Review: The Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling

3.5 stars for The Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling.

I do not remember how I come about adding this book to my reading list. But I do recall looking for this book on a few occasions when I make the trip to my usual library. Each time, this standalone novel is available on the bookshelf. I finally decide to give it a go and check the book out during my last library visit.

Most, if not all, of the science fiction novels that I have read so far are related in one way or another, to outer space or space travelling. This is my first time reading one that is not related to the void above, but rather, to the caves or tunnels under the ground.

This book is about cave exploration mission. It begins with the protagonist, a caver, fulfilling the terms of her contract, climbing, crawling and making her way deep within the cave at camp 4, and stepping off the edge to make the long drop to camp 5. The story then takes a step back, to the start of the mission where the caver is at camp 1, to give readers some background on the 22-year old caver named Gyre Price, the mission and the investor of the expedition known as Em.

The story has a promising start. I am captivated by the well-thought-out plot and initial development of the story. The author makes excellent use of uncertainties, unease, self-doubt, half-truths, cover-ups, fear of the unknown, helplessness and frustration to spin a story. The world-building is fantastic. The mystery and suspense surrounding the entire cave expedition keeps me riveted to the story as it gradually builds up its intensity. I am equally impressed by the author's use of technology to craft a high-tech climbing suit and helmet such that everything is well taken care of, to protect the caver from the elements in the cave. It is essentially redundant to remove either the helmet or the suit to eat, sleep or defecate.

At the base of it all, the aim of the mission is not to stay true to the terms and conditions as set out in the contract, but rather, to stay alive and get out of the cave. And this is exactly what makes the story tick, like a time bomb, as the caver races against time to keep herself alive. Everything about the story flows well except that I feel the later part of the story can have been better. The unfolding of events towards the last quarter of the book, especially the last four to five chapters feels unnecessarily prolonged, draggy and repetitive. Perhaps the story should have ended when it is time to draw to a close. In the end, what I enjoy so much about the story initially took a beating as I struggle to finish the last few chapters. It should not have been like this.

Overall, The Luminous Dead is a book worth reading. I have great fun exploring the underground cave and tunnels and sumps while getting myself spooked. It is just that I also have to endure the little unfortunate glitch before I can call it a day. Other than that, it is actually quite a remarkable debut novel. I will definitely keep a lookout for more of author Starling's books.


Publisher: Harper Voyager
Publication date: 2 Apr 2019

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When Gyre Price lied her way into this expedition, she thought she’d be mapping mineral deposits, and that her biggest problems would be cave collapses and gear malfunctions. She also thought that the fat paycheck—enough to get her off-planet and on the trail of her mother—meant she’d get a skilled surface team, monitoring her suit and environment, keeping her safe. Keeping her sane.

Instead, she got Em.

Em sees nothing wrong with controlling Gyre’s body with drugs or withholding critical information to “ensure the smooth operation” of her expedition. Em knows all about Gyre’s falsified credentials, and has no qualms using them as a leash—and a lash. And Em has secrets, too . . .

As Gyre descends, little inconsistencies—missing supplies, unexpected changes in the route, and, worst of all, shifts in Em’s motivations—drive her out of her depths. Lost and disoriented, Gyre finds her sense of control giving way to paranoia and anger. On her own in this mysterious, deadly place, surrounded by darkness and the unknown, Gyre must overcome more than just the dangerous terrain and the Tunneler which calls underground its home if she wants to make it out alive—she must confront the ghosts in her own head.

But how come she can't shake the feeling she’s being followed?

*Blurb from Goodreads*

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