Reviews

Below by Laurel Hightower

copp62's review

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

clurrr's review against another edition

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4.0

Actually freaking terrifying

lilliankeys's review against another edition

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2.0

Monster descriptions are good, but plot is lacking.

thebrookeworm_'s review against another edition

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5.0

Um wow ok! This was terrifying!! I absolutely loved it. Definitely scared the shit out of me which is exactly what I was looking for. Short, sweet and scary as hell!

aj_humphreys's review

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challenging dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

 This story was very much a character driven creature feature, and because of that it’s a little slow to break the rails. But gosh dangit, did it fly off the rails. 
 
The main character Addy is attempting to rediscover her identity as a middle-aged (ish) woman fresh off a divorce. Unfortunately, the scars and trauma of her ex-partner’s voice linger like a parasite. Throughout, she must fight their tempting urges towards her old life. 
 
The early unease comes from the rural nature of Addy traversing the West Virginia foothills at night, in a snowstorm, all alone. She barely trusts herself, let alone the nameless faces passing her by, filling her with unanswerable questions and enough doubt to feed the considerable paranoia gnawing at her psyche. 
 
But when a stranger offers her kindness, respect, and aid on her journey traversing these conditions, she warily accepts his well-intentioned offer. 
 
But what will Addy do when the shoe is on the other foot? How far will she go to help a stranger in distress? 
 
It’s a short, quick read filled with cryptids, disembodied voices, lingering questions, and visceral moments of unease and terror. All set in Appalachia. What do you have to lose? 

abrasieve's review

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

damianameade's review

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dark emotional tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

mjtucker's review

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dark mysterious reflective tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

janagaton's review against another edition

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4.0

I would've simply given up tbh...

lol props to our main girl Addy's resilience & ability to think things through for as long as she did. I also appreciated her character growth in being independent post-divorce & working with herself through trying to shake off her ex-husband's influence.

notenchanted's review

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adventurous dark tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5