I loved the description of the book, but the execution of the book did not win me over, and I'm sad about that because it sounded like a really interesting title.

I love novellas because they are short and sweet, no extra filler to waste the reader's time or anything like that. This is one exception in which I wish the book were around 200 pages or so as I think some of the fantastical elements could have benefited from a bit more description-flesh it out so to say; this would have helped keep the book from feeling like the magical teacher is explaining EVERYTHING. I don't know-something about that kind of irked me and felt like I was being spoonfed plot. And then the thing. The thing that came from left field-what the fuck?! Completely lost me.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.

I rarely read novellas, but I've recently read two, The Order of the Pure Moon Reflecting Water by Zen Cho (which I've scheduled closer to publication) and Jeffrey Ford's Out of Body.

From description: "Jeffrey Ford returns with Out of Body, a new horror story about a small-town librarian whose sleep paralysis becomes something much more."

OK. A rather dull librarian experiences out of body episodes that introduce him to the mysteries of the night world. Murders, vampires, a serial killer, and other strange experiences.

I was slowly drawn in to this one, mostly because I had no idea what to expect and still don't know what to say about it.

Strange, but not really my thing.

NetGalley/Macmillan, Tor/Forge.
Horror? Fantasy? May 26, 2020. Print length: 175 pages.

Out of Body is a quick read about a librarian who witnesses a murder at his local deli. The librarian has sleep paralysis, that evolves into something more disturbing and scary.

The setting and characters are well-written, and the moments of horror throughout the story are truly frightening. It’s amazing how efficient the author was in creating such a creepy atmosphere. This novella is definitely worth checking out if you’re looking for something that’s dark and spooky.

I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Slow starter and empty finisher. The hero doesn't even end up being the one to defeat the villain. Decided not to review for our site. Sorry. I don't like giving negative reviews. I wish he would recapture the brilliantly strange creativity of the Well-Built City or The Fantasy Writer's Assistant.