The Geek Vibes Nation Book Round-Up – October 2025

Welcome to Geek Vibes Nation’s book round-up for October 2025! This month’s round-up sees new novellas from Blake Crouch and T. Kingfisher, a horrific take on superheroes from Daniel Kraus and Dani, a revealing and personable memoir from screen legend Tim Curry, and a brand-new Batman novel set in the universe of the Tim Burton films from John Jackson Miller. So, without further ado, let’s jump into some books!

Famous by Blake Crouch

Blake Crouch takes readers into the glitz and glamor of Hollywood in Famous, a middling thriller of a novella. Lance Dunkquist is deeply dissatisfied with his life, but he’s gifted with a striking resemblance to a very famous Hollywood actor. And so, like anyone might do, he decides to quit his job and journey to LA to impersonate his significantly more famous doppelgänger. But life in the City of Angels isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, as Lance soon discovers. Is there any real satisfaction to be found in being famous? Or is celebrity simply one more facade we wear? Despite its relatively short length, Famous ends up being a bit of a slog to read. Sure, it’s a very quick-paced little thriller, like many of Crouch’s novels tend to be. But the issue here rests in its main character, Lance.

By design, Lance is an immensely unlikable person; a self-described nobody who reeks of entitlement and self-importance. AKA, a perfect match for the depths of Hollywood. The problem is that, as the story is narrated by Lance, his smarmy attitude makes it incredibly difficult to root for him or even get invested in his journey. In fairness, that’s almost certainly Crouch’s point here; Famous is a very thinly-disguised critique of our longing for the hollow emptiness of celebrity at the cost of everything that makes us human. And though Crouch largely succeeds with that critique, even if the novella’s conclusion muddies the waters somewhat, it doesn’t make the preceding journey a particularly fun one to read.

Still, Crouch knows how to craft a tense thriller, and that’s exactly what Famous is. While it lacks that blend of sci-fi, horror, and thriller that tends to define the majority of Crouch’s bibliography, it still perfectly hits that note of foreboding dread. All in all, Famous is worth a read even if its main character leaves a bit to be desired. It’s a biting satire on our obsession with celebrity wrapped around a tense, foreboding thriller. (6.5/10, Reviewed by Michael Cook)

Available September 23 from Ballantine Books in paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats.

Note: A review copy of Famous was provided by the publisher.

What Stalks the Deep by T. Kingfisher

T. Kingfisher takes readers on a spine-tingling journey to uncover the darkness that lurks within an abandoned West Virginian mine in What Stalks the Deep. When Alex Easton receives a summons from their old friend, Dr. Denton, they begrudgingly travel into the depths of an abandoned mine in rural West Virginia, hoping to find Denton’s missing cousin. But what these old friends uncover is a darkness all too familiar to them. Is this the return of the fungi from the Usher house or something altogether more horrifying? Despite being the third entry in the Sworn Soldier series, What Stalks the Deep reads more like a sequel to the first book, What Moves the Dead, featuring multiple returning characters and even a similar Lovecraftian threat. And, like that first novella, What Stalks the Deep is an eerie piece of folk horror, dripping with tension and just the right amount of ick-factor.

If you found either of the previous entries in the Sworn Soldier series a bit slow-going, then fear not—What Stalks the Deep is a taut little thriller of a novella. Kingfisher hits the ground running this time, quickly moving her cast of characters into place and diving deep into the terrors of what might lurk in the dark when you find yourself utterly alone. What’s interesting about What Stalks the Deep is that, though it’s every bit as scary as its predecessors, there’s a real sense of hope that permeates the novella, from Alex and Denton’s relationship all the way to the force that lurks within the mine itself. It’s a scary, spine-tingling read, but one that’ll fill you with hope and have you walking away with warmth in your heart.

Put simply, everything about What Stalks the Deep works exceedingly well—from its thrills, chills, and quieter moments of introspection. It’s a perfect spooky read and equally perfect pick-me-up. An unexpected combination, to be sure, but a much-needed and deeply enjoyable one. (9/10, Reviewed by Michael Cook)

Available September 30 from Tor Nightfore in hardcover, ebook, and audiobook formats.

