What do you think?
Rate this book
The Denrow System #1
Well of Terror
The Denrow System is only for the daring… or the stupid. No one can know where Krin has taken them. This is where people go to die.
Years after losing her own ship, Krin finds herself in the captain’s seat aboard The Megara – a humanitarian craft tasked with rescuing refugees. Prevailing wisdom dictates that spacecraft should avoid the Denrow System at all costs, but Krin has other plans.
Without the crew’s knowledge, she plunges them into uncharted space known for massacres, disappearances, and insane survivors. When an asteroid damages the ship’s hull, Krin must confront the reality of her ambition and all that it could cost her. Repairs are made without incident, but Krin knows the truth. Something found its way on board The Megara and it is only a matter of time before escape is the only option.
Note: Previously published as Well of Terror by Stephanie Dunham.
Years after losing her own ship, Krin finds herself in the captain’s seat aboard The Megara – a humanitarian craft tasked with rescuing refugees. Prevailing wisdom dictates that spacecraft should avoid the Denrow System at all costs, but Krin has other plans.
Without the crew’s knowledge, she plunges them into uncharted space known for massacres, disappearances, and insane survivors. When an asteroid damages the ship’s hull, Krin must confront the reality of her ambition and all that it could cost her. Repairs are made without incident, but Krin knows the truth. Something found its way on board The Megara and it is only a matter of time before escape is the only option.
Note: Previously published as Well of Terror by Stephanie Dunham.
- GenresScience FictionHorror
Kindle Edition
First published October 19, 2021
69 people want to read
About the author
Chris Corly
7 books2 followersSci-fi author. I like to write novellas. Well of Terror was originally published under the name Stephanie Dunham.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 20, 2022
Everyone who sees this review needs to add Well of Terror to their 'want-to-read' list. I'm begging you to.
See, Stephanie Dunham is like a new favourite author and this book is everything and more to me. I'm shocked at how good this was. I went into it expecting a light sci-fi adventure, but I got so much more. It's dark and deadly, a novella that grips you with knife-like hands and doesn't let go until you've experienced the true genius, beauty, and terror that is this book.
Now I need the sequel. I really want to know what's going to happen next. Wow...this was amazing.
I reread this and...it was just as fantastic as the first time. I am so excited for the sequel (the rough draft is completely written!!)...I need more of this universe.
See, Stephanie Dunham is like a new favourite author and this book is everything and more to me. I'm shocked at how good this was. I went into it expecting a light sci-fi adventure, but I got so much more. It's dark and deadly, a novella that grips you with knife-like hands and doesn't let go until you've experienced the true genius, beauty, and terror that is this book.
Now I need the sequel. I really want to know what's going to happen next. Wow...this was amazing.
I reread this and...it was just as fantastic as the first time. I am so excited for the sequel (the rough draft is completely written!!)...I need more of this universe.
January 7, 2022
I really enjoyed this book! It builds slowly and then grabs you and doesn't let you go till the end. I highly recommend it and look forward to book two!
October 22, 2021
If you like gripping suspense and fantastic story telling then this short read will meet those requirements!!! I just finished reading it and am still feeling the excitement of the thrilling suspense experiences while reading!!!
Im looking forward to more!
Im looking forward to more!
December 28, 2021
Well of Terror is the first book in what I hope will be a long series. I loved it!
Here are the buzzwords for me: Tragic, exciting, terrifying, and fantastic.
The story starts off on a spaceship, and the protagonist, Krin, has decided to take the ship into an unexplored and dangerous section of space in an attempt to shave precious time off of their rescue missions. The catch is that no one else on board knows the danger they're in.
As I mentioned above, I loved this book. It takes place on a small, claustrophobic ship, but honestly most of the claustrophobia comes from Krin herself, who is constantly (and appropriately) terrified that her crewmates will learn what kind of trouble she's plunged them into. And yet, her reasoning is always clear and understandable, so that I want to root for her, even if I don't always agree with her.
Well of Terror has, unsurprisingly, a great deal of horror in it, but like many good gothic horrors the real story takes place in the mind of the protagonist. Krin is complex and interesting, and watching her mental state unravel and exactly why it unravels is as fascinating as it is tragic. It's like Alien meets MacBeth meets Edgar Allen Poe.
The actual technical part of the writing was incredibly exciting to read. The prose is swift, careful, and exact, and reads very much like Krin herself is telling the story. The author puts in all the right details. You get a great sense of the Megara, how it's built and how it looks and feels to the crew, but those descriptive details never bog down the story. Instead, every detail about the Megara and the rest of the world is woven expertly into the fabric of Krin's personal story. And for such a dark story, there's some fantastic moments of humor to lighten the mood, so that it never feels unnecessarily moody or dark.
I actually read the book several times because I loved it so much, and one of the things I appreciated is how Ms. Dunham worked themes, motifs, and even foreshadowing into her story. Even though we never leave Krin's perspective, we get a sense of what is coming, but never in a way that's unsurprising or (worse) unsatisfying. There's a scene that pays off a great deal of what was set up, not only as far as plot, but also as far as Krin's character. You'll know it when you read it.
Fantastic book. You NEED to read it!
Here are the buzzwords for me: Tragic, exciting, terrifying, and fantastic.
The story starts off on a spaceship, and the protagonist, Krin, has decided to take the ship into an unexplored and dangerous section of space in an attempt to shave precious time off of their rescue missions. The catch is that no one else on board knows the danger they're in.
