Crypt of the Moon Spider by Nathan Ballingrud weaves a unique lunar space gothic that's like nothing I've ever read.

The story takes place at a mental asylum on the moon during a retro-futuristic version of the 1920's. It follows Veronica, a new patient there, who’s promised that an experimental surgery involving removing parts of her brain and replacing them with spider silk will cure her melancholy.

Now, I typically love bizarre medical horror along the lines of A Cure for Wellness. However, this novella suffers from serious pacing and structural issues. The first half feels incredibly rushed and disjointed. It's riddled with so many scene breaks to the point that I feel like scenes weren't properly built up to create suspense.

Then there’s an abrupt POV switch in the second half. Here we finally get necessary background context for the story that I really wish had been foreshadowed in the first half so that the later plot twists feel earned within the story.

It's a shame because parts of the story are so conceptually brilliant and we do get some fantastic moments of body horror. They're just haphazardly stitched together in a way that didn't feel satisfying to me as a reader.

Well, this was delightfully messed up! It's giving A Madness So Discreet meets The Redemption of Morgan Bright but put it on the moon . So yeah, obviously this is wild and unique and batshit, which is to say, fabulous. There were so many absolutely jaw-dropping moments that made me straight up gasp, which is to say, not for those who can't handle some dark themes and body horror. But for those who can, it is certainly worthwhile!

While I am hoping to find more about the particulars of the world in the upcoming installments, it is certainly an entertaining and unique one. The basic premise of Veronica's awful husband committing her to a mental institution isn't exactly a new concept, but literally every other part of it is. I love how it takes some of the actual historical basics behind the messy history of psychological "treatments" of the past, but adds these absolutely bananas elements that both make it feel fresh and provide excellent commentary on the whole thing. Can't wait for more!

Bottom Line: Messed up. Love it.

I loved this novella so much. It is perfect!

In 1923, Veronica is sent to the moon by her husband to be cured of her melancholy. The Barrowfield Home is a one of a kind facility and Dr. Cull has some radical treatments. Veronica soon discovers some disturbing secrets and horrors along with lots of spiders.

It is very hard to describe this story but I would say it mostly has a gothic horror vibe with elements of body horror, sci-fi and fantasy. The story is fantastic and unlike anything I have ever read. I am so excited to see that this is the first novella in a series! I received this book through NetGalley but will definitely be purchasing this book as soon as it is available.

What a gory/gothic/scifi/horror/ historical fiction. It read in the same way that you drink a perfect temperature cappuccino- succinct and satisfying. The genre bending kept me intrigued and on the edge of my seat, not knowing exactly what would happen next because there wasn’t necessarily a trope to follow. I love how perfectly weird and unsettling it was. I would definitely return for another Novella by this author. I wish more people In publishing, within the horror genre, understood how wonderful a perfectly written and to the point Novella is.

This is a creepy and interesting novella. While I felt like I was missing something (context, background, etc) the plot was fascinating and original. It does convey a lot of information despite its length. There appears to be a full length novel that takes place after this and with some of the same characters which I will definitely pick up.

A huge thanks to Tor Nightfire and NetGalley for the eARC!

A viscerally uncomfortable work of horror fiction, Nathan Ballingrud’s novella, Crypt of the Moon Spider, feels like a dreamy lullaby that promises sweet sleep, only to warp into a grotesque nightmare that is not soon to be forgotten. The year is 1923, and Veronica Brinkley has just landed on the moon. No, this isn’t a groundbreaking event in this world that Ballingrud crafts. Rather, it’s a typical trip for those who are seen as emotionally affected, a voyage to the Barrowfield Home for Treatment of the Melancholy (a little bit of a mouthful, but aptly named). Such a place is manned by Dr. Cull, an eccentric fellow with what seems to be a quirky approach to mental health, being on the moon and all that. This is for good reason though, as the basis of his treatment plans stem from the webs of moon spiders constructed directly into the human brain. Despite this bizarreness, there’s something even more sinister at play within the halls of Barrowfield, something that Veronica comes to know all too well.

Body horror has long been a unique subgenre of horror, often pushing boundaries of what readers can stomach. An argument could be made that psychological, existential horror sits on the opposing side of this spectrum, detailing the dread that comes with those elusive, hard-to-describe feelings of the mind. Nathan Ballingrud manages to very effectively combine these two to create Crypt of the Moon Spider thus executing one greatly uncomfortable reading experience. And I say this as a compliment!

The circumstances of Veronica’s voyage to Barrowfield are shaped by the horrors women are all too familiar with. The treatment she receives from her husband is the behavior of nightmares as she is dismissed, abandoned, and forgotten all before she falls into Dr. Cull’s hands. Barrowfield shows no love for Veronica either; she spends most of her time in isolation, receives little communication regarding her treatment plan, and then, worst of all, the treatment itself. Lack of control or loss of autonomy is unfortunately a fear all women have faced and is clearly expressed through Veronica’s character. This of course extends even further to fears of medical malpractice or experimentation for anyone at Barrowfield, women and men alike. Cue the Frankenstein-like scenes of mutilation and disfigurement.

To keep things spoiler-free, I’ll speak in generalities of the carnal horrors on display within the last few pages of this novella. The medical practices instituted by Dr. Cull fall nothing short of grotesque. The central idea of removing the sick part of the human brain to be rebuilt by the moon spiders is gut-churning in and of itself. Yet, this mangled attempt at curing mental disease in this manner feels allegorical of the mental health crisis plaguing our country, our world. Dr. Cull’s monstrous actions mirror the bumbling ways in which our world leaders, politicians, and even some physicians operate. It’s a dark idea that hallmarks the mistrust between patient and doctor, the vulnerable and the powerful. This is all driven home so starkly through Ballingrud’s unflinching gore and the repulsive reality of Dr. Cull’s treatments.

A quick 96 pages spent on this moon in some universe where spiders mend brains, Crypt of the Moon Spider exhibits masterful body horror to emphasize the dread of vulnerability and the evils of malpractice. Nathan Ballingrud manages to introduce a confounding world where all of these things are possible, setting the stage for the rest of his Gothic Lunar Trilogy with quite a bang. While the events of the next two books exist in a realm of mystery, the sense of absolute shock experienced with this novella was abundantly clear.

I really don't even know what to make of <i>Crypt of the Moon Spider.</i> It is singularly its own <i>very weird</i> thing.

It's a story that seems to draw from all kinds of weird and wonderful stuff. The central plot--involving a woman named Veronica who is sent to the moon to help cure her depression--feels a whole lot like a throwback to Charlotte Perkins Gilman's classic "The Yellow Wallpaper," but the book mashes up a whole bunch of other genre tropes and elements to keep it fresh. There's some pre-space race cosmic science fiction going on as well, like a riff on C.S. Lewis or Edgar Rice Burroughs or the Hugo Gernsback era of sci-fi. It's hard to pin anything down specifically, though, as it mashes up so many strange conceits to pull a story together.

But the book is also breathlessly short, its story less a fully composed epic and more like the overture to a broader text; the book is here to set up a thematic statement of sorts, seemingly necessary to understand the rhythm of what is to come. I'm wholly on board for the next installment, but I also think the strength of this book is going to be predicated on what the full trilogy has in store.

Even if this one isn't the whole story, has so much left to explore, it feels totally unique. As much as I strain to put together where the hell this thing came from, it is wild and fresh and I just cannot wait to see where Ballingrud is going to take us next.

<b>Disclosure Statement: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for review. My thoughts and opinions are entirely my own and have not been influenced in any way by either the author or the publisher.</b>

Don't read this book if you have arachnophobia, the story will probably make it worse.

At the beginning of the story, I didn't really like Veronica and the way that she treated people. As the story progressed, though, I was glad that she got to come into her own as the... Spider Queen, I guess? I was also hoping that her initial take on Charlie (the whole Grub nickname in particular) was unwarranted. Nope. Nope, nope, nope. She was right, he deserves the nickname. I also likes the use of memories throughout the story.

I can't wait for the second book in the trilogy to see how the character arcs play out.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing group for this opportunity to read rate and review this arc which will be available on Aug 27,2024!

Have you ever read a book where the atmosphere of it make the hair on your arms stand up and your body shiver in tense dread? No? Then may I highly recommend this horror for you. It is set in 1920s on the moon with an asylum that is built on a cult’s hang out. Yeah I was like huh too but it freaking works. The atmosphere of this novel ensnared me and twisted my brain all up. I loved it.

Fun! I LOVED The Strange, so was really excited to read this. I flew through it!

Really interesting lore and great showing-not-telling.

Nathan Ballingrud somehow wrote the most bizarre period piece, taking place on the moon in the early 1900s, with giant mystic spiders and groundbreaking brain surgeries, and because he's such a damn good writer, I was rooted in the story, and eager to see where it goes. It's a noir tale about an always-shackled woman who overcomes her oppressors and embraces her power. Such a great story, I can't wait for more!

A disturbingly dark and profoundly unsertling story, or, in other words, excellent horror. I love how memories and fears twist and change into something else in this story, and the setting on a spider-haunted moon is beautiful and terrifying.

This novella was so creepy! Ballingrud managed to combine two very specific fears: the moon and institutionalization, into one horrifying novella. To be fair, this book was a little confusing and I'm not entirely sure I knew what was going on the entire time, but I was definitely scared! Looking forward to the next in the series!

What the hell did I just read? Crypt of the Moon Spider is like some kind of science fiction fever dream and I was down for it!

It's 1923 and Veronica is heading to the moon with her husband. He is committing her to the Barrowfield Home for Treatment of the Melancholy. Years ago, the moon was home to a colossal spider. The spider is dead now but uses have been found for its moon spider silk. Turns out it can help the mentally ill. Or can it? As the mysterious Dr. Cull performs his spider silk brain experiments on his patients, his assistant Charlie is busy harassing and abusing patients in his own way. And lastly, who are these people wandering around in white, often bloody robes? You'll have to read this to find out!

I admit that I only have a vague idea as to what happened here, but I believe that was the author's intent. Yes, I understood most of what was going on, but what I do not understand is most of the how and why. Was what happened some sort of dream on Veronica's part? Does the world at large know exactly what it is that Dr. Cull is doing? What the hell is Charlie's problem? I feel like I, myself, am wandering around the labyrinthian Barrowfield Home, looking for answers.

I loved Veronica as a character. She felt real to me and she was so hard on herself I just wanted to hug her. I get the feeling that Veronica is somehow special, that she was always meant to be on the moon, and that she has a purpose there.

This was a unique novella but I feel it is connected to the wider world of literature as well. Viewed a certain way, this could be a weird retelling of Frankenstein, or maybe even a planet of Dr. Moreau instead of an island? (I also feel a little bit of an, Edgar Rice Burroughs vibe, but that could be and probably is, just me.) All of this to say I'm still not really sure what is happening here, but I WANT MORE. I am trusting in the author to answer all of my questions in the next two books and I would like both of those ASAP, please!

All the Stars to this wicked, dreamy, and weird science fiction tale! Bravo!

*ARC from publisher.*

One of the most creative premises I've seen in a very long time! This novella is 100% Gothic and 100% science fiction. All the Gothic tropes are here, but set on the moon and with a mad scientist and a giant spider and the spider's disciples. Looking forward to the next novella in this trilogy!

Oo this is a treat for those readers looking for horror that takes place in an insane asylum back when being a woman with feeling and emotions was a real threat of getting you locked away for good. That’s exactly what happens to our main character Veronica when her “beloved” husband sends her away for “help.” However once Veronica is there, the morbid reality of her new life hits her and between her own plaguing thoughts and shoddy medical experiments, Veronica struggles to discern which memories are hers and which may be false.

There is a neat surprise at the end that I will say is unique and gives this novellla a pop of creature feature vibes.

A quick fast paced read that will chill you to your core, especially those with a fear of our little eight-legged friends.

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TL;DR: I found myself cheering for the ‘monsters’ in this one, but I can definitely see how the spider-ness of it all is going to mess with people
Source: Many thanks to the publisher for my eARC copy!

Plot: Veronica is dropped at a mental health hospital on the moon by her husband. They propose to replace the portion of her mind that ‘causes’ her mental illness with spider silk. Clearly that’s not going to work.
Characters: I did really enjoy how the characters were built here. Each one felt distinct and unique. It helped that this is a very small cast.
Setting: The moon! It seems quite strange to what you might expect as it’s a forested one and we’re mostly in an asylum but an interesting setting nevertheless.
Magic/Horror: This was unique for me. It’s all based around a giant psychic spider and I suspect we’re going to get more details on it in further books.

Thoughts:

What a fun, creepy ride this was. Crypt of the Moon Spider gives me vibes almost similar to The Yellow Wallpaper, a horror classic I can’t recommend enough. Veronica is dropped at an asylum on the moon in hopes that they’ll ‘fix’ her bouts of depression. You quickly find out the doctor in charge wants to ‘scoop’ out the part of her brain that causes these feelings and replace it with Spider Silk from a giant deceased psychic spider. What could go wrong?

The story manages to fit a lot more into it than that. We have the unwell attendant who assist Dr. Grub. And Dr. Grub himself, a bit of a mad scientist type with ulterior motives. The two of them present an interesting and aggressive foil to Veronica who is scared and left at their mercy. Then the spiders and horror itself begins to seep in and take over and the final scenes are very… vivid. I’m fairly sure some of those images are going to live rent free in my mind.

Crypt of the Moon Spider is delightfully creepy. I will most definitely be continuing this series, as I believe we’re getting two more. It doesn’t have much of a resolution but what it sets up and shows us is very tempting and horrifying. I can’t wait for more.

In 1923, Veronica is dropped off on the lunar surface by her husband at the Barrowfield Home for the Treatment of the Melancholy run by the renowned Dr. Barrington Cull, who can treat almost any mental ailment with astounding success. Veronica, who's been deeply fascinated about the moon most of her life, learns that there used to be giant lunar spiders that inhabited the moon at one time and that there is a nearby cult that worships a corpse of one. She also learns that the secret behind the doctor's treatment is just some spider silk implanted in the brain. And as with any good gothic story, nothing at this hospital is what it seems. This gripping novella seamlessly blends multiple genres like gothic, horror, and sci-fi with the body horror elements providing extra chills. Even though it's quite short, it's able to discuss complex ideas of agency, bodily autonomy, and memory. The one thing I thought it was lacking was some world-building, but that could come later since this is supposed to be the first of a trilogy. I I didn't think it distracted from the overall story. This is a title I look forward to featuring in a future episode of my library's book recommendation podcast, Books & Bites.

I can always go for a good novella, and this hits the spot!

The setting is atmospheric yet unfussy. Our main character’s psychological journey was my favorite part. I strongly related to Veronica’s constant reexamination of childhood; the Nebraska vignettes were so charming and bittersweet. The last line really hit the emotional mark for me, and elevated the novella instantly. Superb payoff.

A lady sent to an asylum on the moon. Sent or abandoned? And there is the legend of Moon Spider. An ally and friend? Keep reading to find out.