So I read a lot. And other avid readers know there are two different types of books: ones that are so-so yet you read anyway, and the ones that engross you so intensely to where nothing else in life matters except what is in the pages of that book. The second type of book is the rarest to come by, but they are unforgettable.

The latest book like this for me was The City by S.C. Mendes. The book follows Detective Max Elliot as he’s investigating a series of brutal murders — ones that have an eerie similarity to the one that took his wife. And with his daughter still missing, Elliot is determined to find the killer.

However, finding the killer would require Elliot to trace back an unknown drug that will lead him to an underground world. The denizens of this world? Humanoid lizards who have lived on this planet long before human beings.

And little does Max know, finding the killer is only the beginning.

Here’s my in-depth yet spoil-free review. I’m not being compensated for this nor was I given the book for free or even asked to do a review at all. I purchased it with my own money — so when I say I love this book, I absolutely mean it.

Brief Overview

The story takes place in San Francisco around 1910. Max Elliot is called back to the force to solve a murder case, one that is eerily similar to his wife’s murder.

While solving this murder and the disappearance of his daughter, Max finds The City, an underground world that literally has no limits.

Sex, gambling, drugs, torture, and murder are commonplace here. And it’s all run by these ancient humanoids called The Mara. And Max learns solving the murders and the disappearance of his daughter is only the beginning.

This book is the perfect blend of noir with extreme horror and plenty of fantasy elements. I get some serious Graham Masterton vibes with Mendes’ writing, but in all honesty, you will never read another book like The City.

About the Book

Who Is Max Elliot?

First things first, who is Max Elliot? At the beginning of the book, we meet him in an opium den. He’s a retired detective who left the force after his family’s tragedy. This left him miserable, for obvious reasons, and he takes all of his anguish out on opium.

However, Elliot gets called back on the force after another murder. This one was very similar to what happened to his wife — the victims were all skinned, their organs clumped together, and the bones were missing entirely.

However, there was one odd piece of evidence at the crime scene — a mysterious drug (you’ll learn this is called si fen). Since Elliot is quite the unorthodox detective, the force knew he would be the only one for the job. And that he was.

Don’t worry guys, I’m not giving anything away. This literally all happens in the first chapter. I guess it’s safe to say Mendes knows how to start a book!

The other thing to mention is Max definitely changes. While for the better overall, you definitely see the evil in The City rubbing off on him. It honestly makes his character even more likable.

The City

Elliot’s sketchy dealings in drugs and crime lead him to discover The City. Far below the earth lives a different universe. One where you can get away with any depravity your sickened heart desires; gambling, drugs, rape, torture, murder…

The City is literally an underground city, located underneath the city of San Francisco. It’s run by The Mara, amphibian humanoids that have existed long before humans.

Because of the perversion that occurs, not just anyone can enter The City; you have to be branded with an ouroboros before even entering. And if you really want to see the gruesome shows? Well, you have to be branded again.

There are two areas of The City: the East and West. They’re both sketchy, but the West is where the most brutal stuff happens. Specifically in an area called Gehanna, which is the deepest of the west end.

Throughout the book, you question the integrity of The Mara and the sick world they created. Are they themselves at fault? Or are they simply profiting off of the humans’ darkest desires?

Who’s Ming?

The other main character in this book is Ming. Max meets Ming when he first arrives. Let’s say Ming is somewhat of The City’s weird tour guide. She shows Max all he needs to know about the city, where to go, and how to help him out. But things quickly go sour and Ming finds herself in trouble. And Max is the only one who can help her.

Si Fen and Mogjiu

In The City, everyone consumes si fen and mogjiu. Mogjiu is kind of like alcohol. It’s a drink that makes you feel loose, confident, and all-around good.

Si fen seems somewhat like an acid trip, but it’s more than just hallucinations. Rather, it takes you to new worlds and expands your horizons. However, most come out of their si fen trip with more questions than anything.

While not super integral to the story, these substances do appear throughout the book. And oh yes, Max does dabble in them.

Si fen is technically a real thing, but it’s not what you think. A simple search shows me “luo si fen,” which is river snails rice noodle soup. Eww. But mogjiu isn’t a real thing, just made up in the book.

How Does Max Solve His Mystery?

I won’t get too detailed into this part. Again, you have to read the book and find out what happens. But yes, every mystery gets solved (even though Mendes still leaves you with a big cliffhanger at the end).

So, how does Max do it? Well, how else would he? He succumbs to the lowest level of depravity in order to learn about The Mara, The City, and to understand what people want to see. And yes, through this monstrosity he finds what he’s looking for. So you, as the reader, will join Max in the sickest journey ever imagined.

What Makes The City Stand Out?

At this point, you probably realized that The City is unlike anything you have ever read. But an error I see with lots of horror and splatterpunk writers is they just focus on “going there.” Shoving as much sick shit into their book for shock value.

But not Mendes. Yes, you’ll read some of the most disturbing and graphic content in your life. However, there’s so much more depth. You fall in love with the characters. You get lost in the labyrinth that is The City. You feel like you’re there, in this weird cavernous world filled with the sickest human beings that ever lived.

Again, throughout this book, you’re questioning. Are The Mara inherently bad beings? Or are humans inherently bad beings, and The Mara are only profiting off of this sick shit? I absolutely love horror books that make me think and contemplate life. And the fantasy elements of this book make it so much more interesting.

The Brutality

There’s a lot in horror I can handle. But there are still the times where I re-read a part and think “holy fuck, did that just happen?” Well, I did that a lot with this book. It’s been a long time since I read this much filth in one book.

In order to find the murderer and his daughter, Max attended various “shows,” if you would call them that. Shows where slaves would get attacked by these animals called “feeders” (yeah you can see where I’m going with this), half-dead zombies they call “skin puppets,” child brothels, sex and torture shows, and yes —humans being skinned alive.

Mendes gives excellent descriptions. His writing is very disturbing but he describes every scene so intricately, it’s almost beautiful. He doesn’t simply say, “she stabbed him in the chest with the dagger,” rather he says “she twirled the tip of the blade into the skin around his nipples.” As a horror writer myself, I appreciate the beauty behind the choice of words.

But don’t get me wrong, Mendes doesn’t hold back. If what I have typed hasn’t proved it enough, these are some of the most intense scenes I have ever read. Every torturous scene is different, Mendes makes his characters go through the extreme, and the reader is left flinching in their chair. Definitely don’t read this book unless you like reading this extent of graphic and torturous violence in books.

A Story Within a Story

As I said, you think you know what the story is about but it totally becomes a different monster. Even though you discover the killer and the person behind Max’s daughter’s disappearance, the novel is far from over. A bigger story unfolds, and that story is what will leave you aching for more.

Mendes doesn’t slow things down in this book. Ever. Even the scenes where the focus was on the other officers were the ones I found the most boring, though the scenes were still intense.

Read The City

You can find The City on Amazon and Godless. I personally purchased it on Godless.