Two halves of Charlie Duchamp—one a brain in a jar stranded on Jupiter’s moon Io, the other a rage-filled host to Moon Spider eggs on Earth’s moon—converge in the flooded ruins of a crashed cathedral ship, where a monstrous centipede called The Bishop controls drowned astronauts. Set in a gothic, 1920s-inspired universe, the story explores themes of identity, duality, body horror, and the psychological consequences of advanced technology, all against a backdrop of gang warfare, cosmic terror, and surreal, nightmarish imagery.

Reader Review Summary

Set in a retrofuturistic 1920s, the story follows the aftermath of Crypt of the Moon Spider and centers on Charlie Duchamp, whose consciousness is split between a brain in a jar stranded on Jupiter’s jungle moon Io and a rage-filled, spider-egg-hosting remnant hanging on the wall of Barrowfield Home on Earth’s moon. The narrative unfolds across multiple locations, including a flooded cathedral ship on Io, Earth, and the Moon, and features a cast that includes Dr. Cull, mobster Goodnight Maggie, and the monstrous Bishop—a giant centipede controlling drowned astronauts. The plot weaves together elements of body horror, psychological tension, and noir, with themes of duality, identity, isolation, and the ethical implications of advanced technology. The world is populated by gangsters, cultists, and cosmic horrors, with the Moon Spider’s influence looming as a new brood prepares to hatch.

Readers praised the book’s atmospheric writing, vivid and gruesome imagery, and the expansion of the series’ universe, particularly the depiction of Io’s cathedral ship and the menacing Bishop. The blending of horror, science fiction, and gothic elements was frequently highlighted, as was the period setting and the integration of gangster and noir motifs. Many found the pacing tight and the prose evocative, with several noting the effective use of multiple points of view and the exploration of psychological and existential themes. The book’s ability to ground high-concept weirdness in a coherent narrative, as well as its homage to pulp adventure and classic horror, were also commended.

Some readers found the novella difficult to stomach due to its intense body horror, violence, and gore, with one reviewer specifically citing an on-page rape scene as gratuitous and unnecessary. The book’s fast pace and short length led to occasional confusion and a desire for more development in certain scenes or characters. Several reviewers noted that the story is not self-contained and requires familiarity with the first book, which could leave new readers disoriented. A few readers felt less immersed or emotionally connected compared to the previous installment, and one reported not finishing the book due to discomfort with the horror elements.

The book is the second entry in Nathan Ballingrud’s Lunar Gothic Trilogy and is described as a middle installment, setting up the final volume. It continues the series’ approach of forgoing scientific realism in favor of a pulpy, alt-history narrative, and does not provide extensive explanations for its worldbuilding. The story includes content warnings for body horror, violence, gore, blood, and sexual assault. The average reader rating is 4.17 out of 5, with 23 ratings and 13 full reviews, and the book is scheduled for publication on August 26, 2025.