3.0 

Kayak

By Kristal Stittle
Kayak by Kristal Stittle digital book - Fable

Publisher Description

For eighteen-year-old Keith-floating alone on a series of lakes and rivers, lost and without supplies-his kayak is his means of survival. Solid ground means certain death at the scissor-claws of vicious invading creatures.  

What he needs is to find more people; but terrible guilt anchors him in solitude. A year earlier, when the creatures first appeared, it was Keith's choices that brought disaster to the island community that took him in.

Now, it's time to take responsibility for his actions, heal his scars, and survive.

Told in two alternating timelines, Kayak is a story of family, the strength we draw from others, and the strength we learn to draw from ourselves.

"Impressive and gripping."

  • Sonora Taylor, Without Condition

"A riveting, fast-paced, genre-blending story. Readers will have a lot of fun with this one."

  • Laura Cranehill, Wife Shaped Bodies

"An original and surprising apocalyptic tale."

  • David Moody, Autumn, Hater

"Hypnotically suffocating and immersive. I caught myself holding my breath on a few occasions."

  • J.Krawczyk, It Looks Like Dad

"Deceptively unsettling, smart survival horror...grips you by the throat and [doesn't] let go."

  • Max Booth III, I Believe in Mister Bones

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Kayak Reviews

3.0
“The world building in this story was definitely a highlight. The concept of the Dirt Devils is genuinely terrifying, and the idea of surviving by staying on water or small islands was such a cool twist on the typical apocalyptic setup. There’s a lot of potential in that premise and I appreciated how it shaped the characters survival strategies. It adds a unique layer to the danger since the land isn’t safe that alone creates a constant underlying dread. I did find that the pacing felt a bit uneven, especially in the present day sections. At times it slowed the momentum in a way that pulled me out of the story. I also found myself wanting more direct interaction with the Dirt Devils. For creatures that unsettling I would’ve loved to see them take a more active role to really amplify the horror elements. It’s a solid YA apocalyptic read with a strong concept and some genuinely eerie ideas, it just left me wishing it leaned a little further into the horror.”
“Told through two alternating timelines of past and present, Kayak follows a teenage boy named Keith as he struggles to survive after Earth is invaded by vicious creatures known as Dirt Devils. These intelligent predators burst from the ground and devour anything on land, but water repels them. As a result, humanity is forced to retreat to lakes, islands, and boats in a desperate attempt to survive. Cramped and alone in his kayak, Keith scavenges for supplies by looting lakeside cottages during rainstorms, and hoping he’ll encounter other survivors rather than fall prey to the Dirt Devils’ scissor-like claws. The novel starts off strong. I especially enjoyed the “Then” chapters, which show Keith spending time with his friends, the mounting dread surrounding the meteor, and the panic that ultimately leaves him isolated. The overall world-building is immersive, atmospheric, and at times claustrophobic. Every time Keith leaves the safety of his kayak to scavenge or sneak past the Dirt Devils, the tension is palpable. The creatures themselves are well done and very cool - slightly reminiscent of Tremors, but with limbs. However, there were a few things that didn’t work for me, like their weakness to water? It just wasn’t the most convincing choice. Why would they invade a planet that’s mostly water? It inevitably brought the movie Signs to mind 😅. Still, this vulnerability is what makes the novel’s water-based survival concept work, so I understood the logic behind it. Unfortunately, the present-day chapters begin to drag after a while. The pacing becomes repetitive, with several mundane stretches where very little happens. This is very much a slow-burn, and I found myself wishing for more action involving the monsters. I was also hoping for a different ending, the conclusion felt a bit too neatly wrapped up for my taste. While Kayak wasn’t especially memorable overall, I did enjoy certain aspects, particularly the creature design and atmosphere. I’d recommend this to readers who enjoy slow-building, post-apocalyptic YA horror that focuses on guilt, responsibility, and survival. Many thank to Tenebrous Press for an ARC of this title.”

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