I feel like I really want to like this author. The stories are intriguing and the writing is good but for some reason, I struggle to be interested. I’m not a huge fan of historical fiction so maybe I just need to wait for the right book.

I really wanted to love this. I think the historical setting really took me out of the story. The writing was great, but I feel maybe the story was not for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.

Where the Dead Wait by Ally Wilkes is everything you think it will be: it’s 100% a creepy, oppressive, atmospheric, slow burn. I’m a big fan of nautical horror, and I especially enjoy when characters are facing freezing and/or harsh conditions. That said, it’s not this novel’s fault that I wasn’t fully invested in this story, rather, I think I might’ve recently burned myself out on this particular genre.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria/Emily Bestler Books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was absolutely incredible and I haven't stopped thinking about it in the two months since I finished it, and probably won't any time soon. The absolute wretch of a protagonist and his devastatingly toxic relationship to Stevens (and his own life and self-worth) really scratched a (possibly unhealthy) itch that few books manage to do. My childhood fear of scurvy has been rekindled, and I hope Wilkes continues writing about messy queer folks making bad decisions in extremely cold environments.

As someone who doesn’t typically love historical horror/fiction- I wasn’t sure how this one would hit me, but as it turns out this was fantastic. I love a creepy narrative that manages to make you feel cold even while you’re warm in your home.

Thanks so much @netgalley & @Atria!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books as well as Ally Wilkes for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #AtriaBooks #WhereTheDeadWait #AllyWilkes
Title: Where the Dead Wait
Author: Ally Wilkes
Publisher: Atria Books
Publication Date: December 5, 2023
Themes: Survival horror, desolation, extreme cold,
Trigger Warnings: cannibalism, gore, extreme conditions, psychic-mediums, ghosts, racism, alcohol use, anxiety and other mental health issues, assault, sexual assault, homophobia

Well that was awesome. This was my first book by Ally Wilkes but I can’t wait for more!
This book took a little work to get into but it was well worth it! This harrowing story is about William Day, a disgraced Arctic explorer. Thirteen years later, Day is back out on another expedition and facing the same situation. Another sailor has gone missing. Maybe this time will work out and Day will restore his good name. But there are other problems onboard the ship. There’s a reporter intent on exposing the truth about the first expedition, the wife of the missing officer is onboard and she claims to be a medium. Will the truth set them free or will the dead have their say?
This is a book that requires some patience. It’s a slow burn of the very highest calibur. There is nothing as amazing as a really good, slow burn. I was slavering to get to the gory parts. I love cannibalism. I loved how each heinous event was portrayed in no hurry. I love horror that keeps me on the edge of my seat. I think it’s called survival horror. Whatever it’s called, I love it. Ally Wilkes is an absolute master of creating atmospheric horror, if you can be patient enough to let her.
This book isn’t for everyone. As I have mentioned, it takes its time to get its hooks into you. There are a lot of characters to keep track of. It requires a lot of paying attention and is not a quick read. For me, it was like painting a picture a little at a time. I really loved watching the image slowly appear. This isn’t for everyone though, I understand.
Keep at this one. It’s worth every word. I’m going to go read Ms. Wilkes’ first book, “All The White Spaces”.

Snowy isolated survival 1800s story with cannibalism—exactly what I want to read! One of my favorite subgenres and Wilkes seems to have nearly mastered it. I found eveything in this novel worth noting, but I do wish that certain themes had been more deftly delved into (i.e. ethics of cannibalism in a survival setting) though Wilke does handle it with the horrific severity it needs. There just a part of the novel that, once finished, seemed to be lacking and I still can't parse what it was. I don't know if the build up was lacking or the final execution, but I still feel a piece isn't there. Exceedingly reminiscent of The Terror by Dan Simmons (though mercifully lacking the platypus pond.) Overall, it was a great read and addition to the arctic horror subgenre that is desperately seeking new material always.

Dense and atmospheric. Wilkes does a great job describing intense cold, and this book felt a lot like All the White Spaces (only opposite side of the globe).

I am a huge fan of arctic horror so this is the second book by Ally Wilkes that I've read and it didn't disappoint! The unforgiving landscape, the creeping dread and the characters that were easy to sympathize with made this an amazing read. Thanks for the ARC! Will certainly be looking forward to more reads from Ally

I feel like the book was way too long. I struggled to finish it and found myself bored the entire time. I was also very confused. I wasn’t sure what was going on and struggled to retain any of the information.

"Canst thou draw out a Leviathan with a fish hook?"

Where the Dead Wait is an absolute triumph! Wilkes creates such dynamic and interesting characters. They're believable, well suited to the time period and very empathetic.

Wilkes weaves past and present narratives with such a deft hand, foreshadowing without giving too much away.Wilkes has really sharpened her storytelling skills and delivers a tight, moody, horror filled mystery. She captures the terror and intrigue of the arctic and the hubris of the colonial Era so well. There are moments of terror, paced well between building dread. Where the Dead Wait is jam packed with very fine details that will thrill and please those familiar with arctic expeditions and geographies.

A great read from start to finish, I look forward to getting a hold of a print copy as soon as it's out!

TW: Language, drinking, racism, murder, sexism, animal deaths, gory scenes, blood, sexual assault, depression, anxiety, homophobia

*****SPOILERS*****
About the book:William Day should be an acclaimed Arctic explorer. But after a failed expedition, in which his remaining men only survived by eating their dead comrades, he returned in disgrace.

Thirteen years later, his second-in-command, Jesse Stevens, has gone missing in the same frozen waters. Perhaps this is Day’s chance to restore his tarnished reputation by bringing
Stevens­­—the man who’s haunted his whole life—back home. But when the rescue mission becomes an uncanny journey into his past, Day must face up to the things he’s done.

Abandonment. Betrayal. Cannibalism.

Aboard ship, Day must also contend with unwanted passengers: a reporter obsessively digging up the truth about the first expedition, as well as Stevens’s wife, a spirit-medium whose séances both fascinate and frighten. Following a trail of cryptic messages, gaunt bodies, and old bones, their search becomes more and more unnerving, as it becomes clear that the restless dead are never far behind. Something is coming through.
Release Date: December 5th, 2023
Genre: Horror
Pages: 380
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

What I Liked:
1. Loved the plot
2. The writing is so enthralling
3. The gory scenes were so gross
4. Very atmospheric
5. Queer rep

What I Didn't Like:
1. The 1,000 times people suck their teeth in
2. Some parts would ramble on
3. Book too long

Overall Thoughts:
I was super excited to get the arc copy of this book because who wouldn't love a book with horror set in the Arctic. It sounded amazing.

As others have said the different timelines/ different ships / different crew members made this book a very confusing adventure. Oftentimes I would have to remember whose crew was this guy on and what timeline was he a part of and who's eating who. It all made for such a confusing book. I didn't hate the characters and I found most of them pretty likeable. The Stevens character was insane and very ruthless.

There we're moments in this book where my mouth dropped at how horrific things went down. From people sawing off legs of characters before the person was even completely dead.

"Eat the world"

I had a good time reading the book and loved the writing style the author gave us.

I enjoyed the romantic style of Day and Stevens, when usually I don't like romances in my horror/thrillers/mysteries, so that was an exciting development. I think the author described the desperation and need of a person wanting that kind of connection with another person in a place of isolation. It felt fitting.

Final Thoughts:
Omgosh I really enjoyed this book. The story was so atmospheric. I loved the way the writing described scenes and made me feel like I was actually in the Arctic with the characters.

I absolutely 100% think this book was about 150 pages too long. I got about 300 pages into this book before I was like okay let's wrap it up it just felt like it was rambling at that point. There just was so much unnecessary things put into it about the characters I didn't care about.

I gave this book four stars but if I believed in half stars or quarter stars I would definitely put it down as more like 3.75 stars just because of the rambling part and there were parts that were pretty boring.

I would check out the other book from this author.

Also added note if you liked this book or like similar things then you have to check out the movie Ravenous- "In a remote military outpost in the 19th century, Captain John Boyd and his regiment embark on a rescue mission which takes a dark turn when they are ambushed by a sadistic cannibal." It's a fantastic weird fun movie.

To be invited to read an early copy of this felt like such an honor and I was thrilled. I began before publication day and found myself incredibly bored. I decided, however, that the timing might not be right and I chose to set this aside to revisit later.

That time has come. Unfortunately, I now know that timing was not the issue. While Wilkes captured the atmosphere quite well, this slow burn horror is just too drawn out and too dry for my liking.

