Starling’s prose is both lush and succinct, describing the environment in the caves system in ways that can both evoke wonder, but also horror. I mean, I don’t want to give anything away, but how freaking cool are the suits in this book? I love it! I love settings in other worlds or on other planets, and the futuristic and sci-fi focus of this novel really hit home for me with my personal tastes & the things I love. These high hopes due to fellow reviewer’s ecstatic praise of a book can sometimes lead to disappointment, but I’m very happy to confirm that with The Luminous Dead, my reviewer friends were right on the money!Īnyone who knows me knows that my preferred brand of specific horror is usually science fiction related in nature, largely due to my childhood spent watching Star Trek episodes & reading books.

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.īut how come she can’t shake the feeling she’s being followed?įirst, can I just say how impressed I am that this is Caitlin Starling’s debut novel? Seriously, well done – applause, applause, applause! This one has been widely hailed as amazing, and I had very high hopes when starting it. Lost and disoriented, Gyre finds her sense of control giving way to paranoia and anger. Īs 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. Em knows all about Gyre’s falsified credentials, and has no qualms using them as a leash-and a lash. Keeping her sane.Įm sees nothing wrong with controlling Gyre’s body with drugs or withholding critical information to “ensure the smooth operation” of her expedition. 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. 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.

The Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling