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  • The Destroyer of Worlds

  • A Return to Lovecraft Country
  • Written by: Matt Ruff
  • Narrated by: Kevin Kenerly
  • Length: 9 hrs and 6 mins

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The Destroyer of Worlds

Written by: Matt Ruff
Narrated by: Kevin Kenerly
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Publisher's Summary

“Ruff renders a very high-concept, imaginary world with such vividness that you can’t help but feel it’s disturbingly real.”—Christopher Moore

In this thrilling adventure, a blend of enthralling historical fiction and fantastical horror, Matt Ruff returns to the world of Lovecraft Country and explores the meaning of death, the hold of the past on the present, and the power of hope in the face of uncertainty.

Summer, 1957.

Atticus Turner and his father, Montrose, travel to North Carolina, where they plan to mark the centennial of their ancestor’s escape from slavery by retracing the route he took into the Great Dismal Swamp. But an encounter with an old nemesis turns their historical reenactment into a real life-and-death pursuit.

Back in Chicago, George Berry fights for his own life. Diagnosed with cancer, he strikes a devil’s bargain with the ghost of Hiram Winthrop, who promises a miracle cure—but to receive it, George will first have to bring Winthrop back from the dead.

Meanwhile, fifteen-year-old Horace Berry, reeling from the killing of a close friend, joins his mother, Hippolyta, and her friend Letitia Dandridge on a research trip to Nevada for The Safe Negro Travel Guide. But Hippolyta has a secret—and far more dangerous—agenda that will take her and Horace to the far end of the universe and bring a new threat home to Letitia’s doorstep.

Hippolyta isn’t the only one keeping secrets. Letitia’s sister, Ruby, has been leading a double life as her white alter ego, Hillary Hyde. Now, the supply of magic potion she needs to transform herself is nearly gone, and a surprise visitor throws her already tenuous situation into complete chaos.

Yet these troubles are soon eclipsed by the return of Caleb Braithwhite. Stripped of his magic and banished from Chicago at the end of Lovecraft Country, he’s found a way back into power and is ready to pick up where he left off. But first he has a score to settle. . . .

©2023 Matt Ruff (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers

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  • Helen Feddema
  • 2023-03-22

Even Better than the first

Lovecraft Country did a superb job of blending Lovecraftian horror, European black magic, science fiction and Jim Crow racism in 1950's America. Different though they are, the author blended these themes seamlessly into a highly readable adventure story with believable characters and settings. The second book in the series is even better. In addition to the original book's themes, now we have the lost colony of Roanoke, Maroon colonies in the Great Dismal Swamp, and an escape from slavery! A terrific read (or listen – excellent narration) and I got a better understanding of the microaggressions that African Americans have to experience (then and now) than from any of the antiracist books I have read.

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  • ATaylor
  • 2023-03-19

Great sequel

Great sequel, although the change in pronunciation of Hippolyta made me want to yell “Hi-PAW-lit-uh, not Hippo-LIGHT-uh!” every time I heard it. Ha!

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  • RobinR
  • 2023-03-16

Almost as good as the first!

Loved this continuation of the Turner family and friends’ story. True to the original, great narration. I only wish it had been longer.

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  • Sean
  • 2023-03-11

Excellent

Great narration and continuation of the story-lines introduced in the first book. Look forward to the next one

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  • Kindle Customer
  • 2023-03-08

I Love This Book!!

I highly recommend this book. I loved coming back to these characters. I really hope there are more books to come. These books are my favorite. I didn’t want the adventures to end. This will be a book I read over and over!

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  • ayodele higgs
  • 2023-03-04

Matt Ruff!!!

This story was as good as Lovecraft Country! I loved revisiting my favorite characters. HBO messed up when they got rid of this show.

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  • Amazon Customer
  • 2023-03-04

Long Awaited Return

I loved Lovecraft Country and I loved this return. Hopefully more to come one day.

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  • Dan R.
  • 2023-03-03

So sad it’s over

Now I wait for the next amazing book in this series - with its amazing narration. Easily my all time favorite. Matt Ruff - you’re the man!

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  • Wendy and Jonathan B.
  • 2023-03-01

Loved this return trip to Lovecraft Country

The original book is easily my favorite and most listened to audibobook. Kevin Kennerlys narration was fantastic, then and now so great to hear him voicing the Berry's and Turner's again .

I got through the story in 2 days, just wanted to know what was next, and was not disappointed.

I'll definitely be listening to it again soon. If you loved the first book, you'll definitely enjoy this one.

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  • Gerard Priori
  • 2023-03-01

A Great Return!

I had no idea we were getting a follow up book, returning to Lovecraft Country. I heard nothing about it until the day it was published. So great to spend more time with these much loved characters. I look forward to further adventures. I love this one just as much as the first book in what I hope to be a long running series.