What do you think?
Rate this book
Into the Sublime
A gripping YA psychological thriller from the author of What We Buried , about four teenage girls who descend into a dangerous underground cave system in search of a lake of local legend, said to reveal your deepest fears.
When the cops arrive, only a few things are
- Four girls entered a dangerous cave.
- Three of them came out alive.
- Two of them were rushed to the hospital.
- And one is soaked in blood and ready to talk.
Amelie Desmarais' story begins believably Four girls from a now-defunct thrill-seeking group planned an epic adventure to find a lake that Colorado locals call "The Sublime." Legend has it that the lake has the power to change things for those who risk―and survive―its cavernous depths. They each had their reasons for going. For Amelie, it was a promise kept to her beloved cousin, who recently suffered a tragic accident during one of the group’s dares.
But as her account unwinds, and the girls’ personalities and motives are drawn, things get complicated. Amelie is hardly the thrill-seeking type, and it appears she’s not the only one with the ability to deceive. Worse yet, Amelie is covered in someone 's blood, but whose exactly? And where's the fourth girl?
Is Amelie spinning a tale to cover her guilt? Or was something inexplicable waiting for the girls down there? Amelie's the only one with answers, and she's insisting on an explanation that is more horror-fantasy than reality. Maybe the truth lies somewhere in between?
After all, strange things inhabit dark places. And sometimes we bring the dark with us.
When the cops arrive, only a few things are
- Four girls entered a dangerous cave.
- Three of them came out alive.
- Two of them were rushed to the hospital.
- And one is soaked in blood and ready to talk.
Amelie Desmarais' story begins believably Four girls from a now-defunct thrill-seeking group planned an epic adventure to find a lake that Colorado locals call "The Sublime." Legend has it that the lake has the power to change things for those who risk―and survive―its cavernous depths. They each had their reasons for going. For Amelie, it was a promise kept to her beloved cousin, who recently suffered a tragic accident during one of the group’s dares.
But as her account unwinds, and the girls’ personalities and motives are drawn, things get complicated. Amelie is hardly the thrill-seeking type, and it appears she’s not the only one with the ability to deceive. Worse yet, Amelie is covered in someone 's blood, but whose exactly? And where's the fourth girl?
Is Amelie spinning a tale to cover her guilt? Or was something inexplicable waiting for the girls down there? Amelie's the only one with answers, and she's insisting on an explanation that is more horror-fantasy than reality. Maybe the truth lies somewhere in between?
After all, strange things inhabit dark places. And sometimes we bring the dark with us.
368 pages, Paperback
First published July 26, 2022
About the author
Kate A. Boorman
17 books255 followersKate is a freelance writer and artist from the often-frozen Canadian prairies. She has a nice family and a well-indulged travel bug. She also has an irrational fear of birds, so when you visit, please leave your bird at home. But do visit.
www.kateaboorman.com
www.kateaboorman.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 271 reviews
July 14, 2022
Please note that I received this book via NetGalley. This did not affect my rating or review.
Well the cover was great. After that….this book was a whole big miss. I was tempted to give it 2 stars because at least I finished it, but honestly I struggled. I almost DNFed this book multiple times. Nothing makes sense in the end and none of the characters were developed at all. And then the ending, whatever to that.
“Into the Sublime” follows Amelie Desmarais who is off to explore an underground cave/lake system in Colorado with 3 other girls she does not know. All of them follow an account called “The Dissent” that is about an “elite gathering of thrill seeker” doing border-line illegal challenges to “create chaos and control reality.”
Even though we follow Amelie who tries to argue that it’s not like truth or dare, I went…um it is.
The three other girls are H, Gia, and Devon. When the girls eventually find the entrance (after following some directions) things change quickly. They lose and find each other, some of them see different things, and they all are searching for what they think the Sublime can tell them about themselves. The book jumps back and forth between Amelie’s narrative to her telling the story to a deputy named Vargas.
So let’s start off with the characters. It’s pretty obvious that Amelie is hiding some stuff and it’s a long winding (boring) road to get there.
H and Gia just felt paper thin to me.
Devon was the one we’re supposed to focus the most on next to Amelie and I just went what in the world through most of the book and especially at the ending.
I got real tired of reading the words “the dissent”, “the sublime”, etc. Having a bunch of teens follow an anonymous figure that tells them what things to do just made me go, cool so we got Q for kids now?
The writing was not very good. I think the issue was that the narrative jumps back and forth between Vargas and Amelie telling the story. And it dragged. Either let Amelie tell the story and have Vargas come in at the end that would work. But having Vargas break in throughout and you get left additional information that in the end did not matter made me sigh.
The flow as I said was bad, this book drags. I can see now why it had some DNFs.
The setting of “The Sublime” should have freaked me out more. I do not like small spaces. Heck, I need drugs to sit through a MRI. But this didn’t hit me at all. It didn’t feel small. Frankly it felt super big and just had a few things here and there that supposedly were “dangerous.” I think that having the book getting into the girls arguing, getting into what the sublime reveals about them (it’s boring, whatever) you just forget that they are lost underground.
The ending was just a so I read this book for what now? Eh. It just didn’t hit right. Great cover though.
Well the cover was great. After that….this book was a whole big miss. I was tempted to give it 2 stars because at least I finished it, but honestly I struggled. I almost DNFed this book multiple times. Nothing makes sense in the end and none of the characters were developed at all. And then the ending, whatever to that.
“Into the Sublime” follows Amelie Desmarais who is off to explore an underground cave/lake system in Colorado with 3 other girls she does not know. All of them follow an account called “The Dissent” that is about an “elite gathering of thrill seeker” doing border-line illegal challenges to “create chaos and control reality.”
Even though we follow Amelie who tries to argue that it’s not like truth or dare, I went…um it is.
