🩸 Horror Fiction

As Above, So Beneath

✍️ Joshua D Taylor
Reader Score
4.5
(1 review)
$7.99
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A marine biologist uncovers cosmic terror while tracking beaching whales on a terraformed world.

Nemo Carter investigates strange whale behavior on Tindalous. His solo descent into the ocean reveals threats beyond environmental collapse. The story emphasizes human fragility against vast, unknown entities. Taylor uses the setting of deep sea exploration to amplify feelings of isolation and dread. The narrative suggests that technological conquest is meaningless against ancient darkness. Readers follow Carter's realization that humanity holds no special place in the cosmos.

Key Themes
cosmic horror marine biology terraformed worlds
Literary Context

Published by Blackharepress in 2020, this work sits within the modern resurgence of cosmic horror fiction. It blends traditional Lovecraftian themes of insignificance with contemporary science fiction elements like terraforming and space exploration.

Difficulty
●●● Challenging
Recommended For Fans Of
H.P. Lovecraft · Clark Ashton Smith · John Carpenter's The Thing
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 Blackharepress 📅 2020 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781925809855

📝 Description: As Above, So Beneath

Joshua D Taylor presents a narrative where humanity’s dominance over the stars is challenged by ancient forces. The story follows Nemo Carter, a marine biologist investigating why Bake-kujira, whale-like creatures, are beaching themselves on the terraformed world of Tindalous. Concerned that this behavior signals environmental collapse, Carter ventures alone into the deep sea to uncover the cause. What Carter discovers in the depths is far more terrifying than ecological disaster. The narrative draws on cosmic horror traditions, suggesting that mankind is merely a temporary blip in universal history. A darkness spreads from both above and beneath, forcing characters to confront threats that dwarf their technological achievements. Taylor, the author, structures this tale around the isolation of scientific inquiry against incomprehensible evil. This book suits readers who enjoy slow-burn cosmic dread and marine-based horror. It may not appeal to those seeking fast-paced action or traditional jump scares. The focus remains on the psychological weight of discovering humanity's insignificance in a universe filled with ancient, indifferent powers.

💎 Our verdict on As Above, So Beneath

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Taylor effectively utilizes the deep-sea setting to amplify feelings of isolation and cosmic dread, creating a compelling atmosphere of impending doom. By framing the narrative through a marine biologist’s perspective, the story grounds abstract existential threats in tangible scientific observation, making the horror feel increasingly personal and inescapable. The emphasis on human insignificance is handled with subtlety, avoiding cheap jump scares in favor of a lingering sense of unease. This approach suits readers who prefer intellectual engagement and atmospheric tension over conventional plot resolutions, resulting in a poignant meditation on our place in the universe.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate slow-burn psychological dread and atmospheric isolation will find this narrative deeply rewarding. It appeals to those fascinated by the intersection of scientific inquiry and existential terror, offering a contemplative exploration of humanity's fragility against ancient, indifferent powers. Those who enjoy marine-based horror or stories that challenge the illusion of technological dominance will gain satisfaction from its thematic depth. It is ideal for audiences seeking a cerebral experience that prioritizes mood and philosophical weight over action.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5
Based on 1 reviews
5
0
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0
H
Horror Reads editorial team

Taylor effectively utilizes the deep-sea setting to amplify feelings of isolation and cosmic dread, creating a compelling atmosphere of impending doom. By framing the narrative through a marine biologist’s perspective, the story grounds abstract existential threats in tangible scientific observation, making the horror feel increasingly personal and inescapable. The emphasis on human insignificance is handled with subtlety, avoiding cheap jump scares in favor of a lingering sense of unease. This approach suits readers who prefer intellectual engagement and atmospheric tension over conventional plot resolutions, resulting in a poignant meditation on our place in the universe.

📖 From the series “Short Reads”

Wardenclyffe: An alternate history fantasy adventure
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.3
Gregg Cunningham
Wardenclyffe: An alternate history fantasy adventure
$7.99
69
Read →

🏛 Books from this publisher Blackharepress

Year Four
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Black Hare Press
Year Four
$22.99
86
Read →
Grimdark
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Black Hare Press
Grimdark
$21.99
78
Read →
Bad Romance
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.3
D Kershaw
Bad Romance
$23.99
69
Read →
Oceans: A Dark Microfiction Anthology
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
D Kershaw
Oceans: A Dark Microfiction Anthology
$24.99
78
Read →
Bad Romance
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
D Kershaw
Bad Romance
$15.99
78
Read →
Hate: An Dark Microfiction Anthology
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
D Kershaw
Hate: An Dark Microfiction Anthology
$15.99
81
Read →

You might also like

See more →
Year One ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
D Kershaw
Year One
$9.99
86
Read →
Being Me ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Tim Law
Being Me
$10.99
86
Read →
Year Four ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Black Hare Press
Year Four
$22.99
86
Read →
Blood and Silk ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
1
Zoey Xolton
Blood and Silk
$7.99
81
Read →
Hades 11 ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
1
Paul Warmerdam
Hades 11
$7.99
81
Read →
Year Two ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
1
D Kershaw
Year Two
$9.99
81
Read →

Have a question about this item?

Ask about the edition, condition, delivery or anything else — we reply by email or phone, usually within a day.

Home Genres
Cart
Wishlist