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Dark AwakeningsFrom its earliest origins, the human religious impulse has been fundamentally bound up with an experience of primordial horror. The German theologian Rudolf Otto located the origin of human religiosity in an ancient experience of "daemonic dread." American horror writer H. P. Lovecraft asserted that weird supernatural horror fiction arose from a fundamental human psychological pattern that is "coeval with the religious feeling and closely related to
From its earliest origins, the human religious impulse has been fundamentally bound up with an experience of primordial horror. The German theologian Rudolf Otto located the origin of human religiosity in an ancient experience of "daemonic dread." American horror writer H.P. Lovecraft asserted that weird supernatural horror fiction arose from a fundamental human psychological pattern that is "coeval with the religious feeling and closely related to many aspects of it." The American psychologist William James wrote in his classic study The Varieties of Religious Experience that the "real core of the religious problem" lies in an overwhelming experience of cosmic horror born out of abject despair at life's incontrovertible hideousness. In Dark Awakenings, author and scholar Matt Cardin explores this ancient intersection between religion and horror in seven stories and three academic papers that pose a series of disturbing questions: What if the spiritual awakening coveted by so many religious seekers is in fact the ultimate doom? What if the object of religious longing might prove to be the very heart of horror? Could salvation, liberation, enlightenment then be achieved only by identifying with that apotheosis of metaphysical loathing? This volume collects nearly all of Cardin's uncollected fiction, including his 2004 novella "The God of Foulness." It contains extensive revisions and expansions of his popular stories "Teeth" and "The Devil and One Lump," and features one previously unpublished story and two unpublished papers, the first exploring a possible spiritual use of George Romero's Living Dead films and the second offering a horrific reading of the biblical Book of Isaiah. At over 300 pages and nearly 120,000 words, it offers a substantial exploration of the religious implications of horror and the horrific implications of religion. "In Dark Awakenings, Cardin proves himself to be an adept in the fullest sense of the word. To both the morbid and the cosmically minded, who may be one and the same, he delivers his visions and nightmares in a master's prose. In the tradition of Poe and Lovecraft, Cardin's accomplishments as a writer are paralleled by his expertise as a literary critic and theorist, as readers can witness in this volume. His analyses of supernatural horror and its practitioners are also dark awakenings in the dual manner of his stories, with one eye on the black abyss and the other on an enlightened transcendence without denomination. Again, this quality of Cardin's work can be seen in the writings of Poe and Lovecraft, two other felicitous freaks who merged the antagonistisms of their imagination into a chimera as awful as it is awe-striking." -Thomas Ligotti, author of Teatro Grottesco and The Nightmare Factory. "Matt Cardin channels visions of dark, maniacal intensity. His otherworldly divinations will have you lying awake in the dark, counting stars in that most pitiless gulf that yawns above us all. A master of terror and dread, he ranks among the foremost authors of contemporary American horror." -Laird Barron, author of The Imago Sequence & Other Stories. "Dark Awakenings offers the dream imagery of the best weird fiction but goes even further beyond the ordinary thanks to Matt Cardin's fierce intellect. Haunting stories and insightful essays. This is mandatory reading to prepare for the doom to come." -Nick Mamatas, author of Move Under Ground.Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Mythos Books LLC
Published: 01/04/2010
ISBN: 9780972854566
Pages: 334
Weight: 1.23lbs
Size: 8.50h x 5.51w x 0.88d
Review Citations: Publishers Weekly 03/28/2011
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Product Reviews
★★★★★ 5
Dragon Diaries 🐲
Format: Paperback
A fun addition to her chapter book series! My daughter and I loved this book. Perfectly goes with the Sprinkles and Unicorn books and we can't wait for more!
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Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2025
★★★★★ 5
Great book!!
Format: Paperback
The boys and girls in my class are both excited for this title! I am excited to read it aloud to them!
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Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2025
★★★★★ 5
I Loved It
Format: Kindle
This was my first time reading a book by Elle Alexanda, and it definitely won’t be my last! I was absolutely captivated by the Lou/Ava love story. I found Lou’s vulnerability so endearing. It was an excellent read, and I wish it were available as an audiobook. The story was a slow burn, but it kept me hooked. The flirting and banter between Lou and Ava were so entertaining. I didn’t want the story to end! Well done, Elle!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2025
★★★★★ 4
Romance with a side of Thrill
Format: Kindle
4.25 stars!
I was immediately engrossed in this debut novel, with the thrilling beginning and obvious future romance between Lou and Ava. I thought the setting of the town was wonderful, full of small charm and supportive characters. The little nods towards the continuing threat to Ava’s life were good. The budding romance was great, too! I think the intimacy scenes were soft and perfect.
The main reason this didn’t reach 4.5 stars for me (thus would’ve rounded it to 5 instead of down to 4), is because of the POV switches during chapters. They’re a bit jumbled in; the reader is suddenly seeing or hearing things from Lou when it started with Ava, but then it quickly switches back to Ava. It’s not my favorite way for a story to be shared.
I also lost a little steam towards the middle-end, right before the big finale. I’m not sure if my other hobby distracted me or if the story hit a slow spot. It’s possible I was hoping for a little more excitement. This story had more romance than thrill.
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Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2025
★★★★★ 5
Blood and Muscle
Format: Kindle
I had this on my shelf for a while. lG reviews were great, the cover was pretty, and it sounded really interesting.
It was better than I expected! Love when that happens🥰
The story was great, the writing was good, and the characters were amazing! Ava and Lou's chemistry at first was a little charged. But as the story went and their relationship developed, it turned into something more tender and very intimate. Throw in the witness protection thing, and you have quite exciting romance. I will be reading this again!
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Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2025