Ratings11
Average rating3.2
A Bram Stoker Award nominee “Some of the best survival horror we’ve read in years, with a uniquely menacing adversary at its heart.” —Vulture, The Best Horror Novels of 2022 “Epic.” —Esquire, The 22 Best Horror Books of 2022 Something deadly and mysterious stalks the members of an isolated polar expedition in this haunting and spellbinding historical horror novel, perfect for fans of Dan Simmons’s The Terror and Alma Katsu’s The Hunger. In the wake of the First World War, Jonathan Morgan stows away on an Antarctic expedition, determined to find his rightful place in the world of men. Aboard the expeditionary ship of his hero, the world-famous explorer James “Australis” Randall, Jonathan may live as his true self—and true gender—and have the adventures he has always been denied. But not all is smooth sailing: the war casts its long shadow over them all, and grief, guilt, and mistrust skulk among the explorers. When disaster strikes in Antarctica’s frozen Weddell Sea, the men must take to the land and overwinter somewhere which immediately seems both eerie and wrong; a place not marked on any of their part-drawn maps of the vast white continent. Now completely isolated, Randall’s expedition has no ability to contact the outside world. And no one is coming to rescue them. In the freezing darkness of the Polar night, where the aurora creeps across the sky, something terrible has been waiting to lure them out into its deadly landscape… As the harsh Antarctic winter descends, this supernatural force will prey on their deepest desires and deepest fears to pick them off one by one. It is up to Jonathan to overcome his own ghosts before he and the expedition are utterly destroyed.
Reviews with the most likes.
I really enjoyed this. Obvious comparisons with Dan Simmons' The Terror; A ship full of men, all beards and hands and chunky jumpers, freezing environment, disaster, unimaginable suffering, paranoia, madness, hallucinations etc etc.
The only grumble, and it's a slight one. I Wasn't really sure what to make of Johnathan, I didn't particularly like them, thought the relationship with Harry was strange and was confused by their reaction to Tarlington and Nicholls. Can't decide if the author missed an opportunity to do something amazing or if they were spot on with the character. Ponderings.......... the sign of good book. Will definitely read more from this author.
Books
9 booksIf you enjoyed this book, then our algorithm says you may also enjoy these.