When The Abyss Gazes Back

Alternative Earth #2

by Vincent Bobbe

Once upon a time life made sense. Not any more.
Six and a half years after Manchester was levelled in fire and blood, there were a few that didn’t believe the official explanation and went looking for the truth. They didn’t find it. What they found instead killed them.

The long awaited sequel to Online Book Club's Book Of The Year 2018: 'When The Abyss Gazes Back' is another epic rollercoaster fantasy adventure for adults in to the embattled "Alternative Earth" universe. The fight for Earth's survival isn't over. There are always more monsters, more immortals, more bloodshed and more innocent people getting caught in the crossfire.

From Detroit to the UK to a parasite dimension, humans and monsters fight in uneasy alliance to halt a magical calamity that, if left unchecked, will shred their reality.

714 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 11, 2021

About the author

Vincent Bobbe is nearly forty years old. When he was about ten, he tripped on an Edgar Rice Burroughs novel and fell into his own brain. He's not quite managed to climb out yet, because the things that found him in there keep clawing him back in.

He's happily married with two young children and lives in Manchester, England. His wife is horrifically allergic to pretty much everything, so he doesn't have any pets. This suits him.

Reviews

[Cam · Rating 4 out of 5]

great read

I really enjoy this author and hope that he writes more books in the future. This book is a continuation from the first book with added on characters.

[Tim Putney · Rating 5 out of 5]

When The Abyss Gazes Back is a brilliant follow-up to Vince's Immortals' Requiem. This is a dark, gritty, and unexpected journey of several very different characters trying to prevent the apocalypse (and some trying to create it!). Not only is this grimdark story visceral, but it's also thought-provoking on our human characteristics that both bless us and curse us. This story is from several points of view and doesn't follow your typical fantasy plotline or characters. There's mystery, violence, death, murder, sacrifice, blood, supernaturals, monsters, and all kinds of new and dangerous creatures (not to mention parallel dimensions, mythical devices, and demons). We even find out about the birth of vampires! Vincent Bobble has a special way of writing that really draws you in and doesn't let go. I'm already chomping at the bit for the next story or any story from Vincent. This book is highly recommended (along with Immortals' Requiem, book 1) and is now in my top 5 favorite stories along with authors BROM, Dyrk Ashton, Erik Henry Vick, and Neil Gaiman.