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Long Gone
When Caleb is trapped inside a living maze of vines, survival isn’t just a test — it’s a sacrifice.
Feeding on fear, the maze forces its frightened captives into deadly games with fatal choices. One by one, the children of the town vanished into its belly but Caleb is different. He fights. He dares to hope. And hope is the most dangerous thing the maze has ever faced.
Feeding on fear, the maze forces its frightened captives into deadly games with fatal choices. One by one, the children of the town vanished into its belly but Caleb is different. He fights. He dares to hope. And hope is the most dangerous thing the maze has ever faced.
152 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 26, 2025
1 person is currently reading
15 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 24, 2025
This book will certainly appeal to horror fans. If I had to compare it to anything, I would say nightmare on Elm Street meets Pennywise, however, this story was very unique and emotional. You absolutely fall in love with the characters, as Caleb & Lisa will capture your heart from the very beginning. These kids attempt effortlessly to survive The Lurker’s antics and escape this maze that seems to be never ending.
May 13, 2025
An emotional rollercoaster I was not fully prepared for. I started the story with one theory and was quickly proven wrong. Caleb had nothing but love for his little sister even though he longed to be a child himself. My heart ached for Jonah, Abina, Georgie, and Caleb. I felt mistrust for Nicole. I longed for freedom and hope. The Lurker reminded me of Pennywise, ever changing and longing for the innocence of childhood. I am thankful that I got to beta read this story!
May 27, 2025
"Long Gone" is a passionately written novella, with creepy imagery and intriguing twists. It's apparently the first entry in a series, so that may explain a bit of awkwardness in the writing: the story starts slow and develops in a rather confusing manner, figuring a concept that's never really fleshed out properly - The Maze. The story is alternately told from the point of view of the children trapped in the Maze, and the entity responsible for trapping them there - The Lurker. Perhaps the confusion reflects the children's perspective: they're all preteens, already emotionally traumatized, feeling lost and bewildered. Still, the chapters from the Lurker's perspective left me equally at a loss, so I'm unsure what exactly the ending means or what the point of the Maze was, not to mention what the heck is the Lurker and what exactly it wants.
The strength of the novella lies in its empathetic treatment of the children: a couple of psychological missteps aside (it's not clear to me what explains the lack of tantrums, or what keeps the children motivated), it's easy to empathize with the kids in their predicament, and share in their confusion and desperation.
The strength of the novella lies in its empathetic treatment of the children: a couple of psychological missteps aside (it's not clear to me what explains the lack of tantrums, or what keeps the children motivated), it's easy to empathize with the kids in their predicament, and share in their confusion and desperation.
August 26, 2025
When young Caleb is trapped inside a living vine maze in the equivalent of an alternate reality, he soon realizes that other vulnerable children who come from abusive families, as he does, are targeted and trapped as well. To survive, they must outwit the Lurker who challenges each one physically and mentally. Unlike the other children, Caleb fights back and refuses to surrender to his new reality.
This story is very “Stephen King-ish” and a product of Author Stevie Hosteller’s very fertile, and possibly twisted, mind. This story will haunt you long after the last word is read and will certainly take you out of your comfort zone in this short psychological thriller. It was an interesting read as the first book in the Darkness Falls series. It will be interesting to see what’s in store for the reader in a future book 2 of the series.
This story is very “Stephen King-ish” and a product of Author Stevie Hosteller’s very fertile, and possibly twisted, mind. This story will haunt you long after the last word is read and will certainly take you out of your comfort zone in this short psychological thriller. It was an interesting read as the first book in the Darkness Falls series. It will be interesting to see what’s in store for the reader in a future book 2 of the series.
May 15, 2025
Wow! This isn't a book I just read, but felt as well. I felt the horror, the fear, l the hopes, the dreams, the memories, the nightmares, the determination, and the sacrifice. As I lay here thinking about what I just read, I realized this story would be a part of me for a long, long time.
May 28, 2025
Thank you for the ARC. I was disappointed by this book. I really thought there would be more to the maze and the tests. It was pretty slow and boring. Not much happened. Not much thrill. I did feel for the kids in the maze but I didn’t quite even understand the story or the point of it. Definitely not what I thought it would be like.
