A Midnight Dreary: The DeChance Chronicles Volume Five by David Niall Wilson

Mystique Press, 2018

ISBN-13: 978-1949914399

Available: Hardcover, paperback, Kindle edition, audiobook

A novel that features Edgar Allan Poe is always worth reading; in Wilson’s book, he is a larger-than-life character, shedding light onto his mysterious past and sad fate. With dimensional and time travel, creatures of all sorts, the Brothers Grimm, and classic mythology integrated into the story, the reader is in for a treat.

David Niall Wilson concludes his DeChance Chronicles with a tale that whisks the reader from the Great Dismal Swamp, to New Orleans, to the Black Forest of Germany. His writing is sheer poetry, invoking visions of many great adventures of thrillers, horror novels, and classics. Be prepared to lose a few hours, as the entrancing story has a rhythm and melody to it that seduces as much as it darkens the mood.

Wilson suggests reading Nevermore, the novel prior to A Midnight Dreary, a great read as well.  While it helps with some backstory, it’s not necessary at all, though.

The skinny on the plot: Donovan DeChance takes his strange team (and the reader) on yet another adventure. He’s a sorcerer of sorts, who teams up with Poe (who also has some skills that readers never knew about, resulting in a fine camaraderie that’s a bit mindbending for fans). The storyline begins similarly to a Poe tale, drawn out and full of atmosphere, allowing the characters to breathe and develop before Wilson launches them on a wild ride that doesn’t relent until the final page.

The storyline varies in time and dimension as he travels back to retrieve Poe for the sake of rescuing Lenore, who has been trapped in a tree via an evil spell. The stories of Poe come to life here, with Grimm as a real-life raven, and nods to other famous tales, In the present day, Thomas Bulfinch (author of the famed book on Greek mythology) seeks to aid the mission with a pair of beautiful vampires. Bulfinch has quite the backstory himself, which further darkens the story, but also gives the novel a bit of levity.

For those who have followed Wilson’s writing, A Midnight Dreary encompasses the O.C.L.T., and other stories and characters, which lends itself to some great Easter eggs.  It’s a great read, recommended for readers who love Poe, dark fantasy, or just a tale well-told.  Pick up the other volumes in this series– they are worth the read.

Reviewed by David Simms