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waywardskyril's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
"With her gaze focused on her feet while her mind scrambled for purchase, she was in excellent position to see the hand, bone white and four-fingered, reach from the night and clasp her ankle."
Below by Laurel Hightower was a gratifying read with neverending twists, the interminable thrill melting away the pages. Combined with the skill of the writing making this an incredibly easy read, Below is an enjoyable book that I would recommend to anyone who likes paranormal horror, even though some of the questions are left unanswered and the ending didn't fully make sense.
Below Trigger Warnings at the bottom of the review
Considering this is a novella, there's a ton packed in. You leave the story with a lot of mysteries, but also an experience unlike any other. There are so many twists and developments, it's almost nonstop, making you want to keep flipping pages all the way through the story.
This is especially easy to do with the effortless flow of the writing. This book had an excellent ability to grab its reader and keep them until the final pages closed.
"The snow fell heavy while she climbed, but the inches of accumulation silenced the hillside. Flakes collected in her hair and on her eyelashes, and her feet and hands were soon frigid, her fingers too stiff to grab onto trees and brush on her way up."
The characters, particularly the main character, have some surprising depth, and the MC is actually dynamic, going through some changes by the end of her ordeal.
Overall, she was likeable, but there was something a bit off about her. Her decision making capabilities, logic, and the voices inside her head all made her seem a bit separated from a realistic character, not too far apart, but far enough to take me out of the story briefly from time to time.
In conclusion, this IS a good story, and it exceeded my expectations in writing style and excitement, but fell short in explanation and motivation. On the scale of whether I recommend it, I find it's good enough to weigh decidedly on the side of recommend. It's a thrilling, dark little story that'll entertain any horror buff.
Below Trigger Warnings (POSSIBLE mild SPOILERS AHEAD):
~Past emotionally abusive relationship that is frequently mentioned and heavily on the MCs mind
~Dead bodies, described in detail
~Blood, brains, guts, dismembered limbs (it gets a bit gross a couple of times, but I wouldn't describe it as "excessive")
~Hydrophobia
~Claustrophobia
~Intense; scary; monsters; and near blindness from how dark it is
Below by Laurel Hightower was a gratifying read with neverending twists, the interminable thrill melting away the pages. Combined with the skill of the writing making this an incredibly easy read, Below is an enjoyable book that I would recommend to anyone who likes paranormal horror, even though some of the questions are left unanswered and the ending didn't fully make sense.
Below Trigger Warnings at the bottom of the review
Considering this is a novella, there's a ton packed in. You leave the story with a lot of mysteries, but also an experience unlike any other. There are so many twists and developments, it's almost nonstop, making you want to keep flipping pages all the way through the story.
This is especially easy to do with the effortless flow of the writing. This book had an excellent ability to grab its reader and keep them until the final pages closed.
"The snow fell heavy while she climbed, but the inches of accumulation silenced the hillside. Flakes collected in her hair and on her eyelashes, and her feet and hands were soon frigid, her fingers too stiff to grab onto trees and brush on her way up."
The characters, particularly the main character, have some surprising depth, and the MC is actually dynamic, going through some changes by the end of her ordeal.
Overall, she was likeable, but there was something a bit off about her. Her decision making capabilities, logic, and the voices inside her head all made her seem a bit separated from a realistic character, not too far apart, but far enough to take me out of the story briefly from time to time.
In conclusion, this IS a good story, and it exceeded my expectations in writing style and excitement, but fell short in explanation and motivation. On the scale of whether I recommend it, I find it's good enough to weigh decidedly on the side of recommend. It's a thrilling, dark little story that'll entertain any horror buff.
Below Trigger Warnings (POSSIBLE mild SPOILERS AHEAD):
~Past emotionally abusive relationship that is frequently mentioned and heavily on the MCs mind
~Dead bodies, described in detail
~Blood, brains, guts, dismembered limbs (it gets a bit gross a couple of times, but I wouldn't describe it as "excessive")
~Hydrophobia
~Claustrophobia
~Intense; scary; monsters; and near blindness from how dark it is
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Emotional abuse, Death, and Blood
elishasbookreview's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Only giving this an extra half star for the cryptid feature.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Blood and Emotional abuse
killing_u95's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Perfect! Short read at just over 100 pages, but was written to feel like a full novel. Immediately you're drawn in to the characters and feel sympathetic for them, rooting everyone on. Lot of twists and mind breaking events. Can't recommend enough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Gore, Kidnapping, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Death, Vomit, Violence, Stalking, Body horror, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse
sdsmith80's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
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? No
5.0
Brief yet brutal! ***Minor spoilers ahead***
This novella is a quick read, but really packs a punch! The dread and despair were palpable through most of it, which is something I really love. I want to be worried about the characters and whether or not they'll survive. This book came through beautifully.
I also kept wondering about Mads through the beginning. Although we get some insight later on, I'm still wondering just what the nature of his business was. Honestly, I would love to see that explored further. Maybe a prequel someday? Okay, really I just want to see more of this universe, period. I want to know what the creatures are, who else they may have targeted, and what Addy will do with her future. </Spoiler>
This novella is a quick read, but really packs a punch! The dread and despair were palpable through most of it, which is something I really love. I want to be worried about the characters and whether or not they'll survive. This book came through beautifully.
I also kept wondering about Mads through the beginning. Although we get some insight later on, I'm still wondering just what the nature of his business was. Honestly, I would love to see that explored further. Maybe a prequel someday? Okay, really I just want to see more of this universe, period. I want to know what the creatures are, who else they may have targeted,
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Gore
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Emotional abuse
babydog420's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Gore
Minor: Trafficking and Panic attacks/disorders
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