The three other girls are H, Gia, and Devon. When the girls eventually find the entrance (after following some directions) things change quickly. They lose and find each other, some of them see different things, and they all are searching for what they think the Sublime can tell them about themselves. The book jumps back and forth between Amelie’s narrative to her telling the story to a deputy named Vargas.
So let’s start off with the characters. It’s pretty obvious that Amelie is hiding some stuff and it’s a long winding (boring) road to get there.
H and Gia just felt paper thin to me.
Devon was the one we’re supposed to focus the most on next to Amelie and I just went what in the world through most of the book and especially at the ending.
I got real tired of reading the words “the dissent”, “the sublime”, etc. Having a bunch of teens follow an anonymous figure that tells them what things to do just made me go, cool so we got Q for kids now?
The writing was not very good. I think the issue was that the narrative jumps back and forth between Vargas and Amelie telling the story. And it dragged. Either let Amelie tell the story and have Vargas come in at the end that would work. But having Vargas break in throughout and you get left additional information that in the end did not matter made me sigh.
The flow as I said was bad, this book drags. I can see now why it had some DNFs.
The setting of “The Sublime” should have freaked me out more. I do not like small spaces. Heck, I need drugs to sit through a MRI. But this didn’t hit me at all. It didn’t feel small. Frankly it felt super big and just had a few things here and there that supposedly were “dangerous.” I think that having the book getting into the girls arguing, getting into what the sublime reveals about them (it’s boring, whatever) you just forget that they are lost underground.
The ending was just a so I read this book for what now? Eh. It just didn’t hit right. Great cover though.
September 10, 2022
Four teenage girls enter a dangerous cave to find a fabled underground lake. Only three girls come back out. Two are taken immediately to the hospital and one is uninjured, yet covered in blood. What happened in the depths of that dark cave? Did they find The Sublime, the legendary lake they were seeking....and what happened to the missing girl?
I was in the mood for a spooky story with a bit of a psychological twist to it...and this book definitely gave me what I was looking for! The cave is dark and dangerous -- perfect setting! The characters all have their own agendas. And the entire situation is just creepy. I'm a bit claustrophobic, so the idea of going down into a cave is scary for me to begin with -- add in some of the events down there, and I was completely creeped out.
I'm definitely going to read more by this author. I liked how the story developed and how it kept me wondering until the very end. Enjoyed it! Total binge read for me! The cover art is perfect!
I was in the mood for a spooky story with a bit of a psychological twist to it...and this book definitely gave me what I was looking for! The cave is dark and dangerous -- perfect setting! The characters all have their own agendas. And the entire situation is just creepy. I'm a bit claustrophobic, so the idea of going down into a cave is scary for me to begin with -- add in some of the events down there, and I was completely creeped out.
I'm definitely going to read more by this author. I liked how the story developed and how it kept me wondering until the very end. Enjoyed it! Total binge read for me! The cover art is perfect!
April 2, 2023
Overall Rating : C-
"It's supposed to be difficult. It's more satisfying when you win."
A very vague, anti-climactic spelunking journey with characters I didn't really care for.
"It's supposed to be difficult. It's more satisfying when you win."
A very vague, anti-climactic spelunking journey with characters I didn't really care for.
March 9, 2022
"The disorientation made my mind wander weird places. The dark was starting to feel like a living entity, one that pulsed and moved around us."
The Descent meets The Blair Witch Project in this novel that’ll make all your worst fears come true.
It's no secret that I love horror books and I love them even more if it's YA. This book stood out to me automatically and I had to read it. This book didn't look like it was messing around and I had that feeling that this was going to make me uneasy. I couldn't wait for my fears to be brought to life!
This book was somewhat different and I found myself surprised that some of this was just so bizarre. But it wasn't as thrilling or scary as I thought it was going to be. I was hoping the end would be a Fight Club-esque ending but it was pretty predictable. That ending will shock some readers but I knew it was coming. I kicked some rocks after completing this because I was really hoping that this would be the book that made everyone want to read ya horror. *sigh*
Here's the thing, I did enjoy this. It contained a lot of unique parts that I never read in young adult horror before and I loved the freshness that this brought to the table. It was genius. The predictability kind of killed this one for me. When Amelie started talking about Hendrik, I knew who it was and that really bummed me out.
Into the Sublime was a good read and I hope readers give this one a chance. It had that perfect spooky atmosphere and had some hair-raising moments. The detail during the disturbing moments was so spectacular and it was enjoyable just for those moments.
Are you brave enough to face the Sublime?
The Descent meets The Blair Witch Project in this novel that’ll make all your worst fears come true.
It's no secret that I love horror books and I love them even more if it's YA. This book stood out to me automatically and I had to read it. This book didn't look like it was messing around and I had that feeling that this was going to make me uneasy. I couldn't wait for my fears to be brought to life!
This book was somewhat different and I found myself surprised that some of this was just so bizarre. But it wasn't as thrilling or scary as I thought it was going to be. I was hoping the end would be a Fight Club-esque ending but it was pretty predictable. That ending will shock some readers but I knew it was coming. I kicked some rocks after completing this because I was really hoping that this would be the book that made everyone want to read ya horror. *sigh*
Here's the thing, I did enjoy this. It contained a lot of unique parts that I never read in young adult horror before and I loved the freshness that this brought to the table. It was genius. The predictability kind of killed this one for me. When Amelie started talking about Hendrik, I knew who it was and that really bummed me out.
Into the Sublime was a good read and I hope readers give this one a chance. It had that perfect spooky atmosphere and had some hair-raising moments. The detail during the disturbing moments was so spectacular and it was enjoyable just for those moments.
Are you brave enough to face the Sublime?
March 23, 2025
DNF not for me 🥲
March 30, 2022
This was such a fun read--a fast-paced YA riff on 'The Descent' that has some great characters, a solid setting, and pretty great plotting. It wasn't quite perfect, but it kept me enthralled to such an extent that I read it in one sitting (and on a work night where I was *trying* to go to bed early....). I pretty much couldn't put it down. A great YA horror novel, It's like caffeine in book form.
