Sporelight: A Novel of Rooted Horror and Blooming Memory

by Stephanie Tyo

Ashford Bend is a postcard-perfect town with perfect produce, perfect people—and something watching from the cornfields. When Tessa Morrell returns from a harrowing, underground encounter with the Bloom—a vast, living root system pulsing beneath the soil—she finds her town eerily transformed. Smiling neighbors no longer blink. Vegetables hum. The walls breathe. And something ancient wants her to remember its name.

As whispers crawl from the faucets and fungi blossom from old books, Tessa is drawn into a growing network of ritual and root. The Bloom doesn’t want to kill—it wants to keep. To absorb. To thrive.

And Tessa? She's the final seed.

A visceral descent into fungal horror and ecological dread, Sporelight is the second book in The Harvest Below, a chilling series exploring memory, control, and the terrifying beauty of surrender. In Ashford Bend, growth is inevitable. The only question is—will you bloom willingly?

164 pages, Paperback

Published May 27, 2025

About the author

Stephanie Tyo is a multi-genre author based in Cornwall, Ontario, known for unforgettable stories that span middle-grade misadventures, dark romance, literary horror and many more. Her work blends heart, humor, and haunting depth, exploring themes of memory, connection, and the beauty in life's unexpected detours. Whether she's writing for kids or adults, Stephanie crafts worlds where every detail matters—and every story leaves a mark.

Reviews

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars to Sporelight by Stephanie Tyo. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I really enjoyed this book! I love repetitive themes and motifs within a novel, and this book nailed that. You were constantly reminded of the scent of the spores, of their presence, of their nature. The spores are taking over the town and trying to take over Tessa in this book. I love the way it was written because you felt like you were descending into madness with Tessa, you were questioning everyone’s intentions and motives, and you were left wondering what could possibly come next. Overall I think this was a great book and Tyo is a talented writer in the ecohorror space. I look forward to the next book!

[Vaishali Muzumdar]

It is wonderful book first took in new world of horror & second managed to take that horror on new level it's like climbing in haunted world screaming still enjoying. I can't tell what sort of world I know you will read & find. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Dawn J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little disappointing compared to the first one. More fantasy than horror. Easy to follow. Still need to read last one in series for 'hopefully ' awesome ending. This book is putting everything in place and a better understanding.

[Micki-D · Rating 3 out of 5]

The spores are taking over the town and trying to take over Tessa. It felt fantasy than horror but it was still a good read and easy to follow. The author made you feel what Tressa was feeling.
Are we all going mad?

Still need to read last one in series to see how it all ends.