I honestly enjoyed this book even though it wasn't exactly what I was expecting. This is definitely more of a fantasy than a horror book, but there were still a lot of horror elements. I loved how it took us around the world and I really liked the main character. The dialogue was natural and well-written and the story was paced fairly well. It was easy to follow but not boring.
However, at times the book felt repetitive and I felt one of the characters switched sides too quickly. I would have loved a scene where her morals change. The villain, however, was excellent but I would have liked to have explored her motives a bit more. In addition, I felt while the magic system was well developed, there were multiple mentions of gods and another realm but not really explained. I think a sequel would be a great way to expand on the world building.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I really struggled to get through this book. I felt like the beginning was strong, but the more I went into it I just felt so bored. I did not feel any connection to the characters.

3.5 stars rounded down.

I enjoyed The Macabre! I went into the book expecting a horror novel based on the cover art & plot summary, but while gory, this was moreso a fantasy with magic and.. time travel? I don’t think this is a negative, but this might be a letdown for some readers expecting a different story.

I really loved the characters and their relationships. Lewis, our mc, made some frustrating decisions at times but was very relatable. Noah was a joy - we need more of him!!

The magic system left me a bit confused at times. The rules for the magic system seemed unclear to me and I am not sure I 100% understood the abilities and limitations of the magicians. Admittedly, I was left with a lot of questions at the end of the book that I was hoping would be answered. That being said, I still think the magic system was very cool and unique. I have never read anything like it before.

All-in-all, this was a fun read and a story that I think could be TRULY great with a couple more edits.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Voyager for the eARC! ❤️

Thank you HaprerCollins Publishers and NetGalley for an E-ARC, electronic advance reader copy, in exchange for an honest review.

I planned on reading Kosoko Jackson’s previous works, but I was lucky enough to obtain a copy of his upcoming novel The Macabre. And I am glad to select this book as the book of the month for September in my book club. I will be encouraging my book club in Miami to purchase and read this stand-alone novel in September once it is released. Why?

The Macabre’s main character, Lewis Dixon, stumbles onto an adventure with a mission to destroy the lost and cursed paintings his ancestor, Edgar Dumont, left behind. His story is intertwined with Evangeline, a manipulative leader of a country’s mage organization; Noah Rao, a member of the mage society who will share the same motivation with Lewis; Akana, a highly skilled magician with no fear; and Cassandra, our immortal nun now mage that will stop at nothing to achieve her personal goal. Lewis embarks on his given mission to destroy Edgar Dumont’s paintings due the curses left within for over 150 years. Lewis is the only one able to eradicate these curses or living nightmares.

The atmosphere is unique and rewarding to read when presented with high stake decisions being made. Learning about the magic system was enjoyable and easy to comprehend because it follows our scientific principles with a new surface. For example, gravity and if you love science as I do then you know how many other principles are altered. The world building allowed me to benefit from the story whenever I was not reading because I got to play with my mind by seeing a curtain being drawn from the reality we live.

My favorite character is Cassandra for the effect of her own POV where at first the reader would have strong opinions against. However, after finishing the novel I know rereading her POV’s would be more sympathetic and understanding and that is what makes the story more intriguing. Also, the book delivers a strong, edge-gripping, page-turning prologue and it has been dozens of books since I have read a hooking prologue. The horror aspect can be better described as graphic elements whenever these characters encounter the paintings and each work of art has a different bloody nightmare.

I found The Macabre by Kosoko Jackson to be a work of fiction that uses characters who want to do better for the world, fight for their mothers whether living or not, resist regime change, and collaborate to oppose the true enemy.

My only critical feedback are the following:
In the text, the author uses the word “starfish” and while it is an accepted name I cannot abide with it. Due to my background in marine science, the preferred name is “sea star” across scientists and educators because they are not fish and have different symmetries. In addition, a character experiences phantom limb after removing a limb themselves. Due to my current nursing study, when an individual experiences an amputation awake they are less likely to experience phantom limb rather than an individual who amputates during a surgery asleep. The mystery behind this is due to our nervous system acknowledging the amputation if awake to see the process rather than being asleep during the process.

4.75 stars!

I loved this book. It was so good!! the only reason it was a 4.75 instead of 5 was the fact that I felt like sometimes it was just missing a little something. Either things were glossed over a little fast or the build up between characters wasn't as well shown as I would like. However, that being said I really enjoyed this book. It took me a lot longer to get through than I thought it would tbh, but that isn't a bad thing. It had the perfect amount of horror and romance thrown in for a fantasy book. I loved the characters, even if I thought they were all very stubborn at certain parts, and I loved the magic system. I feel like in a fantasy novel, the magic system, can either make or break it. I felt like the author described it pretty well and it seems well thought out! I will definitely be buying the physical copy once it comes out!

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me an opportunity to read this before it is released on September 9, 2025! All opinions are strictly my own!

First off, I enjoyed each of the characters and their back stories and character development. I really loved Noah but Lewis annoyed me from the start. I felt he was a cocky a-hole even though he was coming from a good place. I LOVED Cassandra and how her story played out.

Here’s my hard review: the writing style seemed to change about halfway through the story. We started strong right at the beginning but it got slow before a lot started happening again. This book is described as dark horror however I don’t really feel like that fits it at all, maybe some of the descriptions of injuries suffered but that’s it.

Overall I enjoyed this one, I loved the premise of the story and it seems we were set up for a book 2 so I will be looking out for that as well.

Definitely more fantasy than horror and not at all what I was expecting. It really did feel like an arc from one of those Syfy channel adventure originals. It's an episodic story focused on hunting down and neutralizing paintings with dark power, and the world is replete with magic and wizards that aren't wizards and artifacts and spells and hidden secrets in museums--that sort of thing. I did enjoy it but I wish it had been advertised a little differently! Also some big writing style issues at the start here. It evens out toward the end, or I got used to it. The style is very casual with a lotttt of telling without showing and then slightly clumsy attempts around that with similes, a few adverb sins, and talky introspection. I was pleasantly surprised by the romance subplot!

4.5 ⭐ rounded down.

Struggling painter, Lewis Dixon, is surprised by the British Museum's interest in his work, particularly his surreal and disturbing recreation of a painting by his great-grandfather. Invited not for a show but a dangerous mission, Lewis must prove he can enter and escape powerful, cursed artworks. Tasked by a mysterious official, Evangeline, and aided by agent Noah Rao, he plunges into a world of black markets, gothic magic, and ancient history to destroy ten cursed paintings, saving their owners from unspeakable terror and searching for the potentially catastrophic tenth painting.

I don't even know what to say. I have so many thoughts on this one. First and foremost I am a big fan of Kosoko Jackson, so I was so excited when I was approved for this eARC from NetGalley for his first adult horror novel! I feel like it is nearly impossible to come up with an original idea anymore, as so many books have been written and so many stories have been told. However, Kosoko Jackson managed to write a wholly original magical horror that is incredibly layered and unique. The characters had great depth, and the story was really well paced, as it jumped very quickly into the magical world, but then immediately pulled back and provided context and reasoning behind what was going on. This was definitely a creepy and intense book, and packed an emotional punch as well. Jackson's books always have beautiful Queer elements as well, even in his books where Queerness is not the focus of the plot. The only thing stopping me from five stars is that this was a very ambitious premise that I felt was going in a few too many directions at times. There is a time travel element to this, and I do feel like that can quickly muddy a plot and make things a little confusing. So there were times where I needed to reread and pause in order to keep everything straight, but this will likely not be a problem for most people who are better at keeping layered plot elements organized in their head.

Kosoko Jackson’s The Macabre is a fast-paced, plot-driven thriller that keeps the stakes high from start to finish. It doesn’t dwell too deeply on the mechanics of its magic system, instead propelling readers forward with constant action and moments of intense self-sacrifice.

I genuinely enjoyed the ride—Jackson crafts an engaging, cinematic experience that keeps the pages turning. However, while the concept of paintings releasing terror and dread is intriguing, I often felt like I wasn’t in them long enough to fully absorb their horror. The book moves so quickly that the eerie atmosphere never entirely settles in, making the fear feel fleeting rather than immersive.

Additionally, while the protagonist faces significant challenges, there are several moments where conveniences or well-timed handouts push the plot in a particular direction. This somewhat undercuts the tension; despite the self-sacrifice, it never truly felt like things could end badly.

Overall, The Macabre delivers an exciting, high-stakes story with strong momentum, even if it leans more on thrills than deep immersion in its horror elements. Fans of fast-moving supernatural thrillers will likely enjoy the journey, even if they wish for just a bit more time in the darkness.

Would appeal to YA and Adult fantasy and horror readers!

I enjoyed the beginning and I thought it was pretty well written, but as the book continued I felt like the plot slowed and the characters didn't really develop as I hoped they would.
There also wasn't as much horror factor as I would like, but the world building was interesting enough that it was still interesting enough not to DNF.
Overall a pretty mid read, but fun nonetheless.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Kosoko Jackson’s The Macabre is an ambitious blend of fantasy, horror, and adventure, offering readers a story that feels both fresh and familiar. At its heart, this is a book about art—its power, its history, and its ability to shape and destroy those who create it. But beneath the surface, it’s also a slow-burning tale of grief, identity, and the lengths we go to for control over our own fate.

Lewis Dixon, a struggling painter, is lured into a world beyond his comprehension when he’s asked to investigate a series of cursed paintings linked to his family’s past. What starts as an intriguing opportunity quickly transforms into a dangerous game of survival, magic, and manipulation. The eerie atmosphere is immersive, and Jackson’s writing is at its strongest when depicting the sheer, unsettling beauty of the paintings and the way they twist reality around those who come too close.

However, while the novel excels in concept and mood, its execution sometimes falters. The pacing wavers—moving from methodical world-building to an intense, action-driven middle section, before losing some momentum toward the end. The horror elements, while present, are not as dominant as one might expect, making this lean more into dark fantasy than outright terror. Some readers may find the romance between Lewis and Noah compelling, but others may feel it needed more depth to truly resonate.

Despite these minor flaws, The Macabre is a fascinating read. Its unique premise, lush descriptions, and strong thematic core make it a worthwhile pick for fans of gothic-inspired adventure stories. If you’re drawn to books that explore the intersections of magic, history, and art—where beauty and horror are inextricably linked—then this one is worth diving into.

I received this DRC from NetGalley.

The start of this book was the strongest part. The premise was intriguing, as was the beginning of the story. It had good pacing with a bit of a horror element thrown in. But after that, the pacing slows, and the potential for horror is a bit wasted. I also would have liked for the characters to feel deeper so that I could have connected better with the almost sitcom-y, might as well have group hugged, ending.

What an interesting read! The Macabre by Kosoko Jackson feels like a very unique fantasy read. I want to say it falls into the realm of a 'Grim Fantasy' but our main character Lewis doesn't fit the morally grey, villainous character arc. This book however... does.

In The Macabre, our main character faces a huge loss and from it, springs a whole new reality for him. He finds out that he has a unique tie to magic. This sends him on a mission to neutralize a dark spirit that is linked to a series of grim paintings. The sacrifice in doing this is heavy for Lewis and personally, very stressful for me as the reader. The magic system was unlike anything I had ever read. It had me fully wrapped up. This author opened a whole new world where I had no clue what to expect. His descriptive writing made me feel as though I stepped into the book myself. The world he created was a mix between poetry and something terrifying.

Not a single character in this book felt insignificant to the plot and more than that, each character was given a rich back story that I enjoyed reading apart from the main story. I found the diverse representation very satisfying. It didn't feel forced for the sake of inclusion. And on the thread of inclusion, the MM romance subplot pulled at my soul in the best way. The yearning that built as the story progressed left me giddy and kicking my feet! These two were so cute!!

Possibly more mundane things that I enjoyed about The Macabre, was the length of the book. This book didn't drag on and on, yet, it didn't feel cut short. It felt like a very intentional, well thought out and structured book.

Slight cons would be the emotional aspect between the main character and his love for his mother. I got the sense that the love was there, but it didn't tear at me much. It was sad, but I think if Lewis was more hurt about losing her in the end than I, as the reader, would have been too, Also, the mother's story in trying to defeat Evangeline was a bit abrupt. Not in a way that took me out of the story, I just think a little more could have been added there. And last but not least, there are still a few grammar mishaps that have not yet been caught.

All-in-all, I really hope this book gets the love it deserves when it releases.

I will be doing a YouTube review on my channel (date not set yet).
Channel: Kidpilot BendsTheSpine

Kosoko Jackson’s The Macabre is a thrilling and chilling ride that masterfully blends horror, suspense, and gripping storytelling. From the very first page, Jackson pulls readers into a dark and eerie atmosphere, crafting a tale that is both unsettling and impossible to put down.

The storyline is undeniably entertaining, packed with twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end. Jackson's ability to build tension is impressive, and the way he weaves in psychological depth alongside supernatural horror makes for a truly immersive experience. The characters are well-developed, and their struggles feel real, adding an emotional weight that elevates the narrative beyond just scares.

While the book delivers on its eerie and macabre premise, at times, the pacing slows down slightly, which is the only reason I’m holding back from a full five stars. That said, the novel’s unique blend of horror and storytelling makes it a must-read for fans of the genre. The Macabre is a gripping, well-crafted horror novel that will leave readers haunted long after they turn the final page. Highly recommended!

3.5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. All thoughts are my own.

I think Jackson's jump from YA to Adult fiction went pretty well, although his writing did skew a little more YA at times throughout the book. I really enjoyed the cast of characters, but it felt a little too... to the point. There weren't any background characters or unnecessary subplots, other than the romance plot, and very little background is given about anything that isn't necessary to the plot which made it feel a little less like a story and more like a series of plot points held together to make a story.

I did wish that there was more character nuance but I did love how Jackson subverted who the villain was. I feel like this could've been fleshed out more in general. A lot of the character arcs and plot points felt surface level at best and I wish we, the readers, got to spend more time with Lewis, Edgar and the paintings, beyond just "I'm Black and queer from Baltimore" and "I'm doing evil things because I desperately want my sister back and these paintings are reflections of what I did."

There were several grammatical errors throughout, and the genre definitely errs more to fantasy than it does horror but I do want to see what Jackson comes up with next. I'm sure with more time and practice, Jackson can improve upon what he started in The Macabre, especially because the magic system was so unique and the premise so interesting. The open ending epilogue made it seem like we may be seeing more of this universe, and I will be waiting for Jackson to release more.

Beautifully written and thoughtful novel exploring the horror and horrors of power and art and humans-I really enjoyed the concept and the main characters. Darkness literally came to life within the pages.

Kosoko is a wonderful author with great range. His adult fantasy debut has such an interesting premise and brings together the adventure and semi dark academia vibes of the art world with comic horror and eldritch curses. YOU WANT THIS BOOK!

This was an incredible book with magical realism and I couldn’t put it down! I really enjoyed the characters and settings.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

I had so much fun with this book, and I was completely drawn into this world of art and magic. The author was so descriptive that I felt like I was there looking at the same streets, the same pieces, and had the same feelings. The concept of this book felt so unique to me. Art being dangerous and hurting not only its owners but anyone who comes into contact with it and it has to be neutralized.

Pros:
1. I loved the art and the descriptions of the pieces.
2. The characters all felt necessary. There were no minor characters or random people that were thrown in.
3. There were some deep truths buried in the book, and it was quite thought provoking at times. I enjoyed mulling some of the statements over.
4. No idea if it was on purpose or not, but there is a parallel to 1984 by Orwell in this book, and that was an incredible surprise.
5. The queer story did not feel shoehorned in. (You see that happen a lot, and this was well done)

Cons:
1. I wanted more paintings, more scenes with them. We only get a handful, but it wasn’t enough. (That’s me being selfish though)
2. I mentioned in the pros that there were some deep truths buried in the book. I would have loved to see the book explore that more.
3. The epilogue felt unnecessary? Or rushed?

Overall, I really did enjoy this. It was fun, quick, but it has an emotional depth to it if you allow yourself to look.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing this ARC. This book had me in the prologue. I’m someone who usually has multiple reads at the same time, but this story had me set the others aside.

The Macabre was fast paced and full of intriguing imagery, while evoking a lot of emotion from the reader. The Macabre addresses how we process and cope with loss, in a darkly magical and sci-fi thriller. It had been awhile since I felt I’d read a distinguishably unique read like this.

While I liked the diversity of the characters, it would be valuable to get to know our characters a little bit better. It takes awhile for us to learn much background on our main characters and that can take away from their depth.

Overall, I loved it and I look forward to the final version!