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Underbelly
Not yet published
Expected 18 Aug 26When faceless men stole your brother’s childhood, how far would you go to rip off their masks?
17-year-old Hiro Hara has been missing for over a decade. When he is found wandering alone outside a remote Nevadan mining town, his reappearance brings more questions than answers…because Hiro has no memory. He couldn’t even remember his own name.
After returning home to Los Angeles, Hiro struggles to adjust to life with his estranged family—his ornery grandmother, Obachan, and secretive older brother, Yuta, who often disappears late at night and doesn’t return until sunrise.
Hiro soon discovers that Yuta has spent countless years trying to infiltrate the inner circle of the corporate elite. All to prove his theory that there’s a cabal of wealthy men who kidnap children for reasons beyond his wildest imagination. But when Yuta successfully targets an executive at the mega-conglomerate O-Corp, he’s brought deeper into a clandestine world of debauchery that gets him closer to finding the people who kidnapped Hiro a decade prior...and closer to being able to serve them revenge.
17-year-old Hiro Hara has been missing for over a decade. When he is found wandering alone outside a remote Nevadan mining town, his reappearance brings more questions than answers…because Hiro has no memory. He couldn’t even remember his own name.
After returning home to Los Angeles, Hiro struggles to adjust to life with his estranged family—his ornery grandmother, Obachan, and secretive older brother, Yuta, who often disappears late at night and doesn’t return until sunrise.
Hiro soon discovers that Yuta has spent countless years trying to infiltrate the inner circle of the corporate elite. All to prove his theory that there’s a cabal of wealthy men who kidnap children for reasons beyond his wildest imagination. But when Yuta successfully targets an executive at the mega-conglomerate O-Corp, he’s brought deeper into a clandestine world of debauchery that gets him closer to finding the people who kidnapped Hiro a decade prior...and closer to being able to serve them revenge.
- GenresFiction
390 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication August 18, 2026
About the author
Allen Longstreet
4 books51 followersAllen Longstreet is an American author. He was raised in Hickory, North Carolina and studied Journalism and Film Production at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His fiction often arises from vivid dreams, but what inspires him in the waking world is exploring the rawness of human loss, attempting to answer the age-old question of whether blood is thicker than water, and spinning up dystopian societies that feel just a little too close to our own.
Allen doesn’t believe in put-a-bow-on-it endings or easy heroes. He writes to disturb, to move, and to reach the parts of us we often keep buried. He lives in Florida.
Allen doesn’t believe in put-a-bow-on-it endings or easy heroes. He writes to disturb, to move, and to reach the parts of us we often keep buried. He lives in Florida.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
June 10, 2026
Thank you booksirens and Allen Longstreet for the ARC.
Hiro and plenty other children were kidnapped, but Hiro made a successful escape, but he made it out without his memories in tact. His brother Yuta had dedicated years of his life to find out what happened to his brother, and now that they’ve reunited, they need to come up with a plan. There’s corporate corruption, shady elites, and people simply trying to survive.
This went a lot deeper and darker than I was initially expecting. I appreciate the author for not treating readers with kid gloves, because real life is and can be just as horrific. Most of the characters here are young, but most topics touched on are so… traumatic. Very intense. It’s definitely worth reading about. It’s also one of those books that evoke a lot of visuals in my head. I could see it go down as a movie.
Hiro was likeable, and I also grew fond of the rest of the gang. Some characters were very morally grey, and some were even redeemable. Others of course, were outright terrible so good grief. I enjoy complicated characters, and I feel like the author did a great job giving each of them their own personality and conflicts.
I’m going to have to trust the author on the technology and science in this book because I don’t know the first thing about it, but this is something I struggle with when it comes to sci-fi.
Hiro and plenty other children were kidnapped, but Hiro made a successful escape, but he made it out without his memories in tact. His brother Yuta had dedicated years of his life to find out what happened to his brother, and now that they’ve reunited, they need to come up with a plan. There’s corporate corruption, shady elites, and people simply trying to survive.
This went a lot deeper and darker than I was initially expecting. I appreciate the author for not treating readers with kid gloves, because real life is and can be just as horrific. Most of the characters here are young, but most topics touched on are so… traumatic. Very intense. It’s definitely worth reading about. It’s also one of those books that evoke a lot of visuals in my head. I could see it go down as a movie.
Hiro was likeable, and I also grew fond of the rest of the gang. Some characters were very morally grey, and some were even redeemable. Others of course, were outright terrible so good grief. I enjoy complicated characters, and I feel like the author did a great job giving each of them their own personality and conflicts.
I’m going to have to trust the author on the technology and science in this book because I don’t know the first thing about it, but this is something I struggle with when it comes to sci-fi.
July 13, 2026
I’m just gonna start off by saying that this has got to be made into a movie or tv series!!! UnderBelly is a dark and grittier version of The Institute by Stephen King mixed with the dystopian futuristic undertones of John Marrs and Blake Crouch. The way that this author built a dystopian tech thriller is nothing short of spectacular. When I saw his post about his book and I read the description, I knew that I wanted to read this. Each character had a back story, each character meant something. He made each and every one feel so real…
Now for this story, Hiro is the catalyst for this book. It starts off with Hiro and Lyla trying to escape from some type of place that’s underground. Keep in mind that they’re both under the age of 18. Longstreet went into some dark areas of child abuse, trauma and the dark undergrounds of a bleak world. I don’t want to give too much away but this is one epic book that toggles between wavering relationships, a world that values ageless beauty, O-Corp rules the world and where money no longer exists.
To be a debut novel, this was written with so much heart and was definitely well thought out. I gave this 5 stars and I’m hoping a sequel will be in the works. If you enjoy Stephen King or Blake Crouch (2 of my favs), then you will definitely love this.
Thank you to the author for sending an advance reader copy!
Now for this story, Hiro is the catalyst for this book. It starts off with Hiro and Lyla trying to escape from some type of place that’s underground. Keep in mind that they’re both under the age of 18. Longstreet went into some dark areas of child abuse, trauma and the dark undergrounds of a bleak world. I don’t want to give too much away but this is one epic book that toggles between wavering relationships, a world that values ageless beauty, O-Corp rules the world and where money no longer exists.
To be a debut novel, this was written with so much heart and was definitely well thought out. I gave this 5 stars and I’m hoping a sequel will be in the works. If you enjoy Stephen King or Blake Crouch (2 of my favs), then you will definitely love this.
Thank you to the author for sending an advance reader copy!
May 31, 2026
“Underbelly” - “Trauma is the gift that keeps on giving.”
★★★★★
This Dystopian Thriller pulls you in and shows you the real “Underbelly” of society, the world and the people pulling the strings.
Allen paints an incredibly detailed picture that is so realistic and compelling that part of me is pretty sure this is what our future will look like and it’s not looking good.
It’s bleak, dark and grim yet underneath all of the hurt there is a shimmer of hope.
Some books will change you or have such a profound impact that you won’t be able to forget about them and they will stay with you forever, “Underbelly” is one of those stories for me.
★★★★★
This Dystopian Thriller pulls you in and shows you the real “Underbelly” of society, the world and the people pulling the strings.
Allen paints an incredibly detailed picture that is so realistic and compelling that part of me is pretty sure this is what our future will look like and it’s not looking good.
It’s bleak, dark and grim yet underneath all of the hurt there is a shimmer of hope.
Some books will change you or have such a profound impact that you won’t be able to forget about them and they will stay with you forever, “Underbelly” is one of those stories for me.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Underbelly by Allen Longstreet is dark, unsettling, ambitious, and emotionally layered in a way that stayed with me after I finished reading.
This was an ARC read for me, and it is definitely one of those books that feels different from the usual. From the opening chapters, Longstreet pulls readers into the UMBRA, a sterile underground facility where children are controlled, monitored, experimented on, and stripped of their memories. The setting is chilling because it does not rely on constant shock value. Instead, the horror builds through atmosphere, surveillance, silence, routine, and the terrifying realization that the children inside have been conditioned to see captivity as normal.
Hiro and Lyla immediately became the emotional center of the story for me. Their bond, their memories of “Above,” and their desire for freedom give the book its heartbeat. I loved how memory is used throughout the story. In Underbelly, memory is not just about the past. It is identity. It is resistance. It is pain. It is hope. Watching characters fight to recover pieces of themselves made the story feel deeply personal, even within its larger dystopian and speculative framework.
The book also does a strong job of expanding beyond Hiro and Lyla. Characters like Yuta, Dr. Nwogu, Sue, Ren, and the Faceless add complexity to the world. No one exists in a vacuum here. Some characters are victims, some are survivors, some are complicit, and some are trying to make things right after years of looking away. I appreciated that the story does not offer easy heroes or clean moral lines. It makes you sit with guilt, power, sacrifice, and the consequences of silence.
What impressed me most was the way Longstreet balances action with emotional weight. There are moments that read like a thriller, with escape plans, hidden systems, coded loops, and danger closing in. But underneath that momentum is a much heavier story about stolen childhoods, exploitation, grief, and the fight to reclaim your life after others have tried to erase it.
The final chapters give the book a bittersweet sense of closure without making everything feel magically fixed. That mattered to me. The story honors survival, but it also acknowledges what can never be fully recovered.
Underbelly is not a light read, and readers should be aware that it deals with dark themes, trauma, abuse, captivity, memory loss, and institutional corruption. But for readers who enjoy dystopian fiction, speculative thrillers, emotionally intense character work, and stories that question what lies beneath systems of power, this is a compelling and memorable read.
Allen Longstreet created a story that is strange, disturbing, heartfelt, and hard to look away from. Underbelly is the kind of ARC that reminds me why I love discovering books before they hit the wider world.
This was an ARC read for me, and it is definitely one of those books that feels different from the usual. From the opening chapters, Longstreet pulls readers into the UMBRA, a sterile underground facility where children are controlled, monitored, experimented on, and stripped of their memories. The setting is chilling because it does not rely on constant shock value. Instead, the horror builds through atmosphere, surveillance, silence, routine, and the terrifying realization that the children inside have been conditioned to see captivity as normal.
Hiro and Lyla immediately became the emotional center of the story for me. Their bond, their memories of “Above,” and their desire for freedom give the book its heartbeat. I loved how memory is used throughout the story. In Underbelly, memory is not just about the past. It is identity. It is resistance. It is pain. It is hope. Watching characters fight to recover pieces of themselves made the story feel deeply personal, even within its larger dystopian and speculative framework.
The book also does a strong job of expanding beyond Hiro and Lyla. Characters like Yuta, Dr. Nwogu, Sue, Ren, and the Faceless add complexity to the world. No one exists in a vacuum here. Some characters are victims, some are survivors, some are complicit, and some are trying to make things right after years of looking away. I appreciated that the story does not offer easy heroes or clean moral lines. It makes you sit with guilt, power, sacrifice, and the consequences of silence.
What impressed me most was the way Longstreet balances action with emotional weight. There are moments that read like a thriller, with escape plans, hidden systems, coded loops, and danger closing in. But underneath that momentum is a much heavier story about stolen childhoods, exploitation, grief, and the fight to reclaim your life after others have tried to erase it.
The final chapters give the book a bittersweet sense of closure without making everything feel magically fixed. That mattered to me. The story honors survival, but it also acknowledges what can never be fully recovered.
Underbelly is not a light read, and readers should be aware that it deals with dark themes, trauma, abuse, captivity, memory loss, and institutional corruption. But for readers who enjoy dystopian fiction, speculative thrillers, emotionally intense character work, and stories that question what lies beneath systems of power, this is a compelling and memorable read.
Allen Longstreet created a story that is strange, disturbing, heartfelt, and hard to look away from. Underbelly is the kind of ARC that reminds me why I love discovering books before they hit the wider world.
July 17, 2026
★★★★☆ 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
ARC book 📖
⚠️ Trigger Warnings: Child abuse, child torture, child sexual abuse, abduction, false imprisonment, human experimentation.
Underbelly is a gritty dystopian thriller that feels unsettlingly plausible. It paints a world where a mega-conglomerate, O-Corp, has completely eradicated cash, making every aspect of life digital and trackable. The parallels to our own world are impossible to ignore, constantly making you wonder, what if?
Hiro (001) and Lyla Jones (002) grew up in the UMBRA underground facility, unlike the other children who have never known life above ground. They remember sunlight. They remember kindness. They remember what it feels like to be human. When the facility suddenly stops taking “donations” from them, everything begins to change.
Hiro eventually escapes, but at an unimaginable cost: his memories. All he can cling to are fragments of information he managed to pass along before they disappeared. “I was kidnapped when I was seven. I lived in California. There’s a facility beneath the mine called UMBRA.” Those scraps become the thread that unravels a horrifying conspiracy.
One of my favorite aspects of this book was the multiple POVs. Normally, shifting perspectives can feel overwhelming, but here it was done brilliantly. Each new character slowly reveals another piece of the puzzle. At first you don’t understand why you’re following them, but as the story unfolds, every perspective clicks into place and adds another layer to the mystery.
The idea of “freedom” in this society was one of the most fascinating parts. The Fringe is an off-the-grid district hidden within every city where people disappear from the digital world. Cross into it, and your entire digital identity is erased. You can never return to normal society. It poses such an interesting question: if freedom requires giving up your identity, are you really free?
The atmosphere throughout the book is dark, raw, and incredibly immersive. The horrors inside UMBRA are difficult to read, but they never feel gratuitous. Instead, they highlight just how resilient these children are and how desperately they deserve a chance at life.
While the story ends with a happily ever after for our main characters, I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was bittersweet. The other facilities still exist. Countless children are still trapped beneath the surface, and the truth about those who escaped is buried beneath lies. I actually think that lingering discomfort may have been intentional. Not every story gets a perfect ending, and sometimes surviving doesn’t mean the world has been fixed.
Overall, Underbelly was gripping, thought-provoking, and disturbingly relevant. I just wished the ending had dug a little deeper into the larger implications of the world it created. Even so, it’s a story that has stayed with me long after I finished reading.
ARC book 📖
⚠️ Trigger Warnings: Child abuse, child torture, child sexual abuse, abduction, false imprisonment, human experimentation.
Underbelly is a gritty dystopian thriller that feels unsettlingly plausible. It paints a world where a mega-conglomerate, O-Corp, has completely eradicated cash, making every aspect of life digital and trackable. The parallels to our own world are impossible to ignore, constantly making you wonder, what if?
Hiro (001) and Lyla Jones (002) grew up in the UMBRA underground facility, unlike the other children who have never known life above ground. They remember sunlight. They remember kindness. They remember what it feels like to be human. When the facility suddenly stops taking “donations” from them, everything begins to change.
Hiro eventually escapes, but at an unimaginable cost: his memories. All he can cling to are fragments of information he managed to pass along before they disappeared. “I was kidnapped when I was seven. I lived in California. There’s a facility beneath the mine called UMBRA.” Those scraps become the thread that unravels a horrifying conspiracy.
One of my favorite aspects of this book was the multiple POVs. Normally, shifting perspectives can feel overwhelming, but here it was done brilliantly. Each new character slowly reveals another piece of the puzzle. At first you don’t understand why you’re following them, but as the story unfolds, every perspective clicks into place and adds another layer to the mystery.
The idea of “freedom” in this society was one of the most fascinating parts. The Fringe is an off-the-grid district hidden within every city where people disappear from the digital world. Cross into it, and your entire digital identity is erased. You can never return to normal society. It poses such an interesting question: if freedom requires giving up your identity, are you really free?
The atmosphere throughout the book is dark, raw, and incredibly immersive. The horrors inside UMBRA are difficult to read, but they never feel gratuitous. Instead, they highlight just how resilient these children are and how desperately they deserve a chance at life.
While the story ends with a happily ever after for our main characters, I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was bittersweet. The other facilities still exist. Countless children are still trapped beneath the surface, and the truth about those who escaped is buried beneath lies. I actually think that lingering discomfort may have been intentional. Not every story gets a perfect ending, and sometimes surviving doesn’t mean the world has been fixed.
Overall, Underbelly was gripping, thought-provoking, and disturbingly relevant. I just wished the ending had dug a little deeper into the larger implications of the world it created. Even so, it’s a story that has stayed with me long after I finished reading.
June 8, 2026
After completely disappearing for 10years, Hiro turns up with no memories of where he’s been. Hiro’s brother Yuta has spent that entire time trying to track down who took him and figuring out how to expose them, using some questionable methods. What follows is a dark, suspenseful story of a boy who is willing to go to great lengths to protect his brother and find answers to sinister questions, even confronting and exposing the most wealthy and powerful men.
Allen’s writing is excellent. Full disclosure, he is a friend, but I fully forgot about that while reading his work. It became something I had to remind myself— a FRIEND wrote this? He is a great storyteller.
The first 30 pages of this book are so gripping. I had to make myself breathe while I was reading, and I barely looked up from the page. I was absolutely riveted by the opening of this story! While the novel did not remain at this breakneck pace, i did enjoy the opening. It put me right into the middle of the story in the best way.
In this story, Yuta works to expose the most wealthy, most powerful men who want to use their power to abuse and control. I am not one for very dark books, so I will admit that some of the content was hard to stomach. However, the darker, more disturbing things are alluded to rather than explicitly on the page. There are a few uncomfortable scenes, but I believe they’re meant to make us uncomfortable, to fully realize the dark underbelly of this “peaceful” society. This book is a dystopia that doesn’t quite feel too far fetched, especially in light of some of the Epstein files that have been released this year.
I may not have reached for this if Allen hadn’t reached out, but it was a compelling read with some decent twists and turns. I would highly recommend if you like dystopian settings full of suspense and stories about protective siblings and exposing the wealthy and powerful 1% of the 1%.
I might have liked more information about what the day to day was like for the children in UMBRA. I think following Lyla’s limited perspective gave just enough information to the reader to know what’s going on, but I definitely wanted to know more about the children and their day to day experiences. I appreciate the more abusive things being obscured, and perhaps that was the purpose of keeping us in Lyla’s incomplete perspective. It is effective, I just wanted to know more about some of the children and how they arrived, how they dealt with this situation, etc.
I would, of course, make you aware that there are dark and disturbing elements in this story, so please be cautious if you’re sensitive to those things! This was treading the line of my comfort level, personally, but I do think it was a worthwhile read.
Thanks, Allen, for the ARC to review!
Allen’s writing is excellent. Full disclosure, he is a friend, but I fully forgot about that while reading his work. It became something I had to remind myself— a FRIEND wrote this? He is a great storyteller.
The first 30 pages of this book are so gripping. I had to make myself breathe while I was reading, and I barely looked up from the page. I was absolutely riveted by the opening of this story! While the novel did not remain at this breakneck pace, i did enjoy the opening. It put me right into the middle of the story in the best way.
In this story, Yuta works to expose the most wealthy, most powerful men who want to use their power to abuse and control. I am not one for very dark books, so I will admit that some of the content was hard to stomach. However, the darker, more disturbing things are alluded to rather than explicitly on the page. There are a few uncomfortable scenes, but I believe they’re meant to make us uncomfortable, to fully realize the dark underbelly of this “peaceful” society. This book is a dystopia that doesn’t quite feel too far fetched, especially in light of some of the Epstein files that have been released this year.
I may not have reached for this if Allen hadn’t reached out, but it was a compelling read with some decent twists and turns. I would highly recommend if you like dystopian settings full of suspense and stories about protective siblings and exposing the wealthy and powerful 1% of the 1%.
I might have liked more information about what the day to day was like for the children in UMBRA. I think following Lyla’s limited perspective gave just enough information to the reader to know what’s going on, but I definitely wanted to know more about the children and their day to day experiences. I appreciate the more abusive things being obscured, and perhaps that was the purpose of keeping us in Lyla’s incomplete perspective. It is effective, I just wanted to know more about some of the children and how they arrived, how they dealt with this situation, etc.
I would, of course, make you aware that there are dark and disturbing elements in this story, so please be cautious if you’re sensitive to those things! This was treading the line of my comfort level, personally, but I do think it was a worthwhile read.
Thanks, Allen, for the ARC to review!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Allen Longstreet has PMTFO. (JK, but yes, he has!)
I had the immense honor of being able to read Underbelly as an ARC. I had been seeing the ad for weeks, and when I saw the ARC ad, I decided to try for it. I’m so glad I did. There is absolutely no way I could have waited until August.
I will be completely honest - this is not an easy read (in terms of subject matter), and this book will not be for everyone. That said, there are no explicit scenes of abuse. The synopsis specifically mentions “a clandestine world of debauchery”... this is putting it... mildly. Make no mistake: there is a considerable amount of evil in this world, and especially in dystopian thriller fiction, it is usually the basis for the world that is built. Mr. Longstreet is not the first to do this and won’t be the last. There were several points where I had to put it down and pivot to something lighter, more frivolous. Despite that, I still found myself pulled to Underbelly, the scenes playing out in my head. I absolutely had to know what happened next. That’s the beauty of Mr. Longstreet’s writing; he absolutely writes in a way that feels episodic, as if you could turn on the television and watch the scenes play out.
Underbelly quite literally took me through every single emotion. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, nope—I didn’t. I spent several chapters deeply hoping that the twist wouldn’t be what it was. I had settled into feeling like it wouldn’t happen. I ended up throwing my Kindle. My heart was absolutely broken, and I was sooooooooooo angry. Bravo, Mr. Longstreet!
I read Underbelly twice: once for enjoyment and the second time for technical/sensitivity reasons. I was not formally asked to do these things, but since the reader circles I am a part of prioritize diverse books, it just kind of... happened. I wanted to be able to honestly recommend this book. The queer intimate scenes are not explicit, and although some of the scene language is repetitive, it is not done in a distractingly obvious way. The setting is Los Angeles, and the cross streets mentioned check out! Our main characters are of Japanese ethnicity, but they are not written as stereotypes, something else I really appreciated. There is absolutely nothing worse than a book with diversity that makes those things a character’s entire personality. These characters are written organically, as if they are regular degular people.
All in all, Underbelly is a wonderfully written dystopian thriller that will take you on an emotional roller coaster, leaving you yearning for more and rooting for the "good guys" to win.
4.5/5
I had the immense honor of being able to read Underbelly as an ARC. I had been seeing the ad for weeks, and when I saw the ARC ad, I decided to try for it. I’m so glad I did. There is absolutely no way I could have waited until August.
I will be completely honest - this is not an easy read (in terms of subject matter), and this book will not be for everyone. That said, there are no explicit scenes of abuse. The synopsis specifically mentions “a clandestine world of debauchery”... this is putting it... mildly. Make no mistake: there is a considerable amount of evil in this world, and especially in dystopian thriller fiction, it is usually the basis for the world that is built. Mr. Longstreet is not the first to do this and won’t be the last. There were several points where I had to put it down and pivot to something lighter, more frivolous. Despite that, I still found myself pulled to Underbelly, the scenes playing out in my head. I absolutely had to know what happened next. That’s the beauty of Mr. Longstreet’s writing; he absolutely writes in a way that feels episodic, as if you could turn on the television and watch the scenes play out.
Underbelly quite literally took me through every single emotion. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, nope—I didn’t. I spent several chapters deeply hoping that the twist wouldn’t be what it was. I had settled into feeling like it wouldn’t happen. I ended up throwing my Kindle. My heart was absolutely broken, and I was sooooooooooo angry. Bravo, Mr. Longstreet!
I read Underbelly twice: once for enjoyment and the second time for technical/sensitivity reasons. I was not formally asked to do these things, but since the reader circles I am a part of prioritize diverse books, it just kind of... happened. I wanted to be able to honestly recommend this book. The queer intimate scenes are not explicit, and although some of the scene language is repetitive, it is not done in a distractingly obvious way. The setting is Los Angeles, and the cross streets mentioned check out! Our main characters are of Japanese ethnicity, but they are not written as stereotypes, something else I really appreciated. There is absolutely nothing worse than a book with diversity that makes those things a character’s entire personality. These characters are written organically, as if they are regular degular people.
All in all, Underbelly is a wonderfully written dystopian thriller that will take you on an emotional roller coaster, leaving you yearning for more and rooting for the "good guys" to win.
4.5/5
Review of advance copy received from Author
**3.5 stars**
Let me preface by saying thank you to the author Allen for sending me over this ARC to review through Book Sirens. I had a fun time reading this and talking with him about what questions of mine arose during the reading process. He values his reader’s thoughts, and for that I am grateful to have been a part of this.
This book lands somewhere in the middle of Stranger Things and The Maze Runner, but the monsters are the 1 percent, richest evil men in the nation. Years in the future, after a pandemic swept the world and its governance off its feet, children are disappearing. They end up numbered, in an underground facility where terrible things happen to them and their memories are wiped in the process. This book follows an ensemble of characters, mainly focusing on a family where two brothers have been separated, but one will do whatever it takes to uncover what’s really happening.
Underneath all the sci-fi terminology is a world hauntingly close to our reality in America. After a certain set of files got released earlier this year, a book like this really makes you wonder.
I think this has a solid framework that could be explored. This book starts off with the escape from the big scary compound, something that usually happens at the END of book 1 in a dystopian thriller like this. I think there is a lot of room for a prequel, what led up to this, etc.. The author never explicitly states what UMBRA stands for, how the technology in the facility works, etc. Additionally, there is a romance that doesn’t get the proper time to develop because the main character is suffering from memory loss for most of the book. These are instances that could benefit from more information in a prequel. Why are they in love? Why should I be happy they are reunited?
Grammatically, there are instances in which the same string of descriptions is used, sometimes only pages away from the last description. The repetition of “skin on skin, muscle on muscle” every time a spice scene happened felt overused. Same with the use of auburn fire hair or coal red eyes.
I look forward to being an advance reader for more stories in the future. Can’t wait to see this one get published! Allen Longstreet really has a spooky ring to it.
Let me preface by saying thank you to the author Allen for sending me over this ARC to review through Book Sirens. I had a fun time reading this and talking with him about what questions of mine arose during the reading process. He values his reader’s thoughts, and for that I am grateful to have been a part of this.
This book lands somewhere in the middle of Stranger Things and The Maze Runner, but the monsters are the 1 percent, richest evil men in the nation. Years in the future, after a pandemic swept the world and its governance off its feet, children are disappearing. They end up numbered, in an underground facility where terrible things happen to them and their memories are wiped in the process. This book follows an ensemble of characters, mainly focusing on a family where two brothers have been separated, but one will do whatever it takes to uncover what’s really happening.
Underneath all the sci-fi terminology is a world hauntingly close to our reality in America. After a certain set of files got released earlier this year, a book like this really makes you wonder.
I think this has a solid framework that could be explored. This book starts off with the escape from the big scary compound, something that usually happens at the END of book 1 in a dystopian thriller like this. I think there is a lot of room for a prequel, what led up to this, etc.. The author never explicitly states what UMBRA stands for, how the technology in the facility works, etc. Additionally, there is a romance that doesn’t get the proper time to develop because the main character is suffering from memory loss for most of the book. These are instances that could benefit from more information in a prequel. Why are they in love? Why should I be happy they are reunited?
Grammatically, there are instances in which the same string of descriptions is used, sometimes only pages away from the last description. The repetition of “skin on skin, muscle on muscle” every time a spice scene happened felt overused. Same with the use of auburn fire hair or coal red eyes.
I look forward to being an advance reader for more stories in the future. Can’t wait to see this one get published! Allen Longstreet really has a spooky ring to it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Underbelly by Allen Longstreet completely surprised me. It was dark, unsettling, emotional, and unlike anything I’ve read in a while. It hooked me right away and honestly stayed in my head long after I finished it.
I received this as an ARC, and I’m so glad I picked it up. The story takes place in UMBRA, an underground facility where children are watched, controlled, experimented on, and stripped of their memories. What made it so creepy wasn’t nonstop gore or jump scares—it was how normal everything felt to the people trapped there. The atmosphere alone had me feeling uncomfortable in the best way.
Hiro and Lyla were easily my favorite part of the book. Their relationship gave the story so much heart, and I found myself really rooting for them. I also loved how memory wasn’t just part of the plot—it became the entire foundation of who these characters were. Watching them fight to remember who they were and where they came from made everything feel so much more emotional.
The supporting characters added so much depth too. Nobody was completely good or completely bad, and I appreciated that. Everyone had their own motivations, flaws, regrets, and struggles, which made the story feel more realistic. It really makes you think about guilt, sacrifice, survival, and what happens when people choose to stay silent.
One thing I really appreciated was how well the action and emotional moments balanced each other. There were plenty of tense scenes, escapes, secrets, and twists to keep me turning the pages, but underneath all of that was a much deeper story about identity, trauma, loss, and hope.
The ending felt satisfying without trying to wrap everything up perfectly, and I actually liked that. It stayed true to the story and the characters.
This definitely isn’t a light read, and I’d check the content warnings because it deals with some heavy topics. But if you like dystopian fiction, psychological thrillers, morally gray characters, and stories that make you think long after you’re done, I absolutely recommend picking this one up.
Allen Longstreet created a world that was disturbing, heartbreaking, and impossible to stop thinking about. This was one of my favorite ARCs this year, and I’m excited to see what other readers think when it’s released.
I received this as an ARC, and I’m so glad I picked it up. The story takes place in UMBRA, an underground facility where children are watched, controlled, experimented on, and stripped of their memories. What made it so creepy wasn’t nonstop gore or jump scares—it was how normal everything felt to the people trapped there. The atmosphere alone had me feeling uncomfortable in the best way.
Hiro and Lyla were easily my favorite part of the book. Their relationship gave the story so much heart, and I found myself really rooting for them. I also loved how memory wasn’t just part of the plot—it became the entire foundation of who these characters were. Watching them fight to remember who they were and where they came from made everything feel so much more emotional.
The supporting characters added so much depth too. Nobody was completely good or completely bad, and I appreciated that. Everyone had their own motivations, flaws, regrets, and struggles, which made the story feel more realistic. It really makes you think about guilt, sacrifice, survival, and what happens when people choose to stay silent.
One thing I really appreciated was how well the action and emotional moments balanced each other. There were plenty of tense scenes, escapes, secrets, and twists to keep me turning the pages, but underneath all of that was a much deeper story about identity, trauma, loss, and hope.
The ending felt satisfying without trying to wrap everything up perfectly, and I actually liked that. It stayed true to the story and the characters.
This definitely isn’t a light read, and I’d check the content warnings because it deals with some heavy topics. But if you like dystopian fiction, psychological thrillers, morally gray characters, and stories that make you think long after you’re done, I absolutely recommend picking this one up.
Allen Longstreet created a world that was disturbing, heartbreaking, and impossible to stop thinking about. This was one of my favorite ARCs this year, and I’m excited to see what other readers think when it’s released.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I went into reading this novel without any information at all – about the story or the author. It was provided to me as an ARC in exchange for an honest review (and many thanks to Allen for the opportunity to read it), and to be truthful, I probably wouldn’t have picked this up on my own. The synopsis gives me modern thriller vibes and I don’t generally read this genre.
However.
I am very grateful that I gave this book a chance. It’s a skillful blend of very near future spec fic that was immediately recognizable in its terrifying dystopian setting, and the very topical subject of human trafficking of children by the ultra wealthy.
If you’ve ever seen the movie The Island (2005) this will be similar-ish in idea but oh so much more subtle, realistic and horrifying. The book is skillfully executed with emotional heart and less bombastic nonsense than that movie, which a story like this could have easily veered into. There seems to be some appreciative Kubrick influences here as well. Longstreet writes with a gravitas and emotional resonance that I don’t think is normally found in a thriller-esque novel, which is probably why I liked this. And unless you’ve been living in an off-grid cabin in the woods somewhere, you’ll also feel the uncomfortable familiarity – it’s obvious inspiration by recent events of the other more (in)famous ‘real’ Island… well that’s no accident either.
Before starting, I had some initial concerns that the writing or story would somehow be preachy or heavy-handed, in both the subject matter and the near-future tech. But it avoids the pitfalls of being lurid (subject matter) or technobabble-ly (for the setting). This story should be appealing to those looking for something that is eminently and tragically believable, but also packs a gut punch of emotion. The relationship between the two brothers, and even the secondary characters, is well crafted and complex. Survivor’s guilt, grief, family dynamics, trauma, memory, and the strength of that fraternal bond hold this topical and eloquently written story together.
However.
I am very grateful that I gave this book a chance. It’s a skillful blend of very near future spec fic that was immediately recognizable in its terrifying dystopian setting, and the very topical subject of human trafficking of children by the ultra wealthy.
If you’ve ever seen the movie The Island (2005) this will be similar-ish in idea but oh so much more subtle, realistic and horrifying. The book is skillfully executed with emotional heart and less bombastic nonsense than that movie, which a story like this could have easily veered into. There seems to be some appreciative Kubrick influences here as well. Longstreet writes with a gravitas and emotional resonance that I don’t think is normally found in a thriller-esque novel, which is probably why I liked this. And unless you’ve been living in an off-grid cabin in the woods somewhere, you’ll also feel the uncomfortable familiarity – it’s obvious inspiration by recent events of the other more (in)famous ‘real’ Island… well that’s no accident either.
Before starting, I had some initial concerns that the writing or story would somehow be preachy or heavy-handed, in both the subject matter and the near-future tech. But it avoids the pitfalls of being lurid (subject matter) or technobabble-ly (for the setting). This story should be appealing to those looking for something that is eminently and tragically believable, but also packs a gut punch of emotion. The relationship between the two brothers, and even the secondary characters, is well crafted and complex. Survivor’s guilt, grief, family dynamics, trauma, memory, and the strength of that fraternal bond hold this topical and eloquently written story together.
Review of advance copy received from Author
"Let greed shepherd them to their graves."
I knew two things very early on while reading this book: 1) this was a five-star read, and 2) it was going to be one of my favorite books of the year.
I went in knowing very little, only that the author described it as having 1984 and Mr. Robot vibes, and that was more than enough to hook me.
Those influences are definitely present, but this isn't a copycat story. Instead, the author takes those familiar themes and crafts something entirely original.
The plot is layered and thought-provoking without ever becoming confusing. Every revelation feels earned, and the mystery unfolds at exactly the right pace. The characters are equally well developed, each with distinct personalities, believable flaws, and emotional depth that makes them feel real.
The themes are powerful and deeply relevant. This is a story about protecting children, holding the powerful accountable, and preserving freedom in the face of oppression.
Some scenes made me genuinely uncomfortable. Not because they relied on graphic descriptions, but because the author conveyed the horror so effectively. I felt the dread, fear, and helplessness of the situations without the need for explicit detail, which made those moments even more impactful.
"The sunflowers spent their whole lives Above. If someone put them underground, they would wither away and die. Without light, without warmth. How could the Faceless have thought children were any different?"
From beginning to end, this book kept me completely invested as mysteries unraveled and long-hidden truths came to light. If you love dystopian worlds gone horribly wrong, compelling young protagonists willing to fight for what's right, and stories that trust readers to piece everything together instead of revealing every answer immediately, pick this one up. Get lost in the depths of the UMBRA and join Hiro and his friends as they fight to escape a devastating fate.
I knew two things very early on while reading this book: 1) this was a five-star read, and 2) it was going to be one of my favorite books of the year.
I went in knowing very little, only that the author described it as having 1984 and Mr. Robot vibes, and that was more than enough to hook me.
Those influences are definitely present, but this isn't a copycat story. Instead, the author takes those familiar themes and crafts something entirely original.
The plot is layered and thought-provoking without ever becoming confusing. Every revelation feels earned, and the mystery unfolds at exactly the right pace. The characters are equally well developed, each with distinct personalities, believable flaws, and emotional depth that makes them feel real.
The themes are powerful and deeply relevant. This is a story about protecting children, holding the powerful accountable, and preserving freedom in the face of oppression.
Some scenes made me genuinely uncomfortable. Not because they relied on graphic descriptions, but because the author conveyed the horror so effectively. I felt the dread, fear, and helplessness of the situations without the need for explicit detail, which made those moments even more impactful.
"The sunflowers spent their whole lives Above. If someone put them underground, they would wither away and die. Without light, without warmth. How could the Faceless have thought children were any different?"
From beginning to end, this book kept me completely invested as mysteries unraveled and long-hidden truths came to light. If you love dystopian worlds gone horribly wrong, compelling young protagonists willing to fight for what's right, and stories that trust readers to piece everything together instead of revealing every answer immediately, pick this one up. Get lost in the depths of the UMBRA and join Hiro and his friends as they fight to escape a devastating fate.
Review of advance copy
Wow. Just….. wow.
What an incredibly well-written, clearly thought-out story that certainly will not leave my mind anytime soon. I’m taken aback by just how great of a read this was. The use of imagery and metaphor do wonders in allowing the reader to dive right into the story and feel every single word.
I grew up on dystopian media - you know, books like The Hunger Games, Divergent, The Maze Runner, Brave New World, even movies like Elysium and Gattaca. There’s something so profoundly interesting about coming to understand a world with all of its quirks and nuances, recognizing the good and the bad in each character, experiencing all of the tension and anxiety and despair as if I am in the main character’s place, and rooting for the corrupt system’s hopefully eventual downfall. Whether the characters in Underbelly are successful or ultimately fail, I won’t spoil, but I will say that this novel took me on a journey that I haven’t been on in quite some time. This book is much more adult-forward, but the dystopian realm remains the same. And if justice and hope are important to you…. You’ve found your next book. Trust me.
And oddly, the part that excited me the most was the acknowledgement at the end. The call to action, to fight against a currently corrupt world, to rebuke ai, to love the people around us regardless of their differences from us, closing it out with the Two Greatest Commandments as a reminder that even for those in power who use religion as a mask for their judgements, that they’ve completely missed the point….. what a beautiful reminder that we the people are POWERFUL. Thank you, Allen Longstreet, for this timely and impactful reminder.
*I received a free ARC through BookSirens in exchange for my honest review.
What an incredibly well-written, clearly thought-out story that certainly will not leave my mind anytime soon. I’m taken aback by just how great of a read this was. The use of imagery and metaphor do wonders in allowing the reader to dive right into the story and feel every single word.
I grew up on dystopian media - you know, books like The Hunger Games, Divergent, The Maze Runner, Brave New World, even movies like Elysium and Gattaca. There’s something so profoundly interesting about coming to understand a world with all of its quirks and nuances, recognizing the good and the bad in each character, experiencing all of the tension and anxiety and despair as if I am in the main character’s place, and rooting for the corrupt system’s hopefully eventual downfall. Whether the characters in Underbelly are successful or ultimately fail, I won’t spoil, but I will say that this novel took me on a journey that I haven’t been on in quite some time. This book is much more adult-forward, but the dystopian realm remains the same. And if justice and hope are important to you…. You’ve found your next book. Trust me.
And oddly, the part that excited me the most was the acknowledgement at the end. The call to action, to fight against a currently corrupt world, to rebuke ai, to love the people around us regardless of their differences from us, closing it out with the Two Greatest Commandments as a reminder that even for those in power who use religion as a mask for their judgements, that they’ve completely missed the point….. what a beautiful reminder that we the people are POWERFUL. Thank you, Allen Longstreet, for this timely and impactful reminder.
*I received a free ARC through BookSirens in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Underbelly is a dystopian thriller that is as refreshing as it is familiar. Allen is a world builder. A terrifying one at that! He describes a world we fear lurking in our own distant horizon. A society under oligarchial rule where your money is digital and under lock and key if you question their authority.
Fear aside, Allen shows society is also a very inclusive one. Our vigilantes are those blacklisted, the ones set on the Fringe to society. Allen reminds his readers that, even among an oppressive rule, there is still hope. One of my favorite books where characters aren’t given your average name. It was nice to see characters that I could see myself in. It was like experiencing the bridge to Lady Gaga’s song, “Born this Way.” Fringe is beautiful.
Allen is the kind of writer who wastes no time diving right into the heart of the story. Are you disoriented at first? Yes, but that’s the point. You gotta see Hiro claw his way to the surface so we can meet the biggest of big brothers, Yuta. As Hiro steps into the background to recover his memory, Yuta shows us what has happened to our “shiny cities.” We deserve someone who will never leave our side. Is he trying to redeem himself? Yes. But unlike your ex-boyfriend making promises he can’t keep, Yuta is a man of his word. His devotion to his mission, his team, and his brother is one of the best parts of this book.
I had a lot of fun reading Underbelly. Chapters do not feel long because the timing is rhythmic. Just before you can settle into the words, you are jolted awake with some new revelation or action. You gotta keep reading. Maybe just one paragraph into the next chapter, you convince yourself. Next thing you know, it’s 3 a.m.!
Fear aside, Allen shows society is also a very inclusive one. Our vigilantes are those blacklisted, the ones set on the Fringe to society. Allen reminds his readers that, even among an oppressive rule, there is still hope. One of my favorite books where characters aren’t given your average name. It was nice to see characters that I could see myself in. It was like experiencing the bridge to Lady Gaga’s song, “Born this Way.” Fringe is beautiful.
Allen is the kind of writer who wastes no time diving right into the heart of the story. Are you disoriented at first? Yes, but that’s the point. You gotta see Hiro claw his way to the surface so we can meet the biggest of big brothers, Yuta. As Hiro steps into the background to recover his memory, Yuta shows us what has happened to our “shiny cities.” We deserve someone who will never leave our side. Is he trying to redeem himself? Yes. But unlike your ex-boyfriend making promises he can’t keep, Yuta is a man of his word. His devotion to his mission, his team, and his brother is one of the best parts of this book.
I had a lot of fun reading Underbelly. Chapters do not feel long because the timing is rhythmic. Just before you can settle into the words, you are jolted awake with some new revelation or action. You gotta keep reading. Maybe just one paragraph into the next chapter, you convince yourself. Next thing you know, it’s 3 a.m.!
Review of advance copy received from Author
"Hiding from the light, deep beneath the ground. Their playground is their tomb. Live faceless, die faceless."
In "Underbelly", by Allen Longstreet, Yuta's brother, Hiro, has been missing for 10 years. Just before his 18th birthday Hiro resurfaces with no memory of where he's been. The following spiral of recovering his memories and Yuta's investigation in to the corporate underground reveal that money and vanity rule the world and the people benefitting from it are faceless for a reason.
This is officially my first ARC reader review!! And I'm glad I started with this book because it was so fun to read! This book has similar vibes to "The Institute" by Stephen King and "Darkest Minds" by Alexandra Bracken. Which is to say, that this book talks about some heavy topics when it comes to children and corporate greed. I'm always a bit apprehensive with these types of books because they can play too hard into some pretty messed up things but I love how Longstreet wrote this to focus on the effect of the mistreatment and the psychological repercussions rather than on the acts themselves. As I said before, I really enjoyed this book and felt like I read it so quickly. My only critique, and I won't go into much detail since this book isn't yet published, is about the idea of Dark Yuta. The premise is good but the execution of that specific character seemed so out of place for me.
If you are a fan of dystopian futures, discovering truths with the main character, psychologically thrillers, and conspiracy theories, you should keep your eyes out for this book release. (August 18, 2026).
-G
In "Underbelly", by Allen Longstreet, Yuta's brother, Hiro, has been missing for 10 years. Just before his 18th birthday Hiro resurfaces with no memory of where he's been. The following spiral of recovering his memories and Yuta's investigation in to the corporate underground reveal that money and vanity rule the world and the people benefitting from it are faceless for a reason.
This is officially my first ARC reader review!! And I'm glad I started with this book because it was so fun to read! This book has similar vibes to "The Institute" by Stephen King and "Darkest Minds" by Alexandra Bracken. Which is to say, that this book talks about some heavy topics when it comes to children and corporate greed. I'm always a bit apprehensive with these types of books because they can play too hard into some pretty messed up things but I love how Longstreet wrote this to focus on the effect of the mistreatment and the psychological repercussions rather than on the acts themselves. As I said before, I really enjoyed this book and felt like I read it so quickly. My only critique, and I won't go into much detail since this book isn't yet published, is about the idea of Dark Yuta. The premise is good but the execution of that specific character seemed so out of place for me.
If you are a fan of dystopian futures, discovering truths with the main character, psychologically thrillers, and conspiracy theories, you should keep your eyes out for this book release. (August 18, 2026).
-G
Review of advance copy received from Author
3.25.
set in future america, underbelly follows the unfortunate takeover of the upper echelons of an american conglomerate after a pandemic swept through the nation. one dirty secret are the children stored and 'sampled' in the underbelly of the newly dystopian world, and we follow hiro as he manages to squeeze through and escape after a 10-year absence from the above, and how his brother has fought tooth and nail to expose the 1%'s true intentions.
this was unlike anything i've read, and the premise was what made me crave to become an arc reader. this is a scary glimpse into a possible future for our country, and allen longstreet captured the raw fear and anger that the kids and their families have been through. it was thrilling, gripping, and dark, and the end sequence had me so hooked i couldn't put my kindle down until i finished the book.
the constant change in the different pov's of numerous characters can be quite jarring to some people, but i've enjoyed the variety as well as getting into the minds of more than the two main characters. i will also say that the sections with dark yuta felt a little tacky and way out of place, and kind of brought me out of the narrative briefly. and while the writing style is almost impeccable, with great poetic verses and in-depth characterization, multiple phrases were overused and repeated throughout the story.
overall, an amazing but dark book showcasing the true meanings of the capitalistic elite america. i would love to see a prequel of the inner workings of umbra and how it came to be. thank you allen longstreet for the arc, and i cannot wait to see what the future holds for their writing!
set in future america, underbelly follows the unfortunate takeover of the upper echelons of an american conglomerate after a pandemic swept through the nation. one dirty secret are the children stored and 'sampled' in the underbelly of the newly dystopian world, and we follow hiro as he manages to squeeze through and escape after a 10-year absence from the above, and how his brother has fought tooth and nail to expose the 1%'s true intentions.
this was unlike anything i've read, and the premise was what made me crave to become an arc reader. this is a scary glimpse into a possible future for our country, and allen longstreet captured the raw fear and anger that the kids and their families have been through. it was thrilling, gripping, and dark, and the end sequence had me so hooked i couldn't put my kindle down until i finished the book.
the constant change in the different pov's of numerous characters can be quite jarring to some people, but i've enjoyed the variety as well as getting into the minds of more than the two main characters. i will also say that the sections with dark yuta felt a little tacky and way out of place, and kind of brought me out of the narrative briefly. and while the writing style is almost impeccable, with great poetic verses and in-depth characterization, multiple phrases were overused and repeated throughout the story.
overall, an amazing but dark book showcasing the true meanings of the capitalistic elite america. i would love to see a prequel of the inner workings of umbra and how it came to be. thank you allen longstreet for the arc, and i cannot wait to see what the future holds for their writing!
Review of advance copy received from Author
thank you to allen and booksirens for the arc!
i stumbled upon this dystopian arc scrolling instagram one day and was instantly brought back to my teen writer days where all i thought about was dystopia, hype moments, and aura.... and this book certainly delivers on that. each chapter and scene always makes sure to end on a revelation, and though the one-liners tend to become tedious, i respect the scene-card grind. the way the plot reveals more of itself is great for a binge-read and kept me guessing while also satisfying my previous guesses!
i will say that some aura moments don't hit/are too obvious, and on the micro level i genuinely could Not keep reading the wolf metaphor and hair being "the color of fire." i also didn't particularly connect to anyone, especially not the mc hiro. i liked yuta but his hallucinations did not hit imo (more like green goblin looking in the mirror and seeing his mask ToT). also some plot points felt like they were rushed or forced into occurrence, like i felt like the characters needed to try harder to actually get what they want. but the premise itself is perfect for our current amnesiac sci-fi climate, and the story is obviously influenced by so much history of sci-fi and dystopian stories.
author's acknowledgements were actually goated (until the religion drop) but otherwise hell yeah fuck ai and fuck digital id initiatives !!
counting / dust / bounty hunter / panopticon / authenticity / art vs propaganda
I Who Have Never Known Men / Severance (Apple+) / Annihilation / Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? / A Clockwork Orange / The Substance
i stumbled upon this dystopian arc scrolling instagram one day and was instantly brought back to my teen writer days where all i thought about was dystopia, hype moments, and aura.... and this book certainly delivers on that. each chapter and scene always makes sure to end on a revelation, and though the one-liners tend to become tedious, i respect the scene-card grind. the way the plot reveals more of itself is great for a binge-read and kept me guessing while also satisfying my previous guesses!
i will say that some aura moments don't hit/are too obvious, and on the micro level i genuinely could Not keep reading the wolf metaphor and hair being "the color of fire." i also didn't particularly connect to anyone, especially not the mc hiro. i liked yuta but his hallucinations did not hit imo (more like green goblin looking in the mirror and seeing his mask ToT). also some plot points felt like they were rushed or forced into occurrence, like i felt like the characters needed to try harder to actually get what they want. but the premise itself is perfect for our current amnesiac sci-fi climate, and the story is obviously influenced by so much history of sci-fi and dystopian stories.
author's acknowledgements were actually goated (until the religion drop) but otherwise hell yeah fuck ai and fuck digital id initiatives !!
counting / dust / bounty hunter / panopticon / authenticity / art vs propaganda
I Who Have Never Known Men / Severance (Apple+) / Annihilation / Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? / A Clockwork Orange / The Substance
Review of advance copy received from Author
**This is an ARC review. Thank you to the author for providing a copy of your book ahead of publication**
This book was dark as hell. It explores the theme in dystopian thrillers where the US is ruled by corporations, access to currency is only digital and centralized and anyone who doesn’t comply with the “rules” is essentially blacklisted from society. You’re first introduced to Hiro as he and his closest friend Lyla attempt to escape a place called “Umbra” where children are held being held captive. Through the novel you meet Yuta who sort of evolves to be an important main character as the book progresses. His evolution is an interesting take on anti-hero/vigilante imo. Yuta’s character explores how trauma and abuse is far reaching, even though Yuta lives “above,” his memory isn’t impacted and he remembers his brother. So he dedicates his life to finding him.
All in all, I found this to be an immersive, dark experience. This book does not leave you with warm fuzzies. In many ways, it leaves you upset and thrown off kilter. It focuses on the psychological aspect of life in Umbra and how that impacts a child, especially how it impacts children outside of Umbra (like Yuta). I am reading this in 2026, so it is quite eerie how it aligns with the reality of the world we’re living in, ruled by tech oligarchs that seek to siphon life at any cost for their own profit and benefit. (The author mentions this in the acknowledgements)
All in all this was an enjoyable read that has me thinking. I feel like I could write an essay on many of the characters lol.
This book was dark as hell. It explores the theme in dystopian thrillers where the US is ruled by corporations, access to currency is only digital and centralized and anyone who doesn’t comply with the “rules” is essentially blacklisted from society. You’re first introduced to Hiro as he and his closest friend Lyla attempt to escape a place called “Umbra” where children are held being held captive. Through the novel you meet Yuta who sort of evolves to be an important main character as the book progresses. His evolution is an interesting take on anti-hero/vigilante imo. Yuta’s character explores how trauma and abuse is far reaching, even though Yuta lives “above,” his memory isn’t impacted and he remembers his brother. So he dedicates his life to finding him.
All in all, I found this to be an immersive, dark experience. This book does not leave you with warm fuzzies. In many ways, it leaves you upset and thrown off kilter. It focuses on the psychological aspect of life in Umbra and how that impacts a child, especially how it impacts children outside of Umbra (like Yuta). I am reading this in 2026, so it is quite eerie how it aligns with the reality of the world we’re living in, ruled by tech oligarchs that seek to siphon life at any cost for their own profit and benefit. (The author mentions this in the acknowledgements)
All in all this was an enjoyable read that has me thinking. I feel like I could write an essay on many of the characters lol.
July 12, 2026
Thank you to the author, Allen Longstreet, for the ARC of this one! The story is set in a futuristic dystopian universe where tech has managed to pervade even more aspects of human life, complete with microchip implants used to make purchases and contact-like eye inserts used for browsing one’s phone. Our main character, Hiro, is living in an underground facility where he and many other kids are being held, abused, and used for nefarious purposes by some of the richest and most powerful people in the world. With the help of some insiders at the facility, Hiro manages to narrowly escape but at the cost of his memories of the facility as well as the other people inside. What follows is his journey of reconnecting with his family, regaining his memories, and confronting the evils of the facility that he escaped from.
I really appreciate the concept of this book and its tackling of themes of class and power in a way that feels futuristic but also so relevant to our current day. There were some really great prose at times and I particularly enjoyed many of the metaphors used as they felt quite unique. The author’s bio says he “doesn’t believe in put-a-bow-on-it endings” which is certainly exemplified by this book’s ending and is something that I admire wholly. The one difficulty I found was with connecting to the characters. Personally, they felt sort of muted and didn’t really come to life in the way I would have wanted. But besides this, it was definitely a fun and interesting read!
I really appreciate the concept of this book and its tackling of themes of class and power in a way that feels futuristic but also so relevant to our current day. There were some really great prose at times and I particularly enjoyed many of the metaphors used as they felt quite unique. The author’s bio says he “doesn’t believe in put-a-bow-on-it endings” which is certainly exemplified by this book’s ending and is something that I admire wholly. The one difficulty I found was with connecting to the characters. Personally, they felt sort of muted and didn’t really come to life in the way I would have wanted. But besides this, it was definitely a fun and interesting read!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was my first dystopian thriller, and I LOVED it!
The story is told from multiple points of view, both male and female. I think one of the things that makes this book so terrifying is that, while it's fiction, it's easy to imagine how many elements of this story could one day become our reality.
The story follows Hiro, a young man who was kidnapped as a child and taken to an underground facility run by O-Corp, a futuristic government driven by technology, cryptocurrency, a hunger for complete control. After Hiro escapes, adjusting to life on the outside is anything but easy. He returns to his family in Los Angeles with more questions than answers. With the help of his brother, Yuta, the two set out to uncover Hiro's past and save other kidnapped children. Along the way, they discover there is far more to their family's connection to O-Corp and its elite members than they ever could have imagined.
My favorite part of the book was easily the last 25%. By that point, you truly understand the characters, their motivations, and what drives them to survive. I genuinely wasn't sure how the story was going to end, but I really appreciated the direction the author took.
This book would make a FANTASTIC Netflix series! It reminded me of The Golden Compass with a sprinkle of The Maze Runner. It was easily one of my favorite reads of the year, and I would recommend it to just about anyone.
A huge thank you to Allen Longstreet and BookSirens for giving me the opportunity to dive into Underbelly before its release.
The story is told from multiple points of view, both male and female. I think one of the things that makes this book so terrifying is that, while it's fiction, it's easy to imagine how many elements of this story could one day become our reality.
The story follows Hiro, a young man who was kidnapped as a child and taken to an underground facility run by O-Corp, a futuristic government driven by technology, cryptocurrency, a hunger for complete control. After Hiro escapes, adjusting to life on the outside is anything but easy. He returns to his family in Los Angeles with more questions than answers. With the help of his brother, Yuta, the two set out to uncover Hiro's past and save other kidnapped children. Along the way, they discover there is far more to their family's connection to O-Corp and its elite members than they ever could have imagined.
My favorite part of the book was easily the last 25%. By that point, you truly understand the characters, their motivations, and what drives them to survive. I genuinely wasn't sure how the story was going to end, but I really appreciated the direction the author took.
This book would make a FANTASTIC Netflix series! It reminded me of The Golden Compass with a sprinkle of The Maze Runner. It was easily one of my favorite reads of the year, and I would recommend it to just about anyone.
A huge thank you to Allen Longstreet and BookSirens for giving me the opportunity to dive into Underbelly before its release.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 Stars)
First off thank you to the author for this ARC!
This book is dark—far darker than I expected from the synopsis—and I absolutely loved it. The amnesia storyline was one of my favorite parts of the novel. Piecing everything together alongside Hiro kept me completely invested, and every new revelation pulled me deeper into the mystery. It's the kind of story that slowly unravels until you're left questioning everything you thought you knew.
That said, I do think this book would benefit from content warnings at the beginning. The subject matter becomes incredibly disturbing, and while that wasn't an issue for me personally, I think many readers would appreciate knowing just how dark this story gets before diving in. I also felt like the synopsis doesn't fully prepare you for the kind of novel this actually is, so a warning or a more representative description would help set expectations.
There were also a few moments where conversations and relationships felt a little rushed or impersonal. Some emotional interactions could have used a bit more room to breathe, which would have made the character connections even stronger.
Even with those minor issues, I thought this was an incredible read. It's unsettling, emotional, and relentlessly gripping. If you're looking for a psychological thriller that isn't afraid to go to some truly dark places and leave you thinking long after you've finished, this one absolutely delivers.
First off thank you to the author for this ARC!
This book is dark—far darker than I expected from the synopsis—and I absolutely loved it. The amnesia storyline was one of my favorite parts of the novel. Piecing everything together alongside Hiro kept me completely invested, and every new revelation pulled me deeper into the mystery. It's the kind of story that slowly unravels until you're left questioning everything you thought you knew.
That said, I do think this book would benefit from content warnings at the beginning. The subject matter becomes incredibly disturbing, and while that wasn't an issue for me personally, I think many readers would appreciate knowing just how dark this story gets before diving in. I also felt like the synopsis doesn't fully prepare you for the kind of novel this actually is, so a warning or a more representative description would help set expectations.
There were also a few moments where conversations and relationships felt a little rushed or impersonal. Some emotional interactions could have used a bit more room to breathe, which would have made the character connections even stronger.
Even with those minor issues, I thought this was an incredible read. It's unsettling, emotional, and relentlessly gripping. If you're looking for a psychological thriller that isn't afraid to go to some truly dark places and leave you thinking long after you've finished, this one absolutely delivers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I’m honored to share my first #ARC reader book, Underbelly by Allen Longstreet.
In this book we meet Hiro, who has returned to his family after 10 years, but the happiness of the reunion is short-lived when he reveals he has no memory of where he’s been for the past decade of his childhood. His brother, Yuta has spent that time determined to find his younger brother and make those who took him pay, but the memory loss makes that difficult and Yuta’s secret life makes rekindling the brothers’ relationship difficult. But both brothers are determined to find the truth … no matter the cost.
This book was a genre that I don’t usually read, which I think really gave me a chance to appreciate the depth of the storytelling with fresh a perspective. This dystopian world with futuristic undertones encouraged readers to embrace the darkness of the tale. The intricate background of each of the character as they pulled towards each other and separated again gave readers a chance to investigate deeper. The twists and turns as the characters learned about each other and themselves along the way gave a spider web feel to the connections that led them to that moment in time.
If you enjoy dark, dystopian books with “defy the government” vibes you will enjoy this one! I will warn you that it does contain content eluding to inappropriate thoughts or behavior of an intimate nature with the underage or underage looking persons, though nothing I felt was graphic.
In this book we meet Hiro, who has returned to his family after 10 years, but the happiness of the reunion is short-lived when he reveals he has no memory of where he’s been for the past decade of his childhood. His brother, Yuta has spent that time determined to find his younger brother and make those who took him pay, but the memory loss makes that difficult and Yuta’s secret life makes rekindling the brothers’ relationship difficult. But both brothers are determined to find the truth … no matter the cost.
This book was a genre that I don’t usually read, which I think really gave me a chance to appreciate the depth of the storytelling with fresh a perspective. This dystopian world with futuristic undertones encouraged readers to embrace the darkness of the tale. The intricate background of each of the character as they pulled towards each other and separated again gave readers a chance to investigate deeper. The twists and turns as the characters learned about each other and themselves along the way gave a spider web feel to the connections that led them to that moment in time.
If you enjoy dark, dystopian books with “defy the government” vibes you will enjoy this one! I will warn you that it does contain content eluding to inappropriate thoughts or behavior of an intimate nature with the underage or underage looking persons, though nothing I felt was graphic.
Review of advance copy received from Author
“Memory was no gift.”
That single line perfectly captures the heart of Underbelly.
Allen Longstreet delivers a thought-provoking dystopian thriller that blends mystery, psychological suspense, and emotional depth into a story that kept me engaged from beginning to end. While the premise immediately hooked me, it was the characters, and the relationships between them, that kept me turning the pages.
The world-building is immersive without becoming overwhelming, and the mystery unfolds at a pace that continually raises the stakes while rewarding the reader with well-earned reveals. As the story explores memory, identity, family, and humanity, it asks some compelling questions that linger long after the final chapter.
What stood out most to me was the emotional core beneath the suspense. It’s easy for dystopian thrillers to become so focused on the action that the characters get lost, but that wasn’t the case here. The emotional investment made every revelation carry more weight.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.5/5)
If you enjoy dystopian fiction with psychological twists, layered mysteries, and character-driven storytelling, Underbelly is definitely one to add to your TBR.
Thank you to Allen Longstreet for providing me with an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
That single line perfectly captures the heart of Underbelly.
Allen Longstreet delivers a thought-provoking dystopian thriller that blends mystery, psychological suspense, and emotional depth into a story that kept me engaged from beginning to end. While the premise immediately hooked me, it was the characters, and the relationships between them, that kept me turning the pages.
The world-building is immersive without becoming overwhelming, and the mystery unfolds at a pace that continually raises the stakes while rewarding the reader with well-earned reveals. As the story explores memory, identity, family, and humanity, it asks some compelling questions that linger long after the final chapter.
What stood out most to me was the emotional core beneath the suspense. It’s easy for dystopian thrillers to become so focused on the action that the characters get lost, but that wasn’t the case here. The emotional investment made every revelation carry more weight.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.5/5)
If you enjoy dystopian fiction with psychological twists, layered mysteries, and character-driven storytelling, Underbelly is definitely one to add to your TBR.
Thank you to Allen Longstreet for providing me with an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 21, 2026
Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Underbelly was unlike anything I’ve read before. While I was initially drawn in by the mystery and suspense, I stayed for the thought-provoking themes and the constant sense that there was something much bigger happening beneath the surface.
One aspect that really stood out to me was the way technology was portrayed. We often view technological advancements as progress, but this novel explores the darker possibilities that can emerge when technology is combined with power, greed, and secrecy. It left me thinking long after I finished the book.
The themes of corruption and conspiracy were equally compelling. I’ve encountered similar ideas in television shows and movies, but experiencing them through this story felt much more immersive. The deeper I got into the novel, the more invested I became in uncovering the truth alongside the characters.
This was one of those books that kept me saying, “Just one more chapter,” until suddenly it was much later than I planned. The pacing kept me engaged, and I found it difficult to put down because I always needed to know what would happen next.
Underbelly was unlike anything I’ve read before. While I was initially drawn in by the mystery and suspense, I stayed for the thought-provoking themes and the constant sense that there was something much bigger happening beneath the surface.
One aspect that really stood out to me was the way technology was portrayed. We often view technological advancements as progress, but this novel explores the darker possibilities that can emerge when technology is combined with power, greed, and secrecy. It left me thinking long after I finished the book.
The themes of corruption and conspiracy were equally compelling. I’ve encountered similar ideas in television shows and movies, but experiencing them through this story felt much more immersive. The deeper I got into the novel, the more invested I became in uncovering the truth alongside the characters.
This was one of those books that kept me saying, “Just one more chapter,” until suddenly it was much later than I planned. The pacing kept me engaged, and I found it difficult to put down because I always needed to know what would happen next.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Underbelly was my best read or 2026 so far. The story begins with a pair of teens trapped in a strange underground bunker where everything is sterile and high-tech, kids are known only by numbers, and access to memories is used as a form of social control.
One of the them, Hiro, escapes but is injected with a serum that wipes his memory as he flees. The rest of the story follows Hiro as he navigates life Above. We are introduced to his brother, Yuta, and gradually learn just how far he is willing to go to find Hiro and seek revenge on those who took him away.
What I loved about Underbelly is that we uncover information alongside Hiro as he slowly gets his memories back. His relationship with Yuta develops slowly but the brotherly love is fierce and palpable. We learn what a society looks like when everything goes digital, and how corruption goes deeper than any of us can fathom. We learn the lengths those in power will go to, to keep their wealth, youth and power. Underbelly was dark, yet enthralling, and at times, tender. Definitely recommend for lovers of dystopian conspiracy vibes.
One of the them, Hiro, escapes but is injected with a serum that wipes his memory as he flees. The rest of the story follows Hiro as he navigates life Above. We are introduced to his brother, Yuta, and gradually learn just how far he is willing to go to find Hiro and seek revenge on those who took him away.
What I loved about Underbelly is that we uncover information alongside Hiro as he slowly gets his memories back. His relationship with Yuta develops slowly but the brotherly love is fierce and palpable. We learn what a society looks like when everything goes digital, and how corruption goes deeper than any of us can fathom. We learn the lengths those in power will go to, to keep their wealth, youth and power. Underbelly was dark, yet enthralling, and at times, tender. Definitely recommend for lovers of dystopian conspiracy vibes.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
After being missing for more than a decade, Hiro suddenly reappears with no memory of who he is or what happened to him. As he tries to rebuild his life, his older brother Yuta refuses to let the past stay buried, pulling them both into a dangerous conspiracy involving powerful elites, corporate corruption, and the horrifying truth behind the children who never made it home.
This book completely exceeded my expectations. It starts as a mystery surrounding Hiro's disappearance, but quickly evolves into a dark, high-stakes thriller/horror that doesn't shy away from difficult subjects. The story is intense, unsettling, and packed with twists.
The relationship between Hiro and Yuta was one of my favourite parts of the novel. Beneath all the action and conspiracy lies an emotional story about family, loss and guilt.
There is so much more happening throughout the book that I don't want to spoil. It's the kind of book that refuses to pull its punches. It's brutal, emotive, and thought-provoking.
Thank you so much @allen.writes NetGalley & 8th House Press for the #gifted earc. All opinions are my own!
This book completely exceeded my expectations. It starts as a mystery surrounding Hiro's disappearance, but quickly evolves into a dark, high-stakes thriller/horror that doesn't shy away from difficult subjects. The story is intense, unsettling, and packed with twists.
The relationship between Hiro and Yuta was one of my favourite parts of the novel. Beneath all the action and conspiracy lies an emotional story about family, loss and guilt.
There is so much more happening throughout the book that I don't want to spoil. It's the kind of book that refuses to pull its punches. It's brutal, emotive, and thought-provoking.
Thank you so much @allen.writes NetGalley & 8th House Press for the #gifted earc. All opinions are my own!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Underbelly by Allen Longstreet was absolutely incredible—I couldn't put it down. This book was unlike anything I've ever read, and I was completely blown away by the writing and of its characters. It has everything I love in a novel: mystery, shocking twists, suspense, and plenty of thrilling moments.
The story follows Hiro, a man who is found years after his disappearance with no memory of how he ended up where he is. Meanwhile, his brother, Yuta, has spent years doing everything he can to uncover the truth about what happened after Hiro vanished.
The story is dark, emotional, and packed with suspense. It weaves together mystery, psychological tension, and dangerous situations where the characters must fight to survive at all costs in their search for freedom. Every chapter left me eager to find out what would happen next, making it impossible to stop reading.
I give Underbelly ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5 stars). It kept me hooked until the very last page, and when I finished, I found myself wanting even more. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mysteries, psychological thrillers, and suspense-filled stories.
The story follows Hiro, a man who is found years after his disappearance with no memory of how he ended up where he is. Meanwhile, his brother, Yuta, has spent years doing everything he can to uncover the truth about what happened after Hiro vanished.
The story is dark, emotional, and packed with suspense. It weaves together mystery, psychological tension, and dangerous situations where the characters must fight to survive at all costs in their search for freedom. Every chapter left me eager to find out what would happen next, making it impossible to stop reading.
I give Underbelly ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5 stars). It kept me hooked until the very last page, and when I finished, I found myself wanting even more. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mysteries, psychological thrillers, and suspense-filled stories.
June 15, 2026
I am so thankful that I was able to receive an ARC of Underbelly. Thank you to author, Allen, for sharing this work with me so early!
Wow. Where to start with Underbelly? This is a HARD read. It’s hard because I know what evil is capable of in this world. I know that even the most horrific things we could imagine, are happening SOMEWHERE in the world and this book highlights that.
Once I realized what was happening to the stolen children in this story, I had to put my e-reader down, cry, and take some deep breaths before I continued reading. Seeing Hiro, who knew nothing but a life of pain, continue to fight was like a beacon of light. Even more so, it was beautiful to see him in his moments where he wasn’t strong and he was tired. I was reminded of the good in the world when Yuta did what he had to, to do the right things.
This book with take you through every emotion and I fully believe in Longstreet’s vision and message with this book. This is a must read, but be prepared to take breaks and take care of yourself when you need to!
Wow. Where to start with Underbelly? This is a HARD read. It’s hard because I know what evil is capable of in this world. I know that even the most horrific things we could imagine, are happening SOMEWHERE in the world and this book highlights that.
Once I realized what was happening to the stolen children in this story, I had to put my e-reader down, cry, and take some deep breaths before I continued reading. Seeing Hiro, who knew nothing but a life of pain, continue to fight was like a beacon of light. Even more so, it was beautiful to see him in his moments where he wasn’t strong and he was tired. I was reminded of the good in the world when Yuta did what he had to, to do the right things.
This book with take you through every emotion and I fully believe in Longstreet’s vision and message with this book. This is a must read, but be prepared to take breaks and take care of yourself when you need to!
July 14, 2026
*3.5 stars Thank you so much to Allen Longstreet for the ARC of Underbelly! The world-building and character development in this novel are phenomenal! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and grateful for a happy ending (I’m a huge horror fan so happy endings are not something I’m generally expecting to receive). Dystopian books are something I don’t get to enjoy often and this was really close to home tying in many elements of the real world, such as the illness that swept the planet like covid, the transition to EVs, and how, in my opinion, technology is great to an extent, but should be used for “good” and not as a way to replace humans in every aspect (AI “writing” books/music and creating “art”. I agree with the author’s nod to it in the afterword).
Why the 3.5? Honestly it takes a lot to shock me and there were things happening that seemed a bit predictable. I didn’t have any particular times I was shocked and that’s something I look forward to personally.
However, I highly recommend this read and I wish much success to Allen Longstreet! Thank you again!
Why the 3.5? Honestly it takes a lot to shock me and there were things happening that seemed a bit predictable. I didn’t have any particular times I was shocked and that’s something I look forward to personally.
However, I highly recommend this read and I wish much success to Allen Longstreet! Thank you again!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the author for the Advanced Reader Copy of his upcoming book, being released August 18, 2026! This book was phenomenal 👏 I enjoyed the storyline, as it immediately pulled me in from the first few chapters where Lonstreet paints the strong image of the UMBRA, the underground facility where children are controlled. The bond between the characters was admirable and rubbed a spot in my heart that took me by surprise. This unique novel took me through so many emotions and gave me a story I didn't know I needed.
This dystopian thriller that takes an intimate look at the extreme lengths siblings will go to protect one another. It novel discusses some dark themes, but was very enjoyable from start to finish. Some books will leave a lasting impact on you. Underbelly is definitely one of them! What a thrill this ARC was to read. I recommend picking up a copy once it's released! Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
This dystopian thriller that takes an intimate look at the extreme lengths siblings will go to protect one another. It novel discusses some dark themes, but was very enjoyable from start to finish. Some books will leave a lasting impact on you. Underbelly is definitely one of them! What a thrill this ARC was to read. I recommend picking up a copy once it's released! Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was very creepy, something about faceless men always just give me chills.
So many children are kidnapped and never seen again, but Hiro was different, he re-appeared after years of nothing but he can't remember anything at all, not who took him, where he was, nothing. His brother Yuta spent years searching and it wasn't easy not just the actual work but the levels or corruption making things hard to uncover and questions almost impossible to answer.
This was a dark and emotional read, I wasn't expecting to feel so much for the brothers and all the other kids, the ones never found. Everything looks wonderful on the surface but under the polite rules of society is a dark corruption with the wealthy and elite .
Great world holding and I wouldn't mind more from this "world" and Umbra, there has to be more right...
So many children are kidnapped and never seen again, but Hiro was different, he re-appeared after years of nothing but he can't remember anything at all, not who took him, where he was, nothing. His brother Yuta spent years searching and it wasn't easy not just the actual work but the levels or corruption making things hard to uncover and questions almost impossible to answer.
This was a dark and emotional read, I wasn't expecting to feel so much for the brothers and all the other kids, the ones never found. Everything looks wonderful on the surface but under the polite rules of society is a dark corruption with the wealthy and elite .
Great world holding and I wouldn't mind more from this "world" and Umbra, there has to be more right...
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