S. R. Hughes

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The Reviews Are In!

Hey everyone! If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’ve noticed me reposting/retweeting/sharing a lot of reviews for The War Beneath lately… because we’ve had a lot of them.

I haven’t wanted to clog up this site or the News section with postings of every review coming out this month (plus, honestly, it would require an incredible amount of website work and I do not have the time/effort for such grandiose exertions). Instead, I’m collecting the reviews right here! I’ll post a link to each review along with any affiliated star ratings. I’ll also feature a relatively brief quotation from each reviewer. Some will be briefer than others—the reviews range in length from 220 characters up to 1200. So, yes, “relatively” brief quotations…

Without further ado….

Reviews for The War Beneath

The Dog-Eared Days of Summer

3.5 / 5 Stars

Full Review Here

“Hughes finds a way to combine all sorts of elements into his plot without it confusing the readers or adding unnecessary substance. I started this book yesterday and found myself wrapping it up early this morning! I am a sucker for novels that are nonstop action and constantly throwing blows at you until the very end.”

Jessicamap Reviews

3 / 5 Stars

Full Review Here

“Overall, I would definitely pick up more from the author and would recommend this to those that like a good supernatural element added into their thrillers!”

Bibliotica

5 / 5 Stars

Full Review Here

The War Beneath is the kind of novel that sucks you in and doesn’t let go until you’ve finished the last page. I read it in a single night, because it was that compelling. Despite it being a quick read, though, it’s not light. Both Paul and Deirdre have to examine the truths of their own lives while they’re dealing with the external events of the story, and that examination is what makes this novel relatable and fascinating.”

BooksBarksBeaches

4 / 5 Stars

Full Review Here

I’ve been advised against using this quote as the review pull-quote but I can’t not:

“Deirdre is a complete badass.”

The Bookish Alix

3.5 / 5 Stars

Full Review Here

“This book deals with ghosts, drugs, race, fantasy, witchcraft, serial killers, cults and mystery.

And if that seems like a lot it’s because it is. Definitely a lot going on, but it works! Lots of tropes- but they’re not eye rolling or confusing.

Hughes combines and weaves them all in a great fashion. Speaking of the writing, it was fast paced. I stayed up till almost 3 A.M. reading.”

Book Club with Bite

4 / 5 Stars

Full Review Here

“I really enjoyed jumping right into the dark and gritty world that he created. There was a lot going on, but he did a wonderful job of keeping the plot tight and the story was intriguing.”

Jena Brown Writes

Unstarred Review

Full Review Here

“…But my absolute favorite thing about The War Beneath is how vividly, heartbreakingly relevant and realistic it actually ends up being. Take away the ghosts and the demons and you end up with a chilling story about corruption and power and the victims who pay the ultimate price. It’s also about heartbreak and tragedy. How people survive, or don’t, simply trying to get through life in whatever way they can. It’s complex but it hits home, never blurring the line of real trauma even while surrounding it with nightmares and dreamscapes.”

Colby Wilkins

Unstarred Review

Full Review Here

(No pull-quote; the review was largely synopsis.)

Crossroad Reviews

4 / 5 Stars

Full Review Here

“The writing was done very well and the story was really thought out.”

Love Yo Shelf

2 / 5 Stars

Full Review Here

“While I was never able to fully set aside my misgivings about a white author writing about Neo-Nazis in an almost apocalyptic world, the book was still immersive. One minute I was bored, and the next I wasn’t. The more the story unraveled, the more invested I got…”

Not shabby on the whole! I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to review the work. I’d also like to thank all the readers who take the time to leave reviews or ratings on Amazon, Goodreads, Barnes&Noble, etc… it means a lot to have that kind of support. Thank you all so much.

Pick up The War Beneath today on Amazon.com or at Barnes&Noble!