As I mentioned above, I loved this book. It takes place on a small, claustrophobic ship, but honestly most of the claustrophobia comes from Krin herself, who is constantly (and appropriately) terrified that her crewmates will learn what kind of trouble she's plunged them into. And yet, her reasoning is always clear and understandable, so that I want to root for her, even if I don't always agree with her.
Well of Terror has, unsurprisingly, a great deal of horror in it, but like many good gothic horrors the real story takes place in the mind of the protagonist. Krin is complex and interesting, and watching her mental state unravel and exactly why it unravels is as fascinating as it is tragic. It's like Alien meets MacBeth meets Edgar Allen Poe.
The actual technical part of the writing was incredibly exciting to read. The prose is swift, careful, and exact, and reads very much like Krin herself is telling the story. The author puts in all the right details. You get a great sense of the Megara, how it's built and how it looks and feels to the crew, but those descriptive details never bog down the story. Instead, every detail about the Megara and the rest of the world is woven expertly into the fabric of Krin's personal story. And for such a dark story, there's some fantastic moments of humor to lighten the mood, so that it never feels unnecessarily moody or dark.
I actually read the book several times because I loved it so much, and one of the things I appreciated is how Ms. Dunham worked themes, motifs, and even foreshadowing into her story. Even though we never leave Krin's perspective, we get a sense of what is coming, but never in a way that's unsurprising or (worse) unsatisfying. There's a scene that pays off a great deal of what was set up, not only as far as plot, but also as far as Krin's character. You'll know it when you read it.
Fantastic book. You NEED to read it!
December 27, 2021
Well of Terror is actually my first foray into sci-fi and it is SO GOOD. I felt Krin's frustration and fear, and her anxiety over the events that unfold was so well written. I cant wait to find out what happens next in the Denrow System!
August 22, 2022
If you like the Alien movie franchise, you'll like this book. If I had to sum this book up briefly I would say, imagine Alien, except with good characters, a better plot, and a much deeper horror that comes from what we instinctively fear the most, the unknown.
Krin our main character has some issues, but its her flaws that make her the best narrator for this story. As every layer further you go into the book you get deeper and deeper into a hellscape of her own making. We the reader are a witness to her internal torture as she tries desperately to find a way out of an inevitable fate that becomes more and more apparent with each page. Also, shout out to Buck, i don't know why, but he's just so likeable!
I loved this book. I'm not a big reader, but I decided I would read this book and no regrets!
I love visualizing stories as I read and this book just seemed to be perfect for a Movie! That being said nothing will ever be scarier than a book that makes you imagine the terror. The part I enjoy most about this book is that the feeling of the unknown never leaves. Its that feeling that makes the horror aspect of this book that much more terrifying.
Krin our main character has some issues, but its her flaws that make her the best narrator for this story. As every layer further you go into the book you get deeper and deeper into a hellscape of her own making. We the reader are a witness to her internal torture as she tries desperately to find a way out of an inevitable fate that becomes more and more apparent with each page. Also, shout out to Buck, i don't know why, but he's just so likeable!
I loved this book. I'm not a big reader, but I decided I would read this book and no regrets!
I love visualizing stories as I read and this book just seemed to be perfect for a Movie! That being said nothing will ever be scarier than a book that makes you imagine the terror. The part I enjoy most about this book is that the feeling of the unknown never leaves. Its that feeling that makes the horror aspect of this book that much more terrifying.
August 22, 2022
My only problem with the Book is that it is just too short! Do yourself a favor and get this book.
This Book is phenomenal. With all the mystique you get from watching Signs for the first time as a teenager, but with the level of excitement from a modern horror/thriller movie.
Often you get one or the other, an air of mystery that veils everything, or a thrilling chilling horror. With Well of Terror, you get both!
The Introduction is full of mysteries, some about our characters, the Denrow System itself, and what lies before us the reader. The middle is when the story transfers this mysterious energy that had the potential to be dangerous, into the overwhelming feeling that danger is in fact imminent. Until finally, we reach our climax where the story fully embraces the chilling and utter horrific. This novella is structured like a slow descent into madness!
I am looking forward to book 2, for it will be a page turner!
This Book is phenomenal. With all the mystique you get from watching Signs for the first time as a teenager, but with the level of excitement from a modern horror/thriller movie.
Often you get one or the other, an air of mystery that veils everything, or a thrilling chilling horror. With Well of Terror, you get both!
The Introduction is full of mysteries, some about our characters, the Denrow System itself, and what lies before us the reader. The middle is when the story transfers this mysterious energy that had the potential to be dangerous, into the overwhelming feeling that danger is in fact imminent. Until finally, we reach our climax where the story fully embraces the chilling and utter horrific. This novella is structured like a slow descent into madness!
I am looking forward to book 2, for it will be a page turner!
October 1, 2023
Krin has some issues. Boy, does she have issues when made acting Captain! The least of which is the guy she jaded and who no longer trusts her being the only one who can save The Megara… if it can be saved. Ever page is better than the last!
Now to Risk The Void
Now to Risk The Void
January 25, 2022
sci-fi horror is not something I ever thought I would gravitate toward, but this one was stellar. I am really looking forward to the sequel. It's going to be amazing.
March 1, 2022
Could be better
Not a bad story line however the main character is so unlikable I didn't care whether she lived or died and the dialog between characters isn't great.
Not a bad story line however the main character is so unlikable I didn't care whether she lived or died and the dialog between characters isn't great.
February 23, 2026
Krin has some issues. Boy, does she have issues when made acting Captain! The least of which is the guy she jaded and who no longer trusts her being the only one who can save The Megara… if it can be saved. Ever page is better than the last! Very concise, fast paced, and brutal raw.
Now to Risk The Void
Now to Risk The Void
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews