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petite_madeline's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Deep in the mountains of West Virginia, Addy finds herself in a dark and horrifying reality.
This novella is not at all what I expected. I went into this book looking for a spooky story steeped in Mothman lore and horror. What I got was a spiraling dark and confusing trip through subterranean terror. I enjoyed it, but it's just not what I expected.
Initially, I was annoyed that all of Addy's internal dialog and advice was coming from the various men in her life. I kept thinking, "Why does she need these men to guide her? Why can't her character be strong on her own." But, without going into to much spoiling detail, by the end I realized that was the point of this story.
We love horror that has a deeper message!
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, and Car accident
Moderate: Toxic relationship
dogearedbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Body horror, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Car accident
Moderate: Vomit
mermaidsherbet's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Stalking, Car accident, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Gaslighting
Minor: Vomit and Medical content
killing_u95's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Stalking, and Murder
babydog420's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Death, Toxic relationship, Blood, Car accident, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gore, and Gaslighting
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Trafficking
enchantressreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Below is a nice mix of the Mothman legend of West Virginia and The Descent, a cave movie with terrifying creatures. Hightower always knows how to tug at the heartstrings, so there's a story within the horror of Addy trying to break away from her abusive ex-husband and become her own person. Through her ordeal under the bridge, I believe she finally realized that she's capable all on her own, and without Brian nagging in her head.
I'm a huge Mothman fan, even going as far as to visit Point Pleasant, West Virginia, where the Mothman legend is famous. Residents reported seeing a giant winged creature resembling a bat, or a moth, or a bird, with giant red eyes flying above the trees. Not long after, in December, the Silver Bridge between West Virginia and Ohio collapsed, spreading citizens and Christmas presents everywhere. I had the privilege to drive along the Silver Memorial Bridge, which was built after the collapse.
With that in mind, I had very high hopes for Below. I enjoyed the story and the way it was written, but there were a few points that I don't believe were fleshed out enough. I still have some questions! But maybe the questions will remain, as mythical as Mothman himself.
I highly recommend Below for anyone who loves creature features. We surely don't have enough of them in modern horror, and I love to see it.
Thank you to Ghoulish for sending me an advanced copy to review! Below releases on March 29th.
CW: gore, car accident, toxic/abusive relationship
Graphic: Gore
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Car accident