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A Lake with No Bottom
A Lake with No Bottom is a chilling young adult novel about a teenaged white boy who is haunted by the victims of a Black town erased from history and is recruited by the restless souls left behind to bring them justice.
When Sidney Cromwell moves to rural Forsyth County, Georgia from the big city of Atlanta, all he wants is to fit in at his new high school. But when Sidney nearly drowns in Lake Lanier, an allegedly haunted lake that is the site of numerous inexplicable freak accidents and deaths, he becomes a social pariah as he starts to suffer terrifying visions from the past and hauntings by apparitions calling him to Lanier.
Sidney returns to the lake for answers, and he finds in its murky depths the spirits of former residents from Oscarville, the Black town that lies beneath the man-made lake. They enlist Sidney to remind Forsyth of its devastating history and push its citizens to make amends so that the souls in Oscarville can finally rest.
But Sidney soon learns that people will go to great lengths to avoid facing truths they’d rather not hear. The people of Forsyth County refuse to acknowledge the past, and as Oscarville’s populace starts to lose their patience, their rage and thirst for vengeance rise like a tidal wave.
Poignant, timely, and utterly terrifying, this gripping supernatural tale is perfect for fans of Internment and She Is a Haunting.
When Sidney Cromwell moves to rural Forsyth County, Georgia from the big city of Atlanta, all he wants is to fit in at his new high school. But when Sidney nearly drowns in Lake Lanier, an allegedly haunted lake that is the site of numerous inexplicable freak accidents and deaths, he becomes a social pariah as he starts to suffer terrifying visions from the past and hauntings by apparitions calling him to Lanier.
Sidney returns to the lake for answers, and he finds in its murky depths the spirits of former residents from Oscarville, the Black town that lies beneath the man-made lake. They enlist Sidney to remind Forsyth of its devastating history and push its citizens to make amends so that the souls in Oscarville can finally rest.
But Sidney soon learns that people will go to great lengths to avoid facing truths they’d rather not hear. The people of Forsyth County refuse to acknowledge the past, and as Oscarville’s populace starts to lose their patience, their rage and thirst for vengeance rise like a tidal wave.
Poignant, timely, and utterly terrifying, this gripping supernatural tale is perfect for fans of Internment and She Is a Haunting.
Unknown Binding
Published October 20, 2026
About the author
H.D. Hunter
8 books87 followersHugh “H.D.” Hunter is a storyteller and community organizer from Atlanta, Georgia. He’s the winner of several indie book awards for multicultural fiction.
Hugh is committed to #ownvoices stories about Black kids and their many expansive worlds.
He loves vegan snacks, basketball, and stories that make you cry -- but make you smile after.
Hugh is committed to #ownvoices stories about Black kids and their many expansive worlds.
He loves vegan snacks, basketball, and stories that make you cry -- but make you smile after.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
October 26, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the ebook ARC.
A classic teen horror story - a young teen is forced to move to a new town due to divorce and remarriage, but the new town has strange mysteries that he must uncover, except, the twist to the genre is that these mysteries are rooted in truth, and the United States’ tendency to bury its unsavory past.
As a teen I always enjoyed this genre, so it was fun to feed her with this book, however I do wish we got more in depth characterization for Sidney and Amy Jade. We explore the depths for the spirits, which I really liked. The entities operated within the normal rules of the supernatural, but them and their stories were humanized. Sidney and Amy Jade were vessels to tell their story, so maybe the simple characterization was purposeful, but I still wished to know more about them outside of their relationship to the townsfolk of Oscarville.
My only other critique is that the POV tends to be fairly inconsistent. It jumps from limited 3rd to omniscient 3rd on a dime, or it just head hops from one limited 3rd POV to another limited POV. I think it’s an attempt at omniscient thats perhaps a bit sloppy. It doesn’t necessarily take away from the overall story though, it’s a more nit-picky critique than anything.
This book is a true YA book, written with a young audience in mind, but it doesn’t coddle its reader like they’re a baby. Hunter understands that young teenagers are people and treats their intellect with respect in the book. It being YA is by no means a detriment to its craft, and actually benefits by the authors deft ability to talk about race in a way that’s easy to understand and is digestible to any reader. Truly a fun teen supernatural horror blended expertly with the real life history of the American south.
A classic teen horror story - a young teen is forced to move to a new town due to divorce and remarriage, but the new town has strange mysteries that he must uncover, except, the twist to the genre is that these mysteries are rooted in truth, and the United States’ tendency to bury its unsavory past.
As a teen I always enjoyed this genre, so it was fun to feed her with this book, however I do wish we got more in depth characterization for Sidney and Amy Jade. We explore the depths for the spirits, which I really liked. The entities operated within the normal rules of the supernatural, but them and their stories were humanized. Sidney and Amy Jade were vessels to tell their story, so maybe the simple characterization was purposeful, but I still wished to know more about them outside of their relationship to the townsfolk of Oscarville.
My only other critique is that the POV tends to be fairly inconsistent. It jumps from limited 3rd to omniscient 3rd on a dime, or it just head hops from one limited 3rd POV to another limited POV. I think it’s an attempt at omniscient thats perhaps a bit sloppy. It doesn’t necessarily take away from the overall story though, it’s a more nit-picky critique than anything.
This book is a true YA book, written with a young audience in mind, but it doesn’t coddle its reader like they’re a baby. Hunter understands that young teenagers are people and treats their intellect with respect in the book. It being YA is by no means a detriment to its craft, and actually benefits by the authors deft ability to talk about race in a way that’s easy to understand and is digestible to any reader. Truly a fun teen supernatural horror blended expertly with the real life history of the American south.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Not my usual genre, but every so often I read a horror novel. There were bits of this, the magic involved, that I didn't understand, but the author definitely hooked me in and kept me reading to figure out what was happening to these characters.
September 21, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Farrar, Straus, & Giroux for my eARC of A Lake With No Bottom by HD Hunter releasing 10/20/26.
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️s for A Lake With No Bottom, a YA horror book that is based on the true dark history and lore of my local lake, Lake Lanier.
I thought A Lake With No Bottom was well written, and the different timelines and journal entries kept me engaged. I know a lot about the history and the lore surrounding Lake Lanier, the supposedly haunted lake in my area, so this was an interesting read for me.
A Lake With No Bottom does read as a true YA novel, which isn’t an issue because it is billed YA, but I’m just putting it out there because there are some YA horror and thriller books that you really wouldn’t be able to tell are YA, but this one is definitely written for the young adult reader.
A Lake With No Bottom was a great read to kick off spooky season, not too graphic or scary, but has some interesting elements and characters for sure.
I particularly liked the journal entries from the characters of the past and how they were incorporated in the story. The history of Oscarville and Lake Lanier is well portrayed in the book and does explore some themes of hidden truths, and secrets from the past, and how they affect the present and the future.
