🩸 Horror Fiction

The Cost of Living

✍️ Emilie Lucadamo
Reader Score
4.4
(1 review)
$13.99
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A college student returns from the dead and must stop an evil force with magical help.

Lucadamo writes a modern horror novel where resurrection carries a deadly price. Beck Murray wakes up six months after his death, facing a world that believes he is gone. His journey shifts from personal confusion to survival as friends become targets. The presence of a witch and a bookshop owner introduces magical elements into the conflict. The story focuses on the immediate threat of being dragged back to the grave. It examines the consequences of breaking natural laws regarding death.

Key Themes
resurrection horror supernatural evil college student protagonist
Literary Context

This 2019 release from Ninestar Press, LLC targets American readers interested in contemporary supernatural fiction. The story is set in a modern context involving college life and urban mystery. It blends traditional horror tropes with modern occult elements like witchcraft.

Difficulty
● Easy
Recommended For Fans Of
Clive Barker · Joe Hill · Neil Gaiman
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 Ninestar Press, LLC 📅 2019 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781950412273

📝 Description: The Cost of Living

Emilie Lucadamo presents a supernatural thriller centered on Beck Murray, a college student who awakens in a stranger’s apartment after being dead for six months. The narrative begins with Beck reading his own obituary, leaving him with no memory of his death or resurrection. He initially believes his primary task is to explain his return to his grieving family and friends. This assumption quickly proves false as an invisible evil targets him and his circle. A persistent darkness follows Beck through every step he takes in his new existence. He lacks the understanding necessary to combat this threat, which endangers everyone around him. The story expands when Beck discovers he is not the only individual to have returned from death. With assistance from a young witch and a mysterious bookshop owner, Beck must confront the malevolent force plaguing him. The plot demands that he overcome this evil before it claims his life again and drags his loved ones into the grave alongside him. This work appeals to readers who enjoy contemporary horror with elements of magic and mystery. It may not suit those seeking historical gothic settings or pure psychological thrillers devoid of supernatural intervention. The narrative structure relies on Beck’s gradual realization of the dangers surrounding his resurrection. The text draws upon traditions of the undead returning to the mortal plane, blending academic life with occult threats. Lucadamo structures the plot around Beck’s interactions with those who can help him understand his condition. The story moves from personal confusion to a broader supernatural conflict involving multiple resurrections.

💎 Our verdict on The Cost of Living

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Lucadamo delivers a tight, contemporary horror narrative that effectively merges the undead genre with magical realism. The premise of Beck Murray waking up six months post-mortem creates immediate tension and mystery. The book succeeds in establishing high stakes by focusing on the invisible evil targeting Beck and his friends, ensuring a relentless sense of dread. While it lacks deep historical gothic settings, its modern approach offers a fresh take on resurrection tropes. The integration of a witch and a mysterious bookshop owner adds necessary depth to the conflict without overwhelming the core survival horror elements. This work is best suited for readers who prefer active supernatural threats over passive psychological studies. It provides a clear, engaging path through the consequences of breaking natural laws, making it a solid choice for fans of dark fantasy and immediate peril.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who enjoy modern supernatural thrillers with a focus on the immediate, visceral dangers of resurrection will find this narrative compelling. The story offers a tense exploration of the price paid for defying death, appealing to those fascinated by the intersection of magic and horror. Fans of characters who must navigate a world that no longer recognizes them will appreciate Beck Murray’s struggle for survival. The inclusion of mystical allies provides a unique dynamic compared to standard zombie tales. It is ideal for audiences seeking a fast-paced plot that emphasizes the threat to loved ones rather than historical gothic atmosphere or pure psychological ambiguity without supernatural intervention.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4
Based on 1 reviews
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Horror Reads editorial team

Lucadamo delivers a tight, contemporary horror narrative that effectively merges the undead genre with magical realism. The premise of Beck Murray waking up six months post-mortem creates immediate tension and mystery. The book succeeds in establishing high stakes by focusing on the invisible evil targeting Beck and his friends, ensuring a relentless sense of dread. While it lacks deep historical gothic settings, its modern approach offers a fresh take on resurrection tropes. The integration of a witch and a mysterious bookshop owner adds necessary depth to the conflict without overwhelming the core survival horror elements. This work is best suited for readers who prefer active supernatural threats over passive psychological studies. It provides a clear, engaging path through the consequences of breaking natural laws, making it a solid choice for fans of dark fantasy and immediate peril.

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