The Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling is a psychological and intense sci-fi novel set on a distant planet in the future. The story follows Gyre, a young caver who embarks on a dangerous and highly paid exploration of a vast underground cave system with only her handler, Em, as her lifeline above ground. As Gyre delves deeper into the caves, she uncovers sinister truths and faces mortal dangers, all while navigating a complex and evolving relationship with Em. The book explores themes of survival, isolation, trust, and the blurred lines between reality and paranoia in a claustrophobic and perilous setting.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include claustrophobia, isolation, psychological manipulation, body horror, and elements that may trigger anxiety in relation to trust and mental stability.
Has Romance?
While the romance between the two main characters is pivotal, it involves deeper themes such as dependence and manipulation rather than a traditional love story.
From The Publisher:
Bram Stoker Award nominee for Best First Novel!
"This claustrophobic, horror-leaning tour de force is highly recommended for fans of Jeff VanderMeer's Annihilation and Andy Weir's The Martian." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)
A thrilling, atmospheric debut with the intensive drive of The Martian and Gravity and the creeping dread of Annihilation, in which a caver on a foreign planet finds herself on a terrifying psychological and emotional journey for survival.
When Gyre Price lied her way into this expedition, she thought she'd be mapping mineral deposits, and that her biggest problems would be cave collapses and gear malfunctions. She also thought that the fat paycheck-enough to get her off-planet and on the trail of her mother-meant she'd get a skilled surface team, monitoring her suit and environment, keeping her safe. Keeping her sane.
Instead, she got Em.
Em sees nothing wrong with controlling Gyre's body with drugs or withholding critical information to "ensure the smooth operation" of her expedition. Em knows all about Gyre's falsified credentials, and has no qualms using them as a leash-and a lash. And Em has secrets, too . . .
As Gyre descends, little inconsistencies-missing supplies, unexpected changes in the route, and, worst of all, shifts in Em's motivations-drive her out of her depths. Lost and disoriented, Gyre finds her sense of control giving way to paranoia and anger. On her own in this mysterious, deadly place, surrounded by darkness and the unknown, Gyre must overcome more than just the dangerous terrain and the Tunneler which calls underground its home if she wants to make it out alive-she must confront the ghosts in her own head.
But how come she can't shake the feeling she's being followed?
Ratings (21)
Incredible (3) | |
Loved It (7) | |
Liked It (5) | |
Did Not Like (5) | |
Hated It (1) |
Reader Stats (86):
Read It (24) | |
Currently Reading (2) | |
Want To Read (51) | |
Did Not Finish (1) | |
Not Interested (8) |
1 comment(s)
Not at all scary, boring and slow
What can you read after
The Luminous Dead?
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