The Glass Garden: A Novella
A Shirley Jackson nominated novella about sisters facing a living anomaly on an exoplanet.
Therese Blake, an Earth-focused archaeologist, joins her sister Lissy to investigate a discovery near an abandoned colony. Lissy sees financial potential in the Glass Garden's luminescent walls, while Therese prioritizes academic rigor. The pair must classify the site as either artificial construction or biological life. Their investigation leads them deeper into the underground cavern, where they become trapped by the anomaly's influence. The story explores how obsession overrides logic and survival instincts. Levai uses the dynamic between the pragmatic salvager and the cautious scholar to drive the plot forward. The tension arises from their inability to escape the site's pull despite their different motivations.
This novella arrives in 2025 as a nominee for the Shirley Jackson Award, placing it within contemporary speculative fiction. It draws on the tradition of sci-fi horror established by authors like Jeff VanderMeer and Lina Rather, focusing on atmospheric dread rather than gore.
📝 Description: The Glass Garden: A Novella
💎 Our verdict on The Glass Garden: A Novella
📖 Why choose it
Why this book is worth reading
Readers who appreciate slow-burn psychological tension and atmospheric dread will find this novella compelling. It appeals to those interested in the intersection of familial duty and cosmic horror, offering a nuanced exploration of obsession overriding logic. Fans of gothic sensibilities blended with sci-fi elements will enjoy the dynamic between the pragmatic salvager and the cautious scholar. The story suits those who value speculative fiction that examines how different motivations fail against an inescapable pull. It is ideal for readers seeking depth over fast-paced action, providing a thoughtful examination of survival instincts versus greed within a claustrophobic setting.
⭐ Reader reviews
Reader rating
Jessica Levai crafts a tense narrative where scientific method and greed collide against an unyielding anomaly. The novella excels in portraying the shifting relationship between two sisters trapped by an inexplicable force. Its strength lies in the atmospheric dread and the psychological weight of obsession, rather than traditional action. The slow burn may not suit all, but it rewards patience with a deep dive into cosmic horror themes. Readers who enjoy speculative fiction that prioritizes mood and intellectual engagement will find this work highly satisfying. It effectively blurs the line between artificial construction and living organism, creating a sense of inescapable dread.
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✍️ More books by this author Jessica Levai
🏛 Books from this publisher Lanternfish Press
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