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Divided We Fall: A Lifeform Detected Sci-Fi Mystery - Book 3
You do what you can to survive on Ensa Caison. To get ahead, to keep your wallet tucked safely away. When are those dice gonna roll in my favor?
You learn to listen when the rumors get ripe. Word is, they’ve found some ruins over in a haunted forest. I like ruins—middle of nowhere, no security, no witnesses. And haunted? Less competition.
Sometimes you need a little help to clean house. I know I shoulda told my friend a little more about what he was getting into. But how was I supposed to know he’d be such an idiot? And now he brought his sister, too?
We had no idea what was waiting for us. The bodies, the destroying angel, the depth of the mystery lurking beneath that pristine forest robe.
Now it’s every man for himself. Only there aren’t just men. Or humans. And this garden paradise is tipping over the edge of a long plunge to Hell.
Unless I can do something about it.
You learn to listen when the rumors get ripe. Word is, they’ve found some ruins over in a haunted forest. I like ruins—middle of nowhere, no security, no witnesses. And haunted? Less competition.
Sometimes you need a little help to clean house. I know I shoulda told my friend a little more about what he was getting into. But how was I supposed to know he’d be such an idiot? And now he brought his sister, too?
We had no idea what was waiting for us. The bodies, the destroying angel, the depth of the mystery lurking beneath that pristine forest robe.
Now it’s every man for himself. Only there aren’t just men. Or humans. And this garden paradise is tipping over the edge of a long plunge to Hell.
Unless I can do something about it.
421 pages, Paperback
Published October 15, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 25, 2025
You ever read a book that just grabs you and doesn’t let go? That’s this book. S.D. Nightshade has cooked up a killer mix of sci-fi, horror, and survival thriller, and I was hooked from the first page. The whole setup is just too good—desperate scavengers, ancient ruins, a haunted forest, and of course, something way worse waiting for them in the dark.
The main character is exactly the kind of person I love reading about—not a hero, not a villain, just someone trying to get by in a world that’s stacked against them. They know better than to trust rumors, but hey, when you’re struggling, sometimes you take risks. And this risk? Bad idea. The moment they step into that forest, it’s like the universe decides to chew them up and spit them out.
What makes this story so good is how the horror builds. At first, it’s just an eerie atmosphere—abandoned ruins, strange whispers, shadows that move when they shouldn’t. But then the bodies start turning up. Then the real nightmare begins. And let me tell you, once things go off the rails, there is no slowing down.
Nightshade has a way of making you feel the danger, the desperation, the sheer terror of realizing you are way out of your depth. And the forest? It’s practically a character itself—beautiful, silent, and deadly. The twists hit hard, the stakes keep climbing, and by the end, I was holding my breath.
The main character is exactly the kind of person I love reading about—not a hero, not a villain, just someone trying to get by in a world that’s stacked against them. They know better than to trust rumors, but hey, when you’re struggling, sometimes you take risks. And this risk? Bad idea. The moment they step into that forest, it’s like the universe decides to chew them up and spit them out.
What makes this story so good is how the horror builds. At first, it’s just an eerie atmosphere—abandoned ruins, strange whispers, shadows that move when they shouldn’t. But then the bodies start turning up. Then the real nightmare begins. And let me tell you, once things go off the rails, there is no slowing down.
Nightshade has a way of making you feel the danger, the desperation, the sheer terror of realizing you are way out of your depth. And the forest? It’s practically a character itself—beautiful, silent, and deadly. The twists hit hard, the stakes keep climbing, and by the end, I was holding my breath.
May 13, 2025
Holy hell, this book is a ride! S.D. Nightshade throws you straight into the action with a setting that oozes danger and mystery. Ensa Caison is a brutal, unforgiving place where survival is a full-time job, and when rumors start flying about haunted ruins, you just know things are about to go sideways. The protagonist, a tough but not infallible scavenger, sees the ruins as an opportunity no security, no witnesses, easy pickings. But things are never that simple, are they?
The writing is razor-sharp, the pacing relentless, and the twists hit like a gut punch. Just when you think you know where it’s going nope, think again. Every chapter tightens the noose, with Nightshade expertly ramping up the tension until it’s almost unbearable. The haunted forest isn’t just haunted it’s wrong, and when the truth about what’s lurking there starts to unravel, you won’t be able to look away.
Monsters, madness, and a slow descent into chaos make this an unforgettable read. The horror elements are chef’s kiss not just shock scares, but deep, unsettling terror that creeps up on you. If you love sci-fi thrillers with an edge of horror, this one’s a must. You’ll be up all night reading, and maybe leaving a light on, just in case.
The writing is razor-sharp, the pacing relentless, and the twists hit like a gut punch. Just when you think you know where it’s going nope, think again. Every chapter tightens the noose, with Nightshade expertly ramping up the tension until it’s almost unbearable. The haunted forest isn’t just haunted it’s wrong, and when the truth about what’s lurking there starts to unravel, you won’t be able to look away.
Monsters, madness, and a slow descent into chaos make this an unforgettable read. The horror elements are chef’s kiss not just shock scares, but deep, unsettling terror that creeps up on you. If you love sci-fi thrillers with an edge of horror, this one’s a must. You’ll be up all night reading, and maybe leaving a light on, just in case.
May 14, 2025
S.D. Nightshade delivers an absolute knockout with this blend of sci-fi, horror, and high-stakes survival. From the moment the protagonist sets foot on Ensa Caison, you can feel the desperation and danger that come with trying to survive in such an unforgiving world. And when they hear whispers of ancient ruins hidden in a haunted forest? You just know things are about to go very wrong.
What starts as a simple plan get in, grab what you can, and get out quickly spirals into a nightmare beyond imagination. The haunted forest isn’t just haunted; it’s alive, full of secrets, dangers, and something lurking in the shadows that no one is prepared to face. The way Nightshade builds tension is masterful. At first, it’s a creeping unease the silence, the strange shapes in the distance, the sense that something is watching. And then, when the bodies start turning up, the horror takes over.
The pacing is relentless. Just when you think you have a moment to breathe, something happens that makes your stomach drop. The protagonist is not a hero, just someone trying to get by, making the best choices they can in an impossible situation. And the supporting cast? Complex, flawed, and so well-written that you feel every bit of conflict, fear, and betrayal.
What starts as a simple plan get in, grab what you can, and get out quickly spirals into a nightmare beyond imagination. The haunted forest isn’t just haunted; it’s alive, full of secrets, dangers, and something lurking in the shadows that no one is prepared to face. The way Nightshade builds tension is masterful. At first, it’s a creeping unease the silence, the strange shapes in the distance, the sense that something is watching. And then, when the bodies start turning up, the horror takes over.
The pacing is relentless. Just when you think you have a moment to breathe, something happens that makes your stomach drop. The protagonist is not a hero, just someone trying to get by, making the best choices they can in an impossible situation. And the supporting cast? Complex, flawed, and so well-written that you feel every bit of conflict, fear, and betrayal.
April 5, 2025
The setup is brilliant: rumors of ancient ruins deep in a remote and supposedly haunted woodland. For a seasoned scavenger, this should be easy—no security, no competition, just untapped riches. But things spiral fast, and Nightshade doesn’t hold back. The tension is built masterfully, layer by layer, until the moment you realize—alongside the characters—that they’re not alone out there. And whatever is out there isn’t human.
The atmosphere is thick with unease, and Nightshade’s prose is strikingly effective at making you see the eerie beauty of the forest, hear the unnatural silence, and feel the slow, creeping horror as things start unraveling. The way the story escalates—from a simple heist to an all-out nightmare—is nothing short of brilliant.
But what really elevates this novel is the characterization. The protagonist is no hero—just someone trying to get by in a world that doesn’t care if they live or die. The supporting cast adds depth, conflict, and heartbreak, and the relationships between them shift under the weight of fear and betrayal. And the antagonist? Let’s just say it’s the kind of horror that stays with you.
The atmosphere is thick with unease, and Nightshade’s prose is strikingly effective at making you see the eerie beauty of the forest, hear the unnatural silence, and feel the slow, creeping horror as things start unraveling. The way the story escalates—from a simple heist to an all-out nightmare—is nothing short of brilliant.
But what really elevates this novel is the characterization. The protagonist is no hero—just someone trying to get by in a world that doesn’t care if they live or die. The supporting cast adds depth, conflict, and heartbreak, and the relationships between them shift under the weight of fear and betrayal. And the antagonist? Let’s just say it’s the kind of horror that stays with you.
May 14, 2025
With Divided We Fall, S.D. Nightshade proves that book three can still pack new surprises. The mystery is rich, the pacing tight, and the emotional depth impressive for a story about ruins, rumors, and things that go wrong in the woods.
The narrator’s voice is what drew me in—wry, tired, and deeply flawed. He’s not your typical sci-fi protagonist, and that makes his descent into chaos all the more compelling. When he drags his best friend and the friend’s sister—into a supposedly abandoned ruin, you know things won’t go smoothly. But you don’t expect just how deeply wrong everything will go.
The horror builds with care. The forest is described with haunting beauty, and the unknown lifeform at the center of it all is genuinely chilling. But what lingers is the sense of unraveling of plans breaking down, loyalties fraying, and something ancient watching from the trees.
A must-read for fans of sci-fi with psychological weight and eerie, slow-burn suspense. Nightshade is in top form here.
The narrator’s voice is what drew me in—wry, tired, and deeply flawed. He’s not your typical sci-fi protagonist, and that makes his descent into chaos all the more compelling. When he drags his best friend and the friend’s sister—into a supposedly abandoned ruin, you know things won’t go smoothly. But you don’t expect just how deeply wrong everything will go.
The horror builds with care. The forest is described with haunting beauty, and the unknown lifeform at the center of it all is genuinely chilling. But what lingers is the sense of unraveling of plans breaking down, loyalties fraying, and something ancient watching from the trees.
A must-read for fans of sci-fi with psychological weight and eerie, slow-burn suspense. Nightshade is in top form here.
May 14, 2025
Ensa Caison is not a place for the weak. The people who live there do what they must to survive, and when our protagonist catches wind of some newly discovered ruins in a haunted forest, it seems like an opportunity too good to pass up. No security, no competition except, of course, for whatever is waiting inside.
Nightshade doesn’t just tell a story; they pull you in. You see the towering trees of the forest, feel the eerie stillness in the air, and hear the unnatural quiet that settles in before the real terror begins. The tension is a slow, simmering thing, growing more suffocating with every step the characters take. When they start discovering the bodies, it’s already too late.
The characters are flawed, messy, and painfully human, which makes their struggle all the more gripping. Their relationships fray under pressure, secrets come to light, and by the time you realize who can and can’t be trusted, it might already be too late.
Nightshade doesn’t just tell a story; they pull you in. You see the towering trees of the forest, feel the eerie stillness in the air, and hear the unnatural quiet that settles in before the real terror begins. The tension is a slow, simmering thing, growing more suffocating with every step the characters take. When they start discovering the bodies, it’s already too late.
The characters are flawed, messy, and painfully human, which makes their struggle all the more gripping. Their relationships fray under pressure, secrets come to light, and by the time you realize who can and can’t be trusted, it might already be too late.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews