Reviews
"An inheritor to the mantles of Ligotti and Langan, Justin A. Burnett writes bleak, unrelenting and philosophically challenging horror that chills every dimension of its reader—mind, body, and spirit. Through lush prose, his debut collection, The Puppet King and Other Atonements, unravels the fabric of reality to explore the deepest trenches of loss, self, and human experience that lie beneath its frayed surface. Burnett is an exciting new writer to watch and The Puppet King is well worth your attention."
Kurt Fawver, author of The Dissolution of Small Worlds
"With grippingly beautiful prose, Justin A. Burnett weaves a tapestry of philosophical and existential nightmares that speak to grief, love, identity, and the human condition. These tales have weight and immediacy; they give us glimpses of the dark, unfathomable edges of the world, pulling back just enough to leave a lasting impact that had me still chewing over the stories long after reading, savoring each one. There are flashes of Ligotti, Langan, Barron, and Padgett, yet make no mistake: this is a wholly original collection that ought to cement Burnett as a must-read new author. He has crafted some of the most compelling horror I’ve read in recent memory, and I can’t wait to see what Burnett has in store for us next. Do yourself a favor: read this one with the lights on!"
Jo Kaplan, author of It Will Just Be Us
"A collection brimming with sublime torments. Burnett masterfully grasps the transcendent grotesque, weaving tales charged with cosmic danger. A refreshing and powerful new voice in contemporary dread."
Rebecca Gransden, author of Sea of Glass