I greatly appreciate the opportunity to review this book however I don't think this author's writing style is for me. I got to approximately 17% and decided to throw in the towel.
I found the writing to have way to many adjectives.

This book was very good. I really enjoyed it. Thank you to Netgalley for the arc and Ive never read anything by this author until now and it was so worth it.

A wonderfully-written thriller with flavors of horror, suspense, and romance all in one delicious dish. Fans of Mario 64 will love jumping into each one of the haunted paintings in The Macabre.

Thank you NetGalley for the early ARC to read and review.

I adore Kosoko Jackson's books and this one has been one I have been really excited about.

I love the characters and their dynamics. Noah is an absolute treasure and I adore him. Cassandra is written to perfection, IMO. She is vicious, engaging, and you love to hate her.

The premise is incredible and I love the overall writing of the book. I think the world building is keeping me from the 4 star review here. We are dumped into this world of magic and I can appreciate it feels a little like Lev Grossman, but I need a bit more of an explanation on how the magic systems work and why Lewis is so accepting w/o ever questioning anything. I kept getting a little lost with time.

Still, there is a lot to love here and the line between fantasy and horror is wonderful!

This book was absolutely stunning. When I first read the blurb, I was immediately hooked. Kosoko Jackson weaves a rich story combining elements of fantasy, horror, and magical realism that had me devouring this book. At multiple points in the story, I had to put the book down and take a breath because I was so excited to read on, but wanted to make sure I was taking it all in.

I agree with other reviewers in that I would have liked to enter more paintings, but I didn't mind that time being dedicated to developing the characters. Watching the events unfold and getting to know Lewis, Noah, Evangeline, Cassandra, and Akana was a whirlwind journey.

Beyond the cursed paintings, this book tackles themes of racism, colonialism, and especially grief and the ways that we can use our pain to hurt ourselves and hurt others. I will be sitting with this one for a while.

Thanks to Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the e-ARC!

“The world deals everyone a shitty hand. You don’t get to go out and hurt people who have nothing to do with your sorrow. You don’t get to extinguish others’ lives in hopes of having a second chance at your own.”

Thanks to @netgalley and @harpervoyagerus for the eARC of @kosokojackson’s fantastically haunting #TheMacabre.

Artist Lewis Dixon has just lost his mother, at the same time he gets an invite from the British Museum to display one of his pieces. When he meets Evangeline, the Director of Curation at the museum, Lewis learns there is more to the invite than his artistic talent. A series of mysterious paintings are causing phantasmal issues across the world, and Lewis, related by blood to the painter, is the only one who can stop them. Alongside Evangeline’s assistant Noah, Lewis must travel the world to stop the devastation of these paintings. But in ending the suffering, Lewis comes to find that more is at play in this new dark and magical world.

I didn’t know what to expect going into this read as I’ve never read any of Jackson’s other work, but I was so impressed by this read. So many fantasy/magical reads go into deep lore about how the magic works, but this one lets the reader sort of experience being thrust into this world alongside the main character. We learn what he learns (for the most part), and just go with it. The supporting cast of characters makes for an interesting frenemies mix, including a budding gay relationship. The study of grief and loss is thoughtful and reflective, allowing for sympathy where other books would paint the antagonist as purely evil.

Excited for people to enjoy this one, and while it covers some adult themes, would be a good one for teen readers looking to get into the horror/fantasy genre.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 Stars – A Thrilling, Queer Horror Masterpiece

Kosoko Jackson’s The Macabre is a haunting and immersive horror novel that grips you from the first page and never lets go. With a perfect blend of psychological tension, supernatural terror, and deeply layered storytelling, this book is an absolute must-read for horror fans.

Set in a chillingly atmospheric world, The Macabre follows a protagonist who is forced to confront both external horrors and the ghosts of his past. Jackson’s writing is razor-sharp, delivering intense scares while also exploring themes of grief, trauma, and identity. The queer representation is beautifully woven into the narrative, making it a refreshing and necessary addition to the horror genre.

What truly sets The Macabre apart is its ability to balance bone-chilling horror with emotional depth. The twists are unpredictable, the suspense is relentless, and the characters feel raw and real. If you love books that leave you breathless and slightly paranoid after turning the last page, this one is for you.

Final Verdict: The Macabre is a modern horror gem—intelligent, terrifying, and impossible to put down. Kosoko Jackson has cemented himself as a must-read voice in the genre. Highly recommended for fans of The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones and The Taking of Jake Livingston by Ryan Douglass.

📖💀 Have you read The Macabre? Let’s talk about it! #TheMacabre #KosokoJackson #QueerHorror #HorrorBooks #BookTok #Bookstagram #SpookyReads

This book has such a strong start to it. The way the reader is introduced to the magic along with Lewis and are just as confused as he is hooked me immediately. The atmosphere created by entering into the paintings is incredibly vivid, making you feel as if you're there with him. That being said, I felt like around the halfway point, the book started to lose its way. It loses the intensity that initially hooked me. That being said, it's not bad by any means, just feels slightly underdeveloped. The writing itself is excellent, though! I would rate this a 7/10, making it a 3.5 on a 5 star scale, but I rounded up because I did find myself thinking about Lewis and the paintings even after I finished reading.

Another great book by Kosoko Jackson! Mixing elements of magical realism, light horror, a budding queer romance and women driven by their desires for power and vengeance, readers are taken on a journey across the globe and through time itself.

Jackson has excelled in the YA genre, and I can see elements of the writing style carried over to this book. While this marketed as horror, I found it to be quite tame, though it does have scenes with carnage that many may like a trigger warning for. Both Lewis and Noah’s characterizations, as well as their flirtatiousness, are examples of the YA writing style peeking out. However, the story has a strong and compelling villain who readers want to sympathize for but are also disgusted by. As the saying goes, “I understand why he did it, but I don’t condone it.”
Also, the women were all superb. Cassandra, Akana and Evangeline had amazing development. We love women’s rights AND women’s wrongs!!

Overall, very strong magical system with solid explanations on how most of their supernatural powers worked. I loved the use of different forms of magic, such as the God-provided magic in Japan and Nigeria. The pacing was a bit fast but it made for a thrilling read!


Mild Spoiler***
I love a woman whose main motivation is vengeance but who also gets a redemption arc after being able to explain why she wants vengeance.

I loved the magic and a lot of the plot in this one! Super unique, and the paintings in different locations gave the story a great built-in structure that helped me, because other parts needed tightening up for me. Some of the writing was unclear or repetitive (how many times do people "roll their shoulders" in this book?), and I got a little lost on the logic a few times. I think it could use another pass or two for consistency/logic/narrative structure. BUT the paintings and connected magic are totally new to me, a really interesting & fun idea I haven't seen before, and I'd love to see this author develop more!

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Lewis is going through a hard time when he’s suddenly forced to confront the fact that magic is real. He goes from struggling artist to a key component of a major magical undertaking overnight and it’s all related to a genetic trait he has inherited.

The first quarter or so of this book really grabbed my attention. You learn about this magic world with the main character which builds intrigue and makes everything easy to understand. However, at some point Lewis starts doing independent study and the reader becomes the only one still in the dark regarding this magic tied to art.

The Macabre had a great premise, I just felt like the delivery was a little flat. The climax of the plot fell a little short of what I was wanting and felt too predictable as well. All around this story was fine, just not for me in the end.

#arcreview #netgalley #themacabre #arcreader #bookreview

Thank you HarperCollins Publishers and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Kosoko Jackson’s The Macabre is a dark, atmospheric tale that blends horror with deeper social commentary. The story is rich with eerie moments and emotional depth, exploring themes of identity, loss, and resilience. While the vivid writing and unsettling atmosphere are standout strengths, I felt the pacing wavered at times, and certain plot elements could have been more fully developed. Lewis and Noah were my favorite characters in this story.

In his adult fantasy debut, The Macabre, Kosoko Jackson masterfully intertwines art history, dark fantasy, and horror to craft a narrative that is both thrilling and thought-provoking. Set against a backdrop of cursed paintings and globe-trotting adventure, the novel delves into the profound impact of art and the lengths individuals will go to either possess or destroy it.

The story centers on Lewis Dixon, a struggling artist whose life takes an unexpected turn when his work catches the attention of the British Museum. His paintings, eerily reminiscent of his great-grandfather's century-old, surreal artworks, are believed to harbor a malevolent curse. Tasked by a mysterious museum official named Evangeline and paired with the enigmatic agent Noah Rao, Lewis embarks on a perilous mission to locate and eradicate ten cursed paintings before their dark influence wreaks havoc. The journey propels him into a clandestine world of black markets, ancient magic, and unspeakable horrors.

Jackson's narrative is both fast-paced and immersive, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they traverse various locales and uncover the sinister histories behind each artwork. The novel's structure, blending time-hopping adventures with deep dives into art's esoteric aspects, offers a fresh perspective on the genre. While the magic system isn't exhaustively detailed, the emphasis on action and character development ensures a gripping read.

The dynamic between Lewis and Noah adds depth to the story, exploring themes of trust, sacrifice, and the blurred lines between reality and the supernatural. As they delve deeper into the mysteries of the cursed paintings, their personal stakes become increasingly intertwined, leading to moments of intense self-reflection and growth.

“And if you go chasing rabbits…”
Lewis Dixon is an artist in Baltimore waiting for his big break, but life has a habit of getting in the way. Once he came out of his fugue state whilst painting, he found multiple calls from family that his mother was at the hospital. As he struggles to deal with the grief over his mother, he is invited to the British Museum in London to showcase one of his paintings. This is an invitation he would not dream of refusing. Lewis is about to embark on an adventure down the rabbit hole.
This book gave me major Warehouse 13 vibes and it’s one of the reasons I enjoyed it! It’s worth the read.

#ThxNetGalley #KosokoJackson #TheMacabre

I honestly enjoyed this book even though it wasn't exactly what I was expecting. This is definitely more of a fantasy than a horror book, but there were still a lot of horror elements. I loved how it took us around the world and I really liked the main character. The dialogue was natural and well-written and the story was paced fairly well. It was easy to follow but not boring.
However, at times the book felt repetitive and I felt one of the characters switched sides too quickly. I would have loved a scene where her morals change. The villain, however, was excellent but I would have liked to have explored her motives a bit more. In addition, I felt while the magic system was well developed, there were multiple mentions of gods and another realm but not really explained. I think a sequel would be a great way to expand on the world building.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I really struggled to get through this book. I felt like the beginning was strong, but the more I went into it I just felt so bored. I did not feel any connection to the characters.

3.5 stars rounded down.

I enjoyed The Macabre! I went into the book expecting a horror novel based on the cover art & plot summary, but while gory, this was moreso a fantasy with magic and.. time travel? I don’t think this is a negative, but this might be a letdown for some readers expecting a different story.

I really loved the characters and their relationships. Lewis, our mc, made some frustrating decisions at times but was very relatable. Noah was a joy - we need more of him!!

The magic system left me a bit confused at times. The rules for the magic system seemed unclear to me and I am not sure I 100% understood the abilities and limitations of the magicians. Admittedly, I was left with a lot of questions at the end of the book that I was hoping would be answered. That being said, I still think the magic system was very cool and unique. I have never read anything like it before.

All-in-all, this was a fun read and a story that I think could be TRULY great with a couple more edits.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Voyager for the eARC! ❤️

Thank you HaprerCollins Publishers and NetGalley for an E-ARC, electronic advance reader copy, in exchange for an honest review.

I planned on reading Kosoko Jackson’s previous works, but I was lucky enough to obtain a copy of his upcoming novel The Macabre. And I am glad to select this book as the book of the month for September in my book club. I will be encouraging my book club in Miami to purchase and read this stand-alone novel in September once it is released. Why?

The Macabre’s main character, Lewis Dixon, stumbles onto an adventure with a mission to destroy the lost and cursed paintings his ancestor, Edgar Dumont, left behind. His story is intertwined with Evangeline, a manipulative leader of a country’s mage organization; Noah Rao, a member of the mage society who will share the same motivation with Lewis; Akana, a highly skilled magician with no fear; and Cassandra, our immortal nun now mage that will stop at nothing to achieve her personal goal. Lewis embarks on his given mission to destroy Edgar Dumont’s paintings due the curses left within for over 150 years. Lewis is the only one able to eradicate these curses or living nightmares.

The atmosphere is unique and rewarding to read when presented with high stake decisions being made. Learning about the magic system was enjoyable and easy to comprehend because it follows our scientific principles with a new surface. For example, gravity and if you love science as I do then you know how many other principles are altered. The world building allowed me to benefit from the story whenever I was not reading because I got to play with my mind by seeing a curtain being drawn from the reality we live.

My favorite character is Cassandra for the effect of her own POV where at first the reader would have strong opinions against. However, after finishing the novel I know rereading her POV’s would be more sympathetic and understanding and that is what makes the story more intriguing. Also, the book delivers a strong, edge-gripping, page-turning prologue and it has been dozens of books since I have read a hooking prologue. The horror aspect can be better described as graphic elements whenever these characters encounter the paintings and each work of art has a different bloody nightmare.

I found The Macabre by Kosoko Jackson to be a work of fiction that uses characters who want to do better for the world, fight for their mothers whether living or not, resist regime change, and collaborate to oppose the true enemy.

My only critical feedback are the following:
In the text, the author uses the word “starfish” and while it is an accepted name I cannot abide with it. Due to my background in marine science, the preferred name is “sea star” across scientists and educators because they are not fish and have different symmetries. In addition, a character experiences phantom limb after removing a limb themselves. Due to my current nursing study, when an individual experiences an amputation awake they are less likely to experience phantom limb rather than an individual who amputates during a surgery asleep. The mystery behind this is due to our nervous system acknowledging the amputation if awake to see the process rather than being asleep during the process.

4.75 stars!

I loved this book. It was so good!! the only reason it was a 4.75 instead of 5 was the fact that I felt like sometimes it was just missing a little something. Either things were glossed over a little fast or the build up between characters wasn't as well shown as I would like. However, that being said I really enjoyed this book. It took me a lot longer to get through than I thought it would tbh, but that isn't a bad thing. It had the perfect amount of horror and romance thrown in for a fantasy book. I loved the characters, even if I thought they were all very stubborn at certain parts, and I loved the magic system. I feel like in a fantasy novel, the magic system, can either make or break it. I felt like the author described it pretty well and it seems well thought out! I will definitely be buying the physical copy once it comes out!

Definitely more fantasy than horror and not at all what I was expecting. It really did feel like an arc from one of those Syfy channel adventure originals. It's an episodic story focused on hunting down and neutralizing paintings with dark power, and the world is replete with magic and wizards that aren't wizards and artifacts and spells and hidden secrets in museums--that sort of thing. I did enjoy it but I wish it had been advertised a little differently! Also some big writing style issues at the start here. It evens out toward the end, or I got used to it. The style is very casual with a lotttt of telling without showing and then slightly clumsy attempts around that with similes, a few adverb sins, and talky introspection. I was pleasantly surprised by the romance subplot!