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The Cave
WHEN IS A CAVE NOT A CAVE?
While exploring the woods near their bike trails, four soon-to-be eighth grade boys make an exciting discovery: a real cave! Of course they decide to explore it, and they make a pact to keep it as their very own secret.
But Steve breaks the pact in order to win the attention of the neighborhood girl that they all dream about: Gina Lawson. To their surprise, Gina wants in on their adventure. As the five of them explore further and deeper, they begin to realize that their cave is not simply a cave – but does the strange pocket of darknesss merely pose serious danger, or does true evil lurk within?
A 25,000 word horror novella mixing teenage exuberance with a touch of the macabre. (Contains adult themes and some adult language.)
While exploring the woods near their bike trails, four soon-to-be eighth grade boys make an exciting discovery: a real cave! Of course they decide to explore it, and they make a pact to keep it as their very own secret.
But Steve breaks the pact in order to win the attention of the neighborhood girl that they all dream about: Gina Lawson. To their surprise, Gina wants in on their adventure. As the five of them explore further and deeper, they begin to realize that their cave is not simply a cave – but does the strange pocket of darknesss merely pose serious danger, or does true evil lurk within?
A 25,000 word horror novella mixing teenage exuberance with a touch of the macabre. (Contains adult themes and some adult language.)
- GenresHorror
Kindle Edition
First published May 14, 2015
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20 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 21, 2019
A fine coming-of age novella on a couple of young people (and a girl) discovering a cave in the woods. The characters are well defined and there's a constant building up in suspense and horror throughout the pages. The bad guys reminded me a bit on 'It' but were less fearsome in my opinion. What happens exactly in that cave and what kind of entity manipulates the kids' minds? We only get hints about this entity but don't fully comprehend where it came from (I also had to think about 'It' regarding the evil of the cave). It's also interesting to see what happened after the incident at the cave with the main characters, Steve and Gina. Overall a well composed, fluid read with well definied characters. Not too violent (no Laymon here), some uncanny elements (monster in the cave), sexual tension between youths being together with girls (Steve and Gina, pool scenes, swinning). Personally, a bit too quiet but for fans of 'quiet' horror definitely recommended!
May 26, 2021
I enjoyed this quick read, even though I was expecting and wanted more. It is a short, fast read. More a coming of age story than a horror - although there is a strange time-bending, cave-dwelling creature; its presence and the children's encounter with it is too brief.
Scott's writing is good, the characters realistic (it did bring me back to my own adolescence), but the story could have had more 'horror' - or frights. Scott is methodical and detailed and this was a very linear telling. There were a few times when I wondered where Scott was bringing me, or why certain characters were introduced - and when I got there, or when character arcs were revealed, it felt rushed (but at the same time slow - maybe I was standing at the cave's throat).
Scott's writing is good, the characters realistic (it did bring me back to my own adolescence), but the story could have had more 'horror' - or frights. Scott is methodical and detailed and this was a very linear telling. There were a few times when I wondered where Scott was bringing me, or why certain characters were introduced - and when I got there, or when character arcs were revealed, it felt rushed (but at the same time slow - maybe I was standing at the cave's throat).
November 2, 2024
Soooo…. Loved the idea, the setting, it was a pretty good coming of age story for a group of kids. However, the actual “horror” sections were too few. It was a lot of focus on the kids and not the creature. I don’t mind that if we are reading a huge novel, but this was a short story and overall it just made it a bit boring.
October 26, 2018
This is a coming of age story about a cave and a creature from another dimension that has made it its lair. The book might benefit from a little more editing, but the narrative was carried by some cool concepts and I definitely enjoyed the ride.
Did the story leave an impression? Suffice it to say, exploring caves will never be the same for me again !!
Did the story leave an impression? Suffice it to say, exploring caves will never be the same for me again !!
August 28, 2020
Good read
Good and fast read. First time I have read anything by this author. Kind of reminds you of Stand By Me the movie.
Good and fast read. First time I have read anything by this author. Kind of reminds you of Stand By Me the movie.
October 24, 2024
This was an awesome little story. The author definitely brought to life a 90s vibe kids vs creature feature with this one. I found myself cringing often, knowing they were headed into danger, but I was never correct in guessing what would come next. I am haunted by the imagery; the cave is easily visualized given the detailed descriptions and comparisons. I was feeling pretty anxious toward the end, wondering how it was going to play out, because the way it’s written you just don’t know. Definitely a creepy, claustrophobic read with a lasting impression of unease.
October 26, 2024
A creepy claustrophobic cave story
I really enjoyed this story.
After reading a couple of extreme horrors, this was a nice palette cleanser.
A group of young boys stumble across a small opening in the ground and get set to make it larger and explore the cave below.
Beautiful popular Gina is curious as to what they're up to and end up joining them in their adventure into the ground. The cave acted like a magnet, inticing them further in, unknowing of the danger that lays ahead.
This was a really great coming of age adventure horror. I really liked the character development and the way it reminded me of my childhood, the way I always wanted to know more and my curiosity peeking to the point that I would go further in search of what could be.
I'm just glad I didn't ever come across what these kids did!
I really enjoyed this story.
After reading a couple of extreme horrors, this was a nice palette cleanser.
A group of young boys stumble across a small opening in the ground and get set to make it larger and explore the cave below.
Beautiful popular Gina is curious as to what they're up to and end up joining them in their adventure into the ground. The cave acted like a magnet, inticing them further in, unknowing of the danger that lays ahead.
This was a really great coming of age adventure horror. I really liked the character development and the way it reminded me of my childhood, the way I always wanted to know more and my curiosity peeking to the point that I would go further in search of what could be.
I'm just glad I didn't ever come across what these kids did!
October 26, 2024
I really enjoyed this story.
After reading a couple of extreme horrors, this was a nice palette cleanser.
A group of young boys stumble across a small opening in the ground and get set to make it larger and explore the cave below.
Beautiful popular Gina is curious as to what they're up to and end up joining them in their adventure into the ground. The cave acted like a magnet, inticing them further in, unknowing of the danger that lays ahead.
This was a really great coming of age adventure horror. I really liked the character development and the way it reminded me of my childhood, the way I always wanted to know more and my curiosity peeking to the point that I would go further in search of what could be.
I'm just glad I didn't ever come across what these kids did!
After reading a couple of extreme horrors, this was a nice palette cleanser.
A group of young boys stumble across a small opening in the ground and get set to make it larger and explore the cave below.
Beautiful popular Gina is curious as to what they're up to and end up joining them in their adventure into the ground. The cave acted like a magnet, inticing them further in, unknowing of the danger that lays ahead.
This was a really great coming of age adventure horror. I really liked the character development and the way it reminded me of my childhood, the way I always wanted to know more and my curiosity peeking to the point that I would go further in search of what could be.
I'm just glad I didn't ever come across what these kids did!
September 22, 2024
This teenage adventure was a great quick read to start my weekend off with some spookiness. I have always loved caves, but they scare me to death being under that much rock. These young boys were not afraid to go exploring an unknown cave, and to find more than they ever imagined.
When Steve and his group of friends discover a cave hidden off their favorite haunt it sounds like the greatest day ever. However, darkness and more hide below ground. They never expected to find what they did.
This was a great fun read. I hope to find more from Scott Dyson again soon.
I greatly enjoyed the epilogue where the character did a brief overview of what happened to the characters after.
When Steve and his group of friends discover a cave hidden off their favorite haunt it sounds like the greatest day ever. However, darkness and more hide below ground. They never expected to find what they did.
This was a great fun read. I hope to find more from Scott Dyson again soon.
I greatly enjoyed the epilogue where the character did a brief overview of what happened to the characters after.
August 28, 2020
Not my favorite of Dyson's works. I felt like there were a lot of inconsistencies in details that detracted from my enjoyment of the story.
HOWEVER...with that being said, the "monster" in this work is the most unique creature I have seen in any other horror story. It's not one that is overdone and redundant. I highly recommend you reading this book for that alone and chock my star rating up to just personal preference. Dyson is definitely worth a read!
HOWEVER...with that being said, the "monster" in this work is the most unique creature I have seen in any other horror story. It's not one that is overdone and redundant. I highly recommend you reading this book for that alone and chock my star rating up to just personal preference. Dyson is definitely worth a read!
April 20, 2021
A Tale of horror and coming of age..
Dyson once again impresses me wth strong, believable characters. This story is about a monster that bends time, needs sustenance and haunts a group of adolescents after they stumble onto a cave. A portrait of classy coming of age greatness mixed with terror in the confines of hungry darkness. A great read.
Dyson once again impresses me wth strong, believable characters. This story is about a monster that bends time, needs sustenance and haunts a group of adolescents after they stumble onto a cave. A portrait of classy coming of age greatness mixed with terror in the confines of hungry darkness. A great read.
November 7, 2024
A good coming of age short story. The characters were well developed and had everything you expect from that particular prose. An extended version would be great where you found more about the creature
November 5, 2018
Good creepy read kind of reminded me of IT.
April 4, 2019
perfectly readable story. Has a twinge of King's stand by me about it. Would read more by this author
March 8, 2024
I enjoy this author’s style of writing. I did find this novella a bit out there!! It does make you want to keep reading but I didn’t totally get this one!!
November 11, 2025
3.5 rounding up
Solid writing, solid premise but I wish it delivered a bit more. The focus shifted to the coming of age-ness of it all (fine) but I wanted a bit more lore and monster.
The water-earter was an interesting set up that felt a bit forgotten until the MC randomly thinks of the underground river drying up as being consumer by the monster. No clue how he made that logic leap as they had pretty well landed on the monster consuming their fear. Also not sure it needed to be quite so r@pey? Sure that scared the crap out of poor Gina, but as an effective way to get to the boys? Ehh, digging a little deeper might have made the monster scarier.
I LOVED the time and mind-bending aspects and was desperate for more there. It's a great concept, especially in a story with adolescent characters. I want more of THAT!
Solid writing, solid premise but I wish it delivered a bit more. The focus shifted to the coming of age-ness of it all (fine) but I wanted a bit more lore and monster.
The water-earter was an interesting set up that felt a bit forgotten until the MC randomly thinks of the underground river drying up as being consumer by the monster. No clue how he made that logic leap as they had pretty well landed on the monster consuming their fear. Also not sure it needed to be quite so r@pey? Sure that scared the crap out of poor Gina, but as an effective way to get to the boys? Ehh, digging a little deeper might have made the monster scarier.
I LOVED the time and mind-bending aspects and was desperate for more there. It's a great concept, especially in a story with adolescent characters. I want more of THAT!
November 7, 2025
What was that? Not sure what the point of the book was. The writing was okay but all over the place. I didn’t connect with anyone
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews