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As Below
Two centuries ago, humanity was forced to choose: burn beneath the dying sun or descend into the depths to survive.
It was never a choice at all.
Now, twenty-six doomsday bunkers cling to seafloors, their cavernous tunnels stretching outward like the arms of a starfish—but Samara never chose this life.
Born below, she loathes her inherited existence. The buzzing fluorescent lights overhead, the void beyond the windows, the Warden’s infinite rules, and the suffocating rhythm of repetition gnaw at her mind.
But Foxtrot is a haven under the sea so long as you do what you’re told. So long as you don’t question authority or have an Indicator. Breaking a rule isn’t just dangerous, it's a depth-wish. And the Vat always collects its due.
Driven by grief and anger after losing a loved one, Samara breaks the Warden’s ironclad rule—she questions the forbidden surface.
Her defiance doesn’t spark a flame—it uncovers one that’s been burning quietly for generations. For the first time, she holds the power to choose: find the truth or stay in the safety of silence.
It was never a choice at all.
Now, twenty-six doomsday bunkers cling to seafloors, their cavernous tunnels stretching outward like the arms of a starfish—but Samara never chose this life.
Born below, she loathes her inherited existence. The buzzing fluorescent lights overhead, the void beyond the windows, the Warden’s infinite rules, and the suffocating rhythm of repetition gnaw at her mind.
But Foxtrot is a haven under the sea so long as you do what you’re told. So long as you don’t question authority or have an Indicator. Breaking a rule isn’t just dangerous, it's a depth-wish. And the Vat always collects its due.
Driven by grief and anger after losing a loved one, Samara breaks the Warden’s ironclad rule—she questions the forbidden surface.
Her defiance doesn’t spark a flame—it uncovers one that’s been burning quietly for generations. For the first time, she holds the power to choose: find the truth or stay in the safety of silence.
364 pages, Paperback
Published June 13, 2025
30 people are currently reading
113 people want to read
About the author
Lynzee Schott
1 book11 followersLynzee writes dystopian novels, offloading her existential dread onto fictional characters. When she's not crafting character-driven stories, she's reading, gaming, and overthinking. She shares a life with her sixth-grade sweetheart, raising an awesome preteen while chasing down two French bulldog escape artists.
Nearly 3.5 years in the making, AS BELOW is Lynzee's debut novel. While she's written short stories since adolescence, in February 2022 she woke up from a dead sleep with an idea: to write a book about a doomsday bunker on the seafloor.
Welcome to Foxtrot. She hopes you enjoy your stay.
See what else Lynzee is up to on social media:
Instagram: @authorlynzeeschott
TikTok: @lynzeewrites
Nearly 3.5 years in the making, AS BELOW is Lynzee's debut novel. While she's written short stories since adolescence, in February 2022 she woke up from a dead sleep with an idea: to write a book about a doomsday bunker on the seafloor.
Welcome to Foxtrot. She hopes you enjoy your stay.
See what else Lynzee is up to on social media:
Instagram: @authorlynzeeschott
TikTok: @lynzeewrites
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
June 14, 2025
Jaw. On. The. Floor. I finished As Below at 12:30AM and just laid there—staring at the ceiling, completely stunned.
This book is a fast-paced, high-stakes dystopian thriller that grabbed me by the throat and didn’t let go. Set 200 years after the sun began to superheat the Earth, humanity had two choices: burn or bury. Samara, our fierce FMC, was born in a bunker deep beneath the sea. All her life, she’s been told the surface is forbidden—stories whispered behind closed doors and never spoken aloud. Mentioning it outside your home means a one-way trip to the Vat… and no one survives the Vat.
Fueled by rage at the injustice in her crumbling society and desperate to uncover the truth, Samara risks everything to reach the surface. What follows is a spiral of secrets, rebellion, and one of the most jaw-dropping plot twists I’ve read in ages.
I’m still reeling. This book wrecked me in the best way—and it’s absolutely going on my must-recommend list. Holy. Shit.
This book is a fast-paced, high-stakes dystopian thriller that grabbed me by the throat and didn’t let go. Set 200 years after the sun began to superheat the Earth, humanity had two choices: burn or bury. Samara, our fierce FMC, was born in a bunker deep beneath the sea. All her life, she’s been told the surface is forbidden—stories whispered behind closed doors and never spoken aloud. Mentioning it outside your home means a one-way trip to the Vat… and no one survives the Vat.
Fueled by rage at the injustice in her crumbling society and desperate to uncover the truth, Samara risks everything to reach the surface. What follows is a spiral of secrets, rebellion, and one of the most jaw-dropping plot twists I’ve read in ages.
I’m still reeling. This book wrecked me in the best way—and it’s absolutely going on my must-recommend list. Holy. Shit.
June 2, 2025
Samara Quinn is born and raised in Foxtrot - one of 26 underwater starfish-shaped bunkers that have held the remainder of humankind for the last 200 years. She’s always questioned why things are done the way they are and what still exists of the forbidden surface. When given the opportunity to join a resistance movement, she dives in headfirst.
This debut dystopian novel will keep you on the edge of your seat! Not only is the plot captivating and exciting, this story is so well written. Each chapter ends by pulling you straight into the next. The world development is impressive for a book that’s roughly 300 pages. While this hasn’t been my go-to genre for a long time, I was hooked from the beginning. I can’t wait to read more from this author!
This debut dystopian novel will keep you on the edge of your seat! Not only is the plot captivating and exciting, this story is so well written. Each chapter ends by pulling you straight into the next. The world development is impressive for a book that’s roughly 300 pages. While this hasn’t been my go-to genre for a long time, I was hooked from the beginning. I can’t wait to read more from this author!
November 12, 2025
Dystopian. Female rage. Inhumane Society.
I really really enjoyed this story and absolutely did not see where that was going to end up. We are following life for those who ended up in an underwater bunker after the world, as we know it, essentially ended. A young girl who has clung onto the hope that there is more out there, and her fight to get there.
