The Empty

Name: The Empty
Price: 17.95 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781628151923

✍️ Thom Reese

Reader Score

4.5

(1 review)

$17.95

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Thom Reese expands his 2014 novel about a shapeshifter fighting to protect his hidden race in Las Vegas.

The narrative follows Donald Baker as he navigates the dangers of modern urban life while concealing his species. The reyaqc rely on genetic infusion from donors, a process that leaves victims vacant. As technology and population growth shrink their safe havens, the community faces extinction or exposure. A lone killer in Las Vegas accelerates this timeline, forcing Baker to act. The expanded edition provides deeper insight into these events by including previously cut material. This version allows readers to understand the full scope of the rogue threat and the internal struggle Baker faces against his own nature. The story remains grounded in the immediate physical and social stakes of its characters rather than abstract lore.

Key Themes

reyaqc biology Las Vegas terror genetic infusion

Literary Context

The book was published by Speaking Volumes, LLC in 2014. It draws on the concept of hidden societies living among humans for centuries. The setting shifts from isolated fringes to modern cities like Las Vegas, reflecting contemporary anxieties about surveillance and population density.

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

Anne Rice · Clive Barker · Charlie Huston

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Horror Fiction

🏛 Speaking Volumes, LLC 📅 2014 📖 286 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781628151923

📝 Description: The Empty

Thom Reese presents a supernatural narrative centered on Donald Baker, a member of the reyaqc race. These beings lack inherent genetic traits and survive by absorbing information from human and animal donors, leaving the victims as hollow shells. The story examines the precarious existence of these creatures who have lived alongside humanity for centuries. Some reside in isolated communities while others integrate into global cities, hiding their true nature to avoid discovery. The plot intensifies when a rogue entity begins terrorizing Las Vegas, creating a crisis that threatens to expose the reyaqc prematurely. Donald Baker seeks to bring his people into the mainstream but must now confront this violent outsider and his own savage instincts. This expanded edition restores content omitted from the original 2014 release due to space limitations. Readers encounter the full unabridged text as Reese originally intended it, offering a complete view of the conflict between survival and secrecy. This work suits readers interested in urban fantasy and creature features that explore identity and assimilation. It may not appeal to those who prefer traditional folklore or historical horror settings over modern metropolitan backdrops. The narrative focuses on the specific mechanics of the reyaqc biology and the immediate threat posed by the rogue in Las Vegas rather than broad philosophical treatises.

💎 Our verdict on The Empty

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Thom Reese delivers a supernatural narrative centered on Donald Baker and the reyaqc, a race surviving by absorbing information from donors. The book excels in grounding its abstract lore in immediate physical and social stakes within Las Vegas. By focusing on the mechanics of reyaqc biology and the urgent threat of a rogue entity, Reese creates tension that feels personal rather than distant. This approach suits readers who prefer modern metropolitan backdrops over traditional folklore or historical settings. The narrative avoids broad philosophical musings in favor of concrete survival struggles. It is best appreciated by those seeking creature features with psychological depth. The story effectively balances the horror of exposure with the internal conflict of maintaining humanity amidst savage instincts, providing a complete view of the protagonist's burden.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who enjoy urban fantasy and creature features that delve into identity and assimilation will find this narrative compelling. The story offers a fresh perspective on the vampire mythos through the unique biology of the reyaqc, who survive by absorbing information from donors. Those interested in the precarious existence of hidden races living alongside humanity will appreciate the focus on secrecy and survival. The text provides deep insight into the internal struggles of its protagonist against his own savage instincts. It is ideal for fans of modern horror that prioritizes specific biological mechanics over broad philosophical debates, offering a grounded look at a community facing extinction in a shrinking world.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Thom Reese delivers a supernatural narrative centered on Donald Baker and the reyaqc, a race surviving by absorbing information from donors. The book excels in grounding its abstract lore in immediate physical and social stakes within Las Vegas. By focusing on the mechanics of reyaqc biology and the urgent threat of a rogue entity, Reese creates tension that feels personal rather than distant. This approach suits readers who prefer modern metropolitan backdrops over traditional folklore or historical settings. The narrative avoids broad philosophical musings in favor of concrete survival struggles. It is best appreciated by those seeking creature features with psychological depth. The story effectively balances the horror of exposure with the internal conflict of maintaining humanity amidst savage instincts, providing a complete view of the protagonist's burden.