Daniel shares a reading update with a strong focus on Cthulhu Mythos fiction, which he’s been diving into as part of his preparation for an Arkham Horror retrospective on his board game channel.
Here’s a breakdown of what he’s been reading:
- Titus Crow Trilogy by Brian Lumley:
- Daniel revisited the first three books of the Titus Crow series: Burrowers Beneath, The Transition of Titus Crow, and The Clock of Dreams. He praises Lumley’s unique take on the Cthulhu Mythos, highlighting the heroic and adventurous tone that contrasts with the often bleak and cosmic horror typical of Lovecraftian fiction. He especially enjoys the friendship between the characters Titus Crow and Henri-Laurent de Marigny.
- Lovecraft: A Look Behind the Cthulhu Mythos by Lin Carter:
- Daniel is halfway through this non-fiction work, which provides an overview of the origins and development of the Cthulhu Mythos. It traces the influences on Lovecraft, including Lord Dunsany, and offers a reading guide to early Mythos stories.
- The Shub-Niggurath Cycle:
- This collection features stories focused on the mysterious entity Shub-Niggurath, often mentioned in Lovecraft’s work but rarely featured. Daniel has read and enjoyed The Seed of the Star God by Richard L. Tierney, which follows the adventures of Simon of Gitta, a Biblical-era warrior who fights against supernatural forces.
- Cthulhu Mythos Encyclopedia by Daniel Harms:
- This reference book is a constant companion during Daniel’s reading sessions, providing background information on various elements of the Mythos, including characters, monsters, and locations.
- Yig-themed Stories:
- Daniel read The Curse of Yig by H.P. Lovecraft and Zealia Bishop, which deals with the snake god Yig and is set in the Oklahoma Territory. He also explored more recent stories in The Book of Yig: Revelations of the Serpent, with his favorite being Andrew Doran and the Journey to the Serpent Temple by Matthew Davenport, an Indiana Jones-style adventure.
Throughout the video, Daniel expresses his enthusiasm for these works, particularly those that offer a different, more heroic perspective on the Cthulhu Mythos.