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A review by quartzmaya
From Below by Darcy Coates
4.0
" ... There was another, darker fear - that maybe she didn’t want to see clearly. That maybe there was something about the hallway that was hiding just outside of their lights, and she was better off not knowing it was there...”
Wow—this book gave me chills. If you’re into atmospheric horror, this is definitely worth a read. The claustrophobic tension Coates creates is unparalleled- the icy water pressing in, the groaning hull, the murky dark. The descriptions were extremely vivid and I could picture every detail. I was delighted to find my stomach clenching from the sense of creeping dread.
The premise hooked me immediately: a dive team exploring a sunken ship that mysteriously vanished decades ago. But it is not just another ghost story—it’s a descent into darkness and madness. Coates absolutely nails the ambient sense of isolation and the ever-present immediate danger of being hundreds of feet below the surface, where any wrong move could mean death.
However, I have to admit the characters were not up to snuff in comparison to the setting. While the crew had distinct roles and voices, most felt a little flat. I didn’t connect deeply with any of them. Aiden in particular drove me up the wall. His decision to go back to the wreck? Beyond frustrating—it felt like a forced way to keep the story going. It is really annoying when a story relies on someone being DUMB to advance the plot. That said, the dialogue between the team was fine, and the dynamics did not feel too stiff or over the top.
The ending, unfortunately, felt rushed. After such a slow and suspenseful, truly delicious buildup... I wanted more time to unpack what happened and sit with the resolution. It wasn’t the worst ending, but it didn’t quite live up to the terrifying journey that preceded it.
Despite these flaws, I still really enjoyed From Below. The moments of sheer horror and the haunting, oppressive atmosphere far outweighed my issues with the characters and pacing. It is hard for me to knock a horror novel that really had my physically cringing and grimacing from dread. If you are like me and you love stories where the setting itself feels as alive and threatening as the monsters within, this is probably a great pick for you, too.
Wow—this book gave me chills. If you’re into atmospheric horror, this is definitely worth a read. The claustrophobic tension Coates creates is unparalleled- the icy water pressing in, the groaning hull, the murky dark. The descriptions were extremely vivid and I could picture every detail. I was delighted to find my stomach clenching from the sense of creeping dread.
The premise hooked me immediately: a dive team exploring a sunken ship that mysteriously vanished decades ago. But it is not just another ghost story—it’s a descent into darkness and madness. Coates absolutely nails the ambient sense of isolation and the ever-present immediate danger of being hundreds of feet below the surface, where any wrong move could mean death.
However, I have to admit the characters were not up to snuff in comparison to the setting. While the crew had distinct roles and voices, most felt a little flat. I didn’t connect deeply with any of them. Aiden in particular drove me up the wall. His decision to go back to the wreck? Beyond frustrating—it felt like a forced way to keep the story going. It is really annoying when a story relies on someone being DUMB to advance the plot. That said, the dialogue between the team was fine, and the dynamics did not feel too stiff or over the top.
The ending, unfortunately, felt rushed. After such a slow and suspenseful, truly delicious buildup... I wanted more time to unpack what happened and sit with the resolution. It wasn’t the worst ending, but it didn’t quite live up to the terrifying journey that preceded it.
Despite these flaws, I still really enjoyed From Below. The moments of sheer horror and the haunting, oppressive atmosphere far outweighed my issues with the characters and pacing. It is hard for me to knock a horror novel that really had my physically cringing and grimacing from dread. If you are like me and you love stories where the setting itself feels as alive and threatening as the monsters within, this is probably a great pick for you, too.