What do you think?
Rate this book
Crevasse
High altitude climbing is difficult enough without supernatural creatures thrown into the mix. Unfortunately for Greg and Quinn, they may have stumbled into just such a situation. A few days into their week-long trek, they begin noticing strange occurrences. Voices outside their tent, a mysterious hiker off in the distance, and a predator that might be the end of them.
When they don’t arrive home as expected, Greg’s godmother, Ellie Jensen, starts to worry. A search and rescue veteran with years of expertise in the Southern Picket Mountain Range, she sets off in pursuit of the young mountaineers.
Five hundred feet above safety and one thousand feet below it, can two young climbers manage survive long enough for help to arrive, or will they become yet more mysterious disappearances on the high mountain peaks?
When they don’t arrive home as expected, Greg’s godmother, Ellie Jensen, starts to worry. A search and rescue veteran with years of expertise in the Southern Picket Mountain Range, she sets off in pursuit of the young mountaineers.
Five hundred feet above safety and one thousand feet below it, can two young climbers manage survive long enough for help to arrive, or will they become yet more mysterious disappearances on the high mountain peaks?
114 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2022
2 people are currently reading
142 people want to read
About the author
Clay Vermulm
9 books24 followersBorn on the frigid, windswept plains of Cut Bank, Montana, Clay has now set down proverbial stakes in the Pacific Northwest where he likes to climb rocks on the days it's not raining. For the other ninety-eight percent of the year, he enjoys writing, reading, and playing board games with his partner Deanna as his cat criticizes his every life decision from her carpeted tree palace.
Clay decided to turn his writing hobby into a writing career in November of 2020. Since then, he has written thousands of words, eight short stories, two novels, and his novella Crevasse, which was picked up by City Stone publishing in November 2021 (November is apparently a good month).
Aside from writing, Clay has also created and produced one season of his podcast Sinister Soup, climbed Half Dome in Yosemite Valley, and gotten engaged to the love of his life (also in November, for the record). If you want to know more than that, you'll have to join his newsletter.
Clay decided to turn his writing hobby into a writing career in November of 2020. Since then, he has written thousands of words, eight short stories, two novels, and his novella Crevasse, which was picked up by City Stone publishing in November 2021 (November is apparently a good month).
Aside from writing, Clay has also created and produced one season of his podcast Sinister Soup, climbed Half Dome in Yosemite Valley, and gotten engaged to the love of his life (also in November, for the record). If you want to know more than that, you'll have to join his newsletter.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
September 12, 2025
Hello?
That becomes clearer later in this novella that focuses on mountain and rock climbing horror, which inherently seems like a crazy/scary thing to start with.
The narrative moves along by switching to the perspectives of the main characters. It's got interesting intrigue and makes the setting a character, which is a nice touch.
There was a lot of rock climbing jargon I didn't know, but I was able to figure it out.
That becomes clearer later in this novella that focuses on mountain and rock climbing horror, which inherently seems like a crazy/scary thing to start with.
The narrative moves along by switching to the perspectives of the main characters. It's got interesting intrigue and makes the setting a character, which is a nice touch.
There was a lot of rock climbing jargon I didn't know, but I was able to figure it out.
May 11, 2022
CREVASSE is one Spooky tale! I adore Mountain Horror because there are just so many dangers for an author to juggle, from blistering cold to falls from sheer rock walls, a misplaced foothold or handhold resulting in a fall of hundreds or thousands of feet, a thin translucent glacier hiding tremendously deep caverns. Occasionally, bears may appear. All these dangers occur on a magnificent, glorious, distracting backdrop.
Then there's the Other terrors; given what occurs in CREVASSE, if I were a devoted mountaineer, I'd prefer to face a bear.
DON'T read this Novella just prior to a mountain-climbing excursion, or camping in the Pacific Northwest, or hiking in the wilderness. Better yet, just stay indoors. Locked indoors. All lights on. Cell phone on 911. (It won't help.) This Horror is a Juggernaut.
Then there's the Other terrors; given what occurs in CREVASSE, if I were a devoted mountaineer, I'd prefer to face a bear.
DON'T read this Novella just prior to a mountain-climbing excursion, or camping in the Pacific Northwest, or hiking in the wilderness. Better yet, just stay indoors. Locked indoors. All lights on. Cell phone on 911. (It won't help.) This Horror is a Juggernaut.
March 13, 2023
Crevasse inspires vertiginous dread and skin-crawling chills more effectively than its bleak, mountain setting. Don’t read this book before you go hiking, this tale of slow-build horror will have you thinking twice if you really are alone in the woods at night.
May 14, 2022
Greg and Quinn decided to tackle a challenging climb up Mount Terror, a place where many strange disappearances had taken place. Ellie the ranger is asked to carry out a search and rescue for Greg, but there is something more terrifying than the powers of nature lurking in the glacier next to Mount Terror…
This novella started straight off with good sensory descriptions of the icy Pickett mountain range Travis was climbing, with visual, olfactory, and audio descriptions. The author had done plenty of research into (and had first-hand experience in) the art of climbing with ice-axes and crampons. Introverts and lovers of nature’s solitude will relate to the characters of Greg and Quinn, Travis and Ellie. It’s a pity about what will happen to them, which is something bizarre, inexplicable, and so terrifying your skin might want to slip off and creep under the door to somewhere safer.
The mountain and its glacier are a separate character in “Crevasse”, affecting the different scenes either in a direct or indirect way. Clay Vermulm did this through subtle metaphor and imagery, which he also used to portray Greg and Quinn’s relationship, using the climbing ropes and what Quinn and Greg were doing with them as a physical symbol of their relationship, one always supporting or “belaying” the other, even as they were in the midst of a quarrel.
Ellie had an unusual relationship with Greg and his parents, Roger and Rachel, being something of a mentor to Greg and a gooseberry to his mother and father. However, they were all still friends after the rocky road of their previous relationships, and it lent more depth to the characters.
All the characters had a weird feeling of anxiety and dread they couldn’t fully explain. That, coupled with the danger and isolation of the Pickett range and the absence of natural sound at certain moments, added to the slow-burn horror building throughout the story.
Warning: this novella does not have a happy ending. At least, not for the human characters… but in a way, their memories will live on.
I received a free ARC of this story and am leaving a voluntary review.
This novella started straight off with good sensory descriptions of the icy Pickett mountain range Travis was climbing, with visual, olfactory, and audio descriptions. The author had done plenty of research into (and had first-hand experience in) the art of climbing with ice-axes and crampons. Introverts and lovers of nature’s solitude will relate to the characters of Greg and Quinn, Travis and Ellie. It’s a pity about what will happen to them, which is something bizarre, inexplicable, and so terrifying your skin might want to slip off and creep under the door to somewhere safer.
The mountain and its glacier are a separate character in “Crevasse”, affecting the different scenes either in a direct or indirect way. Clay Vermulm did this through subtle metaphor and imagery, which he also used to portray Greg and Quinn’s relationship, using the climbing ropes and what Quinn and Greg were doing with them as a physical symbol of their relationship, one always supporting or “belaying” the other, even as they were in the midst of a quarrel.
Ellie had an unusual relationship with Greg and his parents, Roger and Rachel, being something of a mentor to Greg and a gooseberry to his mother and father. However, they were all still friends after the rocky road of their previous relationships, and it lent more depth to the characters.
All the characters had a weird feeling of anxiety and dread they couldn’t fully explain. That, coupled with the danger and isolation of the Pickett range and the absence of natural sound at certain moments, added to the slow-burn horror building throughout the story.
Warning: this novella does not have a happy ending. At least, not for the human characters… but in a way, their memories will live on.
I received a free ARC of this story and am leaving a voluntary review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2022
An enjoyable debut novella. As someone who’s done a bit of rock climbing, it was clear the author was very familiar with the subject. And what better place to set a horror story than out in the wild? Give this one a chance—you won’t regret it!
November 14, 2022
“Crevasse” falls into a unique category for me. Some books grab you from the start and stay that way, others start off great and then fall off or end badly, and others build slowly but pay off in the end.
“Crevasse” falls into the last category and man oh man did I struggle to get through to 65% of the way through it. Normally if a story doesn’t grab me by 15% of the way in, I bail. In this case I received a copy in exchange for an honest review so I forged ahead. I gather that the author does a fair amount of mountain climbing which is fine, but there was just way too much technical jargon and minutia regarding the intricacies of that activity for an average person to maintain interest.
On a positive note, once the story focused on becoming the horror book that I was expecting, the pages flew by and I was locked in for good. In a nutshell, a monster is snatching those attempting to span a glacier where it resides. The characters were well developed and relatable, the setting was exciting and creative, and the “evil” was good and scary. By the time I finished this book, I actually wished that there was more story to tell. More focus on the creature at an earlier juncture instead of knot tying, equipment, and rope techniques would have enhanced the horror element and made the story flow better I think. The ending was abrupt but somehow appropriate, leaving the reader with a dreadful creepy feeling reminiscent of the ending to the movie “Jeepers Creepers”.
Ultimately, I am glad I read this book and it certainly is one that will stay in my memory banks!
“Crevasse” falls into the last category and man oh man did I struggle to get through to 65% of the way through it. Normally if a story doesn’t grab me by 15% of the way in, I bail. In this case I received a copy in exchange for an honest review so I forged ahead. I gather that the author does a fair amount of mountain climbing which is fine, but there was just way too much technical jargon and minutia regarding the intricacies of that activity for an average person to maintain interest.
On a positive note, once the story focused on becoming the horror book that I was expecting, the pages flew by and I was locked in for good. In a nutshell, a monster is snatching those attempting to span a glacier where it resides. The characters were well developed and relatable, the setting was exciting and creative, and the “evil” was good and scary. By the time I finished this book, I actually wished that there was more story to tell. More focus on the creature at an earlier juncture instead of knot tying, equipment, and rope techniques would have enhanced the horror element and made the story flow better I think. The ending was abrupt but somehow appropriate, leaving the reader with a dreadful creepy feeling reminiscent of the ending to the movie “Jeepers Creepers”.
Ultimately, I am glad I read this book and it certainly is one that will stay in my memory banks!
April 28, 2022
I absolutely loved this book!
It was terrifying, heartbreaking and incredibly tense but I couldn't put it down.
If you love stories about the supernatural/horror, you need to check out this book.
It was terrifying, heartbreaking and incredibly tense but I couldn't put it down.
If you love stories about the supernatural/horror, you need to check out this book.
June 2, 2022
I've just finished reading 'Crevasse', Clay Vermulm's debut novella and I am literally pumped with adrenaline and genuinely impressed with this fantastic thrill-ride of a story.
The story follows Greg and Quinn who attempt an extremely dangerous first-ascent route up the North Face of Mount Terror after spending nearly a week in the remote Southern Picket range.
Right before their climb, they begin noticing weird occurrences. Strange activity and disturbing voices outside their tent in the night, a mysterious hiker in a bright red jacket off in the distance, and a predator with sinister intentions that might be the end of them.
When they don’t arrive home as expected, Greg’s godmother, a search and rescue veteran sets off in pursuit of the young mountaineers. Will she manage to save them all will they all end up another tragic statistic?
Dear reader get your climbing gear on as we are about to begin an ascend on a mountain of trouble for the protagonists.
The author does a great job portraying the harsh conditions and the dangers surrounding this wild trip.
A beautiful chilling story that results in a fast paced, action packed horror ride which will leave you clenching your stomach at times from the terror the protagonists are subject to. This chiller of a book,has it all: suspense , horror, plot twists and
.. cliffhangers, bullet fast plot and well written characters guaranteed to have you bitting your fingernails... and perhaps your fingertips..
A chilling and fantastic debut. It will scare you to the core and leave you thinking about it. A new author that I will definitely keep my eye on for future book offerings.
The story follows Greg and Quinn who attempt an extremely dangerous first-ascent route up the North Face of Mount Terror after spending nearly a week in the remote Southern Picket range.
Right before their climb, they begin noticing weird occurrences. Strange activity and disturbing voices outside their tent in the night, a mysterious hiker in a bright red jacket off in the distance, and a predator with sinister intentions that might be the end of them.
When they don’t arrive home as expected, Greg’s godmother, a search and rescue veteran sets off in pursuit of the young mountaineers. Will she manage to save them all will they all end up another tragic statistic?
Dear reader get your climbing gear on as we are about to begin an ascend on a mountain of trouble for the protagonists.
The author does a great job portraying the harsh conditions and the dangers surrounding this wild trip.
A beautiful chilling story that results in a fast paced, action packed horror ride which will leave you clenching your stomach at times from the terror the protagonists are subject to. This chiller of a book,has it all: suspense , horror, plot twists and
.. cliffhangers, bullet fast plot and well written characters guaranteed to have you bitting your fingernails... and perhaps your fingertips..
A chilling and fantastic debut. It will scare you to the core and leave you thinking about it. A new author that I will definitely keep my eye on for future book offerings.
May 29, 2022
"Crevasse" follows the misadventures of a series of mountaineers who find they have more to worry about than falling off a glacier. Quite like "The Descent", but with mountains instead of caves.
This novella has a great sense of atmosphere; apart from a few moments of respite, the narrative unfolds almost entirely on the snow-covered mountains. I also particularly liked the character Ellie, a mountain rescuer and the aunt of the more impulsive Greg, who has dragged his girlfriend up the mountain for an expedition.
Although there are a number of scenes of people reflecting on the dangers of climbing, the climbing scenes themselves (particularly the earlier ones) could have wrung a bit more tension out of the danger of mountaineering. After one character talks another into climbing over a glacier she doesn't feel comfortable about climbing, they get over the glacier with little or no incident. However, when the antagonist appears, the tension ratchets up nicely. Sometimes the prose could lose a little flab, although this latter point is nitpicking.
If you enjoyed "The descent", this book will likely appeal to you. Probably not one to read for any mountaineering novices though!
This novella has a great sense of atmosphere; apart from a few moments of respite, the narrative unfolds almost entirely on the snow-covered mountains. I also particularly liked the character Ellie, a mountain rescuer and the aunt of the more impulsive Greg, who has dragged his girlfriend up the mountain for an expedition.
Although there are a number of scenes of people reflecting on the dangers of climbing, the climbing scenes themselves (particularly the earlier ones) could have wrung a bit more tension out of the danger of mountaineering. After one character talks another into climbing over a glacier she doesn't feel comfortable about climbing, they get over the glacier with little or no incident. However, when the antagonist appears, the tension ratchets up nicely. Sometimes the prose could lose a little flab, although this latter point is nitpicking.
If you enjoyed "The descent", this book will likely appeal to you. Probably not one to read for any mountaineering novices though!
October 13, 2022
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
***
The book is a quick read. I think I read the entire thing in about an hour and a half. But, it's interesting and well-paced with a creative central plot.
I did need to look up several things, especially near the start of the book because I was wholly unfamiliar with the climbing gear/jargon that was used.
This was fairly brutal and while I thought I knew what was happening, I did not. Yay for surprises.
My one small concern was there is what seems like a title at the bottom of the first page and the next page starts mid-sentence. I don't know what/how much I missed, but I think I missed something at the start of the book.
***
The book is a quick read. I think I read the entire thing in about an hour and a half. But, it's interesting and well-paced with a creative central plot.
I did need to look up several things, especially near the start of the book because I was wholly unfamiliar with the climbing gear/jargon that was used.
This was fairly brutal and while I thought I knew what was happening, I did not. Yay for surprises.
My one small concern was there is what seems like a title at the bottom of the first page and the next page starts mid-sentence. I don't know what/how much I missed, but I think I missed something at the start of the book.
November 17, 2022
A very gripping tale of a mountain climb. Greg is a bit of a selfish jerk, Quinn a doting girlfriend and Ellie the veteran climber and rescuer. They are all well written characters. I haven’t encountered a… hmmm .. I’ll use the word creature, like this before in books that I have read, and I read a lot, so this story gets extra points for creativity. The atmosphere in this cold and desolate landscape was great. Yep, this was a good one.
November 14, 2022
Greg and Quinn are high altitude climbing when strange things start happening. They hear voices outside their tent at night and they can see a figure on the mountain with them. When they don’t return as planned, Greg’s godmother Ellie sets out to look for them.
This book was very well written. You get the isolated fear of being way up on a mountain but not being alone. For this being a novella, the author also does a great job of still giving a backstory to each character so you still have that connection even though this is a shorter book.
This book was very well written. You get the isolated fear of being way up on a mountain but not being alone. For this being a novella, the author also does a great job of still giving a backstory to each character so you still have that connection even though this is a shorter book.
November 13, 2022
Not bad!
The story definitely has potential. The first 10% was mainly about the gear which was kind of boring. The parts with the creature were too few, but well done. Quick read. I would recommend.
The story definitely has potential. The first 10% was mainly about the gear which was kind of boring. The parts with the creature were too few, but well done. Quick read. I would recommend.
May 15, 2022
When dangerous mountain peaks are the least of your troubles…
Synopsis: After nearly a week in the remote Southern Picket range, Greg and Quinn are finally ready to attempt a daring first-ascent route up the North Face of Mount Terror. The night before they can embark on their climb, they start to experience strange activity around their campsite, including sightings of a strange lone man in a bright red jacket. They also begin hearing disturbing voices in the night.
I’d describe this as a suspenseful tense and chilly supernatural thriller. I was already on edge because of the environment and cold. If the terrain does’t get you (hello…) something else will (hello…). It taps into all the fears of being alone, stuck, helpless, and afraid.
Here is what is interesting. When I read this I admit at first I was wanting more scares - I wanted more detail as to what was the big bad. And when I got to the end I wished there was like 3 more chapters to go into detail to satisfy my horror curiosity (hello…). But the story stayed rumbling around in my mind for a few hours afterwards and I realized, it’s not that type of story… and it was just those small pieces and details that made it a strange, creepy read so I can totally appreciate that. Just enough to ensure I’m never going out into the cold mountains on my own.
Btw, the setting, Picket Range, Mount Terror - totally real places so I went down that rabbit hole of looking it up. Author does a great job of pulling together believable facts and actions with a supernatural spin.
Thanks to Henry Roi PR for sharing the ARC of Crevasse with me for my honest read/review.
Synopsis: After nearly a week in the remote Southern Picket range, Greg and Quinn are finally ready to attempt a daring first-ascent route up the North Face of Mount Terror. The night before they can embark on their climb, they start to experience strange activity around their campsite, including sightings of a strange lone man in a bright red jacket. They also begin hearing disturbing voices in the night.
I’d describe this as a suspenseful tense and chilly supernatural thriller. I was already on edge because of the environment and cold. If the terrain does’t get you (hello…) something else will (hello…). It taps into all the fears of being alone, stuck, helpless, and afraid.
Here is what is interesting. When I read this I admit at first I was wanting more scares - I wanted more detail as to what was the big bad. And when I got to the end I wished there was like 3 more chapters to go into detail to satisfy my horror curiosity (hello…). But the story stayed rumbling around in my mind for a few hours afterwards and I realized, it’s not that type of story… and it was just those small pieces and details that made it a strange, creepy read so I can totally appreciate that. Just enough to ensure I’m never going out into the cold mountains on my own.
Btw, the setting, Picket Range, Mount Terror - totally real places so I went down that rabbit hole of looking it up. Author does a great job of pulling together believable facts and actions with a supernatural spin.
Thanks to Henry Roi PR for sharing the ARC of Crevasse with me for my honest read/review.
November 14, 2022
Quick creepy read following mountain climbers and the troubles they face on the way and it’s not the bears you need to beware!
May 29, 2022
"Crevasse" by Clay Vermulm is a creepy novella with an exciting setting. Two young climbers fail to return from a climbing trip. A war veteran now sets out to track down the missing couple - unaware that something sinister lurks in the mountains.
Vermulm knows mountaineering, almost a little too well, as the very detailed descriptions of the climb and the climbing equipment occasionally slow down the otherwise gripping plot.
What he does succeed in doing brilliantly, however, is creating a dense atmosphere and an eerie antagonist whose behavior sends a shiver or two down your spine.
All in all, an entertaining and eerie snack for in between.
Vermulm knows mountaineering, almost a little too well, as the very detailed descriptions of the climb and the climbing equipment occasionally slow down the otherwise gripping plot.
What he does succeed in doing brilliantly, however, is creating a dense atmosphere and an eerie antagonist whose behavior sends a shiver or two down your spine.
All in all, an entertaining and eerie snack for in between.
May 9, 2022
I received this for an honest review.
This is a supernatural short about climbers going missing on mountain, these climbers all hear and see the same thing, a figure saying hello.
This story starts with the action straight away and the tension builds slowly till the ending. Is the figure a hallucination or is it something else. These are the questions I asked right up until the end.
This short could be great as a stand alone horror or the start to what could be a great full length novel, especially with that ending, that ending leaves you wanting to know more. The mountains are a lonely secluded place and this story makes them all the more secluded.
This author certainly did his research on climbing, he seemed to know what he was on about and he's good at building the world he creates and building that suspense.
I really enjoyed this short and will be looking at more from this author.
This is a supernatural short about climbers going missing on mountain, these climbers all hear and see the same thing, a figure saying hello.
This story starts with the action straight away and the tension builds slowly till the ending. Is the figure a hallucination or is it something else. These are the questions I asked right up until the end.
This short could be great as a stand alone horror or the start to what could be a great full length novel, especially with that ending, that ending leaves you wanting to know more. The mountains are a lonely secluded place and this story makes them all the more secluded.
This author certainly did his research on climbing, he seemed to know what he was on about and he's good at building the world he creates and building that suspense.
I really enjoyed this short and will be looking at more from this author.
May 22, 2022
If you like horror set in nature, this novella is for you! I could tell the author is a climber himself, and while I didn’t always understand the language being used, I could easily figure out what was happening as the characters attempted their climbs. Overall, it was a very creepy story and I’m glad I’m not camping anytime soon after reading this!
May 7, 2022
Deliciously frightening
Spine tingling terror! I was hooked from the start and held my breath from start to finish. Horror novel veteran authors take notice, there is a new player in the game!
Spine tingling terror! I was hooked from the start and held my breath from start to finish. Horror novel veteran authors take notice, there is a new player in the game!
January 2, 2024
A climbing story as only a climber could tell it.
One of the best things about fiction is getting to experience things you'd never attempt in real life. Reading this book put me right there on the slopes of icy mountains that I'd never risk my life on, and it was thrilling. And terrifying. And the ending was spooky! You want me to tell you why? Too bad. You'll have to read for yourself and see what I mean.
This author's writing is as sharp as the axes the climbers use in this story. I loved the realistic details of how the alpinists negotiate such deadly slopes. Especially the glaciers. I'd never been so scared of a glacier before.
And then there's the clever prose and vivid description: "Roger stared into his mug so hard it seemed he was trying to discern the backstory of the beans that brewed it."
and "That...cloying silence clung to the forest like the sweaty shirt on her back. Unlike the shirt, she couldn't peel the quiet from the woods."
It's hard to find any weaknesses in the story or writing craft. This author knows how to dig crampons into the contours of an icy rockface and how to fit words to the contours of a reader's imagination. He keeps steady footing on both counts. Just need more books like this! Especially a sequel. Cough, cough.
One of the best things about fiction is getting to experience things you'd never attempt in real life. Reading this book put me right there on the slopes of icy mountains that I'd never risk my life on, and it was thrilling. And terrifying. And the ending was spooky! You want me to tell you why? Too bad. You'll have to read for yourself and see what I mean.
This author's writing is as sharp as the axes the climbers use in this story. I loved the realistic details of how the alpinists negotiate such deadly slopes. Especially the glaciers. I'd never been so scared of a glacier before.
And then there's the clever prose and vivid description: "Roger stared into his mug so hard it seemed he was trying to discern the backstory of the beans that brewed it."
and "That...cloying silence clung to the forest like the sweaty shirt on her back. Unlike the shirt, she couldn't peel the quiet from the woods."
It's hard to find any weaknesses in the story or writing craft. This author knows how to dig crampons into the contours of an icy rockface and how to fit words to the contours of a reader's imagination. He keeps steady footing on both counts. Just need more books like this! Especially a sequel. Cough, cough.
June 15, 2025
A fun, creepy, quick read that pulled me through with occasional pauses to appreciate the clean, beautiful writing.
November 13, 2022
As always I want to start by saying that I was given a copy of this to review as part of a @HenryRoiPR book tour. My review is honest and left voluntarily. #HenryRoiPR #Ad #Gifted #HenryRoiBookTour #Crevasse #ClayVermulm
If you love some creepy, at times visceral, horror set in isolation this is the book for you. I can honestly say I could NOT put Crevasse by Clay Vermulm down. It was well worth staying up late for to read in one sitting and definitely is one of my favourite reads this year. I won’t lie I actually love a good high altitude/mountain horror setting but often times they just miss the mark or become too cliched that is not the case here.
Crevasse mainly focuses on three people, Greg and Quinn who planned to have a fun week of high altitude climbing only things don’t go has planned. A few days into their trek strange occurrences begin to happen. Voices outside of the tent and in the trees, a mysterious hiker and a predator that might be the end of them. But help is on the way when Greg’s godmother, Ellie Jensen, begins to worry after they are late arriving home. A search and rescue veteran with years of expertise in the Southern Picket Mountain Range surly she can bring them home. But can the young climbers survive long enough for help to arrive or will they join the growing number of disappearances in the high mountain peak?
Now as we know I like to avoid spoilers in my reviews but I will say that ending – it was a twist and honestly I adored it! I didn’t think it would end that way, there is usually a Final survivor but that ending was perfection. But I am getting ahead of myself a little. The whole novel is brilliant. Despite the length Vermulm manages to bring his characters to life. I actually felt connected to Greg and Quinn within a few pages and that isn’t always an easy thing to do as an author. Ellie was badass and I instantly liked her. Even secondary characters had personality that made them memorable.
The horror elements were done to a T. The suspense was built and at one point, again avoiding spoilers as best I can, I honestly was on the edge of my seat with the creepiness and suspense. It was the kind of creepy I love and it was executed in such a way it was almost like watching a horror movie with how visual it was. That isn’t to say Vermulm tells rather than lets you imagine but they give just the right amount for your mind to go into overdrive.
Another testament to how much I enjoyed this book is the fact that despite the an injured/dead animals being present Vermulm does not appear to use these for just shock value. As an horror and thriller fan and animal lover sometimes it can get a bit frustrating when media will throw in a quick animal death, murder or mutilation for just shock value rather than anything else. Now while I am not saying I enjoyed the scene Vermulm’s use of animal deaths while visceral and uncomfortable was actually used to further the story and plot. It wasn’t just there to make readers shocked or add to the horror (although it did both things) but rather it aided the horror that something much more powerful than even an apex predator could not survive it which was a welcomed change.
All in all this was a brilliant novel and I will definitely be looking up other works by Clay Vermulm. If you love high octane horror with touches of the eldritch and supernatural you cannot go wrong with Crevasse. A Definite five star from me.
If you love some creepy, at times visceral, horror set in isolation this is the book for you. I can honestly say I could NOT put Crevasse by Clay Vermulm down. It was well worth staying up late for to read in one sitting and definitely is one of my favourite reads this year. I won’t lie I actually love a good high altitude/mountain horror setting but often times they just miss the mark or become too cliched that is not the case here.
Crevasse mainly focuses on three people, Greg and Quinn who planned to have a fun week of high altitude climbing only things don’t go has planned. A few days into their trek strange occurrences begin to happen. Voices outside of the tent and in the trees, a mysterious hiker and a predator that might be the end of them. But help is on the way when Greg’s godmother, Ellie Jensen, begins to worry after they are late arriving home. A search and rescue veteran with years of expertise in the Southern Picket Mountain Range surly she can bring them home. But can the young climbers survive long enough for help to arrive or will they join the growing number of disappearances in the high mountain peak?
Now as we know I like to avoid spoilers in my reviews but I will say that ending – it was a twist and honestly I adored it! I didn’t think it would end that way, there is usually a Final survivor but that ending was perfection. But I am getting ahead of myself a little. The whole novel is brilliant. Despite the length Vermulm manages to bring his characters to life. I actually felt connected to Greg and Quinn within a few pages and that isn’t always an easy thing to do as an author. Ellie was badass and I instantly liked her. Even secondary characters had personality that made them memorable.
The horror elements were done to a T. The suspense was built and at one point, again avoiding spoilers as best I can, I honestly was on the edge of my seat with the creepiness and suspense. It was the kind of creepy I love and it was executed in such a way it was almost like watching a horror movie with how visual it was. That isn’t to say Vermulm tells rather than lets you imagine but they give just the right amount for your mind to go into overdrive.
Another testament to how much I enjoyed this book is the fact that despite the an injured/dead animals being present Vermulm does not appear to use these for just shock value. As an horror and thriller fan and animal lover sometimes it can get a bit frustrating when media will throw in a quick animal death, murder or mutilation for just shock value rather than anything else. Now while I am not saying I enjoyed the scene Vermulm’s use of animal deaths while visceral and uncomfortable was actually used to further the story and plot. It wasn’t just there to make readers shocked or add to the horror (although it did both things) but rather it aided the horror that something much more powerful than even an apex predator could not survive it which was a welcomed change.
All in all this was a brilliant novel and I will definitely be looking up other works by Clay Vermulm. If you love high octane horror with touches of the eldritch and supernatural you cannot go wrong with Crevasse. A Definite five star from me.
November 13, 2022
Crevasse is a relatively quick, easy read that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It's creepy and disconcerting, and if you're anything like me, that opening will horrify you and make you want to sleep with the lights on.
The story starts with a man (whose name I've forgotten at the moment) who is a seasoned climber. He's all alone, in the mountains, pushing himself to the limit. Until he sees a bear. Or what seems to be a bear. But, considering this is a horror novel, said bear is also the most HORRIFYING CREATURE EVER DESCRIBED IN A HORROR NOVEL. Ok, so maybe not THE MOST HORRIFYING, but it's still pretty traumatizing (at least for me). Have I mentioned I have some crazy fears (including goats/sheep/deer) that now include weird, zombie-esque demon bears that DON'T DIE WHEN YOU HIT THEM WITH AN AX??!! Ok, so that's a bit spoilery, and I apologize. But trust me, just... just trust me.
Anyway...
Fast forward a bit, and now we're following Greg and Quinn, a couple who plans to scale Mt. Terror together and push themselves to the limit. Can I just say, I'm all for adrenaline rushes, and doing things that get the heart pumping, but for real? Isolation. Deafening silence. Cold. The mountains are just...no. Nope. Not for me. Not one bit. But more power to those who enjoy that sort of thing.
Anyway...
Greg and Quinn are on their climbing adventure, but Greg's dad is worried. It's been longer than he expected for Greg to return, so Greg's godmother, Ellie, goes on a search and rescue mission. She's a seasoned vet and believes she can track the couple down. But what none of them bargained for is what's lurking in the mountains.
I really enjoyed this novella. It's spooky. It's tense. And it will freak you out. The ending is interesting, but it also made me wish this was more of a full-length novel, with a bit more backstory for things. I liked it, but I would have loved a bit more.
If you're looking for some seriously creepy mountain horror, give Crevasse a go. You won't be disappointed.
4.5 stars!
The story starts with a man (whose name I've forgotten at the moment) who is a seasoned climber. He's all alone, in the mountains, pushing himself to the limit. Until he sees a bear. Or what seems to be a bear. But, considering this is a horror novel, said bear is also the most HORRIFYING CREATURE EVER DESCRIBED IN A HORROR NOVEL. Ok, so maybe not THE MOST HORRIFYING, but it's still pretty traumatizing (at least for me). Have I mentioned I have some crazy fears (including goats/sheep/deer) that now include weird, zombie-esque demon bears that DON'T DIE WHEN YOU HIT THEM WITH AN AX??!! Ok, so that's a bit spoilery, and I apologize. But trust me, just... just trust me.
Anyway...
Fast forward a bit, and now we're following Greg and Quinn, a couple who plans to scale Mt. Terror together and push themselves to the limit. Can I just say, I'm all for adrenaline rushes, and doing things that get the heart pumping, but for real? Isolation. Deafening silence. Cold. The mountains are just...no. Nope. Not for me. Not one bit. But more power to those who enjoy that sort of thing.
Anyway...
Greg and Quinn are on their climbing adventure, but Greg's dad is worried. It's been longer than he expected for Greg to return, so Greg's godmother, Ellie, goes on a search and rescue mission. She's a seasoned vet and believes she can track the couple down. But what none of them bargained for is what's lurking in the mountains.
I really enjoyed this novella. It's spooky. It's tense. And it will freak you out. The ending is interesting, but it also made me wish this was more of a full-length novel, with a bit more backstory for things. I liked it, but I would have loved a bit more.
If you're looking for some seriously creepy mountain horror, give Crevasse a go. You won't be disappointed.
4.5 stars!
November 14, 2022
Crevasse written by Clay Vermulm - review
Thank you to Henry Roi PR and of course Clay Vermulm author of Crevasse for this Arc for an honest review. I loved it.
What the hell is in the mountains apart from the usual animals or the occasional hiker/camper? Being in a lonely mountainous wilderness can be beautiful and peaceful but sometimes daunting and scary, especially if you are hearing strange voices and seeing things that don’t quiet make sense (who is he?) This is what Quinn and Greg are experiencing the night before their challenging climb. You need all the concentration you can muster for a successful dangerous climb, what you don’t need is distraction and worry and tiredness from a lack of sleep. (Someone’s out there).
There will always be people who want to climb mountains and challenge themselves, therefore there will always be mysterious disappearances. Why? Read Crevasse to find out.
The descriptions used for mountain climbing by Clay in Crevasse make you feel like you are climbing right there with them, you can almost feel the cold, ice and the pure concentration needed to
pull off a challenging climb. You get to experience the fear but also the trust that both of you need in each other, definitely not the distraction from seeing and hearing things (Hello?)
I throughly enjoyed this novella because even though I have not mountain climbed I have had the privilege of walking on top of a glacier high on a mountain . I love the mountains and the peacefulness that you can experience, but I am also the biggest chicken going and Crevasse certainly scared me.
I highly recommend Crevasse if you enjoy horror and suspense. 5 stars - as I was happy with the story building, the suspense and the ending which will leave you wondering will you dare to go into the mountains ever again and if you do will the experience leave you on constant edge, listening and wondering who or what is out there?
Thank you to Henry Roi PR and of course Clay Vermulm author of Crevasse for this Arc for an honest review. I loved it.
What the hell is in the mountains apart from the usual animals or the occasional hiker/camper? Being in a lonely mountainous wilderness can be beautiful and peaceful but sometimes daunting and scary, especially if you are hearing strange voices and seeing things that don’t quiet make sense (who is he?) This is what Quinn and Greg are experiencing the night before their challenging climb. You need all the concentration you can muster for a successful dangerous climb, what you don’t need is distraction and worry and tiredness from a lack of sleep. (Someone’s out there).
There will always be people who want to climb mountains and challenge themselves, therefore there will always be mysterious disappearances. Why? Read Crevasse to find out.
The descriptions used for mountain climbing by Clay in Crevasse make you feel like you are climbing right there with them, you can almost feel the cold, ice and the pure concentration needed to
pull off a challenging climb. You get to experience the fear but also the trust that both of you need in each other, definitely not the distraction from seeing and hearing things (Hello?)
I throughly enjoyed this novella because even though I have not mountain climbed I have had the privilege of walking on top of a glacier high on a mountain . I love the mountains and the peacefulness that you can experience, but I am also the biggest chicken going and Crevasse certainly scared me.
I highly recommend Crevasse if you enjoy horror and suspense. 5 stars - as I was happy with the story building, the suspense and the ending which will leave you wondering will you dare to go into the mountains ever again and if you do will the experience leave you on constant edge, listening and wondering who or what is out there?
October 3, 2024
Crevasse by Clay Vermulm is a fast-paced, gripping horror novel that combines the dangers of mountain climbing with the terror of a mysterious predator stalking its prey. As someone who knows nothing about climbing mountains, I was immediately drawn in by Vermulm’s vivid descriptions of the treacherous landscape. He does an excellent job of conveying the isolation, unpredictability, and sheer danger of glaciers and high-altitude terrain. Even without technical knowledge of mountaineering, I could feel the weight of the characters' fear as they navigated glaciers, mountains, and crevasses,all while being hunted by something sinister.
The novel excels in capturing the natural fear of exploring the mountains in such an adrenaline fueled way and amplifies that with the introduction of a terrifying monster. The balance between the physical threats of climbing and the psychological horror of feeling followed is well executed, making the mountains an ideal setting for this kind of story.
Despite not providing much background on the characters, I actually enjoyed how seamless and easy they were to follow. It helped each viewpoint feel distinct and allowed the different perspectives to come together, building a cohesive and suspenseful narrative. Even without deep character backstories, I felt invested in their struggles and reactions to the growing danger around them.
Overall, Crevasseis a solid read for fans of horror and survival stories. The fast pacing, immersive setting, and palpable tension make it a gripping tale, even for someone like me who isn’t familiar with mountaineering. Vermulm expertly captures both the terror of the natural world and the horror of the unknown, creating a chilling and enjoyable experience.
The novel excels in capturing the natural fear of exploring the mountains in such an adrenaline fueled way and amplifies that with the introduction of a terrifying monster. The balance between the physical threats of climbing and the psychological horror of feeling followed is well executed, making the mountains an ideal setting for this kind of story.
Despite not providing much background on the characters, I actually enjoyed how seamless and easy they were to follow. It helped each viewpoint feel distinct and allowed the different perspectives to come together, building a cohesive and suspenseful narrative. Even without deep character backstories, I felt invested in their struggles and reactions to the growing danger around them.
Overall, Crevasseis a solid read for fans of horror and survival stories. The fast pacing, immersive setting, and palpable tension make it a gripping tale, even for someone like me who isn’t familiar with mountaineering. Vermulm expertly captures both the terror of the natural world and the horror of the unknown, creating a chilling and enjoyable experience.
October 11, 2022
This book managed to scare me and, in more ways, than one. First, I do not like heights, so the very thought of mountain climbing is a big nope for me, but also add in the element of an unknown entity and you have the makings of a great story.
The majority of the story takes place around an area called Mount Terror. The story opens with a man named Travis, an experienced alpinist who is out in the wilderness of Pickett Mountains, alone. In the last year many strange things have happened, and they've had several disappearances as well. The story then turns to Greg and his girlfriend Quinn. They are out alone, camping and exploring the area. He is wanting to do Mount Terror, but she isnt sure. A lot of trust goes into climbing with a partner. The story then transitions to Ellie is a local park ranger who is asked to go look for Greg and Quinn when they are late returning from the trip. What she finds is nothing short of terrifying.
I can tell the author did a lot of research on this topic, maybe even having some firsthand experience. There is a lot that goes into climbing, especially climbing an icy mountain range. I cannot even begin to understand all that is involved, from the equipment to the mindset. The mountain range itself feels like a character in itself too. The unknown entity being just that, unknown and yet terrifying at the same time. While reading I was definitely on the edge of my seat. I do not like heights nor isolation or the idea of being stalked by something unknown. Overall, this is a great novella and definitely worth a read. I received this book free from the author for an honest review.
The majority of the story takes place around an area called Mount Terror. The story opens with a man named Travis, an experienced alpinist who is out in the wilderness of Pickett Mountains, alone. In the last year many strange things have happened, and they've had several disappearances as well. The story then turns to Greg and his girlfriend Quinn. They are out alone, camping and exploring the area. He is wanting to do Mount Terror, but she isnt sure. A lot of trust goes into climbing with a partner. The story then transitions to Ellie is a local park ranger who is asked to go look for Greg and Quinn when they are late returning from the trip. What she finds is nothing short of terrifying.
I can tell the author did a lot of research on this topic, maybe even having some firsthand experience. There is a lot that goes into climbing, especially climbing an icy mountain range. I cannot even begin to understand all that is involved, from the equipment to the mindset. The mountain range itself feels like a character in itself too. The unknown entity being just that, unknown and yet terrifying at the same time. While reading I was definitely on the edge of my seat. I do not like heights nor isolation or the idea of being stalked by something unknown. Overall, this is a great novella and definitely worth a read. I received this book free from the author for an honest review.
September 23, 2024
Crevasse is a multiple perspective horror novella of a group of friends who have a penchant for rock climbing. Set in a mountainous area we start off in the perspective of Greg, an experienced rock climber who then is dubbed as missing by the other characters who attempt to convene and find out what happened to him. However, its not a simple case of a climbing accident, something much worse lays in store.
The multi POV works well here as does Clay's clear knowledge of rock climbing. He effectively uses language dedicated to the activity without baffling the lesser experienced readers as to what is happening. The focus on the footing, ropes and terminology brings it to a much more believable front that a writer who may not have experienced it.
The scary thing about this book, other than the more obvious sinister occurrences throughout, is the way each character holds a level head and adapts their means of trying to find the mystery of these mountains.
It's a slow burner that draws you in through its seamless and illustrative descriptions of this barren, yet beautiful locations.
The ending was bleak, but you do find out to a certain extent what actually happened with enough questions to spawn a whole new story. But it stands alone well I think and pays homage to horror that displays humanity as a mere presence with very little sway over higher beings other than for their amusement or indeed, to feed.
Vermulm achieves a strong sense of dread throughout his early work here using the setting, descriptive devises, semantic speech/actions, and the boundaries of human capability as his weapon in this well armed horror novella.
The multi POV works well here as does Clay's clear knowledge of rock climbing. He effectively uses language dedicated to the activity without baffling the lesser experienced readers as to what is happening. The focus on the footing, ropes and terminology brings it to a much more believable front that a writer who may not have experienced it.
The scary thing about this book, other than the more obvious sinister occurrences throughout, is the way each character holds a level head and adapts their means of trying to find the mystery of these mountains.
It's a slow burner that draws you in through its seamless and illustrative descriptions of this barren, yet beautiful locations.
The ending was bleak, but you do find out to a certain extent what actually happened with enough questions to spawn a whole new story. But it stands alone well I think and pays homage to horror that displays humanity as a mere presence with very little sway over higher beings other than for their amusement or indeed, to feed.
Vermulm achieves a strong sense of dread throughout his early work here using the setting, descriptive devises, semantic speech/actions, and the boundaries of human capability as his weapon in this well armed horror novella.
November 14, 2022
The jist of this short horror story follows Greg and Quinn on a week long trek to climb these mountain peaks that are known for many disappearances. Where they are trekking is dangerous and very isolating so good luck to you if you happen to fall, nobody is about to save your ass! To make matters worse, there's some supernatural creature thrown in for good measure. No harm to adrenaline junkies and their thrill to seek out danger at ever corner, I would not be going anywhere near mountains where people are known to disappear/die. That is a life experience I am very happy to sit back and miss!
The fact that your in a dangerous and isolating environment is scary enough, never mind having supernatural beings staring at and stalking you 👀. Having that eerie feeling of known someone is watching/following you freaks me out! "The scariest animal in the mountains is the one you don't see" .... oh yes this is definitely relevant! This supernatural horror element of the story was done so well and the ending was like the icing on the cake; tied up nicely with a great big bow!
The only thing for me was that the writing was very descriptive in regards to the type of climbing and anything relating to climbing in the story. I had to Google a few of the terms to understand what it meant as yeno am not an adrenaline junkie who climbs high mountains every day so... 🤷♀️😂.
This is a great fast paced horror with some good supernatural elements to it and I would definitely recommend giving it a read 😊👍
The fact that your in a dangerous and isolating environment is scary enough, never mind having supernatural beings staring at and stalking you 👀. Having that eerie feeling of known someone is watching/following you freaks me out! "The scariest animal in the mountains is the one you don't see" .... oh yes this is definitely relevant! This supernatural horror element of the story was done so well and the ending was like the icing on the cake; tied up nicely with a great big bow!
The only thing for me was that the writing was very descriptive in regards to the type of climbing and anything relating to climbing in the story. I had to Google a few of the terms to understand what it meant as yeno am not an adrenaline junkie who climbs high mountains every day so... 🤷♀️😂.
This is a great fast paced horror with some good supernatural elements to it and I would definitely recommend giving it a read 😊👍
November 12, 2022
Spooky Rating
3/5
Overall Rating
5/5
Quick Take
Crevasse is a thrilling wilderness themed horror story that I cannot recommend enough for fans of survival horror. I flew through it and found the story all consuming. Pick it up when you get the chance, you are in for a treat!
Tell Me More
Crevasse by Clay Vermulm is a quick survival horror read about two individuals, Greg and Quinn, who are on a weeklong high altitude climbing trek. Unfortunately, their wilderness trek becomes a nightmare when they are bombarded by supernatural forces. The pair do not return from their trek when they are expected, which alerts Greg's godmother - a rescue veteran - and she sets off to find them.
Even though this novel is only 112 pages, it really packed a punch. It made me feel isolated and haunted, and I really felt like I was in Greg and Quinn's shoes as the story went on. Clay Vermulm is clearly experienced in high altitude climbing and his experience added to how realistic the story was.
Due to how short the story was, there was not time for filler, which intensified the terror elements. If you are in the mood for a quick, terrifying read than look no further than Crevasse by Clay Vermulm.
3/5
Overall Rating
5/5
Quick Take
Crevasse is a thrilling wilderness themed horror story that I cannot recommend enough for fans of survival horror. I flew through it and found the story all consuming. Pick it up when you get the chance, you are in for a treat!
Tell Me More
Crevasse by Clay Vermulm is a quick survival horror read about two individuals, Greg and Quinn, who are on a weeklong high altitude climbing trek. Unfortunately, their wilderness trek becomes a nightmare when they are bombarded by supernatural forces. The pair do not return from their trek when they are expected, which alerts Greg's godmother - a rescue veteran - and she sets off to find them.
Even though this novel is only 112 pages, it really packed a punch. It made me feel isolated and haunted, and I really felt like I was in Greg and Quinn's shoes as the story went on. Clay Vermulm is clearly experienced in high altitude climbing and his experience added to how realistic the story was.
Due to how short the story was, there was not time for filler, which intensified the terror elements. If you are in the mood for a quick, terrifying read than look no further than Crevasse by Clay Vermulm.
November 14, 2022
If you want a nice, quick horror story that you can’t put down, check this novella out! I was immediately hooked. It is fantastical and not altogether impossible. This made me glad that I don’t climb mountains, I am happier just sitting on my couch reading about it 😂 the verbiage was delightful, and the bread crumbs that were left had me scurrying to find the next one. Foreshadowing was on point, and the basic sense of danger that humans have been hen they are paying attention was well displayed.
“As a lover of fantasy fiction, he had always harbored a secret desire to go down fighting with axes high against some seemingly unbeatable foe.”
This story is set on an amazing mountain where climbers are trying to scale to the summit in increasingly harder ways. They are knowledgeable and strong… and an increasing amount of them are going missing, and not being found. Ellie is part of the Search and Rescue team and is determined to figure out what is going on. “The scariest animal in the mountains is the one you don’t see”
I absolutely recommend this, it is a stomach quaking, butt cheek tightening whirlwind of a story. Not quite the adrenaline rush that mountain climbers get, but probably the closest I will ever get 😅
“As a lover of fantasy fiction, he had always harbored a secret desire to go down fighting with axes high against some seemingly unbeatable foe.”
This story is set on an amazing mountain where climbers are trying to scale to the summit in increasingly harder ways. They are knowledgeable and strong… and an increasing amount of them are going missing, and not being found. Ellie is part of the Search and Rescue team and is determined to figure out what is going on. “The scariest animal in the mountains is the one you don’t see”
I absolutely recommend this, it is a stomach quaking, butt cheek tightening whirlwind of a story. Not quite the adrenaline rush that mountain climbers get, but probably the closest I will ever get 😅
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews