Taking inspiration from H.P. Lovecraft's 1930s verse epic Fungi from Yuggoth
, Schwader (Strange Stars & Alien Shadows
) serves up a 36-sonnet cycle that gives its eldritch horror theme a space-age slant. When members of a manned expedition to Mars stumble upon a cave of mysterious living crystals, they fall under the malignant influence of alien beings who transport them through a “Gate Between the Stars†to a world of horrifying extraterrestrial monsters and life-forms that defy human comprehension. Schwader describes this nightmare realm in vivid images that are captured eerily in moody black-and-white illustrations provided by Steve Lines. She also conveys a sense of cosmic awe and terror that speaks to her Lovecraftian influences and shows with poetic precision the dark side of science fiction. (Oct.)
