Theatrum Mortumm is unlike anything you’ll ever read. Even, for an extreme horror. I don’t know what I was expecting going into it, but it wasn’t this. This horror story chewed me up, spat me out and searched through my innards for something more.
On the very first page, this extreme horror story unsettles the reader, causing discomfort and oscillating between nervous laughter and a nauseating sensation traveling up my esophagus. If you’re not fairly comfortable with the most intense horror, it might be best to skip this one.
‘There were plenty of dark spots in her mind to hide, blasted holes left by memories blown away by heroin.’
At its core, Theatrum Mortuum tells the story of X/Xanthe, a woman enduring the most horrifying experiences. By day, she entertains patrons and audiences in the theatre above, but by night, she succumbs to Heroin addiction and falls victim to sexual assault by the very same patrons who had watched her perform on stage. The depicted scenes are harrowing, and I had to take several breaks while reading about the acts committed against X/Xanthe. If it were me, I would have mentally checked out a long time ago. Perhaps that’s where Heroin saves her from the full brutal impact of her situation.
1,2,3, Let’s take a breath…
Dani Brown has rightfully earned the title of the Queen of Filth, and it’s not without reason. Her ability to craft scenes is nothing short of sublime, almost flawless, even in the midst of the filth and brutality that permeates the narrative. The author possesses the unique skill to shatter your expectations and boundaries, fearlessly stripping them away without concern for societal norms. Indeed, Dani Brown emerges as a mistress of mischief.
‘Stress and withdrawal were never a good combination.’
Reading this book is akin to experiencing an arctic snowstorm – despite your efforts to make progress, the inevitability of its impact remains unyielding.
Theatrum Mortuum is a difficult read, exactly what it’s meant to be. No one reads this because they want a comfy reading experience with a cup of tea and a few biscuits. This is the kind of book your mother warned you about, the fly in your ointment. Dani Brown cleverly frames the destruction of X/Xanthe and that ending…yeah, just read it.
This torture porn story delivers with the veracity of a tsunami. Dani Brown examines that the only thing worth being scared of is humanity itself.