“I had heard that true love is realized after a couple has experienced and overcome something huge.”
I picked this up on clearance at Half Price Books for only two dollars, and it was worth every penny! I had never heard of the author or the book before, but I learned she originally started on Wattpad and blew up in popularity before getting published. That is incredible to see and gives me so much hope as a self-publisher.
The story starts off with a bang. It is no spoiler to say Summer is kidnapped in the very first chapter, launching us straight into a high-stakes, suspenseful plot. Summer is taken by a creepy man named Colin and thrown into a cellar with three other young women. You can feel the main character’s immediate panic and the sheer intensity of the situation.
The author has a way of writing that instantly pulls you in and makes you care deeply about what happens. From the moment Summer enters the cellar, the story emphasizes just how trapped she is and how impossible escape feels. I was glued to the pages, reading as fast as I could and praying for a rescue.
“He continued driving, and with every passing second, I started to give up hope. I was going to die. The van finally came to a stop and my body froze. This is it. This is where he kills me.”
A heads-up for readers: the book deals with heavy topics like abuse and sexual assault. Fortunately, the author handles these moments without being overly explicit, but she leaves no doubt about the severity of what is happening. It breaks your heart and fuels your anger because you desperately hope the worst won’t happen, even though you know how dark the situation is.
Over time, Summer is coerced into accepting the name “Lily.” She hates it, but she is too terrified of the consequences to resist. Colin is a complete maniac, and the author creates a wonderfully chaotic, unpredictable personality for him right from the start. It keeps you terrified for the characters, and I was genuinely surprised by some of the twists. The list of Colin’s victims keeps growing, showing the endless scope of his psychosis. Despite everything, Summer stays remarkably strong and never fully surrenders her spirit to this monster. Deep down, she remains Summer, even if part of her identity is lost to “Lily.”
The side characters add a lot to the story, though I’ll admit Lewis got on my nerves at times. It felt like he acted as though he cared more than anyone else, which grew a bit irritating. Over time, though, I warmed up to him and grew to admire his relentless determination to never give up.
It was chilling to read the chapters written from Colin’s point of view. His mindset is deeply twisted, and it is disturbing to see how he justifies his actions, only to snap and kill again whenever things don’t go his way. He is a exceptionally well-written antagonist, which makes him all the more terrifying.
“He was like a dog playing with a balloon; you knew it would pop but not exactly when.”
With its snappy, short chapters, the narrative pacing never lets up. You are constantly left wondering what is going to happen next.
The plot gets a tiny bit unrealistic when Lewis begins suspecting Colin. I understand that Colin is an odd guy, but singling him out based on vibe alone felt a bit far-fetched. Breaking into his house purely because he seemed strange isn’t something that would likely happen in real life. However, it isn’t so absurd that it ruins the immersion. You stay completely hooked, holding out hope for the best possible outcome.
“If you keep holding on to who you used to be, you’ll go crazy. Accept this life. It’ll be a lot easier once you do.”
In the end, Summer and the surviving girls are saved, though tragically, Rose and Layla do not make it out alive. It was heartbreaking that Rose never got her happy ending, but it reflects a harsh reality where escape isn’t guaranteed for everyone. The ending contrasts two truths: one where hope survives, and another where the light is swallowed by darkness. It makes for a chilling, memorable conclusion.
I comfortably give The Cellar 5 out of 5 stars. It is a fast-paced, captivating thriller that completely pulls you into its world.
“Souille is a riveting novella that artfully blends elements of horror and science fiction to craft a high-stakes adventure that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. When Natalie’s life is thrown into chaos after a terrible hurricane leaves her hometown in ruins, she’s thrust into a deadly face-off against strange and malicious entities in her desperate struggle for survival.”
“The last thing Addison’s mother said was, “Stay put. I’m coming for you.” But as the days stretch on, Addison is left with only fear, isolation, and the terrifying sense that something far worse is waiting outside the door.”
Coushatta LaRue 
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