It Devours! Audiobook by Jeffrey Cranor, Joseph Fink | Night Vale series

Summary

What happens when a scientist who believes only in empirical evidence falls for someone whose entire worldview is built on faith in a Smiling God that may or may not be devouring the town? In the delightfully bizarre desert community of Night Vale, Nilanjana Sikdar must navigate not only her unexpected romantic feelings but also a series of mysterious sinkholes threatening to swallow everything she holds dear. This second novel from the creators of the beloved Welcome to Night Vale podcast delivers another dose of surreal horror wrapped in surprisingly tender human connection.

Audiobook Info

• Author: Jeffrey Cranor, Joseph Fink
• Narrator: Cecil Baldwin
• Duration: 9 hours and 39 minutes
• Publisher: Macmillan Audio
• Release Date: October 3, 2017
• Series: Welcome to Night Vale
• Book: 2

Review

Cecil Baldwin’s narration is nothing short of hypnotic, and fans of the Welcome to Night Vale podcast will immediately recognize the familiar, soothing yet unsettling cadence that has made him the perfect voice for this peculiar universe. His ability to shift between characters – from the analytical determination of scientist Nilanjana to the earnest devotion of church member Darryl – demonstrates remarkable range. Baldwin captures the essence of Night Vale’s trademark tone: simultaneously comforting and deeply unsettling, like a lullaby sung in a language you don’t quite understand.

The central tension between faith and science provides a surprisingly nuanced backbone to this weird fiction narrative. Fink and Cranor don’t take easy sides in this debate; instead, they explore how both worldviews can be limiting and how genuine human connection often transcends ideological differences. Nilanjana’s journey from dismissive skeptic to someone who can hold space for uncertainty without abandoning her scientific principles feels earned and authentic, even amid the absurdist chaos of Night Vale’s reality.

The romance between Nilanjana and Darryl serves as the emotional anchor in a story filled with mysterious disappearances, a potentially world-ending deity, and the ever-present weirdness of Night Vale. Their relationship develops organically, built on curiosity about each other’s vastly different perspectives rather than shallow attraction. Listeners will find themselves genuinely invested in whether these two can bridge the gap between their worldviews while simultaneously wondering what exactly is creating those terrifying sinkholes.

The pacing maintains the podcast’s episodic energy while building toward a genuinely suspenseful climax. Fink and Cranor have mastered the art of balancing comedic absurdism with moments of real horror and emotional weight. One moment you’re chuckling at Night Vale’s bizarre bureaucracy; the next, you’re holding your breath as something ancient and hungry stirs beneath the desert sand.

This audiobook is perfect for fans of unconventional horror, those who appreciate stories that challenge binary thinking, and anyone who has ever felt caught between two seemingly incompatible truths. Newcomers to Night Vale can jump in here, though longtime listeners will appreciate the deeper callbacks and expanded mythology.

Download & Listen

Experience the delightful terror of Night Vale’s second novel by downloading It Devours! from KTAudiobooks.com today. Let Cecil Baldwin’s masterful narration guide you through a story where science meets faith, and something hungry waits beneath the sand. Your next obsession is just one download away.