Everything Is Summer

by Alexander Michael

‘Summer…’
This splash of graffiti is young Mike’s only mantra, as he wanders far from home, far from who he is and ever was.

Onwards, to the coffee vans, to the bookshops. To lose himself in this labyrinth. To forget.

But when he witnesses a young woman named Naila stealing a book from a dusty basement, Mike is catapulted into a strange underbelly, in which Explorers indulge in wonder, lunatics are wise men, and the mundane holds miracles.

Welcome.
To this distant city.
This abandoned mansion.
Welcome to the Undercurrent.

Genres: Fantasy

101 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 20, 2022

About the author

Alexander Michael is a writer of speculative fiction, and a member of the Australasian Horror Writers Association. The open sky is a wellspring of new ideas. What fuels his work is simply witnessing nature in its most raw forms. His fiction deals with the truth of things: midnight occurrences unseen by most; the past and its claws; and the magic that can still be seen if we open our eyes in time.

For fans of horror, fantasy, literary, and an intricate story.

Reviews

[Charles Daube · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly original voice

This is my first excursion into Alexander’s writing and mind, and man, I’ll be a frequent visitor from now on. His visuals are vivid, his prose powerful, his storytelling unique, which in my opinion is invaluable in today’s crowded field. Be on the lookout for Alex, big things are coming from this guy.

[Hanna Newlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story that makes you question how far you will go to find yourself.

Everything is Summer is a unique and fantastical. The artwork and poetry in the paperback is gorgeous!

[Sabrina Voerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story quite unlike anything I’ve read. A tale of nightmares and dreams, and one that makes you feel as though you are submerged in a mosaic of blending colours and realms. There is no way to detail what I read, other than it felt like a fever dream of sorts, one you can’t seem to tear your eyes away from. In fact, the story evokes in the reader what the characters endure.

It is the prose in particular that drips with a richness, something not easily attained. Alexander Michael has possessed a certain lush quality and douses his writing with it. There is lore blending with beauty and with that beauty comes horror. These three things are often paired, and Michael does this with careful calculation.

In some instances I wasn’t entirely certain what was going on, though this hardly hindered the read. I think each reader will absorb something different from this novella, whether it be enlightenment, fear, or something else entirely.

Mike and Naila have such a unique partnership, one that changes throughout the duration of the read. We see in real time how things develop and shift, warp and twist. This novella depicts a sort of mural, and the story itself feels like one of its own with how brilliant the descriptions were.

[Vivien Rainn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dreams bleed into reality in this mesmerizing novella, and reality itself called into question in the most captivating of ways. Everything is Summer is punctuated by stunning, vivid visuals from various talented artists that enhance the Clive Barker-esque flavor of Michael’s prose.

The story spoke to me especially in the detailed depiction of Melbourne. As a former Melburnian myself, Everything is Summer captures the potent mystery of those seemingly abandoned, decrepit houses tucked away in the periphery of the CBD. Michael captures that feeling of being an outsider looking in, where you are nothing more than a transient passing by a plethora of hidden worlds and secret vices.

Dream-like, lush and poetic best describes Michael’s writing style as he guides you through the main character Mike’s labyrinthine journey through his own mind and the looming unknown he stumbles upon. What lays at the end of the labyrinth? Read and find out, for you won’t regret it.

For now, the next time you find yourself in center of a city, put your fingers on her pulse. Do you feel that Undercurrent?

[Phillip Freedenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a world in which we could no longer recall our names, we gazed deeply into the mural as The Undercurrent rushed below as well as through us as we approached the starving city, there we stood within the Mansion on Charter Street as we were all slowly being fed to the city.

We are seekers, we are Explorers, we travel in search of wonders, we move through worlds made out of words, we move toward miracles, then revelations, we are memories, we pass transcendentally through this house as entrance, into a hole in the earth which leads us into the book, which invites us into a world we now experience where Everything is Summer.

Alexander Michael’s Everything Is Summer is a poetic, lyrical treatise on the nature of memory, art, dreams, magic, identity, reality, and the creative function of literature serving as a singular life changing force that holds over us those rare perceptual mechanics of transformation that aids our ability to newly imagine the world, a bold creative act that Everything Is Summer dares to achieve on every page.

Everything Is Summer is a brilliantly written and illustrated, magical realist, quixotic adventure so full of wonder and imagination that you can almost feel the edges of the book itself, expand and contract in your hands, a new curious metaphysical artifact, which leads readers effortlessly into a new world unlike any that we have ever known, in which we are all absorbed by the tremor and pure vibration of the collective creative consciousness awakening us to the potential of worlds far beyond our own.

