Below Economic Thresholds

by Adam Hulse

A near future. Demons stalk the desolate slums created by civil war.
The Agency hire working class survivors to act as pest control for this new threat.
It's a dangerous job but it sure beats starving to death!
Kurt robotically kills for rations until his eyes are opened to what The Agency is really trying to achieve.
Old wounds are reopened as trauma and class struggles are explored.
When are you going to fight back?

Genres: Horror

Unknown Binding

First published May 22, 2023

Reviews

[Stitching Ghost · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book came highly recommended and that perhaps did it a disfavor because the expectations were HIGH.

It started extremely strong with a scene that was taut and crushing at the same time.

I liked the world that Hulse created, the demons that I wanted more of, the moments of body horror, the class war and urban decay, there was a lot for me to enjoy. That being said the main story got hard to follow at a few points and there were things that kind of threw me because it didn't really feel like they added up.

[Catherine McCarthy]

I'm going to be frank from the outset and admit that my taste in horror veers towards 'quiet/atmospheric creeping dread' as opposed to 'graphic action.'
That said, two things drew me to this novella:
1. The fact that Adam Hulse is a great guy and an avid supporter of the indie horror community, therefore I wanted to offer some mutual support.
2. The title and its promise to address, or at least include, the topic of class warfare.
Below Economic Thresholds did not disappoint on either count.
Well paced, oozing with action, an authentic voice, I found myself enjoying the original dystopian vibes more than I would have believed possible for a horror wimp like me.
As far as comps go, if you enjoyed Hyenas by Michael Sellars you will definitely enjoy this one.
Good on ya, lad!

[Joe Ortlieb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a brutal story, filled with heart soul and set in a future unfortunately way too much like the present. Adam took all the real things going on in the world and added some demons. It hits hard fast and doesn't stop till the last page. Raw and gritty truly a must read.

[Brian G Berry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first read by Hulse, and I kick myself for not digging into his work earlier. I've since ordered another one of his books, and will be cracking it open soon. I'm not the most analytic reviewer, so I'll keep this short and to the point. Adam is a gifted storyteller. In this, he has created something truly unique that strikes at the heart of human struggles in a world made hellish by demons and much, much more. Speaking of these demons, I don't think I've once read about demons of this design. It's remarkable what Adam has created here. And in such a short book! I'm interested to see if he expands on this in the future. Recommended? Grab this now!

[Wayne Fenlon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great stuff from Adam Hulse here, probably my favourite of his so far.
Like all of his stories, they never hang around. Even if a single action scene lasts a fair chunk of the book, it never drags either, and that's what really stood out the most for me. Truly a great skill to have. You'll see what I mean when you hit the last thirty or so pages.
Thoroughly enjoyed.
Five stars.

[Sarah Budd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another great story from Adam Hulse! What I really like about his work is that there's never a dull moment. This is an action packed ride but with a lot of heart. Set in a dystopian world that sometimes feels all to real, I absolutely loved it!

[Austrian Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adam Hulse’s latest offering is the culmination of all of his previous work’s hard-won lessons – this is Adam flexing his writing chops and doing what he does best – Horror action. There are more strings to Adam’s bow, but that subgenre is where he lives and shines, and this is no exception. Below Economic Thresholds expands his own skills in story construction, pace, and world-building.

The novella reminded me, in concept, of the groundbreaking film Blade runner – the concept of a gun for hire sent in to round up robots, here replaced by an ex-soldier for hire sent in to dispatch demons. Instead of a rich Tokyo-esque skyscraper background, we have instead a run-down improvised British high-rise tower landscape. Almost a comment and criticism of England Post Brexit. There are Social commentaries to be found here regarding mismanagement of resources, power plays, and the horrors of war, which might simply be elements Hulse brought in to rush the story along in its break-neck speed dash to the end, or it might be something deeper, reflections of opinions on the ongoing war in Ukraine, Tory leadership in Great Britain, and a problem brought by a government onto its own people (Demons a metaphorical translation of the fallout from Brexit).

I took it as a piece of escapism. I can see the metaphors, but I just wanted to be entertained, which Adam did with his usual flare.

There are attempts at fleshing the characters out through character building, but there’s little time for it all, the action is relentless, the rage of the character against his controllers and the right of the masses to rise up against tyranny is the thrust of the story here, and anything missing through that demand for speed falls to the wayside, but isn’t really missed – your emotions are covered. There’s vitriol enough through betrayal, the violence is well rendered and abrupt, the gore kept clean and to the point, and self-sacrifice and revenge take center stage.

Hulse concentrates on the visuals of his novel – whilst the motives and abilities of the demons could be called into question, it's really not the point. We’re more interested in the impact they have on the MC and his struggle to survive. And frankly, they aren't the point of the novel, which is that human monsters are even more despicable and worthy of our attention. The bad guys are painted with a broad brush, you aren’t going to find nuances of motivation or character driving their despicable actions – they are there to be hated, and hate them you will.

This is good, clean, horror fun. It’s a flash into another world full of horrors and demons and honest people trying to survive as best they can according to rules which are weighed heavily against them.

5 out of 5 ⭐'s. Go into this book and expect to be entertained. There are life lessons there if that’s your thing, but it’s screen candy for Action-Horror readers, and we all need a bit of Hulse in our lives regularly.

[Yolanda Sfetsos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here's another novella I've been looking forward to getting stuck into that didn't disappoint.

After a brutal civil war, demons stalk the slums where the starving people are trying to survive. Kurt works for the Agency to get rid of the demonic pests stalking the buildings, and his payment is barely enough to feed him. But when he stumbles on a plan to rebel, Kurt gets caught up in a fight he can't walk away from...

Well, this is a fast-paced, action-packed ride through a very bleak future! And I mean that in the best way possible because I couldn't put it down.

This story is sad and infuriating because people are treated like scum just because they're in a dire situation that wasn't even their fault. It totally echoes a lot of the shitty things that are going on right now in our world because the rich are never satisfied and continually want to oppress everyone. And that's before considering the vermin who are willing to do their bidding. Wilkes, I'm looking at you. 😐

Sure, Kurt and all the other poor but brave souls live in a dystopian version of our world with the added problem of demonic beings, but the social commentary in this novella is very familiar and perfectly woven into a violent, dystopian story with intriguing supernatural elements.

Another thing I really enjoyed were the main characters. I mean, Kurt is suffering from severe PTSD and leads a very lonely life, yet he's still empathetic and willing to help whenever he can. They're all very relatable and sympathetic, totally had me cheering for them every step of the way.

This is another excellent book by a very talented author.

[Ronald McGillvray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly Recommended

Another incredible read from Adam Hulse. This time he’s built a dystopian world filled with demons who hunt down the remaining remnants of humanity. “Below Economic Thresholds” is a fast-paced, action packed ride through the desolate slums of the not to distant future. We follow Kurt as he hunts down the invading demons for meagre rations doled out by the clandestine “Agency.” In the end it made me wonder just who was worse; what’s left of the ruling class or the invading demons. Highly recommended.

[Jennifer Bernardini · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Below Economic Thresholds" by Adam Hulse is a striking novella that effortlessly combines the gritty dystopian atmosphere of "V for Vendetta" with a dash of supernatural intrigue. In this brief yet impactful work, Hulse masterfully crafts a tale that is both heartfelt and fast-paced, keeping readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

Set against the backdrop of a society teetering on the brink of collapse due to economic disparities, the novella introduces us to a world where power is concentrated in the hands of the elite while the majority struggles below the poverty line.

Enter the supernatural element—a twist that elevates the narrative to a whole new level. Hulse , seamlessly blending the gritty realism of the dystopian world with elements of the uncanny.

What truly sets "Below Economic Thresholds" apart is its pacing. Despite its brevity, Hulse wastes no time in immersing readers in a high-stakes environment. The narrative hurtles forward with an urgency that mirrors the characters' struggle for survival.

Adam Hulse delivers a killer ending that leaves readers both satisfied and hopeful. Without giving away spoilers, suffice it to say that the conclusion resonates deeply, offering a glimmer of optimism that transcends the darkness that pervades the novella.

[Paul Preston · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Kurt wandered out into a world where the bombs of war had opened portals which allowed demons to become as commonplace as families starving to death on the streets.”
Life is hopeless after the war, leaving society as we know it collapsed. Only the able few can work for The Agency, where you get one tin of food in exchange for risking your life to fight and kill murderous creatures that are not of this earth. Everyone else has to scavenge and try not to get killed.
This book felt like Mad Max in a city setting but instead of rival gangs, there are inter-dimensional monsters. The few have all the money and power and the rest of us are disposable. This was a captivating, fun read even though there are some heavy issues that seem way too plausible. (except for the otherworldly creatures)
The characters are so good. Kurt has been put through the wringer in his life but somehow has kept his integrity intact. Dave is the hapless partner that is a big humorous oaf. Together they will make their part of the world better, or burn it down trying.

[Chris Bigelow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is there hope when all seems hopeless?
Is control necessary after destruction?

This is a masterclass in exploring both. A quick and deceptive lesson into the depths of humanity.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A blend of Orwellian dystopia and monster horror.

Two monster hunting mercenaries on the bottom rungs of a tightly controlled social strata are forced to ply their dangerous trade for a tenebrous Agency. Tired of serving corrupt bureaucrats and pushed to the edge by poverty and near starvation, they decide to form a resistance. I don’t want to give away too many spoilers, but suffice it to say, mayhem and carnage ensue. Below Economic Thresholds is a well paced, action-packed story filled with biting cultural critique!

[Tony Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little bloody cracker of a book! The dystopian world really drew me in, and the characters and relationships were solid. Also who doesn't love to read about a bloke trying to push his guts back in. I'd quite happily read more tales of this future and the demons therein! I look forward any future releases!

[Sophie Ingley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was really cool. I could totally see this story as a Netflix show. That would be awesome, as I really want to see all the demons.
Adam Hulse has written something pretty special here. Part social commentary and part demonic mayhem, I loved this very.
Personally, I’d like to see more of the world and characters he created for this novella, as there is certainly scope for more. If you’re after something gritty with some dark humour and truly original monsters, this is the book for you.
This be a good read. Go check it out. Thank you very.

[Graeme Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Below Economic Thresholds is Adam Hulse's finest book to date, I thoroughly enjoyed tearing through this one.

Action packed, as you expect from an Adam Hulse book, this one also ventures into social commentary in a way that brought to mind some favourite John Carpenter movies, I could hear the synth soundtrack as I read through the story. The demons were great fun & I'd liked to have seen more of them (I'm a creature junkie really) but they played their part in the narrative well.

This is well worth your time if you're a fan of demon ridden dystopian tales. Go get yourself a copy and have a blast of an afternoon.

[Josh Hitch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Horror mixed with elements of sci-fi and military action.

A fantastic read about what happened after a major civil war, but all kinds of demons appear so both sides combined to take them. However the Agency, which was formed to lead the fight, is actually the problem, in more ways than one. So a small resistance formed to say enough was enough.

Highly recommended just great world building with well formed characters. Truly a fun fast paced read.

[D.S. LaLonde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Below Economic Thresholds has demons, class warfare, and shady government organizations. These are all things I enjoy in a book.
The author did a great job building a bleak dystopian future and its downtrodden inhabitants. This horror thriller is tightly written and moves along at a rapid pace with fun twists and vibrant action along the way.

[Robert Fael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast-paced, action-packed look at a dystopian future. Well written quick read.

[Dan Howarth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the most interesting writer of the apocalypse since David Moody. Adam Hulse has written something terrifyingly present and prescient in the same breath.

[Michael Shotter · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me, the big draw of this book and the thing I'd be most likely to recommend about it is its rather unique premise of a dystopian, post-war near-future setting infested with literal demons. That scenario is presented so convincingly and matter-of-factly within the initial pages of the tale that I found it really easy to immerse myself in the world and story and simply go along for the ride.

That said, the excellent setup and world craft did end up doing most of the heavy lifting in terms of my overall enjoyment due to certain other elements striking me as a bit less stellar by comparison. That's not to say that "Below Economic Thresholds" has any truly bad or fatally-flawed components to it. I just would have enjoyed seeing a bit more of the world, its mechanics, and its characters than the story's fairly-brief length allowed. I'd also slightly ding the narrative for its largely one-dimensional main antagonist, who came across to me as less of a proper character and more of a cartoonish caricature of a stereotypical "evil rich guy," which I felt greatly hindered his value to and impact on the plot. In fairness, that sort of thing is a real pet peeve of mine, so others may well enjoy the de facto "stick it to the man" vibe it cultivates, but I personally found it to be a significant missed opportunity in this case, especially when just about every other character felt far more fleshed out and "real" to me.

Those quibbles aside, I'd still highly recommend the book, particularly for fans of dystopian horror who are looking for a quick, fun read that checks all the right boxes and brings a few intriguing new wrinkles to the party via a satisfying array of demonic baddies.

[Coy Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hulse delivers class war, demonic portals, and a gutter-view of the stars hanging over an urban hellscape with his new novella. Below Economic Thresholds is a fantastic tale of horror, engrossing, and his most mature storytelling to date.

The book fits the voice and vision Hulse has built with previous works. Poetic rage and violent pathos emerge between clean stretches of action and beats of humor. In Hulse's hands, a dystopian tale of demons becomes a violent indictment of social inequity. If you clean the blood from this nightmare, you'll find a mirror of our times. The book resonates.

The author's skill with world building stands out here, too. He paints the future with efficient slashes and an artist's eye for details that breathe soul into burning barrels and human decay.

Don't miss this one!

[Mark Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

On the face of it, this is a story about two downtrodden demon exterminators scraping a survival in a modern day 1984 dystopian nightmare.

But delve a little deeper and we’re not in some far flung future but slap bang in the present. This is a story of broken Britain. Brexit, austerity, populist politics, the north-south divide, the war in Ukraine.

Adam Hulse is a northern powerhouse. The rage and vitriol he feels toward all that is wrong with the world splatters the page like the blood, ectoplasm and gore he conjures up. He repeatedly begs the question, when will you fight back? This is his call to arms.

If you’ve not read an Adam Hulse book yet, what are you waiting for?

[M.C. August · Rating 5 out of 5]

BELOW ECONOMIC THRESHOLDS is an action packed and bloody-knuckled dystopian novella that is sadly believable, even with monsters at the center of it. The pacing is incredible and moves along with high octane vitriol from Hulse. There are touches of V FOR VENDETTA here, and I was thinking about Skynet from the TERMINATOR series as well. The main heroes are bad ass and I cared about them throughout the story that leads to an amazing finale. This book does not let up and is constantly relentless, which I loved. I highly recommend visiting the author's beautifully crafted bleak world, and I plan on returning to it in the future.

[Adam Winters · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nasty little dystopian near future story. I devoured it in a couple sittings.

A near future dystopian world like the one this story is set in needs all the more to be grounded in well-developed characters and thoughtful world building—and it’s a testament to Hulse’s abilities here that he does both well and with the economy necessary to the novella length form.

Really enjoyed the Orwellian elements here, from the careful attention to class in the story to the Agency organization.

Oh and there are demons!

Really enjoyed this one and will absolutely be checking out Hulse’s other work.

[Wendy Dalrymple · Rating 5 out of 5]

Below Economic Thresholds by Adam Hulse is a gripping and emotional journey through a post-apocalyptic landscape. Hulse tells a gritty tale of social commentary set to a cosmic horror backdrop where the gooey, grabby, creepy monsters are just as terrifying as the evil humans who may or may not have invited them to wreak havoc on the lower class. This was a fun read and I’m looking forward to more from Adam!

[Sarah Huntington · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is definitely my favourite book by Adam so far. I loved the world created and the characters too. There was real depth and lots of exciting, nail biting scenes. Outstanding book by a really talented author who deserves a large audience.

[Kev Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adam Hulse's Cursed Caves was a book that came out of nowhere for me, establishing the writer as someone to watch in the 'action horror' sub-genre. There have been a few more releases since I read that last summer, but this one, with its narrative focus on economic deprivation and inequality in my homeland, grabbed me.
It is a book about brutal inequality and, worryingly, less of a leap of imagination than it might have seemed a decade or two ago, but above that, it's a brilliant piece of action horror where everything is sharper and leaner than it was in Hulse's first book.
Dialogue is sharp and witty, twists - when they come - are totally blindsiding, the violence and gore is grotesque and imaginative.
Above all, the crafting of this story feels more refined. The way it all hangs together that much more cohesive and of a single vision. I loved it and I'll be back for more with this author's future work.

[Lene MacLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

My interest in this book was sparked when I happened to see the promo video the author made. I really enjoyed the story set in a dystopian near-future world featuring civil war, class struggle, and unique demons. The story manages to be fast paced and action-packed without lacking anything as far as depth and well-rounded characters are concerned. I’m definitely up for reading more of this author’s work.