George R. R. Martin

Nightflyers: The Illustrated Edition

C. J. Daley 

I had gone through the authors books some time ago and added Nightflyers and Other Stories to my wishlist without even reading the bio. I then recently saw someone review it on Readerly under this Illustrated edition and had to grab it. A true scifi horror? And by Martin no less? Hot damn. 

For me this stands out as something that would immediately be linked to Event Horizon, but also this year’s Dead Silence by S.A. Barnes as well. I found multiple articles asking if Nightflyers (due to the latest adaption) was based on EH entirely. Which struck me as super odd because no one pointed out that NF actually predates it. Apparently EH is based on an older movie that’s based on an even older novel, but is uncredited. Dead Silence is kind of a spiritual retelling of both in a way. Regardless, Martin’s ran so these other two had to walk, sadly. 

D’Branin and his team have hired the Nightflyer to take them after an elusive (and heavily debated) alien race. The ship is almost fully autonomous, being controlled by only a single man. Yet he refuses to show himself. Is he a ghost? An AI computer? Something even more dangerous and nefarious? And when things go wrong, just because he’s the easiest to blame, is he the villain? 

This was atmospheric, engaging, creepy and overall a blast. Claustrophobic and evil, you can feel the cabin fever growing. 

Personally a 5/5* for me, can’t believe I’ve never read before. David Palumbo’s art is amazing and so worth it. Lots of use of the word ‘sexed’.

Nightflyers: The Illustrated Edition

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