I’m not the most experienced horror reader, but when I saw Moonflow I was intrigued. While I’m not sure this is my cup of mushroom tea, Moonflow is certainly unique. Keep reading this book review of Moonflow for my full thoughts.
Summary
I see something out there, in the woods. It does not have a face.
They call it the King’s Breakfast. One bite and you can understand the full scope of the universe; one bite and you can commune with forgotten gods beyond human comprehension. And it only grows deep in the Pamogo forest, where the trees crowd so tight that the forest floor is pitch black day and night, where rumors of strange cults and disappearing hikers abound.
Sarah makes her living growing mushrooms. When a bad harvest leaves her in a desperate fix, the lure of the King’s Breakfast has her journeying into those vast uncharted woods. Her only guide is the most annoying man in the world, and he’s convinced there’s no danger. But as they descend deeper, they realize they’re not alone. Something is luring them into the heart of the forest, and they must answer its call.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Moonflow exists at this intoxicating lure of mushrooms, ambition, and obsession. There’s this immediate feeling that something isn’t right, that there’s this allure we can’t turna way from. It feels a bit more psychedelic horror than I’m used to. And every time I thought it couldn’t become more colorful, Karella said “bet”. I can see the Annihilation comparison in the ways that we aren’t sure what we’re reading. There’s very much this feeling that something we are witnessing isn’t the whole story, that there’s something more happening. But for me I had a hard time feeling grounded to even float away.
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The characters have just enough for me to root for without also rooting me. And the themes sometimes felt a bit too strong especially amongst the nebulous sense of action and atmosphere. I ended up enjoying Moonflow, but I’m not as obsessed as they are with the mushroom. Find Moonflow on Goodreads, Storygraph, Bookshop. org, Blackwells, & Libro. fm.