I think readers will enjoy the vengeful spirits aspect and the haunting atmosphere of Lake Lanier, which is a truly unnerving setting for a ghost story.
For all of my book reviews and recommendations follow me on instagram @chelleshelf365.
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️s for A Lake With No Bottom, a YA horror book that is based on the true dark history and lore of my local lake, Lake Lanier.
I thought A Lake With No Bottom was well written, and the different timelines and journal entries kept me engaged. I know a lot about the history and the lore surrounding Lake Lanier, the supposedly haunted lake in my area, so this was an interesting read for me.
A Lake With No Bottom does read as a true YA novel, which isn’t an issue because it is billed YA, but I’m just putting it out there because there are some YA horror and thriller books that you really wouldn’t be able to tell are YA, but this one is definitely written for the young adult reader.
A Lake With No Bottom was a great read to kick off spooky season, not too graphic or scary, but has some interesting elements and characters for sure.
I particularly liked the journal entries from the characters of the past and how they were incorporated in the story. The history of Oscarville and Lake Lanier is well portrayed in the book and does explore some themes of hidden truths, and secrets from the past, and how they affect the present and the future.
I think readers will enjoy the vengeful spirits aspect and the haunting atmosphere of Lake Lanier, which is a truly unnerving setting for a ghost story.
For all of my book reviews and recommendations follow me on instagram @chelleshelf365.
October 10, 2026
A Lake with No Bottom is one of those rare novels that manages to be both an extraordinary work of fiction and an invitation to confront uncomfortable historical truths. Drawing from the history of Oscarville, Georgia, and the racial violence that devastated Black communities in Forsyth County, H. D. Hunter weaves supernatural horror into a story about memory, injustice, and the consequences of silencing those whose experiences challenge accepted narratives. What makes his approach so remarkable is his ability to transform a historical tragedy into something deeply human. Oscarville becomes more than a name associated with a devastating event. Through Hunter’s storytelling, readers begin to consider the families, relationships, livelihoods, and ordinary lives interrupted by that violence. He reminds us that historical erasure doesn’t simply obscure events. It obscures people.
At the center of the novel are two characters separated by more than a century: Jeremy, a ghost from Oscarville whose story is rooted in 1912, and Sidney, a white teenager living in Forsyth County in 2026. When their worlds intersect through the mysteries surrounding Lake Lanier, the past becomes impossible to separate from the present. Their contrasting perspectives allow Hunter to explore the lasting consequences of historical injustice, the struggle to preserve memory, and the complicated question of who gets to tell a story when the people who lived it have been silenced.
At the heart of this novel is narrative control, a theme Hunter explores with astonishing consistency and nuance. Throughout the story, we encounter different forms of manipulation, omission, institutional authority, selective memory, and historical revisionism. Each character approaches the truth from a different perspective, with motivations that range from self-preservation to genuine desperation for justice. Hunter continually challenges readers to consider who controls a narrative, whose testimony is believed, and whether being heard necessarily means being understood. Particularly striking is his examination of how racial inequality influences whose voices society considers credible, even when those speaking have not personally lived the history they are representing.
The relationship between Jeremy and Sidney adds another fascinating layer to these questions. Through their experiences, Hunter explores how sincere intentions can gradually become dangerous when individuals begin justifying their methods through the righteousness of their cause. He also examines how prolonged suffering can distort someone’s perception of what constitutes an acceptable burden to place upon others. These aren’t simplistic examinations of heroes and villains, but complicated questions about power, trauma, accountability, and the fragile boundary between seeking justice and imposing one’s own will. What makes these themes so effective is that Hunter never reduces his characters to convenient moral lessons. Their complexity invites examination rather than demanding unquestioning agreement.
I was particularly impressed by Hunter’s use of supernatural fiction to communicate difficult historical realities. His approach reminded me of Rod Serling and The Twilight Zone, which used science fiction, fantasy, and horror to confront social issues that audiences and television networks were often reluctant to address directly. Serling’s experiences with censorship helped shape that approach, and decades later, The Twilight Zone remains relevant because the human truths beneath its extraordinary premises have endured. Hunter demonstrates a similar understanding of speculative storytelling. The supernatural elements make the narrative immersive and accessible without diminishing the gravity of the history behind it. Rather than allowing the horror to overshadow Oscarville, he uses it to encourage readers to look more closely at the people and injustices at the story’s foundation.
From a technical standpoint, Hunter’s writing is exceptional. The pacing is remarkably consistent, with no chapters that feel unnecessarily prolonged or disconnected from the larger narrative. His characterization is layered, his atmosphere immersive, and his ability to sustain thematic cohesion across an increasingly complex story is impressive. Every development feels purposeful, even when its full significance remains uncertain. Perhaps most importantly, Hunter understands the distinction between an unanswered question and a plot hole. The story maintains its internal coherence without insisting that every mystery receive a definitive explanation.
And that restraint is one of the things I admire most about this novel. Hunter resists the temptation to provide easy answers to questions that deserve continued consideration. Historical injustice rarely comes with complete records, perfect accountability, or satisfying resolution, and fiction exploring those realities need not manufacture comfort where none exists. The lingering uncertainty encourages readers to continue questioning whose stories are preserved, whose voices receive recognition, and what meaningful justice might actually require. A satisfying reading experience does not require a satisfying answer.
A Lake with No Bottom is beautifully written, intellectually challenging, and profoundly thought-provoking. Hunter has created a supernatural horror novel that honors the humanity behind a neglected piece of American history while examining questions that remain urgently relevant today. It is now tied for my favorite read of 2026, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. This is the kind of book that continues generating conversation long after the final page, and I sincerely hope readers allow those conversations to lead them toward learning more about the real history of Oscarville.
At the center of the novel are two characters separated by more than a century: Jeremy, a ghost from Oscarville whose story is rooted in 1912, and Sidney, a white teenager living in Forsyth County in 2026. When their worlds intersect through the mysteries surrounding Lake Lanier, the past becomes impossible to separate from the present. Their contrasting perspectives allow Hunter to explore the lasting consequences of historical injustice, the struggle to preserve memory, and the complicated question of who gets to tell a story when the people who lived it have been silenced.
At the heart of this novel is narrative control, a theme Hunter explores with astonishing consistency and nuance. Throughout the story, we encounter different forms of manipulation, omission, institutional authority, selective memory, and historical revisionism. Each character approaches the truth from a different perspective, with motivations that range from self-preservation to genuine desperation for justice. Hunter continually challenges readers to consider who controls a narrative, whose testimony is believed, and whether being heard necessarily means being understood. Particularly striking is his examination of how racial inequality influences whose voices society considers credible, even when those speaking have not personally lived the history they are representing.
