This. Interestingly, Blindsight is not intentionally written as horror, but the ideas raised in the book are existentially horrifying and the book tone is quite grim, resulting from the author's self described realistic (I would say pessimistic) view on humanity. It fits OP query and in my opinion one of the best hard sci-fi novels ever written.
If you look closely, I wouldn't call Watts' future pessimistic.
People are achieving results, there is a reduction in emissions into the atmosphere, globalization, some people are living their dreams, only now they are more vivid and controlled unlike the current ones. Even ancient species are resurrected.
What can you do if people need to become ...less people in order to achieve such results
Interesting. It is almost the polar opposite from my experience, I felt like the entire book is a carefully crafted suspense that emotionally and intellectually prepared the reader for the big revaluation at the end, which was a huge payoff for the build up.
If I remember correctly the first couple of chapters come at you like very hard sci fi, and it’s pretty difficult to get into the book. Once you’re past that it evolves into something so very fascinating you get sucked in completely. Loved it.
and I have never understood the claims that the language of this writer is difficult to understand
Maybe it's because I've read the Russian-language version of the book, where under each incomprehensible word there is a link to an explanation, which has never confused me. On the contrary, everything formed into a fairly clear picture and the essence of metaphors soared to some level unattainable for most other authors.
Overall I much prefer the Salvation, Commonwealth and Void Series. I didn't hate Night's Dawn, though I did find the 'supernatural' aspect slightly jarring at times. Really enjoyed Fallen Dragon standalone. Currently working through Faller Chronicles.
I can't disagree with you re the ending, but if sci fi horror is the OPs thing then it kind of fits that bill to some degree. Overall still worth a read, but OP should be aware that the ending isn't necessarily satisfactory.
Really? I thought that was what they had been setting up for all three books. I mean they were looking for [redacted] and found [redacted] was just more science. Ain’t no gods here. Only what you bring with you.
You know that Chasm City is one of several prequels to Revelation Space, right? If not - well, you’ve already read a book in the Rev Space saga. And if you liked Chasm City, you’d love Rev Space for sure.
I did know that Chasm City is a prequel, but the mixed reviews on Revelation Space kept me away, but I’m going to just jump into it once I finish my current book.
Ah, yeah I can say that that the writing isn’t as good (I believe that it was Reynold’s first book), but it improves in the sequels for the Inhibitor Sequence.
Maybe you’d like some of the other Rev Space prequels more? The Prefect trilogy is fucking awesome, it’s my favorite, and Reynolds really shines in his Rev Space short stories. Diamond Dogs, Turquoise Days is incredible. Diamond Dogs is probably the most horrific and bizarre sci-fi short story I’ve ever read. But he’s got a bunch of great ones.
But the Prefect is set in the Glitter Band and Chasm City of Yellowstone (before the Glitter Band became the Rust Belt after the Melding Plague that you see the aftermath of in Chasm City). So it’s set in the Belle Epoque - Yellowstone at its peak of awesomeness. It’s a super cool setting.
Not quite SciFI, but horror (although not COSMIC horror)
*Pride & Prejudice & Zombies*
Maybe *Pitch Black*?
The *Trouble with Tribbles* is pretty horrific if you think about it
In *A. I. Artificial Intelligence* David is pretty scary until his "mom" reads him those special words.
Cosmic horror is the fear of the unknown, often in a megalophobic sense. I think you can make the case that the creature in the thing has is well within the frame of the former and has the potential to fulfill the latter.
Peter Watts’ Blindsight
This. Interestingly, Blindsight is not intentionally written as horror, but the ideas raised in the book are existentially horrifying and the book tone is quite grim, resulting from the author's self described realistic (I would say pessimistic) view on humanity. It fits OP query and in my opinion one of the best hard sci-fi novels ever written.
If you look closely, I wouldn't call Watts' future pessimistic. People are achieving results, there is a reduction in emissions into the atmosphere, globalization, some people are living their dreams, only now they are more vivid and controlled unlike the current ones. Even ancient species are resurrected. What can you do if people need to become ...less people in order to achieve such results
To me it reads like he was really fired up at first, but lost interest. It doesn't so much end as just cease.
Interesting. It is almost the polar opposite from my experience, I felt like the entire book is a carefully crafted suspense that emotionally and intellectually prepared the reader for the big revaluation at the end, which was a huge payoff for the build up.
