I have been striking out lately and ALL THE WHITE SPACES was a severe let down.

The intro to the book asks if I’ve locked my doors and turned on all the lights. I was ready and willing to be scared shitless by a historical fiction horror story. It did not deliver. If you’re going to hype yourself up with a “check under your bed” intro, I better wind up with fear-induced insomnia.

Instead, I got pages and pages and pages of a slog through an adventure story with a couple of creepy moments that did not stress me out in the least.

Honestly, I should have DNFed, but I was CONVINCED it would be worthwhile. ‘Twas not.

On a positive note, the writing was deeply atmospheric. I could feel the cold and the despair of this crew stranded in a brutal and unforgiving place.

I also appreciated having a trans MC who embraced the adventure to his core. However, many of the other characters were one dimensional and constantly making choices that seemed blatantly poor.

Had this book not gone so hard on setting itself up as a terrifying horror read, I might have enjoyed it more. The majority of the story was the adventure into The South and the disasters that occur to these adventurers. I wish it was being marketed as historical fiction with a creepy twist, rather than a heart-pounding horror story. Unfortunately, I feel like I was set up to fail with this one, which is just too bad.

3.5 Stars
I was excited to read this book and intrigued by the premise. Set in post WWI time, after losing both of his brothers to the war, Jonathan Morgan is trans and set to prove himself as a man and stows away on Th Fortitude, a ship bound for an Antarctic expedition led by James Australis Randall. But the icy, cold conditions in the Weddell sea (and possibly something more eerie) force the crew to abandon ship and face the challenges of survival in the bleak, snowy landscape. Then things start to go horribly wrong. The Germans have mysteriously disappeared from the refuge camp, tensions are high and people are starting to mention ghosts.

While I was intrigued by the story, this book took me a while to get into. Things happen slowly, and I didn't feel connected to the characters. About halfway through is when it picked up for me and I found myself drawn to finding out the direction of the story. Wilke's descriptions of the landscapes and conditions are beautiful and vivid, and what kept me mesmerized.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a solid horror, and one that I will recommend quite a lot. I loved the setting of 1920s expedition to Antarctica, the trans & queer representation, and the overall pacing of the story. I found myself on the edge of my seat and unable to put the book down. There was a huge cast of the expedition crew that was truly a feat to balance. I appreciated several subtle character arcs that also wove their way throughout the narrative. There were a couple times where I felt like the choices made weren't out of character agency and that kind of took me out of the story a little bit. However, it is an extremely well written debut novel and I am very interested in more books by the author! A huge thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books from Simon and Schuster for providing me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Some content notes to be aware of: physical violence, graphic body horror, amputation, death, murder, gun violence, & psychological manipulation.

Content warning: starvation, grief, gore, dead dogs

A polar expedition to the South Pole goes terribly and having a stowaway on board isn’t even one of the myriad problems plaguing the Fortitude. Jonathan Morgan is trans and grieving his brothers who he lost in the great war. Eager to take their place on the adventure to Antarctica, he hides out on the ship. Discovery isn’t his only problem. Things start going downhill very quickly as the ghosts from his past become everyone else’s terror as well.

Comparing this book to the show, The Terror, and Alma Katsu’s The Hunger with more queers is honestly the most perfect description.

Jonathan Morgan is my angry son with one of my favorite archetypes, and that is brotherhood as the basis of one’s gender. His grief and his feelings for his brothers are so layered, but mesh so well with the baser terror of trying to survive the Antarctic winter. It leads to character growth that doesn’t get undermined by the struggle against the elements and the endless darkness.

Wilkes has such a knack for atmosphere. It’s clear that much research was done for the physical sensations and the degradation of both supplies and mental state. The cold is palpable and the disorientation via sounds is absolutely frightening. The readers’ sense of grounding deteriorates quickly as the days wear on, with more uncertainty than the day that came before it.

The crew work so well as a unit of character, a representation of humanity against the wilderness. Everyone on the crew is haunted by something, be it past failures, their own secrets, or literal lost loved ones. The ghosts are some of the best parts of this novel. I love how grief is a literal ghostly presence rather than just a metaphor for mental collapse. It heightens the tension, speeding up the pace of the book despite how stuck the characters are in their icy prisons.

Terrifying, claustrophobic, despite this work taking place on the world’s largest expanse of ice.

I loved this book! It reminded me of the movie The Thing as well as this book The Dark by Emma Haughton. It was creepy, atmospheric and I found myself having to leave the lights on a few times. I have also seen it be compared to The Terror, by Dan Simmons, which is still on my TBR.

At the start of WW1, Jonathan Morgan is a determined to prove himself as a man. He decides to stow away in a ship bound on an expedition to Antarctica. Led by his hero James Randall, Jonathan is excited that he has the freedom to be himself.

At some point on the voyage the men need to disembark the ship. They land on a place that is creepy and strange and not marked on their maps. With no ability to call for help the crew is stranded in this isolated winter wasteland.

As the days and nights pass it gets colder and colder. The men begin to suspect something is watching them in the icy shadows. A supernatural force that knows their greatest fears, and preys upon their weakness.

I got chills reading this and chills again writing it.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc.

There is something innately terrifying about ice and snow. The unpredictable nature of sub-zero elements is not something I have a desire to experience. However, these circumstances can make for some cracking horror novels, such as Ally Wilkes’ brilliant debut, All The White Spaces.

Jonathan has lost his two older brothers to war. Bereft and bewildered, he embarks on a risky Antarctic expedition, in an attempt to maintain a connection to his brothers, who were obsessed with the frozen wilderness. However, the crew are forced to explore more of the area than intended. As things start to fall apart, and constant darkness looms, strange and inexplicable voices begin to draw men deeper into danger.

All the White Spaces is not a novel of unrelenting horror; this is an incredibly well-told story of loss, personal discovery, and the dangers of messing with unknown forces, both natural and supernatural. Wilkes masterfully builds a sense of dread and desperation. This a book of quiet terror, gradually dripping in from every crevice (or crevasse).

The character development in this novel is extraordinary. The central character of Jonathan is so well-defined, and so intriguing. I was so connected to his journey, in every sense of the word. Wilkes has created a wonderful, fading hero in Randall, the leader of the expedition, and an idol to Jonathan. My heart broke every time one of the crew was inevitably lost.

This is not just a great genre novel; this is a great literary novel. Once I started reading, this book only left my hands when it was taken from my frozen grip by my boss or family. Wilkes has created a story so vivid, it’s almost inescapable.

For fans of The Terror, and to a lesser extent The Thing, this is your new favorite book.

1918 In the aftermath of WWI- after losing both brothers in the war Jonathan Morgan, with the help of his friend Harry, stows away on an Antarctic expedition led by world-famous explorer James “Australis” Randall. Jonathan hopes to finally live his life, having the adventures that he and his brothers always dreamed of but that he was denied due to his true gender. When disaster strikes, the crew must seek shelter on land in order to survive the winter. Completely isolated with no chance of rescue, the crew finds an abandoned shelter...their only chance at survival. The crew quickly realizes that something is wrong...as the aurora lights creep across the sky, in the freezing darkness of the Polar night; something waits to lure them to their death.

All the White Spaces is an epic and horrifying novel about an adventure on an Antarctic expedition. As if the horrors of sailing frozen waters in the 1900’s weren’t frightening enough, the novel adds an additional level of fear with a paranormal element that lies in wait for stranded sailors. I have to be honest and say that I struggled a bit getting through this novel and I don't really know why. Jonathan's character was unexpected as a young woman, who identifies as male, decides to board an all-male crew aboard a ship headed to a remote and very dangerous locale. Reading about the frozen polar landscape had me bundling up in a blanket each night as I read. The novel maintains a tense, suspenseful, and dark theme throughout. I will also note that there are some events that were very graphic as the crew members become sick or injured with limited medical supplies...as you can imagine. I would recommend this novel to those who enjoy interesting but flawed characters, isolated and frozen landscapes, the horrors associated with sailing ships (1900's), and paranormal elements.

My thanks to Ally Wilkes, Atria and Netgally.
I really have no clue how I should rate this book.
It's everything that I love in these books. Cold, dark, supernatural and all kinds of messed up! ✔ Check
I loved how the "ghosts" came into play.
Especially at that historical time. WWI. Everyone must have had "ghosts."
It was just incredibly difficult for me to like any of these people.
Unfortunately, about the last 40% is when I started liking the main character "Jonathan" more. I blamed him from the Georgia Island about Harry. I finally let that go!
I found most of the ending satisfying. But, that's only with a few huge caveats. As in..so now what?
What happens to these fantastic character's after?
4* story. 3 1/2 ending. I'll round up, but that's subject to change. This story is going to stick with me for awhile.

A brief synopsis: After losing both his brothers in World War I, Jonathan is determined to shed his former identity and fulfill a lifelong desire he and his brothers shared to explore Antarctica. Aided by his childhood friend, Harry, Jonathan stows away on an expedition led by James “Australis” Randall. Plagued by misfortune and unnatural weather, Jonathan and the rest of the crew soon realize they’re being hunted by something malevolent which preys on their deepest regrets and fears.

I love survival horror, but polar horror is next level. You think surviving when you’re lost in the woods is hard? Try surviving when it's sixty below zero and dark 24/7. Try surviving when the winds are howling so loudly you can’t hear your own breathing, and you’re running low on food, trapped, with nowhere to go…

Did I make you shiver? Well, if this seems like your jam, then you absolutely have to read Ally Wilkes’ debut novel, All the White Spaces.

In Jonathan, Wilkes creates a compelling character you feel for as he reckons with the elements, his own grief and guilt, and the constricting social and gender norms of the early twentieth century. The reader can’t help but root for Jonathan every step of the way, even when he makes mistakes. The other secondary characters are well-drawn, though I did sometimes lose track of the tertiary and minor characters.

I’ve read a lot of fiction and nonfiction about polar exploration, especially the grueling quest to reach the South Pole and the disastrous hunt for the Northwest Passage. I remember falling asleep as a kid listening to Ernest Shackleton’s account of his South Pole expedition on audiobook. One of the things that first impressed me about Wilkes’ book is the level of detail which is reminiscent of these firsthand accounts. You can tell that at least months (and probably years) of research went into every chapter of this novel. Her descriptions of the voyage, clothing, and climate made the first half of the book feel like it was a nonfiction account of a polar voyage, not a novel.

Then, the twist comes, and the narrative shifts from voyage to survival. The days darken as polar winter sets in, and the supernatural threat which has been lurking in the background creeps closer and closer to center stage. I don’t want to give too much away, so I’ll stop here.

This book is strongly recommended to anyone who loves horror, especially survival horror with a supernatural twist. It’s fast-paced, character-driven, and well-researched. Chapter by chapter, the claustrophobic dread increases. I plowed through it in a few days, and plan on reading it again after it’s published.

I was given an ARC of All the White Spaces by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

352 pages

4 and 1 / 2 stars

There is much in this story. It is a horror story that also focuses on the trauma of post WWI survivors. Jonathan Morgan has survived the deaths of both of his elder brothers. Torn apart by bombs. Many of the others on the voyage to the Antarctic are survivors also. The captain James “Australis” Randall lost his son. The others have lost brothers, sons and good friends.

Jonathan begs friend Harry Cooper to take him on the journey, sailing on the purpose-built ship. The ship was designed by Australis himself. Australis is a legendary, and fictional, character who has made two trips to Antarctica and returned, losing no one. Harry finally gives in and Jonathan stows away in the cargo hold. When finally discovered, Australis decides to keep him on the expedition.

As they close in on the continent, things begin to go wrong. The dogs are unsettled, the men are bickering and Australis is acting decidedly unlike himself.

Jonathan works very hard, gradually becoming accepted by the rest of the crew. Then a fire breaks out on the ship as they get close to shore. The men abandon ship.

Australis is certain that the lost expedition of Germans who left port two years earlier must still be alive and sets out with the crew to find them. Three of the team mutiny, and head back to the burned out ship. Shots are heard later that night.

The main party locates the cabins of the German team. No one is there. The German flag still flies above the main building. The men settle in and the infighting still continues. The men begin to see things. Jonathan sees his brothers Francis and Rufus. They want him to follow them. But that would be certain death. He realizes he is seeing things. And he is not the only one.

Things go from bad to worse. (Enter gender politics.)

The men are beset by visions. Australis makes some very bad decisions. One by one, the men are picked off. Convinced by the “beings” to enter the blizzards shedding their clothes along the way, and egged on by the Aurora Borealis.

This is an action/horror novel. What is hectoring the men? Where did it come from? Is it just hallucinations, or are the creatures real?

The struggle to survive the horror seems insurmountable. The remaining men struggle on. The number of survivors is dwindling.

This is a well written and plotted novel. It cruises along at a fair speed and has plenty of action. The reader cannot help but like Jonathan. A young man who keeps his secrets close to his chest. He grows up quite a bit on this journey. He learns a great deal about himself.

I want to thank NetGalley and Atria Books: Atria/Emily Bestler Books for forwarding to me a copy of this very good book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed here are solely my own.

Ally Wilkes has created a great new polar horror novel! All the White Spaces chronicles the fictional Antarctic expedition of the Fortitude, led by the famous polar explorer James "Australis" Randall (a sort-of Shackleton stand-in). Reeling from the loss of both his older brothers in WWI, our main character Jonathan Morgan stows away in the ship's belly, eager to visit the continent that his brothers once dreamed of exploring. As the Fortitude plunges deeper south, the crew begins to unravel. Plagued by trauma, tragedy, and suspicion, the expedition finds itself crumbling under the stress of the desolate Antarctic landscape and the malevolent presence of an untold horror.

All the White Spaces is more than a novel of the Antarctic -- it is a meditation on the profound individual and collective loss felt in the wake of the Great War. The barren ice-covered terrain reflects the anxiety and isolation of the shell-shocked veterans and the loved ones left behind in the aftermath of massive warfare. As Jonathan struggles to resist the call of the ominous presence he senses under the frenetic pulsing of the aurora australis, he also attempts to assert his identity among an expedition of more experienced men.

4/5: Anyone who (like me) loves polar exploration in both history and fiction should definitely check this one out. The added layers of identity and personal loss supplement this mysterious, chilly story of Antarctic revenge. I found certain passages more compelling than others; maybe the pacing didn't fully click with me. However, I really enjoyed this and can see fans of Michelle Paver's Dark Matter, Dan Simmons' The Terror, and anything about Shackleton finding this novel a worthwhile read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Atria Books I seriously could give you the biggest hug!

Once I read the summary for All the White Spaces by Ally Wilkes I knew this had to be added to my wild lost of TBR list!
Because lets be honest who doesn't love a fabulous horror novel!?
I'm there for the damn thing! Just saying!

Here we are thrown into the First World War!
Jonathan ventures away on a Antarctic expedition.
And he is hell bent on finding his way and place in a world of men.
He is on bored on the exploitative ship of his hero the amazing famous explorer James “Australis” Randall.
Jonathan wants to be his true self, his true gender and have the the best adventure he's always dreamed of doing but has been denied doing so!
But not all is what is seems here.... The war is taking its toll on them all.... Anger, grief and apprehension lurk among them.

When tragedy hits on the Antarctica’s icy Weddell Sea, These men have to find land and hole-up some place.
Which instantly seems spooky and weird.... This place isn't marked anywhere on the map.
Now they are utterly secluded. And worst of all they have no way of contacting anyone.
No one will come rescue them!
Now in this icy Polar night something horrendous wants to pull them out into it's fatal land!
As the intense winter starts the Ethereal force starts to target on their private thoguths!
And starts picking them off one after the other!
Jonathan has to subdue his own ghosts before everything is completely ruined!

I felt this to be a very compelling and imaginative story!
Ally really did a great job here and held my attention with every last detail here!
Looooved the setting, the atmosphere and the mystery.
Found the whole thing incredibly intriguing and creepy!
This is I normally wouldn't have picked up but dang I'm so happy I did!
Amazing job Ally!
4.5 stars

Thank you Publisher, NetGalley and Ally for this advanced ebook!
I will post to my platforms closer to pub date!