The Luminous Dead

edit: I've been trying to think of a half-way cerebral review for this book and I'm coming up flat because I'm still reeling. It's character-driven. It's claustrophobic. It explores the best and worst of people and Gyre's increasing unreliability as a narrator is so subtle that I fully believed her experience down in the Caves until Em cut through with the “real” picture that we can't even TRUST because she's so untrustworthy herself.

5/5 psychological thriller/horror with a super twisted love story intertwined. Absolutely gorgeous prose. I didn't think the ending felt rushed at all - the tunneler's reveal wasn't a main component and I'm glad it didn't take up too much page space. Like, I wasn't there for that. I was there for Em breaking down in the wake of her realized goal and Gyre breaking down under the Cave's careful eye. It was good, these two seeing the worst of each other. It's a desperate, honest, toxic love story, but a love story nonetheless.

Absolutely fucking terrifying, i've never been so anxious reading a book in my LIFE. and the enemies to lovers?? chef's kiss.