🗡️ Dark Fantasy

The Obsidian Carnival

✍️ Dillon Demaine
Reader Score
4.6
(1 review)
$22.99
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A dark fantasy novel blending occult horror with psychological suspense.

The Obsidian Carnival occupies a specific niche within contemporary gothic fiction. It prioritizes atmospheric dread over visceral shock. The narrative structure relies on tension and mystery rather than explicit violence. Demaine constructs a world where supernatural threats feel immediate and personal. This approach creates a lingering sense of unease for the reader. The book is part of a larger series, suggesting deeper lore within the Forgotten Towns setting. It targets readers who appreciate slow-burn suspense and psychological depth. The style avoids modern tropes in favor of traditional gothic elements. This makes it suitable for those who value mood and tone in their fiction.

Key Themes
occult horror psychological thriller supernatural dread
Literary Context

The book sits within the tradition of modern gothic fiction, drawing on dark fantasy and suspense genres. It is part of The Forgotten Towns series, published independently in 2025. This places it in contemporary American publishing, focusing on atmospheric storytelling rather than historical reenactment.

Difficulty
●● Medium
Recommended For Fans Of
Shirley Jackson · M.R. James · H.P. Lovecraft · Thomas Ligotti
🗡️
Dark Fantasy
🏛 Independently Published 📅 2025 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9798268118933

📝 Description: The Obsidian Carnival

Dillon Demaine writes The Obsidian Carnival, a work situated within the Forgotten Towns series. This paperback edition blends dark fantasy with suspenseful storytelling. The narrative focuses on occult horror and psychological tension rather than sudden shocks. Readers encounter a steady pace where mood builds organically through unfolding mystery. The book appeals to those who enjoy eerie atmospheres and supernatural dread. It offers a distinct experience in modern gothic fiction by making the supernatural feel immediate and threatening. Demaine weaves themes of the unknown into a tense narrative structure. The story avoids cheap thrills, opting instead for a carefully crafted approach that lingers after reading. This title suits fans of genre blends who prefer atmosphere over action. It may not satisfy readers seeking rapid plot progression or explicit horror elements. The work stands as a solid entry for those interested in the intersection of psychological thriller and occult themes. Demaine’s background supports this specific tone, creating a cohesive reading experience for the target audience.

💎 Our verdict on The Obsidian Carnival

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
The Obsidian Carnival excels at constructing a world where supernatural threats feel immediate without relying on explicit violence. Demaine prioritizes atmospheric dread, creating a steady pace where mood builds organically through unfolding mystery. This approach avoids modern tropes in favor of traditional gothic elements, appealing to readers who value psychological depth. The narrative structure relies on tension and suspense, offering a distinct experience in contemporary horror. It is best suited for those who enjoy eerie atmospheres and are willing to engage with slow-burn storytelling. While it may not satisfy readers seeking rapid plot progression, it stands as a compelling work for enthusiasts of occult horror and psychological suspense.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate slow-burn suspense and psychological depth will find this novel particularly rewarding. It offers a distinct experience by weaving themes of the unknown into a tense narrative structure that feels immediate and personal. The work suits those who value mood and tone in their fiction, providing a lingering sense of unease rather than cheap thrills. Fans of genre blends who prefer atmosphere over action will gain from Demaine’s careful crafting of supernatural threats. It serves as a solid entry for those interested in the intersection of psychological thriller and occult themes, delivering a cohesive reading experience grounded in traditional gothic elements.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.6
Based on 1 reviews
5
0
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0
H
Horror Reads editorial team

The Obsidian Carnival excels at constructing a world where supernatural threats feel immediate without relying on explicit violence. Demaine prioritizes atmospheric dread, creating a steady pace where mood builds organically through unfolding mystery. This approach avoids modern tropes in favor of traditional gothic elements, appealing to readers who value psychological depth. The narrative structure relies on tension and suspense, offering a distinct experience in contemporary horror. It is best suited for those who enjoy eerie atmospheres and are willing to engage with slow-burn storytelling. While it may not satisfy readers seeking rapid plot progression, it stands as a compelling work for enthusiasts of occult horror and psychological suspense.

📖 From the series “The Forgotten Towns”

The NULL beneath the Bed
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Dillon Demaine
The NULL beneath the Bed
$22.99
86
Read →
Children of the Veiled Star
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Dillon Demaine
Children of the Veiled Star
$22.99
81
Read →
The Crimson Threshold
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Dillon Demaine
The Crimson Threshold
$22.99
78
Read →
The Cipher of the Unmaking
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Dillon Demaine
The Cipher of the Unmaking
$22.99
81
Read →
The Deep Tide
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Dillon Demaine
The Deep Tide
$22.99
86
Read →
The Whisperwood
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Dillon Demaine
The Whisperwood
$22.99
81
Read →

✍️ More books by this author Dillon Demaine

The Metatron Engine Omnibus - Special Edition: When Reality Begins to Correct Itself
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Dillon Demaine
The Metatron Engine Omnibus - Special Edition: When Reality Begins to Correct Itself
$29.99
86
Read →
Desire: A Cosmic Horror about a small town where Memories go to die
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Dillon Demaine
Desire: A Cosmic Horror about a small town where Memories go to die
$22.99
81
Read →
The Witch of Salem's Meadow: A Folk Horror of Fire, Ritual, and a Town Gone Mad
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Dillon Demaine
The Witch of Salem's Meadow: A Folk Horror of Fire, Ritual, and a Town Gone Mad
$22.99
81
Read →
Where Angels Would not Tread: An Asylum of Angels. A Patient of Something Else.
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Dillon Demaine
Where Angels Would not Tread: An Asylum of Angels. A Patient of Something Else.
$22.99
81
Read →
Celluloid
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Dillon Demaine
Celluloid
$22.99
81
Read →
Barnaby: A Possession Horror
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Dillon Demaine
Barnaby: A Possession Horror
$12.99
86
Read →

🏛 Books from this publisher Independently Published

The Walking Worm
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Matthew Cowdery
The Walking Worm
$12.99
78
Read →
You'll Do As You're Told
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Craig Wesley Wall
You'll Do As You're Told
$14.99
78
Read →
La Sincronicidad de los Dioses
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Jon Ridan
La Sincronicidad de los Dioses
$11.99
78
Read →
Forever Your Blood: Christabel Kane I
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Syl Emerald
Forever Your Blood: Christabel Kane I
$19.00
81
Read →
John Hopkins: At the heart of England
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Shane Terry
John Hopkins: At the heart of England
$17.32
78
Read →
Skinheads VS. Goth Vampires
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Nick Razer
Skinheads VS. Goth Vampires
$15.99
78
Read →

You might also like

See more →
Dr. Deep ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Dillon Demaine
Dr. Deep
$22.99
86
Read →
The Mannequin Protocol: A Psychological Conspiracy Horror Novel ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Dillon Demaine
The Mannequin Protocol: A Psychological Conspiracy Horror Novel
$22.99
86
Read →
Synthetic Psychopathic ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Tyler Come
Synthetic Psychopathic
$22.99
86
Read →
That Which Holds Them Apart ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Linden Crowe
That Which Holds Them Apart
$22.99
86
Read →
The Daughters Below ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Samantha Jayne Young
The Daughters Below
$22.85
86
Read →
Bloody Night IV: Ashes of the Sunborn ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Kwan Chak Tang
Bloody Night IV: Ashes of the Sunborn
$23.14
86
Read →

Have a question about this item?

Ask about the edition, condition, delivery or anything else — we reply by email or phone, usually within a day.

Home Genres
Cart
Wishlist