The Way Up Is Death by Dan Hanks

The Way Up Is Death

Dan Hanks

Watkins Media · Paperback · January 14, 2025

A SFF thriller where a mysterious, otherworldly tower appears in the sky above the UK with a single word emblazoned above its doorway... ascend.

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Who it’s for
A skyborne tower, a countdown, and waking nightmares make for a sharp-edged speculative thriller.
Themes
Survival under pressure, Holding onto humanity
Pacing
Fast

About this book

A 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 read 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.

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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.

A Strange Ascent

A skyborne tower, a countdown, and waking nightmares make for a sharp-edged speculative thriller.

Come here for

  • A mysterious challenge with one unnerving instruction: ascend
  • A blend of science fiction, supernatural menace, and thriller tension

Expect

  • Thirteen strangers racing upward through sinking ships and haunted houses
  • A grim fight to hold onto humanity as danger closes in

Where it sits

Horror38%
Supernatural Thrillers33%
Sci-Fi Adventure19%

Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.

Publisher categories

  • Sci-Fi Adventure
  • Funny Sci-Fi
  • Sci-Fi Crime
Authors
Dan Hanks
Publisher
Watkins Media
Published
January 14, 2025
Format
Paperback
Theme
Survival under pressure · Holding onto humanity
Reading lane
Sci-Fi Adventure