The relationship between Jeremy and Sidney adds another fascinating layer to these questions. Through their experiences, Hunter explores how sincere intentions can gradually become dangerous when individuals begin justifying their methods through the righteousness of their cause. He also examines how prolonged suffering can distort someone’s perception of what constitutes an acceptable burden to place upon others. These aren’t simplistic examinations of heroes and villains, but complicated questions about power, trauma, accountability, and the fragile boundary between seeking justice and imposing one’s own will. What makes these themes so effective is that Hunter never reduces his characters to convenient moral lessons. Their complexity invites examination rather than demanding unquestioning agreement.
I was particularly impressed by Hunter’s use of supernatural fiction to communicate difficult historical realities. His approach reminded me of Rod Serling and The Twilight Zone, which used science fiction, fantasy, and horror to confront social issues that audiences and television networks were often reluctant to address directly. Serling’s experiences with censorship helped shape that approach, and decades later, The Twilight Zone remains relevant because the human truths beneath its extraordinary premises have endured. Hunter demonstrates a similar understanding of speculative storytelling. The supernatural elements make the narrative immersive and accessible without diminishing the gravity of the history behind it. Rather than allowing the horror to overshadow Oscarville, he uses it to encourage readers to look more closely at the people and injustices at the story’s foundation.
From a technical standpoint, Hunter’s writing is exceptional. The pacing is remarkably consistent, with no chapters that feel unnecessarily prolonged or disconnected from the larger narrative. His characterization is layered, his atmosphere immersive, and his ability to sustain thematic cohesion across an increasingly complex story is impressive. Every development feels purposeful, even when its full significance remains uncertain. Perhaps most importantly, Hunter understands the distinction between an unanswered question and a plot hole. The story maintains its internal coherence without insisting that every mystery receive a definitive explanation.
And that restraint is one of the things I admire most about this novel. Hunter resists the temptation to provide easy answers to questions that deserve continued consideration. Historical injustice rarely comes with complete records, perfect accountability, or satisfying resolution, and fiction exploring those realities need not manufacture comfort where none exists. The lingering uncertainty encourages readers to continue questioning whose stories are preserved, whose voices receive recognition, and what meaningful justice might actually require. A satisfying reading experience does not require a satisfying answer.
A Lake with No Bottom is beautifully written, intellectually challenging, and profoundly thought-provoking. Hunter has created a supernatural horror novel that honors the humanity behind a neglected piece of American history while examining questions that remain urgently relevant today. It is now tied for my favorite read of 2026, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. This is the kind of book that continues generating conversation long after the final page, and I sincerely hope readers allow those conversations to lead them toward learning more about the real history of Oscarville.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
“A Lake with No Bottom” by H.D. Hunter completely surprised me in the best way. I went in expecting a creepy YA supernatural thriller about a haunted lake, and while it absolutely delivers on the eerie atmosphere and ghostly horror, it ends up being so much deeper and more emotional than that.
The setup alone is already unsettling because the story is inspired by the real history of Lake Lanier, which honestly might already be one of the creepiest lakes in America. The fact that entire communities were displaced and flooded beneath the lake gives the horror an immediate weight to it. The book takes that history and turns it into something haunting, emotional, and genuinely thought-provoking.
Sidney is such an easy protagonist to root for. He’s just a kid trying to survive being the new student and figure out where he fits in, and then after nearly drowning in the lake, everything spirals. Suddenly he’s hearing voices, seeing visions, and feeling constantly pulled back toward the water. The supernatural moments are creepy without relying on cheap jump scares. Instead, the horror comes from this constant sense of dread and sadness hanging over the story. The nightmare sequences and ghostly encounters are genuinely eerie, but the emotional weight behind them is what really sticks.
What makes this book stand out is that the haunting isn’t just there to scare people. It’s tied directly to the buried history of Oscarville and the people who were erased and forgotten. The ghosts aren’t random monsters; they represent generations of pain, displacement, racism, and ignored trauma. The story asks some really powerful questions about what happens when communities bury the truth and pretend the past never happened. There’s this ongoing feeling throughout the book that history doesn’t disappear just because people stop talking about it.
The writing itself is also incredibly atmospheric. H.D. Hunter does an amazing job making the lake feel alive and oppressive. You can practically feel the damp air, the dark water, and the sense that something is lurking just beneath the surface at all times. The book leans more into slow-burn emotional horror than nonstop action, which really worked for me.
That said, if someone goes in expecting a super fast-paced mystery or nonstop terrifying horror scenes, this might feel slower than expected. The story focuses much more on mood, themes, grief, and emotional tension than on solving mysteries or delivering constant scares. Some parts definitely take their time building atmosphere before the pacing ramps up near the end.
But honestly, I think that slower pace helps the story hit harder emotionally. “A Lake with No Bottom” feels important in a way a lot of YA horror doesn’t. It’s unsettling, emotional, historically grounded, and genuinely thoughtful while still delivering creepy supernatural moments. It’s the kind of book that leaves you thinking long after you finish it, not just about the ghosts in the lake, but about the real history and pain buried underneath it all.
“A Lake with No Bottom” by H.D. Hunter completely surprised me in the best way. I went in expecting a creepy YA supernatural thriller about a haunted lake, and while it absolutely delivers on the eerie atmosphere and ghostly horror, it ends up being so much deeper and more emotional than that.
The setup alone is already unsettling because the story is inspired by the real history of Lake Lanier, which honestly might already be one of the creepiest lakes in America. The fact that entire communities were displaced and flooded beneath the lake gives the horror an immediate weight to it. The book takes that history and turns it into something haunting, emotional, and genuinely thought-provoking.
Sidney is such an easy protagonist to root for. He’s just a kid trying to survive being the new student and figure out where he fits in, and then after nearly drowning in the lake, everything spirals. Suddenly he’s hearing voices, seeing visions, and feeling constantly pulled back toward the water. The supernatural moments are creepy without relying on cheap jump scares. Instead, the horror comes from this constant sense of dread and sadness hanging over the story. The nightmare sequences and ghostly encounters are genuinely eerie, but the emotional weight behind them is what really sticks.
What makes this book stand out is that the haunting isn’t just there to scare people. It’s tied directly to the buried history of Oscarville and the people who were erased and forgotten. The ghosts aren’t random monsters; they represent generations of pain, displacement, racism, and ignored trauma. The story asks some really powerful questions about what happens when communities bury the truth and pretend the past never happened. There’s this ongoing feeling throughout the book that history doesn’t disappear just because people stop talking about it.
The writing itself is also incredibly atmospheric. H.D. Hunter does an amazing job making the lake feel alive and oppressive. You can practically feel the damp air, the dark water, and the sense that something is lurking just beneath the surface at all times. The book leans more into slow-burn emotional horror than nonstop action, which really worked for me.
That said, if someone goes in expecting a super fast-paced mystery or nonstop terrifying horror scenes, this might feel slower than expected. The story focuses much more on mood, themes, grief, and emotional tension than on solving mysteries or delivering constant scares. Some parts definitely take their time building atmosphere before the pacing ramps up near the end.
