This is an interesting dive into grief, Dre press ion and mental health. As a novella it is a quick read. I do think the topics are handled well but really would have benefited from a full length novel. The imagery was perfectly morbid and grotesque. As a horror novel it didn’t work for me as it seemed to rely on that gross factor rather than unease and ambiance.

The pain and grief the main character goes through though was outstanding. I think this works better as a general fiction exploration with horror elements rather than a true horror novel but I still enjoyed the read. It is a 3 due to the reliance on body horror and decay as its primary fear factor. It just wasn’t scary but it was dark.

If you’re a fan of body horror and dealing with the aftermath of a lost loved one, this is worth a read.

Let's talk covers.... I love this cover!

I wasnt sure what to expect but oh my this is one of the best i have read in a while. This has Stephen King Vibes! It has twists and turns and was creepy at times.

Would definitely recommend! Will look for more by this author.

Thanks NetGalley for letting me read and review.

“In Excess of Dark” by Red Lagoe follows Karina, a mother and wife, who finds her daydreams are coming true. The events of the book send her down a dark path to help her maintain her sanity.

This book was a quick read, but it is dark. Revealing too much about this book will ruin it, but Red was able to feed on my fears as a mother and wife. It can be graphic and deals with themes of toxic family, generational trauma, and grief. Definitely worth a read.

Thank you to Red Lagoe and DarkLit Press for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

I wasn't sure what to expect going in, but this actually ended up being one of the better horror stories I've read in awhile! Its themes reminded me of King's Pet Sematary, and its style reminded me of the stories in Night Shift (two very high compliments!). It has emotional weight, twists and turns, and some genuinely creepy moments throughout. Definitely worth a read!

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.

I loved this story. It was a quick read at just over 100 pages, but the author deftly crafted a detailed and creative story with great character development in that short span.
The main character Karina can make things happen by imagining them and unfortunately, her imagination tends towards the macabre. Fortunately, she discover how to control her “talent”, just not in time to save the ones she loves.
Thanks to the author and DarkLit for providing a free copy to review. Excellent story!

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!

If you enjoyed Gus Moreno’s This Thing Between Us, you will enjoy the grief fueled story that is In Excess of Dark.

Karina, who is quick to become a childless widow after a day dream turned nightmare rips her family away, discovers that her dark, grief-stricken fantasies are becoming real as she tries to pick up the pieces of her shattered life. Something is lurking around doors and in the corner of her vision which threatens to keep her delusional and daydreaming as she struggles to overcome the loss of her son and husband. When Karina starts seeing her dead family members around the home they shared, she tries to harness the power that took her family in the first place.

For my short list of a good, heart-breaking horror tale, you will need:
A toxic family dynamic, someone who clearly needs a therapist and a manifestation of grief

To say that this story checks off all of my boxes is an understatement. The dark presence that haunts Karina is the shadow of the life that could have been. She tries desperately to achieve something that is impossible and otherworldly. This entity, her manifestations and her delusions are all happening as she is trying to work through the five stages of grief. As the reader comes to the end of this novella, they will see if Karina finds the acceptance that she is so desperately searching for in whatever way she envisions it.

I wish this novella was longer. Karina is such a real portrayal of denial, grief and a hint of the supernatural sprinkled in. Thank you Red for bringing her to the page.

I give this novella a 4.5 rating because I personally wanted just a smidge more character development in the main character as well as supporting characters because the supports were definitely disappointing but it did make for a more realistic portrayal. Like I stated before, this was more of a personal preference.

This is one that I had a great time with. I have been loving grief horror novellas recently and this is one that is going in my stack of recommendations. I really felt for our main character and liked seeing how her grief and trauma manifested in her life after everything she went through. I liked seeing her try to figure out what was going on and the path the book took with that. I loved the ending and wasn't really expecting it which was fun. This is one that kept me intrigued and invested in the story and also made me emotional. Would definitely read from this author in the future and will be recommending it.

After the devastating loss of her family Karina believes her explicit daydreams/nightmares have the power to dream them back into existence… but with grief eating away at her and a mysterious shadow following her every move, it will take more than that to get her family back.

Sounds great right?? Nope.

I hated Karina- what her character goes through I wouldn’t wish on anyone- but she was so annoying to read about. Even though I understand why, I just didn’t care.

The premise was a good idea but I think the potential of the whole “daydreams coming true” was lost along the way. I’m a mechanical thinker I love knowing the ins and outs of an ability, but with Karina’s, we get the bare minimum.

This book is a huge metaphor for inner darkness and what you put into the world you get out but again, don’t care.

All in all, if you like your horror less horrifying with more grief, you’ll enjoy this. I didn’t.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC all thoughts and opinions are my own.

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.

Review:

Red Lagoe’s twisted little tale of motherhood and belonging is a sordid entry in the canon of being careful what you wish for. Our tale centers Karina, a wife and mother who struggles with dark thoughts and anxieties. When the darkness that follows her costs Karina her family, something mysterious and possibly dangerous arrives to offer Karina perhaps everything she might want.

From here, it’s a journey through Karina’s tortured psyche and Red Lagoe blazes a trail all the way through “In Excess Of Dark.” Having established a remarkably sympathetic and complex figure in Karina, Lagoe targets each and every emotional beat like an expert, designed to break the reader’s comforts and tear them to bloody pieces.

Lagoe plunges us into an absolute pit of madness and grief. From the horrors of the unknown, “Excess” ramps up the absolute madness as the story grows increasingly macabre in all the best ways to showcase Karina’s fracturing mind.

No punches get pulled in the end. This is a book that captures the pure, distilled essence of horror and should rightfully make Red Lagoe a celebrated star.

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.

💥💥 Book Review 💥💥

In Excess of Dark by Red Lagoe

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars

“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.

A good portrayal of a journey through grief. The story was dark, bleak and a bit depressing.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher.

I really liked this novella! I love a good horror book set in the mountains and woods. It also has the "unhinged woman" trope that I'm really digging lately. There were definitely some on and unexpected turns that I did not expect, lol. I don't think that this counts as a spoiler since I'm not saying how or who was involved, but I did not expect some zombie (???) smut. It was gross, I loved it!

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.

Thank you to netgalley and DarkLit Press for allowing me to read this book. I didnt know what to expect going in but I really did enjoy this book overall.

I really liked that this touched on how grief can definitely manifest in intrusive ways, all of the very dark thoughts our MC was having being a prime example. Everyone grieves differently, and some people go to incredibly dark places to do that. It was a short and sweet little horror novella that delivers what the description promises. In short story fashion, it's hard hitting, and quickly!

This writing has a ton of potential. My main critique is that some of it gets repetitive and goes into "and then, and then" territory. and quickly. But I would definitely read something by this author again in the future.

Title: "In Excess of Dark" - A Brooding Descent into the Shadows

Red Lagoe's "In Excess of Dark" presents a narrative that dives deep into the shadows of the mind, exploring the unsettling possibility of every dark and nightmarish thought becoming a palpable reality. Grief-stricken Karina grapples with a newfound ability that turns her worst daydreams into tangible truths, plunging her into a harrowing journey of depression, guilt, and a desperate quest for reunion with her deceased family.

The story unfolds as a brooding and gloomy tale, immersing readers in the darkness that envelopes Karina's world. Admittedly, there's a moment around the halfway point where motivation wanes, but hold on because, when it picks up, it grabs you and doesn't let go until the very end.

The novella's strength lies in its unique angle, offering a dark and bleak narrative that is as black as the morbid thoughts haunting Karina's troubled mind. Lagoe masterfully paints the story with shades as dark as Hades, weaving a tale that delves into the depths of horror and psychological turmoil. Karina's tragic accident leaves her searching for closure in a world that seems to be slipping away.

The author skillfully introduces an element of ambiguity, leaving readers questioning whether Karina's descent into madness is a psychological unraveling or if supernatural forces are at play. The tension between these possibilities adds layers of intrigue to the narrative.

While I can't delve into too many details without giving away the essence of the story, I appreciate the uniqueness that "In Excess of Dark" brings to the horror genre. Lagoe manages to craft a compelling and mysterious atmosphere that keeps readers engaged, even when the plot takes unexpected turns.

This horror novella may not be everyone's cup of tea, especially for those seeking a more straightforward narrative. However, if you appreciate stories that embrace the shadows of the mind and offer a distinctive take on horror, "In Excess of Dark" is worth exploring. Lagoe's exploration of the thin line between reality and the supernatural adds a layer of complexity to the story, making it a dark and compelling read for those who dare to venture into the excesses of darkness.

In Excess of Dark is a fantastically written journey through loss, grief and madness. The author does a great job of exploring how these work in tandem and manifest. I can’t say much more without creating spoilers, but I can say you should add this to your TBR.