Cults are a ripe ground for horror stories. They're a very real horror that exists within our world, one where we can see how far people can be abused and broken by corrupt leaders, as well as showcasing the extremes that people are willing to go to for their beliefs. Some of the most frightening things people have done throughout history have been because of religion, and modern day cults are usually reflective of this. As such, Marginal is able to tap into some very dark ideas and horror that feels very grounded with its story set around a remote cult in remote Scotland. However, it's not afraid to dive into the realm of the fantastical too.

The story follows Rob, a man who was raised as a member of the Systematics cult, but who managed to escape from it a number of years earlier; an experience that still has a number of psychological scars that he's living with. When Rob is awoken in the middle of the night with a phone call telling him that his brother, Marcus, who remained in Systematics, has died, Rob knows that he's going to have to face the terrible events of his past.

Rob is determined to be there for his brother's funeral, being held within the Systematics compound in Scotland, and wants to find out exactly how and why his brother died so suddenly. Lucy, a young podcaster who wants to get a story about Systematics, accompanies him north, hoping to get the big scoop that will make her career. The two of them arrive at the compound and meet with the leader of the cult, the charismatic Bjorn Thrissell, hoping that they'll be able to learn the truth. Unfortunately, neither of them could ever expect what they find.

In some ways Marginal feels like a book of two halves, with half the book being very grounded in reality, dealing with the Systematics cult, and their affect on Rob and his brother. It's got some dark moments, as all stories about cults tend to do, but it's geared more towards character drama and mystery as to how Marcus died than anything else.

Rob is something of an unlikeable protagonist in some regards. He's clearly a man with a lot of demons and a lot of trauma in his past, and this is all being dragged up to the fore thanks to the loss of his brother and having to return to the Systematics compound. But, because of this there are times where he's somewhat overly aggressive, he snaps at people, he's surly and withdrawn. His journey throughout Marginal, and the way it affects Rob emotionally is one of the main aspects of the book, and it's interesting to see the journey he goes through, but there are also times where I kind of wanted to yell at Rob. This isn't a bad thing, and having an imperfect lead character can be a lot of fun, but I can see how this might be challenging for some readers, and why not everyone might gel well with him.

The supporting characters are kind of similar too, thanks in no small part to most of them being cult members. A lot of people in the book are self serving, or liars, or simply untrustworthy, and it leads to a situation where as a reader I was never sure if I could trust what people were saying or doing, or if I should want to see them come out the other side. It created this somewhat grey narrative, one where I found myself challenged in a lot of ways.

Marginal is a story about a cult, but it's also more than that, as there's a shift in the narrative part of the way through that turns this from a grounded, realistic cult horror story, into something much, much more than that. I will not say much about it, as going in knowing as little as possible about the book is definitely the best approach, but this shift introduces some wild new elements to the book, and comes with some extreme violence, gore, and body horror that is sure to shock the reader.

Overall, I had a pretty decent time with Marginal, it had some cool ideas and some flawed characters that I think will likely challenge some readers. But it was also at times a hard read thanks to its darker tone and more depressing story. Marginal will appeal to a lot of horror fans, but it might not be to everyone's tastes.

In Marginal, a gripping blend of body horror and psychological suspense, a man is drawn back to the cult he escaped from, only to find that the horrors of the past are far from over. Rob’s return to the Systematics compound in Scotland to bury his brother, Marcus, plunges him into a world more monstrous and twisted than he ever imagined.

When Rob receives the news of Marcus’s death, he feels compelled to return, not just to lay his brother to rest but to uncover the truth behind his death. The cult, led by the charismatic and dangerous Bjorn Thrissell, hollowed out Rob’s family, but he’s determined to expose their crimes and bring them down once and for all. Armed with his producer Lucy, Rob embarks on this journey of revenge and reckoning.

However, upon their arrival at the compound, it becomes clear that something is deeply wrong. Paranoia grips the cult members, and mutiny is brewing. But beneath the surface lies an even darker force—something monstrous, something that has been waiting in the margins, ready to strike. As Rob and Lucy unravel the horrors hidden within the cult, they realize that survival may depend on trusting the very people they came to expose.

This is a devilishly gory, tension-filled exploration of cults, fear, and body horror. It delivers relentless suspense, a nightmarish atmosphere, and a story that will haunt you long after the final page. If you’re looking for a terrifying read that pulls no punches.

Read more at The Secret Bookreview.

Marginal is a fantastic horror novel that was right up my street. It’s dark, macabre and includes a lot of viscera and jump scares. Carlisle has taken the cult genre and really turned it on it’s head. I really enjoyed the build of the plot and the characters. Even the cultist characters were interesting and fleshed out as well…perhaps not the best term to used.
The writing I really enjoyed not only for the horror aspect but at points it seemed almost disjointed. Not so much to break my immersion but rather to show the confusion and chaos that was happening to the characters. The tone and atmosphere were also fantastic for a horror. I won’t say too much regarding the plot because I hate spoilers but if you are a fan of gory horror this one is most definitely for you. I will certainly be getting a physical copy. It’s an easy 5 star.
As always thank you to Titan Books and Netgalley for my copy. My review is always honest, truthful and freely given.

I wasn't too sure what to make of this. Whilst it had vibes of the macabre, it was dense and hard to take in.

This was original and a fun new spin on the cult genre. However, I struggled with the pacing and time jumps. The first part of the book was written in a way that was difficult to discern what was present and past tense. I did feel the chaos and unruly nature that erupted towards the middle of the book, and I especially liked Lucy’s character. A real page turner, I just wish the plot and timezones were a little more defined!