Symbiote

Nayak, Michael. Symbiote. London : Angry Robot, an imprint of Watkins Media Ltd, 2025.

Symbiote was a really enjoyable read for me. The mix of sci-fi and horror was handled in a way that felt fresh and grounded. The setting—a group of people working at a research station in the South Pole—added a great layer of isolation and tension. Right away, you can feel that something’s not right, and that sense of unease grows with every chapter.

One of the things I liked most was how the story built its horror slowly. There aren’t any jump scares or over-the-top monsters—instead, it’s the quiet dread, the things that feel off, and the sense that something dangerous is creeping in. The science adds realism, but it never bogs things down. It all feels close enough to real life to make the horror hit harder.

The group dynamics were another highlight. Being stuck in such a remote place made it feel like a return to high school—where small tensions can turn into big problems, and past baggage resurfaces in ugly ways. Watching the characters try to keep it together while everything starts unraveling made the story even more gripping. You start to wonder what’s scarier: the strange force they’re up against, or how people act under pressure.

Overall, Sybiote is a strong mix of sci-fi and psychological horror. If you like slow-burn stories with tense atmosphere, layered characters, and a creeping sense of dread, this one is definitely worth a read.

Tyler J. is a Library Assistant at Mebane Public Library.