A striking novel that is dreadful in the best possible way.
Constant Gray opens with a fully cognizant man strapped to a table in some forgotten basement. Time has lost meaning and the imprisoned man has only the repetitive sound of a dripping faucet as a soundtrack. His luck changes when a disparate trio happens upon his location. The prisoner is freed and promptly dispatches his liberator, citing a dark aura. In fact, many things are dark in this war-worn new world. The man slowly begins to regain some memories including his name, Khadim Gray. But knowing what his name is and understanding what it means are two different things. Khadim is more than just a man. He is a Constant. And he has a vital role to play in an earth scarred by the ultimate battle of God versus Satan. That is, if he can find somebody to enlighten him.
Ryan Taylor taunts the line between horror and fantasy in this grim post-apocalyptic adventure. Khadim discovers some awful truths about the world in time with readers as he intersects with a macabre and diverse cast. The prose is an unusual blend of revolting and beautiful, frivolous and meaningful. Adding balance to the heavy story are a few cheeky characters whose humor subtly breaks the tension. Despite there being interchanges between humans, angels and demons, the dialogue is unrefined yet comfortable, making this a totally approachable story to dive into. Fantasy sci-fi with a healthy dose of the supernatural, Constant Gray is a striking novel that is dreadful in the best possible way!