Michael delivers, with an astonishing precision, and mastery of craft for the voracious reader, a world in which the long prevailing dominant classical mechanics of the material world, seamlessly exploring speculative fiction, literary fantasy, metafiction, science fiction, romance, horror, and poetry, are meticulously transmogrified in a new realm of gateways, new cosmologies, and higher potential dimensions, which are curiously decorated with necromancers, hierophants, the occult, bibliophilic esoterica, witches, shadow worlds, a nation of sheep, a magic and edacious metropolis, rituals, and psychedelic people eating artwork, all of which offers readers an inescapably immersive literary experience, all touching readers with hints of Lovecraft, Murakami, Gaiman, Rilke, Wolfe, King, Danielewski, and most importantly Alexander Michael himself, whose soaring original voice is one that not only thrives on the beauty of its prose, but also upon an ability to build exquisite, fantastical, new possible worlds.

Alexander Michael is a wildly talented original voice exploring and building incredibly exciting new fictional worlds, one of which in Everything Is Summer appears to readers thankfully to just be getting started. Alexander Michael is an exciting independent author who is one that I believe deserves not only a wide readership, but also deserves droves of people lining up to buy his book, because contained within its slim 90 pages is a world that you will be thankful to have discovered once you begin.

Phillip Freedenberg
Author of America and the Cult of the Cactus Boots: A Diagnostic

Buffalo, NY
March 2022

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything about this book is stunning! The story is unlike anything I have ever read. The illustrations/art work/cover are all gorgeous! The illustrations scattered throughout the story are amazing & lifelike.

Alexander's writing style has left me speechless. This is a masterpiece of metaphorical and lyrical writing that's practically Shakespearean. The story is a twist of fantasy, magic, time travel, sensuality, and a deeply thought provoking plot. Now why didn't I include horror? There is a sprinkling of horror but that's not what stands out to me (that's only my honest opinion)

Melbourne City, Australia we have a young man named Mike who loves coffee and he is exploring when he comes across this house. His own emotions/experiences interconnect into the deep recesses of this particular house. Where he embarks on a journey of depth, realization, and confronts the core of his very being.


"Alone. Alone........Like this house at the end of the street, devoid of occupancy, defaced by spray paint."

"Her walls bled symbols, while her front door expelled a scarlet shockingly similar to that of his own blood. They were siblings then--he of the flesh, she of constructed dreams."

Physical copy readers have your highlighters full of ink because it's non-stop deep thought provoking sentences. I was graciously gifted the ebook by the Author for an honest review but I will be buying a physical copy so I can reread and highlight!

This book was an experience and I hold firm to my belief that "Ladies and Gentlemen you have just read a MASTERPIECE!,"

@alexandermichael
#alexandermichael

[Mona Kabbani · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Memory is a touch of wonder in a world of blood and bone.”

Mike is an adventurer, an explorer. He cannot sit in one place for a period of time without growing restless. He needs to move, he needs to see. When he comes across a dilapidated house and a beautiful book thief with red hair, he enters into a world he only ever dreamed of finding. A world where everything is summer.

I’m truly impressed with Alexander Michael’s prose. I love a good shade of purple but sometimes it can be bogged down or unsuccessfully attempted. Michael manages to pull of the most gorgeous shade. I’ve only ever read one Clive Barker book (I know, please don’t yell at me) but I can definitely say that his writing is comparable to Barker’s in Weaveworld.

Now, for those who read my Weaveworld review, you know I wasn’t a huge fan. But that was mainly due to the length and pace and with EVERYTHING IS SUMMER being a novella, it’s PERFECT for those who want to experience a taste of that fantasy world without drowning in detail.

It seems Michael will be expanding this story into a greater world, one with more characters and adventures to come. Given how the book ended, a morbid and fascinating ending indeed, I’ll be interested to see where he takes it. 👀

If you’re keen on fantasy with a dash of body horror, this one’s for you! ✨📖

[E.L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

"We’re livin’ by the grace of gravity. We’re eatin’ and shiddin’ apes on a floatin’ ball, adrift in a literally endless ocean. Our life span is roughly 90 years in a place that’s eternal. Some even reckon there are doors that lead sideways, to other oceans ‘sides this one. If that don’t light a fire under your arse, nothin’ will. What are you waitin’ for? Written ‘vitation? Take a breath and dive!"

Everything is Summer is my first complete read by Alexander Michael (I have read short stories from his website in the past) and I was expecting nothing less.

Description and imagery are fascinating, the writing is evocative making an intense reading experience. The language is poetic and feels like "old times " but yet the whole essence of it screams post-modern. It sounds weird but that was the feeling I got.