But honestly, I think that slower pace helps the story hit harder emotionally. “A Lake with No Bottom” feels important in a way a lot of YA horror doesn’t. It’s unsettling, emotional, historically grounded, and genuinely thoughtful while still delivering creepy supernatural moments. It’s the kind of book that leaves you thinking long after you finish it, not just about the ghosts in the lake, but about the real history and pain buried underneath it all.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I went into this expecting a supernatural thriller, but it ended up being much heavier in the best way.
Sidney’s story hit me early on. He’s just trying to adjust to a new school and figure out where he belongs, and then everything takes a turn after the incident at Lake Lanier. Knowing how many real stories and rumors surround that lake added an extra layer for me. It made everything feel a little more eerie, like the line between fiction and reality wasn’t as far apart as it should be.
The visions, the voices, and the constant pull back to the water created a haunting atmosphere that stayed with me while reading. But what really grounded the story was the history tied to Oscarville. Learning about the town beneath the lake added so much depth and emotion. It wasn’t just about ghosts, it was about people who were wronged and forgotten, and that made the story hit harder.
I felt for Sidney the entire time. The isolation, the way people treated him, and the pressure of carrying something bigger than himself all felt believable. Watching the town avoid the truth was frustrating, but it also made everything feel more realistic and added to the tension.
This one balances eerie moments with a deeper message, and I appreciated how it handled both. It’s emotional, unsettling, and thought provoking.
I went into this expecting a supernatural thriller, but it ended up being much heavier in the best way.
Sidney’s story hit me early on. He’s just trying to adjust to a new school and figure out where he belongs, and then everything takes a turn after the incident at Lake Lanier. Knowing how many real stories and rumors surround that lake added an extra layer for me. It made everything feel a little more eerie, like the line between fiction and reality wasn’t as far apart as it should be.
The visions, the voices, and the constant pull back to the water created a haunting atmosphere that stayed with me while reading. But what really grounded the story was the history tied to Oscarville. Learning about the town beneath the lake added so much depth and emotion. It wasn’t just about ghosts, it was about people who were wronged and forgotten, and that made the story hit harder.
I felt for Sidney the entire time. The isolation, the way people treated him, and the pressure of carrying something bigger than himself all felt believable. Watching the town avoid the truth was frustrating, but it also made everything feel more realistic and added to the tension.
This one balances eerie moments with a deeper message, and I appreciated how it handled both. It’s emotional, unsettling, and thought provoking.
Thanks Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) for the ARC and opportunity to provide an honest review.
Sidney’s story hit me early on. He’s just trying to adjust to a new school and figure out where he belongs, and then everything takes a turn after the incident at Lake Lanier. Knowing how many real stories and rumors surround that lake added an extra layer for me. It made everything feel a little more eerie, like the line between fiction and reality wasn’t as far apart as it should be.
The visions, the voices, and the constant pull back to the water created a haunting atmosphere that stayed with me while reading. But what really grounded the story was the history tied to Oscarville. Learning about the town beneath the lake added so much depth and emotion. It wasn’t just about ghosts, it was about people who were wronged and forgotten, and that made the story hit harder.
I felt for Sidney the entire time. The isolation, the way people treated him, and the pressure of carrying something bigger than himself all felt believable. Watching the town avoid the truth was frustrating, but it also made everything feel more realistic and added to the tension.
This one balances eerie moments with a deeper message, and I appreciated how it handled both. It’s emotional, unsettling, and thought provoking.
I went into this expecting a supernatural thriller, but it ended up being much heavier in the best way.
Sidney’s story hit me early on. He’s just trying to adjust to a new school and figure out where he belongs, and then everything takes a turn after the incident at Lake Lanier. Knowing how many real stories and rumors surround that lake added an extra layer for me. It made everything feel a little more eerie, like the line between fiction and reality wasn’t as far apart as it should be.
The visions, the voices, and the constant pull back to the water created a haunting atmosphere that stayed with me while reading. But what really grounded the story was the history tied to Oscarville. Learning about the town beneath the lake added so much depth and emotion. It wasn’t just about ghosts, it was about people who were wronged and forgotten, and that made the story hit harder.
I felt for Sidney the entire time. The isolation, the way people treated him, and the pressure of carrying something bigger than himself all felt believable. Watching the town avoid the truth was frustrating, but it also made everything feel more realistic and added to the tension.
This one balances eerie moments with a deeper message, and I appreciated how it handled both. It’s emotional, unsettling, and thought provoking.
Thanks Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) for the ARC and opportunity to provide an honest review.
March 25, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and H. D. Hunter for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: 2.5 rounded up
Sidney nearly drowned in a lake—and now something beneath the water won’t let him go. Plagued by nightmares and haunting visions, it feels as though the voices of those lost below are calling him back.
The premise is especially compelling, drawing inspiration from the real history surrounding Lake Lanier and the communities that once lived there. The idea of a submerged town with spirits seeking acknowledgment and justice immediately pulled me in and gave the story a strong emotional foundation.
One of the highlights of the novel is the author’s writing style. The imagery is vivid and often beautifully eerie, particularly in the nightmare sequences and supernatural moments. Certain descriptions stood out and helped create a haunting atmosphere that lingered beyond the page.
I also appreciated the deeper themes woven throughout the story. The haunting is tied to something more meaningful than surface-level horror, which adds weight and purpose to the narrative.
While the premise suggests a mystery, the story doesn’t fully lean into a suspense-driven or investigative approach, which made it feel less engaging than I expected. Additionally, although the book has been praised for its horror elements, it didn’t feel particularly frightening to me. The atmosphere is present, but the tension never fully builds in a way that feels impactful.
The pacing does improve toward the end, and the final portion of the book is more engaging and eventful. These moments added a sense of urgency that I found myself wishing had been present throughout the entire story.
Overall, this is a novel with a strong concept and meaningful themes, but it didn’t fully deliver on its potential for me. I would still be interested in reading more from this author in the future, as the writing itself shows promise.
Rating: 2.5 rounded up
Sidney nearly drowned in a lake—and now something beneath the water won’t let him go. Plagued by nightmares and haunting visions, it feels as though the voices of those lost below are calling him back.
The premise is especially compelling, drawing inspiration from the real history surrounding Lake Lanier and the communities that once lived there. The idea of a submerged town with spirits seeking acknowledgment and justice immediately pulled me in and gave the story a strong emotional foundation.
One of the highlights of the novel is the author’s writing style. The imagery is vivid and often beautifully eerie, particularly in the nightmare sequences and supernatural moments. Certain descriptions stood out and helped create a haunting atmosphere that lingered beyond the page.
I also appreciated the deeper themes woven throughout the story. The haunting is tied to something more meaningful than surface-level horror, which adds weight and purpose to the narrative.
