“There’s a lot of history here in the region, and where there’s a lot of history somewhere, you can be sure you’ll find a lot of tragedy. And where there’s a lot of tragedy, there always seem to be a lot of ghosts— or at least stories about them.”


Steven James is one of my go-to authors for good suspense thrillers. I’ve read the vast majority of his books including the Patrick Bowers series and the Travis Brock series— both excellent.

Rift, though, is a departure from his MO. At least in terms of content and genre.

The website for this trilogy describes this as a ‘young adult folklore horror’ novel.

It’s set in the Appalachian mountains and, having visited that area multiple times, James definitely captures the Smoky Mountain folklore vibes and mystery.

The main character is a teenage girl which is also different than he normally writes (adult male). I thought that was an interesting change, but good for him for branching out. He does give credit to a few females in the acknowledgements who helped him ‘get into’ the mind of a teenage girl. I thought he did a pretty good job with that as well.

This book is less about suspense and more about supernatural creepiness. Not necessarily in the evil, dark, demonic sense, as much as the evil, fantasy world sense.



Basic Premise

The story begins with the tragic death of Sahara’s dad who drowned when his car went off the icy road he was driving on to go after Sahara following a fight they had. It was a life-altering moment for Sahara. Not just to lose her father, but words were said and truths revealed that also drove a wedge between her and her mom.

Her mother, struggling deeply with the grief of her husband’s death, sends Sahara from Wisconsin to live with her grandmother in Tennessee.

While working at her new job at the library she discovers a blocked off area in the basement that used to serve as a holding area for coffins (corpses) back when the library was a train station and they needed a cold dry place to store bodies in between train rides.

Even though Sahara knows she has an overactive imagination (“a polyphiloprogenitive mind” for anyone who wants a new word to use), she is convinced there was some sort of other being in that dark, haunted room with her. A ‘thin place’ where another realm bumps up into our reality. Perhaps even a portal to this other world where something may be trying to cross over.

Things get more real when Sahara, a rather good story-teller, sees these ghost stories manifesting themselves in her world. With the help of some friends from school, they investigate and try to somehow close the ‘rift.’



Though a seemingly simplistic plot, there are some deeper threads woven into this adventure.

First, we continue to walk with Sahara as she grieves and remembers her dad and carries the guilt of their last conversation. All the what ifs that led to her loss and drove her away from her mom.

“What do you do when you can’t pick up the pieces of a broken life but also can’t seem to move on without them?”

“I’m both, somehow, at the same time: the billowing sail and the sinking ship. Somehow, I feel like I am heading toward the future while also being dragged down by the past.”

She is in an identity crisis looking for a place to belong, a place to be loved. So we explore grief, family, friendship/found family.

“Tragic stuff happening to you doesn’t change who you are. It just reveals who you are underneath. The real you.”


Second, we have the concept of story. Stories handed down. Stories written down. What do stories do, what are they for? How do stories grow and change?

Steven James has written a few non-fiction books where he explores story. I’ve always appreciated his deep thinking and the way he incorporates that into his books.

Here are a few quotes from this book:

“We turn our pain into narrative so we can bear it; we turn our ecstasy into narrative so we can prolong it. We tell our stories to live.”— John Shea

“Stories are perennials. They’ll keep flowering as long as they’re told and retold and allowed to grow in the wild.”

“Some doors were never meant to be opened. Some tales were never meant to be told.”

Sahara earns herself the nickname ‘Zod’ which in a roundabout way comes from the story of 1001 Arabian Nights. The story is told in the book so I won’t spoil it if you don’t already know it but in the story Scheherazade (see: Sahara-zade to Zod) is a heroic storyteller.

James recognizes and incorporates the biblical truth of self-sacrifice that is so common in story:

“‘I’m guessing your story’s climax required a valiant choice or a selfless act, because ‘happily ever after’ always comes at a cost.’”

Love always costs us something.

This is brought up in terms of a ‘good story’ and then is part of Rift as the book climaxes and Sahara is faced with her own valiant choice or selfless act. It is also what leaves this book on a cliffhanger!



I thought these two quotes were thought-provoking and may make good discussion topics:

“Love hurts because to love someone you have to give away part of yourself and— obviously— you suffer when you lose them. And you do all of this willingly. But love is essential, so maybe it is torture— the kind that keeps us alive, gives us a reason for living.”

“If the choice costs nothing, it means nothing.”



A note on the ‘creepiness’ factor of the book: If you’re used to reading horror or a bit gruesome novels, what’s in here probably won’t even make you flinch. If you are apprehensive about what that means in this story I will say it’s not over the top but there are a couple ‘ghost stories’ that are told that involve “skin and hair and teeth and blood in the closet”.

There are also talk of elementals and changelings. Of elementals, it is said,

“They’re like livin’ shadows, formless and hungry and bent on causin’ nothing but pain and suffering. Some people say they feed on fear and tears and the dread of children.”

There are definitely moments that will make you scrunch up your nose or feel creeped out. So if any of that kind of thing makes you uncomfortable, this probably isn’t the book for you. If you like some creepiness or ghostly elements, then you will probably enjoy this.

Now if you’re looking for extreme levels of horror, you also won’t find that here. It’s a good in-between.

Considering how this book left off, I’m guessing there is ‘more where that came from’ coming down the line in book two, as well. It’s the theme of the series.



A note on the local delicacy of using Goo Goo Clusters to make smores: we are headed to Tenneesse in August and we may need to try this treat while we spend a week in the Smokies!



A note on the publication: I see there aren’t many reviews for the book even though it published last December. I’m not sure if this didn’t get the same kind of marketing as his other books or if his usual audience was unsure about this diversion from the norm. I’m also a bit confused because it looks like the second book was supposed to come out in April but I can’t find it or any information on it. Just an overall odd rabbit trail Steven James has found himself on.



Recommendation

If you enjoy Steven James and aren’t afraid of a little ghost story, I would definitely recommend.

If you prefer Steven James’ typical type of thriller this may not scratch the itch for you.

If you avoid all things supernatural/creepy/teeth and bones, then by all means, avoid this book as well.

If you say- ‘the more guts and demons, the merrier’ then this is also not going to scratch your itch.

Like I mentioned, this is a new type of book coming from Steven James so I’m not entirely sure what to expect going forward in the series, but if I can find the others, I plan to see what happens to Sahara and the rift!


**Received an ARC via NetGalley**

[Content Advisory: no swearing or sexual content; ‘ghosts’ or supernatural beings are part of the story and some stories told within are a bit gruesome]

This story had a lot of promise and I was super excited about it because of the location - The Appalachia. However, I got almost halfway through this book before anything had really happened, and even then it was one creepy encounter in the basement of the library. I really wanted to persist, but I was struggling a lot with the pacing being basically non-existent. I also found that it was more telling than showing which kept throwing me out of the story as well. I'm hoping to pick it back up again at some point, but I don't know that it will happen.

Rift is a fast-paced YA horror with an intriguing premise — a hidden corridor in a library basement leads 17-year-old Sahara into a world where stories come terrifyingly to life. The Appalachian setting adds a nice eerie vibe, and the horror elements had some genuinely chilling moments.

I liked Sahara as a main character, especially as she dealt with grief and grew more confident over the course of the story. That said, the pacing felt uneven, and some plot points were a little hard to follow — I’m hoping things will click more in the sequel.

It’s definitely a fun, spooky read for younger YA fans or anyone who loves stories with creepy folklore and mysterious libraries. I’ll be keeping an eye out for book two!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC — opinions are my own.

Rift, by American author Steven James, is Book One of the Rift Trilogy, which is set in the Appalachian Mountains. This is one of the most biodiverse places in North America, boasting a rich tapestry of flora and fauna. As showcased in Elizabeth Gilbert's 2002 book The Last American Man, the people here are known for their self-reliance, resilience, and connection to nature.

The isolation of traditional life in these mountainous communities led to the development of distinctive myths and superstitions. The X-Files features many episodes based on Appalachian folklore, while local legends such as Bigfoot and Mothman persist until today. Equally fascinating is the quirky history of the town of Erwin in Eastern Tennessee, where Rift is set.

The YA novel's first-person narrator, 17-year-old Sahara, relocated from Wisconsin to Tennessee after the tragic death of her father. Estranged from her mother and now living with her grandmother, Sahara feels despondent, tormented by grief and guilt. Her only consolation is reading, imagining and telling all sorts of stories.

While working at the local library, Sahara discovers a rift into the realm of lore. Life in her quiet small town suddenly turns upside down as some of the most haunting stories she has heard and shared become reality, with unexpected twists. Soon she finds herself confronting nightmarish entities that threaten to overtake the world.

The novel's major flaw is its uneven pacing. The first half of the story is frustratingly meandering, its wording often tedious and repetitive. It feels like the author tries to be impactful by filling out the pages, but ends up making Sahara constantly wallow in self-pity and self-induced overthinking and worrying.

With that said, Sahara's grief is genuine and vividly illustrated, especially in the second half of the story where the author finally picks up pace. Perhaps this is a familiar territory – stories of ghosts and haints, of changelings and fae folks lurking behind the thin membrane that separates our world and the supernatural. Here, Sahara becomes natural and likeable, her quest more about understanding her own strengths than solving the mysteries around town.

Through Sahara's grandmother, the author makes a point about stories and the importance of storytelling, especially oral storytelling that creates connection and intimacy between the storyteller and her audience. It reminds this reviewer of Australian author Lili Wilkinson's 2023 YA novel A Hunger of Thorns, where stories are ambiguous borderlands between truths and lies, between facts and potentials/possibilities, between what we are told/taught about certain things and what they could/might really be. Both novels also touch upon the theme of girls being brave and true, i.e. girls should and do rescue themselves.

Finally, the plot twist at the story's end is surprising, even when everything feels rushed and needing a bit of elaboration. Over all, though wordy and unevenly paced, Rift is a good start of a story arc examining themes such as loss, grief, longing and growth. This reviewer looks forward to delving further into the trilogy.

This book is a gripping sci-fi thriller that blends fast-paced action with intriguing scientific concepts. The tension builds steadily, keeping readers engaged with unexpected twists and high-stakes scenarios. The book’s compelling premise and thrilling pace make it a worthwhile read. A solid start to the trilogy!

Sahara O’Saughnessy’s life is in shambles. Her father is dead and she’s the one responsible. Not directly, not directly enough. And the way they left things, the final things she said to him, the things that led to the crash that led to his death. Yeah. There’s no going back and undoing all of that. Her grief is heavy and her only solace is the library where she begins working part-time, enveloped in the world of story.
The early part of Rift is slow and steady worldbuilding. James builds a haunting Gothic atmosphere around this sleepy Appalachian town, interweaving local folklore with timeless creepy stories. We learn along with Sahara about the world she’s living in, orienting us and her to all that is to come. We learn about her relationships, her affinity for storytelling, and also doesn’t it seem like there’s something weird in the library basement? Doesn’t it seem like there’s just something a bit off somewhere? And that maybe it’s connected to Sahara? Maybe it’s connected to her family?

If you’re familiar with Steven James, then you’re undoubtedly familiar with the Patrick Bowers series. It’s the series that put James on the map for Christian fiction—earning him four Christy Awards and a spot in the Hall of Fame. One of my favorite characters in that series is Tessa, Patrick’s smart, sarcastic step-daughter. Rift reads like something Tessa would write: dark, hauntingly atmospheric, steeped in the paranormal, and full of dark side of faerie. It’s an intense page-turner that also manages an intense but slow burn. Every page is a revelation but nothing is given away too easily or too quickly. It all leads to one of the more stunning endings I’ve ever read in Christian YA literature—right up there with Travis Thrasher’s Solitary.

Rift is a literary tour-de-force, showing Steven James’s range and literary sharpness. It’s one of those novels that you could study a few weeks in a high school literature class. Rift is a love letter to the art of storytelling and folklore. It’s absolutely perfect. One of the few novels I immediately began to read again as soon as I’d closed the last page—both to experience the story again and catch all the things I’d missed the first time around.

I didn't realize how young the characters were, that is my only negative but my bad for not researching better. The story was good but I wouldnt continue due to that

I'm a Steven James fan, I really appreciate both his mystery/thrillers as well as his more sci-fi/supernatural books. He does such a great job keeping me engaged as a reader and I have to devour his books. I can't wait to see where he goes with the rest of the trilogy!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Steven James for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Rift. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I was thinking there was going to be a little more horror. I liked the story, but I don’t think it was really for me. I think it was a little too juvenile for me. I really enjoy YA, but the characters seemed a little younger than I’m used to. I would check out other books by this author.

This YA horror novel is the first book in the Rift Trilogy.
It follows 17 year old Sahara, who lives with her grandmother after her Father tragically dies. Whilst working part time in an old Library, she discovers a mysterious corridor in the basement hidden behind a bookshelf. She discovers a rift, and soon things start to take a turn for the worse and she’s left fighting to save her life

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and James writes with an easy to read and engaging style. The horror laced throughout was thrilling and had my heart pounding in my chest. I loved the characters and the small switch between Sahara’s timelines. They were at times, some confusing parts where I couldn’t quite understand the plot point and how it matched up but this may become clearer in the sequel. However that being said, overall it was a fantastic read and I cannot wait to find out what happens in the second book!

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves a quick paced, spooky read.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the Publisher for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.


Triggers include: death of a parent, grief, mentions of suicide, murder.

Rift is slow and feels like a first draft. It starts out slow. Then it kinda picks up, but is somehow still boring. Sahara is fine. Her friend is unbelievable. The random details don't fit.

I still gave it 2 because some people might like the folklore in it.

**Thank you so much to Sky Turtle Press for giving me an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my opinions! These thoughts are my own.**

3.5 stars

I enjoyed this book, but there were also some things that I didn't enjoy. The characters felt a little bit off to me. They didn't seem like real teenagers. There was a little too much angst in the beginning (it was comically angsty), and then it disappeared by the halfway mark. It just felt inconsistent in tone. Sahara's best friend Cadence felt so fake and weirdly dumb? It was really odd. I've never met a teenager that acted or spoke like her. I think because the characters felt so fake, I didn't care as much about them or their stories.

The pacing of the book was quite odd as well. Rift starts out soooooooo slow that I almost DNF'd it, I was so bored. It definitely picks up, and then things kept happening so fast. I was thrown off by the rapid shift. I also didn't feel like the plot points connected very well. They all felt very disjointed and random.

I still enjoyed reading it, especially once the plot picked up and Sahara got less angsty, but I couldn't immerse myself in the story as much as I wanted to because of the issues I mentioned above.

Went into this read blind and so glad I did. Definitely haunting and creepy. Kept me effectively engaged and wanting to read more! A little YA for me but I will definitely be on the lookout for book 2!

In the depths of Appalachia, a teenage girl's world unravels. Sahara's father is dead, and she's consumed by crippling guilt. As the darkness of said grief and guilt closes in, she discovers a rift – a gateway to the unknown. But can she distinguish reality from madness?

Rift is a chilling, atmospheric tale of loss, redemption, and the haunting power of forgiveness. It’s a MUST-READ! Sahara's story is a dark, emotional rollercoaster. I love how the author wove in Appalachian folklore to create this unique, modern tale. Trust me, you'll be hooked!

4.5 stars! I cannot wait to read the next book in this trilogy. Thank you, NetGalley and the Publisher, for providing a free ARC. I'm happy to share my honest feedback.

Thank you Netgalley and Sky Turtle Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“Rift” by Steven James is a haunting depiction of folklore, suspense, and Southern Gothic that follows seventeen-year-old Sahara O’Saughnessy as she navigates a world where ghost stories and legends aren’t just tales—they’re real, and they’re wreaking havoc on her life. Set against the eerie, atmospheric backdrop of Southern Appalachia, Rift explores the power of stories and the thin boundary between reality and myth, taking you on a chilling journey through supernatural horror and personal grief.

The story begins with Sahara grieving the loss of her father, for which she feels responsible. Living with her storytelling grandmother in a small Appalachian town, she works part-time at the local library, where she discovers a mysterious rift into a realm of folklore. Unintentionally, she unleashes entities from the other side that soon begin to pop up in her town. Faced with nightmarish manifestations from her own stories, Sahara must race to contain the chaos and confront her inner demons as she struggles with guilt and self-forgiveness.

James skillfully captures the sense of foreboding in the Appalachian setting, using elements like ghostly haints and local lore to build a creeping dread that permeates the book. The book initially focuses on Appalachian ghost stories, which I really enjoyed, but in an unexpected shift, the plot takes on elements of fairy folklore, introducing a separate otherworldly realm that broadens the story’s supernatural scope. This shift was a bit surprising to me as I was not expecting fairies at all based on the description, but it does add an additional layer to the lore and ramps up the stakes as Sahara confronts forces beyond her understanding.

Sahara’s character is both strong and relatable, embodying a “Gothic-lite” aesthetic and a fierce determination not to cower in the face of mounting danger. Despite her initial struggles with grief and guilt, she isn’t the typical teenage protagonist; her internal journey is complex and emotionally raw. Sahara’s voice remains authentic and likable throughout the book, balancing vulnerability with resilience, though some of her inner monologue can be a bit repetitive. Her battle isn’t just against supernatural forces but also against the emotional turmoil within herself, adding depth to her character arc.

The suspense in “Rift” builds gradually, with a bit of a slower start. However, once the supernatural elements come into play, the pacing picks up, blending moments of horror with Sahara’s reflections on her past and present. The book’s climax and twist provide an unexpected but satisfying setup for a sequel, leaving you intrigued by what lies ahead in the trilogy. I also really loved how the main focus/theme of the book is the power of storytelling, which is shown throughout the story.

Overall, “Rift” delivers an atmospheric journey into the supernatural that explores the thin line between legend and reality. Steven James has crafted a tale that will leave readers eager for the next installment, as Sahara’s journey is far from over.

From the beginning, it was creepy. I love the fear it instilled in me, it made me eager to read more. As i read more, the characters stood out each with their unique mannerism. I totally enjoyed reading this book, its my first Steven James book but I love it! The chapters flowed seamlessly, I enjoyed the fairy tale vibe it gave, the mystery in each chapter and how the characters came together to find out the solution to the wierd things happening. From the library, I realised the town had more in store for the MC and I was glad she didn't cower and went deeper to find solutions. It was a very fun read and from where it stopped i can guess there will be more fun and adventure in the second installment.

In the book Rift, author Steven James begins a new young adult horror trilogy entitled Rift. Seventeen-year-old Sahara O’Saughnessy is living with her grandmother in the Appalachian Mountains after the tragic death of her father. Sahara is wrestling with the accident that killed her father because she believes she is the cause of his death. As she battles her inner demons and struggles with her own emotions and reason to live, she discovers a rift between the physical and spiritual worlds. But what is real and what is in her head? And how will this emotional roller-coaster end? This is a great start to the series using mountain folklore stories and the emotions of loss, guilt, and redemption to weave a modern day teen story. What does forgiving ourselves look like? I would highly recommend this book. I received a complimentary copy of this e-book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is a YA and I have to say that it's a alot of YA. I believe that the younger audience will love this but it was not my cup of tea. I received a free eARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this opportunity.

Haunting and atmospheric, this chilling tale gripped me and still hasn’t let go. I was completely captivated and flew through the pages as fast as I could.

I liked Sahara and really felt for her. She had a lot of regrets and blamed herself for her father’s death. But I thought she had a good heart and acted like a typical teenager. I loved her creativity and the way she told her stories. I liked seeing the genuine friendship between her and Cadence, and I loved the relationship she had with her Grams.

I really enjoyed the writing style. There was something so authentic about it. And I loved the almost eerie quality to it. The story really came to life.

I enjoyed the folktales and ghost stories. I was familiar with a couple of them, but they took some surprising turns. They were chilling! I got goosebumps on numerous occasions.

There was a brilliant twist that I didn’t see coming, even though I probably should have. It ends on a doozy of a cliffhanger, which has me so anxious for the next book. It can’t come out soon enough! I absolutely loved this spooky tale and would give it more than five stars if I could. I highly, highly recommend it!

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

The Rift Trilogy by Steven James is a haunting and evocative journey into folklore horror that masterfully intertwines suspense, Appalachian mystique, and the raw depths of grief. This new YA series follows Sahara O’Saughnessy, a seventeen-year-old grappling with guilt and loss after her father’s tragic death, as she is thrust into a battle with nightmarish forces unleashed by a mysterious rift into the realm of lore. When her own stories begin to manifest, Sahara must confront her inner demons while fighting to save her town from supernatural dangers she inadvertently set free.

James excels at creating an atmosphere that’s both eerie and deeply emotional. The Appalachian Mountains serve as a rich, atmospheric backdrop that adds a chilling sense of isolation, while the series taps into the region’s folklore to craft an otherworldly horror that feels visceral and real. Sahara’s journey is more than just a fight against supernatural forces; it’s a journey through self-forgiveness and resilience. James presents her grief and guilt with authenticity, making her battle feel as much internal as it is external.

The story’s pacing keeps readers hooked, blending moments of intense horror with intimate, heart-wrenching reflections. As Sahara delves into the secrets of the rift and the lore it unleashed, she’s forced to confront her past, pushing her closer to understanding her own pain and finding the strength to face it. James’s writing is sharp and suspenseful, capturing the tension between reality and the unknown with remarkable skill.

The Rift Trilogy is a captivating exploration of how personal anguish and mythic horrors intertwine, resulting in a series that will resonate with readers long after they turn the final page. Fans of YA horror and folklore will find this trilogy to be a thrilling, emotionally charged ride that redefines courage and self-redemption in the face of supernatural darkness.