alicentswife's review against another edition
5.0
terrifying, i read it as an ebook and everytime i'd scroll i looked to the bottom of the page first to check what would happen. caitlin starling is amazing like writing a book with one setting, two characters yet it never felt boring or stale. also, the emotions I felt when I realized gyre would have to do another loop around the system... actually horrifying
Spoiler
at the end when gyre felt the pull back into the cave, i was crying and so fucking scared. god the ending ruined me I still think about it every time i go cavingskylar2's review against another edition
5.0
Luminous Dead makes the reader really feel like they're trapped in the cave, unsure of their own senses, with only one person to talk to (or is it your imagination?) Despite being the author's first novel, I can't think of anything I would change or improve.
cannibaldear's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
exlibriscass's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
bea_123's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Didn’t love the toxic relationship or the motives that pushed the plot forwards
tyrshand's review against another edition
4.0
This book really checked all the boxes for me -- isolated person trying to survive a dangerous environment, alien environments, creeping paranoia... And I would say for three quarters (or maybe a bit more) I was utterly hooked.
Before I go on, I want to say that yes, I think you should read this book! I believe the end will work for many people, even though it didn't really work for me. The story and I collaborated to create some plot expectations that just never materialized... But you and this book may come up with different expectations that will leave you completely satisfied.
The first half of the book was just about absolute perfection. I could feel those caves pressing in on me and I utterly believed in our main character, Gyre. She was such a beautiful mix on contradictions -- tough, but vulnerable, cautious but a bit of an adrenaline junkie, trusting but paranoid. The cave system felt alien enough, though I suppose much of that feeling arises from paranoia about one creature and a ton of description about Gyre's suit, rather than going into detail about alien ecology (which just goes to show that as much as I love those details, apparently a similar effect can be achieved with lighter brush strokes).
As that halfway point was reached, it started to feel like the book should be wrapping up and I got a bit concerned... But the plot twisted away in an exciting way that also made sense, so satisfaction could continue. There are some ethical quandaries that pop up that I'm not so sure bothered me that much... But I can't get into those without diving into spoiler territory. I think the ethical issue that concerned me more was actually never really addressed.
At any rate, great creepy read that I hope finds its way into the hands of people who can connect with the ending better than I did.
Before I go on, I want to say that yes, I think you should read this book! I believe the end will work for many people, even though it didn't really work for me. The story and I collaborated to create some plot expectations that just never materialized... But you and this book may come up with different expectations that will leave you completely satisfied.
The first half of the book was just about absolute perfection. I could feel those caves pressing in on me and I utterly believed in our main character, Gyre. She was such a beautiful mix on contradictions -- tough, but vulnerable, cautious but a bit of an adrenaline junkie, trusting but paranoid. The cave system felt alien enough, though I suppose much of that feeling arises from paranoia about one creature and a ton of description about Gyre's suit, rather than going into detail about alien ecology (which just goes to show that as much as I love those details, apparently a similar effect can be achieved with lighter brush strokes).
As that halfway point was reached, it started to feel like the book should be wrapping up and I got a bit concerned... But the plot twisted away in an exciting way that also made sense, so satisfaction could continue. There are some ethical quandaries that pop up that I'm not so sure bothered me that much... But I can't get into those without diving into spoiler territory. I think the ethical issue that concerned me more was actually never really addressed.
At any rate, great creepy read that I hope finds its way into the hands of people who can connect with the ending better than I did.
alisonb's review against another edition
4.0
Atmospheric and haunting in it's setting, The Luminous Dead makes you question who you can trust- including your own mind- in the depths of the earth, attached to only one living person on the surface.
The location is wondrous and terrifying at the same time. Although I like more character-driven stories, I enjoyed this novel for the most part. In trying to look at me feelings around the story, I deduced that I considered the cave a character of it's own, which made it all the more interesting.
There were moments of nothing happening and a bit of monotony, but the instances in which there was a lot of tension and action appealed to my interest in the story.
One comment by Gyre that stood out to me was her commentary on claustrophobia and how tight spaces make her feel safer than wide open spaces. It is an interesting concept. I have always felt safer and more comfortable in the country and suburbs, but a few of my sisters feel safer in cities and among a lot of people. I wonder at the difference in viewpoint and sense of security- what makes us so varied in the environments that make us feel safe?
I think this book would make a good ninety minute movie if you add a bit more action scenes to move the plot along. As a book, I liked the setting and those moments of trepidation and suspense, but the characters fell a little flat for my liking.
I would recommend this book if you like sci-fi and cerebral-esque thrillers.
3.5 stars!
The location is wondrous and terrifying at the same time. Although I like more character-driven stories, I enjoyed this novel for the most part. In trying to look at me feelings around the story, I deduced that I considered the cave a character of it's own, which made it all the more interesting.
There were moments of nothing happening and a bit of monotony, but the instances in which there was a lot of tension and action appealed to my interest in the story.
One comment by Gyre that stood out to me was her commentary on claustrophobia and how tight spaces make her feel safer than wide open spaces. It is an interesting concept. I have always felt safer and more comfortable in the country and suburbs, but a few of my sisters feel safer in cities and among a lot of people. I wonder at the difference in viewpoint and sense of security- what makes us so varied in the environments that make us feel safe?
I think this book would make a good ninety minute movie if you add a bit more action scenes to move the plot along. As a book, I liked the setting and those moments of trepidation and suspense, but the characters fell a little flat for my liking.
I would recommend this book if you like sci-fi and cerebral-esque thrillers.
3.5 stars!
cadavis3's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of those books that haunts you long after the final page. Eerie, atmospheric, thought provoking, unsettling in the best way. It’s been a long time since I’ve read a book that built suspense so effortlessly.
mzsilv's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
dlsmall's review against another edition
4.0
Well that was pretty horrifying! Gyre’s confident claustrophobia and then her less than confident claustrophobia…and the mental cost were palpable. I know that caving is a real thing, and even if it doesn’t lead to say this or The Descent, it seems to be just one more of humanity’s inexplicable activities.