Note: A review copy of What Stalks the Deep was provided by the publisher.

Athanasia by Daniel Kraus and Dani

Written by Daniel Kraus and illustrated by Dani, the haunting and unsettling Athanasia offers a glimpse at the darker aspects of a world populated by superheroes. Everyone dies, even superheroes. But what happens when a superhero dies? And who tends their graves? Well, if you live in Venture City, you’re well familiar with the Dynamic Guild and the graveyard that houses their fallen, Athanasia Cemetery. It’s a graveyard that’s been looked after by Forrest Molson and her family for generations. But dark secrets lurk within the graves of fallen superheroes, a darkness that may change Forrest’s life forever. In a world ruled over by superheroes, what happens to all of those people the heroes don’t save? And what can Forrest do to change things? Put simply, Athanasia reads a bit like The Boys meets Watchmen with an extra dose of absolute horror thrown on top—in the very best way possible.

If you’re at all familiar with Daniel Kraus’s other literary work, you won’t be at all surprised to see him write a superhero story that not only hardly features any superheroes at all but devotes its entire existence to critiquing the very idea of superheroes and wholly unraveling our worship of them. In a way, it’s the very antithesis of DC and Marvel and all the rest of our modern-day superhero stories. This is a world, much like Watchmen, where the heroes don’t seem all that heroic, and it’s up to all of those who’ve fallen between the cracks to pick up the slack. Here, Kraus crafts a narrative that’s all at once a deeply intimate examination of the destructive nature of trauma—both internal and societal—and a critique of the very nature of justice and how it can fail those who need it the most. But it’s also an immensely effective bit of horror, too. The superpowers here aren’t cool; they’re wholly disturbing in the most upsetting of ways. And no matter how hard Forrest tries to be the difference she wants to see, that goal always seems painfully far away.

Aided by Dani’s evocative and haunting artwork, primarily black and white with eerie splashes of green from time to time (though explaining what those green splashes represent is a surprise worth keeping unspoiled), Athanasia is an experience that sticks with you long after you turn the final page. It’s a superhero comic unlike many others; a critique on the very nature of superheroes married with an intimate exploration of the destructive power of trauma. (9/10, Reviewed by Michael Cook)

Available October 7 from Vault Comics in paperback and ebook formats.

Note: A review copy of Athanasia was provided by the publisher.

Vagabond: A Memoir by Tim Curry

Surrender yourself to absolute pleasure as Tim Curry regales the ups and downs of his career in Vagabond. As Curry says in the memoir’s introduction, this isn’t a gossipy Hollywood tell-all; rather, it’s an intimate peek into the life of one of the most beloved character actors of our time. Told with his trademark wit and candor, Curry opens up about his somewhat complicated childhood and how his early experiences with theatre and music put him on a path that led to both massive successes (The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Clue, and It) and utter tragedies (his firing from a 2011 production of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead and the 2012 stroke that nearly took his life). Though Curry spends a great deal of time on The Rocky Horror Show (from its earliest days at the Royal Court Theatre through the filming and release of its film adaptation), Vagabond mostly offers a cursory glimpse at the greatest hits of the rest of Curry’s career.

In truth, throughout the entirety of Vagabond, Curry gives off the vibe of “I don’t really think I’m interesting enough to warrant a memoir, but someone’s gonna do it, so it might as well be me,”—though, that’s not remotely a deterrent. On the whole, Vagabond offers a fascinating glimpse at Curry’s life and career. Though it may be quick-paced, it’s not without its candid and touching moments, from his thorny relationship with his mother, frequent bouts of self-doubt, and general harshness towards the parts of his performances that never met the high expectations Curry set for himself. It’s a joyous read and a testament to the kind of life you can live within the arts. While longtime fans of Curry’s may be familiar with much of what he shares in Vagabond, it’s nevertheless a deeply moving and joyous glimpse into the highs and lows of Curry’s life.