March 27, 2022
Big thanks to Netgallery for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The thing about this book is I don't have strong feelings about it either way, however, I did notice that the things that do stand out are those that lean more towards the negative. First of those is the fact that the setting/action within this story was not easily visualized for me. Which I feel like is particularly critical in a horror book where the setting is the source of the fear. I never really felt this fear of the place and more so just felt the fear of being trapped or unable to escape this cave. And for the action scenes, I found a lot of issue with visualizing the ways in which these characters were interacting with the environment. The jumping from ledges, climbing, etc. I just couldn't ever get a clear picture of what was happening.
I also was not connected to these characters which is another critical element to my enjoyment of a story. I feel like if these four girls were established friends it would have been easier to connect but they are all basically strangers going into this cave and there was no time to really build a connection to each. I don't think this will be an issue for all readers, but for me, I'm not feeling the intensity of a situation for a character unless I feel some kind of connection or attachment to them. That just wasn't there for me.
Those are the main points I have of what didn't work for me. I almost stopped reading this book several times because of the pacing and I never really felt engaged with the story, but I wanted to give it its chance because I can sometimes be surprised with thriller/horror books by the end. I still wouldn't say it is a "bad" book, the premise and idea of this story is intriguing. It just didn't succeed in either element (setting/plot or characters) that are key to my enjoyment of a story so I just had kind of mixed feelings in the end.
The thing about this book is I don't have strong feelings about it either way, however, I did notice that the things that do stand out are those that lean more towards the negative. First of those is the fact that the setting/action within this story was not easily visualized for me. Which I feel like is particularly critical in a horror book where the setting is the source of the fear. I never really felt this fear of the place and more so just felt the fear of being trapped or unable to escape this cave. And for the action scenes, I found a lot of issue with visualizing the ways in which these characters were interacting with the environment. The jumping from ledges, climbing, etc. I just couldn't ever get a clear picture of what was happening.
I also was not connected to these characters which is another critical element to my enjoyment of a story. I feel like if these four girls were established friends it would have been easier to connect but they are all basically strangers going into this cave and there was no time to really build a connection to each. I don't think this will be an issue for all readers, but for me, I'm not feeling the intensity of a situation for a character unless I feel some kind of connection or attachment to them. That just wasn't there for me.
Those are the main points I have of what didn't work for me. I almost stopped reading this book several times because of the pacing and I never really felt engaged with the story, but I wanted to give it its chance because I can sometimes be surprised with thriller/horror books by the end. I still wouldn't say it is a "bad" book, the premise and idea of this story is intriguing. It just didn't succeed in either element (setting/plot or characters) that are key to my enjoyment of a story so I just had kind of mixed feelings in the end.
June 3, 2022
Four girls enter a cave, only three of them emerge five days later. This premise isn’t super original but it can be the foundation for a really good and thrilling horror book. In my opinion Into the Sublime struggled at some points to really bring out its potential.
First off, I didn’t connect with the characters. Over the past years I learned that I really have to connect with the characters to feel the story and in this book the characters didn’t do it for me. Amelie was whiny and unreliable, we only see the other three through her eyes and I don’t think Amelie is capable or truly liking somebody beside herself, so I as a reader didn’t get the chance to see their real character traits.
The story itself was creepy and suspenseful at times, especially the longer they stayed in the cavern and the air got thinner. I really could feel the dread that was going through them. The supernatural aspect didn’t intrigue me as much and I had the feeling the author didn’t really know if they wanted to lean into the supernatural or if they wanted it to be more in the characters mind, it felt inconsistent.
Overall I don’t regret picking this book up. I had fun with it and will definitely give the author a new chance with a different book.
First off, I didn’t connect with the characters. Over the past years I learned that I really have to connect with the characters to feel the story and in this book the characters didn’t do it for me. Amelie was whiny and unreliable, we only see the other three through her eyes and I don’t think Amelie is capable or truly liking somebody beside herself, so I as a reader didn’t get the chance to see their real character traits.
The story itself was creepy and suspenseful at times, especially the longer they stayed in the cavern and the air got thinner. I really could feel the dread that was going through them. The supernatural aspect didn’t intrigue me as much and I had the feeling the author didn’t really know if they wanted to lean into the supernatural or if they wanted it to be more in the characters mind, it felt inconsistent.
Overall I don’t regret picking this book up. I had fun with it and will definitely give the author a new chance with a different book.
November 22, 2022
2.5 stars
The writing style of this book made it hard to get into. I was constantly losing my attention. It was a little all over the place. I loved the concept of the idea for this story just didn't care for the execution.
The writing style of this book made it hard to get into. I was constantly losing my attention. It was a little all over the place. I loved the concept of the idea for this story just didn't care for the execution.
April 23, 2024
SOOOOO GOOD OMFG i loved how they told this it felt like when i was reading i was able to picture everything perfectly, would totally recommend
September 25, 2022
This book made my horror movie heart happy. The Descent is one of my favorite horror movies and this has the vibes. Throw in The Blair Witch Project (but better), Flatliners, and a good psychological thriller and that's the vibe it felt like to me.
Four girls have one thing in common. They are thrill seekers. After an accident that disperses the thrill seeking group they're in, Amalie finds a few members to do one last challenge. Take a trip to the Sublime - a lake that's supposed to help change something you want changed. The only thing is it's never been found, the legend surrounding it is a creepy one and the directions to it lead them to a cave system in the woods. With the four girls being basically strangers, they head on this journey with their own motives but as things get challenging those motives start to be questioned. And when only three girls emerge the mystery becomes what happened in the cave.
The way this book is laid out is so perfect. It's set up to mess with your mind a bit while keeping you flipping the pages to figure out what happened. Told from the perspective of Amalie and a detective at the scene when they emerge, it really sets the tone of making you second guess every conclusion you come to. I'm still questioning days after I've finished it. Highly recommend.
