up of dark urban fantasy horror with heart and humor. I picked up some faint vibes reminiscent of a few of my favorite authors: Neil Gaiman (particularly Neverwhere), Jasper Fforde, Max Frei, and Christopher Moore (particularly A Dirty Job) - but it was entirely its own creation and it is straight up my street.
I listened to the audiobook for this one. Narrator Aaron Camacho is brilliant, and second only to Joe Hempel when it comes to who I most want to read me a story. He had me mesmerized and glued to my headphones.
This story is mad inventive, clever, insightful, really fun, and funny even as it disturbs. Everard makes an entirely relatable and mostly sympathetic driver for the story as he accidentally descends into the Periphery, an interdimensional shadow city in the underbelly of Washington DC, and encounters all sorts of behind-the-looking-glass mayhem and madness. Here lies my only real issue - while specific parts of the city below the sidewalk came to life crystal clear in my mind, I struggled to conceptualize the city as a whole. Maybe that's just me being an apex nerd and angling for inclusion of a map at the front of one more book. I love maps.
I don't have to worry about spoilers with this one; I don't think I could spoil it if I tried - it's too big to spoil! And speaking of big, the cast of characters is impressive. I recommend keeping crib notes to track the them, and their alliances. Or maybe that's just me and my sad post-COVID brain.
Everard doesn't always know what he's even doing down below, and who he should trust to help him figure it out. And neither do we. The 'friendlies' he encounters are pretty layered and maybe some of them are not as friendly as he thinks, and the 'villains' certainly think they are on the right side of the chaos which is clearly heading for some sort of reckoning. They all have their reasons for doing what they do. Everard has to figure all of that out, while also trying to figure out his own just-discovered super power, and how to use what he knows and what he can do to save the people he loves and two whole cities from certain destruction. No big deal.
The characters are vibrant and unforgettable: Undone Duncan and his terrifying cult of the reskinned, The chilling Perforated Woman with her swarming face holes, the mercurial Aluromancer (having listened to this, I have no idea how that's spelled!), legendary creatures with mysterious purpose (including a rampaging boogeyman on the loose), the formidable Loretta, and good ole Bill-Bill.
I might have lost the thread, or wondered if I lost the thread, every once in awhile, but everything always eventually came back around to reorient me, and I was NEVER bored. It was supremely entertaining and a genuine pleasure to listen to. I was bummed out when it ended, but it sounds like there's at least one more book delving into the Periphery - The Piper's Graveyard.
It's a super weird and wonderful mash-up of dark urban fantasy horror with heart and humor. I picked up some faint vibes reminiscent of a few of my favorite authors: Neil Gaiman (particularly Neverwhere), Jasper Fforde, Max Frei, and Christopher Moore (particularly A Dirty Job) - but it was entirely its own creation and it is straight up my street.
I listened to the audiobook for this one. Narrator Aaron Camacho is brilliant, and second only to Joe Hempel when it comes to who I most want to read me a story. He had me mesmerized and glued to my headphones.
This story is mad inventive, clever, insightful, really fun, and funny even as it disturbs. Everard makes an entirely relatable and mostly sympathetic driver for the story as he accidentally descends into the Periphery, an interdimensional shadow city in the underbelly of Washington DC, and encounters all sorts of behind-the-looking-glass mayhem and madness. Here lies my only real issue - while specific parts of the city below the sidewalk came to life crystal clear in my mind, I struggled to conceptualize the city as a whole. Maybe that's just me being an apex nerd and angling for inclusion of a map at the front of one more book. I love maps.
I don't have to worry about spoilers with this one; I don't think I could spoil it if I tried - it's too big to spoil! And speaking of big, the cast of characters is impressive. I recommend keeping crib notes to track the them, and their alliances. Or maybe that's just me and my sad post-COVID brain.
Everard doesn't always know what he's even doing down below, and who he should trust to help him figure it out. And neither do we. The 'friendlies' he encounters are pretty layered and maybe some of them are not as friendly as he thinks, and the 'villains' certainly think they are on the right side of the chaos which is clearly heading for some sort of reckoning. They all have their reasons for doing what they do. Everard has to figure all of that out, while also trying to figure out his own just-discovered super power, and how to use what he knows and what he can do to save the people he loves and two whole cities from certain destruction. No big deal.
The characters are vibrant and unforgettable: Undone Duncan and his terrifying cult of the reskinned, The chilling Perforated Woman with her swarming face holes, the mercurial Aluromancer (having listened to this, I have no idea how that's spelled!), legendary creatures with mysterious purpose (including a rampaging boogeyman on the loose), the formidable Loretta, and good ole Bill-Bill.
I might have lost the thread, or wondered if I lost the thread, every once in awhile, but everything always eventually came back around to reorient me, and I was NEVER bored. It was supremely entertaining and a genuine pleasure to listen to. I was bummed out when it ended, but it sounds like there's at least one more book delving into the Periphery - The Piper's Graveyard.
