They Watch From Below

Gr 10 Up–Adria Velde, better known as Addie, desperately wants to understand her troubled but brilliant mother, who suffers episodes of blankness, fighting what Addie calls her “invisible monster.” An invitation to early orientation at her mother’s alma mater, the historic University of the Arches, is an irresistible opportunity for Addie, especially since she has a hunch that her family secret is somehow connected to the esoteric seaside California school. A creeping dread follows her arrival at school despite the sunny coastal climate, beginning with her assignment to a strange dorm known as The Crypt, with its view of a terrifying landmark known as the Devouring Well. As Addie begins to make friends and become more familiar with Arches and its history, her mother’s involvement with a strange cultish group and a missing persons case are brought to light, though of course some forces would rather remain in the shadows. Unsettling vibes and moodiness abound as Addie’s attempts to unravel her mother’s history uncover subterranean secrets, abundant symbolism, and ritualistic practices meant to appease shadowy figures known as the Buried Ones. Flashbacks to home videos appear throughout, providing background context for Addie’s thoughts about her mother.