A woman is sent to a moon asylum for a mysterious treatment involving spider silk, leading to disturbing experiments and a descent into psychological terror. The novella blends gothic atmosphere, body horror, and surrealism in a unique and unsettling narrative.

Reader Review Summary

"Crypt of the Moon Spider" is a captivatingly eerie and imaginative work of horror fiction that blends sci-fi, gothic, and dark fantasy elements into an engrossing tale. Set in an alternate 1920s where travel to the moon is commonplace, the novella immerses readers in a richly atmospheric world dripping with dread and mystery.

One of the book's greatest strengths is Ballingrud's evocative and poetic prose. His writing vividly brings to life the dreamlike, unsettling setting of a forested moon housing an asylum nestled atop the ruins of an ancient spider god's crypt. Ballingrud excels at conjuring a profound sense of cosmic wonder tinged with existential horror. His vivid descriptions and haunting imagery linger long after the final page.

The premise alone is incredibly intriguing - a melancholic woman named Veronica gets committed by her husband to an experimental asylum on the moon run by the sinister Dr. Cull. Cull's unorthodox treatments involve grafting patients' brains with strands of silk from the long-dead moon spider, granting them disturbing new faculties. This bizarre concept allows Ballingrud to explore provocative themes of identity, agency, corruption, and humanity's hubris in trying to "treat" that which makes us human.

Veronica herself is a compelling protagonist whose journey from victim to awakened power resonates. Despite her meek beginnings, she exhibits an inner strength and emerges as an unlikely hero reclaiming her autonomy. The author garners praise for his nuanced handling of this complex female character.

The book is brimming with other memorable characters as well - from the chilling Dr. Cull to the abusive orderly Charlie to the enigmatic cult of Alabaster Scholars venerating the moon spider. Their interwoven narratives ratchet up the suspense and immerse readers in a disturbing world where the lines between science and blasphemy blur.

While some found the ending abrupt, most reviews rejoice that this is just the start of a trilogy, with burning questions left to answer in future installments. Ballingrud's blending of pulpy sci-fi concepts with startling body horror and psychological dread makes for a reading experience both unsettling and thought-provoking.

In the end, "Crypt of the Moon Spider" delivers a masterful shot of weird cosmic terror oozing with gothic atmosphere. It establishes Ballingrud as a fresh, mind-bending voice in modern horror fiction. Weird renaissance fans and anyone craving a taste of narrative dementia are sure to devour this lush, phantasmagorical descent into insanity. Ambitious, original, and delightfully deranged.