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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
lmaoo this was the perfect halloween night read, a fun little creature feature that is just outrageous enough to be funny and actually kinda scary at the same time. loved it. happy halloween freaks
It was okay up until the end. There was some i liked, the creepy grinning man, the voices on the radio & the truck scene... and a lot I didn't. Addy really was unlikeable, annoying and frustrating. I didn't like her inner monologue at all.
The Moth man monster was cool but didn't really have enough focus. Should have been more about them.
The ending was pretty disappointing, honestly. I didn't feel satisfied at all.
The Moth man monster was cool but didn't really have enough focus. Should have been more about them.
The ending was pretty disappointing, honestly. I didn't feel satisfied at all.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Below by Laurel Hightower is the kind of horror that crawls under your skin and lingers long after you’ve finished reading. It takes everything unsettling about isolation, the unknown, and the dark secrets hiding just beneath the surface—both literally and psychologically—and blends them into a tense, terrifying ride.
From the very start, the book builds a creeping sense of dread, trapping you in the protagonist’s unsettling journey through the mountains of West Virginia. A late-night snowstorm, a truck driver offering help, and then something watching from the darkness—Hightower layers each of these elements to perfection, making every moment feel fraught with tension. And once the story takes its terrifying turn? It’s an absolute nightmare.
The psychological element is just as strong as the physical horror. The mysteries surrounding the people the protagonist encounters add an extra layer of unease, making you question who (or what) can really be trusted. And the cave setting? Absolutely suffocating. If you weren’t already afraid of what lurks below the surface, this book will make sure you are.
With a perfect balance of suspense, psychological horror, and pure nightmare fuel, Below is a fast, chilling read that delivers on every level. Hightower masterfully captures both the fear of the unknown and the terrifying realities of human (and inhuman) nature. If you love creeping dread, cave horror, and stories that leave you feeling deeply unsettled, this is an absolute must-read.
From the very start, the book builds a creeping sense of dread, trapping you in the protagonist’s unsettling journey through the mountains of West Virginia. A late-night snowstorm, a truck driver offering help, and then something watching from the darkness—Hightower layers each of these elements to perfection, making every moment feel fraught with tension. And once the story takes its terrifying turn? It’s an absolute nightmare.
The psychological element is just as strong as the physical horror. The mysteries surrounding the people the protagonist encounters add an extra layer of unease, making you question who (or what) can really be trusted. And the cave setting? Absolutely suffocating. If you weren’t already afraid of what lurks below the surface, this book will make sure you are.
With a perfect balance of suspense, psychological horror, and pure nightmare fuel, Below is a fast, chilling read that delivers on every level. Hightower masterfully captures both the fear of the unknown and the terrifying realities of human (and inhuman) nature. If you love creeping dread, cave horror, and stories that leave you feeling deeply unsettled, this is an absolute must-read.
A quickly-escalating creature feature with a feminist bent!
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Toxic relationship
This book was a damn good time and a quick read. If you liked The Descent or cave based horror, you will love this. Claustrophobic and creepy, Hightower also manages to have an anxious protagonist who doesn't grate on your nerves and handles herself pretty well.
It moves a mile a minute and I could've read it all in one sitting. It's also pretty gorey!
It moves a mile a minute and I could've read it all in one sitting. It's also pretty gorey!