Where the Dead Wait, Ally Wilkes' second polar gothic novel, follows disgraced captain William Day as he searches the arctic for his former shipmate and best friend. As the story progresses, we learn that their relationship was faaaar more complex than that, and that the story England knows of Day's expedition isn't the whole truth.

Wilkes' novel is a compelling examination of guilt, shame, and survival. I adored its themes and how the author explored them. Additionally, the novel's strongest asset is its horror. Our first introduction to Day's red tent was my favorite scene. I feel like I can picture it so clearly — that horrifying red tent, the only splash of color in the otherwise white and grey land. It's very good and very spooky. Where the Dead Wait is also clearly for fans of polar history. If you're an Arctic expedition nerd, the novel will reward that nerdiness in spades. I got my circumpolar map out and everything, it was a good time.

For me, the biggest issue with Where the Dead Wait is that it's a bit confusing. Normally, I adore confusing books that keep me engaged and mentally challenge me. However, when this book was confusing I just found it frustrating. It took me out of the story instead of pulling me deeper. A bit more clarity — without sacrificing that spooky mysterious aura — would've made me enjoy the novel a lot more.

That said, I feel really positively about this novel and what Wilkes does here by engaging in the gothic tradition. It's complicated in a way I appreciate immensely, refusing to provide easy answers or take the easy way out. I found the characters compelling, and appreciated the nuance and care Wilkes brought to the setting. While I didn't enjoy every part of my reading experience, I'd still recommend the book to any of my horror and/or polar fan friends.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for sending this ARC for review consideration! All opinions are my own.

A huge thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Atria Books/Emily Bestler Books for providing this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It’s not a doomed Arctic Exploration without cannibalism and queer longing, am I right, ladies?

We follow disgraced ship captain William Day, who when the real captain died, became the leader of an Arctic exploration where their only chance of survival was by feeding on their dead comrades. While Day is seen with revulsion by the general community, his second-in-command Jesse Stevens is seen as a hero who found help for the remaining survivors. Day is haunted by this past, and lives hidden in shame away from anyone who might recognize him - or the monster he had to become to survive.

But now Stevens has gone missing in those same doomed Arctic waters, and Day is the only one determined to find him - and keep him from having to repeat those same actions 13 years ago.

As Day follows in Stevens’ footsteps, he unwillingly uncovers the past he tried to hide so well from both the public - and himself. Forced to confront the truth of what happened 13 years ago, and the true nature of his relationship with Stevens, can Day grow from his past and move on from his mistakes, or will he succumb to becoming the monster everyone already thinks he is?

I loved this gothic novel about the hopelessness and isolation of the Arctic, that forces the reader to really confront what they’d do to survive.

His relationship to Stevens is complicated and tragic, and we can only imagine how both their lives might have been different (as well as everyone else’s) had the two never met. Day begins the novel quite literally haunted by Stevens, and seeing him as the better part of himself - but as the book continues we start seeing Stevens as he truly is as Day confronts the reality of their relationship, and his complicity in his actions.

It’s not really related, but I think “Just a Man” from Epic the Musical fits Day’s internal monologue throughout this novel extremely well. He’s never certain where he ends, and the monster begins - and whether or not he’s only simply fooling himself into believing he’s better than he is. I thought of these lines multiple times during this novel, as Day reveals and uncovers more and more of what happened, and his actions, during both the doomed original exploration, as well as the current one we are on.

But when does a comet become a meteor?
When does a candlе become a blaze?
Whеn does a man become a monster?
When does a ripple become a tidal wave?
When does the reason become the blame?
When does a man become a monster?

This book is perfect for anyone who likes doomed gothic fiction where there’s never really a happy ending to be had, but there is a resolution. The isolation and temperatures of the Arctic set for a perfect location for the depravity that unfolds when all hope is lost and rescue is impossible.

Ugh I love a good arctic thriller to read in the winte, especially a victorian era based read...This was one of my most looked forward to reads for January.
I really enjoyed this book and will continue to read this author

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review this book

What I loved about this one was the atmosphere. You could feel the brutal cold and ice. The reviews say this is a Polar Gothic that follows a Victorian explorer in search of his lost shipmate and his own redemption. That pretty much sums it up. I thought it was a bit slow at times but overall really enjoyed this.

I had many thoughts about it but will start with a summary for everyone who hasn’t already seen my bullet list:

☠️ Queer arctic survivalist horror
☠️ In the past voyage, Day yearned for Stevens
☠️ In the present, Day yearns for Stevens but they haven’t talked for like 13 years
☠️ In the present, Day has to take STEVENS’ WIFE TO HELP FIND/RESCUE HIM
☠️ Also, so much cannibalism

Shoutout to @netgalley for providing an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review!

Consider the energy of taking your love interest’s wife into the Arctic to find her husband and also you’re still pining over him MORE THAN A DECADE LATER.

I loved this book, and it’s the same slow burn energy as All The White Spaces, which is the last queer Arctic survivalist horror book from @av_wilkes but this slow burn is definitely different.

This is a mystery and horror unfolding, learning of the past while witnessing parallels and changes in the present, it holds a very different type of suspense. Imagine the gayest pining you’ve ever even considered and then just ratchet it up 13 years worth of notches. And then like hold that and have it be, oh idk, vaguely haunting?

The number of gut punches this delivered, especially in the last hundred pages or so, was gasp-worthy and had me murmuring “oh no, oh no” and having to explain it all to my fiancée and I bless her patience as I explained timelines and triangles lol

I did struggle a bit with the organization in some places, like I had to flip back to make sure I was understanding scenes correctly, but given we’re in Day’s perspective, this totally makes sense.

This didn’t have me throwing the book across the room like All the White Spaces did (it broke my soul, ok) but I enjoyed the hell out of it. The story Stevens told Day will mess with me forever.

If you’re like me and you want GAYS in the ICE who would throw themselves to the ends of the earth for each other, go find Wilkes’ books!

@av_wilkes Keep it up cause you know I love it. Somehow we have the exact same niche interest 🤣🤣

3.5 stars. Where the Dead Wait, Ally Wilkes' second Polar gothic horror novel after last year's All the White Spaces, is a vividly atmospheric, slow-burning, unsettling story of self-discovery and redemption.

William Day's career as an Arctic explorer didn't turn out the way he'd hoped. Instead of returning a hero, he returned a disgraced, broken man after a failed expedition ending in cannibalism and utter desolation. Now, thirteen years later, Day's second in command from that failed expedition, Jesse Stevens, has gone missing in those same Arctic waters. Hoping for a chance to restore his reputation, Day agrees to lead a rescue expedition to search for Stevens. But nothing could prepare him for the mission's challenges. On the ship, Stevens's self-proclaimed spirit medium wife and a nosy reporter distract him from his responsibilities, while off the ship, on the frozen Arctic ice, something seems to be watching and waiting. And within Day himself, a struggle is taking place, as he attempts to reckon with his past and the ways it haunts his present.

Ally Wilkes is a deliberate, descriptive writer, with prose that reads like a novel written during the Victorian era, when her stories are set. In Where the Dead Wait, she fully immerses the reader in the Arctic setting, with evocative writing that creates a chilly, chilling, and claustrophobic atmosphere. This is a deeply psychological character study that delves into the effects of abandonment, isolation, and desperation on the human psyche, while also offering some genuinely unsettling moments of terror. Through William Day and Jesse Stevens, two complicated men with a complicated relationship, she explores themes surrounding survival and sexuality, regret and redemption, grief and ghosts.

Having read both of Wilkes's novels now, I think I can definitively say that her books require patience. Because she spends so much time setting the scene, it takes a while for the plot to get going. Where the Dead Wait is probably 75 or 100 pages longer than it really needs to be, but the payoff is worth it, with a spine-chilling conclusion I'm still thinking about long after finishing the book.

Although set at the opposite pole, Where the Dead Wait does share many similar plot points with All the White Spaces. It's clear that Wilkes excels at telling atmospheric Polar gothic stories, but I'd be interested to read other types of stories from her. Thanks to Atria/Emily Bestler Books for the complimentary reading opportunity.

I read several chapters of this novel and could not get into it as hard as I tried. I put it in a folder that allows me to return to it to see if I change my mind. I was attracted to the description, but then could not connect with it as it unfolded. I was not into the Captain who has a dark back story, the search for one of his former friends, the wife who is into seances. The only character I sort of liked was the orphan girl who left the place she was being raised and trained up to accompany the wife. Just couldn't get into the visions and dreams and so forth. I do think there are readers out there for this novel but unlikely I will finish it.