Four girls have one thing in common. They are thrill seekers. After an accident that disperses the thrill seeking group they're in, Amalie finds a few members to do one last challenge. Take a trip to the Sublime - a lake that's supposed to help change something you want changed. The only thing is it's never been found, the legend surrounding it is a creepy one and the directions to it lead them to a cave system in the woods. With the four girls being basically strangers, they head on this journey with their own motives but as things get challenging those motives start to be questioned. And when only three girls emerge the mystery becomes what happened in the cave.
The way this book is laid out is so perfect. It's set up to mess with your mind a bit while keeping you flipping the pages to figure out what happened. Told from the perspective of Amalie and a detective at the scene when they emerge, it really sets the tone of making you second guess every conclusion you come to. I'm still questioning days after I've finished it. Highly recommend.
January 2, 2024
It’s like The Descent if The Descent’s main character was a pick me girl and the story continually referenced better horror stories. The book never truly becomes scary. It vaguely gestures at horror through hallucinations and misunderstandings. But the incompetence of the law enforcement interviewing the main character was more frightening than the actual story.
December 12, 2022
Nobody returns from The Sublime. An underground lake and urban legend that Colorado thriller seekers long to visit. Dangerous to get to, and potentially cursed, its depths promise great changes to those that find it.
That’s what brings these four strangers together. Armed with directions they head in together, but only three come out.
Fingers are all pointed towards Amelie. The one who brought them to the cave. The one covered in someone else’s blood.
Amelie has a story to tell. It seems too fantastic, too terrifying to be true, but she’s the only one talking. The only one who knows what really happened.
I’m a sucker for books that have cliffhanger chapters, and after each one I didn’t want to put my book down!
I liked the way the characters interacted and found their back stories interesting. The descriptions of their surroundings were cinematic. I could feel the textures and smell the rot.
I also will admit that caves and underground tunnels are absolutely terrifying to me. You give me a space that gets narrower and narrower. That’s dark and damp and maybe near collapse. YIKES! Absolutely gives me the chills.
I loved the balance of the supernatural and the reality and a level of maturity that doesn’t make this YA novel feel super young.
What horror elements do you have a visceral reaction to?
That’s what brings these four strangers together. Armed with directions they head in together, but only three come out.
Fingers are all pointed towards Amelie. The one who brought them to the cave. The one covered in someone else’s blood.
Amelie has a story to tell. It seems too fantastic, too terrifying to be true, but she’s the only one talking. The only one who knows what really happened.
I’m a sucker for books that have cliffhanger chapters, and after each one I didn’t want to put my book down!
I liked the way the characters interacted and found their back stories interesting. The descriptions of their surroundings were cinematic. I could feel the textures and smell the rot.
I also will admit that caves and underground tunnels are absolutely terrifying to me. You give me a space that gets narrower and narrower. That’s dark and damp and maybe near collapse. YIKES! Absolutely gives me the chills.
I loved the balance of the supernatural and the reality and a level of maturity that doesn’t make this YA novel feel super young.
What horror elements do you have a visceral reaction to?
September 19, 2022
first thing first: i am in PAIN for not being able to purchase a physical copy because LOOK.AT.THAT.COVER.ART!! absolutely stunning and those 80s horror movie vibes were the main reason why i picked this book in the first place.
i had described into the sublime such as panic meets the descent while reading and i stick to that definition. four girls who regularly take part at secret thrill-seeking challenges named dissent, take a trip in the mountains to find a system of caves that supposedly host a legendary lake called the sublime .
this book is so well plotted. as much as i love YA stories, i've recently been unlucky with most of them: i don't know if it's just me being dangerously close to my 30s (therefore remembering my pre-teen YA readings way more mature) but most of the time i feel that a lot of contemporary YA books should be addressed to middle grade readers. well, this isn't the case and i really appreciate the author daring to craft a mature, intelligent and totally thrilling novel for teenagers. had i read this at 13 i would have shitted my pants!!
the unreliable narration was so on point !! it made me question about everything thoroughly: time, the girls' role in their adventure, reality and hallucination, suggestion or supernatural, the strong psychological feature of it all. sometimes less is more and i love when horror is suggestive. when you don't know the monsters are a possible trick of your mind, a reaction to an unsafe environment or if there really is something lurking in the dark with you.
in the end, this is an average coming-of-age stephen-king-type story about facing traumas, taking responsability for actions and untangle yourself from a place of darkness. the four main characters are all well-rounded and their quest is not as much about defying their fears, but accepting them to re-surface once again. every one of them has solid reasons to look for the sublime, to change a particular piece in the puzzle of their lives. up to you to find out if they're gonna stay the same after this journey.
shoutout to H for being my horror stan twinsie, let's be friends.
i had described into the sublime such as panic meets the descent while reading and i stick to that definition. four girls who regularly take part at secret thrill-seeking challenges named dissent, take a trip in the mountains to find a system of caves that supposedly host a legendary lake called the sublime .
this book is so well plotted. as much as i love YA stories, i've recently been unlucky with most of them: i don't know if it's just me being dangerously close to my 30s (therefore remembering my pre-teen YA readings way more mature) but most of the time i feel that a lot of contemporary YA books should be addressed to middle grade readers. well, this isn't the case and i really appreciate the author daring to craft a mature, intelligent and totally thrilling novel for teenagers. had i read this at 13 i would have shitted my pants!!
the unreliable narration was so on point !! it made me question about everything thoroughly: time, the girls' role in their adventure, reality and hallucination, suggestion or supernatural, the strong psychological feature of it all. sometimes less is more and i love when horror is suggestive. when you don't know the monsters are a possible trick of your mind, a reaction to an unsafe environment or if there really is something lurking in the dark with you.
in the end, this is an average coming-of-age stephen-king-type story about facing traumas, taking responsability for actions and untangle yourself from a place of darkness. the four main characters are all well-rounded and their quest is not as much about defying their fears, but accepting them to re-surface once again. every one of them has solid reasons to look for the sublime, to change a particular piece in the puzzle of their lives. up to you to find out if they're gonna stay the same after this journey.
shoutout to H for being my horror stan twinsie, let's be friends.
