A Black and Endless Sky – Matthew Lyons

Just a little bit of snow still holding on, and fingers crossed it’s gone by this weekend!

Thanks to Turner Pub for the free early copy in exchange for my honest review

A BLACK AND ENDLESS SKY – Matthew Lyons (Released March 15th, 2022)

You can see my thoughts on his previous release, THE NIGHT WILL FIND US, here

Book Description:

Road trips can be hell.

Siblings Jonah and Nell Talbot used to be inseparable, but ever since Jonah suddenly blew town twelve years ago, they couldn’t be more distant. Now, in the wake of Jonah’s divorce, they embark on a cross-country road trip back to their hometown of Albuquerque, hoping to mend their broken relationship along the way.

But when a strange accident befalls Nell at an abandoned industrial site somewhere in the Nevada desert, she begins experiencing ghastly visions and exhibiting terrifying, otherworldly symptoms. As their journey through the desolate American Southwest reveals the grotesque change happening within his sister, one thing becomes clear to Jonah: It’s not only Nell in there anymore.

Pursued by a mysterious stranger who knows far more about Nell’s worsening condition than they let on, the siblings race to find a way to help Nell and escape the desert before they’re met with a violent, bloody end. But there are far worse things lurking in the desert ahead… some of them just beneath the skin.

My Thoughts: 5/5 stars

Alright, so in 2020 I read Matthew Lyons’ debut novel, THE NIGHT WILL FIND US, and I absolutely loved it. You know it’s a great horror book when you find yourself looking over your shoulder or remembering parts of it long after you’ve put it back on the shelf. For me, I sometimes have to look around the edge of the treeline in the backyard at night when I let the dogs out – but at the same time I don’t because what if I see something. Well, to say I was excited for his newest book, A DARK AND ENDLESS SKY, would be an understatement. Let me tell you, this one did not disappoint!

Once again, we get a fast-paced horror novel that has very well-developed characters. There never seems to be a lull in the books and I found myself captivated from start to finish. We open with a group about to open a sealed ancient doorway that was found in a cave in the desert. I think all of us horror fans already know that this is an incredibly stupid idea and will almost guarantee some spooky and horrible things to happen. At the same time, I’m totally here to see what chaos will ensue.

Jonah and Nell are brother and sister going on a cross-country road trip to return to their hometown together. They’ve been estranged for over a decade and both think this quality time together would be a great way to try and mend that strained relationship. Of course as they drive through the Nevada desert, something horrible happens to Nell and she begins to change in a horrifying way. Will Jonah be able to save her and will they survive the rest of their road trip? There is no shortage of violence, gore, blood, and plenty to keep you on the edge of your seat. Will this make me want to avoid driving through any deserts in the future? Guess we’ll have to wait and see! Can’t wait for the next book from Lyons.