Fleeing a political scandal, Halley takes a job as caretaker on a derelict spaceship filled with the cryogenically frozen elite, only to find herself haunted by eerie noises, glitchy AI, and disturbing visions that blur the line between reality and paranoia. Exploring themes of isolation, the dangers of unchecked technology, and the human obsession with immortality, the story builds a chilling, claustrophobic atmosphere as Halley uncovers the ship’s terrifying secrets.

Reader Review Summary

Set in a future where the wealthy have attempted to cheat death through cryogenic preservation, the story follows Halley, a woman fleeing a political scandal, as she takes a job aboard the Elysian Fields—a massive, derelict space barge housing the frozen bodies of Earth's elite. The ship, once a tourist attraction and now a decaying crypt, is maintained by a skeleton crew: Halley and a mechanic named Karl. Halley's main task is to patrol the ship and press a button every three hours to prove someone is present, a routine that quickly erodes her sleep and sanity. The ship is haunted by glitchy AI holograms modeled after the founder's children, unsettling noises, and the constant sense of isolation. As Halley’s paranoia grows, she begins to see figures in the corridors and questions whether the dangers aboard are real or a product of her deteriorating mental state. The narrative blends elements of space horror, psychological suspense, and speculative technology, with a focus on the consequences of humanity’s pursuit of immortality and the psychological toll of extreme isolation.

Readers consistently praised the book’s atmosphere, describing it as eerie, claustrophobic, and deeply unsettling. Many highlighted the effectiveness of the setting—a decaying spaceship filled with cryogenically frozen bodies and malfunctioning AI—as a source of dread and tension. The slow build-up of suspense, the use of sleep deprivation, and the sense of being trapped in a haunted, isolated environment were frequently cited as strengths. Several reviewers appreciated the accessible writing style, noting that the science fiction elements were easy to follow even for those less familiar with the genre. The horror aspects, including disturbing imagery, body horror, and the psychological unraveling of the protagonist, were also singled out as particularly effective. Some readers enjoyed the locked-room mystery structure and the way the story kept them guessing about what was real versus imagined.

Criticisms centered on character development and pacing. Multiple readers found Halley, the protagonist, to be underdeveloped or too similar to main characters from the author’s previous works, making it difficult to become invested in her fate. The limited cast and the isolated setting, while contributing to the atmosphere, led some to feel the story was too quiet or lacking in dynamic character interactions. Several reviewers noted that the plot lost momentum in the second half, with some finding the climax and resolution unsatisfying or anticlimactic. The introduction of paranormal or supernatural elements late in the story was divisive, with some feeling it undermined the established tension. A few readers also mentioned a romance subplot that felt out of place, and others were disappointed by the audiobook narration, describing it as flat or lacking emotion.

The book has received a moderate average rating (3.78 out of 5) from over a thousand readers, indicating a mix of strong enthusiasm and notable reservations. It is frequently compared to the author’s previous works, especially Dead Silence, with some readers considering it a return to form and others expressing ongoing disappointment. The story’s premise—combining space horror, AI, and the ethics of cryogenic preservation—was widely regarded as compelling, and several reviewers suggested it would translate well to film. The book is positioned as accessible to both science fiction and horror audiences, and is often recommended for fans of atmospheric, isolated settings and survival horror. The publisher provided many advance copies, and the book is scheduled for release in April 2025.