Qualia Nous: Vol. 2

Name: Qualia Nous: Vol. 2
Price: 34.95 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9798987932612

✍️ Michael Bailey

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

$34.95

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

📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

An anthology of sci-fi horror stories edited by Michael Bailey with art by Pat R. Steiner.

This collection gathers twenty-nine distinct pieces of fiction and poetry that examine the boundaries between human identity and artificial constructs. The stories range from Stephen King's exploration of teleportation trauma to Usman T. Malik's scientific take on family dynamics. Contributors like Gene O'Neill, Ashlee Scheuerman, and Emily B. Cataneo provide varied tones and styles. The work includes narrative prose alongside poetic forms such as Marge Simon's entries. Pat R. Steiner contributes both art and a story titled "Kilroy wasn't there." The anthology draws on gothic and supernatural traditions while grounding them in speculative science fiction elements. It offers a dense reading experience for those who appreciate compact, impactful narratives that blend the eerie with the technological.

Key Themes

teleportation trauma artificial consciousness supernatural technology

Literary Context

Published by Written Backwards in October 2023, this volume reflects contemporary trends in horror fiction that merge scientific inquiry with supernatural dread. It continues the tradition of edited anthologies that showcase emerging and established voices in speculative genres.

Difficulty

●●● Challenging

Recommended For Fans Of

Stephen King · Usman T. Malik · Marge Simon · Pat R. Steiner

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Horror Fiction

🏛 Written Backwards 📅 2023 📖 448 pages 🌐 English 📔 Hardcover ISBN: 9798987932612

📝 Description: Qualia Nous: Vol. 2

Qualia Nous: Vol. 2 presents a curated collection of science fiction and horror stories edited by Michael Bailey with illustrations by Pat R. Steiner. This volume brings together diverse voices to explore the intersection of technology, consciousness, and fear. The anthology features works such as Stephen King's "The Jaunt," which examines the psychological toll of teleportation, and Usman T. Malik's "The vaporization enthalpy of a peculiar Pakistani Family," blending scientific concepts with familial dread. Readers will encounter a wide array of narratives including Erik T. Johnson's "The angel chaser" and John Everson's "Voyeur." The collection also includes poetic interludes like Marge Simon's "Shutdown" and "Tomorrow's femme." Other notable contributions include Jon Michael Kelley's "The effigies of Tamber Square" and Richard Thomas's "The Jenny store." This compilation appeals to fans of speculative fiction who enjoy short-form storytelling that challenges perceptions of reality. It may not suit readers seeking long-form novels or traditional fantasy settings. The book is organized as a series of distinct entries, each offering a unique perspective on the supernatural and the technological. Bailey’s editorial vision creates a cohesive yet varied reading experience. The inclusion of illustrators like Pat R. Steiner adds visual depth to the text. This volume serves as a significant entry point for those interested in modern horror anthologies that incorporate scientific themes.

💎 Our verdict on Qualia Nous: Vol. 2

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Qualia Nous: Vol. 2 delivers a dense, thought-provoking collection that successfully merges scientific inquiry with horror tropes. Editor Michael Bailey curates twenty-nine distinct pieces, ranging from Stephen King’s psychological teleportation trauma to Usman T. Malik’s familial dread rooted in vaporization enthalpy. The inclusion of poetic works by Marge Simon adds lyrical depth, while Pat R. Steiner’s art enhances the eerie atmosphere. This anthology suits readers who prefer short-form speculative fiction over long novels. It excels in presenting varied tones and styles that challenge reality perceptions. While not for those seeking traditional fantasy, it offers a cohesive yet diverse exploration of technology and consciousness, making it essential for dedicated horror and sci-fi enthusiasts.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking compact, impactful narratives that blend the eerie with the technological will find this volume particularly rewarding. It appeals to those who appreciate short-form storytelling challenging perceptions of reality through diverse voices and styles. Fans of speculative fiction enjoy the dense reading experience offered by distinct entries examining consciousness and fear. The collection is ideal for audiences comfortable with scientific concepts woven into familial dread or teleportation trauma. It serves readers who value varied tones, from poetic interludes to narrative prose, all unified by an editorial vision that creates cohesion amidst variety. Those interested in the boundaries between human identity and artificial constructs will gain much from this curated exploration of the supernatural grounded in speculative science.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Qualia Nous: Vol. 2 delivers a dense, thought-provoking collection that successfully merges scientific inquiry with horror tropes. Editor Michael Bailey curates twenty-nine distinct pieces, ranging from Stephen King’s psychological teleportation trauma to Usman T. Malik’s familial dread rooted in vaporization enthalpy. The inclusion of poetic works by Marge Simon adds lyrical depth, while Pat R. Steiner’s art enhances the eerie atmosphere. This anthology suits readers who prefer short-form speculative fiction over long novels. It excels in presenting varied tones and styles that challenge reality perceptions. While not for those seeking traditional fantasy, it offers a cohesive yet diverse exploration of technology and consciousness, making it essential for dedicated horror and sci-fi enthusiasts.