The Cavern
I picked up this book after my good friend and podcast co-host Dair suggested it to me. We had recently read and thoroughly enjoyed an anthology of horror short stories by Australian author Alan Baxter entitled Served Cold. We both loved a story involving a cave called “In Vaulted Halls Entombed,” which surprised Dair since she has some phobias about being underground. She later came across The Cavern by Alister Hodge and told me about it. She said the cave thing wasn’t for her, but she could tell from the book’s description that it was right up my alley. After looking it up and seeing that it had a recommendation online by Alan Baxter as well, it was a no-brainer for me. I bought it on the spot. I am so, so glad I did.
As is my modus operandi, I began reading this in bed in the middle of the night when the rest of my family was asleep. I was all in after the first chapter. I’m sure if my husband had awoken while I was reading and caught a glimpse of my face in the soft glow of my iPad he’d have laughed. I know my jaw dropped a few times as I mouthed words in silence as the scenes unfolded. I love a book that hooks me from the start with action, and The Cavern delivered.
Many of my fellow writers know that I love to experience a visceral reaction when I read, and I hope I give readers that same gift when I write. Alister Hodge didn’t hold back when he wrote the scenes filled with action and suspense. There were so many moments in this book where I gasped or said “Oh my God” under my breath as my eyes continued to scan the pages, hungry for more. This book hit on a range of emotions for me, too. It wasn’t just action and monsters, even though all of that was an absolute plus.
The characters are fleshed out well, and you get a chance to make your own assumptions about each of them as the book progresses. I know I’ve been able to make a connection when I think of that character days or weeks after I’ve read a book, as if I know the person. I catch myself doing that with a handful of the characters in this book. The villains are also well-rounded and stirred both feelings of anger and pity in me as I read about them.
I am a sucker for a good cover, and this one grabbed me as soon as I saw it. I love the feeling you get of the unknown danger lurking below the unsuspecting person - just out of reach. It’s so much fun as a reader to know what is around the corner before the characters do.
If you have a weak stomach, this book might not be the best choice for you. As stated above, Hodge does not hold back on his scenes. That is my only warning. Otherwise, this is a wonderful horror novel that steps out of the ordinary setting and into one that invites even more danger and intrigue to the table.
On a personal note, in high school I went spelunking with a group of friends. As we ventured deeper into the cave, it opened up to reveal a large chamber filled with frigid, deep water. We swam across, our breath constricted as the wet cold enveloped our bodies. I drew upon that memory as I was reading some of the passages in The Cavern. Had I read it prior, I don’t know that I would have felt at ease crossing that underground body of water - not knowing what lurked beneath us in the darkness.
I hope you will grab a copy of The Cavern for yourself - I know I can’t wait to read more of Alister’s work!
