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In Excess of Dark
What if every terrible thing imagined came true? Every fleeting, nightmarish thought a reality? For grief-stricken Karina, her newfound ability to turn her worst daydreams into palpable truths has sent her into a downward spiral of depression and guilt. Coupled with the appearance of an enigmatic shadow figure and visions of her dead family, she grapples to maintain her sanity while desperately attempting to harness her abilities and reunite with her loved ones.
135 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 15, 2024
About the author
Red Lagoe
40 books71 followersRed Lagoe grew up on 80s horror and carried her paranoia of slashers and sewer creatures into adulthood.
She is the author of "In Excess of Dark" and three horror collections, "Impulses of a Necrotic Heart", "Lucid Screams", and "Dismal Dreams". As a dabbler in amateur astronomy, she enjoyed being the curator and editor of "Nightmare Sky: Stories of Astronomical Horror". In addition to writing, Red loves creating art using traditional fine art mediums like paint, ink, and charcoal. She is also the owner of Death Knell Press.
She is the author of "In Excess of Dark" and three horror collections, "Impulses of a Necrotic Heart", "Lucid Screams", and "Dismal Dreams". As a dabbler in amateur astronomy, she enjoyed being the curator and editor of "Nightmare Sky: Stories of Astronomical Horror". In addition to writing, Red loves creating art using traditional fine art mediums like paint, ink, and charcoal. She is also the owner of Death Knell Press.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
January 1, 2024
Full review at The Mort Report:
https://www.uncomfortablydark.com/the...
“It’s no surprise to me
I am my own worst enemy.
‘Cause every now and then
I kick the living shit outta me.”
MY OWN WORST ENEMY by Lit
This turned out to be stranger than I thought but ended up being better than I expected.
This is a brooding story, very dark and gloomy, and I will admit that I was not as motivated at the halfway point to finish the story, but damn, when it picked up I was invested right to the end.
I feel like I can’t say too much about this story because I really liked the angle it took, and I found it unique in its own way.
So, I am writing a short review and saying that this is a very atmospheric horror story and I think the readers who stick with it will reap the rewards. It might be emotionally draining, though, so prepare yourself accordingly.
5 STARS!
https://www.uncomfortablydark.com/the...
“It’s no surprise to me
I am my own worst enemy.
‘Cause every now and then
I kick the living shit outta me.”
MY OWN WORST ENEMY by Lit
This turned out to be stranger than I thought but ended up being better than I expected.
This is a brooding story, very dark and gloomy, and I will admit that I was not as motivated at the halfway point to finish the story, but damn, when it picked up I was invested right to the end.
I feel like I can’t say too much about this story because I really liked the angle it took, and I found it unique in its own way.
So, I am writing a short review and saying that this is a very atmospheric horror story and I think the readers who stick with it will reap the rewards. It might be emotionally draining, though, so prepare yourself accordingly.
5 STARS!
March 21, 2024
Graphic horror meshed with themes of depression and guilt, makes this novella pack one hell of a punch, seriously, Red may as well of caught a flight knocked on my door and socked one too me, the prose is powerful and takes the reader into an abyss of sorrow and grief, I love when authors keep the reader in the dark, ambiguity for me is a trope I really enjoy, and Red does an excellent job of making us question, is this all actually happening? Is it hallucinations? The ending? BRAVO I actually stopped breathing as I finished this book, highly recommend this to fans who like their horror on the dark side
December 12, 2023
*Huge thanks to DarkLit Press for the eARC of this one. Disclaimer – I have a novella releasing in 2024 through DarkLit, but in no way did this influence my thoughts on this book*
I’ve been a fan of Red’s work for sometime now and her short fiction is some of the best stuff you’ll ever read. Now, with this novella on the horizon, I was excited to see what she’d created, especially after reading the synopsis. Much like Gran’s ‘Come Closer,’ this one seemed to be a story that would walk that line between ‘is this real or not,’ and that always makes for a fun time in the horror world.
What I liked: The story follows Karina, a wife and mother who has always had to contend with her mind rapidly running through the darkest thoughts possible about every situation. Brakes are going to fail, the bungee will snap, the house will catch on fire. On and on, her entire life she’s struggled with it, but even worse – as her mother likes to remind her – sometimes the thoughts she’s having come true.
So, it comes that after a horrible moment occurs, one that happened exactly how she imagined in, Karina spirals into the depths of grief. Her family is gone. But something else has arrived. A strange black blob that seemingly can take the shape of those departed.
From here, Lagoe does a masterful job of keeping the reader guessing – is this actually happening, or is Karina sleep deprived and hallucinating. It never lets up and to make matters worse, we see Karina continue to spiral and grow unhinged. She stops talking to those who love her, holes up in her house, quits her job and focuses on what she needs to do to somehow bring those gone back to her.
This all culminates in a phenomenal ending where we see Karina become truly unhinged and in a macabre way, live out the dreams many aspiring writers long to obtain. It had me grinning like a maniac and the machine-like precision with which Red delivers this ending was magical.
What I didn’t like: We do get a tiny smidge of background story aspects surrounding Karina and her father, but I wished it was expanded upon a bit more.
Why you should buy this: This novella is going to knock the socks off every reader, much the same way Marceau’s, ‘This Is Where We Talk Things Out’ did. Lagoe has crafted a truly unnerving story that walks so close to the edge time and time again and ultimately leaves that question – Is this real or a hallucination? – firmly in the hands of the reader to determine.
Outstanding work.
I’ve been a fan of Red’s work for sometime now and her short fiction is some of the best stuff you’ll ever read. Now, with this novella on the horizon, I was excited to see what she’d created, especially after reading the synopsis. Much like Gran’s ‘Come Closer,’ this one seemed to be a story that would walk that line between ‘is this real or not,’ and that always makes for a fun time in the horror world.
What I liked: The story follows Karina, a wife and mother who has always had to contend with her mind rapidly running through the darkest thoughts possible about every situation. Brakes are going to fail, the bungee will snap, the house will catch on fire. On and on, her entire life she’s struggled with it, but even worse – as her mother likes to remind her – sometimes the thoughts she’s having come true.
So, it comes that after a horrible moment occurs, one that happened exactly how she imagined in, Karina spirals into the depths of grief. Her family is gone. But something else has arrived. A strange black blob that seemingly can take the shape of those departed.
From here, Lagoe does a masterful job of keeping the reader guessing – is this actually happening, or is Karina sleep deprived and hallucinating. It never lets up and to make matters worse, we see Karina continue to spiral and grow unhinged. She stops talking to those who love her, holes up in her house, quits her job and focuses on what she needs to do to somehow bring those gone back to her.
This all culminates in a phenomenal ending where we see Karina become truly unhinged and in a macabre way, live out the dreams many aspiring writers long to obtain. It had me grinning like a maniac and the machine-like precision with which Red delivers this ending was magical.
What I didn’t like: We do get a tiny smidge of background story aspects surrounding Karina and her father, but I wished it was expanded upon a bit more.
Why you should buy this: This novella is going to knock the socks off every reader, much the same way Marceau’s, ‘This Is Where We Talk Things Out’ did. Lagoe has crafted a truly unnerving story that walks so close to the edge time and time again and ultimately leaves that question – Is this real or a hallucination? – firmly in the hands of the reader to determine.
Outstanding work.
February 24, 2024
Genre: Horror
Type: Standalone Novella
POV: Third Person
Rating:
4.25 Stars
Since she was young, Karina recognized the darkness that dwelled within herself. When her gruesome daydreams turned into reality, she embarked on a quest to get her family back regardless of the consequences.
While this book is a graphic horror, it has an underlying tone of grief and depression. Karina carried a burden that became heavier as she attempted to fix her mistakes. I sympathized with her situation, but at times her choices were questionable.
In Excess of Dark is a story of guilt and desperation. It would appeal to readers looking for a quick horror read.
▪️💀▪️. . . (F)BR with Twinsie CC . . . ▪️💀▪️
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January 16, 2024
"In Excess of Dark" is most definitely that - dark and bleak and black. Black as Hades, black as death, black as the dark and morbid thoughts of wife and mother Karina, who seems to be losing her mind in this horror novella. Karina suffers a tragic accident that leaves her reeling, a tragedy for which she struggles to find any sense of closure.
At the same time, Karina starts seeing things in her distraught state of mind, and she begins to believe that she can cause violent events to occur if she fantasizes about them. Is Karina slowly descending into madness, or is there something supernatural happening?
For a novella, there are metric butt loads of graphic violence, body horror, death, dying and suicidal ideation. This story is most definitely not for the faint of heart. As a mother myself, there were a few parts where I cringed and felt very uncomfortable.
Did I enjoy this read? Most definitely! Would I read another book by this author? Hell, yes!
Just be prepared for a very heavy ride!
At the same time, Karina starts seeing things in her distraught state of mind, and she begins to believe that she can cause violent events to occur if she fantasizes about them. Is Karina slowly descending into madness, or is there something supernatural happening?
For a novella, there are metric butt loads of graphic violence, body horror, death, dying and suicidal ideation. This story is most definitely not for the faint of heart. As a mother myself, there were a few parts where I cringed and felt very uncomfortable.
Did I enjoy this read? Most definitely! Would I read another book by this author? Hell, yes!
Just be prepared for a very heavy ride!
January 22, 2024
This is a little book that tells a huge story about grief.
I don’t suffer from depression, but my God if I did? This book may have pushed me too far. It definitely pushed me to a depth that I’m not accustomed to.
The book is very well written and I found that I cared so much about our Main Character. And lest my talk of grief and sorrow hint otherwise, this is still one harrowing horror story.
While this is my first book from the author, I will absolutely read them again.
ARC via Publisher
I don’t suffer from depression, but my God if I did? This book may have pushed me too far. It definitely pushed me to a depth that I’m not accustomed to.
The book is very well written and I found that I cared so much about our Main Character. And lest my talk of grief and sorrow hint otherwise, this is still one harrowing horror story.
While this is my first book from the author, I will absolutely read them again.
ARC via Publisher
March 9, 2024
4★
Since she can remember, Karina had dark thoughts that often manifested into reality. Fearing her nightmares became the norm, but Karina is determined to embrace what exists deep within her.
After a certain part in the story, I was unsure of Karina’s path, especially given her grief and the stigma attached to her tendencies. However, once Karina accepts what she is capable of, she becomes unstoppable which was intriguingly gruesome but also poetically woeful.
In Excess of Dark a horror novella where emotional limits are tested and consequences defy explanation.
*This was a (F)BR with Twinsie Hawkey*
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
Since she can remember, Karina had dark thoughts that often manifested into reality. Fearing her nightmares became the norm, but Karina is determined to embrace what exists deep within her.
“Her most innocuous, wandering bad thoughts became reality - not the things she truly wanted."
After a certain part in the story, I was unsure of Karina’s path, especially given her grief and the stigma attached to her tendencies. However, once Karina accepts what she is capable of, she becomes unstoppable which was intriguingly gruesome but also poetically woeful.
In Excess of Dark a horror novella where emotional limits are tested and consequences defy explanation.
*This was a (F)BR with Twinsie Hawkey*
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
March 12, 2024
I've been looking forward to reading this novella for a while, and thanks to Red I got a chance to experience the darkness that is this brilliant story.
Karina is still dealing with the death of her father when she heads to the mountains for some family fun with her husband and teenage son. But life has a way of making her most dreaded thoughts a reality...
Wow. This is an intense story. It's also very sad and quite unsettling. The vivid, macabre imagery is as disturbing as the psychological situations Karina finds herself in. A lot of what happens is presented in a way that makes the reader question if everything she's seeing and experiencing is actually really happening. Or is everything just the delusions of a grieving woman who blames herself for all the awful things in her life?
I found this novella to be very emotional. A fever dream that you don't wake up from because things never stop coming. Karina deals with a lot, and that ending is... Yikes!
Yeah, this is an awesome and quite gruesome story. Loved it!
Karina is still dealing with the death of her father when she heads to the mountains for some family fun with her husband and teenage son. But life has a way of making her most dreaded thoughts a reality...
Wow. This is an intense story. It's also very sad and quite unsettling. The vivid, macabre imagery is as disturbing as the psychological situations Karina finds herself in. A lot of what happens is presented in a way that makes the reader question if everything she's seeing and experiencing is actually really happening. Or is everything just the delusions of a grieving woman who blames herself for all the awful things in her life?
