Beware The Shadows

Wanted to share this with everyone. As some of you will remember, Dr. Michael Collings wrote my favorite review of That Which Should Not Be. I was really honored, then, when he agreed to write the introduction for my new book, The Void. He’s posted it on his site, and you can enjoy it here.

I am going to reprint the introduction here, and add to it only this–I was immediately impressed with the quality of writing and thinking I found in That Which Should Not Be when I read it and was not surprised to find that it was a prize-winner already. The Void meets–if not exceeds–that same level of quality.

Really proud of this one, especially since it is by a fellow writer I really respect and in one of the great publications of horror and science fiction. Check it out here.

As a jaded old horror reader, it’s been quite some time since I read something that actually made me feel nervous and uncomfortable in the way that this book did. The prose is fluid, the descriptions vivid without being overdone and the characters are all three dimensional and believable. The real star of the show, however, is the pervading sense of menace that oozes from every page.

The Void is one of the best horror novels that I’ve read this year, hands down. It is a vast improvement on That Which Should Not Be and firmly establishes Brett Talley as an author to watch out for in the future.

Following up a positive review from Publishers Weekly with one from Library Journal, one of the preeminent literary magazines out there.  Here’s what they have to say about The Void.

Talley’s second novel opens in a futuristic world where faster-than-light space travel is possible, but at a great cost. Passengers are placed in a deep sleep during travel, and consequently experience horrifying dreams that culminate in madness and murder. Protagonist Aidan Connor wakes up on the spaceship Alabama, after being rescued from his escape pod somewhere between Pluto and Neptune. Suffering from amnesia due to the traumatic destruction of his own ship, the Vespa, Connor begins the chilling journey of uncovering the truth behind the dreams that drive humans mad. While the genre is unmistakably Lovecraftian horror, with its examination of the horrific and cosmic unknown, the book’s content is not. The narration drags a bit when the author pauses to explain to the reader the basics of space and physics, but the horror elements are very well written and fascinating. Talley’s debut novel, That Which Should Not Be, was nominated for the 2011 Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement for a First Novel.

VERDICT: This unique and unnerving read is a sure bet for horror and sf fans. [The publisher is a small independent press that specializes in horror, sf, and fantasy—Ed.]—­Rebecca M. Marrall, Western Washington Univ. Libs., ­Bellingham.

Snagged one of the coveted review spots in Publishers Weekly’s print magazine (and online) this week.  I was a little nervous as Publishers Weekly is known not to pull punches when it comes to reviews.  Turns out, I had nothing to worry about.

Talley follows Stoker finalist That Which Should Not Be with another solid tale of cosmic horror…This tale of aliens preying on humanity stands out from the crowd thanks to the strength of Talley’s prose and creative imagination.

Hope everyone picks up The Void when it drops this July 13th.  Until then, check it out on Goodreads.

I’m going to have to start a review page for reviews of The Void.  Thanks to Horrornews.net for the great review!

For these reasons Talley has composed an immensely effective novel. It’s rare we stumble onto a new author so consistent in their capability to allure us into their next anticipated journey.

Talley proves That Which Should Not Be his debut effort was no fluke. He’s here to stay deeply embedded in our darkest dementia.