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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.
153 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 26, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 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!
August 16, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review
Long Gone
by Stevie Author
Stevie Lynn Hostetter
I thoroughly enjoyed this supernatural horror. From the eye-catching cover to the first page, I was completely captivated by this gripping and spooky thriller. It is a fast-paced and emotional story.
An exciting and enthralling storyline, with multi-POV characters beautifully portrayed in this book by Stevie.
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Caleb is being watched by the Lurker, he is from a broken home, when one night he is taken.
Caleb wakes in a maze of vines that are alive and listening, where he finds other missing children, also taken from their broken homes.
Trapped inside this living vine maze from which there's no escape, survival depends on the choices made in the games of the vines. Making the wrong choice causes them to disappear, swallowed by the vines and to be replaced by another lost child.
Several children of the town vanish, never to be seen again, but Calem has more spirit and fight; he has hope, and it's dangerous for the vine and the Lurker, something they have not faced before.
Long Gone
by Stevie Author
Stevie Lynn Hostetter
I thoroughly enjoyed this supernatural horror. From the eye-catching cover to the first page, I was completely captivated by this gripping and spooky thriller. It is a fast-paced and emotional story.
An exciting and enthralling storyline, with multi-POV characters beautifully portrayed in this book by Stevie.
.
Caleb is being watched by the Lurker, he is from a broken home, when one night he is taken.
Caleb wakes in a maze of vines that are alive and listening, where he finds other missing children, also taken from their broken homes.
Trapped inside this living vine maze from which there's no escape, survival depends on the choices made in the games of the vines. Making the wrong choice causes them to disappear, swallowed by the vines and to be replaced by another lost child.
Several children of the town vanish, never to be seen again, but Calem has more spirit and fight; he has hope, and it's dangerous for the vine and the Lurker, something they have not faced before.
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 16, 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.
May 15, 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.
April 5, 2026
Long Gone by Stevie Lynn Hostetter pulled me in from the very first page and never fully let go. Told through multiple points of view, the story follows a group of children alongside its antagonists, the Lurker and the Maze. I was not expecting to be as invested as I became. Every time I tried to step away, the story kept pulling me back deeper, much like the Maze itself.
The children come from a town where kids go missing with disturbing regularity, yet almost no one seems to question it or attempt a real search. That sense of apathy makes the story even more unsettling. The Lurker stalks his prey carefully, choosing children who fit his needs before dragging them deep underground. The Maze is not just a setting but a living and breathing entity with a will of its own, one that holds power over the Lurker. He longs to be free, but until now, no child has been strong enough to give him that freedom. Then he finds Caleb.
Each child is taken for different reasons, and I will avoid specifics to keep this spoiler free. What stands out is how intense and uncomfortable these moments can be. I often found myself imagining what it would be like to be taken into the Maze as a child, and honestly, I do not think I would last long. The Maze feeds on fear, blood, doubt, and desperation. Children are kept until they are no longer useful, replaced without hesitation when the next one is taken.
What really makes the story work is the emotional weight behind the horror. Stevie Lynn Hostetter writes in a way that forces you to confront both the physical terror and the emotional struggle. Hope flickers constantly, even when things feel overwhelming. Fear and self doubt linger in every choice the children make, and the story does not shy away from the cost of survival.
By the end, the story delivers a conclusion that feels earned while still leaving room to think about what was lost along the way. It does not rely on easy answers or neat resolutions, which felt appropriate for a story like this.
I give Long Gone 5 out of 5 stars. It is dark, emotionally driven, and unsettling in the right ways. The Maze hungers. The Lurker hungers. And this book lingers with you even after you escape its pages.
The children come from a town where kids go missing with disturbing regularity, yet almost no one seems to question it or attempt a real search. That sense of apathy makes the story even more unsettling. The Lurker stalks his prey carefully, choosing children who fit his needs before dragging them deep underground. The Maze is not just a setting but a living and breathing entity with a will of its own, one that holds power over the Lurker. He longs to be free, but until now, no child has been strong enough to give him that freedom. Then he finds Caleb.
Each child is taken for different reasons, and I will avoid specifics to keep this spoiler free. What stands out is how intense and uncomfortable these moments can be. I often found myself imagining what it would be like to be taken into the Maze as a child, and honestly, I do not think I would last long. The Maze feeds on fear, blood, doubt, and desperation. Children are kept until they are no longer useful, replaced without hesitation when the next one is taken.
What really makes the story work is the emotional weight behind the horror. Stevie Lynn Hostetter writes in a way that forces you to confront both the physical terror and the emotional struggle. Hope flickers constantly, even when things feel overwhelming. Fear and self doubt linger in every choice the children make, and the story does not shy away from the cost of survival.
By the end, the story delivers a conclusion that feels earned while still leaving room to think about what was lost along the way. It does not rely on easy answers or neat resolutions, which felt appropriate for a story like this.
I give Long Gone 5 out of 5 stars. It is dark, emotionally driven, and unsettling in the right ways. The Maze hungers. The Lurker hungers. And this book lingers with you even after you escape its pages.
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!
January 9, 2026
Wow, a gripping and original short horror story. Long gone is a tidy novella for a fast read. A tale of trapped endurance, with a strong emotional focus. The horror is based on the rising fear of the characters and Caleb’s bravery. He’s a sweetheart, and he doesn’t give up. The theme of hope keeps them going to outwit the maze and its evil mind game challenges. The story explores how terror affects the mind and body. The premise of being trapped and powerless keeps the tension high and the action moving. The emphasis is on hope, and the desperation gives the book intensity.
It shows us that bad parenting and neglect lead to unprotected children who are more likely to fall into danger. These poor kids don’t have a great life and go from bad to worse at the hands of The Lurker. One of my favourite parts was the description of the home life.
The lost children are caught in a living maze that feeds on fear. It’s imaginative and unsettling. The story is psychological with building pressure. The stakes are defined, and it’s up to the kids to overcome them. This is a book about horror, atmosphere, and endurance. The children are lost. And their hope for survival forces them to take on impossible odds. A brilliant winter warmer.
It shows us that bad parenting and neglect lead to unprotected children who are more likely to fall into danger. These poor kids don’t have a great life and go from bad to worse at the hands of The Lurker. One of my favourite parts was the description of the home life.
The lost children are caught in a living maze that feeds on fear. It’s imaginative and unsettling. The story is psychological with building pressure. The stakes are defined, and it’s up to the kids to overcome them. This is a book about horror, atmosphere, and endurance. The children are lost. And their hope for survival forces them to take on impossible odds. A brilliant winter warmer.
April 9, 2026
When Caleb is trapped inside a living maze of vines, survival isn't just a test. It's a sacrifice, as the maze feeds on fear and forces its captives into deadly games with fatal choices. One by one, the children of the town have vanished into its belly. But Caleb is different. He fights. He dares to hope.
Stevie Hostetter's writing is hauntingly poetic, but never indulgent. Every phrase is deliberate and carefully calibrated for impact. The book's central metaphor is ambitious: the Lurker isn't just a monster in the dark, but depression itself, waiting, wearing down, isolating. It’s a bold swing for a debut horror novel, and Hostetter largely pulls it off. What starts as a survival story becomes more a chronicle of soul-weariness toward the end. Caleb doesn't conquer the darkness. He survives it. Barely.
At 151 pages, “Long Gone” is lean. Maybe too lean, because I felt its world could do with some more breathing room. It’s emotionally-driven horror with a meaningful message, and I look forward to what Hostetter will do next.
Stevie Hostetter's writing is hauntingly poetic, but never indulgent. Every phrase is deliberate and carefully calibrated for impact. The book's central metaphor is ambitious: the Lurker isn't just a monster in the dark, but depression itself, waiting, wearing down, isolating. It’s a bold swing for a debut horror novel, and Hostetter largely pulls it off. What starts as a survival story becomes more a chronicle of soul-weariness toward the end. Caleb doesn't conquer the darkness. He survives it. Barely.
At 151 pages, “Long Gone” is lean. Maybe too lean, because I felt its world could do with some more breathing room. It’s emotionally-driven horror with a meaningful message, and I look forward to what Hostetter will do next.
September 11, 2026
With his mum and dad missing, young Caleb is trying his best to keep himself and his sister safe. But a horrifying monster called The Lurker has set his sights on Caleb. The Lurker snatches him up one night and dumps him in a dark, ever changing maze with three other kids. The Lurker tests them with some horrible games more diabolical than the last and the must find a way out of the maze. However even if they do leave the maze, the maze will never leave them. This is a genuinely scary and creepy story. It is reminiscent of Stephen King where most of his main characters are children and he dials up the fears they experience until it becomes an altogether different animal that will scare the bricks out of any cold blooded adult. It is a quick fast paced read. The shortness of the book adds to that and you will find you have finished it in no time. I definitely recommend this if you love being scared and I have the next book in my TBR already. Can’t wait to read it.
July 6, 2026
Nightmares of the Forgotten Child
The underlying theme of this darkly immersive tale struck me and stayed with me long after putting the book down. It could be read as a cautionary tale. Abandoned, abused children face a nightmare world of cruel games. One they can only escape through their best virtues. Or can they? Beyond the thematic force, this is not just a book you read, but an immersive world you experience. Stevie Hostetter is masterful in world building and the use of poetic language to create spellbinding stories. I found myself rereading passages for the sheer beauty of the writing. This is a haunting, compelling, page turning read by a talented author. A horror novel with a heart.
The underlying theme of this darkly immersive tale struck me and stayed with me long after putting the book down. It could be read as a cautionary tale. Abandoned, abused children face a nightmare world of cruel games. One they can only escape through their best virtues. Or can they? Beyond the thematic force, this is not just a book you read, but an immersive world you experience. Stevie Hostetter is masterful in world building and the use of poetic language to create spellbinding stories. I found myself rereading passages for the sheer beauty of the writing. This is a haunting, compelling, page turning read by a talented author. A horror novel with a heart.
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.
July 26, 2026
Emotional horror
I loved this book and the cover. These kids from broken homes in up in this maze with the Lurker. This story is unique we actually get to hear from the monster. The Lurker feeds on pain and depression. I love anything with creepy kids or kids in distress so this was the perfect read for me. I don't like spoilers there is no happiness in this book. There is hope though and one brave lil boy. ❤️ I hope Stevie Hostetter revisits the maze.
I loved this book and the cover. These kids from broken homes in up in this maze with the Lurker. This story is unique we actually get to hear from the monster. The Lurker feeds on pain and depression. I love anything with creepy kids or kids in distress so this was the perfect read for me. I don't like spoilers there is no happiness in this book. There is hope though and one brave lil boy. ❤️ I hope Stevie Hostetter revisits the maze.
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 28, 2026
I picked up this book as I like horror. I liked the spookiness throughout the book. I also liked the switch of chapters between first person and the third person. However, I would have loved it even more if it was bit more scary. Also, editing has some scope for improvement.
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 22, 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 - 27 of 27 reviews