I found this novella to be very emotional. A fever dream that you don't wake up from because things never stop coming. Karina deals with a lot, and that ending is... Yikes!
Yeah, this is an awesome and quite gruesome story. Loved it!
March 1, 2024
“The universe is a harsh motherfucker, an expanse of nothingness that devours the light, but her dad had taught her to seek those pinpoints of light and hold on for dear life.”
Trigger Warnings
- grief
- Death
- Themes of loss
- Gore
- Horror
- Suicidal ideations
This book delves into the dark abyss of grief and loss. This book definitely gets ominous furthermore burrows into heartache/bleakness of the themes of destruction and bereavement. This book kept me on the edge of my seat and biting my nails to the very end. I loved it!
Thank you to NetGalley, DarkLit Press, and Red Lagoe for providing me with a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.
January 25, 2024
This was VERY dark! I loved how gory it was, some of the descriptions here were absolutely horrifying and disgusting -- especially the end, wow! The main character's grief is so well described, anyone who has dealt with a big loss will be able to relate to Karina's difficulties after so many people around her die. There are moments where the reader can't be sure if things are really happening to her, or if she's imagining it due to her mind breaking down from stress and pain, and I loved that sort of unsettled vibe to this. I also especially loved the setting -- a lot of the story takes place in or around the Blue Ridge Mountains, which I've driven through multiple times and could so perfectly imagine the twisty roads and steep cliffs.
Super fast paced, I read this in one single sitting and barely looked up from the screen. Each new encounter Karina faced was more disturbing than the last, and I couldn't pull myself away from finding out how her story would end. Emotionally raw and filled with A LOT of blood, this was a great little novella!
___________________________
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Substack | Instagram | YouTube
(Got a copy from Netgalley, thanks to the pub & author!)
Super fast paced, I read this in one single sitting and barely looked up from the screen. Each new encounter Karina faced was more disturbing than the last, and I couldn't pull myself away from finding out how her story would end. Emotionally raw and filled with A LOT of blood, this was a great little novella!
___________________________
Find me outside of Goodreads!
Substack | Instagram | YouTube
(Got a copy from Netgalley, thanks to the pub & author!)
December 2, 2023
Alllllllllright this was a strange one. For a while I had no idea where this story was going but I enjoyed it in the end. I loved the horror aspect it felt really unique in execution- the physical darkness manifesting from her own mind to cope with grief and loss was really intriguing.
Wasn’t sure how to feel when I started it but so happy I decided to read it! Thanks Darklit Press for a copy of this!
4 stars and well worth the time spent reading
Wasn’t sure how to feel when I started it but so happy I decided to read it! Thanks Darklit Press for a copy of this!
4 stars and well worth the time spent reading
February 19, 2024
I received a copy for review through NetGalley.
Karina is grieving and has discovered a very dark new special ability. She can make her most horrible imaginings come true. Haunted by a mysterious shadow figure and grotesque visions she desperately tries to use her gift to bring her family back from the dead.
This was a fantastic grief horror novella that follows a character in the deepest darkest pit of despair and the lengths she will go to see her family again. The characters are very believable. The horror and emotion are both incredible in this story. This is a novella I would highly recommend to all in the mindset to handle the dark content.
Karina is grieving and has discovered a very dark new special ability. She can make her most horrible imaginings come true. Haunted by a mysterious shadow figure and grotesque visions she desperately tries to use her gift to bring her family back from the dead.
This was a fantastic grief horror novella that follows a character in the deepest darkest pit of despair and the lengths she will go to see her family again. The characters are very believable. The horror and emotion are both incredible in this story. This is a novella I would highly recommend to all in the mindset to handle the dark content.
December 21, 2023
One of my top reads for 2023. Absolutely brilliant 👏🏾
March 24, 2024
Very creepy book. Imagine having terrible thoughts running through your mind and then they actually happen. That’s definitely some scary stuff right there.
February 7, 2024
I'm unsure what's been happening with horror lately, but I've read many books with grief themes.
I've read a few books by Red and loved them. This book hit a little differently.
I attempt to find myself in the character while doing a review. This book is close to home.
My brother passed away a few years ago. It was sudden. It took us by surprise. I think about him often. He popped up a lot while reading this one, as did my father-in-law, who passed a few years before my brother.
This story opens with the main character and her family going on a trip. She thinks about their trip but has the idea that they're going to die. This is a thing with her, something she and her mom fought about.
The grief and thoughts of grief. The pain of being left and thinking she did something to cause it fills this story.
I thought about my brother and wished I could have been there more for him. I never thought I caused his death. It was a fluke thing, but we all dive into the deaths of our loved ones in different ways.
I wanted to bring them back and solve our problems with them while they were alive. Those thoughts permeated my mind while reading this. I think about my brother once a week anyway, but this book brought it out more.
I enjoyed this book, even with the emotions I felt while reading it. A good book will always bring out emotions. I loved how Red dove into the underlying issues with her mom and how she found a way to bring things back. How she was able to confront her mother. All of these things made the character believable. It gave the story a richness that made me blow through it.
I can't wait to reread this one.
I've read a few books by Red and loved them. This book hit a little differently.
I attempt to find myself in the character while doing a review. This book is close to home.
My brother passed away a few years ago. It was sudden. It took us by surprise. I think about him often. He popped up a lot while reading this one, as did my father-in-law, who passed a few years before my brother.
This story opens with the main character and her family going on a trip. She thinks about their trip but has the idea that they're going to die. This is a thing with her, something she and her mom fought about.
The grief and thoughts of grief. The pain of being left and thinking she did something to cause it fills this story.
I thought about my brother and wished I could have been there more for him. I never thought I caused his death. It was a fluke thing, but we all dive into the deaths of our loved ones in different ways.
I wanted to bring them back and solve our problems with them while they were alive. Those thoughts permeated my mind while reading this. I think about my brother once a week anyway, but this book brought it out more.
I enjoyed this book, even with the emotions I felt while reading it. A good book will always bring out emotions. I loved how Red dove into the underlying issues with her mom and how she found a way to bring things back. How she was able to confront her mother. All of these things made the character believable. It gave the story a richness that made me blow through it.
I can't wait to reread this one.
February 1, 2024
A fast, grief-stricken, creative work from Red Lagoe! Red takes her signature style to the next level as she blends grief, paranormal, and supernatural elements in this gripping story. This book is well-aligned to fans of Laurel Hightower and Eric LaRocca. Want to have fun for a few hours? Run between the Blue Ridge mountains and the beaches of coastal Virginia as you flee death and the inescapable shadow of your darkest thoughts. Yes, it's going to be that kind of party.
Can we manifest reality from our darkest thoughts? What's worse? Never seeing our dead loved ones again or losing our sanity to keep the dead close? And can we please have a chainsaw and an undeniable "Hell yeah!!!" moment? Yes, we can.
Can we manifest reality from our darkest thoughts? What's worse? Never seeing our dead loved ones again or losing our sanity to keep the dead close? And can we please have a chainsaw and an undeniable "Hell yeah!!!" moment? Yes, we can.
December 9, 2023
In Excess of Dark by Red Lagoe
I was given an advance copy by Darklit Press in exchange for my unbiased review. I went into the book book completely blind, which was recommended. My review does not reveal spoilers beyond the blurb.
Have you ever wished you could will something into existence? Longed for the return of a loved one? Secretly had dark thoughts about someone you know? This book dives into the darkest parts of our psyche and forces us to explore the places we rarely dare to dwell.
We take a journey into grief, loss, broken relationships, regrets, and unthinkable outcomes. The book is a very fast read due in part to the number of pages, but mostly due to my inability to put it down. The ending was both satisfying and haunting.
Highly recommend checking this one out. 4.5 stars. I’ll definitely check out more of Red’s work after reading this.
I was given an advance copy by Darklit Press in exchange for my unbiased review. I went into the book book completely blind, which was recommended. My review does not reveal spoilers beyond the blurb.
Have you ever wished you could will something into existence? Longed for the return of a loved one? Secretly had dark thoughts about someone you know? This book dives into the darkest parts of our psyche and forces us to explore the places we rarely dare to dwell.
We take a journey into grief, loss, broken relationships, regrets, and unthinkable outcomes. The book is a very fast read due in part to the number of pages, but mostly due to my inability to put it down. The ending was both satisfying and haunting.
