Book Review - 1041 and 1042 by David Gulasi

I am not normally a huge horror reader, but I have always enjoyed grimdark fiction and stories that are willing to venture into strange, disturbing and deeply unsettling territory. So, when I had the opportunity to read and review 1041 and 1042 by David Gulasi, I jumped at the chance.

I had already heard plenty about 1041 through social media and recommendations from friends, particularly after the novella became an Amazon bestseller. After reading it, it is easy to understand why it has attracted so much attention.

These psychological horror novellas are intense, unpredictable and deliberately disorientating. They take the reader on a journey through fractured memories, shifting realities and increasingly disturbing revelations. Both stories move quickly, making them easy to read in a single sitting, but the ideas and imagery are likely to remain with you long after you have reached the final page.

1041 follows Jason, who wakes up choking on something he cannot see. When he manages to escape, he discovers that every clock around him reads 10:41.

He does not know where he is or how he arrived there. His memories are incomplete, and the world around him seems to operate according to rules he cannot understand. The only thing Jason knows for certain is that he must attend a meeting somewhere beyond the fog and the ominous red glow burning on the horizon.

As he continues his journey, reality begins to warp around him. Familiar places become threatening, events make increasingly little sense and Jason’s memories continue to fracture. Every mile takes him closer to the truth, but each new discovery is worse than the last. By the time he finally reaches the source of the red glow, there is no possibility of turning back.

Gulasi creates an oppressive atmosphere that keeps the reader constantly questioning what is real. The story is filled with strange encounters and unsettling imagery, while its short length ensures that the tension never has an opportunity to fade.

1042 takes the concept even further, introducing Bonjo, the Judge of Hell. His existence is governed by rules, order and the grim responsibilities of his position. Everything begins to unravel when Astra arrives and starts breaking every rule that is supposed to hold his world together.

What follows is another dark and chaotic journey filled with twists, disturbing revelations and moments that completely alter the reader’s understanding of what is happening. The second novella expands upon the ideas introduced in 1041 while developing its own identity and mythology.

Both books are well presented and produced to an impressive standard. They are fast, entertaining reads that will appeal to fans of psychological horror, grimdark fiction and stories that embrace the bizarre.

1041 and 1042 are now available wherever books are sold. I would certainly recommend both novellas to readers looking for something dark, unusual and unpredictable. It is also worth following David Gulasi on social media, where he regularly shares entertaining content and updates about his work.