The Below by Scott T. Miller
"Like watching a movie unfold in your mind, The Below pulls readers into a vividly imagined future where every clue-and every choice-matters."
If you're looking for science fiction that delivers both pulse-pounding suspense and thoughtful questions about identity, humanity, and survival, The Below deserves a place on your reading list. Scott T. Miller combines cyberpunk, dystopian fiction, mystery, and thriller elements into a story that feels both cinematic and deeply personal. Beneath the action lies a surprisingly emotional exploration of friendship, memory, and what it means to remain human when the world itself seems determined to erase that humanity.
Let's learn a little more about The Below by Scott T. Miller.
About the Book
The Below By Scott T. Miller
Published by Amplify Publishing Group on January 2026
Genres: Cyberpunk, Dystopian, Science Fiction
Formats: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 352
Humankind rose from the carcass of a dead world. Lifetimes later, billions of people live in superstructures constructed atop the only habitable lands left, the Hawaiian Islands.
Kilohana “Kilo” Ressler lives in Hawai'i City (known to the people as Big City) along with his illegal Digital Psychological Manifestation (DPM), EO, a pseudo-twin only perceptible to the host, designed during the rebuilding years to provide companionship in a world of horrors.
Kilo has managed to keep EO a secret for most of his life, but when his skills are required for a diplomatic mission in Kaua'i City, Kilo and EO find themselves embroiled in a conspiracy that threatens to expose EO’s existence and endanger the fragile balance of power between the island cities.
The only place left for answers is in the depths of the superstructure the Below. As the walls close in, Kilo must undertake the impossible task of protecting his friend, facing his past, and holding a crumbling city together.
Reader Resources
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Listen to an Audiobook Sample
I originally signed up to review the audiobook, but since it wasn't yet available, I read a complimentary NetGalley eBook instead. If you're curious about the narration, you can listen to a sample below.
Review at a Glance
| Genre | Science Fiction • Cyberpunk • Dystopian • Climate Fiction • Mystery • Thriller |
| Setting | Future Hawaiian Islands |
| Length | 352 pages |
| Content Rating | R - Language, drug use, violence, character deaths, a visit to a sex club (described, but without sexual activity), and mature themes. |
| Ideal Reader | Readers who enjoy cyberpunk, climate dystopian fiction, detective mysteries, high-tech thrillers, character-driven science fiction, and stories that blend action with philosophical questions. |
| My Rating | ★★★★☆ |
Interested in learning more about the types of books I feature? Visit my How I Choose Books page for a behind-the-scenes look at my selection process.
Quick Take: A gripping cyberpunk thriller that combines mystery, dystopian suspense, and surprisingly heartfelt relationships into a fast-paced story that keeps readers questioning what is real.
Content Considerations: Readers should expect occasional strong language, violence, character deaths, and drug use. One sequence is set in a sex club, but while the environment is described, there are no explicit sexual encounters involving the main character. The story also explores mature themes surrounding surveillance, identity, and societal collapse.
Here's a look at what resonated with me.
My Thoughts
The Below is one of those science fiction novels that doesn't simply imagine futuristic technology-it imagines what humanity might become after it has lost almost everything. Set in a future where the Hawaiian Islands are the last habitable place on Earth, Scott T. Miller creates a world that feels both astonishingly inventive and unsettlingly believable. Towering superstructures rise above the remnants of civilization, creating an environment that is every bit as compelling as the characters themselves.
Although the novel blends cyberpunk, dystopian fiction, mystery, and action, it never loses sight of the people at the center of the story. Kilohana "Kilo" Ressler is carrying far more than secrets, while EO-a companion who shouldn't exist-becomes the emotional heartbeat of the novel. Their relationship quietly explores loneliness, identity, friendship, and what it truly means to remain human in a world that seems determined to erase humanity altogether.
The pacing is consistently fast, pulling readers from one revelation to the next without sacrificing the rich world-building. Miller paints vivid pictures of the cities, technology, and action while still leaving enough room for readers to imagine the finer details themselves. Every trip deeper into the Below feels like peeling back another layer of reality that was never meant to be uncovered.
One of the novel's greatest strengths is how carefully it rewards attentive readers. Small clues scattered throughout the story become increasingly significant as the mystery unfolds, creating satisfying moments of realization along the way. I found myself completely absorbed in the story, almost as though I were watching a movie play out in my head. Once the pieces begin falling into place, it's difficult to look away.
For readers looking to explore modern science fiction, The Below offers an excellent entry point. It combines mystery, cyberpunk, climate dystopian fiction, political intrigue, detective elements, and thoughtful character development into a story that is both entertaining and surprisingly moving.
In Conclusion
The Below delivers far more than an exciting dystopian adventure. Beneath its thrilling action and layered mystery lies a thoughtful exploration of identity, trust, and the enduring need for human connection. Scott T. Miller has crafted a cinematic science fiction novel that asks readers not only to solve its mysteries but also to consider what remains of our humanity when the world itself has fundamentally changed.
If you enjoy intelligent science fiction that combines immersive world-building with compelling characters and a mystery that rewards careful attention, The Below is well worth your time. It's a fast-paced, thought-provoking read that lingers long after the final page.
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Before we wrap up, here's a little more about the author behind the story.
Meet the Author
About Scott T. Miller
Scott T. Miller is an author, researcher, and educator. Coming from a long line of teachers, a career in education seemed almost inevitable. He earned a PhD in Global and International Education from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and an MEd in Counseling from Northern Arizona University.
Raised in San Diego, Scott has also lived in South Dakota, Arizona, California, and Hawaiʻi. He recently returned to California from Oahu with his wife, Bell, and their dogs, Hiro and Pebble.
A lifelong science fiction enthusiast, Scott spends every opportunity writing, reading, and enjoying the genre. His academic work on identity, globalism, and socio-political stratification has profoundly influenced his fiction, inspiring immersive stories that explore the complexities of society and the human experience. He is particularly drawn to dystopian fiction that examines the outer limits of human potential and dysfunction, citing authors such as Philip K. Dick and Richard K. Morgan among his influences.
Explore more from the author:
Website | Amazon | Goodreads
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Tour dates: July 7 to July 27, 2026. To see the full schedule of stops, visit the
iRead Book Tours - The Below Tour Page.
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