Highly recommend checking this one out. 4.5 stars. I’ll definitely check out more of Red’s work after reading this.
February 29, 2024
Horror is my home and grief horror is my absolute favorite. 𝗜𝗻 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗸 had me so sad, but also wondering if this was a weird fever dream, is she hallucinating, is she in the hospital in a coma or hooked up to morphine? I just didn’t know. I felt so devastated for Karina, but also intrigued at her ability and couldn’t wait to see how this played out. The ending was perfect and I couldn’t have wanted more. I can’t wait to read whatever Red Lagoe puts out next. 𝗜𝗻 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗸 will be published 3/15. Thanks to Dark Lit Press for my eARC!
January 12, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. I feel like the author did an excellent job with the details of grief. I can't imagine going through what the MC does. Nor can I imagine the journey she takes to try to make it right, for herself. Overall, this is an excellent read that I will definitely be recommending.
The only reason I gave this 4 stars instead of five, is that the last quarter of the book was hard to follow.
The only reason I gave this 4 stars instead of five, is that the last quarter of the book was hard to follow.
January 10, 2024
Grief is a strange thing. You never know how you, or another will act when it comes to it. In our life time we all have to deal with grief, there is no right way or wrong way, but you do have to deal with it somehow. How will Karina deal with hers? This is a dark and at some points verging on bizarre kind of book that pulls on the heartstrings.
December 1, 2023
while definitely still a horror story, this hit closer to home than i ever expected it would. dealing with immense grief, our main character is both literally and figuratively shrouded in darkness. her pain is palpable from page one. what a beautiful, terrifying, heart wrenching story.
five stars covered in shadows.
five stars covered in shadows.
December 3, 2023
This was an incredibly dark novella about loss and grief, and I loved every minute of it. 🖤 I found the FMC to be truly relatable in her grief, even bringing myself to tears at a couple points in the story.
If you’re a fan of grief horror, you definitely need to pick this one up!! I know I will be checking out more of Red Lagoe’s work! 🙌
Thank you to Dark Lit Press, Andrew Robert, and Red Lagoe for the opportunity to read and review the eARC in exchange for my honest review. 🖤
TW: grief, loss, depression, suicidal thoughts
If you’re a fan of grief horror, you definitely need to pick this one up!! I know I will be checking out more of Red Lagoe’s work! 🙌
Thank you to Dark Lit Press, Andrew Robert, and Red Lagoe for the opportunity to read and review the eARC in exchange for my honest review. 🖤
TW: grief, loss, depression, suicidal thoughts
December 3, 2023
I was given a copy of In Excess of Dark for an honest review and boy was it a wild ride. I went in completely blind, as was the intention of the ARC release. This book was so fun, I never knew what was going to happen next, it starts off strong and then keeps punching. There is loss, regret, resentment, catharsis and like the title suggests, darkness. I don’t want to give an overview of the plot because I think it’s most effective to go in blind like I did, but I will say it deals with the theme of manifesting what’s in your mind. I had never read anything by Red Lagoe but I will definitely be looking for more of her work, I loved the story and I loved the ending. I give this story a 4/5 and I thank Andrew Robert and Darklit Press for providing me the opportunity to read this story and for introducing me to a new author to consume.
March 2, 2024
In Excess of Dark manages to expertly pull off what most psychological horror writers only (day) dream of. A dark and unsettling story that provides the visceral imagery and grounding that make horror sing while also exploring the depths of Karina's world, her new normal, and never letting the reader find firm footing. Ambiguous enough to keep your mental gears whirring long after the last page, with enough to latch onto for readers who don't care for open endings. A prime example of why novellas work so well for horror, in other words.
February 22, 2024
IN EXCESS OF DARK — by Red Lagoe – My Heart!
If you like dark horror with heart, I think you will enjoy this book . . .
‘The air was metallic like a storm…like blood…like her tongue on a 9-volt battery. It was the darkness within her spilling out. It was her shadow self-materializing from her grief, from her despair, from all the horrors that were trapped inside her. And it was time to face them.’
Recommend!
Thank you, DarkLit Press, for providing me with an eBook of IN EXCESS OF DARK at the request of an honest review.
If you like dark horror with heart, I think you will enjoy this book . . .
‘The air was metallic like a storm…like blood…like her tongue on a 9-volt battery. It was the darkness within her spilling out. It was her shadow self-materializing from her grief, from her despair, from all the horrors that were trapped inside her. And it was time to face them.’
Recommend!
Thank you, DarkLit Press, for providing me with an eBook of IN EXCESS OF DARK at the request of an honest review.
February 28, 2024
Red Lagoe really said, "GRIEF HORROR FOR EVERYONE!!" and she totally nailed it. I read this in one sitting and was enthralled and devastated the whole time. MAJOR grief horror on the same level as Pet Sematary or The Decent for me. And the whole time she had me wondering if this was really happening, if the main character was hallucinating due to lack of sleep and sadness, etc. It was INTENSE! Each scene/chapter just gave more and more until that chilling ending. And this is also just a reminder and confirmation that those concrete bathrooms at campsites and whatnot are actually just pure terror fuel because it's scary to be alone in them, have a snake or spiders in there, or even something hairy in there... like... YIKES! Outstanding novella!
January 10, 2024
Grief horror in every sense of the genre. Very poignant in places and downright explicit in some. Red’s voice is so distinct in her writing, if you have read and enjoyed her work before, you won’t be disappointed, and if she is new to you, you’ll love it anyhow.
January 5, 2024
This story was very weird and gripping. Some parts actually made me feel existential dreads so there's that. I loved the way the characters were developed
March 20, 2024
Let's talk about how awesome In Excess to the Dark was! Some backstory first, Red Lagoe grew up with 1980s horror which was horror at its finest. It is 2024 and I still watch 1980s horror flicks and dive into Stephen King's novels. It is a thirst I must quench. Thank you, Red for taking me back to a time when I always knew there had to be something waiting for me in my closet. And, you writing down the lurking thoughts us horror fanatics have but never speak on. In Excess of the Dark is a short, 152 page, novel but jam-packed with a child's worst nightmares. This story was so calm and alluring that I had to know the outcome as soon as possible. Red's writing put me back to when I was a child and scared of the dark. In Excess of the Dark was a one-day read for me that I will never forget. I give it 4.5 stars. Recommendation at its finest for In Excess to the Dark to all horror story lovers as it feeds our appetite.
Poor Karina, always walking on eggshells because the family she loved (her Daddy) died unnaturally and expressed it through his horror journal and art. You see, Karina's dad was an artist of disgusting and horror-filled art. He painted his worst nightmares and creatively wrote the horrific disasters that he saw happening to him in the future while his wife hated every second of it. She did not support him as his stories were against her beliefs, and there was constant tension in the household. All the while, he had a daughter, who loved her Daddy with all her heart.
Karina moved on and had a child, though she was having a hard time with her maternal instincts due to the way her mother raised her. Karina's family consisted of her husband and son only. Anything bad that occurred was blamed on Karina because her mom always reminded her that "the darkness" lived inside her "just like Daddy". Constantly thinking of her Dad's darkest stories, Karina's mom gives her her Dad's journal. This brings on an emotional rollercoaster and she begins to envision awful ways her family could die.
One day, Karina chose to take a trip with their son and husband in an attempt to bring some life back into her marriage. About an hour into their trip's long drive, BAM, a car accident occurs and both husband and son die. Karina lives knowing she thought and dreamt about her family dying in the exact way they did. After the funeral, her mom tells Karina that she must have "planned" their death. With her best friend at her side, Karina begins spiraling out of control. Karina's visions become a reality just like her father's did.
Karina's downward thoughts and dreams of darkness take a turn for the worst and she notices a tall dark figure watching her. The dark figure is everywhere. It watches her sleep, hides in dark corners, and even stands behind Karina's friends or family in the daylight to taunt her. With the help of her best friend and a medium, Karina jumps in to learn about this dark figure and "the darkness" that lived inside her dad.
This is a nightmare that comes true. Forever scarring one's thoughts and dreams. Karina MUST find out why this is happening to her.
Author Red killed it with this novel. I have downloaded more of her books due to how much I loved this story.
