reviews

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How far would you go in pursuit of your dreams?

A timeless and enthralling question, resonating like a thunderous chord in the pages of In This Void (Chin Music Press / June '25), the latest novel by Seattle author and musician, Alex Rasmussen. And while there is no simple answer, in life or literature, the trail blazed by the heartfelt bassline of Rasmussen’s narrative proves a suspenseful and thought-provoking journey well worth turning the pages to follow.

“Closing his eyes, he let go, allowing himself to become lost in the sounds, his whole consciousness being woven into a tapestry of notes.”

For the novel’s ambitious frontman, introspective singer-songwriter, Kody Logan, the eponymous Void is far from empty, filled to the brim with passion, pathos, childhood trauma, hope, and of course, music. Forsaking the monotony of a traditional lifestyle, Kody’s single-minded passion inspires him to leave his day job behind, propelling him across state lines to the apotheosis of his dreams: a recording session with a legendary producer in Nashville, aka “Music City.” The road to success, however, is far from a smooth ride. With minimal funds and a run-down postal van bereft of creature comforts, we sit in the front seat with Kody as he suffers continuously for his art and keeps his eyes on the prize, envisioning the brighter future that the recording session will bring him, a hard-earned elevation from the creative trenches of dive bar performances and street-side busking to a world of opportunity, nationwide tours, and musical acclaim.

But Kody isn’t the only musician with an ascending scale of aspiration driving him on. Enter Dane, a charismatic violinist whose confidence, talent, and blind optimism pose a drastic dichotomy to Kody’s soulful melancholy and introverted personality. Upon meeting Dane, Kody sees the violinist’s crowd-winning skills as an asset and promptly invites him to contribute to the recording session in Nashville. But before long, Kody comes to regret his decision, seized by the unshakable fear that Dane will steal the spotlight.

Here is where Kody’s character, who has earned our empathy and affection with his stalwart dedication in the face of his traumatic past and current tribulations, becomes more than just our protagonist, revealing a darker, misanthropic and surreptitious side previously kept guarded. Consumed by paranoia, Kody turns against his new companion without a second thought, loyal only to his pursuits. And yet, as a reader I found that I continued to root for him. 

“Kody crooned sorrowfully, hunching forward as though he were being tugged from the front by some invisible entity.”

For Kody, music isn’t just a career, or even a muse—it’s a remedy. An escape. A form of communication with the fickle crowds he plays for, and society at large. And as a creative spirit all too familiar with the trials of starving artistry, I couldn’t help but sympathize with the notion that when your dreams are all you have–perhaps even all you are—you’ll do anything to protect them.

“...sometimes dreams try to tell you things. But I think I was the only one who could see the darkness.”

A prolific line from Risa, a supporting female character who, in the periphery of the heightening drama between the two male leads, pursues her own fantasy of romance with the charming ladies’ man Dane. Though her role is significantly smaller, Risa’s vantage point fleshes out the narrative with reflective commentary, as well as her own burgeoning ambition as a painter.

Unlike many lighter reads in the music-lit subgenre, In This Void is an unapologetically gritty and poignant literary drama, driven by bold characters, slow-burning tension, and sharp lyrical prose. A well-crafted novel from a writer and musician who knows the fiercely beating heart of creativity from the inside.