Celestial | The Macabre (Standard Edition): A Novel

The Macabre (Standard Edition): A Novel

Kosoko Jackson

Save to Your Books

100% of affiliate revenue supports Celestial

From award-winning and USA Today bestselling author Kosoko Jackson comes his adult speculative debut, a stand-alone novel blending time travel and globe-hopping adventure, art history, and dark fantasy about magical paintings and the lengths people will go to collect them, destroy them…or be destroyed.

A picture is worth a thousand nightmares.

Art has always been an escape for struggling painter Lewis Dixon. But other than his mom, who has recently passed away, no one has ever praised his work. If he is being honest, there’s really no one in his life. So he is shocked when the British Museum shows an unusual interest in his art. This is his chance to show the world what he’s capable of…he just has no idea that he might also be saving the world at the same time.

As Lewis soon learns, he has not been invited to participate in a curated show, but rather a test: to see if the fugue-like exhilaration he experiences when painting is actually magic, a power that allows him to enter nine very special paintings—paintings made by his great-grandfather. Spread across the globe, these paintings have unbelievable eldritch abilities…and not necessarily beneficial ones.

In terms of power, these are the most valuable works of art in the world, and there are those out there who would do anything to possess just one. And Lewis, upon passing the test, has been asked to destroy them all.

Partnered with an alluring agent in the museum’s employ, Noah Rao, Lewis must travel to Japan, Australia, Nigeria—and the past—plunging himself into a world of black markets, gothic magic, ancient history, and cursed objects to save those unlucky enough to call any of the paintings their own—or to free the world from those who would misuse the power of the paintings.

In doing so, he will need to discover if he has what it takes to truly be an artist, the confidence to finally open himself up to someone who could give his lonely life meaning, and the strength to enter and navigate a reality where magic is everywhere.

Get the Bindery app

Posts about this title from Celestial

Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Jul 21

which one convinced you the most? 😖

which one convinced you the most? 😖 part twenty-four of one star goodreads reviews of books i enjoyed!

📚 books mentioned: - Spread Me by Sarah Gailey - Wild Seed by Octavia E. Butler - The Macabre by Kosoko Jackson - Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle - Canon by Paige Lewis - The Children by Melissa Albert - The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo - On Sundays She Picked Flowers by Yah-Yah Scholfield - The Jellyfish Problem by Tessa Yang

👗💄: - dress is from Free People, rented from Nuuly - eyeshadow is Sickly Sweet Palette from Blend Bunny Cosmetics and In A Trance Palette from Colourpop - eyeshadow shimmer is Paradise from Adriana Nichole Cosmetics - eyeliner is Creme Gel Liner (Amethyst Hour) from Colourpop - mascara is Highly Rated XL from Milani - lip combo is 360 Contour Lip Liner (Mauve) and Wonder Blading Top Gloss (Holographic) from Wonderskin - (also if you have a question about my makeup or something i’m wearing, most of it is curated in my shopmy!)

thank you to Tor Nightfire, HarperVoyager, Viking Books, William Morrow, Saga Press, and Berkley Books for the gifted copies!

#onestarreviews #negativebookreview #goodreadsreviews #nycinfluencer #bookstagram @tornightfire @grandcentralpub @harpervoyagerus @vikingbooks @williammorrowbooks @henryholtbooks @sagapressbooks @berkleypub @freepeople @blendbunnycosmetics @colourpopcosmetics @adriananicholecosmetics @milanicosmetics @wonderskin

reading one star reviews of books i loved • recommending books using their negative goodreads reviews • 1 star book reviews • bookish humor • diverse books

9 books

Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Jun 22

how much do you care about book review averages?

💭 how much do you care about book review averages?

middling reviews? more like a book i’m going to DEVOUR!

📚 books mentioned: - The Stars Undying by Emery Robin - I Was a Teenage Slasher by Stephen Graham Jones - The Macabre by Kosoko Jackson

👗💄: - eyeshadow is In A Trance Palette from Colourpop and Blends Artistry Palette from Blend Bunny Cosmetics - eyeliner is Vegan Longwear Eyeliner (Lilac) from Pacifica Beauty - shimmer is a single (Unicorncore) from Half Magic - mascara is Highly Rated Lash Extensions XL from Milani Cosmetics - lip combo is Suede Matte Lip Liner (Moonwalk) from NYX Cosmetics and Gloss Up Sheer Finish Lip Gloss (Quiet Luxury) from The Lip Bar

thank you to Orbit, Saga Press, and Harper Voyager for the gifted copies!

#fantasybooks #horrorbooks #scifibooks #nycinfluencer #bookstagram @orbitbooks_us @sagapressbooks @harpervoyagerus @colourpopcosmetics @blendbunnycosmetics @milanicosmetics

3 books

Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Apr 14

💭 what are your favorite genres to blend together?\ \ here are some books with a toe in horror and a

💭 what are your favorite genres to blend together?

here are some books with a toe in horror and a toe in SFF!

📚 books mentioned: - Japanese Gothic by Kylie Lee Baker - The Macabre by Kosoko Jackson - Beasts of Carnaval by Rosália Rodrigo

👗💄: - dress is from Free People, rented from Nuuly - eyeshadow is The Lord of the Rings Middle Earth Palette from Glamlite, Ellis Atlantis Palette from Blend Bunny Cosmetics, and The Spring Symphony Palette from Dandy Lion Cosmetics - eyeliner is Epiphany Glow Melt-On (Limelight) from Kaleidos - mascara is Highly Rated XL from Milani - lip combo is Lippie Pencil (Twisted) from Colourpop and Jelly Job Lip Gloss (Jelly Jammin’) from NYX Cosmetics - (also if you have a question about my makeup or something i’m wearing, most of it is curated in my shopmy!)

thank you to Hanover Square Press / HTP Hive, Harper Voyager, and MIRA for the gifted copies!

#fantasybooks #horrorbooks #genreblends #nycinfluencer #bookstagram @hanoversquarepress @htp_hive @htpbooks @harpervoyagerus @readmirabooks @freepeople

genre blending books • genrebending book recs • horror books • fantasy books • weird books • disturbing books • unique books • original book recommendations • diverse books

3 books

Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Jan 20

“i just ask Chat GPT for book recs” SHUT UP

“i just ask Chat GPT for book recs” “it can actually summarize entire books for you so you can read one in just 5 minutes” “i ONLY use AI for” - STOP IT. LEAVE ME ALONE!

here are human book recs from a human!! and also they’re all really really good.

📚 books mentioned: - The Seep by Chana Porter - The Macabre by Kosoko Jackson - The Unfinished by Cheryl Isaacs - Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark - Hell Followed With Us by Andrew Joseph White - The Scammer by Tiffany D. Jackson - I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast Is Me by Jamison Shea - The Honeys by Ryan La Sala - Lakewood by Megan Giddings

👗💄: - sweater is from Farm Rio - eyeshadow is Mírame from Aora México - lip combo is Suede Matte Lip Liner (Moonwalk) from NYX Cosmetics and Bisou Balm (Bonbon Myrtille) from Violette FR - (also if you have a question about my makeup or something i’m wearing, most of it is curated in my shopmy!)

thank you to Harper Voyager, Heartdrum, Peachtree Teen, Quill Tree Books, and Scholastic Press for the gifted copies!

#horrorbooks #horrorbookrecs #disturbingbooks #nycinfluencer #bookstagram @soho_press @harpervoyagerus @harpercollins @tordotcompub @peachtreeteen @quilltreebooks @fiercereads @scholastic @amistadbooks @farmrio @aoramakeup @nyxcosmetics @violette_fr

horror book recommendations • science fiction books • best horror books • diverse books • Saga Press • Harper Voyager • Heartdrum • Tordotcom • Peachtree Teen • Quill Tree Books • Fierce Reads • Scholastic Press • Amistad

9 books

Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Sep 5 2025

oh I am SO VERY READY for fantasy fall. and giving you all ample time to prepare!!

