The Doors were there again…

Adrian Tchaikovsky is an award-winning and highly acclaimed science fiction and fantasy author with works published at home in the UK and internationally.

He primarily explores deep themes, such as artificial intelligence and alien awareness within epic galactic and fantastical settings.

He has a deep interest in the animal world specifically insects from his studies in Zoology and has a particular penchant for spiders.

Anyone fortunate enough to have crossed paths with Adrian Tchaikovsky, be it through personal meetings, event appearances, or interviews, would instantly recognise his genuine and amiable nature. Therefore, the fact that he has crafted an inclusive and dyslexia-friendly read comes as no surprise. Tchaikovsky’s acclaim stems from his celebrated works like the Arthur C Clarke Award-winning Children of Time, the BSFA-winning Shards of Earth, and the remarkably ingenious Shadows of the Apt. His affection for creatures with multiple legs and his profound empathy for all living beings are well known. As a writer, he excels in constructing intricate worlds, displaying an astonishing level of attention to detail, and weaving complex yet captivating plots.

One might wonder how he could manage to create an accessible novella that everyone can enjoy. It turns out that Adrian doesn’t need a sprawling 600-page novel to achieve excellence (though we do appreciate his grand epics). The House of the Old Cliffs evokes a certain nostalgic feeling, although it’s challenging to pinpoint the exact source of this sentiment. It’s precisely this nostalgic aura and the enigmatic nature of the story that instantly captivated me.

I was surprised to find only a meager 8 reviews on Goodreads and a sparse presence elsewhere on the web. Therefore, while I’ll strive to avoid spoilers, I’m determined to give Adrian the recognition that this short story truly warrants.

First and foremost, even though this novella spans a mere 97 pages, with double spacing and large letters, Tchaikovsky’s masterful touch infuses it with enough mystery, intrigue, and detail to anchor this compact narrative, making it feel much more substantial than its size suggests.

A missing Want-to-be historian.

A Team of Paranormal Investigators.

A Sceptical History professor who definitely doesn’t want to be there.

A large number of fake artifacts that seem all to real.

A door that shouldn’t be there.

Devils in the water and unimaginable heat.

Where is Doctor Hendry? And what the hell is going on?

To find out, you’ll have to read Adrian’s book.

As many of you know, I have studied Adrian’s work, and loved much of it. I am honest about the ones I have not loved, but I really did enjoy the mystery, intrigue and ‘Journey-to-the-centre-of-the-Earth’ energy this story gives me.

Thank you @jonny.thornton for getting me this ❤️

Editor note: This is a specially published novella. BOTH Press is an independent press that publishes dyslexic friendly books for adults. You can find more of their titles on their Bookshop.org Shop