Book Review: “A Day of Ochre, Ascending”
Title: A Day of Ochre, Ascending
Author: Rick Powell
Editor: Marie Moldovan and Joseph Mykut
Publication Date: September 28, 2024
Language: English
Format: Paperback
ISBN-10: 1998213269
ISBN-13: 978-1998213269
Synopsis: “A Day of Ochre, Ascending”
A Day of Ochre, Ascending is a surreal descent into cosmic horror, where the mundane becomes monstrous and reality frays at the edges. Inspired by Robert W. Chambers’ The King in Yellow, Rick Powell crafts a tale that begins with a simple walk and spirals into a fever dream of whispered doom.
Walter and his loyal dog Archie set out on an ordinary stroll, only to find themselves navigating a landscape twisted by apocalyptic forces. As the ochre sky looms and the world begins to unravel, Walter must confront horrors both external and internal.
This novella is Powell at his most hallucinatory and haunting—a meditation on madness, memory, and the thin veil between worlds.
Writing Style
Rick Powell’s writing in A Day of Ochre, Ascending is gritty, poetic, and deeply unsettling. His style is defined by:
Sparse, evocative prose that heightens the surreal atmosphere
A slow-burning narrative that builds dread through psychological tension
Vivid imagery that blurs the line between hallucination and reality
Powell’s ability to channel cosmic horror through intimate storytelling makes this novella a standout in his body of work. It’s a nightmare-laced journey that lingers long after the final page.
A Bit About the Author…
Rick Powell is a prolific horror writer based in Oak Forest, Illinois. His work has appeared in Infernal Ink Magazine, Bon Appetit: Stories & Recipes for Human Consumption, and The Ladies & Gentlemen of Horror series.
His previous titles include:
My Soul Stained My Seed Sour
More Regrets Than Glories
A Vault of Whispers
Known as “The Father of Mannequins,” Powell’s fiction often explores themes of grief, obsession, and the supernatural. With A Day of Ochre, Ascending, he delivers a tale that is both terrifying and transcendent.
Availability
Available at major online retailers such as Amazon.
Sincerely,
Marie Moldovan
CEO of I Ain't Your Marionette Press