THE BLACK CUP Book Review

The Black Cup by Shawn Walrus, eBook, 44 pgs.

Synopsis from Amazon: Every killing ends at the same impossible banquet. After every sanctioned execution, Saul awakens at a table hidden somewhere beyond memory. Three cups await him. One promises vindication. One promises certainty. One he has never dared to touch.

As the banquet repeats and the walls between conviction and conscience begin to fracture, a mysterious visitor arrives with questions Saul can no longer ignore. What follows is a quiet psychological descent into guilt, identity, self-deception, and the terrifying possibility that a man can become a stranger to himself while believing he is serving God.

The Black Cup is a psychological horror short story inspired by Charles Spurgeon’s sermon, Satan’s Banquet. Blending literary fiction with theological reflection, it explores repentance, grace, and the cost of confronting the truth. Perfect for readers who enjoy slow-burning psychological fiction, philosophical horror, and stories that linger long after the final page.

Some banquets are prepared for celebration. Others are prepared for judgement. When Saul reaches for The Black Cup, what will he discover?

BOOK REVIEW: This is the first short story that I've ever reviewed and I'm not entirely sure how I feel. Honestly I feel like I was just getting into the groove of the story and it was done. I did look up the sermon, haven't listened to it yet, but the sermon is from the 1800s. I also want to be real honest...when the author reached out and asked me if I would like to read his short story, I saw the length and the first paragraph and said sure. I don't like reading a whole synopsis because, for me, it can give too much away. I'm glad I didn't because there is something in this synopsis that would have put a thought in my head before I started reading.

One thing that I did very much love about this was that I really could sit down and read it in one sitting. I think my Kindle said it was a 55 min read for me. I was able to get comfy with my candle warmer heating up my Harry Potter Deathly Hallows candle, a moody/mystery soundscape, and a beverage and dove right into reading. I'm struggling to find something I can say is a favorite from the story without giving anything away. I think maybe the way Saul judged the man who walked in from the shadows. He judged everything about the man from head to toe. Shoes, suit, weird eyes, etc.

I'm struggling to determine a rating here. The story is short and to the point. Like I said before I felt like I was just starting to get into the story when it was over. I feel like some scenes or explanations of things were rushed but I guess you have to pick what gets elaborated on and what doesn't when it comes to a short story. I think this is a solid 4 stars for a short story. The author did a wonderful job and for this being his debut, I think if he continues to write, we will see great works from him!

4/5 Stars

2026 Reading Challenge: 39/55 complete