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THE WAY UP IS DEATH

Cover for THE WAY UP IS DEATH.jpg

Coming January 2025

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.

"Cleverly blending science fiction, fantasy, and horror, Hanks (Swashbucklers) uses a video game format to probe the nature of humanity in all its glory and gore. [He] punctuates each level with displays of the best and worst human qualities: fear, logic, betrayal, sympathy, sacrifice. The pages fly by through all the humor, social commentary, and suspense."

 

- Publishers Weekly STARRED REVIEW 

"New to Dan Hanks? 'The Way Up Is Death' elevates him to 'must buy.' Inventive, heart-stopping, riotous, and horrifying, this is unlike anything you've ever read."

 

- David Green, The British Fantasy Society

“A mindfuckery that blends scifi, fantasy and horror together to create a heart-pounding and unexpectedly emotional story.”

 

- Nils Shukla, The Fantasy Hive

"Like the unholy offspring of Cube and Hellraiser, The Way Up Is Death is a mind-bending blend of horror, sci-fi, and the human condition that will leave you battered and bruised but hungry for more." 

 

- Jim Mcleod, Ginger Nuts of Horror

“Dan Hanks' character-driven novel makes you feel like a participant in a terrorizing, action-filled video game—only you're not in control, and all you can do is sit back and watch!”

 

- Catherine Jordan, The Horror Tree

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