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Travis M. Riddle
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The Narrows Kindle Edition

by Travis M. Riddle (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 out of 5 stars 125 ratings
"Riddle’s intricate worldbuilding and familiar but strong narrative arc sustain fear throughout. ... Fans of eerie tales will easily fall into this one." - Publishers Weekly

"I can show you how to enter the Narrows to find what you seek."

Oliver and his friends have returned to their hometown of Shumard, Texas for the funeral of their close friend Noah. They each grapple with the loss in their own ways, trying to understand the strange circumstances of their friend's unexpected death.

While visiting the site where the body was found, Oliver stumbles across a chilling discovery that he knows must be related to what happened to Noah. Wanting to protect his friends from these newfound horrors, Oliver takes it upon himself to venture into the grotesque otherworld known as the Narrows to learn what happened to his friend and find a way to bring him back.

Entering the Narrows is one thing, but will whatever he finds there allow him to leave?
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  1. Print length
    258 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    October 23, 2018
  5. File size
    893 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Although it is, essentially, a horror story, this book also contains a lovely story of friendship ... I actually can't think of a single thing I didn't like about this book. Read it." - The Story Collector"A horror story that combines a myriad of components to create a compelling, imaginative, and highly entertaining story ... strong and in-depth, complex friendships between different characters." - Forever Lost in Literature

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07JD6583K
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 23, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 893 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 258 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 125 ratings

About the author

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Travis M. Riddle

Travis M. Riddle

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TRAVIS M. RIDDLE lives with his pooch in Austin, TX, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in English Writing & Rhetoric at St. Edward’s University. His work has been published in award-winning literary journal the Sorin Oak Review.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
125 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a satisfying contemporary fantasy story that feels like a quick read, with relatable characters and smooth writing. They appreciate its creativity, with one customer highlighting its unique concept.

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Story qualityRelatabilityReadabilityWriting qualityCreativity
16 customers mention "Story quality"16 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy this contemporary fantasy story, finding it satisfying and incredibly relatable, with one customer noting how the horror elements are beautifully woven into the narrative.

"...in the story are balanced, they blend naturally with the poignant internal struggles Oliver experiences and the heart-warming interactions he has..." Read more

"...Though it has some horror elements, I would only categorize a few scenes as explicitly “horror”, while the rest is more of an atmospheric feeling of..." Read more

"This is a book about friendships as you age, grief, and a hidden supernatural world. This book really nailed all of these areas...." Read more

"...and thats the most relatable part of the book and where the story at its strongest...." Read more

10 customers mention "Relatability"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the characters in the book relatable, with one customer specifically noting the deep emotional pain experienced by the characters.

"...Riddle's ability to create interesting and believable characters is amazing. I cared about Oliver, Sophie and Davontae from the opening pages...." Read more

"...the characterization of these three friends, as well as supporting characters in the story, that really were this book’s highlight for me...." Read more

"...The interactions between these characters feel real and really draws you into to caring about them...." Read more

"...I also do have to say that it was very descriptive, it was easy to imagine the characters, what they looked like, the scenery, etc...." Read more

8 customers mention "Readability"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy and enjoyable to read, with one customer noting how much content is packed into relatively few pages.

"I very much enjoyed The Narrows. It manages so much in relatively few pages...." Read more

"The Narrows is a quick, fairly short standalone that tells the story of a group of friends returning to the small town they grew up in for a funeral...." Read more

"I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a pretty easy read and I was able to get through it fast because I didn’t want to stop reading...." Read more

"...The second area has to do with pacing. The novel is not overly long, but there were sections where Oliver was remembering something from the past..." Read more

5 customers mention "Writing quality"5 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, describing it as beautifully and smoothly written.

"...Nitpicks aside, the writing was very smooth and successfully sets the tone for the story...." Read more

"...The protagonists here are well drawn and believable...." Read more

"...Author writes very detailed, believable characters as well." Read more

"...Beautifully written, especially since horror is an extremely hard genre to write!" Read more

4 customers mention "Creativity"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the creativity of the book, with one describing it as a stunning read.

"...It manages so much in relatively few pages. Riddle's ability to create interesting and believable characters is amazing...." Read more

"...Very cool, very creepy!" Read more

"A stunning read from a brilliant author!" Read more

"A unique and satisfying contemporary fantasy story..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Tim Simmons
    5.0 out of 5 stars a remarkable short read
    Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I very much enjoyed The Narrows. It manages so much in relatively few pages. Riddle's ability to create interesting and believable characters is amazing. I cared about Oliver, Sophie and Davontae from the opening pages. The horror elements in the story are balanced, they blend naturally with the poignant internal struggles Oliver experiences and the heart-warming interactions he has with his friends.

    I wouldn't miss this because horror "isn't your thing." You will be shaken more by what the book evokes in you as the theme is explored so skillfully through fantasy. There are multiple comic interludes that are truly a joy to experience, you never feel under siege by what is ultimately a sad story. This is the kind of book that transports you to a place that is unfamiliar but not bizarre.

