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Nothing but the Black
The world has gone black.
At least, you can't see anything. You can't move or scream either. You're trapped.
This has to be a dream, yet... something tells you it's all too real. Not only do you not remember where you are, you don't remember who you are.
With a poetic narrative that promises an existential read, Nothing but the Black searches for a light in the darkness of identity.
At least, you can't see anything. You can't move or scream either. You're trapped.
This has to be a dream, yet... something tells you it's all too real. Not only do you not remember where you are, you don't remember who you are.
With a poetic narrative that promises an existential read, Nothing but the Black searches for a light in the darkness of identity.
- GenresShort StoriesFiction
20 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 19, 2015
34 people are currently reading
102 people want to read
About the author
Domino Finn
32 books212 followersDomino Finn is an entertainment industry veteran, a contributor to award-winning video games, and the grizzled Urban Fantasy author of the best-selling Black Magic Outlaw series. His stories are equal parts spit, beer, and blood, and are notable for treating weighty issues with a supernatural veneer. If Domino has one rallying cry for the world, it's that fantasy is serious business.
Take up arms at DominoFinn.com
Take up arms at DominoFinn.com
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
July 25, 2020
What The...?
I don’t know what I’ve just read. One of the most weirdest book, ever.
Okay... this is what I think this book is about...Some man wakes up in the “blackness,” wherever that is. He finds he is alone. Well, maybe not.
Apparently, he’s engaged in some kind of experiment. He is no longer human, but he is still sentient.
He no longer has arms and legs and things. However, he is still, somehow, able to communicate with who ever, or whatever is in the room with him.
I don’t know what I’ve just read. One of the most weirdest book, ever.
Okay... this is what I think this book is about...Some man wakes up in the “blackness,” wherever that is. He finds he is alone. Well, maybe not.
Apparently, he’s engaged in some kind of experiment. He is no longer human, but he is still sentient.
He no longer has arms and legs and things. However, he is still, somehow, able to communicate with who ever, or whatever is in the room with him.
September 30, 2015
I wasn't at all sure what to expect reading this, but I'm glad I did. It was like nothing I've read before with lots of questions about ourselves and our own purpose of existence. I can see parallels between this novella and the meaning of life. There's not much to say without giving away any details, and this book is definitely one to start reading blind. Literally.
April 11, 2015
This is the fourth overall piece of work by Domino Finn that I've read and my second short story. I was running some errands today and saw a Facebook post that Mr. Finn had made announcing this story. I rushed to my sister's house and got her to download it from Amazon.com (it is a free download right now) as soon as I got there so that I could read it on the way to dinner. If you've read any of my other reviews for Domino Finn's work, you'll know that I am a fan of his. If you haven't read any of those reviews, it should still be easily deduced by the fact that I see the man's Facebook posts.
All three of the other stories that I've read of Finn's have been in the modern/urban supernatural fantasy genre. Each of those stories deals with either witches, spirits or werewolves. This story is about as far removed from that type of fiction as one can get. I traded a couple of comments with Domino on the Facebook post he made. I made a comment to him that comparing this to his other stories isn't like comparing apples to oranges. Apples and oranges are both still fruit. This story is so different from the rest of his library that it is like comparing apples to steak. There is nothing comparable between those two other than they are edible. Since we're talking about food, I devoured this story like a fat kid would a birthday cake. Alas, I had to reread parts of "Nothing but the Black" because this isn't the type of writing one consumes like a frat boy shotgunning a beer. This is more of a fine wine to be savored.
I'm a huge fan of the science fiction genre. The roots of that love can be traced back to the Star Wars franchise. I was three years when the original Star Wars movie came out and something about that world mesmerized me. I grew up reading comic books. Most of your typical superhero comics have science fiction elements to them. As I got older, I branched out from there and read/watched everything I could get my hands in the science fiction genre. I enjoy pretty much everything the genre encompasses from the lowbrow end that is usually shortened to sci-fi, like Sharknado, to the more thought provoking works like George Orwell's 1984 and Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. The higher end of that spectrum evokes thoughts that range anywhere from the general state of the world we live to the more existential why am I am here? "Nothing but the Black" definitely falls in the latter category.
I've been a fan of Domino Finn's since I completed reading Shade City: The Dead Side Blues which was the first thing of his I ever read. With each new thing I read, I became more impressed. This just blew my mind though. The things I've said that I liked best about his other works are missing from this story. I won't go into those things here because that might ruin this for someone else and I would hate to do that. This story needs to be experienced first hand. If you're not into the existential, I'd suggest staying away from "Nothing but the Black". If you're prepared to have a story linger in your mind long after you've read it, be sure to check this out because this is the best thing that Domino Finn has published so far. I need to go read it again myself. As I said before in my analogy of the wine, this should be savored like the finely crafted work of art that it is. Maybe on my next read through I'll pick up the taste of something I missed before.
All three of the other stories that I've read of Finn's have been in the modern/urban supernatural fantasy genre. Each of those stories deals with either witches, spirits or werewolves. This story is about as far removed from that type of fiction as one can get. I traded a couple of comments with Domino on the Facebook post he made. I made a comment to him that comparing this to his other stories isn't like comparing apples to oranges. Apples and oranges are both still fruit. This story is so different from the rest of his library that it is like comparing apples to steak. There is nothing comparable between those two other than they are edible. Since we're talking about food, I devoured this story like a fat kid would a birthday cake. Alas, I had to reread parts of "Nothing but the Black" because this isn't the type of writing one consumes like a frat boy shotgunning a beer. This is more of a fine wine to be savored.
I'm a huge fan of the science fiction genre. The roots of that love can be traced back to the Star Wars franchise. I was three years when the original Star Wars movie came out and something about that world mesmerized me. I grew up reading comic books. Most of your typical superhero comics have science fiction elements to them. As I got older, I branched out from there and read/watched everything I could get my hands in the science fiction genre. I enjoy pretty much everything the genre encompasses from the lowbrow end that is usually shortened to sci-fi, like Sharknado, to the more thought provoking works like George Orwell's 1984 and Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. The higher end of that spectrum evokes thoughts that range anywhere from the general state of the world we live to the more existential why am I am here? "Nothing but the Black" definitely falls in the latter category.
I've been a fan of Domino Finn's since I completed reading Shade City: The Dead Side Blues which was the first thing of his I ever read. With each new thing I read, I became more impressed. This just blew my mind though. The things I've said that I liked best about his other works are missing from this story. I won't go into those things here because that might ruin this for someone else and I would hate to do that. This story needs to be experienced first hand. If you're not into the existential, I'd suggest staying away from "Nothing but the Black". If you're prepared to have a story linger in your mind long after you've read it, be sure to check this out because this is the best thing that Domino Finn has published so far. I need to go read it again myself. As I said before in my analogy of the wine, this should be savored like the finely crafted work of art that it is. Maybe on my next read through I'll pick up the taste of something I missed before.
August 8, 2017
Interesting story
I know I read this before but I did not remember it. It was an interesting story considering it was so short.
I know I read this before but I did not remember it. It was an interesting story considering it was so short.
April 11, 2015
AHHHHHHHH. Mr. Finn. You are a sneaky one.....
(Actual rating 4.5)
Last year, I became a big fan of Domino Finn. I have had the pleasure of reading Shade City (which I can not recommend enough) as well as another short story, Blood Magic. Both of these works, I adored. Finn has quite the writing flair, the ability to suck you into a story. When you read his stuff, you are THERE. So, when my brother came to me today and told me that Finn had a new short out, we were all over it. I was starting a my second book of the day so my brother took first crack at the tale and I knew that I would get around to it a bit later. (I might have read this sooner but I had ordered the final season of "Sons of Anarchy" a couple of days ago and it arrived today so nothing else mattered til that first episode got watched!) (On a different side note, I am thinking that my brother is writing his review at this exact same moment, so it will be fun to see how they compare.)
I like most things supernatural but sci-fi is a close second favorite, thus Finn's claims that this is a little different from his usual style, in a science fiction vein instead of supernatural did not worry me. I took an outside smoke break and had Nothing But The Black on hand to combat the boredom.
Hard to review novellas and short stories, in my opinion as you can't really say anything other than the general plot and your impressions of the writing as it is rather easy to give things away about the overall arc. Mr. Finn's writing is still above par of most writers that I read. He has an eye for the perfect amount of detailing as well as the man can pace the hell out of a story. Never too fast nor does he drag things to a boring crawl. He gets your attention and he holds it captive til he is done with you. A great thing in my book, truth be told.
My brother told me that he loved it. BUT that he wasn't sure how I would feel about it. After reading it, I know now that my brother gets me for the most part, at least what drives me nuts about books/movies etc.
I'll attempt to explain this in terms without a spoiler.....
When I was little, my brother had me watch "The Shining". I really liked it but the ending of "He has always been there" did not sit well with me. It kept me awake at night, literally. I turned it over in my mind constantly because I just didn't have the answers I was looking for. I am not dumb but sometimes, I just like stuff to be laid out for me, which is not always the case. I just like everything to be nice, neat and explained and wrapped up. I am not a fan of happy endings but I like closure. (Sorry, it's a thing with me) I am not comparing Finn's newest fabrication to "The Shining' in likes of story or plot but only in the fact that I am quite sure that this story will haunt my mind for some time. Not all of my questions were questions and where some people love this, my O.C.D kicks in and it drives me crazy. SERIOUSLY. NUTS.
Seriously, you should read this because it wonderfully executed. Don't let my weird hang-ups stop you because Domino Finn should be on everyone's "To-Read" list. Better yet, on the "Read" shelf.
(Actual rating 4.5)
Last year, I became a big fan of Domino Finn. I have had the pleasure of reading Shade City (which I can not recommend enough) as well as another short story, Blood Magic. Both of these works, I adored. Finn has quite the writing flair, the ability to suck you into a story. When you read his stuff, you are THERE. So, when my brother came to me today and told me that Finn had a new short out, we were all over it. I was starting a my second book of the day so my brother took first crack at the tale and I knew that I would get around to it a bit later. (I might have read this sooner but I had ordered the final season of "Sons of Anarchy" a couple of days ago and it arrived today so nothing else mattered til that first episode got watched!) (On a different side note, I am thinking that my brother is writing his review at this exact same moment, so it will be fun to see how they compare.)
I like most things supernatural but sci-fi is a close second favorite, thus Finn's claims that this is a little different from his usual style, in a science fiction vein instead of supernatural did not worry me. I took an outside smoke break and had Nothing But The Black on hand to combat the boredom.
Hard to review novellas and short stories, in my opinion as you can't really say anything other than the general plot and your impressions of the writing as it is rather easy to give things away about the overall arc. Mr. Finn's writing is still above par of most writers that I read. He has an eye for the perfect amount of detailing as well as the man can pace the hell out of a story. Never too fast nor does he drag things to a boring crawl. He gets your attention and he holds it captive til he is done with you. A great thing in my book, truth be told.
My brother told me that he loved it. BUT that he wasn't sure how I would feel about it. After reading it, I know now that my brother gets me for the most part, at least what drives me nuts about books/movies etc.
I'll attempt to explain this in terms without a spoiler.....
When I was little, my brother had me watch "The Shining". I really liked it but the ending of "He has always been there" did not sit well with me. It kept me awake at night, literally. I turned it over in my mind constantly because I just didn't have the answers I was looking for. I am not dumb but sometimes, I just like stuff to be laid out for me, which is not always the case. I just like everything to be nice, neat and explained and wrapped up. I am not a fan of happy endings but I like closure. (Sorry, it's a thing with me) I am not comparing Finn's newest fabrication to "The Shining' in likes of story or plot but only in the fact that I am quite sure that this story will haunt my mind for some time. Not all of my questions were questions and where some people love this, my O.C.D kicks in and it drives me crazy. SERIOUSLY. NUTS.
Seriously, you should read this because it wonderfully executed. Don't let my weird hang-ups stop you because Domino Finn should be on everyone's "To-Read" list. Better yet, on the "Read" shelf.
November 12, 2016
Interesting little story, I just really wish there was more. I need answers!!
Which is probably the result the author wanted to be honest.
Which is probably the result the author wanted to be honest.
August 8, 2017
Unsettling little story!
November 5, 2016
Spellbinding
This story is spellbinding and poetic. Like the person stuck in the blackness, I want answers. Thoughts tan through my head as why this person was left in the darkness with nothing but their thoughts. The narrative was confusing and yet compelling at the same time. An interesting read.
This story is spellbinding and poetic. Like the person stuck in the blackness, I want answers. Thoughts tan through my head as why this person was left in the darkness with nothing but their thoughts. The narrative was confusing and yet compelling at the same time. An interesting read.
May 14, 2020
A short telling of a thought-provoking, possibly terrifying idea. I still can't decide whether I'm glad I read this or not, but that's purely because of the subject matter.
To say anything about the content would be one huge spoiler, but the writing certainly raises ethical questions.
To say anything about the content would be one huge spoiler, but the writing certainly raises ethical questions.
March 4, 2017
Much a do about nothing
It neither captures reader,s interest nor emotion at any stage despite being read attentively, in my unbiased opinion as a county essayist
It neither captures reader,s interest nor emotion at any stage despite being read attentively, in my unbiased opinion as a county essayist
July 1, 2016
Thought provoking
By Annabele
[Copied from My Amazon Profile]
I can remember years ago attending a movie, while sitting in front of two giggling girls who obviously having seen it several times were repeating the dialogue word for word. I turned around and politely asked them to let me enjoy the movie without their annoying commentary. Too little too late, their damage already done, spoiling the movie by giving away the plot and ending. With this experience in mind, I make a point to never repeat what they did, so I never give spoilers.
That said, I can't really go into too much detail about this short story without accidentally dropping a few spoilers, so my review will be a bit vague and allow you to figure out what happens yourself.
For a short story, "Nothing but the Black" certainly makes one ponder the various possibilities out there, what would you do and how would you react in similar situations? I thought the storyline was well established, the character fleshed out enough for you to relate to the situation. This is a Free short story so I would certainly recommend you give it a shot, if you find you don't like it as much as I did, your only out the thirty minutes it took you to read it.
By Annabele
[Copied from My Amazon Profile]
I can remember years ago attending a movie, while sitting in front of two giggling girls who obviously having seen it several times were repeating the dialogue word for word. I turned around and politely asked them to let me enjoy the movie without their annoying commentary. Too little too late, their damage already done, spoiling the movie by giving away the plot and ending. With this experience in mind, I make a point to never repeat what they did, so I never give spoilers.
That said, I can't really go into too much detail about this short story without accidentally dropping a few spoilers, so my review will be a bit vague and allow you to figure out what happens yourself.
For a short story, "Nothing but the Black" certainly makes one ponder the various possibilities out there, what would you do and how would you react in similar situations? I thought the storyline was well established, the character fleshed out enough for you to relate to the situation. This is a Free short story so I would certainly recommend you give it a shot, if you find you don't like it as much as I did, your only out the thirty minutes it took you to read it.
January 21, 2016
Having read other books by this author, to my mind, this is not his best but then it is very, very different, not at all what I would have expected. I was a bit slow getting into this short story. I nearly gave up very early on but was intrigued to know if I was missing something. The more I read, the more I wanted to and was glad I didn't give up. I caught on to the clue that makes me wonder if Mr Finn will bring out a sequel and if he does, I want to read that too.
February 26, 2016
This was a fun little short that eventually led to an obvious end, it was, however, well written; and seems like it could have been the start of something much vaster and greater (and might still, in the future). As a stand alone, it works, and it tickles the brain (There is a pun in here somewhere, but you'll have to discover it.) As a possibility for a deeper work, the idea is, at the least, intriguing. One of the better Domino Finn writes.
December 27, 2015
Brilliantly descriptive, an excellent short story. A number of years ago I watched a TV drama programme with an identical plot therefore guessed early on what the story was about. Despite this is did not detract from the reading experience.
I will no doubt read more from this author and have joined his reading group.
I will no doubt read more from this author and have joined his reading group.
September 21, 2015
Short but sweet.
Short, gripping and thought provoking. Really got me, for that 30minutes I was whisked away into a little world of just thoughts. Reminded me of Johnny Got His Gun.
Short, gripping and thought provoking. Really got me, for that 30minutes I was whisked away into a little world of just thoughts. Reminded me of Johnny Got His Gun.
November 21, 2015
Captivating
The second great short story that I have read by this author, having also read Blood Magic. Both are worth reading. I highly recommend them both. This is darker, deeper, more chilling. Will definitely look for more from this interesting mind.
The second great short story that I have read by this author, having also read Blood Magic. Both are worth reading. I highly recommend them both. This is darker, deeper, more chilling. Will definitely look for more from this interesting mind.
January 24, 2016
"What's the point?"
Call me old-fashioned but I like a beginning, a middle and an end; whether it's a story, a song or a three-course meal. This was a chapter that went nowhere. If there was anything more than a meaningless ramble then I missed it.
Call me old-fashioned but I like a beginning, a middle and an end; whether it's a story, a song or a three-course meal. This was a chapter that went nowhere. If there was anything more than a meaningless ramble then I missed it.
November 29, 2016
I'm going to be one of the few going by reviews on Goodreads, but this wasn't my cup of tea.
It was well written and certainly drew you in but left you with more questions than answers. I didn't understand it - anyone can feel free to clue me in.
It was well written and certainly drew you in but left you with more questions than answers. I didn't understand it - anyone can feel free to clue me in.
July 6, 2015
An interesting short story. Definatly worth the read.
October 18, 2015
An excellently written short story that had me totally absorbed for the duration. I'll definitely be checking out more of Finn's work.
November 9, 2015
A masterful short story. Perfect pacing.
December 5, 2015
A entertaining story.
January 3, 2016
This is a strange story, but i liked it. I don't know what it is about your writing Mr. Finn, but keep it up.
May 19, 2016
Well done
Intriguing short story that really draws you along. The conclusion is rather interesting with its lack of clarity and serves the story well.
Intriguing short story that really draws you along. The conclusion is rather interesting with its lack of clarity and serves the story well.
November 14, 2016
Nothing but the black
This book has a good premis but fails to deliver.
I got to the end and was left wondering where the rest of the story was.
This book has a good premis but fails to deliver.
I got to the end and was left wondering where the rest of the story was.
Want to read
July 11, 2015kindle
April 8, 2017
Interesting concept
This short story, was unusual. At first, thought the guy was in a coma. The reality was much more frightening.
This short story, was unusual. At first, thought the guy was in a coma. The reality was much more frightening.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews