The White Road

By: Sarah Lotz

Narrated by: Sam Alexander, Helen Johns

A cutting-edge thriller about one man's quest to discover horror lurking at the top of the world.

Desperate to attract subscribers to his fledgling website, 'Journey to the Dark Side', ex-adrenalin junkie and slacker Simon Newman hires someone to guide him through the notorious Cwm Pot caves, so that he can film the journey and put it on the internet. With a tragic history, Cwm Pot has been off-limits for decades, and unfortunately for Simon, the guide he's hired is as unpredictable and dangerous as the watery caverns that lurk beneath the earth. After a brutal struggle for survival, Simon barely escapes with his life, but predictably, the gruesome footage he managed to collect down in the earth's bowels goes viral.

Ignoring the warning signs of mental trauma, and eager to capitalize on his new internet fame, Simon latches onto another escapade that has that magic click-bait mix of danger and death: a trip to Everest. But up above 8000 feet, in the infamous Death Zone, he'll need more than his dubious morals and wits to guide him, especially when he uncovers the truth behind a decade-old tragedy -- a truth that means he might not be coming back alive. A truth that will change him -- and anyone who views the footage he captures -- forever.

Critic reviews

"A terrifying tale of unparalleled danger, both physical and mental, The White Road will keep you guessing (and scared) until the very end."—Bustle

"If you're looking for a fun, creepy, adventurous summer read, this is it!"—Book Riot

"Oustanding . . . Lotz excels at making you feel like you're there . . . Fans of Dan Simmons's The Terror will be pleased."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"An expertly fashioned, spine-tingling account of danger, both physical and mental"—Booklist

"Dark and unsettling . . . Lotz knows how to develop suspense and horror . . . The supernatural elements keep one engaged and guessing."—Kirkus Reviews

"Skilled at creating real-world scenarios and imbuing them with a steadily growing feeling of danger and terror, Lotz brings readers to Everest, where the line between altitude-induced hallucinations and actual supernatural events may be very thin. A solid pick for readers who enjoy modern horror by Dean Koontz and Stephen King."—Library Journal

"Both characters risk spooky fates on the mountain that are made all the more vivid by Lotz's ability to get on the printed page the terrors of high climbing in the most exact language."—Toronto Star

No closure

I kept waiting for this book to get creepy or a little scary, but it never happened. The end lacked closure.

Scary as hell, well written, beautifully performed

This book was exceptional in many ways.
The most critical element is that this author clearly understands fear and how to articulate that in a way that is instantly relatable.
The male narrator pulls off many different accents and characters effortlessly and the female narrator (whose part is considerably shorter) reads and emotes perfectly.
I absolutely loved this book and found it to be one of the most terrifying books I’ve read in a very long time.
It is unique (none of the usual tropes for this genre), it is clever, and it stays with you long after you finish.

Starts out strong

Book starts out very strong. But thereafter it just plods along and is unsatisfying. Narrators are great, especially the male.

Worth it

This book has three distinct sections, the first two are incredible and the third less so. That being said I throughly enjoyed it as an audiobook. The narrator was amazing and the creepy parts were a great listen.

Stunning Blend of Terror and Grief

Gripping and absolutely impossible to step away from. Layered levels of horror, spot on portrayal of PTSD, and just enough grim humor to keep from making it depressing. Outdoor enthusiasts will love this, also fans of found footage type horror.