Reviewed by Olga Markova for Readers' Favorite

The Gospels of Extinction is a collection of twenty-one short stories written over more than two decades by talented author Seth Augenstein. The stories transport us to different times, places, and events. We will walk down memory lane and sneak a peek into the future; attend a fake séance; listen to deathbed memories of a war veteran and a bedtime story a little girl will tell her dad; and attend a friends’ get-together at an exclusive restaurant. We will meet characters from all walks of life – to name a few, a tour guide, a stock trader, young families expecting or hoping for a baby, a serial murderess, and scientists researching human DNA. They all look ordinary. But what is extraordinary in the stories they share?

The Gospels of Extinction held me in awe from the first story to the last. I appreciated how Seth Augenstein translated his colorful professional and personal experiences into these brilliant stories. I liked how these snapshots of the real world were blended with whimsical, supernatural manifestations, making the ordinary recede into the background as it gave way to the extraordinary and occult. I also liked how every story had a surprise lying in wait and revealing itself when I least expected it. Every story was enjoyable, thought-provoking, suspenseful, fast-moving, memorable, and highly satisfying in its own way. But most of all I liked Aria, Vantage, Atrick C Met Ry, Bequest, Secret Ministry, and Bedtime Story because they surprised me most. In addition, Aria’s mischievous humor and Vantage’s time-warp morale made these stories stand out for me.

I listened to the audiobook and appreciated that Seth Augenstein narrated the stories himself. It takes a lot of courage to create a story, and even more courage to perform it for readers. Seth accomplished both with flying colors! I liked the clear diction, the perfect pace, the high-quality recording, and the occasional subtle sound effects that kept the momentum in the background, like police sirens, an air raid, or a character’s snort. The narration felt natural and human, and I developed a special connection with the author that I feel at authors’ book reading events. I highly recommend this remarkable book to readers who enjoy thought-provoking stories with deep meaning.