July 31, 2022
Love getting ready for the horror season. What sold me on this book - the comparison to Descent, which is still one of my favorite horror movies. There's just something horrific about being in the closed off tunnels, in complete darkness, with very limited supplies. Add a bit of local lore, four girls that don't actually know each other, and have their own motivations and reason to be there.. well here we go. Wild ride.
What didn't work for me, was the repetitive writing, and constant bickering, Kind of reduced the build up of fear and claustrophobia that I wanted to experience.
Do I still recommend this one - hell yes. Will this be a favorite of mine - not so much. Also - who wouldn't pick this one up just based on the cover alone.
What didn't work for me, was the repetitive writing, and constant bickering, Kind of reduced the build up of fear and claustrophobia that I wanted to experience.
Do I still recommend this one - hell yes. Will this be a favorite of mine - not so much. Also - who wouldn't pick this one up just based on the cover alone.
August 4, 2025
4.5 rounded up
this was everything i didn’t know i needed!
this was everything i didn’t know i needed!
July 30, 2022
While the visceral aspect of being buried alive or being trapped in enclosed spaces isn’t my trigger, I did end up really liking INTO THE SUBLIME. It took me a minute to really start to appreciate the storytelling happening here, but once I settled in, and once everything came full circle in the end, I really ended up liking it.
So, yeah. If you’re at all triggered by claustrophobia or being buried alive, this is probably not the book for you because about 90% of it takes place in an underground network of caves. This is not my particular brand of scary horror, and I think a lot of the book hinges on that from the reader perspective, so it fell short for me there. Honestly, until I really started getting into the story, it’s what held the story at a distance for me, because so much of the storytelling relied on these elements being viscerally impactful for the reader.
But once the storytelling got deeper and stopped focusing on those elements and more on the character elements and digging out the unreliable-ness of Amelie and the other characters, I started getting more and more into it and started getting invested in what’s going on. So the book starts off as more of a classic horror story, then slides into psychological horror before slipping back out into the maybe zone of more classic horror. Is it or isn’t it? The end of the story isn’t really clear and I actually really like that unknown here. It works because I’m still satisfied by the ending overall. I don’t need those little elements confirmed for me, and not confirming them only heightens the horror, IMO. Add in the hallucinations (but are they hallucinations?) and it amps up the horror all the more.
Amelie is a complicated character and I think going into it you know that you’re getting a very affected picture of her story that gets picked apart as the plot unfolds. You just don’t how affected it is until the end. Boorman does a great job of spinning heads around in this book and making you question everything, because so many different scenarios can make sense, and do. Which one is right? All of them? None of them?
I’m a fan of psychological horror and I really liked this blend of it in INTO THE SUBLIME. It plays with your head and your senses as you descend into this cave with these characters, as blind as they are. Only as you keep moving through it does reality start peeking in. Sort of. Who’s version of reality is real? This is a fun one, in a messed up sort of way.
4
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
So, yeah. If you’re at all triggered by claustrophobia or being buried alive, this is probably not the book for you because about 90% of it takes place in an underground network of caves. This is not my particular brand of scary horror, and I think a lot of the book hinges on that from the reader perspective, so it fell short for me there. Honestly, until I really started getting into the story, it’s what held the story at a distance for me, because so much of the storytelling relied on these elements being viscerally impactful for the reader.
But once the storytelling got deeper and stopped focusing on those elements and more on the character elements and digging out the unreliable-ness of Amelie and the other characters, I started getting more and more into it and started getting invested in what’s going on. So the book starts off as more of a classic horror story, then slides into psychological horror before slipping back out into the maybe zone of more classic horror. Is it or isn’t it? The end of the story isn’t really clear and I actually really like that unknown here. It works because I’m still satisfied by the ending overall. I don’t need those little elements confirmed for me, and not confirming them only heightens the horror, IMO. Add in the hallucinations (but are they hallucinations?) and it amps up the horror all the more.
Amelie is a complicated character and I think going into it you know that you’re getting a very affected picture of her story that gets picked apart as the plot unfolds. You just don’t how affected it is until the end. Boorman does a great job of spinning heads around in this book and making you question everything, because so many different scenarios can make sense, and do. Which one is right? All of them? None of them?
I’m a fan of psychological horror and I really liked this blend of it in INTO THE SUBLIME. It plays with your head and your senses as you descend into this cave with these characters, as blind as they are. Only as you keep moving through it does reality start peeking in. Sort of. Who’s version of reality is real? This is a fun one, in a messed up sort of way.
4
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 26, 2022
I received this book from TBR and Beyond Tours + Publisher in exchange of an honest review.
From my blog tour post, 5 reasons why to read it:
😍: That cover! I am a big big cover lover as most of the peeps who follow me know. And this cover? This cover just screams at me that I need to read it. I just love the darkness, how there is a girl just surfaced from the water and staring at us. What happened to her? And what will happen if we read the book? Love love it.
😍😍: That we switch between Now and Then. In the now we see our MC talk to the police officers on what happened before and after. Where the cave is. And of course we do get some delicious little nuggets of information. Not to mention… is what the MC is saying to the police true or not? And then we switch to the Then in which we follow the girls into the search for The Sublime… but also afterwards because finding it is #1 but getting out is a definitely #2.
😍😍😍: It was SO FREAKING claustrophobic at times. And that from a girl who is fine in smaller spaces, but dang this book made me gasp for air and I just felt tight. As if I was there with the girls in these dark and scary caves. If I was there when the paranoia from it all set in.
