The Way Up Is Death

By: Dan Hanks

Narrated by: Elliot Fitzpatrick

An SFF thriller where a mysterious, otherworldly tower appears in the sky above the UK with a single word emblazoned above its doorway . . . ascend. A great listen for fans of Paradox Hotel by Rob Hart.

When a mysterious tower appears in the skies over England, thirteen strangers are pulled from their lives to stand before it as a countdown begins. Above the doorway is one word: ASCEND.

As a grieving teacher, a reclusive artist, and a narcissistic celebrity children's author lead the others in trying to understand why they've been chosen and what the tower is, it soon becomes clear the only way out of this for everyone . . . is up.

And so begins a race to the top, through sinking ships, haunted houses and other waking nightmares, as the group fights to hold onto its humanity, while the twisted horror of why they're here grows ever more apparent—and death stalks their every move.

©2025 Dan Hanks (P)2025 Highbridge Audio

Feels like it was written by AI

I'm suspicious that this was written by AI. Characters are overly broad, story is banal and derivative. Unenjoyable in so many ways.

Not really what I hoped it would be.

If you’re anything like me, you’ll read that summary and think of Squid Game. A mysterious tower that a bunch of strangers have to climb, with a different challenge on each floor? Sign me up! It ends up sounding cooler than it is, though.

We don’t get enough character development for it to matter when we inevitably lose some of the people. Things are happening. It’s certainly not boring. Unfocused, is probably a better word.

There’s fun to be had, here. There’s a lot to love. I just wish it came together in a more satisfying way.

Just horrid.

Shocked I suffered all the way through this, author has a strange relationship with alpha males. Dirk has to be among the most frustratingly poorly written characters in my memory. Are we trying to drill home that he’s the worst? We got it. Don’t make us dwell is his ugly worldview. Actively grinding my teeth through all his chapters.