'A harrowing, merciless descent into the human psyche. It's a dark ride that's worth every step.'-Martha Wells, author of The Murderbot Diaries 'A tense psychological thriller and a gripping survival story that kept me on the edge of my seat the whole way through. A book you won't want to put down until the resolution arrives.'-Elsa Sjunneson-Henry This book never lets you (or Gyre) breathe for more than an instant before pushing you further into the frightening unknown.

'Starling's debut is tense and well-paced, taut and terrifying. Both beautiful and brutal, I loved it.'-K.A. Starling crafts a plot tight and gripping, weaves scenes dripping with wonder and terror, and keeps you wondering what's real and what's not until the very last page. ' The Luminous Dead dives into the human psyche and our ability for cruelty alongside compassion. 'Ghostly, mysterious, and terrifying, The Luminous Dead will have you rooted to the spot until the very last page.'-Peng Shepherd, author of The Book of M 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? 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.

'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)Ī 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. Bram Stoker Award nominee for Best First Novel!

The luminous dead