Robin's Review

Upon the Pale Isle of Gloam

Can your truth set you free? 

Upon a deserted shoreline, Rue wakes alone with no knowledge of her past. Decades of wreckage lay sprawled across the beach. The days are impossibly short, and the weather foreboding. Worse are the supernatural beings that stalk the landscape, littering it with corpses. Using only her instincts, Rue embarks on a journey to reclaim her truth and find a way home—all while unraveling the isle’s dark secret.

A spooky weekend read brimming with gothic themes and atmospheric horror.

Robin’s Review

One of my favorites for 2023

😱 Ending

Rue awakens to a desolate shoreline, plagued by wicked supernatural forces and without recollection of her past. However, she’s not alone; others on the island share her amnesia and confusion about how they arrived there. The mysterious Riel has instructed them to explore different parts of the island to discover their own stories and uncover their own truths. 

The story follows Rue, Lyssa, Koto, Faina, Cody, and Dolion. 

I absolutely loved this story. It was well written, with a compelling mystery to be solved by each of the characters. I highly recommend this story and the author. And I can’t wait for more from him.

Favorite Lines:

“I think my soul just packed up and left this universe,” Rue said. “If ever there’s a good time to see an angel, I guess this is it.” “I’m starting to think there aren’t enough underpants in the world to get us through this experience.”

“Our final words will be, ‘We literally can’t take this shit anymore.’”

“She and I are speaking at this very moment, but to her, you are the one who’s asleep.” “That’s not possible.” “Not all are bound by the rules you perceive of time and space, Rue.” “I don’t understand.” “You will, someday.”

“I can’t tell you everything you want to know, but I assure you that your memories will be restored. For now, I can only point you in the right direction.” “What do you mean?” “There’s an asylum not far beyond the village. Keep going past it until you reach a house that stands alone in a meadow.” “What will I find there?” “Your truth.” “What about Lyssa?” “She’ll find hers too—but in a different place, in a different way.”

Lyssa rolled her eyes. “I’m just saying,” continued Rue, “sometimes the smallest miracles get us through the worst times, and the worst times make those small miracles feel bigger than any other.”

Lyssa paused and stared into the distance as if lost in thought. “Never underestimate the audacity of judgmental people,” she continued. “They’re like vampires who feed on everyone around them, and when it’s time to account for their own flaws, they can stare at a mirror for hours and still never see their reflection.”

“Why’s that?” Lyssa asked skeptically. “Why speak with everyone here but you?” “Because this is a place of devilry. Isn’t it obvious? Only those who serve the Lord can be saved from it. I’m a man of God, and if Riel is a man of God, he won’t bother to offer me guidance I don’t need. If he’s not a man of God, he’s in alignment with the enemy, so there’d be no point in me listening to him.”

“That ain’t true, and you damn well know it. I was raised in the church too, and was taught from the same Bible you were. If we’re called to do anything, it’s to share God’s love with folks and that Jesus died for em, and that’s it. The rest is up to Him and them. We ain’t God’s enforcers, and we ain’t His soul collectors, neither. So do us all a favor and don’t pretend to be our friend just so you can try to boost your spiritual ego, alright? I don’t take kindly to it. None of us do.”