June 2, 2025
I had the privilege of receiving an eArc of this book! It was a good read full of questions, determination, and sacrifice. You can connect with the different characters and follow their own stories in the maze! Overall, good read for me!
June 14, 2025
Creepy and atmospheric horror story, this one is not for the faint of heart. There is a compete absence of hope for the children lost in the maze, hit their trials are a true testament to hope and to the human spirit.
The writing style is good, and it keeps you pinned into the story.
The writing style is good, and it keeps you pinned into the story.
June 3, 2025
Long Gone by Stevie Hostetter is a rare kind of horror, driven by the slow, haunting ache of hopelessness. Hostetter dares to explore what happens when despair isn't defeated but only endured. No false comforts or quick fixes here.
From the opening pages, we're plunged into Caleb's fractured psyche, a boy forced to carry too much, too young, as he cares for his sister in the silence of an empty house. "The maze is not a prison. It's a crucible."
This is more soul-weariness than survival.
Hostetter's writing is hauntingly poetic but never indulgent. Every phrase is deliberate. The Lurker isn't just a monster in the dark. It is depression itself, "the crack between walls. The shadow that leans too long." It waits, it wears down, it isolates... and then takes them.
"Every memory is an anchor. I am not a creature of impulse. I do not devour. I fracture. Until what remains is mine." This is horror that reflects what it feels like to be lost in darkness, not screaming but fading.
Yet even in shadow, Caleb dares to hope, and this is where Hostetter's brilliance lies. She shows that hope is not a shining light but a flickering candle that "terrifies the maze." Caleb's refusal to fully surrender - his ache "to be a boy," to reclaim stolen youth – doesn’t mean he emerges unscarred.
He carries the weight - "a drawing from his sister... as weight he will carry till the end." Here, Hostetter crystallizes a core truth: survival means bearing the unbearable, not banishing it.
The maze may be metaphorical, but for many, it's real. The longing to escape not just a situation but life itself is handled with a grace and brutality few authors dare approach.
Caleb doesn't conquer the darkness; he survives it. Barely. He carries the weight of love, shame, and longing. And yet, amid all this bleakness, he hopes.
Hope, Hostetter reminds us, "is the most dangerous thing the maze has ever faced."
This isn't a tale of triumph, but a testament to fragility. Long Gone will stay with you, not because it comforts, but because it tells the truth with poetic, brutal honesty. A mesmerising tour de force!
From the opening pages, we're plunged into Caleb's fractured psyche, a boy forced to carry too much, too young, as he cares for his sister in the silence of an empty house. "The maze is not a prison. It's a crucible."
This is more soul-weariness than survival.
Hostetter's writing is hauntingly poetic but never indulgent. Every phrase is deliberate. The Lurker isn't just a monster in the dark. It is depression itself, "the crack between walls. The shadow that leans too long." It waits, it wears down, it isolates... and then takes them.
"Every memory is an anchor. I am not a creature of impulse. I do not devour. I fracture. Until what remains is mine." This is horror that reflects what it feels like to be lost in darkness, not screaming but fading.
Yet even in shadow, Caleb dares to hope, and this is where Hostetter's brilliance lies. She shows that hope is not a shining light but a flickering candle that "terrifies the maze." Caleb's refusal to fully surrender - his ache "to be a boy," to reclaim stolen youth – doesn’t mean he emerges unscarred.
He carries the weight - "a drawing from his sister... as weight he will carry till the end." Here, Hostetter crystallizes a core truth: survival means bearing the unbearable, not banishing it.
The maze may be metaphorical, but for many, it's real. The longing to escape not just a situation but life itself is handled with a grace and brutality few authors dare approach.
Caleb doesn't conquer the darkness; he survives it. Barely. He carries the weight of love, shame, and longing. And yet, amid all this bleakness, he hopes.
Hope, Hostetter reminds us, "is the most dangerous thing the maze has ever faced."