    I can't think of a better way to spend some airport time or a quiet weekend at home then to travel to Shumard, Texas with some great new friends and a story that will keep you thinking long after you've put it down.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Kel
    4.0 out of 5 stars A unique and satisfying contemporary fantasy story
    Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    The Narrows is a quick, fairly short standalone that tells the story of a group of friends returning to the small town they grew up in for a funeral. The writing is fairly polished, aside from the occasional odd phrasing. I have only a mild complaint about how many plates of food were described in these 200 pages. Nitpicks aside, the writing was very smooth and successfully sets the tone for the story. The mystery of The Narrows is introduced fairly early, and yet no real action on that front happens until after the halfway point of the book. Though it seems like that would make for a rather slow start, I was actually surprised to discover I was that far along. The characters were so real and engaging to me that I didn’t mind that so much of the story was unrelated to the supernatural events.

    The Narrows takes place in a small town in Texas where our main characters grew up together. The town is cozy and presented with lots of nostalgia from our characters, noting the park where they used to hang out and the neighborhoods where friends lived, as well as new additions that feel out-of-place and foreign. The author does an excellent job of conveying these feelings through the characters, making them very relatable. It’s easy to parallel one’s own hometown nostalgia with the characters’ simple observations. However, this small town also hides an alternate reality of sorts, which our main character discovers quite accidentally. This alternate reality is called The Narrows, and is home to strange and frightening creatures. This is where the horror elements are born.

    Oliver is our main character, and we follow his perspective as he and his two friends, Davontae and Sophia, return to their hometown to bury their childhood friend, Noah. All three friends are very different people, who have gone their own ways in life but remained close friends. This story leads the reader to explore many ideas about what it means and what it takes to remain friends with one’s childhood group into adulthood. It is the characterization of these three friends, as well as supporting characters in the story, that really were this book’s highlight for me.

    This would best be categorized as small scale story, I think, and I would recommend it to those looking foremost for a story about characters. Though it has some horror elements, I would only categorize a few scenes as explicitly “horror”, while the rest is more of an atmospheric feeling of eeriness. Ultimately, this book is a story about its characters, their friendship, and dealing with the loss of one of their own. If you're looking for a unique contemporary fantasy story about some characters that you'll feel you know personally, check out The Narrows.
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  • Kyle Dougherty
    5.0 out of 5 stars “Like Stranger Things but with adults. Also Mario Kart.” 5/5
    Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    This is a book about friendships as you age, grief, and a hidden supernatural world. This book really nailed all of these areas. I honestly would have read a version of this book without the supernatural elements, the other parts feel that strong. The author's description of the world of the Narrows just adds that much more.

    The story takes place around the main character Oliver as him and his friends gather back in their hometown to mourn the loss of a childhood friend they had grown apart from. Oliver spends most of his time in the story with his best friends Davontae and Sophia. The interactions between these characters feel real and really draws you into to caring about them.

    Oliver as a character is someone I really connected with. His thoughts of grief and how he reflected on relationships he neglected hit home for me. Through his thoughts and reactions, I could clearly remember being in the same spot in my own life. The additional touch of coming back to a town you grew up in but moved away from did wonders to combine our experiences.

    The last part of this book is the supernatural aspect. I ended up enjoying this part of the book more than I thought I would but felt we could have started to explore these aspects a bit earlier. It isn’t until later in the book that you really get into the meat of this alternative plane called The Narrows.

    Overall, I love this book and would recommend it to anyone. If you are a fan of stranger things and supernatural urban fantasy I would recommend it even more.
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  • William
    3.0 out of 5 stars A book about grief and friendship
    Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    But very little horror. It's a book more for people who don't like horror stories, and that's not a bad thing. There is a lot to say about how the characters deal with the trauma of their late friends suicide and thats the most relatable part of the book and where the story at its strongest. But if you're looking for something more nightmare inducing, this isn't it.
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  • Murray’s
    5.0 out of 5 stars 10/10 Recommend
    Reviewed in the United States on October 29, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a pretty easy read and I was able to get through it fast because I didn’t want to stop reading. I’ve re-read it twice now and both times I’ve loved reading it and breezed right through it. Some of the elements reminded me of Stranger Things in a way (I don’t want to be that person to compare, but it gave those vibes). I enjoyed the horror elements to it, it was done very well. I also do have to say that it was very descriptive, it was easy to imagine the characters, what they looked like, the scenery, etc. I’d recommend this to a friend (I actually have already and I’d do it again), and you should too if you liked it and read it. Travis is a great author and I’m excited to read more of his work, especially after reading this novel.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Charlotte
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!
    Reviewed in Canada on March 31, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I loved this book! It had such vivid imagery and enjoyable characters! It ends on a cliffhanger and I love that! I have no complaints!
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