Kiersten White’s Hide takes a childhood game and turns it into a deadly nightmare. Equal parts psychological thriller, survival horror, and mythological allegory, this novel invites readers into a weeklong contest where the stakes are much higher than anyone imagines. It’s dark, unsettling, and surprisingly thought-provoking a horror story that asks not only who will survive, but also why the game exists in the first place.
The Setup
Fourteen strangers arrive at an abandoned amusement park to compete in what seems like the ultimate survival challenge: spend seven days hiding and don’t get caught. The prize? Fifty thousand dollars. For each of them, that amount represents something life-changing freedom, security, redemption, or simply a chance to start over.
The park itself is a haunting relic of the past, with rusted rides, overgrown weeds, and laughter long since silenced. From the moment the gates close, the atmosphere is charged with dread. There are rules, but no one seems to know who enforces them. Each morning, two players vanish quietly, without a trace until paranoia takes hold and alliances begin to form.
At the center of it all is Mack, a young woman with a tragic past and an extraordinary ability to disappear. She has been hiding all her life from her trauma, her guilt, and the memory of her murdered family. To her, this contest isn’t just a game. It’s a test of everything that has kept her alive. But as the number of players dwindles and the truth behind the competition emerges, Mack realizes that survival might not be enough.
The Atmosphere and Themes
White excels at crafting eerie, cinematic settings. The derelict amusement park feels like a character in itself a decaying symbol of American excess and forgotten joy. Every Ferris wheel, funhouse, and carousel seems to whisper secrets of the dead.
The novel blends The Hunger Games with And Then There Were None, adding a supernatural twist that draws on the myth of the Minotaur and the labyrinth. Beneath the horror, though, Hide becomes a biting commentary on class, privilege, and the systems that deem certain lives expendable. It’s a clever subversion the monsters here are not only mythic but human, shaped by greed and cruelty.
The Execution
White’s storytelling moves briskly, alternating between multiple perspectives. While this gives readers a panoramic view of the competition, it also means some characters fade before we can truly know them. The cast is large, and several players exist mainly as fodder for the inevitable carnage. Still, a few particularly Mack and Ava emerge with enough depth and emotion to carry the heart of the story.
The horror itself leans more on tension and unease than on gore. White builds suspense through what’s not shown the silences, the shadows, the mounting dread of being watched. When the supernatural element finally reveals itself, it’s both surprising and strangely fitting, transforming the book from mere slasher fare into something mythic and allegorical.
What Works
- A killer concept. A hide-and-seek competition in an abandoned amusement park is pure horror gold. White uses this setting brilliantly.
- Thematic depth. Beneath the thrills lies a sharp social message about exploitation, inequality, and survival.
- Emotional core. Mack’s trauma and resilience give the story real heart, grounding the chaos in something deeply human.
- Mythic resonance. The Minotaur-inspired twist adds layers of symbolism about sacrifice, guilt, and the monsters societies create.
What Doesn’t
The book occasionally struggles under the weight of its ensemble. Fourteen competitors are too many to track, and some emotional arcs get lost in the shuffle. The shifting perspectives, while ambitious, sometimes dilute the intensity. And though the ending ties the mythology together, it may feel rushed or underexplained to readers expecting a more traditional horror payoff.
Final Thoughts
Hide isn’t a flawless novel, but it’s an inventive and unsettling one. Kiersten White transforms a simple premise a game of hide-and-seek into a chilling allegory about survival, power, and the invisible rules that shape our lives. It’s perfect for readers who love horror with a pulse of social commentary and a streak of mythic darkness.
If you enjoyed The Hunger Games, Battle Royale, or The Cabin at the End of the World, this book deserves a spot on your TBR. Just don’t expect to leave the amusement park unscathed.