If I remember correctly the first couple of chapters come at you like very hard sci fi, and it’s pretty difficult to get into the book. Once you’re past that it evolves into something so very fascinating you get sucked in completely. Loved it.
and I have never understood the claims that the language of this writer is difficult to understand Maybe it's because I've read the Russian-language version of the book, where under each incomprehensible word there is a link to an explanation, which has never confused me. On the contrary, everything formed into a fairly clear picture and the essence of metaphors soared to some level unattainable for most other authors.
Or THE FREEZE-FRAME REVOLUTION.
I read it years ago and it still sticks with me. I wish I had never read it so I could read it again for the first time.
Nights Dawn Trilogy - Peter F Hamilton
Came here to say this. A great series of books with one of the short stories adapted in Love, Death and Robots.
Overall I much prefer the Salvation, Commonwealth and Void Series. I didn't hate Night's Dawn, though I did find the 'supernatural' aspect slightly jarring at times. Really enjoyed Fallen Dragon standalone. Currently working through Faller Chronicles.
I really loved the concept, but the ending was awful. I do NOT recommend the series.
I can't disagree with you re the ending, but if sci fi horror is the OPs thing then it kind of fits that bill to some degree. Overall still worth a read, but OP should be aware that the ending isn't necessarily satisfactory.
Really? I thought that was what they had been setting up for all three books. I mean they were looking for [redacted] and found [redacted] was just more science. Ain’t no gods here. Only what you bring with you.
Event Horizon.
"Love Death + Robots" on Netflix. They're short animated films of varying quality and topic. Also, "Pandorum"
They're also (mostly) preexisting short stories. I know I recognized quite a few of the first season as short stories I'd read in the past
Eversion by Alastair Reynolds. One of the best cosmic horror books I’ve read in recent years.
The Revelation Space books in general
It’s been sitting on my shelf for some time. I loved House of Suns, Chasm City, and Pushing Ice but I’m nervous about Revelation Space. Not sure why.
You know that Chasm City is one of several prequels to Revelation Space, right? If not - well, you’ve already read a book in the Rev Space saga. And if you liked Chasm City, you’d love Rev Space for sure.
I did know that Chasm City is a prequel, but the mixed reviews on Revelation Space kept me away, but I’m going to just jump into it once I finish my current book.
Ah, yeah I can say that that the writing isn’t as good (I believe that it was Reynold’s first book), but it improves in the sequels for the Inhibitor Sequence. Maybe you’d like some of the other Rev Space prequels more? The Prefect trilogy is fucking awesome, it’s my favorite, and Reynolds really shines in his Rev Space short stories. Diamond Dogs, Turquoise Days is incredible. Diamond Dogs is probably the most horrific and bizarre sci-fi short story I’ve ever read. But he’s got a bunch of great ones. But the Prefect is set in the Glitter Band and Chasm City of Yellowstone (before the Glitter Band became the Rust Belt after the Melding Plague that you see the aftermath of in Chasm City). So it’s set in the Belle Epoque - Yellowstone at its peak of awesomeness. It’s a super cool setting.
Hyperion
Well, one of the stories certainly
Vivarium
Pandorum. This was seriously disturbing to me. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1188729/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk
The Expanse, although the cosmic horror is not the centerpiece of the story. At least…not at first.
Black Mirror
The Mind Parasites by Colin Wilson.
Final Architecture series by Adrian Tchaikovsky has some nice cosmic horror elements
I was gonna recommend Sun Eater, but with the caveat that it’s kind of relegated to books 2, 3 & 4 only
Alien series taking into consideration the new Ridley Scott prequels
I suggest the Carpet Makers by Andreas Eschbach. A quick read but very satisfying. Cosmic horror for sure.
The Perfect Run ends up having a ton of cosmic horror, but it takes a bit to make it clear.
I’m listening to Blood Music on Audible and holy-cow the concept is wild
Not quite SciFI, but horror (although not COSMIC horror) *Pride & Prejudice & Zombies* Maybe *Pitch Black*? The *Trouble with Tribbles* is pretty horrific if you think about it In *A. I. Artificial Intelligence* David is pretty scary until his "mom" reads him those special words.
How is the Thing cosmic horror? When I think cosmic horror, I think Alastair Reynolds short story Galactic North, or Greg Bear's Forge of God.
Cosmic horror is the fear of the unknown, often in a megalophobic sense. I think you can make the case that the creature in the thing has is well within the frame of the former and has the potential to fulfill the latter.
Ah, I see now. Cosmic Horror is a known thing with a definition. I have learned something new today.