😍😍😍😍: Unreliable narrator + characters. At least, it seems to be that way, though it can also be that the author made some mistakes (like when Amelie talks how she did that Dissent thing with the water and then in the cave says she cannot swim). But I will just go for the unreliable stuff. That is much more fun and makes the book even more exciting. Because what are the reasons these girls want to go in, and are they all honest? Or not? I had fun keeping an eye out for eventual lies, change of emotions, or if something just seemed off. I couldn’t wait for more revelations as the story went on.
😍😍😍😍😍: The fears are really well done. Though I cannot think of what Devon’s fear was.. did she have one? Most of the focus is on the MC’s fear, followed by Kibby and the Skinflayer (aka Gia and H’s fears). But I did love the fears, especially the MC’s as we get to experience it so up close. And FREAKING HELL, it is scary. I am sorry, but the caves were already claustrophobic and then you add in this. I was noping out so hard at times. XD
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
From my blog tour post, 5 reasons why to read it:
😍: That cover! I am a big big cover lover as most of the peeps who follow me know. And this cover? This cover just screams at me that I need to read it. I just love the darkness, how there is a girl just surfaced from the water and staring at us. What happened to her? And what will happen if we read the book? Love love it.
😍😍: That we switch between Now and Then. In the now we see our MC talk to the police officers on what happened before and after. Where the cave is. And of course we do get some delicious little nuggets of information. Not to mention… is what the MC is saying to the police true or not? And then we switch to the Then in which we follow the girls into the search for The Sublime… but also afterwards because finding it is #1 but getting out is a definitely #2.
😍😍😍: It was SO FREAKING claustrophobic at times. And that from a girl who is fine in smaller spaces, but dang this book made me gasp for air and I just felt tight. As if I was there with the girls in these dark and scary caves. If I was there when the paranoia from it all set in.
😍😍😍😍: Unreliable narrator + characters. At least, it seems to be that way, though it can also be that the author made some mistakes (like when Amelie talks how she did that Dissent thing with the water and then in the cave says she cannot swim). But I will just go for the unreliable stuff. That is much more fun and makes the book even more exciting. Because what are the reasons these girls want to go in, and are they all honest? Or not? I had fun keeping an eye out for eventual lies, change of emotions, or if something just seemed off. I couldn’t wait for more revelations as the story went on.
😍😍😍😍😍: The fears are really well done. Though I cannot think of what Devon’s fear was.. did she have one? Most of the focus is on the MC’s fear, followed by Kibby and the Skinflayer (aka Gia and H’s fears). But I did love the fears, especially the MC’s as we get to experience it so up close. And FREAKING HELL, it is scary. I am sorry, but the caves were already claustrophobic and then you add in this. I was noping out so hard at times. XD
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
April 26, 2022
A really fun, creepy, thrilling underground adventure...or nightmare? That's actually my personal nightmare in real life, and in this story it is the nightmare and horror story belonging to Amelie, Devon, H, and Gia - four thrill seekers trying to locate an underground lake said to change things, called The Sublime.
The four head underground without telling anyone based on some instructions obtained through a dark web horror fan site. They are trying to see if the lore tied to the lake is real - or at least that's what they tell each other. But when they each start to experience their own personal versions of their biggest fears come alive, they start to slowly turn on each other. Secrets are revealed along with revelations on why each has made this dangerous trip. And when only three girls come out of the cave, they have some serious explaining to do.
This is told through Amelie who is intentionally vague as she wants to tell the truth but she doesn't want to own up to the bad stuff she's done that's resulted in serious consequences for others. I really enjoyed this - the author does and excellent job of toying with the reader's adrenaline levels. Brining you to the peak of the story only to back up a few steps and fill in some other details. It works in favor of the story as it reads like a full length ghost story. I would definitely watch the movie adaptation of this, I'm just saying.
Thanks to NetGalley for my copy to read in exchange for an honest review.
The four head underground without telling anyone based on some instructions obtained through a dark web horror fan site. They are trying to see if the lore tied to the lake is real - or at least that's what they tell each other. But when they each start to experience their own personal versions of their biggest fears come alive, they start to slowly turn on each other. Secrets are revealed along with revelations on why each has made this dangerous trip. And when only three girls come out of the cave, they have some serious explaining to do.
This is told through Amelie who is intentionally vague as she wants to tell the truth but she doesn't want to own up to the bad stuff she's done that's resulted in serious consequences for others. I really enjoyed this - the author does and excellent job of toying with the reader's adrenaline levels. Brining you to the peak of the story only to back up a few steps and fill in some other details. It works in favor of the story as it reads like a full length ghost story. I would definitely watch the movie adaptation of this, I'm just saying.
Thanks to NetGalley for my copy to read in exchange for an honest review.
July 27, 2022
Into the Sublime takes a group of thrill seekers, a twist of backwoods witchy lore and a worst case scenario into the deep depths of a cave system.
The Sublime is said to be a lake that changes things for the person seeking it. What it changes and what the seeker hopes it'll change are technically two different things. Most don't come back from searching and some believe it's due to a one-eyed witch that drags girls to their doom. Amelie and her four associates (can't call these ladies friends) put the lore, their survival skills and fears to the test.
I loved this. The atmosphere was every part the kind of skin crawly I like in my creepy novels. There's a good bit of young adult drama that I wasn't completely into, but I found myself so focused on the fears of each of the characters and the unique red herrings that I rushed past the drama. I did feel that some aspects of the plot weren't truly answered. Not sure if this was overlooked or done for the dramatic.
The characters are not necessarily likeable. Each one has secrets and personality traits that were not wondrous but I cannot deny that I was glued to their predicaments. Boorman definitely crafted an excellent setting. Outside of a few areas I was hooked.
Thank you Penguin Teen for the gifted digital copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. All thoughts are my own. Totally recommend to ya readers looking for a little creepy thrill in their life.
