The Fearing: The Definitive Edition

Book excerpt: What if all humanity's fears were unleashed on the world...all at once? A series of cataclysmic events are felt around the globe, and throughout the United States the last vestiges of society band together in rag-tag groups to face off against the ghastly horrors of their shattered world. Opposing them is the enigmatic Adam Sigil—a man seemingly able to inflict others with his own darkest fears—and his equally mysterious companion Jelnik. As the world slips into darkness, the survivors of the onslaught struggle with the new normal of their now-dystopian lives amidst ongoing skirmishes with mankind's nightmares. With devastation and atrocities continuing to escalate, and hysteria threatening to rip their tenuous society apart, they find themselves on a collision course with this malevolent duo, headed toward a terrifying showdown that could ultimately signal the end of humanity. Multiple Bram Stoker Award-nominated author John F.D. Taff’s sprawling, apocalyptic epic The Fearing was called "the event of the year" when it was originally released as four standalone novellas: Fire & Rain, Water & Wind, Air & Dust, and Earth & Ember. Now, here for the first time, all four parts have finally come together with an altered timeline in this collected edition of The Fearing. Includes a special introduction from a Grand Master of Horror, the esteemed Ray Garton, author of Ravenous, Live Girls and many more novels. Praise for John FD Taff and The Fearing “The Fearing isn’t only John F.D. Taff’s best book to date, it’s the kind you put on the shelf reserved for the ones that really did something to you, emotionally, intellectually, physically. A modern master at play..” – Josh Malerman, Bram Stoker Award®-nominated author of the New York Times bestselling Bird Box "[The Fearing is a powerful and epic trip into the land of feardom." – Robert R. McCammon, New York Times bestselling author of Swan Song, Boy's Life and The Wolf's Hour “Of the current breed of authors riding the wave of digital liberation, John Taff is a standout talent. Literary, affecting, chilling, and indicative of that old-school mentality meets new-school daring.” – Kealan Patrick Burke, Bram Stoker Award®-winning author of The Turtle Boy, Kin and Jack & Jill “John F. D. Taff has rapidly become one of my favorite writers in the horror genre. His horror is grounded in our day-to-day lives, in our families, our work, our most private thoughts. His stories vibrate with emotion and life and his prose is cathartic, deeply satisfying, like popping the bubbles in bubble wrap.” – Ray Garton, Grand Master of Horror and author of Live Girls and Ravenous Proudly presented by Grey Matter Press, the multiple Bram Stoker Award-nominated independent publisher. Grey Matter Press: Where Dark Thoughts Thrive