The Kite Over Damon's Oar: A Folk Horror of Wind, Hunger and the Thing that Watches from Above
A 1985 orphan discovers a journal that warps reality through forbidden geometry.
Dillon Demaine writes a folk horror narrative set in the decaying town of Damon's Oar during 1985. The story follows orphan Gus Baxter, who initially seeks comfort in the rigid logic of physics. His life changes when he discovers a locked sea chest containing a journal about forbidden geometry known as The Vector of The Void. This artifact is chemically cold and possesses a malevolent awareness that whispers equations to Gus. As he studies these non-Euclidean diagrams, he triggers a cosmic calculation that defies natural laws. The attic atmosphere warps under the influence of this knowledge. Demaine has previously written Stairway to Darkness, establishing his reputation in the genre. This book suits readers who enjoy the works of H.P. Lovecraft, Thomas Ligotti, and Stephen King’s Revival. It also appeals to fans of The Fisherman. Those seeking traditional haunted house stories or hopeful endings may find this work unsettling. The narrative focuses on the psychological and physical consequences of engaging with cosmic horror elements.
This novel sits within the 1980s American folk horror tradition, echoing the works of H.P. Lovecraft and Thomas Ligotti. It draws on supernatural fiction tropes similar to The Fisherman and Revival, focusing on isolated communities and cosmic dread.
📝 Description: The Kite Over Damon's Oar: A Folk Horror of Wind, Hunger and the Thing that Watches from Above
💎 Our verdict on The Kite Over Damon's Oar: A Folk Horror of Wind, Hunger and the Thing that Watches from Above
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Why this book is worth reading
Readers drawn to the suffocating atmosphere of folk horror and the intellectual dread of cosmic terror will find this novel deeply resonant. It is specifically tailored for those who appreciate the psychological unraveling found in Thomas Ligotti’s work or the grim, deterministic horror of Stephen King’s Revival. The book appeals to fans of non-Euclidean geometry and forbidden knowledge tropes, offering a narrative that prioritizes atmospheric warping over traditional plot mechanics. If you enjoy the unsettling ambiguity of The Fisherman, this title provides a similar experience by focusing on the physical and mental consequences of engaging with malevolent, incomprehensible forces. It serves those who seek horror that defies natural laws rather than comforting resolutions.
⭐ Reader reviews
Reader rating
Dillon Demaine delivers a potent example of folk horror where the environment itself becomes hostile through mathematical distortion. The narrative effectively utilizes the concept of forbidden geometry to warp reality, creating a sense of unease that permeates every page. The protagonist’s descent from rigid logic into cosmic madness is portrayed with chilling precision. This work excels in its atmospheric construction, making the attic and the town of Damon's Oar feel like living entities. It suits best readers who tolerate unsettling tones and reject hopeful endings. Those seeking traditional haunted house tropes may find the focus on psychological and physical decay too intense, but fans of Lovecraftian dread will appreciate the meticulous exploration of how knowledge can destroy the mind.
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📖 From the series “The Forgotten Towns”
✍️ More books by this author Dillon Demaine
🏛 Books from this publisher Independently Published
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