📚 books mentioned: - The Maiden and Her Monster by Maddie Martinez - Beasts of Prey by Ayana Gray - The Macabre by Kosoko Jackson - A Mastery of Monsters by Liselle Sambury

👗💄: - dress is from Cider - sparkly green eyeliner is the moondust liquid glitter eyeliner from Urban Decay - (also if you have a question about my makeup or something i’m wearing, most of it is curated in my shopmy!)

thank you to Tor Books, Penguin Teen, Harper Votager, and Simon Teen for the gifted copies!

#fantasybooks #fantasyfall #fantasybookrecs #fantasybookreview #fantasybookrecommendations #bestfantasybooks #starrysteph #nycinfluencer #diversebookstagram #nycbookstagram #bookstagram @torbooks @penguinteen @harpervoyagerus @simonteen

4 books

Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Aug 18 2025

PICKLE BOOKS ARE BACK!!!!! 🥒 i only get more powerful over time (as i build up my pickle wardrobe).

📚 books mentioned: - The Macabre by Kosoko Jackson - The Midnight Shift by Cheon Seon-ran and translated by Gene Png - A Game in Yellow by Hailey Piper

👗💄: - duochrome green eyeliner from @kaleidosmakeup - pickle sweatshirt from @badaddictionboutique - (also if you have a question about my makeup or something i’m wearing, most of it is curated in my shopmy!)

thank you to Harper Voyager, Bloomsbury, and Saga Press for the gifted copies!

#picklebooks #picklebookrecs #horrorbooks #weirdbooks #SagaSaysCrew #sagapressbooks #SagaSays #BloomsburyCreatorCircle #starrysteph #nycinfluencer #diversebookstagram #nycbookstagram #bookstagram #nycbookstagram @harpervoyagerus @harpercollins @bloomsburypublishing @sagapressbooks

3 books

Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Aug 16 2025

i read HOW MUCH while traveling? this was shocking in the end.

📚 books mentioned: - Love Be Damned by Briana Garrett - The Macabre by Kosoko Jackson - Fate’s Bane by C.L. Clark - The Midnight Shift by Cheon Seon-Ran - A Game in Yellow by Hailey Piper

thank you to Ingram, Harper Voyager, Tordotcom, Bloomsbury, and Saga Press for the gifted copies!

#travelvlog #readingvlog #readingchallenge #fantasybooks #horrorbooks #BloomsburyCreatorCircle #SagaSaysCrew #sagapressbooks #SagaSays #starrysteph #nycinfluencer #diversebookstagram #nycbookstagram #bookstagram #nycbookstagram @ingram_books @harpervoyagerus @harpercollins @tordotcompub @sagapressbooks @bloomsburypublishing @bloomsburybooksus

5 books

Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Apr 19 2025

shelves and the city haul

in which i rob HarperCollins (without remorse) once again.

SHELVES AND THE CITY HAUL EEP!

📚 books mentioned: - The Macabre by Kosoko Jackson - (S)kin by Ibi Zoboi - The In-Between Bookstore by Edward Underhill - The Queen’s Spade by Sarah Raughley - Katabasis by R.F. Kuang

many many thanks to @harpercollins @harpervoyagerus @epicreads @avonbooks @williammorrowbooks

#shelvesandthecity #shelvesandthecityla #bookhaul #bookunboxing #harpercollins #rfkuang #katabasis #bookbrandtrip #bookishbrandtrip #starrysteph #nycinfluencer #bookstagram

Posts about this book from across Bindery

Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Jul 21

which one convinced you the most? 😖

which one convinced you the most? 😖 part twenty-four of one star goodreads reviews of books i enjoyed!

thank you to Tor Nightfire, HarperVoyager, Viking Books, William Morrow, Saga Press, and Berkley Books for the gifted copies!

reading one star reviews of books i loved • recommending books using their negative goodreads reviews • 1 star book reviews • bookish humor • diverse books

9 books

Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Jun 22

how much do you care about book review averages?

💭 how much do you care about book review averages?

middling reviews? more like a book i’m going to DEVOUR!

