I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Agents of Dreamland by Caitlin R. Kiernan Published by Tor.com on February 28 2017
Genres: Horror, Science fiction
Pages: 112
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
The nitty-gritty: Weird and wonderfully terrifying, and written in stunningly beautiful prose, this short alien invasion story—based on scientific fact—will scare the hell out of you with its creeping terror.
We have to carry her up to and down from the roof now, the girl from Seattle. In the gray light from the television, her skin shimmers with colors I don’t know the names for. She was afraid, a few days ago, but now I don’t think she is.
I had no idea what to expect when I sat down to crank out Agents of Dreamland over the weekend. I just knew I was glad to have something short to read in order to get a book review up today. But wow, I was not expecting this story to work its way under my skin. This is the first Caitlín R. Kiernan story I’ve read, and I’m actually saddened to admit that, because she’s an amazing writer who has been publishing since the early 2000s. Agents of Dreamland is short but powerful, and don’t be surprised if you have nightmares after reading it!
Kiernan doesn’t give us a straightforward, linear story. Instead, her tale weaves from past to present, and even into the future. An operative for a secret government agency known as Dreamland is investigating cult leader Drew Standish and the events that took place at his remote ranch located near the Salton Sea. The Signalman, as this agent is known, arrives at the Moonlight Ranch to track down Drew, but instead, he and his partner Vance find a horrific crime scene: the ranch house is full of dead bodies that have literally erupted and are sprouting toadstools. The ranch is immediately shut off from the outside world, and the Signalman and Vance are quarantined, but even then they aren’t sure if they’ve stopped the threat, whatever it is.
In alternating chapters that take place ten days before the discovery of the bodies, teenager Chloe awaits her transformation. She’s an ex-junkie who’s been brought to Moonlight Ranch by Drew, and she and the other cult members have been told that they are the “Children of the Next Level.”
Finally, the Signalman is called back to Dreamland headquarters where a dying Chloe is being studied. What exactly happened to her and the others? How is the event connected to other secret alien sightings and the infamous Area 51? And where is the missing Drew Standish?
Observing the entire thing is a woman (or is she?) named Immacolata Sexton, who meets with the Signalman to give him a briefcase that may or may not hold the answers to this mystery. Immacolata can travel through time and space, and what she observes is frightening to say the least.
Agents of Dreamland reminded me a little of Jeff VanderMeer’s Southern Reach trilogy, and at times I had flashbacks of both Alien and Torchwood, so if you’re familiar with those stories, you’ll have an idea of what you’re in for. Kiernan’s story takes some patience, as she doesn’t reveal what’s happening until nearly the end, and even then, the reader is going to have to piece things together. I love stories that make you work a little to understand them, and Kiernan obviously has the skills to make this style of storytelling work.
For such a short novella, Kiernan’s scope is surprisingly vast, and I have to say she did an amazing job of making everything work within just over a hundred pages. One of the more interesting things about this story is the character of Immacolata, an enigmatic woman who can see the entire history of alien invasion conspiracy theory in America. Through her eyes we witness the satellite New Horizons veer too close to Pluto, and several occurrences throughout history of sightings of “a cloud from deep space that swallowed the world.” Kiernan connects each seemingly disparate event to create a bleak future made up of many small events of the past, and like many successful alien invasion stories, hers is relentlessly terrifying.
As for what’s happened to Chloe and her other cult pals, Kiernan has based her alien invasion scenario on a real-life fungus called Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, or the “zombie fungus.” I’ve actually read about this before, so when it popped up in the story, I felt my stomach clench. I won’t go into details but let’s just say I was happier before I found out that things like this are real. (I’ll let those of you curious and brave enough Google it!)
I’m happy to report that this novella is exactly the length it should be. I sometimes complain that novella-length works are often lacking in character development or detail, but Kiernan has clearly mastered the novella form. If you’re in the mood for an unsettling vision of what could be, then look no further. You’ve found it.
Big thanks to the publisher for supplying a review copy.
Looks like I am going on a novella kick. I am reading Binti: Home right now and have this one downloaded and my interest is peaked.
I have only read short stories under her published name, though I did love the series she put out under a pen name that started with Blood Oranges.
Nathan (@reviewbarn) recently posted…Q & A: Lara Elena Donnelly talks Amberlough
I’d have to say I’m enjoying about a 50% ratio of the Tor.com novellas. It’s a tricky length to write, but this one really gets it right, IMO.
Oh, sounds really good. Will have to move this up my list! Huge plus that you leave it feeling completely satisfied with the length, definitely a tricky thing to do with shorter fiction.
Lisa @TenaciousReader recently posted…Review: Firebrand by Kristen Britain
It didn’t answer all my questions, but I’m pretty sure that was the author’s intention.
Not a huge sci-fi fan but I like horror and I am a little curious about this one. 🙂
This is definitely more on the horror side, so you may enjoy it:-)
Wow, this sounds like a great read. Sounds like a fair mix of science fiction with some horror thrown in so I may have to find time to get to this one.
Barb (boxermommyreads) recently posted…Stuart R. West Visits Booker T’s Farm!
It’s super short, you could read it in an hour or two, probably!
Terrifying – Nightmares? Oooh, I likey the sound of this one. I did see this on NG but didn’t request because I’m trying to behave but I suppose if this is only a short story I could squeeze it in – plus 4.5 stars!
Lynn 😀
It’s very short but it feels bigger than it is. So well written!
Oh my! That’s the same fungus at the root of the story for “The Girl with All the Gifts”, isn’t it?
Yes, I agree that adding that little bit of knowledge to my mental store was not for the best…
That said, this novella sounds intriguing and I like the concept of different timelines and having to “work” through a story. Definitely one for the list, thank you! 🙂
Maddalena@spaceandsorcery recently posted…Review: TOWER OF THORNS, by Juliet Marillier (Blackthorn & Grim #2)
Oh that’s where I remember reading about that fungus! Thank you for stirring my memory! Yes, I believe it’s the same idea. VERY scary.
Sounds like an interesting read. Makes me want to dig out an unread Kiernan novel I know I have sitting on one of my bookshelves. I’ve yet to try her work, but she’s definitely on my list.
I can’t wait to read more of her stories, she really is good:-)
Not counting the UF trilogy she wrote under Kathleen Tierney, I’ve not had much luck with Caitlin R. Kiernan so I don’t know if I’ll read this one. But I’m so glad to hear it worked for you! 4.5 stars is nothing to scoff at, that’s awesome 🙂
Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum recently posted…#SPFBO Book Review: The Grey Bastards by Jonathan French
I didn’t realize she had written under another name. I loved Blood Oranges, although this was very different.
There’s something about cult stories that will always, always give me the creeps. Caitlín R. Kiernan is an author I’ve been wanting to read for ages, and she seems to be capable of writing in every genre. This sounds like the perfect short read!
Danya @ Fine Print recently posted…Review: Lagoon by Nnedi Okorafor
I know what you mean! Cults creep me out too, and she does creepy really well:-)
Of course you loved this! Gotta officially add it to the list now. lol
Bonnie @ For the Love of Words recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday – Series I Quit After the First Book
I’ve been picking up more aliens/space books. Fifth Wave Series, Starflight, and of course, all the Serenity books/graphic novels.
LOVE the sound of this.
Zombie fungus–that must be going around in Washington right now! Sounds like a good book!
I haven’t heard of this book before now. I’m a huge fan of her Siobhan Quinn series (published under Kathleen Tierney), so I’m definitely going to give this a try!
I’ve never tried thi
Thanks for a great review and exposing me to a author. Agents of Dreamland sounds super creepy.
To be honest, I’ve never read any of Caitlin R. Kiernan books, but your review makes me think that it was worth a try. By the sound of it, it has some mystery genre vibe which I like so much. I’d definitely read it. Thanks for your review 🙂
I enjoyed this review. It has been a long time since I have read a novella. This sounds really good and creepy!