The Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling

The Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling

Prepare for a descent into claustrophobic terror with Caitlin Starling's harrowing debut novel, The Luminous Dead. Gyre Price thinks she knows what she's signed up for: a hazardous but lucrative solo mission mapping minerals deep within an alien planet's cave system, sealed inside a specialized suit. But her lifeline and sole contact, the enigmatic handler Em, soon reveals the true horror of the assignment. Through manipulative tactics, withheld information, and mood-altering drugs administered remotely via the suit, Em maintains absolute control as Gyre ventures further into the crushing darkness. Faced with treacherous terrain, evidence of a subterranean predator, and the increasing fragmentation of her own reality, Gyre must fight for her sanity and survival against the horrors within the cave and the chilling possibility that Em's motives are far more sinister than she reveals.

Why You’ll Love This Book

This is a masterclass in psychological suspense and suffocating atmosphere, perfect for fans of isolation horror. Starling crafts an intensely gripping narrative driven by the complex, toxic dynamic between Gyre and her unseen handler, Em. Brace yourself for a deeply unsettling journey that explores the terrifying landscapes of both an alien world and the human mind under duress.