📚 books mentioned: - The Stars Undying by Emery Robin - I Was a Teenage Slasher by Stephen Graham Jones - The Macabre by Kosoko Jackson

thank you to Orbit, Saga Press, and Harper Voyager for the gifted copies!

3 books

Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Apr 14

💭 what are your favorite genres to blend together?

here are some books with a toe in horror and a toe in SFF!

📚 books mentioned: - Japanese Gothic by Kylie Lee Baker - The Macabre by Kosoko Jackson - Beasts of Carnaval by Rosália Rodrigo

thank you to Hanover Square Press / HTP Hive, Harper Voyager, and MIRA for the gifted copies!

#fantasybooks #horrorbooks #genreblends #nycinfluencer #bookstagram @hanoversquarepress @htp_hive @htpbooks @harpervoyagerus @readmirabooks @freepeople

3 books

Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Jan 20

“i just ask Chat GPT for book recs” SHUT UP

here are human book recs from a human!! and also they’re all really really good.

thank you to Harper Voyager, Heartdrum, Peachtree Teen, Quill Tree Books, and Scholastic Press for the gifted copies!

9 books

R&R Reads\ \ Ebony\ \ • Oct 1 2025

Join for free

\ \ Join for free or login](https://randrreads.binderybooks.com/item/L9aUwkEVsUxNqpqUH17y/)

HAPPY OCTOBER!! THE BINDERY APP IS HERE!! 🎃 IT'S SPOOKY SEASON (40+ BOOK RELEASES!)

Catching up on September and October Book Releases! Along with preview content! And WE HAVE AN APP!!

43 books

Boneyard Picnic\ \ Natalie Meagan\ \ • Sep 10 2025

Join for free

\ \ Join for free or login](https://boneyardpicnic.binderybooks.com/item/kOeIp6JZXu1YdFrPCaFy/)

Book Bag | September Releases I'm Excited About

A few September releases that caught my eye, piqued my interest and needed to be shared with you!

10 books

Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Sep 5 2025

oh I am SO VERY READY for fantasy fall. and giving you all ample time to prepare!!

thank you to Tor Books, Penguin Teen, Harper Votager, and Simon Teen for the gifted copies!

4 books

Madisoncanread\ \ Madison\ \ • Aug 31 2025

Join for free

Poll:\ \ Do you prefer finding new releases like this or do you prefer the newsletter? \ \ September is looking like an amazing month for new book releases!\ \ September 1, 2025 \ \ The First Witch of Boston by Andrea Catalano:\ \ Based on the true story of Margaret Jones, the first women to be found guilty of witchcraft. This wasn't on my radar at all, but it's going straight to my tbr.\ \ \ \ The Silenced by Diane Rodriguez Wallach\ \ Hazel begins researching the Oakwell Farms School for Girls when she realize this place may be seriously haunted.\ \ September 2, 2025 \ \ I Might Be In Trouble by Daniel Aleman\ \ An author, David had a stand out debut book release, and then his 2nd novel flopped. He was on top of the world and now feels like he has nothing. He ends up going on a date with his dream guy and wakes up the next morning finding him dead. Now he and his literary agent, Stacey are trying to get to the bottom of it.\ \ \ \ Discontent by Beatriz Serrano (Translated by Mara Faye Lethem)\ \ Marisa's life seems picture perfect. However, she's drowning in despair due to the pressures of corporate life. A company's annual retreat may end up exposing her.\ \ \ \ Happiness and Love by Zoe Dubno\ \ A woman has to suffer through an insufferable dinner party hosted for a newly famous actress who is very late. Once she arrives, the night seems to turn into chaos.\ \ \ \ Breathe In, Bleed Out by Brian McAuley\ \ I already have this one preordered! "It's a Midsommar night's Scream in this blood-soaked thriller set at a remote healing treat." There's no way I don't love this book\ \ September 9 2025 \ \ Hot Wax by M.L. Rio\ \ At 10 years old Suzanne witness something traumatic while on tour with her fathers band and now as an adult she's trying to disappear but someone won't let her go.\ \ \ \ The Macabre by Kosoko Jackson\ \ A struggling painter is shocked when a museum shows interest in his art. He accepts the invitation to display his art in a show but he's asked something impossible while he's there.\ \ \ \ Play Nice by Rachel Harrison\ \ I CAN'T Wait for this!!! Clio seems to have the perfect life but she has a secret and that's she grew up in a possessed house. What does that mean? I'm ready to find out!\ \ \ \ The Belles by Lacey N Dunham\ \ I have a feeling this will be perfect for Bunny fans. Deena Williams is trying to fit in and ends up making friends with 5 other girls. The president's wife singles them out and names the group The Belles. Now Deena has secrets that she's trying to keep hidden.\ \ \ \ Seven Reasons to Murder Your Dinner Guests by K.J. Whittle\ \ "Three courses. Seven guests. One card. It's a deadly evening they'll never forget."\ \ \ \ You Weren't Meant to be Human by Andrew Joseph White\ \ "Alien meets Midsommar" an alien invasion set in West Virginia\ \ \ \ We Are Always Tender With Our Dead by Eric LaRocca\ \ 3 faceless entities arrive on Christmas morning, changing the lives of the residents on Burnt Sparrow, New Hampshire.\ \ September 16 2025 \ \ The Whistler by Nick Medina\ \ Henry is a well loved ghost hunter, ends up getting hurt and is now in a wheelchair being taken care of my his grandparents. He's also now being haunted.\ \ \ \ Fiend by Alma Katsu\ \ The Berisha family runs the largest import-export companies in the world and it seems like all of their competitors have some sort of down fall. Never the Berisha family though. Things may take a turn for them in the end though.\ \ \ \ The Vanishing Place by Zoe Rankin\ \ Effie witnesses horrific violence at the hands of her parents and ends up escaping and living in the wilderness. When she realizes the only witness to a murder is a little girl who looks just like her. This forces Effie to go back to her childhood home.\ \ \ \ The Wasp Trap by Mark Edwards\ \ "A dinner party in a beautiful Notting Hill townhouse turns into a sinister game, as six old friends are forced to spill their darkest secrets…or else."\ \ September 23 2025 \ \ We Love You, Bunny by Mona Awad\ \ Ah!!! I can't wait for this! The sequel to Bunny!\ \ \ \ Spread Me by Sarah Gailey\ \ Kinsey works at a remote research facility and loves her job. She finds a specimen and then her life begins to spiral.\ \ September 30 2025 \ \ The Mean Ones by Tatianna Schlote-Bonne\ \ Sadie witnesses her best friends brutal murder and now, 17 years later she's dealing with some strange side effects. \ \ \ \ The Mad Wife by Meagan Church\ \ Lulu has strived to be the perfect 1950s housewife but when her new neighbor Bitsy moves in, her life begins to unravel.\ \ \ \ What Stalks The Deep by T. Kingfisher\ \ The third book in the Sworn Soldier series.

September 2025 New Releases

21 books

Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Aug 18 2025

PICKLE BOOKS ARE BACK!!!!! 🥒 i only get more powerful over time (as i build up my pickle wardrobe).

📚 books mentioned: - The Macabre by Kosoko Jackson - The Midnight Shift by Cheon Seon-ran and translated by Gene Png - A Game in Yellow by Hailey Piper

thank you to Harper Voyager, Bloomsbury, and Saga Press for the gifted copies!

3 books

Celestial\ \ Steph\ \ • Aug 16 2025

i read HOW MUCH while traveling? this was shocking in the end.

thank you to Ingram, Harper Voyager, Tordotcom, Bloomsbury, and Saga Press for the gifted copies!

5 books

R&R Reads\ \ Ebony\ \ • Jul 2 2025

Join for free

96 BOOK RELEASES 💫

✨🍃UPDATE! 2025 Releases for the Back Half of 2025

There are definitely books I forgot and to them I say I’m so sorry Pookie😖

We Are Already Halfway Through 2025… anyway if you find any fault in this post get mad at Goodreads and Amazon not me …🥰