Tim Lebbon is a master of atmospheric horror, and Among the Living certainly has its moments. The book delivers some truly creepy and unsettling scenes, with moments of intensity that stand out. Lebbon’s descriptive writing brings a vivid sense of place and mood, creating an eerie, unsettling backdrop for the story. There are flashes of brilliance in the way he builds tension—those moments when you feel the unease creeping in, knowing something disturbing is just around the corner.
However, despite these strengths, I found it difficult to really connect with the book. Maybe it was the pacing, or perhaps the level of detail in the descriptions that made certain sections feel sluggish. While Lebbon’s attention to scene-setting is impressive, it sometimes felt like it was working against the momentum of the story, slowing things down when I wanted the plot to move forward. It wasn’t that the book lacked intrigue—it just never fully grabbed me in a way that made me eager to keep turning the pages (or in my case, keep listening).
Speaking of the audiobook, the narrator did a fine job. The performance was clear and well-paced, and there was nothing in the delivery that detracted from the experience. But even with a solid narration, I still found myself struggling to stay engaged. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly why—I just wasn’t invested in the story or its characters the way I hoped to be.
Overall, Among the Living has some well-executed horror elements, and I can see it appealing to fans of slow-burn, atmospheric horror. But for me, it just didn’t quite work. A decent read, but not one that I’d revisit.
I would watch the movie, if one was made.
⭐️⭐️
