Black Brane

Name: Black Brane
Price: 17.95 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781960988614

✍️ Michael Cisco

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

$17.95

In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days

📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A man in pain recalls his time at a think tank studying holes and black branes.

This novel examines the intersection of advanced physics and occult studies through the lens of a former employee’s memories. Cisco constructs a world where string theory meets magic, populated by characters like the chain-smoking Daladara and the mysterious Renbrui. The narrative does not offer easy answers but instead presents a complex web of social and quantum entanglement. Readers encounter a setting where reality is fluid and pain is both physical and emotional. The story relies on the interactions between these distinct individuals rather than external action. It challenges the reader to accept a universe where holes are literal and metaphorical spaces for study and survival.

Key Themes

black branes occult studies quantum entanglement

Literary Context

Published in 2025 by Clash Books, this work sits within the tradition of American speculative fiction. It draws on string theory and occultism to create a unique narrative space that defies standard genre boundaries.

Difficulty

●●● Challenging

Recommended For Fans Of

Thomas Ligotti · Jeff VanderMeer · Angela Carter

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Horror Fiction

🏛 Clash Books 📅 2025 📖 170 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781960988614

📝 Description: Black Brane

Michael Cisco’s Black Brane follows a narrator trapped in physical agony who retreats into memory to escape his suffering. He recalls his time at the Temporary Institute for the Study of Holes, a facility blending occult research with string theory concepts like black branes. The narrative centers on the institute’s eccentric staff, including founder Dr. Marilyn Shitansky, who claims to possess a thinking hole in her brain. Cisco introduces other key figures such as Daladara, an occultist using a magic abacus, and Ernie Allegre, the engineer behind the decoherence reactor. The story also features string theorist Dr. Liu, the restless linguist Dr. Corngholm, and Renbrui, Shitansky’s secretary carrying an unknown mystery. The text weaves together quantum entanglement with social dynamics, creating a tone that shifts between comic speculation and nightmarish horror. Cisco, known for his work in gothic and supernatural fiction, structures the narrative through the lens of memory rather than linear chronology. This approach allows him to explore themes of pain and reality without relying on traditional plot progression. The book suits readers interested in speculative fiction that merges physics with the occult. It may not appeal to those seeking straightforward horror or clear scientific explanations, as the narrative prioritizes abstract concepts and character interactions over conventional storytelling.

💎 Our verdict on Black Brane

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Black Brane successfully merges the cold precision of string theory with the atmospheric dread of gothic horror. Cisco constructs a compelling world where holes are both literal and metaphorical, populated by eccentric figures like Daladara and Dr. Shitansky. The narrative’s strength lies in its refusal to provide clear resolutions, instead prioritizing the intricate web of social and quantum entanglement among the institute’s staff. While the tone shifts between comic speculation and nightmarish horror, the focus remains on memory and pain rather than plot progression. This approach may alienate readers seeking straightforward scares but will deeply satisfy enthusiasts of literary speculative fiction who appreciate abstract concepts and psychological depth in their horror.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking a departure from traditional linear horror narratives will find value in this complex exploration of reality and pain. The book appeals to those fascinated by the intersection of advanced physics, such as string theory, and occult mysticism. By focusing on character interactions and abstract concepts rather than external action, it offers a unique intellectual engagement for fans of speculative fiction. Those who enjoy dissecting social dynamics within eerie settings will appreciate the nuanced portrayal of eccentric researchers. It is ideal for individuals comfortable with non-chronological structures and fluid realities, providing a deep dive into themes of survival and quantum entanglement without offering easy answers or straightforward scientific explanations.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Black Brane successfully merges the cold precision of string theory with the atmospheric dread of gothic horror. Cisco constructs a compelling world where holes are both literal and metaphorical, populated by eccentric figures like Daladara and Dr. Shitansky. The narrative’s strength lies in its refusal to provide clear resolutions, instead prioritizing the intricate web of social and quantum entanglement among the institute’s staff. While the tone shifts between comic speculation and nightmarish horror, the focus remains on memory and pain rather than plot progression. This approach may alienate readers seeking straightforward scares but will deeply satisfy enthusiasts of literary speculative fiction who appreciate abstract concepts and psychological depth in their horror.