Apocalypse Nyx

This gore-sodden collection centers on alcoholic mercenary Nyx (from Hurley’s Bel Dame Apocrypha series), who lives in a post-apocalyptic world where metal is scarce and technology revolves around manipulating bugs. With a crew almost as messed up as herself, Nyx goes on a series of missions in the form of five stand-alone stories with similar themes of drunkenness, emotional numbness, and blood and gore, but no overarching plot. Nyx stumbles, purposeless, from one bad job to another, her motivations unclear since she seems apathetic about even her own survival. The world has the potential to be interesting—with an apparently matriarchal society, an Islam-adjacent faith, and a unique take on technology—but is largely unexplored in favor of graphic violence and Nyx’s unhealthy preoccupation with sex. This is a poor introduction for anyone who isn’t already fond of Nyx and her brand of vulgarity. (July)