January 22, 2022
DNF @ 7%. I wasn't at all engaged by the characters or the YA feel. May suit others it seems.
January 17, 2024
I was torn between 3 and 4 stars for this book. By the end of the book, I was invested in the characters, and the storyline was captivating , kept me me wanting to read on.
The writing feels a little “rushed”, with events sort of squished together without being dwelled on enough. The main character seems inconsistent, I wasn’t as invested in him as I was in Bill Bill. Some of the storyline also seems like it was almost shoved in to hint at something later on, without being properly planned out.
Overall though, I enjoyed the book and I think it’s worth a read. I wish the author the best in his upcoming books, and he has high potential.
The writing feels a little “rushed”, with events sort of squished together without being dwelled on enough. The main character seems inconsistent, I wasn’t as invested in him as I was in Bill Bill. Some of the storyline also seems like it was almost shoved in to hint at something later on, without being properly planned out.
Overall though, I enjoyed the book and I think it’s worth a read. I wish the author the best in his upcoming books, and he has high potential.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 19, 2024
This is a fast paced fantasy exposing a world of strange people with odd talents who live in the spaces between the spaces we call home. The author has deemed this a horror novel. If you’re squeamish let me reassure you. It’s horror light and full of the humor you need to let go of whatever discomfort the imagery may bring. My only critique is that the interludes were distracting. It’s hard to “kill your darlings” so I feel like I know why they’re there. I went into the book completely blind and truly enjoyed this story. I’ve found a new author to check out.
December 8, 2024
Those Who Dwell Below the Sidewalk
Ben Farthing has written what to me is essentially an American version of Neverwhere a parallel Washington D.C. There the similarity ends TWDBTS is a more modernist and contemporary fantasy novel that examines the concept that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. It skilfully comments on the state of American politics and the fundamental flaws in blindly adhering to the ideals of both capitalism and the hankering for “the (supposedly) good old days and ways”.
Don’t misunderstand me it is not a polemic or idealistiticly preachy treatise but rather a story of one man’s search for his own unique identity and what it means to be that person.
It is filled with amazing and sometimes horrific characters that are well fleshed out and believable without being portrayed as two dimensional.
Minor confession time, I cannot believe that it took me several chapters before I realised what an Ailuromancer was. The clue was clearly there in the name. 🙀😹
Ben Farthing has written what to me is essentially an American version of Neverwhere a parallel Washington D.C. There the similarity ends TWDBTS is a more modernist and contemporary fantasy novel that examines the concept that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. It skilfully comments on the state of American politics and the fundamental flaws in blindly adhering to the ideals of both capitalism and the hankering for “the (supposedly) good old days and ways”.
Don’t misunderstand me it is not a polemic or idealistiticly preachy treatise but rather a story of one man’s search for his own unique identity and what it means to be that person.
It is filled with amazing and sometimes horrific characters that are well fleshed out and believable without being portrayed as two dimensional.
Minor confession time, I cannot believe that it took me several chapters before I realised what an Ailuromancer was. The clue was clearly there in the name. 🙀😹
February 27, 2025
I grabbed this on KU during one of my down times and I enjoyed it quite a bit.
3.5 rounded to 4
Its not the same as is other books, with the things that are "found" lol but this was really good.
Its book 1 in a series and I need to check how many or if there are more now.
Something called Periphery is like a black hole kinda portal situation that basically if you go near, you wont be coming back with out some serious well, defects, sometimes those are helpful and sometimes they are not.
Everard our MC has a bounty on his head from this strange land, and they are sending out the worst they can find to carry out the order.
Spoiler alert a little, Everard is special, and they want to stomp that out at all costs, because when he full takes on the full reality of what he is, the price he pays is huge, but is it worth saving the world and the very fabric of reality ??
This was fantastic and a well built story world, cannot wait to find out more.
3.5 rounded to 4
Its not the same as is other books, with the things that are "found" lol but this was really good.
Its book 1 in a series and I need to check how many or if there are more now.
Something called Periphery is like a black hole kinda portal situation that basically if you go near, you wont be coming back with out some serious well, defects, sometimes those are helpful and sometimes they are not.
Everard our MC has a bounty on his head from this strange land, and they are sending out the worst they can find to carry out the order.
Spoiler alert a little, Everard is special, and they want to stomp that out at all costs, because when he full takes on the full reality of what he is, the price he pays is huge, but is it worth saving the world and the very fabric of reality ??
This was fantastic and a well built story world, cannot wait to find out more.
April 15, 2024
I wanted to like it…
I really did. The beginning was promising, I liked the quirkiness and the premise was something I hadn’t read before, but I didn’t end up making past the 70% mark. It kept seeming to lead somewhere but all that would then happen is another battle with some weird character/s. I lost patience.
Also (and this may seem nitpicky but it drove me NUTS): at least 4 times in the book the author would describe a well dressed man in a business suit, then describe the sound the “leather soles” of his shoes made while walking which just made me imagine these guys wearing those slippers that acrobats wear. Men’s dress shoes have wooden or rubber soles; they have leather *uppers*. It seemed like such a ridiculous error that should have been caught by a proofreader.
I really did. The beginning was promising, I liked the quirkiness and the premise was something I hadn’t read before, but I didn’t end up making past the 70% mark. It kept seeming to lead somewhere but all that would then happen is another battle with some weird character/s. I lost patience.
Also (and this may seem nitpicky but it drove me NUTS): at least 4 times in the book the author would describe a well dressed man in a business suit, then describe the sound the “leather soles” of his shoes made while walking which just made me imagine these guys wearing those slippers that acrobats wear. Men’s dress shoes have wooden or rubber soles; they have leather *uppers*. It seemed like such a ridiculous error that should have been caught by a proofreader.
January 31, 2024
Another Wonderful Ben Farthing Book
This is the third Ben Farthing book I've read. They've all been delightful in their own ways. I mistakenly thought I was getting a feel for what I'm getting into but I was delightfully incorrect.
I love Everard. He's a really neat character and I kept wanting to pat him on the head and send him to therapy. He's such a good character for us to accompany into the Periphery.
The imagination that went into the Periphery and the characters makes sense when you consider the author but I still got to be surprised by plenty of things in this story.
I hope we come back and visit this world at some point. Whether we do or don't, I'm looking forward to the next book I pick up from this author.
This is the third Ben Farthing book I've read. They've all been delightful in their own ways. I mistakenly thought I was getting a feel for what I'm getting into but I was delightfully incorrect.
I love Everard. He's a really neat character and I kept wanting to pat him on the head and send him to therapy. He's such a good character for us to accompany into the Periphery.
The imagination that went into the Periphery and the characters makes sense when you consider the author but I still got to be surprised by plenty of things in this story.
I hope we come back and visit this world at some point. Whether we do or don't, I'm looking forward to the next book I pick up from this author.
December 30, 2024
I need more Periphery.
This is my second Farthing book and I knew I would love it. Let's talk about why:
1. The Periphery in general. What a fucking concept. I love when things are out of sight for normies, but if you know where to look you'll see it. I love worlds touching our own, and the Periphery really scratched that itch
2. Having bents. And so many different ones at that. It was like a horror superhero story, but better.
3. The horrors within the Periphery. The Perforated Woman was absolutely freaky, the reskinned I both love and hated.
I would say that I would love to see this on a screen, only if it was made exactly like this book. Of course, nothing can be scarier than what you can conjure up in your mind!
This is my second Farthing book and I knew I would love it. Let's talk about why:
1. The Periphery in general. What a fucking concept. I love when things are out of sight for normies, but if you know where to look you'll see it. I love worlds touching our own, and the Periphery really scratched that itch
2. Having bents. And so many different ones at that. It was like a horror superhero story, but better.
3. The horrors within the Periphery. The Perforated Woman was absolutely freaky, the reskinned I both love and hated.
I would say that I would love to see this on a screen, only if it was made exactly like this book. Of course, nothing can be scarier than what you can conjure up in your mind!
July 4, 2020
As a horror fan I found Boom to be a richly layered story that was character driven. Boom is unique as far as my normal choice for horror and it is my first Lovecraftian horror book. This definitely ticks all the boxes of horrific, bizarre and different. I am not sure it is my style but I still found it interesting and thought provoking so if you like this style of horror you will most likely enjoy this book.
I received this book from Booksirens for an honest review.
I received this book from Booksirens for an honest review.
January 5, 2024
I read this under a different title and said to my wife that it reminded me of Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere. I liked the setting and the way it was developed along with the different factions who all seem to be against Everard initially but he finds allies and discovers how to use his power as the story progresses eventually becoming the hero he is destined to be.
March 4, 2024
Sequel Please!
I really need more of this book and I hope it becomes a series. I also hope with the name change the author gets more recognition for this book, which I enjoyed although I think it's more of an urban fantasy than a horror novel but I enjoyed it all the same and look forward to more.
I really need more of this book and I hope it becomes a series. I also hope with the name change the author gets more recognition for this book, which I enjoyed although I think it's more of an urban fantasy than a horror novel but I enjoyed it all the same and look forward to more.
May 2, 2024
The book has wonderful world building and awesome characters (Undone Duncan, The Perforated Woman) cool names and ideas...I found the ideas very Clive Barker.
But that's where it stopped.. grammar and spelling is atrocious (7 story building?)
But it was plain boring and was just another fight quest hohum book.
But that's where it stopped.. grammar and spelling is atrocious (7 story building?)
But it was plain boring and was just another fight quest hohum book.
July 29, 2020
Fantastic book!
Great characters, non-stop action and a fairly unique premise. I supposed to see that this is the author's first book. I have followed this author and am looking forward to a sequel.
Great characters, non-stop action and a fairly unique premise. I supposed to see that this is the author's first book. I have followed this author and am looking forward to a sequel.
October 18, 2020
Exciting and griping
This is a well-written story which uses Urban myths in a new way. It kept my attention, and made me care about the characters, which is the whole point.
This is a well-written story which uses Urban myths in a new way. It kept my attention, and made me care about the characters, which is the whole point.
January 12, 2024
What a ride
Just when you think you know what's going on, you get thrown for a loop! A great book by Ben Farthing! A must fead!
Just when you think you know what's going on, you get thrown for a loop! A great book by Ben Farthing! A must fead!
February 2, 2024
Very interesting
Very interesting take on parallel dimensions. Well written and good character development. Fun to read and possible series starter. Overall excellent
Very interesting take on parallel dimensions. Well written and good character development. Fun to read and possible series starter. Overall excellent
February 10, 2024
I liked the characters. But something felt missing for me. I can’t put my finger on what it was that was missing, but it lacked that ‘je ne sais quoi’ quality
July 1, 2024
Awesome read
An awesome read, a book that takes you into nooks and crannies of your world. A book to make you wonder about the shadows.
An awesome read, a book that takes you into nooks and crannies of your world. A book to make you wonder about the shadows.
November 6, 2024
Not one of my favorites for sure.
February 26, 2024
So I know the character we are seeing this book through is confused so we will naturally be a bit confused too. I have found however that I do not enjoy when reading a book makes my head hurt. So much of this book felt like an info dump/ outline that it seem overwhelming and rushed, I developed no attachment to the characters, even Everard with his ||sad little orphan back story at the beginning||. This feeling did improve after the interlude and after the second interlude we atleast mostly knew what was going on, but by then I think it was already too late. At first I kept reading this book because I figured it had to make sense eventually and by the time it did I figured I had already put so much time into this book I might as well continue. I will say I like the idea of this book, that is about as much as I can say really. As you will see if you look at other reviews there seem to be plenty of people who enjoy it so don't let my review put you off. I however do not think I will be giving this authors other books a try.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2024
Reminds me of Neverwhere. Only I failed to understand some of the reasons for actions by characters. Or maybe I did not understand the book.
I am truly left puzzled by this book. Not in a horror way, more in a bad Tom Cruise thriller.
Like Tom does the things, something gets resolved, and you went “eh?” Ultimately, what was it about, Alfie?
I am truly left puzzled by this book. Not in a horror way, more in a bad Tom Cruise thriller.
Like Tom does the things, something gets resolved, and you went “eh?” Ultimately, what was it about, Alfie?
February 8, 2024
Like every book I have read from Ben Farthing, Those Who Dwell Below the Sidewalk could also use a copy editor.
Actually found a section that instead of giving the name of a neighborhood, it showed this placeholder: [neighborhood].
Misspellings and counterfactual statements within the same page kept taking me out of the story.
Actually found a section that instead of giving the name of a neighborhood, it showed this placeholder: [neighborhood].
Misspellings and counterfactual statements within the same page kept taking me out of the story.
February 14, 2024
So this was my first Ben Farthing book and WOW, like it has been so very long since I've read such an original concept with insane characters and plot twists throughout.
A hidden world in DC with its own politics and citizens, some gifted with abilities that allow for some seriously interesting world building. Then add in well known monsters at work, parasitic entities, and the MC's struggle to harness his own newfound power and really you've got one of the best books I've read, period. Cannot recommend this whirlwind of a book any more honestly, like 1000000/10 for sure.
A hidden world in DC with its own politics and citizens, some gifted with abilities that allow for some seriously interesting world building. Then add in well known monsters at work, parasitic entities, and the MC's struggle to harness his own newfound power and really you've got one of the best books I've read, period. Cannot recommend this whirlwind of a book any more honestly, like 1000000/10 for sure.
December 9, 2023
I got so involved with the story on audiobook that I almost destroyed a whole batch of cookies.The story gives off Dresden Files vibes but with darker factions. It left me wanting to hear more about Everard and his horrors beneath the sidewalks. I will never look at DC the same way again. I listened every opportunity I could get, I was hooked and had to know the outcome of the characters I became invested it!
November 27, 2023
I received an Audio code for this and it was great. Narrated by Aaron Camacho. The story was so original with great characters. This follows a world not know to many and the horrors below. I really enjoyed it. Aaron did an amazing job and brought the story to life, very entertaining. I recommend this to everyone. Thank you Ben Farthing for this creative story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews