I really enjoyed the horror element to this book, it had that overall story that wanted. Michael Cisco has a strong writing style and was engaged with the overall element in this story. I was hooked form the first page and was glad I got to read this. The characters worked in the setting and was glad I got to go on this journey with the characters. I'm excited to read more from Michael Cisco, as this was really well done.

*Black Brane* by Michael Cisco is a haunting journey through horror, metaphysics, and the fabric of reality itself. Known for his richly complex and often unsettling writing, Cisco pushes the boundaries of genre in this novel, blending psychological horror with cosmic themes to create a chilling and surreal experience.

The narrative follows a protagonist caught in a world where reality is slipping, unraveling into realms unknown and unspeakable. As they confront these strange dimensions, filled with disturbing entities and philosophical puzzles, they must grapple with not only survival but the shifting nature of existence itself. Cisco’s prose is darkly poetic, full of vivid, almost otherworldly imagery that places readers right into the eerie, suffocating atmosphere he creates. Every word feels deliberate, contributing to an immersive experience that blurs the line between reality and nightmare.

Cisco’s approach to character development is unique—while his protagonist feels relatable, they’re also veiled in a certain enigma, which heightens the story’s themes of identity dissolution and cosmic insignificance. In *Black Brane*, Cisco explores psychological horror in a way that transcends typical genre conventions, weaving in existential dread that challenges readers’ perceptions of consciousness and the universe. His writing style, sometimes described as dense and cerebral, will appeal to readers who enjoy intellectual horror that demands active engagement with the text.

The pacing is both intense and measured, as Cisco builds tension with carefully layered mysteries and philosophical explorations that culminate in moments of profound horror. Cisco doesn’t just tell a story; he crafts an experience that is felt on a visceral and mental level, leaving readers haunted by the implications of his world long after they’ve finished the book.

In conclusion, *Black Brane* by Michael Cisco is a masterpiece of cosmic horror that engages the mind as much as it does the emotions. It’s a must-read for those who appreciate horror that challenges the boundaries of reality, with layers of meaning and atmosphere that reveal themselves through careful reading. Dark, intelligent, and relentlessly eerie, *Black Brane* is a true exploration of the unknown that will captivate fans of weird fiction and cosmic horror.

Reminiscent of VanderMeer’s Authority/Acceptance, Black Brane delves into a dimly outlined world of science. I don’t know that I found it hugely rewarding of a read.

Thank you NetGalley and CLASH books for providing this eARC of Black Brane in exchange for this honest review!

3.5 Stars rounded up to 4

I've been in a couple book clubs in my time and they all run into the same problem for me. The kind of books that a large group of people want to read in a shortish amount of time are usually not the kinds of books that warrant the group discussion that book clubs can be great for. Not to say that I haven't read great books in book clubs, just saying that those books were usually crowd pleasers that say all they want to say within the text itself.

All of this to say that I wish I was in a book club that read books like Black Brane. This book is weird both in subtle and overt ways. I'll be honest my reading experience for this book was probably 3 stars there are parts that really hooked me and there are parts that I had to pull myself through which nearly killed the book for me. But the book made me think and I was always on the edge of knowing sort of what was happening in any given scene, and really struggling to see what was happening in the broader plot movements of the book as well as never really being sure what the book was doing thematically. Not to say I wasn't fully unaware on either front, but being in a group discussion setting could really boost this book for me.

The characters are all at a bare minimum passable, with some of the being pretty good notably for me Gross, Renbrui, and Daladara. Gross' PoV really made this book with him being just as confused as the reader sometimes, and Renbrui and Dandara provided for some of the best scenes in the book.

If you are looking for something weird and have a group to read this with or like questions I would recommend Black Brane. I plan on reading more Cisco after this promising outing.