While the premise suggests a mystery, the story doesn’t fully lean into a suspense-driven or investigative approach, which made it feel less engaging than I expected. Additionally, although the book has been praised for its horror elements, it didn’t feel particularly frightening to me. The atmosphere is present, but the tension never fully builds in a way that feels impactful.
The pacing does improve toward the end, and the final portion of the book is more engaging and eventful. These moments added a sense of urgency that I found myself wishing had been present throughout the entire story.
Overall, this is a novel with a strong concept and meaningful themes, but it didn’t fully deliver on its potential for me. I would still be interested in reading more from this author in the future, as the writing itself shows promise.
July 20, 2026
💦🖤 A R C • R E V I E W🖤💦
“Hate is like a lake with no bottom.”
👻 Haunted Lake
💦 Submerged Ghost Town
👻 Alternating POVs
When Sidney Cromwell moves to rural Forsyth County, Georgia from the big city of Atlanta, all he wants is to fit in at his new high school. But when Sidney nearly drowns in Lake Lanier, an allegedly haunted lake that is the site of numerous inexplicable freak accidents and deaths, he becomes a social pariah as he starts to suffer terrifying visions from the past and hauntings by apparitions calling him to Lanier.
Sidney returns to the lake for answers, and he finds in its murky depths the spirits of former residents from Oscarville, the Black town that lies beneath the man-made lake. They enlist Sidney to remind Forsyth of its devastating history and push its citizens to make amends so that the souls in Oscarville can finally rest.
💭 I don’t know what I expected going into this one, but this book isn’t like anything I’ve ever read before. It was so much more than just a haunted lake, it was also a deep, emotional read.
The fact that the book is inspired by the actual history of Lake Lanier makes it even more compelling and unsettling.
Lake Lanier is a man made lake in North Georgia, the lake submerged the town of Oscarville, a historically black community. It also has a ton of drownings, attributed to submerged debris and low visibility.
What makes this book stand out is Sidney, the main character who’s just a kid trying to survive a new town and new school and then nearly drowns in the lake and everything starts to spiral. Suddenly he’s hearing voices and seeing things. But once he learns the story of the town, it doesn’t feel as haunting, but makes you sad for the people in the town that were submerged.
This is an extremely well written, haunting, emotional YA novel that you just may need to read!
“Hate is like a lake with no bottom.”
👻 Haunted Lake
💦 Submerged Ghost Town
👻 Alternating POVs
When Sidney Cromwell moves to rural Forsyth County, Georgia from the big city of Atlanta, all he wants is to fit in at his new high school. But when Sidney nearly drowns in Lake Lanier, an allegedly haunted lake that is the site of numerous inexplicable freak accidents and deaths, he becomes a social pariah as he starts to suffer terrifying visions from the past and hauntings by apparitions calling him to Lanier.
Sidney returns to the lake for answers, and he finds in its murky depths the spirits of former residents from Oscarville, the Black town that lies beneath the man-made lake. They enlist Sidney to remind Forsyth of its devastating history and push its citizens to make amends so that the souls in Oscarville can finally rest.
💭 I don’t know what I expected going into this one, but this book isn’t like anything I’ve ever read before. It was so much more than just a haunted lake, it was also a deep, emotional read.
The fact that the book is inspired by the actual history of Lake Lanier makes it even more compelling and unsettling.
Lake Lanier is a man made lake in North Georgia, the lake submerged the town of Oscarville, a historically black community. It also has a ton of drownings, attributed to submerged debris and low visibility.
What makes this book stand out is Sidney, the main character who’s just a kid trying to survive a new town and new school and then nearly drowns in the lake and everything starts to spiral. Suddenly he’s hearing voices and seeing things. But once he learns the story of the town, it doesn’t feel as haunting, but makes you sad for the people in the town that were submerged.
This is an extremely well written, haunting, emotional YA novel that you just may need to read!
Review of advance copy received from Author
“Terrifying, Timely, and Rooted in the Real History of Lake Lanier”
📚 On Casey’s Bookshelf
Book: 39
Dates read: 02.24.2026 – 02.25.2026
Title: A Lake with No Bottom
Author: H. D. Hunter
Format: digital ARC
#caseysbookshelf
I ain’t even gonna hold you. About 12% into this book I was texting the group chat telling them I was scared out of my mind and could only read it during the day… with the lights on.
Y’all already know I don’t fool with horror. Fear had me ready to put this book down more than once. But the story was so captivating I had to keep going. As they say… got to see it through my boi.
The entire history behind Lake Lanier and the submerged Black town of Oscarville has always fascinated me. When I first moved to Atlanta after college, a coworker invited me to a team-building outing at the lake. My older cousin immediately told me I was absolutely not allowed to take my Black behind there under any circumstances. I didn’t go… but the mystery around that place has intrigued me ever since.
So a supernatural thriller built around that history? I was locked in.
The story follows Sidney, a teen who moves to Forsyth County and nearly drowns in the lake, only to begin experiencing terrifying visions tied to the past. What unfolds connects him to the spirits of Oscarville, who are demanding that the truth about what happened to their community finally be acknowledged.
What makes this book work so well is that the horror isn’t just about ghosts. It’s about memory, erased history, and the lengths people will go to avoid confronting the truth.
The book releases October 20, perfectly timed for Halloween. Go ahead and preorder it now… because by October you will have forgotten.
Another book off the shelf. We keep reading with intention. 📚
📚 On Casey’s Bookshelf
Book: 39
Dates read: 02.24.2026 – 02.25.2026
Title: A Lake with No Bottom
Author: H. D. Hunter
Format: digital ARC
#caseysbookshelf
I ain’t even gonna hold you. About 12% into this book I was texting the group chat telling them I was scared out of my mind and could only read it during the day… with the lights on.
Y’all already know I don’t fool with horror. Fear had me ready to put this book down more than once. But the story was so captivating I had to keep going. As they say… got to see it through my boi.
The entire history behind Lake Lanier and the submerged Black town of Oscarville has always fascinated me. When I first moved to Atlanta after college, a coworker invited me to a team-building outing at the lake. My older cousin immediately told me I was absolutely not allowed to take my Black behind there under any circumstances. I didn’t go… but the mystery around that place has intrigued me ever since.
So a supernatural thriller built around that history? I was locked in.
The story follows Sidney, a teen who moves to Forsyth County and nearly drowns in the lake, only to begin experiencing terrifying visions tied to the past. What unfolds connects him to the spirits of Oscarville, who are demanding that the truth about what happened to their community finally be acknowledged.
What makes this book work so well is that the horror isn’t just about ghosts. It’s about memory, erased history, and the lengths people will go to avoid confronting the truth.
The book releases October 20, perfectly timed for Halloween. Go ahead and preorder it now… because by October you will have forgotten.
Another book off the shelf. We keep reading with intention. 📚
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
a YA horror set at Lake Lanier based on the REAL history of the lake?? sign me up immediately.
ok so if you don't know, Lake Lanier in Georgia is already one of the creepiest bodies of water in America. they literally flooded a town to build it. and Hunter takes that real history and runs with it into full supernatural horror territory and it works so well.