My only gripe with the story was that the pacing felt a bit off and the reveal felt a bit rushed. I think this book would have done well to actually be a bit longer, which is something that I never say. It did not take away from how much I enjoyed the story and I really can’t wait to see what else is all that comes out with.
I really really enjoyed this story and absolutely did not see where that was going to end up. We are following life for those who ended up in an underwater bunker after the world, as we know it, essentially ended. A young girl who has clung onto the hope that there is more out there, and her fight to get there.
My only gripe with the story was that the pacing felt a bit off and the reveal felt a bit rushed. I think this book would have done well to actually be a bit longer, which is something that I never say. It did not take away from how much I enjoyed the story and I really can’t wait to see what else is all that comes out with.
June 6, 2025
Lynzee Schoot presents us with an interesting premise which unfortunately follows an all too familiar dystopian plot line.
Our protagonist is a young mentally ill woman who shares a deep bond with her brother ever since they went up for adoption. Together... they try to navigate their way (pun intended) into Foxtrot, an Atlantis like underwater colony ruled by a ruthless Big Brother like figure named The Warden.
The problem with both writing dystopian books and writing reviews for said books is that it all automatically gets compared to the great ones (Fahrenheit, 1984 etc...). As I've previously mentioned this book follows the typical 1984 plot line (life sucks; discovery of the resistance; fight back; escape and final reveal) - I wouldn't say that this is a big issue though. The novel presents some interesting ideas (mainly the Vaat, which I really liked) and doesn't shy away from graphic scenes (which is definitely plus for me).
I must give props to the author; around page 80 I began to absolutely devour this book - which goes to show how Schoot is quite capable of building up tension and interesting scenes.
The only two real critiques that I want to extend are about the pacing and the ending.
Regarding the pacing: I just personally felt that the reveal of the resistance happened a bit too quick - not a deal breaker by any means, but just felt that the story ran a little too fast, and maybe would've preferred a bit more buildup.
Honestly the only real thing I didn't like was the final reveal- not the ending mind you, I liked that and even asked a few things about it to the author. I just feel that the ''it was all a show/experiment'' trope is kind of boring.
Overall, despite the few small gripes I have with book, I wholeheartedly recommend it: it was quite an easy and enjoyable read. I'll look forward to seeing what the author will produce in the future.
This book was read as an ARC via NetGalley
Our protagonist is a young mentally ill woman who shares a deep bond with her brother ever since they went up for adoption. Together... they try to navigate their way (pun intended) into Foxtrot, an Atlantis like underwater colony ruled by a ruthless Big Brother like figure named The Warden.
The problem with both writing dystopian books and writing reviews for said books is that it all automatically gets compared to the great ones (Fahrenheit, 1984 etc...). As I've previously mentioned this book follows the typical 1984 plot line (life sucks; discovery of the resistance; fight back; escape and final reveal) - I wouldn't say that this is a big issue though. The novel presents some interesting ideas (mainly the Vaat, which I really liked) and doesn't shy away from graphic scenes (which is definitely plus for me).
I must give props to the author; around page 80 I began to absolutely devour this book - which goes to show how Schoot is quite capable of building up tension and interesting scenes.
The only two real critiques that I want to extend are about the pacing and the ending.
Regarding the pacing: I just personally felt that the reveal of the resistance happened a bit too quick - not a deal breaker by any means, but just felt that the story ran a little too fast, and maybe would've preferred a bit more buildup.
Honestly the only real thing I didn't like was the final reveal- not the ending mind you, I liked that and even asked a few things about it to the author. I just feel that the ''it was all a show/experiment'' trope is kind of boring.
Overall, despite the few small gripes I have with book, I wholeheartedly recommend it: it was quite an easy and enjoyable read. I'll look forward to seeing what the author will produce in the future.
This book was read as an ARC via NetGalley
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 13, 2025
The premise of As Below intrigued me immediately. Who knew I would ever be in the mood for a dystopian book that took place in a sea floor bunker? I didn’t. Not until I saw her videos on it. As soon as I started this book I was put right in that bunker. The story was well thought out. The characters had depth (no pun intended) I hated some of them, then I loved them. Their responses to conflict made so much sense to me. It’s hard to talk about this book without giving anything away. Cause there is no way I want to spoil anything that happens for anyone. I want you to be just as jaw dropping shocked as I was. And then sit there and contemplate everything for a few days. It’s one of those books I wish I could erase from my brain and read again.
June 10, 2025
Very entertaining, and suspenseful with an interesting perspective on story telling. The last 1/3 of this book read shockingly fast due to my immersion and the story’s climax. I felt like I became a partner and confidant of the protagonist, on a “ride” with her all the way through. This story does not have shallow subject matter. The author clearly contemplated human reaction, emotion, and consequence when developing the characters and I found it very easy to empathize with several of the them. I am not much of a hobbyist book reader, but I could not put this book down. I am excited to go through this story AGAIN to see the subtle hints that I missed my first time through.
June 13, 2025
One of the BEST dystopian books I have ever read!!!! I refuse to give any spoilers for this book because I want you to read this book and enjoy it as much as I have!!!! I stayed intrigued and this book got me out of my reading slump. 100% worth the read, and the money! I am so excited to get my physical copy to display that beautiful cover! Amazing job on this book Lynzee!!! I can't wait to see what you write next! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 30, 2025
That ending?!??? Holy shit.
May 22, 2025
From the first few chapters, I was sucked into the underwater world of Foxtrot. I finished this book in less than 24 hours!! I can't remember the last time a book captivated me the way As Below did!
In As Below, you get a feisty FMC, Samara Quinn, who is questioning the monotonous day-to-day life of residing in a seafloor bunker, all while dreaming of the unknown. There are twists and turns throughout this book that will make it hard to put down as Samara navigates Foxtrot and her life in a very relatable way - with sarcasm and thoughts that were probably meant to stay inside her head.
As Below gives you main character growth, a government leader you will LOVE to hate, WTF moments, interesting side characters that blend together perfectly, great quotes, and an ending that will blow your mind.
I'll end this review with one of my favorite quotes from the book:
"Good people aren't molded from excuses of anger and hurt. Good people learn from their hurt and break the cycle, they don't project it." - Samara Quinn. 👏👏👏
I cannot wait for what else author Lynzee Schott may give us readers in the future.
In As Below, you get a feisty FMC, Samara Quinn, who is questioning the monotonous day-to-day life of residing in a seafloor bunker, all while dreaming of the unknown. There are twists and turns throughout this book that will make it hard to put down as Samara navigates Foxtrot and her life in a very relatable way - with sarcasm and thoughts that were probably meant to stay inside her head.
As Below gives you main character growth, a government leader you will LOVE to hate, WTF moments, interesting side characters that blend together perfectly, great quotes, and an ending that will blow your mind.
I'll end this review with one of my favorite quotes from the book:
"Good people aren't molded from excuses of anger and hurt. Good people learn from their hurt and break the cycle, they don't project it." - Samara Quinn. 👏👏👏
I cannot wait for what else author Lynzee Schott may give us readers in the future.
June 27, 2025
“There are no gods.”
4.5 stars! First of all Thank you so so much for the ARC. This was such a pleasure to read! I ate this book up. It’s not super long and I blasted through it in a night (which is really fast for me). Overall I thought the story was a darkly delightful dystopian novel. I would definitely pick it up if you like:
* A complex FMC that uses sarcasm to fight the system→because what's better than female rage and snark?
* Interesting sibling dynamics→no like… really interesting
* Appropriately aged characters→ look, I love me a teen protagonist too but sometimes I want to see an older cast of characters kick ass too
* A super unique setting→ like seriously! An underground bunker? That’s an awesome setting!
* An incredibly fast paced read→ this one will get you out of that slump
* Hoping beyond hope for something that might not even be possible but still hoping
* Plot twist, plot twists, and more plot twists→because HELL YEAH!
Characters
“Evacuate below or burn above, and this is humanity’s great second chance. Reduced to living underwater to escape the sun, only to suffer in more creative ways. If I had been given the choice, I would’ve laughed under the dying sun and said fuck it , the toast the apocalyse with cold a lemonade.”
Samara was my favorite part of this book. Not only is it nice to see older FMC in novels (obviously 26 is not old by any means but she’s not a teen) but the way she is both strong and vulnerable was so interesting to read. I liked that she was at an age where she still needed the support of her family and older parent-figures while also being a full adult and thus old enough to make her actions believable. There are times when she is naive but it makes sense within the context of the novel (ie. an authoritarian regime that systematically censors and rewrites history). It was interesting to see her struggle with self-doubt while also being such a badass. I usually dislike the ‘strong female character’ trope where they just bad mouth authority with little regard for the repercussions because they have special abilities but for Samara her quick witted replies are all she has. Foxtrot seems to thrive on making people reactors rather than doers and Samara’s sarcasm is (initially) the only way she can ‘do’ something. When she has moments of rage she always reflects on them later. She comes off as being impulsive rather than stupid. And even then she makes an effort to do better. She can be over the top but never comes off as ‘too much’ because of her vulnerability. It made sense that a character would want more than just survival in Foxtrot. The theme of living without really living was fascinating.
Setting
Foxtrot, is an underground bunker that houses people, produces food, and has a massive security state. This was such a unique setting! I was a little lost in the beginning with the different sectors, and I do think the book would have benefited from a map, but the locations themselves (the apartment complexes, the vat, the arboretum, etc…) were described well. The scale of the bunker was a bit difficult for me to conceptualize but the author has several aesthetic videos of Foxtrot on Instagram which really helped. I would’ve liked to know a bit more about the political structure of Foxtrot but it was never so underdeveloped that it took away from the story. Also maybe I missed the part where this was explained but I didn’t know how folks in Foxtrot got certain supplies (ie. I’m curious what she used to make nail polish).
4.5 stars! First of all Thank you so so much for the ARC. This was such a pleasure to read! I ate this book up. It’s not super long and I blasted through it in a night (which is really fast for me). Overall I thought the story was a darkly delightful dystopian novel. I would definitely pick it up if you like:
* A complex FMC that uses sarcasm to fight the system→because what's better than female rage and snark?
* Interesting sibling dynamics→no like… really interesting
* Appropriately aged characters→ look, I love me a teen protagonist too but sometimes I want to see an older cast of characters kick ass too
* A super unique setting→ like seriously! An underground bunker? That’s an awesome setting!
* An incredibly fast paced read→ this one will get you out of that slump
* Hoping beyond hope for something that might not even be possible but still hoping
* Plot twist, plot twists, and more plot twists→because HELL YEAH!
Characters
“Evacuate below or burn above, and this is humanity’s great second chance. Reduced to living underwater to escape the sun, only to suffer in more creative ways. If I had been given the choice, I would’ve laughed under the dying sun and said fuck it , the toast the apocalyse with cold a lemonade.”
Samara was my favorite part of this book. Not only is it nice to see older FMC in novels (obviously 26 is not old by any means but she’s not a teen) but the way she is both strong and vulnerable was so interesting to read. I liked that she was at an age where she still needed the support of her family and older parent-figures while also being a full adult and thus old enough to make her actions believable. There are times when she is naive but it makes sense within the context of the novel (ie. an authoritarian regime that systematically censors and rewrites history). It was interesting to see her struggle with self-doubt while also being such a badass. I usually dislike the ‘strong female character’ trope where they just bad mouth authority with little regard for the repercussions because they have special abilities but for Samara her quick witted replies are all she has. Foxtrot seems to thrive on making people reactors rather than doers and Samara’s sarcasm is (initially) the only way she can ‘do’ something. When she has moments of rage she always reflects on them later. She comes off as being impulsive rather than stupid. And even then she makes an effort to do better. She can be over the top but never comes off as ‘too much’ because of her vulnerability. It made sense that a character would want more than just survival in Foxtrot. The theme of living without really living was fascinating.
Setting
Foxtrot, is an underground bunker that houses people, produces food, and has a massive security state. This was such a unique setting! I was a little lost in the beginning with the different sectors, and I do think the book would have benefited from a map, but the locations themselves (the apartment complexes, the vat, the arboretum, etc…) were described well. The scale of the bunker was a bit difficult for me to conceptualize but the author has several aesthetic videos of Foxtrot on Instagram which really helped. I would’ve liked to know a bit more about the political structure of Foxtrot but it was never so underdeveloped that it took away from the story. Also maybe I missed the part where this was explained but I didn’t know how folks in Foxtrot got certain supplies (ie. I’m curious what she used to make nail polish).
August 15, 2025
***I received this title as an ARC prior to the books release in June of 2025. There may be differences between my copy and the final release. My acceptance of the ARC is not a reflection of my review.***
—————————————————————
Oh. My. God. I hadn’t had a proper chance to read As Below prior to release and I deeply regret it. As Below follows Samara as she navigates her life in an underground society named Foxtrot- one of many bunkers created nearly two hundred years prior after the world fell to pieces. Her twin brother Mason also plays a large role but is ultimately not a main character. Together they work as a Teacher and Watchmen respectively, doing their best to change Foxtrot for the better, all while the memories of their adoptive father discussing the Surface ring in their minds.
What happened to the Surface? Did the sun finish boiling the oceans and melting the Earth? What happened to those that didn’t make it into Alpha through Zulu? Why had we stopped receiving communications from the other bunkers? These questions and more becomes Samara’s main focus after running into a woman who claims to have known her adoptive father Jerald, just a year after his murder.
There’s so much I could try to explain in this review, but anything beyond that would be a spoiler I won’t risk. All I can say is- READ AS BELOW!! I’m super excited for the Duology to get completed.
As Below earns a murky baratone 4/5 stars.
Go up, up, up!
—————————————————————
Thank you SO MUCH for reading my review of As Below! I’m so sorry to the author for not getting this out sooner- a ton of personal life events and family emergencies have left me in a mental pickle.
And again, my position of having an ARC does not affect my review. I genuinely had so much fun with this, and am super grateful that I got the chance to read As Below early.
Now it’s time to get a physical copy for my shelf!
If you’d like to follow us, we’re on most socials as TheLibraryFromScratch. We own over 1600 physical books, and my goal is to read as many as possible each year.
Thank you again so much, and have a great rest of Summer 2025!
- Jillian
—————————————————————
Oh. My. God. I hadn’t had a proper chance to read As Below prior to release and I deeply regret it. As Below follows Samara as she navigates her life in an underground society named Foxtrot- one of many bunkers created nearly two hundred years prior after the world fell to pieces. Her twin brother Mason also plays a large role but is ultimately not a main character. Together they work as a Teacher and Watchmen respectively, doing their best to change Foxtrot for the better, all while the memories of their adoptive father discussing the Surface ring in their minds.
What happened to the Surface? Did the sun finish boiling the oceans and melting the Earth? What happened to those that didn’t make it into Alpha through Zulu? Why had we stopped receiving communications from the other bunkers? These questions and more becomes Samara’s main focus after running into a woman who claims to have known her adoptive father Jerald, just a year after his murder.
There’s so much I could try to explain in this review, but anything beyond that would be a spoiler I won’t risk. All I can say is- READ AS BELOW!! I’m super excited for the Duology to get completed.
As Below earns a murky baratone 4/5 stars.
Go up, up, up!
—————————————————————
Thank you SO MUCH for reading my review of As Below! I’m so sorry to the author for not getting this out sooner- a ton of personal life events and family emergencies have left me in a mental pickle.
And again, my position of having an ARC does not affect my review. I genuinely had so much fun with this, and am super grateful that I got the chance to read As Below early.
Now it’s time to get a physical copy for my shelf!
If you’d like to follow us, we’re on most socials as TheLibraryFromScratch. We own over 1600 physical books, and my goal is to read as many as possible each year.
Thank you again so much, and have a great rest of Summer 2025!
- Jillian
June 13, 2025
Dystopian
Feminine Rage
Doomsday Bunker
Underwater City
Character Driven
Oppression
F*CK the System
I went into this book knowing it wasn’t my RECENT normal genre. But I’ve always loved Dystopians. I greatly enjoyed this book and I’m so glad I took the leap to break out of my current genre binge!
A society at the bottom of the ocean, Foxtrot. There are Alpha - Zulu stations, all under the ocean as the world above has been destroyed. People are living, being sunk for being elderly, and everyone’s anxious and on their toes. What happens when you find out that there’s more to this underwater world, then you thought there was? The only place you’ve ever known. There is no surface. But whispers start, a journey begins and a twist that will leave you gripped for the end. Follow Samara on her journey while she teams up with others to discover the secrets, truth and escape from the oppressive society they’ve lived in and only ever known.
As Below was such a fun read. I actually really enjoyed this and it's been awhile since I've read a non-romance book let alone one that fell all within the Dystopian world. I definitely hope to read more from her in the future!
If you're wanting to try out Dystopian or even just wanting a break from your typical genre, this book is well written, a journey, and full of intrigue. Pick it up and join Samara through As Below while she just wants to go Above.
Thank you to the author for this gifted eARC of As Below!
Feminine Rage
Doomsday Bunker
Underwater City
Character Driven
Oppression
F*CK the System
I went into this book knowing it wasn’t my RECENT normal genre. But I’ve always loved Dystopians. I greatly enjoyed this book and I’m so glad I took the leap to break out of my current genre binge!
A society at the bottom of the ocean, Foxtrot. There are Alpha - Zulu stations, all under the ocean as the world above has been destroyed. People are living, being sunk for being elderly, and everyone’s anxious and on their toes. What happens when you find out that there’s more to this underwater world, then you thought there was? The only place you’ve ever known. There is no surface. But whispers start, a journey begins and a twist that will leave you gripped for the end. Follow Samara on her journey while she teams up with others to discover the secrets, truth and escape from the oppressive society they’ve lived in and only ever known.
As Below was such a fun read. I actually really enjoyed this and it's been awhile since I've read a non-romance book let alone one that fell all within the Dystopian world. I definitely hope to read more from her in the future!
If you're wanting to try out Dystopian or even just wanting a break from your typical genre, this book is well written, a journey, and full of intrigue. Pick it up and join Samara through As Below while she just wants to go Above.
Thank you to the author for this gifted eARC of As Below!
December 10, 2025
If you feel like you’ve read this story before, shades of the Silo series, that’s As Below. A sealed environment. A lethal outside world. A heroine pushed toward dangerous truths by forbidden journals and the death of a trusted authority figure. The parallels stack up fast, and while the underwater setting adds texture, the skeleton of the story will feel familiar to anyone who’s walked the dust-choked halls of Hugh Howey’s world.
That said, the writing itself is solid. Lynzee Schott builds atmosphere well, and even when a sentence or two knots itself into a tongue-twister, the prose mostly carries the reader with confidence. There’s emotional weight here, especially in the early chapters, and Samara’s grief-driven determination gives the story its strongest pulse.
But the ending.
The ending undercuts the entire journey. Without spoiling specifics, the final reveal cheapens the characters, reframes their lives in a way that feels like an affront to the reader, and pulls the narrative into territory that’s both overfamiliar and far less interesting than the book’s first three-quarters. It turns a story about confinement, trauma, and discovery into something that feels smaller, not larger. It almost slaps you in the face with a laugh.
A strong start, a sturdy middle, and a finish that dissolves the foundation beneath it.
There's craft here, but the last chapters make it hard to recommend without a shrug.
That said, the writing itself is solid. Lynzee Schott builds atmosphere well, and even when a sentence or two knots itself into a tongue-twister, the prose mostly carries the reader with confidence. There’s emotional weight here, especially in the early chapters, and Samara’s grief-driven determination gives the story its strongest pulse.
But the ending.
The ending undercuts the entire journey. Without spoiling specifics, the final reveal cheapens the characters, reframes their lives in a way that feels like an affront to the reader, and pulls the narrative into territory that’s both overfamiliar and far less interesting than the book’s first three-quarters. It turns a story about confinement, trauma, and discovery into something that feels smaller, not larger. It almost slaps you in the face with a laugh.
A strong start, a sturdy middle, and a finish that dissolves the foundation beneath it.
There's craft here, but the last chapters make it hard to recommend without a shrug.
January 23, 2026
As Below is the kind of book that crawls into your head quietly and then refuses to leave.From the first pages, Lynzee Schott creates an atmosphere that feels heavy, symbolic, and deeply uncomfortable in the best way. This isn’t a story that relies on cheap scares. Instead, it thrives on unease, moral tension, and the question of how far we’re willing to go when faced with impossible choices.
The duality threaded through this novel is its strongest weapon. The concept of “yes” versus “no,” right versus wrong, above versus below, is woven into every layer of the story character decisions, setting, and even the emotional weight of each scene. Nothing feels accidental. Every moment feels intentional, like the book itself is testing the reader.The writing is sharp, atmospheric, and quietly haunting. Schott knows exactly when to withhold information, letting dread build naturally instead of forcing it. The result is a story that feels intimate and disturbing, making you complicit in the choices unfolding on the page.
If you love books that:
• linger long after you finish
• make you uncomfortable on purpose
• blur the line between morality and survival
• feel symbolic and psychological rather than outright violent
this one is absolutely for you.
The duality threaded through this novel is its strongest weapon. The concept of “yes” versus “no,” right versus wrong, above versus below, is woven into every layer of the story character decisions, setting, and even the emotional weight of each scene. Nothing feels accidental. Every moment feels intentional, like the book itself is testing the reader.The writing is sharp, atmospheric, and quietly haunting. Schott knows exactly when to withhold information, letting dread build naturally instead of forcing it. The result is a story that feels intimate and disturbing, making you complicit in the choices unfolding on the page.
If you love books that:
• linger long after you finish
• make you uncomfortable on purpose
• blur the line between morality and survival
• feel symbolic and psychological rather than outright violent
this one is absolutely for you.
May 21, 2025
ARC Review
As Below by Lynzee Schott is a mind-blowing dystopian story.
Foxtrot was believed to be the only surviving underwater city after the extinction of the surface world. The civilization there was ruled by a corrupt government with an iron fist. Samara had had enough. Inspired by her father's stories, she made the life-changing decision to find a way to reach the surface. That’s when she discovered the Cicada—a secret movement of people who believed the surface was still livable. Could they make it without being caught? And what would they find in the world above?
This is a beautiful story with strong, emotional characters. It brought out so many feelings. I loved Samara—her determination and courage made her a true savior, even when she was scared. The writing was vivid and immersive—you could easily envision the scenes, especially the harsh living conditions in Foxtrot.
My favorite moments were between Samara and Olivia. Their brief but powerful friendship added a much-needed touch of warmth and connection for the main character.
If you love dystopian fiction, you should definitely read this.
As Below by Lynzee Schott is a mind-blowing dystopian story.
Foxtrot was believed to be the only surviving underwater city after the extinction of the surface world. The civilization there was ruled by a corrupt government with an iron fist. Samara had had enough. Inspired by her father's stories, she made the life-changing decision to find a way to reach the surface. That’s when she discovered the Cicada—a secret movement of people who believed the surface was still livable. Could they make it without being caught? And what would they find in the world above?
This is a beautiful story with strong, emotional characters. It brought out so many feelings. I loved Samara—her determination and courage made her a true savior, even when she was scared. The writing was vivid and immersive—you could easily envision the scenes, especially the harsh living conditions in Foxtrot.
My favorite moments were between Samara and Olivia. Their brief but powerful friendship added a much-needed touch of warmth and connection for the main character.
If you love dystopian fiction, you should definitely read this.
June 13, 2025
First off I would like to thank Lynzee Schott for gifting me an ARC of this book. As soon as I finished this book I immediately messaged her demanding a sequel, that’s how good it was.
The surface has been destroyed and is no longer habitable and now the survival of the species depends on living in an underground bunker in the ocean. Anyone who has an Indicator is sacrificed to the below for the good everyone. Indicators include old age, mental instability, or anything that keeps you from being a productive member of society. The structure is very reminiscent of the series The 100 except instead of being floated into space they literally jettison you to the ocean depths in what is called “sinking”.
However there is a movement that believes the surface is livable again and our FMC gets recruited and spends much of the book uncovering the truth.
I love the character development and interactions and it was refreshing reading a dystopian book without a romantic subplot.
No one is going to be ready for that ending but I will say I need a sequel as soon as possible because I have ALL the questions
The surface has been destroyed and is no longer habitable and now the survival of the species depends on living in an underground bunker in the ocean. Anyone who has an Indicator is sacrificed to the below for the good everyone. Indicators include old age, mental instability, or anything that keeps you from being a productive member of society. The structure is very reminiscent of the series The 100 except instead of being floated into space they literally jettison you to the ocean depths in what is called “sinking”.
However there is a movement that believes the surface is livable again and our FMC gets recruited and spends much of the book uncovering the truth.
I love the character development and interactions and it was refreshing reading a dystopian book without a romantic subplot.
No one is going to be ready for that ending but I will say I need a sequel as soon as possible because I have ALL the questions
August 24, 2025
As Below pulled me in from the very first page and didn’t let go. Lynzee Schott has crafted a claustrophobic, haunting, and emotionally charged dystopian world that feels eerily real — a submerged society clinging to rules, secrets, and silence. The setting alone is enough to make your skin crawl in the best way, but it’s the voice of Samara that truly carries this novel.
Samara is the kind of protagonist you root for instantly: sharp, sarcastic, quietly rebellious, and achingly human. Watching her unravel the lies she was raised with—and uncover truths far more dangerous than she imagined—had me flipping pages like a woman possessed. The pacing is excellent: atmospheric and unsettling at first, then steadily builds into a runaway freight train of tension, heartache, and revelation.
And that ending? Absolutely jaw-dropping. It’s one of those twists that makes you want to reread the entire book through new eyes.
If you love high-stakes dystopia, found family, slow-burn rebellion, and heroines who refuse to back down no matter the cost—this book is for you. Stunning debut. I’ll read anything Lynzee Schott writes next.
Samara is the kind of protagonist you root for instantly: sharp, sarcastic, quietly rebellious, and achingly human. Watching her unravel the lies she was raised with—and uncover truths far more dangerous than she imagined—had me flipping pages like a woman possessed. The pacing is excellent: atmospheric and unsettling at first, then steadily builds into a runaway freight train of tension, heartache, and revelation.
And that ending? Absolutely jaw-dropping. It’s one of those twists that makes you want to reread the entire book through new eyes.
If you love high-stakes dystopia, found family, slow-burn rebellion, and heroines who refuse to back down no matter the cost—this book is for you. Stunning debut. I’ll read anything Lynzee Schott writes next.
June 7, 2025
As Below is not just another pretty cover - it is a tale of grit and survival, and serves as a reminder of the power we hold when we stand united.
The world feels genuine and lived in, and the characters are real, they are unique, and full of secrets. This book had me laughing, crying, shouting, cursing, and utterly incapable of putting it down! It carries the vibes of some of your favorite dystopian novels, while staying true to its own narrative. There was not a single point in the story that I had even an inkling of what was going to happen next!
It is an exciting, fast-paced read - and Lynzee Schott does not glaze over important details or rush through the plot.
As Below has earned its place on the bookshelf alongside other classic dystopian novels we love!
I will close the review with a short quote that touched me:
“We’re all people. Hope knows no bounds, no matter how hard the Warden tries to divide us.”
Thank you to the author, Lynzee Schott, for including me on this wild ride! I cannot wait to see what you have in store for us readers in the future!
The world feels genuine and lived in, and the characters are real, they are unique, and full of secrets. This book had me laughing, crying, shouting, cursing, and utterly incapable of putting it down! It carries the vibes of some of your favorite dystopian novels, while staying true to its own narrative. There was not a single point in the story that I had even an inkling of what was going to happen next!
It is an exciting, fast-paced read - and Lynzee Schott does not glaze over important details or rush through the plot.
As Below has earned its place on the bookshelf alongside other classic dystopian novels we love!
I will close the review with a short quote that touched me:
“We’re all people. Hope knows no bounds, no matter how hard the Warden tries to divide us.”
Thank you to the author, Lynzee Schott, for including me on this wild ride! I cannot wait to see what you have in store for us readers in the future!
September 12, 2025
A must-read for fans of Silo!
This immersive dystopian debut is fast-paced and genuinely suspenseful, and while it’ll keep you guessing until the end, you won’t see the twist coming!
We follow Samara, a 26-year-old resident of Foxtrot—a doomsday bunker located deep beneath the sea where talk of the Surface is forbidden. But the question of what’s really up there pulls at her as fiercely as her hatred for Foxtrot’s corrupt leadership, especially when those she loves are at risk.
From jump I really felt I was in Foxtrot with Samara and I was invested in her story. I wanted to figure out what was going on as much as she did, and trying to figure out who she could trust and who might betray her kept me reading late into the night. The twist at the end is shocking in the best way, and you won’t see it coming! This story will stay with you long after you finish reading it.
If you wish you could read Silo again for the first time, or you enjoy post-apocalyptic dystopian stories with morally gray heroines, then you need to read As Below.
This immersive dystopian debut is fast-paced and genuinely suspenseful, and while it’ll keep you guessing until the end, you won’t see the twist coming!
We follow Samara, a 26-year-old resident of Foxtrot—a doomsday bunker located deep beneath the sea where talk of the Surface is forbidden. But the question of what’s really up there pulls at her as fiercely as her hatred for Foxtrot’s corrupt leadership, especially when those she loves are at risk.
From jump I really felt I was in Foxtrot with Samara and I was invested in her story. I wanted to figure out what was going on as much as she did, and trying to figure out who she could trust and who might betray her kept me reading late into the night. The twist at the end is shocking in the best way, and you won’t see it coming! This story will stay with you long after you finish reading it.
If you wish you could read Silo again for the first time, or you enjoy post-apocalyptic dystopian stories with morally gray heroines, then you need to read As Below.
June 8, 2025
It’s been awhile since I’ve read a dystopian book. This one reminded me why these types of novels are so important. Sam (she/her) is an inspiring main character that refuses to follow the status quo and asks questions at every turn, which brings trouble. I don’t want to spoil it- but this book stayed with me LONG after reading. I couldn’t put it down for many reasons but one of the most compelling reasons to keep reading was how connected I felt to Sam and her struggle. Too often we read about FMC’s needing a dominant male character to stand beside her and hold her hand to the end. Sam fights the man on her own, with a middle finger back to anyone who thinks to cross her. Schott did an excellent job writing a FMC who isn’t perfect, but still finds strength within herself to fight for justice. May we always find women in our lives that embody this main characters determination, grit and “F the man” attitude.
And the ending? Mind. Blown.
And the ending? Mind. Blown.
June 4, 2025
Do you have a depth wish??
I obviously did!!
Let me start off by saying that I had absolutely no idea what I was getting myself into when I signed up to be an ARC reader for this.
I’m more of a Dark Romance, Psychological Thriller kinda girl. I had never heard of this genre (dark dystopian) and to say I was a tad nervous 😬 would be an understatement.
I almost DNF it 🫣🤷🏻♀️ but…. I’m so glad I didn’t!! Not only did this book have me crying at 4am, but it kept me on the edge of my freaking seat! The deeper I got the more I couldn’t put it down.
I had to know what was going to happen next. My mind was racing a mile minute, and my heart was pounding with excitement!
The plot twist had me completely mind blown 🤯 Yeah, I did NOT see that coming!!!! The ending however, is was what I was hoping for 🫣🤫😈
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
I obviously did!!
Let me start off by saying that I had absolutely no idea what I was getting myself into when I signed up to be an ARC reader for this.
I’m more of a Dark Romance, Psychological Thriller kinda girl. I had never heard of this genre (dark dystopian) and to say I was a tad nervous 😬 would be an understatement.
I almost DNF it 🫣🤷🏻♀️ but…. I’m so glad I didn’t!! Not only did this book have me crying at 4am, but it kept me on the edge of my freaking seat! The deeper I got the more I couldn’t put it down.
I had to know what was going to happen next. My mind was racing a mile minute, and my heart was pounding with excitement!
The plot twist had me completely mind blown 🤯 Yeah, I did NOT see that coming!!!! The ending however, is was what I was hoping for 🫣🤫😈
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
May 19, 2025
✨ARC Reader Review✨
This book absolutely blew me away - easily one of the best I have read this year. I cannot say enough beautiful things about this story.
A dystopian undersea civilization with a cruel and corrupt government. A secret organization with memories of the surface. A woman determined to find the truth, regardless of what it takes. A discovery that rattled her to her core.
“There’s a difference between accepting personal defeat
and adapting to it.”
“It took a dreamer, a Cicada, someone from outside the political game, to take a step away and realize the fault in this system.”
“I’m done feeling broken-feeling wronged and betrayed. This rage will be my fuel, and the fire will be set free. “
This book absolutely blew me away - easily one of the best I have read this year. I cannot say enough beautiful things about this story.
A dystopian undersea civilization with a cruel and corrupt government. A secret organization with memories of the surface. A woman determined to find the truth, regardless of what it takes. A discovery that rattled her to her core.
“There’s a difference between accepting personal defeat
and adapting to it.”
“It took a dreamer, a Cicada, someone from outside the political game, to take a step away and realize the fault in this system.”
“I’m done feeling broken-feeling wronged and betrayed. This rage will be my fuel, and the fire will be set free. “
May 21, 2025
Okay this book was good. If you like dystopian, big brother, end of the world, underwater doomsday vibes, then this is for you. You basically follow the FMC as she is discovering things about their doomsday bunker at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean (that they have been in for 200 years) and how she longs to see the surface. She joins with a rebel group to basically overtake the warden (the leader) so that they can find a way up. But remember, not everyone and everything you see can or should be trusted. The writing of this book was easy to read and the plot flowed very nicely. It kept me captivated with all the turns and twists and didn’t know who I should trust. One final thought, THE ENDING 🤯 that’s all
June 15, 2025
This has been such a tough review to write because days later, I still am processing the ending!! As Below is a stand-alone dystopian thriller, featuring a young schoolteacher who is struggling with grief and disillusionment. After the sun scorched the earth, the survivors moved into the depths of the ocean, living in underwater refuges that require strict rules as a necessity, but as the decades pass – and the other refuges went silent – the rules only grew stricter.
The story focuses on Samara, a snarky woman who is desperate to reject the lies she knows run Foxtrot, but struggles with the right way to proceed – so she simply starts by doing it the wrong way. She witnesses tragedies, causes mayhem, and begins unraveling a mystery that involved her adoptive father and may have played a part in his killing. A sense of dread and wrongness fill the pages of this book and with a single first person POV, the tension builds quickly. (I ended up co-reading this with a cozy book to help address that!) Possible trigger warnings include mental health, child abuse that occurred in the past, and some violence.
The focus of the story remains on the main character, who feels real and her actions, and her self doubt, seem authentic. Everything that occurs are viewed through her personal perspective. The pacing and the details were great. Which leads to THAT ENDING!! Which I won’t discuss here and I am Still Processing.
The story focuses on Samara, a snarky woman who is desperate to reject the lies she knows run Foxtrot, but struggles with the right way to proceed – so she simply starts by doing it the wrong way. She witnesses tragedies, causes mayhem, and begins unraveling a mystery that involved her adoptive father and may have played a part in his killing. A sense of dread and wrongness fill the pages of this book and with a single first person POV, the tension builds quickly. (I ended up co-reading this with a cozy book to help address that!) Possible trigger warnings include mental health, child abuse that occurred in the past, and some violence.
The focus of the story remains on the main character, who feels real and her actions, and her self doubt, seem authentic. Everything that occurs are viewed through her personal perspective. The pacing and the details were great. Which leads to THAT ENDING!! Which I won’t discuss here and I am Still Processing.
June 18, 2025
This book was received as an ARC via BookFunnel.
This books was thoroughly enjoyable! I am already a huge fan of dystopian books, and jumped at the chance to read a novel with underwater, doomsday elements. What I was not expecting, was to feel connected to the characters from the very beginning. Our FMC Samara is the quentisential dystopian heroine - shes brash, questions authority, and has a pessimistic outlook that, to me, made the story. Her struggles with grief felt real, and I enjoyed the quick pace this books had. the only real downside was, for me, the ending, which felt predictable, but didn't take sway from the overall tone of the book.
I cannot wait to see what other books Lynzee writes!!
This books was thoroughly enjoyable! I am already a huge fan of dystopian books, and jumped at the chance to read a novel with underwater, doomsday elements. What I was not expecting, was to feel connected to the characters from the very beginning. Our FMC Samara is the quentisential dystopian heroine - shes brash, questions authority, and has a pessimistic outlook that, to me, made the story. Her struggles with grief felt real, and I enjoyed the quick pace this books had. the only real downside was, for me, the ending, which felt predictable, but didn't take sway from the overall tone of the book.
I cannot wait to see what other books Lynzee writes!!
July 5, 2025
As Below by Lynzee Schott
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
We meet Samara in a bunker deep below the ocean surface where she has lived for 26 years of her life. She's grown up hearing about the destruction of Earth's surface, her adopted father had felt otherwise. After his death, Samara struggles to fit in, but keeps a mask over her true feelings. When one of her students disappears, she feels compelled very strongly to investigate, but she runs into someone who will change her life forever.
I like an underwater dystopian world, it feels suffocating and makes your skin try to crawl for freedom. The beginning of the story is necessary to establish things later in the story, but I felt this dragged a bit for me. Once Samara finds more answers to her questions, it starts to pick up and quickly, you won't be able to turn the pages fast enough. Finally, the ending had a twist so big, it would absolutely give M. Night Shyamalan a run for his money. That feminine rage comes through perfectly. If you love a dark dystopian story within the ocean depths, this book is for you. Thank you, Lynzee for allowing me to read your book baby and review it. I truly enjoyed it and have recommended it to several people already!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
We meet Samara in a bunker deep below the ocean surface where she has lived for 26 years of her life. She's grown up hearing about the destruction of Earth's surface, her adopted father had felt otherwise. After his death, Samara struggles to fit in, but keeps a mask over her true feelings. When one of her students disappears, she feels compelled very strongly to investigate, but she runs into someone who will change her life forever.
I like an underwater dystopian world, it feels suffocating and makes your skin try to crawl for freedom. The beginning of the story is necessary to establish things later in the story, but I felt this dragged a bit for me. Once Samara finds more answers to her questions, it starts to pick up and quickly, you won't be able to turn the pages fast enough. Finally, the ending had a twist so big, it would absolutely give M. Night Shyamalan a run for his money. That feminine rage comes through perfectly. If you love a dark dystopian story within the ocean depths, this book is for you. Thank you, Lynzee for allowing me to read your book baby and review it. I truly enjoyed it and have recommended it to several people already!
January 12, 2026
This is a great debut novel. I’m here for the first-person and present tense POV. It’s not always an easy combination to pull off, and it was executed well in As Below. The MC is a believable person, not a romanticized damsel. She has her temper and a lack of physical prowess as a result of living in a contained society under the sea. Her trauma is real and affects her decisions and the way she handles situations. This is a tale of human resiliency and the spirit of rebellion, even when things seem hopeless. The themes used and character personalities run strong throughout the story, and they make sense without seeming forced. I was not prepared for the gut punch at the end, and I mean that in the best way.
June 13, 2025
After being on the edge of my seat for more than 300 pages, I thought I could move on from the world of Foxtrot but I cannot stop thinking about this book. I need a prequel and a sequel and likely a spinoff. Not my usual genre of book so I wasn't sure what to expect. But Samara had me invested from page one. Who doesn't love a badass teacher who upends the entire world? Samara is a captivating character, and her morally grey sarcastic humor made it easy to root for her. The twists and turns in this book were enough to keep me up at night and stick with me long after I finished the last page. Ms. Schott - The People Demand More Foxtrot.
September 25, 2025
Dystopian with mystery and a twist that will leave you gaping like a codfish
I went into this book completely blind…and am sooooo glad that I did. It’s a masterpiece of tension…just reading the book I felt just as claustrophobic and suffocated as Samara and that is something not all books can make me feel.
I didn’t want the book to end but also felt that the ending was so very satisfying. I’d love to keep following the characters someday if Ms. Schott decides to grace her readers with a novelette or maybe a whole second book.
Thank you for letting go on this journey through your imagination, it was a GRAND adventure.
I went into this book completely blind…and am sooooo glad that I did. It’s a masterpiece of tension…just reading the book I felt just as claustrophobic and suffocated as Samara and that is something not all books can make me feel.
I didn’t want the book to end but also felt that the ending was so very satisfying. I’d love to keep following the characters someday if Ms. Schott decides to grace her readers with a novelette or maybe a whole second book.
Thank you for letting go on this journey through your imagination, it was a GRAND adventure.
October 17, 2025
I went into this book completely blind…and am sooooo glad that I did. It’s a masterpiece of tension…just reading the book I felt just as claustrophobic and suffocated as Samara and that is something not all books can make me feel.
I didn’t want the book to end but also felt that the ending was so very satisfying. I’d love to keep following the characters someday if Ms. Schott decides to grace her readers with a novelette or maybe a whole second book.
Thank you for taking us on this journey through your imagination, it was a GRAND adventure.
I’m so stoked to have a signed copy to sit on my shelf too!
10/10 would recommend!
I didn’t want the book to end but also felt that the ending was so very satisfying. I’d love to keep following the characters someday if Ms. Schott decides to grace her readers with a novelette or maybe a whole second book.
Thank you for taking us on this journey through your imagination, it was a GRAND adventure.
I’m so stoked to have a signed copy to sit on my shelf too!
10/10 would recommend!
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