REVIEWS:

"Shirley has a gift for storytelling that emphasizes both depth of character and immediacy of vision. Verdict: This gritty and fast-moving horror urban fantasy will appeal to readers who enjoy dark supernatural thrillers."-- Library Journal

"In hero Gabriel Bleak, Shirley draws a fine portrait of a scruffy outsider who earns his living on the margins of society, as a bounty hunter, and of a young man whose psychic wounds go much deeper than his gory bad memories as a reluctant soldier in Afghanistan....Shirley is ever the master of twining plots, each with their own energy, that come at each other with the inevitability of runaway trains...What is so enjoyable about Bleak History, however, more than its head-strong plotting, more than all the spectacular and baroque metaphysics, is the way the author depicts the levels of human cruelty. I suppose the same could be said of Dante Alighieri...I consider this novel, in many ways, a work of genius... Bleak History takes the reader on a heady tour of demonology, love, crime, war, an intricate and homespun system of mysticism, the psychic surveillance state, unique variations on the Stockholm syndrome, the sorrows of every eternal misfit, and an apt critique of institutional thinking. There are plenty of thought-provoking tropes in the book, including self-enclosed realities the author calls pocket worlds, an autistic oracle, various ways a person might reach into another mind, and scientific explanations for Magic and the Occult. And like so much of Shirley's work, beneath the twisted story, the reader is treated to a Matryoshka series of dolls within lying, paranoid dolls." -- io9

"I could tell just from the blurb on the back that Bleak History by John Shirley was going to be one heck of a story. I certainly was not disappointed. This book was full of tension, suspense, and a wonderful touch of the paranormal. Throw in a little romance as well as a little self discovery and we get a thrilling story with enough adrenaline pumping action to get every heart pumping." -- A Journey of Books

"The world-building is challenging and different...Action scenes are frequent and varied ranging from the fascinating whenever paranormal powers are demonstrated to the horrific...Events are not without their moments of levity, especially scenes with Gabriel and ghosts he encounters....Bleak History is strongest on the action and it sometimes overwhelms the character development, but still delivers an energetic thriller that will satisfy readers with a craving for something a little different on the urban fantasy landscape." -- SciFiGuy

"Fast-paced and action-packed, Bleak History reads like a movie. John Shirley carefully built up the alternate reality and the references to New York locations adds to the book's appeal. Gabriel Bleak and Agent Sarikosca are strong, sympathetic characters. Gabriel Bleak's strong sense of humanity is one of the best parts of the novel...Bleak History reminded me at times of the TV series Heroes and of the movie The Matrix.--StartingFresh

"[S]et in a near future New York, allows Shirley to show off his action film sensibilities while having the freedom to engage in political and social commentary. What comes out is solid execution in a mix that...makes for an exciting ride...While the underpinnings of this story are familiar, Shirley shows his skills in pulling them together into an exciting story with believable and sympathetic characters....Shirley also shows an exceptional knack at building a strong sense of place throughout the story, reminding me of the world-building prowess of Stephen King. Shirley grabs all the fantasy, other-world elements from popular fiction and molds them with great skill into his own quickly moving tale." -- SciFiDimensions

"Bleak History was definitely a surprising read for me. I was expecting an urban fantasy that is pretty similar to a lot that I've read recently but Shirley really kicks it up a notch with Gabriel Bleak and the ShadowComm members. It's really different than any urban fantasy that I've ever read. There is a lot of detail in the numerous characters and the story has a lot of depth. It isn't the usual puff piece that has every cliche in the genre. And the book has its own unique theories about the paranormal and spiritual afterlife...I really enjoyed the way Gabriel wasn't your average hero. He was just a guy trying to get through life with an amazing talent." -- ReadingWithMonie

"In many ways Bleak History is about how we as a society or a country deal with threats. What if the threat was not terrorists, but magic?... Shirley is the master of the horror novel as political allegory. These are not beat you over the head-in your face-allegory, and despite the obvious statements on rendition and torture there is deeper message. His novel Demons may be his more biting socio-political satire, but I am hoping that Bleak History will be a bridge that will bring new readers to his long chain of brilliant novels. Read it!"--Postcards from a Dying World

"...if there's one thing John Shirley is good at, it's colorful characters. This novel is populated by a quirky cast which befits the novel's urban environment, a melting pot of the unique, the troubled and the independent, all dealing with the troubles of this world and the one next door. And speaking of the paranormal, this aspect of the story is handled cleverly throughout, at times tipping from the strictly spooky into superhero territory; for instance, the protagonist can form energy bullets in his hands and is able to briefly walk on air....To sum up, it's all a jolly good time regardless of whether you're into it for the chills or the thrills. This book can be readily recommended to those who crave a little meat in their urban fantasy reading diet." -- Grim Rictus Reviews

John Shirley has written a strong contender in the urban fantasy genre. The characters are well-drawn, and Gabriel in particular is an intriguing hero. The plotlines are made believeable and the suspense and horror is well done. This book is recommended for readers of thrillers and urban fantasy." -- Bookisie's Blog

"[Shirley] is very good at describing the paranormal abilities of his characters, and it drew me in. This novel was action packed, and I'm hoping there will be a sequel, as I would love to know more about Gabriel Bleak and the Shadow Community." -- Falling Off the Shelf

"I very much enjoyed Bleak History because the concept is so unique.... Shirley has managed to make a distinctive and interesting world of his own within the genre....There is a lot of action in the book between getting chased, darker forces committing crimes, and seeking out the truth of what is happening. The book barely lags or takes a breath, but there are a few moments of quiet reflection for the characters." -- Morbid Romantic

"The action is fast here. The bad guys are everywhere Gabriel turns, and they aren't above using local law enforcement to assist in Gabriel's location and detention. So who can he trust? Guess you'll have to read and find out. I did like Bleak History, but I'm thinking I'd probably prefer a screen version--lots of explosions to ooh and aah at..." -- DreysLibrary

"Reads like a...summer blockbuster, loaded with action... Steeped in its own detailed mythology, Shirley's fast-paced romp through the occult is clever..." -- Publishers Weekly

"If you like to read about spirits, demons, etc. I think you should pick up this book." -- Readaholic

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