Sidney moves to Forsyth County knowing nothing about any of this, nearly drowns in the lake, and suddenly he's seeing things. ghosts. visions. the whole nine. and the horror elements genuinely deliver. this book is creepy!! like actually unsettling in a way that a lot of YA horror doesn't quite manage.
but what elevates it beyond just a good scare is the way Hunter threads in the real history. the erasure of Oscarville, the displacement of Cherokee people, the way a whole community just... looks away from what's underneath the water they boat on every summer. the book is asking real questions about what we owe to history and to the people who were buried by it, literally and figuratively. and it doesn't shy away from how that trauma doesn't just disappear. it festers.
honestly don't have a major complaint here. this is just a really well done YA supernatural horror that has something to say and says it without losing the scares.
4 stars.
(thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC copy. all thoughts are my own.)
ok so if you don't know, Lake Lanier in Georgia is already one of the creepiest bodies of water in America. they literally flooded a town to build it. and Hunter takes that real history and runs with it into full supernatural horror territory and it works so well.
Sidney moves to Forsyth County knowing nothing about any of this, nearly drowns in the lake, and suddenly he's seeing things. ghosts. visions. the whole nine. and the horror elements genuinely deliver. this book is creepy!! like actually unsettling in a way that a lot of YA horror doesn't quite manage.
but what elevates it beyond just a good scare is the way Hunter threads in the real history. the erasure of Oscarville, the displacement of Cherokee people, the way a whole community just... looks away from what's underneath the water they boat on every summer. the book is asking real questions about what we owe to history and to the people who were buried by it, literally and figuratively. and it doesn't shy away from how that trauma doesn't just disappear. it festers.
honestly don't have a major complaint here. this is just a really well done YA supernatural horror that has something to say and says it without losing the scares.
4 stars.
(thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC copy. all thoughts are my own.)
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A Lake With No Bottom is intense, impactful, and really relevant to today. It is about a 14 year old white boy, Sidney, who almost drowns in Lake Lanier. This Lake is haunted by a city that was submerged in the 1950s, but everyone forgot. Sidney is the first to hear the people in the lake, to recognize them. The first to CARE. Jeremy, a boy from the original town, haunts him until he returns to the bottom of the lake though. Until he returns to help them to salvation. He has to reckon with his own fate and decide how and if he can even do anything. After all, he is a child, and they are a bunch of spirits lost to the bottom of a lake.
With the way things are happening in the 2020s, this story feels very important. The Author emphasizes what it means to forget or past, how to forget an entire people can have detriment for generations to come. The book is YA, and appropriate for nearly anyone, but touches on the heavy topics of racism(especially systemic) and death. I love the supernatural aspect of it all, and that somehow, there are people, just *existing* underneath a lake. At one point in the story, JD and Odie explain a little about how it works, and that there is a pond inside the lake that just keeps going down forever. I just find the concept fascinating and the author did a great job tying everything together!
If giving a star rating, I would give A Lake With No Bottom five stars and will recommend to friends and family who are looking for a bit of a more serious YA fiction option. As always, I appreciate the opportunity to read and review this title.
With the way things are happening in the 2020s, this story feels very important. The Author emphasizes what it means to forget or past, how to forget an entire people can have detriment for generations to come. The book is YA, and appropriate for nearly anyone, but touches on the heavy topics of racism(especially systemic) and death. I love the supernatural aspect of it all, and that somehow, there are people, just *existing* underneath a lake. At one point in the story, JD and Odie explain a little about how it works, and that there is a pond inside the lake that just keeps going down forever. I just find the concept fascinating and the author did a great job tying everything together!
If giving a star rating, I would give A Lake With No Bottom five stars and will recommend to friends and family who are looking for a bit of a more serious YA fiction option. As always, I appreciate the opportunity to read and review this title.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When Sidney's mom forces the family to leave Atlanta and move to a nearby small town, all he wants to do is make friends at his new school. However, on a trip with those new friends out to a supposedly haunted lake ends in a near drowning and he starts having visions of ghosts. He discovers that Oscarville, an old Black town, was destroyed and flooded by white people to create the lake. The trapped spirits ask Sidney to help them get justice by forcing the current residents to face their dark history. When the living townspeople refuse to listen and ignore the past, the angry ghosts begin to rise up to seek revenge.
This book has such a fascinating premise, and for the most part really delivers. I had never heard of Lake Lanier or Oscarville before reading this, and found myself stopping to look up the history while I was reading. Maybe that is because I live nowhere near Georgia, but what is more likely is that the history of the displacement of an entire Black community is intentionally left out of the history we are taught. While I found myself completely enamored with both the plot and characters in this book, I did struggle a bit was in the perspective jumping. Sidney's perspective was well developed and easy to follow, but when the author shifted perspectives to the underwater ghosts of Oscarville I felt as if I was dropped into the middle of a story that had already started. There was very little explanation of who the characters were and what was going on, so for about half of this book I found myself drifting in and out of understanding. It wasn't until Sidney and the ghosts started directly communicating that the reader is given enough background. Some readers enjoy this type of storytelling that allows them to piece together what is happening, but I prefer a bit more clarity when being introduced to new characters, especially when there is a complex supernatural element. Overall though, this is a good book that explores a horrific history.
This book has such a fascinating premise, and for the most part really delivers. I had never heard of Lake Lanier or Oscarville before reading this, and found myself stopping to look up the history while I was reading. Maybe that is because I live nowhere near Georgia, but what is more likely is that the history of the displacement of an entire Black community is intentionally left out of the history we are taught. While I found myself completely enamored with both the plot and characters in this book, I did struggle a bit was in the perspective jumping. Sidney's perspective was well developed and easy to follow, but when the author shifted perspectives to the underwater ghosts of Oscarville I felt as if I was dropped into the middle of a story that had already started. There was very little explanation of who the characters were and what was going on, so for about half of this book I found myself drifting in and out of understanding. It wasn't until Sidney and the ghosts started directly communicating that the reader is given enough background. Some readers enjoy this type of storytelling that allows them to piece together what is happening, but I prefer a bit more clarity when being introduced to new characters, especially when there is a complex supernatural element. Overall though, this is a good book that explores a horrific history.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ebook in exchange for an honest review
2/5 stars
I’m not generally a horror person, but the premise of this was so exciting to me, I knew I had to give it a try. I haven’t been to Georgia and I’d never heard of Lake Lanier. I knew nothing about the history before this book, and I think it’s important to talk about. It’s another facet of American history that isn’t taught, and that is so easily forgotten.
However…
I wasn’t really a fan of this book. A combination of the writing style, the POV, and the pacing left me feeling disconnected from the story. The point of view is usually centered around Sidney, but it will occasionally drift to Amy Jade or Sidney’s mom without warning. The characters themselves were basic. Who was Sidney before the lake accident? I have no idea. He seems like a quiet kid, but we know basically nothing about him. What does he like? Dislike? What does he want in life? I don’t know.
