There has to be some mystique after all, and if Fear being an entity had been explained it might not have been so surreal and dreamlike (nightmare-like?) which vastly contributes both to the scaryness and the sexiness of the narrative. It’s more hinted at than outright explored, which is par for the course with horror. The worldbuilding here is very interesting. Thus when the being that is Fear incarnate enters the scene, we have a sense of connection between them while still being afraid with her in the midst of these encounters. The prose manages to convey both the fear itself, all of those tense, heart clenching, stomach flipping roller coaster feelings, while also conveying her satisfaction in them, her longing for them, and her enjoyment. The POV character’s affection for fear, the experiences of fear, and her seeking out of fear are wonderfully well written. This is an extremely emotional piece that manages to convey a substantial amount of tension while also feeling sensual and romantic. The internal monologues of the main character are very playful, with a dry kind of wit that is very engaging. It’s a rather dreamlike kind of story, emotionally and character driven. This eventually leads her to an encounter with the embodiment of Fear itself, an ancient being that has been in love with her for her entire life. The scope of the story is the main character’s experiences being a thrill seeker for her entire life, leading her to do dangerous jobs and to seek out dangerous places just to give herself a feeling of fear. The first person narration here feels natural and organic.

A fascinating piece of writing, this is a fast and chilling read, and one that has stuck with me since reading. Both fear as an experience, as an emotion, as well as Fear the embodiment, the being made of that emotion. And one night…Fear proved to me how true that is.įear is a novella about a woman who falls in love with a concept: the concept of fear. What’s the old saying? There is nothing to fear but Fear itself. Some people might call me reckless, but when I find myself on the edge of disaster, heart pumping, filled with terror, that’s the only time I feel like I’m alive. It’s why I drive a motorcycle way too fast. It’s why I sneak into abandoned buildings. It’s what’s driven everything I’ve ever done.

Fear by Kathryn Ann Kingsley