The Other: Encounters With The Cthulhu Mythos Book Two

The Other: Encounters with the Cthulu Mythos: The Nyarlathotep Cycle #2

by Troy Young

**RE-EDITED June 2023** Also available as a printed omnibus containing all three books in the series from Amazon.Praise for The Other, Book 2The sequel, same as the first, a great action-adventure series, with the Lovecraftian mythos in front as the antagonistic force. Fun for fans of the mythos, I would suggest it. J. St. Pierre, Dec 23, 2020I love these Lovecraft inspired stories. The conflict between humanity and the elder gods comes into a stronger focus in volume two in this series. What previously could have been seen as random, sporadic events becomes a pattern. Mr. Alexander, Nov 3, 2020Joe Mills and Pete Ivalu are dead, and Dr. Adele Kramer is in a coma. Harjit Singh needs to replace them in his ongoing confrontation with The Other. He turns to Malcolm Mayweather, a firefighter injured by an escaping Shoggoth, freed by the fire started by Adele to destroy it. It draws Malcolm into the world of lost alien gods and terrifying creatures.As he gets drawn further into this fantastic realm, Malcolm deteriorates mentally and physically. But he must hold on because he is one of the key figures who will determine if the entirety of existence remains or is lost in an instant.While Malcolm struggles with these challenges, Adele faces her own. Left floating in orbit around the Blind Idiot God Azathoth at the centre of the universe, she learns the depth of Nyarlathotep’s plans and her part in it all. An event is approaching, but what is it? And can they stop it?This collection of linked short stories pulls the reader into a modern take on the world of H. P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu Mythos. It contains the following The Rat Malcolm and his new partner Mindy travel to Saskatchewan to investigate sightings of mutated rats. The rats are the least of the town's problems.The Alien Mindy relates her strangest case to Malcolm. She investigates a strange blight impacting Niagara when she encounters a mysterious plant in a greenhouse. Are the effects hallucinogenic, or is what she sees real?The Pyramid of the Black In a show of international cooperation, Malcolm joins a group of investigators drawn from around the world to investigate a mysterious pyramid uncovered in the Egyptian desert. Their delve into a building hidden for thousands of years starts in motion a terrifying future.The Druid of Castle In this second international adventure, Malcolm travels to Scotland to aid a young researcher in field testing her invention that can track Other-related corruption. They use it to uncover an ancient cabal hidden in plain sight in Edinburgh.The Viking's Returning to Canada, Malcolm aids a Norwegian researcher in trying to discover the real reason the Vikings left North America.The Tattered Malcolm rejoins Mindy as she searches Winnipeg's homeless population for a mysterious woman known only as The Tattered Lady. We find the lengths that Harjit will go to stop the influence of The Other.The Thing In The Customs House Written in H.P. Lovecraft's style, the reader is transported to Montreal in 1928 to learn of the incident that led to the formation of the Department of Extraordinary Phenomena.This is book two of a trilogy.

Genres: Horror, Lovecraftian, Cthulhu Mythos

273 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 4, 2020

Reviews

[Scott Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cannot say enough how much this series and writer is being slept on! Truly one of the most interesting modern takes on the mythos that I have read!!

[Michael D Jedlowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great second installment in the series. I am looking forward to the final book. The Cthulhu Mythos, is referred to here as "The Other". The story centers on a Government department that investigates these phenomenon. A great idea, and while other writers have also taken this angle, Troy Young makes it his own.

I really enjoyed all the callbacks to mythos events, places, and characters. Seen from another point of view.

Having Nyarlathotep, being the main entity our intrepid agents have to deal with is an inspired decision. Almost everyone knows of Cthulhu. But Nyarlatotep is the one of the most mysterious and sinister of the Great Old Ones. While his breathern tolerate or don't even notice humans, Nyarlathotep, on the other hand likes to appear to human and toy with them, he is a great villain.

Fans of the Cthulhu Mythos will find a lot to like here. Have you encountered The Other?

[BERNARD ANDREWS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable Mythos linked stories

Volume 2 of Canadian Mythos stories that are linked together by a secret Canadian government department. I'm a fan and I'm looking forward to reading the next volume

[Joey St-Pierre · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sequel, same as the first, a great action adventure series, with the Lovecraftian mythos in front as the antagonistic force. Fun for fans of the mythos, I would suggest it.

[The Smoog · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read, and a worthy follow-up to Book One. Don’t listen to what a certain other reviewer has to say about the characters actions in this, if you pay attention to the actual story instead of jumping on a feminist high-horse, you’ll understand why things pan out the way they do. Sure, a lot of the action is pulpy, and sometimes the characters make questionable decisions, but when faced with the forces of the Cthulhu Mythos, who wouldn’t?

[Jason Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mythos with a Canadian Twist

Anyone who likes Arkham Horror styled lore needa to read The Other it's just that simple. Toss in the fact that the writing is tight, the storylines engaging and the backdrop is my beloved Canada and there is not enough praise available.