This isn't a tale of triumph, but a testament to fragility. Long Gone will stay with you, not because it comforts, but because it tells the truth with poetic, brutal honesty. A mesmerising tour de force!
August 31, 2025
I got through this book inside of a week, it's really easy and short read that you could actually probably get through in a day. The print is big and the details are easy to follow! If you like Stephen King's IT, or the Boogyman from Sinister or the characters from Andrew Beauragard's Playground, you'll enjoy this book! It's not nearly as gory as that last reference, some of the characters and their backgrounds are just similar. I would recommend this books as an introductory novel to anyone who's interested and dipping their toes in the genre of horror, or maybe if you've already consumed some horror content. It's not extreme, but it does touch on themes and scenarios that would definitely leave a kid scarred.
My only critique is that it was almost a little too vague at some points, I feel like I didn't know enough about the background of some of the protagonists to fit certain gaps in the narrative, it's very on point and feels like a fever dream. But that was also an element that really served the plot of the book, more than it didn't. It just made me lose track of the events, at some points. But otherwise, it was a fun read!
My only critique is that it was almost a little too vague at some points, I feel like I didn't know enough about the background of some of the protagonists to fit certain gaps in the narrative, it's very on point and feels like a fever dream. But that was also an element that really served the plot of the book, more than it didn't. It just made me lose track of the events, at some points. But otherwise, it was a fun read!
May 22, 2025
Thanks for sending the ARC, Stevie.
While it took a while for this book to get going and for the tension to build, I ended up rather enjoying it. It was a good story with some nice characters who tugged at the heartstrings. The maze was a cool concept, too, with some nice challenges. I think the tension could have been ramped up in some key places, perhaps through more emotional charge or engaging the senses a little more. For example, it would have benefitted from a greater description of how the maze appeared so readers could see, feel, smell, and fear it. That said, there are some great ideas here and at just 200 pages, it's definitely worth a read.
While it took a while for this book to get going and for the tension to build, I ended up rather enjoying it. It was a good story with some nice characters who tugged at the heartstrings. The maze was a cool concept, too, with some nice challenges. I think the tension could have been ramped up in some key places, perhaps through more emotional charge or engaging the senses a little more. For example, it would have benefitted from a greater description of how the maze appeared so readers could see, feel, smell, and fear it. That said, there are some great ideas here and at just 200 pages, it's definitely worth a read.
May 24, 2025
This book was a very good fast read for me. I was able to connect with the characters. You can feel the emotional Rollercoaster ride throughout the book, to the point you can feel and see what is going on. If it's not one of your normal reads pick it up and give it a try. I'm sure you won't be disappointed.
May 15, 2025
Caleb's hometown has a history of disappearances. Now Caleb is one of them. Caleb ends up in a place that is ever changing and seems inescapable. Will Caleb make it out? Heart touching tale of hope and love and determination.
May 20, 2025
Ok I just read this book it’s not my normal book but I’m glad I did it had me hooked from page one the way she made the characters come out in this book. It’s like you’re right there with him. If you’re ready to lose some sleep read this book. It is a really good story.
May 22, 2025
Thank you to the author for the ARC copy of this book.
It was a slow read for me the book started off slow and towards the end you get more action. The town is creepy and has this lurker always watching. If you are looking for physiological grief horror then this book is for you.
It was a slow read for me the book started off slow and towards the end you get more action. The town is creepy and has this lurker always watching. If you are looking for physiological grief horror then this book is for you.
May 17, 2025
when all that is left of the children is their shoes. can't help but wounder where they end up. Caleb soon finds out as he end up in the maze that truly tests his core.
June 12, 2025
A very poetic and dark tale. I really felt for these kids and what they were going through. Great job!
July 8, 2025
Long Gone by Stevie Lynn Hostetter is a tense, haunting story—dark, fast-paced, and full of suspense. It’s a gripping tale of courage and survival.
May 27, 2025
An emotional storyline of the lost and stolen. The Lurker is always watching, shifting, changing in the darkness of shadows. Longing for what can’t be had, the innocence of a child. This is the first part of a series, I can’t wait to see what Hostetter has in store for the next part of the series.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews