Our Lord, The Worm

Name: Our Lord, The Worm
Price: 15.00 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9798276465722

✍️ Korey Dawson

Reader Score

4.4

(1 review)

$15.00

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

📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A biochemical disaster turns a Missouri river town into a biological hellscape ruled by a worm cult.

Dawson explores the consequences of environmental hubris through the lens of body horror and religious fanaticism. The narrative examines how a well-intentioned cleanup effort in Carlyle, Missouri, unravels into a nightmare scenario. The author focuses on the molecular changes affecting the population and the rise of a new faith centered on the river. This approach highlights the fragility of human civilization when faced with unseen biological threats. The story avoids traditional monster tropes by making the environment itself the source of horror. Dawson’s background in supernatural fiction informs the realistic depiction of societal breakdown. The characters’ backgrounds, including military service and urban displacement, contrast sharply with their new reality. This juxtaposition emphasizes the loss of control over one’s own body and community. The book serves as a cautionary tale about ignoring ecological warnings until it is too late.

Key Themes

environmental horror religious extremism biological transformation

Literary Context

The story is set in Carlyle, Missouri, a town along the Mississippi River known for its historical districts and resistance to change. The narrative reflects contemporary anxieties about pollution and corporate negligence in rural America.

Difficulty

●●● Challenging

Recommended For Fans Of

H.P. Lovecraft · Clive Barker · Stephen King · Thomas Ligotti

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Horror Fiction

🏛 Independently Published 📅 2025 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9798276465722

📝 Description: Our Lord, The Worm

Korey Dawson presents a tale set in Carlyle, Missouri, a river town along the Mississippi that appears unassuming but hides deep-seated secrets. The narrative begins when a new biochemical agent is released into the water to address decades of pollution and human hubris. This decision triggers a catastrophic molecular transformation, turning the community into a Dante-esque hellscape. Dawson, known for blending horror with supernatural fiction, structures the story around three central figures: a surly Vietnam veteran turned biker, a sheriff arriving from Saint Louis, and a woman escaping domestic trauma. These characters must unite to survive as the town becomes ground zero for a biological shift. The plot centers on their struggle against the Church of the Worm, a congregation spawned from the muddy waters that seeks to make them unwilling proselytizers. This book suits readers who enjoy gothic horror and tales of societal collapse driven by environmental negligence. It may not appeal to those seeking lighthearted supernatural romances or purely academic historical analyses. The narrative relies on the tension between rural tradition and sudden, horrific change. Dawson uses the setting of Carlyle to explore themes of bodily autonomy and religious extremism. The story does not offer easy escapes for its protagonists, emphasizing the visceral nature of their threat. Readers will find a grim atmosphere where the environment itself becomes an antagonist. The conclusion focuses on survival rather than victory, leaving the fate of the town ambiguous yet terrifying.

💎 Our verdict on Our Lord, The Worm

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Dawson crafts a tense narrative where the environment itself becomes the primary antagonist, avoiding traditional monster tropes in favor of molecular horror. The exploration of religious extremism arising from biological catastrophe offers a fresh take on cosmic dread. The author’s background informs a realistic depiction of societal collapse, grounding the surreal elements in tangible fear. This approach suits readers who prefer atmospheric terror over jump scares. The contrast between rural tradition and sudden horrific change creates a compelling tension throughout the text. While the focus remains heavily on the horror of transformation, the narrative effectively highlights the loss of community control. It is best suited for dedicated horror enthusiasts who enjoy deep dives into psychological and ecological themes.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate visceral body horror and narratives exploring the fragility of human civilization will find this book compelling. It appeals to those interested in how societal breakdown intersects with religious fanaticism during a crisis. The story offers a unique perspective on environmental hubris, transforming a cleanup effort into a nightmare. Fans of gothic horror and psychological terror will engage with the themes of bodily autonomy and loss of control. The juxtaposition of military backgrounds against supernatural biological shifts provides depth for those who enjoy complex character dynamics under extreme pressure. It is ideal for audiences seeking cautionary tales that emphasize the consequences of ignoring ecological warnings until it is too late.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Dawson crafts a tense narrative where the environment itself becomes the primary antagonist, avoiding traditional monster tropes in favor of molecular horror. The exploration of religious extremism arising from biological catastrophe offers a fresh take on cosmic dread. The author’s background informs a realistic depiction of societal collapse, grounding the surreal elements in tangible fear. This approach suits readers who prefer atmospheric terror over jump scares. The contrast between rural tradition and sudden horrific change creates a compelling tension throughout the text. While the focus remains heavily on the horror of transformation, the narrative effectively highlights the loss of community control. It is best suited for dedicated horror enthusiasts who enjoy deep dives into psychological and ecological themes.