Lost Gods
Lost Gods by Brom is a dark, visceral fantasy novel that showcases the artist and author's signature blend of grotesque beauty, haunting imagery, and deep emotional resonance. Published in 2016, the book takes readers on a harrowing journey through a nightmarish underworld, exploring themes of redemption, sacrifice, and the human condition—all wrapped in Brom’s gothic, mythological style.
The story follows Chet Moran, a man fresh out of prison, desperate to leave his troubled past behind and start anew with his pregnant girlfriend, Trish. But fate has other plans. After a violent encounter forces Chet to flee, he finds himself fatally wounded—only to awaken in a strange, purgatorial realm. This is no ordinary afterlife; it’s a twisted landscape populated by forgotten gods, grotesque creatures, and lost souls trapped in an eternal struggle for power and survival. Chet’s only goal is to escape and return to the living world to save Trish and their unborn child, but the path is fraught with peril, betrayal, and revelations about his own soul.
Brom’s underworld is a standout feature of the novel—a sprawling, macabre tapestry inspired by mythology, religion, and his own dark imagination. The gods here are not benevolent or omnipotent; they are flawed, vengeful, and clinging to scraps of worship from a world that has moved on. Characters like the boatman Lamia, a serpentine figure with a tragic past, and the warring deities vying for control of this liminal space, bring a palpable sense of dread and intrigue. The setting feels alive, painted with Brom’s vivid prose and bolstered by his stunning illustrations, which punctuate the book and deepen its eerie atmosphere.
Chet’s journey is as much internal as it is external. He’s a flawed protagonist—haunted by guilt, addiction, and a lifetime of bad choices—yet his determination to protect his family gives him a raw, relatable humanity. The stakes feel personal and cosmic at once, as he navigates alliances with dubious souls and confronts the consequences of his own mortality. Brom doesn’t shy away from the brutality of this world; the violence is unflinching, the moral dilemmas are gut-wrenching, and the line between hero and monster blurs as the story unfolds.
The novel’s pacing is relentless, pulling readers through a gauntlet of horrors and quiet moments of reflection. Brom’s background as a visual artist shines through in his meticulous world-building—every scene feels like a painting, dripping with texture and shadow. His illustrations, included throughout the book, enhance the experience, offering glimpses of the characters and creatures that words alone can’t fully capture.
Lost Gods is not for the faint of heart. It’s a grim, unflinching descent into a realm where hope is scarce and redemption comes at a steep price. Fans of dark fantasy, horror, or authors like Neil Gaiman and Clive Barker will find much to love here, though Brom’s voice is distinctly his own—equal parts poetic and savage. It’s a story about what we leave behind, what we fight for, and the gods we carry within us, whether we acknowledge them or not. If you’re drawn to tales that linger in the dark corners of the soul, Lost Gods is a unforgettable ride.
You can buy Lost Gods by Brom with my Amazon Affiliate link: https://amzn.to/42ntmP8
The story follows Chet Moran, a man fresh out of prison, desperate to leave his troubled past behind and start anew with his pregnant girlfriend, Trish. But fate has other plans. After a violent encounter forces Chet to flee, he finds himself fatally wounded—only to awaken in a strange, purgatorial realm. This is no ordinary afterlife; it’s a twisted landscape populated by forgotten gods, grotesque creatures, and lost souls trapped in an eternal struggle for power and survival. Chet’s only goal is to escape and return to the living world to save Trish and their unborn child, but the path is fraught with peril, betrayal, and revelations about his own soul.
Brom’s underworld is a standout feature of the novel—a sprawling, macabre tapestry inspired by mythology, religion, and his own dark imagination. The gods here are not benevolent or omnipotent; they are flawed, vengeful, and clinging to scraps of worship from a world that has moved on. Characters like the boatman Lamia, a serpentine figure with a tragic past, and the warring deities vying for control of this liminal space, bring a palpable sense of dread and intrigue. The setting feels alive, painted with Brom’s vivid prose and bolstered by his stunning illustrations, which punctuate the book and deepen its eerie atmosphere.
Chet’s journey is as much internal as it is external. He’s a flawed protagonist—haunted by guilt, addiction, and a lifetime of bad choices—yet his determination to protect his family gives him a raw, relatable humanity. The stakes feel personal and cosmic at once, as he navigates alliances with dubious souls and confronts the consequences of his own mortality. Brom doesn’t shy away from the brutality of this world; the violence is unflinching, the moral dilemmas are gut-wrenching, and the line between hero and monster blurs as the story unfolds.
The novel’s pacing is relentless, pulling readers through a gauntlet of horrors and quiet moments of reflection. Brom’s background as a visual artist shines through in his meticulous world-building—every scene feels like a painting, dripping with texture and shadow. His illustrations, included throughout the book, enhance the experience, offering glimpses of the characters and creatures that words alone can’t fully capture.
Lost Gods is not for the faint of heart. It’s a grim, unflinching descent into a realm where hope is scarce and redemption comes at a steep price. Fans of dark fantasy, horror, or authors like Neil Gaiman and Clive Barker will find much to love here, though Brom’s voice is distinctly his own—equal parts poetic and savage. It’s a story about what we leave behind, what we fight for, and the gods we carry within us, whether we acknowledge them or not. If you’re drawn to tales that linger in the dark corners of the soul, Lost Gods is a unforgettable ride.
You can buy Lost Gods by Brom with my Amazon Affiliate link: https://amzn.to/42ntmP8
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