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What the Dead Fear
Juniper Townsend died of carbon monoxide poisoning at the ripe, old age of 22.
However, death isn't the end. In Limbo, she finds a foggy wasteland and strange creatures. She also discovers that during night hours, she can walk among the living. But there are rules. Never influence destiny. Never interfere, because the consequences are dire.
Will she sacrifice eternal freedom to save the innocent?
However, death isn't the end. In Limbo, she finds a foggy wasteland and strange creatures. She also discovers that during night hours, she can walk among the living. But there are rules. Never influence destiny. Never interfere, because the consequences are dire.
Will she sacrifice eternal freedom to save the innocent?
45 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 23, 2011
64 people are currently reading
331 people want to read
About the author
Lea Ryan
33 books45 followersLea Ryan is the author of several books and stories, including the bestselling novella, What the Dead Fear. She writes about the strange and the dark, as well as the light and love, and strives to immerse readers in vivid fictional worlds. She currently lives in Indiana with a couple of kids, a couple of cats, a couple of fish, and one husband.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
August 9, 2016
Extraña propuesta por su mezcla de géneros sin destino concreto.-
Género. Novela corta.
Lo que nos cuenta. Al morir la joven Juniper descubre que está en una región estéril, neblinosa y gris, el Limbo, con unos pobladores muy peculiares, y unas reglas bastante estrictas, que incluyen no tener contacto con el mundo de los vivos por más que llegue a ser posible. Incumplir las normas tiene consecuencias drásticas.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...
Género. Novela corta.
Lo que nos cuenta. Al morir la joven Juniper descubre que está en una región estéril, neblinosa y gris, el Limbo, con unos pobladores muy peculiares, y unas reglas bastante estrictas, que incluyen no tener contacto con el mundo de los vivos por más que llegue a ser posible. Incumplir las normas tiene consecuencias drásticas.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...
June 25, 2019
this was ok. i thought it was horror but it's fantasy.
July 31, 2011
This short Kindle freebie took me by surprise. From the description, it sounded interesting so I downloaded it with the thought that it would be an intriguing, quick summer read. Yes, it was quick and yes, it is summer. Intriguing, however, doesn't even begin to cover what I learned from this book about making choices in life before it's too late.
I'm not one to give away spoilers and I won't do it now even though my head is racing faster than my fingers can type. There is so much I want to say but I will limit this review to say simply, download this book, open your heart and your mind, and take away from it what you will. I believe everyone will take away something different and we will all be better for it.
I'm not one to give away spoilers and I won't do it now even though my head is racing faster than my fingers can type. There is so much I want to say but I will limit this review to say simply, download this book, open your heart and your mind, and take away from it what you will. I believe everyone will take away something different and we will all be better for it.
June 23, 2011
I downloaded this book on a whim. I have been reading Lovecraft lately and this book came up as something I might be interested in. I love the novella length book and the twists which come with that length.
March 8, 2022
Death may not be a complete end but there are rules that govern existence in Limbo in Lea Ryan’s What the Dead Fear.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Juniper died young at 22 and quite unexpectedly, too; her death led her to an existence in Limbo, a strange land filled with creatures just as strange. She quickly meets Cricket, who appears as a young girl, who helps to teach Juniper some ins and outs of Limbo and especially hiding from Gareth, the guardian tasked with keeping the dead in line with the established rules. One such rule is to not interfere with the living and influence destiny if you choose to walk among the living during the night; if you break this rule, Gareth hunts you down with his pack of jackals and imprisons and tortures your wayward soul. Though difficult to not say one last spectral goodbye to her grieving mother, when she sees her pregnant friend being abused by her boyfriend Juniper feels she must intervene and is willing to suffer whatever consequences come her way.
An interesting and entertaining take on what experiences may await after death, this story progresses quickly and is filled with compassion to help others despite the consequences that may be faced as a result. While there is not much depth to the characters and their relationships with one another nor development of the world of the dead and what governs them, there’s great potential and imagination presented in this novella that could be thoroughly captivating if fleshed out further. Short in duration and mostly to the point, the narrative’s momentum really picks up toward the end, leaving readers wanting more while questioning what comes next for Juniper in Limbo as there’s much left unresolved to her story.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Juniper died young at 22 and quite unexpectedly, too; her death led her to an existence in Limbo, a strange land filled with creatures just as strange. She quickly meets Cricket, who appears as a young girl, who helps to teach Juniper some ins and outs of Limbo and especially hiding from Gareth, the guardian tasked with keeping the dead in line with the established rules. One such rule is to not interfere with the living and influence destiny if you choose to walk among the living during the night; if you break this rule, Gareth hunts you down with his pack of jackals and imprisons and tortures your wayward soul. Though difficult to not say one last spectral goodbye to her grieving mother, when she sees her pregnant friend being abused by her boyfriend Juniper feels she must intervene and is willing to suffer whatever consequences come her way.
An interesting and entertaining take on what experiences may await after death, this story progresses quickly and is filled with compassion to help others despite the consequences that may be faced as a result. While there is not much depth to the characters and their relationships with one another nor development of the world of the dead and what governs them, there’s great potential and imagination presented in this novella that could be thoroughly captivating if fleshed out further. Short in duration and mostly to the point, the narrative’s momentum really picks up toward the end, leaving readers wanting more while questioning what comes next for Juniper in Limbo as there’s much left unresolved to her story.
December 22, 2022
This was a fantastic short story that I would be happy to recommend.
The story is written in a way then flows very well and enables the reader to feel a lot of the emotions being described. The thing which shows me how well the story is put together is that I found myself trying to put myself in the same situation as being described in the story and thinking through what I would do which for me shows a true affinity to the story and is not something I find all that often in a short story as there is simply not enough time for that kind of relationship to grow.
By the end of the story you will find yourself questioning what you would do if you had the chance to save the innocent but had a massive sacrifice yourself. Why not read it and see how you feel about the issue?
The story is written in a way then flows very well and enables the reader to feel a lot of the emotions being described. The thing which shows me how well the story is put together is that I found myself trying to put myself in the same situation as being described in the story and thinking through what I would do which for me shows a true affinity to the story and is not something I find all that often in a short story as there is simply not enough time for that kind of relationship to grow.
By the end of the story you will find yourself questioning what you would do if you had the chance to save the innocent but had a massive sacrifice yourself. Why not read it and see how you feel about the issue?
October 25, 2018
An interesting take on the afterlife, or at least a part of the afterlife. Ryan adds characters with interesting dynamics in their personalities. Good and bad are blurred in some respects.
This short story is followed up by a sequel. Some intriguing narrative points are laid in place that should result in a sequel with potential. I just wished this book was a little longer to establish the relationships between the characters a little more fully.
This short story is followed up by a sequel. Some intriguing narrative points are laid in place that should result in a sequel with potential. I just wished this book was a little longer to establish the relationships between the characters a little more fully.
September 7, 2017
Overall, I thought this was a really good read.
I thought that Gareth was a good character to begin with, but as I read on, I found out that he was a very dark character. As I read further into the book, it turned out to be a enjoyable read.
Everything was brilliant and everything turned out to be okay to my liking. I would definitely read this book again. Five star review from me.
I thought that Gareth was a good character to begin with, but as I read on, I found out that he was a very dark character. As I read further into the book, it turned out to be a enjoyable read.
Everything was brilliant and everything turned out to be okay to my liking. I would definitely read this book again. Five star review from me.
July 23, 2020
Yes, it's got shallow characterization; and, yes, scenes aren't that well developed; and, yes, the writing isn't that memorable; but Ryan's got a great imagination, and I got sucked in immediately and stayed sucked in.
Great opening sentence. (Though I gotta wonder: if Juniper is still wearing what she had on when she died, isn't she barefoot? Wouldn't she notice?)
Great opening sentence. (Though I gotta wonder: if Juniper is still wearing what she had on when she died, isn't she barefoot? Wouldn't she notice?)
August 22, 2017
Mary T
Interesting ... and a good book. The title is what caught my attention. Sparks you imagination about the after life.
Interesting ... and a good book. The title is what caught my attention. Sparks you imagination about the after life.
February 4, 2018
Good read
Good read ,keeps you questioning what's going to happen next would recommend to anyone looking for a short read that keeps you interested
Good read ,keeps you questioning what's going to happen next would recommend to anyone looking for a short read that keeps you interested
February 22, 2018
Nice short story
Good read with a completely different view of afterlife. Nice characters, could be more detailed to get better connected. Wished the book had more pages.
Good read with a completely different view of afterlife. Nice characters, could be more detailed to get better connected. Wished the book had more pages.
March 15, 2021
Great book
I choose 5 stars cause the book kept my interest which is hard to do. I recommend it to any agree over 15yrs old.
I choose 5 stars cause the book kept my interest which is hard to do. I recommend it to any agree over 15yrs old.
May 25, 2021
Different
I can't help but wonder if there will be more stories. It's different and interesting. But there's many questions left unresolved and I hope they'll be answered one day.
I can't help but wonder if there will be more stories. It's different and interesting. But there's many questions left unresolved and I hope they'll be answered one day.
August 16, 2024
Short
Need to be longer.but did enjoy the storyline. I recommend this book for kids about sixteen and older.not safe for bible thumpers.
Need to be longer.but did enjoy the storyline. I recommend this book for kids about sixteen and older.not safe for bible thumpers.
February 1, 2016
Juniper Townsend died of carbon monoxide poisoning at the age of 22. Woke up as a ghost. She goes to her house and finds her body. (She's able to open the door). A child being tells her she's dead. The girl has them hide from jackals who belong to someone named Gareth.
She meets Gareth who tells her she's in limbo. He explains to her how she is to act in limbo, and that if she misbehaves she can be thrown into a limbo prison. He tells her she should proceed on to the other side as soon as she can.
Visits a friend of hers, finds out she has been beaten by her so-called boyfriend on a regular basis. Juniper wants to hurt the guy, but she can't because of the rules of limbo. Juniper touches her mother and thus violates the rules.
She later meets a man named Mordecai who had the same job Gareth has but lost it since he broke the rules. She ends up being betrayed to Gareth. She's taken to the prison and on the way sees harpies. She still wants to aid her living friend, though, even if it means she ends up in prison again. Still, when she died no portal appeared to her as it should have, so she has no idea how to cross over, adding another layer of mystery to the story.
The story ends sort of abruptly, and I'd like to see a sequel done.
She meets Gareth who tells her she's in limbo. He explains to her how she is to act in limbo, and that if she misbehaves she can be thrown into a limbo prison. He tells her she should proceed on to the other side as soon as she can.
Visits a friend of hers, finds out she has been beaten by her so-called boyfriend on a regular basis. Juniper wants to hurt the guy, but she can't because of the rules of limbo. Juniper touches her mother and thus violates the rules.
She later meets a man named Mordecai who had the same job Gareth has but lost it since he broke the rules. She ends up being betrayed to Gareth. She's taken to the prison and on the way sees harpies. She still wants to aid her living friend, though, even if it means she ends up in prison again. Still, when she died no portal appeared to her as it should have, so she has no idea how to cross over, adding another layer of mystery to the story.
The story ends sort of abruptly, and I'd like to see a sequel done.
May 21, 2016
What the Dead Fear, a novella by Lea Ryan What the Dead Fear, a novella by Lea Ryan is a remarkably entertaining book. I gave it five stars.
Juniper discovered she was dead. "'Wake up.' She commanded her mortal shell & concentrated as though she might control it from outside. She recalled reading about out of body experiences. Maybe that was the explanation.
She held on to denial for a while, contemplating the various possibilities for the cause of her predicament. Denial is a shade of hope, in a way."
She met a young girl, Cricket. They climbed a tree to escape the coming jackals. Then Cricket disappeared & Gareth the Ruler of Limbo appeared. He frightened her & threatened her after telling her what not to do in Limbo. Then he disappeared.
"Apparently abrupt exits were the norm in the spirit realm."
Juniper & Cricket had some entertaining adventures. Gareth, the Guardian was a puzzling but intriguing character.
I received a complimentary copy from Amazon. That did not change my opinion for this review.
Juniper discovered she was dead. "'Wake up.' She commanded her mortal shell & concentrated as though she might control it from outside. She recalled reading about out of body experiences. Maybe that was the explanation.
She held on to denial for a while, contemplating the various possibilities for the cause of her predicament. Denial is a shade of hope, in a way."
She met a young girl, Cricket. They climbed a tree to escape the coming jackals. Then Cricket disappeared & Gareth the Ruler of Limbo appeared. He frightened her & threatened her after telling her what not to do in Limbo. Then he disappeared.
"Apparently abrupt exits were the norm in the spirit realm."
Juniper & Cricket had some entertaining adventures. Gareth, the Guardian was a puzzling but intriguing character.
I received a complimentary copy from Amazon. That did not change my opinion for this review.
August 2, 2025
Got this as a freebie on Amazon for my Kindle. It's definitely a short story that will get you thinking about the afterlife. College student, Juniper, dies in her sleep, a victim of carbon monoxide poisoning. Now she begins her journey, not through the portal to "heaven", but a traveler through Limbo. However, she has to obey the rules, or the guardian, Gareth, and his jackals will imprison her in, what she calls "Hell".
Juniper is spunky and has moral fiber, she's not going to follow rules when she can interact with the living, and save her best friend, who is pregnant, from an abusive boyfriend. She frustrates Gareth, and at the same time, intrigues him; what's a guardian to do with a snarky spirit who wants to call the shots and not follow rules!?!
Juniper is spunky and has moral fiber, she's not going to follow rules when she can interact with the living, and save her best friend, who is pregnant, from an abusive boyfriend. She frustrates Gareth, and at the same time, intrigues him; what's a guardian to do with a snarky spirit who wants to call the shots and not follow rules!?!
December 31, 2012
Juniper Townsend, 22, dies from carbon monoxide poisoning. She awakes to find herself in Limbo. Apparently, there is Day Limbo and Night Limbo, along with rules to follow. As much as I didn’t like this story, something compelled me to finish it. I guess I was hoping it would get better.
I’m really not sure what I expected from this story, but it certainly wasn’t this. Overall, this was really strange and not in a good way. I’m just glad this was a free download (June ‘11) and I didn’t waste money on it.
**Some readers have this listed as YA. I do not recommend this to readers under the age of 13~~some of the contents may frighten youngsters.**
I’m really not sure what I expected from this story, but it certainly wasn’t this. Overall, this was really strange and not in a good way. I’m just glad this was a free download (June ‘11) and I didn’t waste money on it.
**Some readers have this listed as YA. I do not recommend this to readers under the age of 13~~some of the contents may frighten youngsters.**
March 3, 2014
A free short story download.
When a young woman dies, she ends up in Limbo. Her only companion is a strange young girl who warns her of Gareth. Gareth is the guardian of Limbo, It is his job to make sure no spirit breaks the rules of Limbo and to punish those who do. The main rule is that spirits can observe the living but not interfere. But what should you do when those you care about still need your help?
This was an interesting take on the afterlife (or at least part of it). I found the characters interesting. The dilemma of the main character is well thought out and handled deftly. This is a good one to check out.
When a young woman dies, she ends up in Limbo. Her only companion is a strange young girl who warns her of Gareth. Gareth is the guardian of Limbo, It is his job to make sure no spirit breaks the rules of Limbo and to punish those who do. The main rule is that spirits can observe the living but not interfere. But what should you do when those you care about still need your help?
This was an interesting take on the afterlife (or at least part of it). I found the characters interesting. The dilemma of the main character is well thought out and handled deftly. This is a good one to check out.
February 8, 2013
This is a short story about a woman who dies and her soul goes to limbo. She still feels strong connection to her friends and family and even with danger going after her soul she has to try to help them.
Well written story with interesting characters. I especially liked Gareth.
Story left some thing untold, but it left place for imagination to fill them in :) I liked that.
Well written story with interesting characters. I especially liked Gareth.
Story left some thing untold, but it left place for imagination to fill them in :) I liked that.
July 11, 2011
Interesting short story of what happens to us after we die. Without spoiling the story, I was slightly disapponted in some things left unanswered, but is there a possibility of a second book. I recieved this book free on my Kindle, I dont think I would have paid for it otherwise
September 23, 2011
Didn't realize this was a short story - lots of interesting elements, but I felt like it could have been fleshed out a bit better to give the reader a better sense of what was going on. Am interested in what happens next. Would rate it 2.5 stars.
August 4, 2012
This was a good outline. I would have liked to see it flushed out into a full fledged novel. Or, a series even. As it stands it reminds me somewhat of a dream where you don't remember all the details. Still, I think this writer has promise and I'd love to check out some of her other works.
July 29, 2016
It's not bad and it leaves you wanting more....
It's a good story and it makes you wish the author had written something longer. But then I'm always wanting to know WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!!!!,
It's a good story and it makes you wish the author had written something longer. But then I'm always wanting to know WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!!!!,
Want to read
June 21, 2011Free on Amazon and Nook
July 25, 2011
I want more.
July 1, 2011
This was pretty good. Short, but good.
July 23, 2011
I loved this story. Short and well written. I really enjoyed the characters. I can't wait to read more!!!
July 26, 2011
This was a fun, short read. I wished the story was longer.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews