This was a creepy, emotional read that deals with the horror that comes on the heels of grief. There were some disturbing depictions of horrific scenes, and it was raw and emotional which I liked. The writing style felt a bit disjointed at times for me, and I had difficulty being swept away by the writing style, but the book sure packs a punch.

If you like emotional grief horror, give this one a try.

This book pulls you in quickly and keeps you guessing. Fans of psychological horror will love the suspense and crave an answer as they read.

(Review link goes live 4/15/24 at 10:00am)
In Excess of Dark, is Red Lagoe's most recent publication through Dark Lit Press, having released March 15th, 2024. I received a review copy and wanted to get it read and a review posted prior to release, though life got in the way as it tends to do. The premise of this book had my attention right out of the gate, this novella follows Karina as she grapples with severe consequences of a darkness that followed her since childhood, an ability to bring her darkest daydreams to light. Imagine if that happened to you, how many times has your mind wandered and you found yourself thinking through a scenario that weirded you out, left you horrified and/or just wondering, "What the fuck..." Maybe its a common experience, maybe its not that common, but I know I've certainly been there. There is so much potential with this kind of story, having those kind of powers.

While it was quite short leaving me wanting more, Red Lagoe wrote a great, intriguing, horror piece. The interactions between characters felt very real and organic. They felt lived. The horror scenes were depicted incredibly grotesque way, yet still being light enough I could see someone less interested in visceral gory detail enjoying this book. There are 2 or 3 erotic scenes, they are rather short and don't go too far into detail, so if you don't like that in your books, I think its quick enough to ignore for the rest of the content. If you actively seek it out in your books, well there's not a ton. If not for some nitpicky editorial caveats, I'd have given the book an 8 of 10 stars...

That being said, there were a few spelling errors here and there, nothing excessive, generally not something I would even consider noteworthy to bring up and wouldn't affect the outcome of a review. There was one spelling error that I feel most certainly should have been caught by the editors, GPS being spelled "GSP", which certain stands out being surrounded by lowercase letters, though that being said, it feels rather nitpicky, but was just one of those very jarring errors. For whatever reason whenever hearing Karina's thoughts, it was not italicized, and I know it's not really a rule to do so, but I do prefer when that's done, at least Lagoe was consistent with it, but boy did it make some parts jarring. My main issue which I will be knocking a star off for, leaving it at 7 of 10 stars, is that this book, which again is written in THIRD person following Karina, will sometimes almost change perspective. More specifically sometimes it will refer to Karina's mother or father by "mom" or "dad" when they do something, and other times it will use their names, which would be fine in a first person book, or even if there was a solid perspective change into first person or something, but there's no question about that not happening. It happens frequently and is clearly not an instance of Karina's thoughts, making use of just mom or dad fine. Take for instance this excerpt, "Mom's face soured. She pushed by Karina and charged into the house. 'It's foul in here.'" At first you think okay, "Mom's face soured." Clearly this paragraph is some of Karina's thoughts, though then the next sentence being "She pushed past Karina..." and not "...past me..." makes it clear that's not the case. I had hoped errors like this would have been caught in the proofs between review copies and publication, but I checked the full publication, it's no different. Despite this issue often breaking immersion, it is still worth the read. Like I said, it's a good story.

A disturbing, thought-provoking story that centers around the grief that accompanies the loss of loved ones. There were times where I was deeply immersed in the story and there were times where the story felt like it was branching off in too many directions. I really loved the premise of this and the messages within it, but the overall novella didn't feel cohesive.

When Karina is grieving the lost of her family, she discovers a dark new ability. She can make her most horrible daydreams a reality. While haunted by a shadow figure, she desperately tries to use her gift to bring her family back from the dead.

I liked how the book dealt with the theme of grief in its own dark way with Karina wanting to bring her family back. The book is a very fast read and the ending was dark and satisfying.

A lot of the gross scenes are described in great detail, so If that’s not for you I suggest you skip this book. Other than that would highly recommend.

Karina has always thought that she had a strange power which made her daydreams come true. When grief threatens to overtake her, she quickly tries to right the wrongs that she believes she has caused. But, is there something supernatural at work or is she simply devolving into madness?

The author has done a great job in describing grief and the many aspects it might take. This story will have you guessing at what is real and what is just a fever dream. Even after finishing the book, I'm still not sure! This was a wild ride into delusion and horror that will stick with me for a while.

The narrator did a great job in maintaining the edgy "voice" of Karina and added a lot to the atmospheric dread of the book. I look forward to reading more by the author since she can definitely spin a horrific tale!

4★

Since she can remember, Karina had dark thoughts that often manifested into reality. Fearing her nightmares became the norm, but Karina is determined to embrace what exists deep within her.

“Her most innocuous, wandering bad thoughts became reality - not the things she truly wanted."

After a certain part in the story, I was unsure of Karina’s path, especially given her grief and the stigma attached to her tendencies. However, once Karina accepts what she is capable of, she becomes unstoppable which was intriguingly gruesome but also poetically woeful.

In Excess of Dark a horror novella where emotional limits are tested and consequences defy explanation.

I really liked the premise of this novella that’s what attracted me to this book and after reading it I thought it was a solid 4 star read I enjoyed the storyline I really liked the writing the story was interesting the pacing throughout this book was good I was hooked from the very start and I would highly recommend this if you like horror and gore I’m so happy I read this another fantastic read I will definitely look into reading more from this author

Real Rating: 4.5* of five

NB Goodreads will not allow new reviews of this title to be added as of 21 March 2024
Red Lagoe was introduced to me by Well Read Beard a couple years back. As I bought her books with my very own United States dollars, they went unreviewed...though not unenjoyed. This is not the first book-bullet the Beard has clipped me with, this author and her wild, fearless pursuit of story-logic's final destination (note horror-movie play on words, please), no matter how deeply grim it may be are now part of my regular rotation. I was very pleased to get this as a DRC.

I am not a chirpy soul. I genuinely believe the worst will happen because that is what the evil xian gawd, who clearly does rule the universe, wants for her victims. So as I read along in this book, I kept thinking, <I>is Karina really just me?</I> I tested my hypothesis by handing the Kindle to my Young Gentleman Caller on a flying visit he paid without telling him why I wanted him to read the book. Two hours later he handed it back and commented, "when did you meet this Red person, and Red had better be a she." So yeah...I related to Karina's nightmarish sense of deja vu as the horrors she is experiencing tie right in to her worst, darkest imaginings.

The worst things that can happen to a parent will spiral any one of us into deepest, most depressed misery. Not all of us see dark shapes that can mimic our lost ones. As a reader, I wavered between being sure this was a bad case of delusional grieving, and Karina's toxic mother's low-key emotional manipulations...and a little, uneasy sense that maybe, juuust maaaybe....

And by the ending, I was *still* not sure. To be clear, the ending has a full and satisfying reason for the events of the book...but I was still in that uncertain space until the very end of the read. That is quite a feat for an author to manage, as I started reading before young Author Lagoe was even born...I have seen every trick and ridden every trope before, and she still made me change my mind about what was happening multiple times.

I recommend this short, intense read to anyone whose life has included loss at an extremely deep level and who is willing and ready to process the darker side of it, as well as to those who think religious and supernatural "horror" are really quite silly. This book plays with those notions in a very unsettling, yet more grounded in reality, way that is very believable.

Karina and her disintegration are genuinely unnerving and upsetting, but for all the darkness on parade here, this is in the end a strong woman's discovery of her truest, most powerful self.

At 99¢, this is a great value. Look into it, and Red Lagoe, and I think you will come away glad to buy her work when you need a little challenging reading.

Let's talk about how awesome In Excess to the Dark was! Some backstory first, Red Lagoe grew up with 1980s horror which was horror at its finest. It is 2024 and I still watch 1980s horror flicks and dive into Stephen King's novels. It is a thirst I must quench. Thank you, Red for taking me back to a time when I always knew there had to be something waiting for me in my closet. And, you writing down the lurking thoughts us horror fanatics have but never speak on. In Excess of the Dark is a short, 152 page, novel but jam-packed with a child's worst nightmares. This story was so calm and alluring that I had to know the outcome as soon as possible. Red's writing put me back to when I was a child and scared of the dark. In Excess of the Dark was a one-day read for me that I will never forget. I give it 4.5 stars. Recommendation at its finest for In Excess to the Dark to all horror story lovers as it feeds our appetite.
Poor Karina, always walking on eggshells because the family she loved (her Daddy) died unnaturally and expressed it through his horror journal and art. You see, Karina's dad was an artist of disgusting and horror-filled art. He painted his worst nightmares and creatively wrote the horrific disasters that he saw happening to him in the future while his wife hated every second of it. She did not support him as his stories were against her beliefs, and there was constant tension in the household. All the while, he had a daughter, who loved her Daddy with all her heart.
Karina moved on and had a child, though she was having a hard time with her maternal instincts due to the way her mother raised her. Karina's family consisted of her husband and son only. Anything bad that occurred was blamed on Karina because her mom always reminded her that "the darkness" lived inside her "just like Daddy". Constantly thinking of her Dad's darkest stories, Karina's mom gives her her Dad's journal. This brings on an emotional rollercoaster and she begins to envision awful ways her family could die.
One day, Karina chose to take a trip with their son and husband in an attempt to bring some life back into her marriage. About an hour into their trip's long drive, BAM, a car accident occurs and both husband and son die. Karina lives knowing she thought and dreamt about her family dying in the exact way they did. After the funeral, her mom tells Karina that she must have "planned" their death. With her best friend at her side, Karina begins spiraling out of control. Karina's visions become a reality just like her father's did.
Karina's downward thoughts and dreams of darkness take a turn for the worst and she notices a tall dark figure watching her. The dark figure is everywhere. It watches her sleep, hides in dark corners, and even stands behind Karina's friends or family in the daylight to taunt her. With the help of her best friend and a medium, Karina jumps in to learn about this dark figure and "the darkness" that lived inside her dad.
This is a nightmare that comes true. Forever scarring one's thoughts and dreams. Karina MUST find out why this is happening to her.
Author Red killed it with this novel. I have downloaded more of her books due to how much I loved this story.

This book reminded me of Crossroads by Laurel Hightower and Hollow by Mike Salt and grief horror has definitely become one of my favourite tropes.
You really feel the descent into grief, madness and fury that the main character goes through. While this was a bit too slow burn for me, I still really enjoyed it.

A book who's main character experiences depression, grief, and a darkness that builds to push it's way out of her and into the physical world. Karina sprials following the loss of her family, and the more she tries to keep things together, the more her dark thougths begin to tear it apart. A different and chilling approach to themes of depression and loss through a horror lense that at times left me doubting my interpretation of events. I found the main character relatable in her struggles and experiences, as well as her reactions to the unfolding of events around her and her own power. I'm always a big fan of writers to can make me doubt a chain of events along with the main character, and this one didn't disappoint.If you want a fast paced book approaching difficult things through horror and body horror, In Excess of Dark will scratch the itch you didn't know you had.

4.25 stars

Since she was young, Karina recognized the darkness that dwelled within herself. When her gruesome daydreams turned into reality, she embarked on a quest to get her family back regardless of the consequences.

While this book is a graphic horror, it has an underlying tone of grief and depression. Karina carried a burden that became heavier as she attempted to fix her mistakes. I sympathized with her situation, but at times her choices were questionable.

In Excess of Dark is a story of guilt and desperation. It would appeal to readers looking for a quick horror read.

Our MC Karina has always had very dark and disturbing thoughts since childhood, much to her Mother’s dismay. One day, one of her nightmarish daydreams comes true, and her new ability triggers her into a spiral of depression and guilt.

The mental health representation in this amazing horror novella was excellent and so visceral and vivid! Karina’s story left me feeling emotional and heavy, yet grieving with her. It really makes you think what lengths you’d go to in order to reunite with loved ones.

If you’re looking for a dark, emotional, and fast paced horror novella with great creepy scenes then I highly recommend this one!

This is an interesting dive into grief, Dre press ion and mental health. As a novella it is a quick read. I do think the topics are handled well but really would have benefited from a full length novel. The imagery was perfectly morbid and grotesque. As a horror novel it didn’t work for me as it seemed to rely on that gross factor rather than unease and ambiance.

The pain and grief the main character goes through though was outstanding. I think this works better as a general fiction exploration with horror elements rather than a true horror novel but I still enjoyed the read. It is a 3 due to the reliance on body horror and decay as its primary fear factor. It just wasn’t scary but it was dark.

If you’re a fan of body horror and dealing with the aftermath of a lost loved one, this is worth a read.

Let's talk covers.... I love this cover!

I wasnt sure what to expect but oh my this is one of the best i have read in a while. This has Stephen King Vibes! It has twists and turns and was creepy at times.

Would definitely recommend! Will look for more by this author.

Thanks NetGalley for letting me read and review.

“In Excess of Dark” by Red Lagoe follows Karina, a mother and wife, who finds her daydreams are coming true. The events of the book send her down a dark path to help her maintain her sanity.

This book was a quick read, but it is dark. Revealing too much about this book will ruin it, but Red was able to feed on my fears as a mother and wife. It can be graphic and deals with themes of toxic family, generational trauma, and grief. Definitely worth a read.

Thank you to Red Lagoe and DarkLit Press for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

I wasn't sure what to expect going in, but this actually ended up being one of the better horror stories I've read in awhile! Its themes reminded me of King's Pet Sematary, and its style reminded me of the stories in Night Shift (two very high compliments!). It has emotional weight, twists and turns, and some genuinely creepy moments throughout. Definitely worth a read!

In Excess of Dark manages to expertly pull off what most psychological horror writers only (day) dream of. A dark and unsettling story that provides the visceral imagery and grounding that make horror sing while also exploring the depths of Karina's world, her new normal, and never letting the reader find firm footing. Ambiguous enough to keep your mental gears whirring long after the last page, with enough to latch onto for readers who don't care for open endings. A prime example of why novellas work so well for horror, in other words.

I loved this story. It was a quick read at just over 100 pages, but the author deftly crafted a detailed and creative story with great character development in that short span.
The main character Karina can make things happen by imagining them and unfortunately, her imagination tends towards the macabre. Fortunately, she discover how to control her “talent”, just not in time to save the ones she loves.
Thanks to the author and DarkLit for providing a free copy to review. Excellent story!