It's so rare to see Canada featured in Fiction that the Regional differences really shine in these Tales.

[Charlie Anne Tovey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Alien Gardner was my least favorite story in the series, but I did still enjoy it and how it had me looking to see how it tied into other stories.

[SUSAN · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am thoroughly enjoying this series and so far I liked the stories in this second book better than the first. You will meet different people who become investigators and how they were invited into the organization, but this book is mostly concerned with a firefighter named Malcolm.

I'm not sure which story it is, probably The Star Flower of Uldathmoon, but it was great to read a story that is written like the old school Lovecraft and then changes to its more modern story-telling version. You really get a sense of how different the prose can be. Really makes me enamored of this series.

While there are many adventures that await, there is still that underlying dread that not everyone will make it out alive (or sane). But this makes for some cozy Cthulhu time.

[Johann · Rating 5 out of 5]

LovecraftIan Mythos At It's Best!!

This is the 2nd volume in a series concerning a Department that investigates what has been termed "the Other".

Character development is amazing. So much in fact that I do not recommend you get too attached to people in this book....let's just sometimes it ain't pretty.
This is LovecraftIan horror at its best. If you think you have too much Seratonen in your system...this book will level you out because the hopelessness and despair of the insignificance of humanity in this universe definitely sets the tone for the almost impossible war between humanity and cosmic horror.
Great stuff!! Highly recommend you start with the first volume!!

[Chris21 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

Wow I really love this series !

Book 2 is a nice continuation from where we finished in book 1. Our new protagonist is very likeable and I have to say I enjoyed following the one character throughout rather than multiple.

We get further snippets of back story to the Other/Mythos along with a lot more monsters and cults. After one particular story it seems the world is becoming more aware of the other book which should be exciting come book 3.

I really hope we get more of Harjit and the history of the department!

[Teresa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nowhere near as good as book one. Lots if stupidity by the main “investigators”

The bad things are not scary this time, just caricatures of scary things. Ewww zombies. And not even scary ones.
.
Much of it doesn’t make sense and a woman (of course) skilled in Krav Maga is useless but a one armed firefighter is not. MEN ARE SO BIG AND STRONG And BETTER THAN WOMEN. (Gag)

The dialogue is terrible

I will read book three when it comes out because the author wrote “to me” said Adele is the hero but so far she’s still unconscious.

[Kyle Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

An original take on Lovecraft

Utilising Lovecraftian monsters in a modern setting, this book is a good, even better follow on to the first. Looking at a variety of Lovecraftian monsters and ideas, it is fascinating to see how the story pieces together. However, at times, the language is perhaps a little repetitive, and the stories too short to develop proper empathy for, or fear of various characters encountered.

[Mr Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these Lovecraft inspired stories. The conflict between humanity and the elder gods comes into a stronger focus in volume two in this series. What previoulsy could have been seen as random, sporadic events becomes a pattern.
Volume 3 is the final volume so I look forward to the culmination. Bearing in mind the source material, I'm not holding my breath for a happy ending!

[Karl Pulliam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable!

A very easy read that pays a loving homage to the Mythos. Writing is crisp and actions oriented. If you are more a fan of pulp, this series is a good addition. It otherwise lacks the atmosphere to create a genuinely horrific or weird story. Also has a few formatting errors and typos.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a 3.5 🌟 read rounded ⬆️ to 4 🌟.

This review is for the short story/novelette "The Thing In The Customs House" which features in the above book.

... "Written in H.P. Lovecraft's style, the reader is transported to Montreal in 1928 to learn of the incident that led to the formation of the Department of Extraordinary Phenomena."

[Zac Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly Enjoyable

Although a relative newcomer to the Mythos, I feel like Mr. Young does an excellent job relating details and mysteries of Cosmic Horror in doses that keeps one interested, but not overwhelmed.

[Denise -Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Encounters

Wicked twisted, it's sure to take your mind off anything. Shrouded in mystery & ancient gods, folklore, magic and the will to survive what's not to love! Book two was as good as book one and I can't wait to read book three!!

[Jenn Iannaconi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't think this series could be any better but reading all the quips about the American President as he has press conferences lying about voter fraud... Thank You Troy Young. Thank you.

[Rich · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story continues

This series is fantastic and creepy as hell! The twists and turns keep the material fresh. If you're a Lovecraft fan you will like this series!

[Justine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable

It’s a fantastic read, a nice dive into the mythos set in modern times, I find it easy to read and relate to the setting and characters

[Steve Valenzuela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing Story

Somehow the story seems to evolve to the common plot, but that is something I want to discover in the next book

[Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

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. Moving onto the 3rd one.

[Sarah Leis · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️

[Ryan Saffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Less good than the first, but still a good read. A necessary to get to book three, which I just finished and absolutely loved.

[Stuart · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a good sequel but not as good as the first. Brand new characters and higher stakes. You only have to follow one character this time but he is used and abuse for the whole book. But I like how everything is connected from to first book and will be after hopefully. It's a good book but a great comic horror book.