The illustrations are gorgeous and they are enhancing the entire reading experience. A big bravo to all the artists. Very smart choice from the author to add these.
This young promising author creates a dark world of 'Explorers' and I can't wait to see how it will evolve.
I regret I haven't read 'Transformations' first. I highly recommend to anyone who wants to enter this world to start with Transformations so they can have a complete understanding of the story.

So 'Transformations' here I come...

[Tanya - Read by the Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Life is about second chances, new starts, changing skins when the time is right."

We all have an undercurrent, a place where dreams, realities and nightmares entwine. Mike finds himself somewhere between a dream like state and reality. Convincing himself that he is an explorer. Searching for something, a place to belong. But is that place found deep within the abandoned house that has him entranced? "He was the uninvited guest, searching for a place to belong and a place to forget himself at the same time." But is this labyrinth Mike has entered a nightmare?

A tale of fantasy and magic set in Melbourne. A tale told so uniquely. A novella that is vivid, poetic and dark.

A story that will have you questioning how far you would go in search of yourself. At what cost would you let the search consume you? "You came here looking for something, but whether you've found it or not, you have been utterly consumed." A story about escapism. "There was pleasure in forgetting." A story about finding yourself, even if it's a version of yourself others cannot understand. "I don't want to forget myself anymore."

This novella is creatively and artistically structured. Images and poetry are used throughout to add to the reading experience. Read it x

[Claire Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a unique read! 'Everything Is Summer' is my first look into Alexander Michael's work and I’ll definitely be returning.

As a Melbourian, the surreal combination of the city and the Undercurrent felt so alive which made the story so engaging to read. Even if you’ve never been to Melbourne, having a twist on a real life setting is such a cool aspect that'll definitely draw you in.

One issue I normally have with novellas is that sometimes there isn’t enough time to see the relationships between character’s develop and it either feels rushed or flimsy. However, the partnership between Naila and Mike felt very genuine and really gave the story some emotional weight.

Regardless, this is a book that’ll definitely stick with me for some time. Thank you to Alex (and Twins&Talent) for giving me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

(Also, I’d definitely recommend getting a paperback version of the book if you can because the illustrations are amazing in person.)

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came by this book because I know the author. They asked me to read it and I was more than happy to because I’m currently reading his first book, Transformations, which has an earlier version of this story within it.

This novella is definitely representative of Alexander’s style. He has an outstanding way of turning normal life into something surreal and horrific.

It can be dense in parts with a lot of information but it can almost be forgiven by the beautiful prose he delivers it with.

Everything is Summer is just a taste of the horrific wonders contained in Alexander’s work and I would definitely recommend his work to people who like Clive Barker and H.P Lovecraft.

I can’t wait to read what’s next!

[Onemorechap · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Everything is Summer" by @dreamers.alexander was something fresh, and different to anything I have read! It tells the bizarre story of Mike, which is torn between the real world and the fantasy one. Through the protagonist's journey to discover himself, we follow a tale of deceit, magic, and the unexpected. The world of the Explorers slowly unfolds within the pages, and we get to know about how they can see the world through different eyes, and even experience it through the eyes of a lunatic. It sounds strange? The novella is itself cryptic in its nature, with strong lyricism and vivid image making, so I feel any extra hint I may give could be spoilers, so read it yourself and find out..! I've included the blurb in a second slide above too.

In some form, the book is presented as a new scope of the story of Icarus and the sun, and I can see the comparison. Here the cause of destruction is the manipulative relationships, but still, the outcome is destined to take a similar path of the protagonist don't decide to escape it willingly.

And the illustrations - how beautiful have they been! I'm always excited to have some extra material to help my imagination shape the characters and descriptions. The book was full for both colorful and black and white drawings and sketches, that I loved discovering throughout the story (after I cheated and browsed them all before I read the book😅). They added up to the rich writing skills of the author, and the masterful word selection.

All in all, I found the story surprising, deeply dark and unsettling, matching the nightmarish spooky vibe that Halloween makes us seek for in our reads!

[RoseDevoursBooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

Let me start off by saying that I’ve read and enjoyed this authors novella titled “Home” which is part two in a series of prequels. These can all be read as a standalone and I was curious enough to backtrack and read part one in the series, which is this book. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite work for me.

It’s a good premise but the first thing I noticed was the excessive time spent on lyrical prose to describe the mood and surreal setting. I personally prefer when theres more focus on the characters and narrative rather than the overall tone of the story, Mike felt underdeveloped and it was hard for me to care about what he was experiencing. With that said, I’m also just not a fan of high fantasy and magical realism in general, I tend to get a bit confused when there’s too much going on and that’s what happened here.

