Reviews

Below by Laurel Hightower

_stephanie's review against another edition

4.25

“It was simply that his love wasn’t big enough to trust her, or see her as an equal.” 🖤

ghostlyweeds's review against another edition

3.0

…..still deciding on how I want to rate this novella.

Update;

What the hell was up with that ending? Like legitimately, WHAT. THE. HELL. Laurel really had me loving this whole vibe until the end.

smeejdeej's review against another edition

dark reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

doods's review against another edition

3.0

I think it just felt like it was doing to much for how small it was. There was the moth-man, the smiling man, the voice on the walkie talkie and the men in the water. While I really enjoyed the part where she yelled at the monster and the surprise of the walkie talkie I felt like by the end that it was just to much.

Overall it was pretty good I had a good time and I dont regret reading it

copp62's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

clurrr's review against another edition

4.0

Actually freaking terrifying

lilliankeys's review against another edition

2.0

Monster descriptions are good, but plot is lacking.

thebrookeworm_'s review against another edition

5.0

Um wow ok! This was terrifying!! I absolutely loved it. Definitely scared the shit out of me which is exactly what I was looking for. Short, sweet and scary as hell!

aj_humphreys's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

 This story was very much a character driven creature feature, and because of that it’s a little slow to break the rails. But gosh dangit, did it fly off the rails. 

 

The main character Addy is attempting to rediscover her identity as a middle-aged (ish) woman fresh off a divorce. Unfortunately, the scars and trauma of her ex-partner’s voice linger like a parasite. Throughout, she must fight their tempting urges towards her old life. 

 

The early unease comes from the rural nature of Addy traversing the West Virginia foothills at night, in a snowstorm, all alone. She barely trusts herself, let alone the nameless faces passing her by, filling her with unanswerable questions and enough doubt to feed the considerable paranoia gnawing at her psyche. 

 

But when a stranger offers her kindness, respect, and aid on her journey traversing these conditions, she warily accepts his well-intentioned offer. 

 

But what will Addy do when the shoe is on the other foot? How far will she go to help a stranger in distress? 

 

It’s a short, quick read filled with cryptids, disembodied voices, lingering questions, and visceral moments of unease and terror. All set in Appalachia. What do you have to lose? 

abrasieve's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5