The Destroyer of Worlds
A Return to Lovecraft Country
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4.5 • 27 Ratings
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- $12.99
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
“Another virtuoso blend of horror, action, and humor. . . . Fans will find this a worthy sequel.”—Publishers Weekly
In this thrilling adventure, a blend of enthralling historical fiction and fantastical horror, Matt Ruff returns to the world of Lovecraft Country and explores the meaning of death, the hold of the past on the present, and the power of hope in the face of uncertainty.
Summer, 1957. Atticus Turner and his father, Montrose, travel to North Carolina to mark the centennial of their ancestor’s escape from slavery, but an encounter with an old nemesis leads to a life-and-death pursuit.
Back in Chicago, George Berry is diagnosed with cancer and strikes a devil’s bargain with the ghost of Hiram Winthrop, who promises a miracle cure—but only if George brings Winthrop back from the dead.
Fifteen-year-old Horace Berry, reeling from the killing of a close friend, joins his mother, Hippolyta, and her friend Letitia Dandridge on a trip to Nevada for The Safe Negro Travel Guide. But Hippolyta has a secret—and far more dangerous—agenda that will take her and Horace to the far end of the universe and bring a new threat home to Letitia’s doorstep.
Hippolyta isn’t the only one keeping secrets. Letitia’s sister, Ruby, has been leading a double life as her white alter ego, Hillary Hyde. Now, the supply of magic potion she needs to transform herself is nearly gone, and a surprise visitor throws her already tenuous situation into complete chaos.
Yet these troubles are soon eclipsed by the return of Caleb Braithwhite. Stripped of his magic and banished from Chicago at the end of Lovecraft Country, he’s found a way back into power and is ready to pick up where he left off. But first he has a score to settle . . .
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Ruff's sequel to 2016's Lovecraft Country delivers another virtuoso blend of horror, action, and humor. It's now 1957 and Ruff's African American protagonists are still trying to survive and build meaningful lives in a racist country, a challenge complicated by their discovery of the existence of other worlds and people with magic powers. Atticus Turner and his father, Montrose, must flee for their lives once again after a risky trip to North Carolina, to trace the escape route taken by an enslaved ancestor, turns deadly. Meanwhile, to rid himself of cancer, Montrose's half brother, George, contemplates making a deal with the ghost of Hiram Winthrop, the former head of the Chicago branch of the Order of the Ancient Dawn, a white sorcerer's cabal. Ruff makes the most of his inventive concept and his care in crafting memorable characters means that the fates of even minor cast members make an impact. Fans will find this a worthy sequel.
Customer Reviews
A Triumphant Return to Lovecraft Country
“The Destroyer of Worlds” is the new novel by Matt Ruff is subtitled “A Return to Lovecraft Country.” This perfectly describes this book. It picks up shortly after the events of “Lovecraft Country” and advances the story with our familiar characters from the first novel.
Montrose and his son Atticus set off on a journey to explore their family history in the Great Dismal Swamp. Meanwhile, Hippolyta, Letitia, and Horace head to Las Vegas to see the testing of an atomic bomb. Ruby/Hillary remains in Chicago living her strange double life.
None of them are yet free of the machinations of those who delve into the supernatural. They will deal with powers both living and dead in order to try to secure peace for themselves and their families.
Like the first book, one of the horrors the characters have to deal with is the often violent racism of America during the Jim Crow period. The monsters in this book are all too often human. However, the outlook remains on the balance positive, and the ending leaves a potential third volume a possibility. I’d be happy to see that occur!
Not as good as the first one
Lovecraft Country was AMAZING! Tried reading this through, but it wasn’t great.