However, I do think this would make for an excellent graphic novel. The theme, setting and magical realism would have translated better and I may have enjoyed it more in that format.

There’s no doubt that this author is creative with his words, and I feel like any lover of fantasy (with some elements of horror) may enjoy this more than I did. I will say that the “fleshgod of Melbourne” was an awesomely creepy character and I wanted more of it!

If you decide to read this, I recommend picking up the paperback. It’s gorgeous and features amazing illustrations inside.

I want to thank the author for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I’ll still be checking out the third book in the prequel series.

[Alana K. Drex · Rating 5 out of 5]

So what an absolute adventure this 111 page novella is! Mike is in Melbourne and finding he is forgetting himself. But his desire for a decrepit house covered in graffiti is calling to him.

After an interesting visit to a local bookshop where he spies a girl shoplifting, what a chance meeting it is to discover her at the very house he's been obsessing over.... hmmm what is going on here?

It read quirky like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. It was also evilly fantastical, and I found myself afraid for Mike. He seemed to be forgetting himself, but the more he lost himself, the closer to the truth he seems to find be.

There are so many quotable passages here! A few I loved are:

"Trauma was a shapeshifter. It was known for its fluidity. Perhaps this horrid fantasy was merely the newest manifestation of his pain."

"Morning came fast, like a prostitute pretending. He raced out to meet it head on."

If you like purple prose and unusual stories, this is for you!

[Grant Wamack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everything is Summer is my introduction of Alexander Michael. It's an urban fantasy set in the heart of Melbourne. Think dreams, a sense of wonder, a yearning for something more beyond this life, art with a mythic lining.

Basically, a guy stumbles upon a group known as the Explorers and a strange mural opens up a portal of sorts to a dream-like world that satisfies his cravings for something deeper.

The prose is poetic, lyrical, beautiful, and self-indulgent at times. However, I feel like the prose overshadows the narrative itself which is somewhat meandering and bloated. Things just sort of happen, which might be intentional since this is most likely made to feel like a fever dream, but that aspect didn't work for me.

Alexander has a lot of potential. I just wish I could see a balanced marriage between plot and prose.

[Christopher Badcock · Rating 5 out of 5]

'How cruel, when farewells are written long before the first greeting.'
.
If you like your stories dripping off the page like some forbidden honey then you need to dive headfirst into Everything is Summer. This book honestly blew me away. Alexander has such an incredible ability to craft poetic prose. I imagined he would be good, but i wasn't ready for what is basically Clive Barker on steroids. If you were drawn to Barker's Art mythos, then you'll devour this tidy little novella in one sitting.
.
The story follows Mike, as he loses himself in a mystical version of Melbourne, where the art is alive and the sex is bloody weird! 😂
.
Highly recommend this one, which i'm certain will be one of my top reads of 2023.

[Vanessa Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Everything is Summer a while back (before becoming consistent at leaving reviews). And I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Horror and dark fantasy are my absolute favorite genres, but I find many books listed and marketed as “dark fantasy” often aren't.

This novella, however, truly is! As all dark fantasy lover know, it's about more than the setting and even the plot. The author’s prose is beautifully done! The word choices and language set a dark mood and tone that is perfect for reading on a gloomy day. In addition to that, the prose is like poetry in its uniqueness and flow!

The story itself is one of a kind and wonderfully written with intriguing characters. Definitely recommend this novella.

[Christina || ThrilledToRead ✨]

It’s hard to put into words what I just read. The story itself is mesmerizing as well, like something you want to look away from, but can’t because you’re so fixated on what’s happening. Everything is Summer is dark, magical, but also eerie and ominous. I have to admit, the author’s metaphorical writing style isn’t my cup of tea, but I believe some will appreciate it.

🖤 This book is for my “strange” book lovers❕*can be graphic*

[Emmalee Clift · Rating 2 out of 5]

The poetry is absolutely beautiful and the dream-like state felt so real. Unfortunately I found it extremely hard to follow along. I got lost in some of the switch ups between characters and could not quite tell who was talking or who they were speaking to. The characters were extremely under developed and I felt no connection to any of them. Maybe that was done on purpose but it just didn’t work for me.

[Eliya · Rating 1 out of 5]

Self indulgent and child-like, follows storyline’s heard time and time again.

[Robert Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alexander Michael is building something quite amazing. This one follows a similar structure as The Galleria, but with a different tone. Lots of surreal images.

Keep an eye on this author.