I also never really felt the horror here. I wanted to. I wanted to feel the despair of the Oscarville residents, the terror of Sidney as he tries to understand what’s happening. But I really didn’t.
Maybe this will hit better for fans of horror, but it didn’t do it for me.
2/5 stars
I’m not generally a horror person, but the premise of this was so exciting to me, I knew I had to give it a try. I haven’t been to Georgia and I’d never heard of Lake Lanier. I knew nothing about the history before this book, and I think it’s important to talk about. It’s another facet of American history that isn’t taught, and that is so easily forgotten.
However…
I wasn’t really a fan of this book. A combination of the writing style, the POV, and the pacing left me feeling disconnected from the story. The point of view is usually centered around Sidney, but it will occasionally drift to Amy Jade or Sidney’s mom without warning. The characters themselves were basic. Who was Sidney before the lake accident? I have no idea. He seems like a quiet kid, but we know basically nothing about him. What does he like? Dislike? What does he want in life? I don’t know.
I also never really felt the horror here. I wanted to. I wanted to feel the despair of the Oscarville residents, the terror of Sidney as he tries to understand what’s happening. But I really didn’t.
Maybe this will hit better for fans of horror, but it didn’t do it for me.
November 1, 2026
I really enjoyed this YA supernatural thriller! Beyond the eerie atmosphere, the dark and emotional themes discussed in this are very interesting.
Learning about the history behind Lake Lanier was both intriguing and horrifying. And the way it is talked about in this book, through Sidney, Jeremy, and the other characters was very thought-provoking.
Sidney is a great protagonist. He’s just trying to live his life after moving to a new town, but he becomes haunted by spirits after almost drowning in Lake Lanier. His perspective on the issue is realistic. He’s a fourteen-year-old kid with no power and he has nothing to do with the atrocities that occurred a century ago. But if the people of today ignore the past, how do those who’ve been wronged get justice? Who should be held responsible? History doesn’t disappear just because people forget about it. It was really interesting to see all of this discussed through Sidney.
Despite focusing on history, the message of this book is very timely. I really loved how through the horror within the story, the author also discusses the horror of the events it is based on.
Thank you Toppling Stacks Tours and Fierce Reads for the eARC! All opinions are my own.
Learning about the history behind Lake Lanier was both intriguing and horrifying. And the way it is talked about in this book, through Sidney, Jeremy, and the other characters was very thought-provoking.
Sidney is a great protagonist. He’s just trying to live his life after moving to a new town, but he becomes haunted by spirits after almost drowning in Lake Lanier. His perspective on the issue is realistic. He’s a fourteen-year-old kid with no power and he has nothing to do with the atrocities that occurred a century ago. But if the people of today ignore the past, how do those who’ve been wronged get justice? Who should be held responsible? History doesn’t disappear just because people forget about it. It was really interesting to see all of this discussed through Sidney.
Despite focusing on history, the message of this book is very timely. I really loved how through the horror within the story, the author also discusses the horror of the events it is based on.
Thank you Toppling Stacks Tours and Fierce Reads for the eARC! All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4 ⭐️
This book was a great supernatural twist on the long-standing and often-erased history of Lake Lanier and its peoples. As a Georgia native, it’s also pretty dang cool to see places and things I’m familiar with in this context.
Story wise: YA can be a tricky genre, and it works well here when you remember the main characters are all around 14-15. The action sequences were so well written you felt in motion at the same time, and the moments of character growth felt steady and built over time. My only critiques were with pacing, that some dialogue felt repetitive, and there was a bit of telling instead of showing (some info dumps), but that is more personal preference.
Overall, this is for fans of:
- creative and innovative supernatural stories tied to historical events
- coming of age and coming of history
- reckoning the past with future action
- anyone who has ever heard of lake lanier!!!
* huge thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review *
This book was a great supernatural twist on the long-standing and often-erased history of Lake Lanier and its peoples. As a Georgia native, it’s also pretty dang cool to see places and things I’m familiar with in this context.
Story wise: YA can be a tricky genre, and it works well here when you remember the main characters are all around 14-15. The action sequences were so well written you felt in motion at the same time, and the moments of character growth felt steady and built over time. My only critiques were with pacing, that some dialogue felt repetitive, and there was a bit of telling instead of showing (some info dumps), but that is more personal preference.
Overall, this is for fans of:
- creative and innovative supernatural stories tied to historical events
- coming of age and coming of history
- reckoning the past with future action
- anyone who has ever heard of lake lanier!!!
* huge thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review *
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A Lake with No Bottom is a chilling YA supernatural thriller inspired by the haunted real history of Lake Lanier, Georgia.
The massive 1950s reservoir flooded the black town of Oscarville, fueling legends of trapped bodies, restless ghosts, and endless depths.
Black teen Sidney Cromwell moves from Atlanta to rural Forsyth County hoping to fit in at his new school, until he nearly drowns in the infamous lake. Plagued by terrifying visions and ghosts, he becomes an outcast.
Drawn back to the water, Sidney uncovers the angry spirits of Oscarville’s former residents, who demand the town confront its buried past for peace, but some locals want those secrets drowned forever.
A scary, heartfelt blend of real history, ghosts and teen drama.
**I would like to express my gratitude to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read this gifted ebook in exchange for an honest review. #ARC #NetGalley
#ALakeWithNoBottom
The massive 1950s reservoir flooded the black town of Oscarville, fueling legends of trapped bodies, restless ghosts, and endless depths.
Black teen Sidney Cromwell moves from Atlanta to rural Forsyth County hoping to fit in at his new school, until he nearly drowns in the infamous lake. Plagued by terrifying visions and ghosts, he becomes an outcast.
Drawn back to the water, Sidney uncovers the angry spirits of Oscarville’s former residents, who demand the town confront its buried past for peace, but some locals want those secrets drowned forever.
A scary, heartfelt blend of real history, ghosts and teen drama.
**I would like to express my gratitude to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read this gifted ebook in exchange for an honest review. #ARC #NetGalley
#ALakeWithNoBottom
October 31, 2026
I love horror books that draw inspiration from real history, especially when it's lesser known. At the core of the story, we have people at odds of how to handle being discarded in history and a teen caught in the middle.
This is a contemporary YA horror that leans into fantasy. I really enjoyed how the story was split between perspectives of our main characters and the souls from Oscarville. While the book has a clear antagonist, it isn't a horror based in triumphing over evil, but confronting the reality of our society. It blends social commentary, history, and fantasy elements with horror in a way that was very engaging.
Disclosure: I received a gifted eARC from Netgalley and a gifted finished copy from the publisher.
This is a contemporary YA horror that leans into fantasy. I really enjoyed how the story was split between perspectives of our main characters and the souls from Oscarville. While the book has a clear antagonist, it isn't a horror based in triumphing over evil, but confronting the reality of our society. It blends social commentary, history, and fantasy elements with horror in a way that was very engaging.
Disclosure: I received a gifted eARC from Netgalley and a gifted finished copy from the publisher.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley and to the Publishers for this ARC! Firstly, I love aquatic horror so I was vey excited to read this. Secondly, this is based off a real town that was turned into a lake, the history is so chilling and spooky. Just the thought of a whole town underwater is so creepy. Sidney is a new kid in town and is invited with local kids to hang out on this lake that has rumors of being haunted. After he almost drowns in the lake, he starts seeing ghostly visions and hearing voices drawing him to the lake. I really enjoyed the supernatural elements to the story, and I did enjoy the history of the lake, and overall empowering message at the end.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
My friend Hugh wrote this amazing book, and I can't wait to celebrate with him at the book launch in October. This might be his best work yet; like his other books, it's filled with likeable, flawed characters that you root for, but this book reaches further than his others. It's about grief, identity, the complexities of family and friend relationships, and trying to fit in when sometimes, you don't. As a YA/MG novel, there is so much for kids to relate to. And there are ghosts! I'm a fellow GA native and I don't know that I'll ever go near Lake Lanier again.
Can't wait to buy this for my school library. Thank you Hugh, Netgalley, and FSG for the ARC.
Can't wait to buy this for my school library. Thank you Hugh, Netgalley, and FSG for the ARC.
November 5, 2026
A haunting supernatural thriller with spirits, haunted lakes, and a tragic past. The concept was interesting and the story pulled me in.
The story had a good blend of a chilling haunting and supernatural mystery that I was intrigued.
If you enjoy a good young adult thriller with supernatural elements, haunting, historical mystery and more then don’t miss this one.
The story had a good blend of a chilling haunting and supernatural mystery that I was intrigued.
If you enjoy a good young adult thriller with supernatural elements, haunting, historical mystery and more then don’t miss this one.
Review of advance copy
I didn't like it. I liked the premise, and thought it was an important story to be told. But every horror story or sci-fi story requires a certain "willing suspension of disbelief" to succeed, and this one (and I am a life-long reader of sci-fi and horror fiction) just asked too much of me.
October 24, 2026
This story is going to sit with me awhile. I love when a book can make you think and A Lake With No Bottom does just that.
“Thank you, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley and Toppling Stacks Tours. All opinions are my own.”
“Thank you, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley and Toppling Stacks Tours. All opinions are my own.”
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
April 3, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
A Lake with No Bottom by Hugh “HD” Hunter is a haunting, atmospheric exploration of the weight of history and the silent ripple effects of grief. Set against a backdrop that feels both expansive and claustrophobic, Hunter crafts a narrative that is less about a physical location and more about the depths of the human psyche.
The book operates on a frequency of quiet devastation. Hunter explores the concept of intergenerational trauma—the idea that the secrets of our ancestors are buried in the sediment of our own lives, waiting to be disturbed. There is a profound sense of "stuckness" in the characters; they are people tethered to a past they didn't choose, struggling to keep their heads above water in a present that feels increasingly shallow.
The prose is lyrical but sharp, often making the reader feel the damp chill of the setting. It captures the specific ache of realizing that some questions will never have answers, and that closure is often a myth we tell ourselves to stay sane.
The author uses sensory details—the smell of stagnant water, the shifting light at dusk, the sound of wind through reeds—to create a tension that never quite breaks. The characters are deeply flawed and painfully relatable. They don't always make the right or heroic choices, which makes their eventual reckonings feel earned rather than forced. Hunter avoids melodrama, opting instead for a slow-burn internal conflict that mirrors the stillness of a deep body of water.
A Lake with No Bottom is not a light read, nor is it a traditional mystery. It is a literary meditation on loss. While the pacing might feel sluggish to those looking for a high-octane thriller, it is perfectly calibrated for a story about the slow erosion of the soul. Memory, isolation, the persistence of the past are very apparent in this novel. Readers who enjoy moody, character-driven Southern Gothic or contemporary literary fiction with a dark edge will definitely enjoy this book.
Overall, this story leaves you with the lingering realization that we are all, in some way, navigating waters where we cannot see the floor. Trying to stay afloat in this wonderous world, while dealing with generations of traumatic history that plagues all of our souls.
A Lake with No Bottom by Hugh “HD” Hunter is a haunting, atmospheric exploration of the weight of history and the silent ripple effects of grief. Set against a backdrop that feels both expansive and claustrophobic, Hunter crafts a narrative that is less about a physical location and more about the depths of the human psyche.
The book operates on a frequency of quiet devastation. Hunter explores the concept of intergenerational trauma—the idea that the secrets of our ancestors are buried in the sediment of our own lives, waiting to be disturbed. There is a profound sense of "stuckness" in the characters; they are people tethered to a past they didn't choose, struggling to keep their heads above water in a present that feels increasingly shallow.
The prose is lyrical but sharp, often making the reader feel the damp chill of the setting. It captures the specific ache of realizing that some questions will never have answers, and that closure is often a myth we tell ourselves to stay sane.
The author uses sensory details—the smell of stagnant water, the shifting light at dusk, the sound of wind through reeds—to create a tension that never quite breaks. The characters are deeply flawed and painfully relatable. They don't always make the right or heroic choices, which makes their eventual reckonings feel earned rather than forced. Hunter avoids melodrama, opting instead for a slow-burn internal conflict that mirrors the stillness of a deep body of water.
A Lake with No Bottom is not a light read, nor is it a traditional mystery. It is a literary meditation on loss. While the pacing might feel sluggish to those looking for a high-octane thriller, it is perfectly calibrated for a story about the slow erosion of the soul. Memory, isolation, the persistence of the past are very apparent in this novel. Readers who enjoy moody, character-driven Southern Gothic or contemporary literary fiction with a dark edge will definitely enjoy this book.
Overall, this story leaves you with the lingering realization that we are all, in some way, navigating waters where we cannot see the floor. Trying to stay afloat in this wonderous world, while dealing with generations of traumatic history that plagues all of our souls.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I haven’t finished but i am already locked in. The characters feel tangible and a bit too real lol. This is horror at its finest to me. What you may expect is not even the half truth. It keeps spiraling into more and peaking my curiosity. This is a YA that makes you ask questions, but also has me shook and the kids actually have parents. Often stories have the kids gallivanting without worried parents. The spook is REAL and sits with you long after. I also am enjoying the relationships and imagery. This is a phenomenally written story within stories that carried real relationships, discomforting truths, and vindicating spin with bouts of humor on history, magic, and possibility. I was at the edge of my seat from beginning to end. This is a world i will think about for ages. The characters and world felt so immersive and tangible. A beautifully worded and intentionally created with care for the reader. A must read.
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