The Sublime is said to be a lake that changes things for the person seeking it. What it changes and what the seeker hopes it'll change are technically two different things. Most don't come back from searching and some believe it's due to a one-eyed witch that drags girls to their doom. Amelie and her four associates (can't call these ladies friends) put the lore, their survival skills and fears to the test.
I loved this. The atmosphere was every part the kind of skin crawly I like in my creepy novels. There's a good bit of young adult drama that I wasn't completely into, but I found myself so focused on the fears of each of the characters and the unique red herrings that I rushed past the drama. I did feel that some aspects of the plot weren't truly answered. Not sure if this was overlooked or done for the dramatic.
The characters are not necessarily likeable. Each one has secrets and personality traits that were not wondrous but I cannot deny that I was glued to their predicaments. Boorman definitely crafted an excellent setting. Outside of a few areas I was hooked.
Thank you Penguin Teen for the gifted digital copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. All thoughts are my own. Totally recommend to ya readers looking for a little creepy thrill in their life.
July 28, 2022
Mini blurb: Four girls in search of a thrill - or maybe with ulterior motives - set to find a mythical subterranean lake that is said to have the power to grant you a wish...if you come back from it alive.
***
Though Into the Sublime lacks the sheer brilliance of What We Buried (from the same author) and its premise isn't as imaginative, it's still a solid thriller/horror with a paranormal edge that will keep your eyes glued to the pages. The four protagonists' being strangers (they met via a challenge site) adds an extra layer to their predicament, because they're blank slates to one another, which only makes their agendas more unfathomable and their connection tenuous enough that they can't count on their sense of camaraderie (not that friends can't stab one another in the back, as they're particularly wont to do in YA thrillers, but this is next level 😂). Secrets are revealed, alliances shift, visions intensify, guilt feelings surface, all while the underground set of caves the girls are exploring seems hell-bent on trapping them more than willing to grant them their wishes. A pulse-pounding narrative jumping from past to present - from the actual events to the investigation that follows - with distinct (if not memorable) characters and some strong (if not terribly original) twists.
Note: definitive review (I don't have enough to say to justify writing a full-length one later).
***
Though Into the Sublime lacks the sheer brilliance of What We Buried (from the same author) and its premise isn't as imaginative, it's still a solid thriller/horror with a paranormal edge that will keep your eyes glued to the pages. The four protagonists' being strangers (they met via a challenge site) adds an extra layer to their predicament, because they're blank slates to one another, which only makes their agendas more unfathomable and their connection tenuous enough that they can't count on their sense of camaraderie (not that friends can't stab one another in the back, as they're particularly wont to do in YA thrillers, but this is next level 😂). Secrets are revealed, alliances shift, visions intensify, guilt feelings surface, all while the underground set of caves the girls are exploring seems hell-bent on trapping them more than willing to grant them their wishes. A pulse-pounding narrative jumping from past to present - from the actual events to the investigation that follows - with distinct (if not memorable) characters and some strong (if not terribly original) twists.
Note: definitive review (I don't have enough to say to justify writing a full-length one later).
June 19, 2023
I’m trying to gather together my thoughts about this one, and all I can really think is holy crap. This book was so masterfully written. The writing style was easy to fall into, and I was fully transported into these creepy caves with our characters as they stumbled and got lost looking for the Sublime. The atmosphere of this book was so creepy and chilling. It was perfect, and ai actually had to put this one down while I was reading it late at night because I started to freak myself out.
The story starts a bit slow as Amelie sets the scene and begins her tale, but as it progresses the tension and anticipation take over and the story felt like it was racing towards a cliff. The pacing was so good because as the intensity of the story increased my need for answers had me frantically flipping the pages. It never felt rushed though, it just felt intense and crazy.
I didn’t know who to believe, who to trust, who to root for, or what to expect. This story took everything and continually flipped it upside down before giving it back.
I really liked the present chapters with the deputy trying to figure Amelie out, and I thought they were a good contrast to the craziness of Amelie’s story.
The ending gave me just as many questions as answers, and I’m still in shock over what happened.
The story starts a bit slow as Amelie sets the scene and begins her tale, but as it progresses the tension and anticipation take over and the story felt like it was racing towards a cliff. The pacing was so good because as the intensity of the story increased my need for answers had me frantically flipping the pages. It never felt rushed though, it just felt intense and crazy.
I didn’t know who to believe, who to trust, who to root for, or what to expect. This story took everything and continually flipped it upside down before giving it back.
I really liked the present chapters with the deputy trying to figure Amelie out, and I thought they were a good contrast to the craziness of Amelie’s story.
The ending gave me just as many questions as answers, and I’m still in shock over what happened.
May 2, 2022
Four girls enter the cave, but three of them return. Two of the three are rushed to the hospital. The last wants to talk and she is covered in blood but is what she is saying is true or is she hiding something.
This horror young adult book had a great premise and had times where it had me interested with its creepy moments. My biggest issue is that I just could not connect to the characters. I just did not feel like we had a lot of detail about the characters. This could have been remedied with the main characters being friends or at least have a longer period of acquaintanceship. Overall, this book is great for fans of young adult books who like creepy twists. Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for a chance to read this book.
This horror young adult book had a great premise and had times where it had me interested with its creepy moments. My biggest issue is that I just could not connect to the characters. I just did not feel like we had a lot of detail about the characters. This could have been remedied with the main characters being friends or at least have a longer period of acquaintanceship. Overall, this book is great for fans of young adult books who like creepy twists. Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for a chance to read this book.
December 9, 2023
overall it was very good. the only two things I had issues with were I think the beginninc lagged on a little and it was slow. The other thing is the end was a little confusing but overallt great book, wouls recommend
June 20, 2024
Oh. My. Gosh. This is one of the first books I have genuinely adored this much in a while. Creepy. Confusion. Entertaining. Not a chapter that didn’t draw you in and never let you go. Well done.
July 28, 2022
3 .5 stars, rounded up.
What can I say? Cave horror is my jam - between books like The Luminous Dead and The Anomaly to the movie The Descent, I have yet to find a cave story that doesn’t ensnare me. Into The Sublime was no different. The pacing was great, with well-timed interruptions and breaks to maintain that forward momentum. The characters were interesting and with their own obvious (or not so obvious) goals at the very center of their stories.
I didn’t like the framing, with the prologue and epilogue in the form of these flash-forward pieces. I found it unnecessary (but I also generally don’t like frames in books anyway). It was also kind of hard to buy into the storytelling structure; yes, I’m aware that I just said that was something I liked: having the narrative interrupted by snatches of the present that throw us off our rhythm and lend forward momentum and remind us of consequences. However, when you’re actually reading the narrative sections, it’s very obvious that it’s not an oral retelling, even though that’s what it’s supposed to be. And if this was a conversation with a cop, you’d think there’s be a lot more questions and a lot less getting swept up in the narrative (at least for the cop’s part). I would have loved maintaining that little bit of mystery, leaving two very important questions unanswered, but they’re answered by the “epilogue”
Overall, I definitely found myself swept up in the story as a reader. As a writer, I saw a few too many holes to really say I loved it.
{Thank you Fierce Reads for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review; all thoughts are my own}
What can I say? Cave horror is my jam - between books like The Luminous Dead and The Anomaly to the movie The Descent, I have yet to find a cave story that doesn’t ensnare me. Into The Sublime was no different. The pacing was great, with well-timed interruptions and breaks to maintain that forward momentum. The characters were interesting and with their own obvious (or not so obvious) goals at the very center of their stories.
I didn’t like the framing, with the prologue and epilogue in the form of these flash-forward pieces. I found it unnecessary (but I also generally don’t like frames in books anyway). It was also kind of hard to buy into the storytelling structure; yes, I’m aware that I just said that was something I liked: having the narrative interrupted by snatches of the present that throw us off our rhythm and lend forward momentum and remind us of consequences. However, when you’re actually reading the narrative sections, it’s very obvious that it’s not an oral retelling, even though that’s what it’s supposed to be. And if this was a conversation with a cop, you’d think there’s be a lot more questions and a lot less getting swept up in the narrative (at least for the cop’s part). I would have loved maintaining that little bit of mystery, leaving two very important questions unanswered, but they’re answered by the “epilogue”
Overall, I definitely found myself swept up in the story as a reader. As a writer, I saw a few too many holes to really say I loved it.
{Thank you Fierce Reads for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review; all thoughts are my own}
July 10, 2022
The description and cover are what reeled me in. I’m always down for some horror, and this book did not disappoint.
It reminded me of the movie The Descent; finding a cave that not many people know about, keeping secrets from each other that really impact everything, things going from bad to worse as they descend…but it didn’t follow The Descent so closely that I knew what would happen.
I thought the author did a great job of balancing Amelie’s story to the cops in the present with the “actual” events in the caves; it was good to see the cop’s perspective as Amelie is telling this story. I also enjoyed that we as readers don’t get all the answers; it’s not cut and dry and I think it was really well-done, when it could have been frustrating not to know if things were truly supernatural or all in the girl’s heads.
This was quick-paced, spooky, and a great read in the middle of summer when it’s 100 degrees outside.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC!
It reminded me of the movie The Descent; finding a cave that not many people know about, keeping secrets from each other that really impact everything, things going from bad to worse as they descend…but it didn’t follow The Descent so closely that I knew what would happen.
I thought the author did a great job of balancing Amelie’s story to the cops in the present with the “actual” events in the caves; it was good to see the cop’s perspective as Amelie is telling this story. I also enjoyed that we as readers don’t get all the answers; it’s not cut and dry and I think it was really well-done, when it could have been frustrating not to know if things were truly supernatural or all in the girl’s heads.
This was quick-paced, spooky, and a great read in the middle of summer when it’s 100 degrees outside.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC!
December 31, 2024
I saw lots of mixed reviews about this book. I’m not sure if I’m just a big fan of movie The Descent, but I enjoyed this book. It wasn’t a masterpiece by any means, but it was a fun read that was able to keep me engaged enough to finish it in the same day that I started it. Even when I felt that I should go to bed, I kept reading because I wanted to see what happens next!
———
I’d recommend it as a good book to use to unwind after finishing long series or a really heavy book (HP Lovecraft’s complete Cthulhu mythos in my case). I’m glad the cover art was really cool, because that was the reason I chose it from the BAM bargain price section!
———
I’d recommend it as a good book to use to unwind after finishing long series or a really heavy book (HP Lovecraft’s complete Cthulhu mythos in my case). I’m glad the cover art was really cool, because that was the reason I chose it from the BAM bargain price section!
December 11, 2022
I'll be honest I'm a bit judgmental when it comes to YA horror but this surprised me! The girls were interesting and they didn't feel like tropey, over-written characters. I found myself often experiencing the same anxieties they felt throughout the novel so props to the writing. The first half dragged for me and I actually stopped reading it for about a week but when I picked it back up I tore through it. Between struggling the first 140 pages or so and being a little disappointed at the end this still a 3/5 for me.
March 10, 2024
I’m torn between two and three stars here. It feels like the author had two really cool ideas but struggled to weave them together. Four girls go on a thrill seeking adventure into a cave, and the entire book is following them, figured out who doesn’t come out, and if they’re truly hallucinating or if there is something evil.
At the end, I’m left with more questions that I am answers but I honestly wanted the author to lean more into the creep factor OR lean more into the psychological thriller side.
At the end, I’m left with more questions that I am answers but I honestly wanted the author to lean more into the creep factor OR lean more into the psychological thriller side.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 271 reviews