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The Dark Verse, Vol. 1: From the Passages of Revenants
(The Dark Verse #1)
by
2010 Independent Publisher Book Awards Silver Medal Winner in the Category of Horror
Twenty-six short stories of occult, metaphysical, and fantastical horror that will follow you to the visions of your sleep.
This is Sharkchild's first tome of terror.
Twenty-six short stories of occult, metaphysical, and fantastical horror that will follow you to the visions of your sleep.
This is Sharkchild's first tome of terror.
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Start your review of The Dark Verse, Vol. 1: From the Passages of Revenants
The design of this book was exquisite and added to the experience of reading this book immensely. It is clear that a lot of time and effort was spent on the design of the book itself, and it is quite handsome. As for the stories themselves they are very decent. As is the nature of anthologies there are stories that are stronger than others. With this collection in particular there is an overarching aesthetic and style that comes through when all the stories are taken together. Part of this effec
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A Unique Vision
An impressive first collection from author and podcaster M. Amanuensis Sharkchild. These are tales of twisted logic, ventures into strange realms, and encounters with incomprehensible entities. There is an impressive range of ideas and some genuine imagination on display here. The prose varies a little in quality, but colorful and varied vocabulary makes up for some of the rough spots. I would definitely recommend this book to readers of dark fantasy, horror, and weird fiction.
An impressive first collection from author and podcaster M. Amanuensis Sharkchild. These are tales of twisted logic, ventures into strange realms, and encounters with incomprehensible entities. There is an impressive range of ideas and some genuine imagination on display here. The prose varies a little in quality, but colorful and varied vocabulary makes up for some of the rough spots. I would definitely recommend this book to readers of dark fantasy, horror, and weird fiction.
In a nutshell, if you like taking a white-knuckled ride into the darker corners of the imagination, then this is a book for you.
The first thing you notice about this book is the graphic presentation.
It's a hard cover, black in color with an intricate silver foil illustration on the front . Open the book and the end papers are artwork unto themselves, the paper is heavy grade, and each story has it's own individual illustration on its first page (illustrations courtesy of John F. Stifter) The des ...more
The first thing you notice about this book is the graphic presentation.
It's a hard cover, black in color with an intricate silver foil illustration on the front . Open the book and the end papers are artwork unto themselves, the paper is heavy grade, and each story has it's own individual illustration on its first page (illustrations courtesy of John F. Stifter) The des ...more
I picked this up because of the considerable buzz comparing this to the works of Lovecraft, and was quickly and sorely disappointed - to the point of being offended that the comparison be drawn at all. This “Sharkchild” writes like a high-schooler who just read Lovecraft for the first time: edgy and cringey to the max. I truly fail to imagine how anyone over the age of 17 would be impressed by this book.
A series of haunting tales that will chill your spine. The unfolding plot twists and screams of the tortured victims play in your head. You're introduced to all kinds of characters and you see them meet very different, yet similar fates. Pain, devastation, loss of hope, depression, these are just a few words that consumed the characters lives. Most of these stories were symbolic. No spoilers, but you can look deeper and see that the author wasn't just trying to traumatized you, there are themes
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What can I say, but...
This is an interesting collection of short stories that were originally told through a podcast by the author. They are weird, blizzard, mind provoking and just plain interesting. But they can be confusing and some feel incomplete. Still, a decent collection of stories that will have you thinking. None are scary to me, but that is to be expected as I have never been scared by reading a book.
This is an interesting collection of short stories that were originally told through a podcast by the author. They are weird, blizzard, mind provoking and just plain interesting. But they can be confusing and some feel incomplete. Still, a decent collection of stories that will have you thinking. None are scary to me, but that is to be expected as I have never been scared by reading a book.
The Dark Verse shows a lot of potential. The book itself is nicely bound with thick pages, but the layout leaves something to be desired. There are a lot of over-produced ink-looking pictures and blank pages spacing out the chapters so that they all start on an odd-numbered page. The stories themselves are all pretty much the same length, which makes me wonder if they were planned that way (one in particular is split into two parts, when one would have, in my opinion, flowed better). The stories
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I could describe this book as a simplified combination of Lovecraft and Poe, although not in a negative way. These short stories have many twists and turns that explore sorrow, surrealism, and space. I got hooked on the first few stories and I’d definitely recommend it to fans of Lovecraft and creature horror. My only complaint is that the final stories in the book weren’t much to leave on. I expected more to leave with, but they didn’t sit right with me.
Definitely Dark
The author must be a powerful dreamer because many times reading the stories I felt that I was reading his recorded dreams. At times I felt I was reading my own.
My only complaint, and it is somewhat insignificant, is that the voice of the narrator never changed as if it was the same actor in different roles but always playing the same character regardless of the plot or setting. However, I was impressed and look forward to other collections.
The author must be a powerful dreamer because many times reading the stories I felt that I was reading his recorded dreams. At times I felt I was reading my own.
My only complaint, and it is somewhat insignificant, is that the voice of the narrator never changed as if it was the same actor in different roles but always playing the same character regardless of the plot or setting. However, I was impressed and look forward to other collections.
Not Impressed
I had decent hope for this collection but was disappointed. Not one story jumped out and me or caused me to ponder. Most seemed overwritten.
I had decent hope for this collection but was disappointed. Not one story jumped out and me or caused me to ponder. Most seemed overwritten.
Excellent Lovecraftian horror
Fun collection of Lovecraftian cosmic and existential horror shorts. Great find.
This book is certainly fantastic.
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Haunting and undeniable, Sharkchild has tapped into a dark fiction, macabre style of writing that carries the tone of great writers before him to which he lends his own uniqueness. The Dark Verse is comprised of twenty-six short stories bound magnificently by cover illustrations that are as sophisticated as the stories, themselves. Sharkchild has the ability to transport the reader into the deepest depths of death and other-worldly transformations. Death always triumphs over our physical bodies,
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I enjoyed many of the short stories in this collexion. However, Sharchild's use of older/Lovecraftian language sometimes became his detriment. There were a few noticeable times of a slip in narrative voice with certain words or phrasing, and also embellished pulp language (ie, 'I pried myself from the demon and spent the rest of the evening watching a couple of movies that should have been locked and buried beneath the core of the earth').
But where Sharkchild falters with language, he makes up f ...more
But where Sharkchild falters with language, he makes up f ...more
This is a mixed bag, some stories are good (not great), and some just bleh. Most feel like they're improvisational, no forethought into writing them just long running idea on a theme made into a semblance of a story. Those that I've listened to on the podcast worked better read aloud, it helps foster the dream-like mood that I think is intended when reading the work.
I wouldn't say these stories are Lovecraftian in the common usage (no Cthulhu, shoggoths, etc) though there are great and terrible ...more
I wouldn't say these stories are Lovecraftian in the common usage (no Cthulhu, shoggoths, etc) though there are great and terrible ...more
There are some really chilling tales in here, but overall an overuse of superfluous language. Even when the characters are modern, the narration has the floral quality of early Victorian gothic lit. Some great imagery, really creepy characters. I definitely had a good time reading it. Oh, but none of the main characters are female. All the stories are told in first person, and frankly in most of them gender wouldn't really be a factor to the plot, but all of them are revealed as male at some poi
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This book is beautifully written and the bite-sized stories are not too long, not too short. They sound like they have been pulled out of nightmares and dreams and mashed together. For the weirdest stories wrapped in eloquent language with a Lovecraft-y touch, read this book.
Why the low rating? This style and genre is just not my style, although I can totally see how someone would really appreciate this book.
Too much of the same. So much concentration on the Lovecraftian feel that a lot of the stories lose something; or become muddied, and instead of instilling a sense of horror, only leave one confused. A few of the stories were a little more linear, and good, but most of them (to me, anyway) made too little sense to really frighten.
A book of short stories. They're enjoyable for the most part but nothing too special. They all seem to follow the same formula and they all have the same tone and voice. So it's repetitive in a sense.
Sep 18, 2013
Alex
added it
True
Trying very, very hard to be something.
Classic
This is the kind of thing I read more often when I was in college, and can certainly still appreciate today. Sharkchild's writing cannot be denied. Grab yourself a copy!
This is the kind of thing I read more often when I was in college, and can certainly still appreciate today. Sharkchild's writing cannot be denied. Grab yourself a copy!
Very good
Hearing His podcasts then reading the stories are great. this book is hard to put down now on to book 2
Hearing His podcasts then reading the stories are great. this book is hard to put down now on to book 2
Ok, that was gloriously bizarre. Well done.
New Author
I'm really impressed with these short stories - they are incredibly well written and I loved how dark and messed up they were. I already bought the next two volumes.
I'm really impressed with these short stories - they are incredibly well written and I loved how dark and messed up they were. I already bought the next two volumes.
Good stories in a gorgeous edition.
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M. Amanuensis Sharkchild is the award-winning, Lovecraftian author of the growing series of horror fiction short stories The Dark Verse and of the dark fantasy novel The Spirit Collectors. His self-published books are praised for their illustrious hardcover binding and artwork and have won six awards. The Dark Verse is also a podcast through which Sharkchild releases new short stories on a regular
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