#netgalleyreadathon #netgalley #netgalleyreview #netgalleyreviewer #netgalleyreads #netgalleyarc #ilovebooks #ilovebooks📚 #bookrecsofinstagram #bookrecommendations #bookreader #bookreviewersofinstagram #booknerdigans #booklover #bookloversofinstagram #booklove #bookmama #bookstack #booksta #bookstagrammer #kindleunlimited #kindlegirlie #booksta #self-journey
Poor Karina, always walking on eggshells because the family she loved (her Daddy) died unnaturally and expressed it through his horror journal and art. You see, Karina's dad was an artist of disgusting and horror-filled art. He painted his worst nightmares and creatively wrote the horrific disasters that he saw happening to him in the future while his wife hated every second of it. She did not support him as his stories were against her beliefs, and there was constant tension in the household. All the while, he had a daughter, who loved her Daddy with all her heart.
Karina moved on and had a child, though she was having a hard time with her maternal instincts due to the way her mother raised her. Karina's family consisted of her husband and son only. Anything bad that occurred was blamed on Karina because her mom always reminded her that "the darkness" lived inside her "just like Daddy". Constantly thinking of her Dad's darkest stories, Karina's mom gives her her Dad's journal. This brings on an emotional rollercoaster and she begins to envision awful ways her family could die.
One day, Karina chose to take a trip with their son and husband in an attempt to bring some life back into her marriage. About an hour into their trip's long drive, BAM, a car accident occurs and both husband and son die. Karina lives knowing she thought and dreamt about her family dying in the exact way they did. After the funeral, her mom tells Karina that she must have "planned" their death. With her best friend at her side, Karina begins spiraling out of control. Karina's visions become a reality just like her father's did.
Karina's downward thoughts and dreams of darkness take a turn for the worst and she notices a tall dark figure watching her. The dark figure is everywhere. It watches her sleep, hides in dark corners, and even stands behind Karina's friends or family in the daylight to taunt her. With the help of her best friend and a medium, Karina jumps in to learn about this dark figure and "the darkness" that lived inside her dad.
This is a nightmare that comes true. Forever scarring one's thoughts and dreams. Karina MUST find out why this is happening to her.
Author Red killed it with this novel. I have downloaded more of her books due to how much I loved this story.
#netgalleyreadathon #netgalley #netgalleyreview #netgalleyreviewer #netgalleyreads #netgalleyarc #ilovebooks #ilovebooks📚 #bookrecsofinstagram #bookrecommendations #bookreader #bookreviewersofinstagram #booknerdigans #booklover #bookloversofinstagram #booklove #bookmama #bookstack #booksta #bookstagrammer #kindleunlimited #kindlegirlie #booksta #self-journey
January 19, 2024
Grief is a monster. A real-world monster that ravages the body and mind and spirit.You know how you can never truly know what another person is thinking? It turns out that’s not entirely accurate. Karina’s deepest, darkest imaginings have the uncanny ability to come true.
She’s always had this ability, although it used to be much easier to put this down to correlation rather than causation. Recent events have changed that somewhat. It’s pretty safe to say you might want to stay on Karina’s good side now or you may no longer have a good side.
“Don’t pretend you didn’t want this to happen. I know … somehow … you did this.”Grief can distort the way you see things but in Karina’s case, her desperate need to be with her loved ones will have her coming face to face with the darkness.
This book doesn’t shy away from the depths of despair that threaten to overwhelm you when you’re grieving. Looking straight into the rawness of the pain and the guilt that can accompany it, this is at times an uncomfortable read but that’s how you know it’s done its job.
I would have liked some of the characters to be more fleshed out (maybe literally). I wish I could have met Karina’s father and spent more time exploring her relationship with her husband and son.
Things get fairly splatty, much to my delight. While I absolutely loved the body horror, I was hoping for a larger body count. That says more about me than the book, though. Unless we’re in a slasher where the blood is practically dripping off the pages, I’m going to be wanting more insides to become outsides.
I finished this read in one sitting. I wish it had been longer, not because it was lacking but because I wanted to spend more time in the darkness with Karina. I’m keen to read more books by this author.
Think positive thoughts.Content warnings include .
Thank you so much to NetGalley and DarkLit Press for the opportunity to read this novella. I’m rounding up from 4.5 stars.
Blog - https://schizanthusnerd.com
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