As a bonus for audiobook listeners, there’s a real joy in hearing Curry tell his story in his own words—particularly when he discusses how difficult it was for him to regain his full capacity for speech following his stroke. Getting to hear Curry talk so candidly and mirthfully about his life pushes Vagabond over the edge into being something truly special. (9/10, Reviewed by Michael Cook)

Available October 14 from Grand Central Publishing in hardcover, ebook, and audiobook formats.

Note: A review copy of Vagabond was provided by the publisher.

Batman: Revolution by John Jackson Miller

In Batman: Revolution, John Jackson Miller returns once again to the world of Tim Burton’s Batman films, marrying their gothic overtures with a surprisingly grounded and tense exploration of political unrest. It’s been mere months since Batman’s defeat of the Joker, and tensions run high in Gotham City. A brand new serial killer stalks the streets of Gotham, terrorizing victims with a cello and a bow and arrow; there’s a group of radical revolutionaries targeting the political elite of Gotham City; and, most unexpectedly of all, there’s the newspaper puzzle that’s sweeping the city, written by the mysterious Edward Nygma. But, as is often the case in Gotham, this seemingly disparate group of people are about to cross paths in the deadliest of ways—and it’s up to Batman to put a stop to the carnage before July 4th sparks a brand new, far deadlier American Revolution.

Batman: Revolution‘s greatest strength lies in the way Miller fleshes out the antagonists of the story. The Riddler (aka Edward Nygma, aka Norman Pinkus) is practically a co-lead in this book, and Miller writes him with a lot of empathy. You feel for the guy, even as he goes down this really dark path. In a way, he’s as much of a mirror to Batman as someone like the Joker is—a prime example of how good intentions can go incredibly wrong in the blink of an eye. Here’s this guy, his superpower is his ability to very quickly make connections that others miss, and he desperately wants to help the citizens of Gotham while being taken seriously in the process. But as is often the case in Gotham City, the little guy’s destined to be smashed underneath the boot of the powerful and corrupt. And that’s precisely what sends Norman down the rabbit hole that leads him to becoming the Riddler—a version of the character we’ve rarely seen before.

And then there are the revolutionaries threatening Gotham with untold destruction and mayhem. But, yet again, Miller explores them with a great deal of empathy and understanding. How does a person go from an average citizen to an anarchist craving a total upheaval of the government? Well, it’s complicated. And Miller explores those complexities immensely well, crafting a narrative around them that’s as tense and thrilling as it is emotionally satisfying. This is Gotham Coty at its worst. There are shades of the anarchy found in the Nolan Batman films mixed with the mobster drama and supernatural tendencies of the Burton ones. It’s a perfect blending of all kinds of Batman mythologies, just seen through the lens of that period between Burton’s two Batman films.

Like with Miller’s previous Batman novel, Batman: Resurrection, Bruce Wayne and Batman get the shorter end of the stick. But honestly, that’s for the best—and it’s in line with the approach Burton took with his movies, too. Batman is more of a symbol here, and Bruce continues to struggle with the balance of Batman’s responsibilities and maintaining a public persona that benefits the citizens of Gotham as much as Batman’s actions do. But really, this isn’t Bruce Wayne’s story, and he acts more as a figure to compare the Riddler and the Sons of Freedom to. But honestly, it works. You’re never missing Batman very much, and Miller’s exploration of the more political side of Gotham City proves immensely more fascinating than retreading a bunch of familiar Batman lore anyway.

Put simply, if you’re looking for a Batman story that weds the grandeur of the Burton films with more modern-day explorations of political unrest, you’re in for an absolute treat with Batman: Revolution. It’s a tightly-paced thrill ride from start to finish that’s as action-packed and tense as it is emotionally satisfying. (9/10, Reviewed by Michael Cook)

Available October 21 from Random House Worlds in hardcover, ebook, and audiobook formats.

Note: A review copy of Batman: Revolution was provided by the publisher.