A review by samusc
The Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling

challenging dark emotional mysterious 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

4.75

This is the second time this month where I've finished a book and can honestly say I've never read anything else quite like this.
The balance of environmental and mental horror was incredible. Gyre is one of the best examples of unreliable narrator I've ever seen.
Gyre and Em have such a toxic relationship, yet manage to save each other from physical death, and work through intense trauma. Gyre's loneliness and Em's desperation are both so palpable. During each chapter I wondered how could the situation get any worse, and it continued to.
Starling has written a raw description of the call of the void, which is unsettling in and of itself.
My partner would love to see a horror video-game adaptation of this work and I agree that this book has strong adaptability.
The only criticism I have is the scene
towards the end when Gyre faces off against the tunneler feels like a dramatic tonal shift from other scenes. I was thrilled to finally see the tunneler and it was terrifying when she first observes it. I understand why, from a characterization perspective, that she shouted at it to turn around and face her, though it felt a little too cinematic to me.

This work is a stunning achievement as a debut novel and iconic addition to horror as a genre. I can't wait to read more of Starling's work.


Expand filter menu Content Warnings