A deeply unsettling and engrossing mystery horror, perfect for fans of THE SECRET HISTORY and NINTH HOUSE

When Addie Velde receives an invitation to attend an early orientation program at the University of the Arches, she eagerly accepts. After all, the Arches―with its idyllic beachside campus―is her mom’s beloved alma mater, and there’s nothing Addie wants more than to leave her own mark. But from the moment she arrives on campus and moves into her gloomy dorm, nicknamed The Crypt, Addie realizes there are more sinister secrets to uncover than sandy days in her future.

Addie's search for answers launches her straight into the heart of an old campus mystery which to this day keeps students and faculty wary of the shadowy “Buried Ones”, believed to be the omens of death. A vanished professor, an occult society, and the chance her family was involved pushes her investigation into dangerous territory.

Will she lose herself to the Buried Ones or end their sinister reign once and for all?

Rights Sold:

USA: Page Street Teen (World English)

Reviews:

"Readers will be [...] treated to a spine-tingling, bloody tale with captivating twists. Hand to fans of Victoria Lee’s A Lesson in Vengeance" ―Booklist

"de Becerra deftly evokes the dark academia aesthetic by leaning into the creepy shadows and cult-like reveal of the campus’s secret [in They Watch From Below]." ―BCCB

"Unsettling vibes and moodiness abound [...]" ―SLJ

“Part horror novel, part mystery, all wrapped up in the lush and treacherous trappings of dark academia, They Watch From Below is every bit as tense, eerie, and genuinely frightening as I had hoped. I loved this absorbing story of old gods, family secrets, and irresistible powers.” —Erica Waters, author of the Bram Stoker Award-winning novel The River Has Teeth and All That Consumes Us

“Clever and complex, gripping and ghoulish; this is the kind of book you’ll want to sink your teeth into. Addie’s story will give you all the chills you seek and then some, and keep you turning pages for answers even in the dead of night.” —Sarah Glenn Marsh, author of The Girls Are Never Gone

“Stunningly sinister, They Watch from Below is The Girl from the Well meets Pan’s Labyrinth with added dark academia vibes. I couldn’t look away from this chillingly spellbinding read!” —Kat Ellis, author of Harrow Lake

"As if The Secret History waded into the dark swells of the supernatural, de Becerra's They Watch From Below keeps you on your toes while tickling you with the feather of curiosity. You won't know what's waiting for you in those dark depths, and this is one of the best of the year." —Robert P. Ottone, author of The Vile Thing We Created and the Bram Stoker Award-winning novel The Triangle.

“They Watch From Below is a taut, horror-mystery that will have you on the edge of your seat with your heart thumping!  They Watch From Below masterfully weaves folk-horror into the inherent creepiness of imposing academic institutions to deliver visceral thrills. Katya is a standout in the YA Horror space and They Watch From Below is her at her commanding best.” —Tomi Oyemakinde, author of We Are Hunted and The Changing Man

"Katya de Becerra's writing is so haunting and immersive, it feels like there's an otherworldly presence reading this book alongside you. Brimming with eerie atmosphere and mystery, They Watch From Below is an unforgettable experience." —Tatiana Schlote-Bonne, author of Such Lovely Skin 

“Katya de Becerra has done it again, twisting a tale of mystery, suspense, and scares aplenty all within the confines of a truly terrifying university location. If you liked The Ring with its creepy well and horrifying VHS tapes, then you’ll love They Watch from Below. This is horror at its best!” —Paula Gleeson, author of Original Twin

“They Watch From Below feels tailor-made for anyone who has ever wondered who they are outside of their parents' shadow. Addie is a deeply relatable heroine, stumbling (and then marching headlong) into danger as she tries to understand her mother in the heartbreaking hope that she can learn to love her better. This book is as dark and captivating as the tunnels that wind through its pages, leading skillfully to an unexpected but very satisfying conclusion.” —Alison Ames, author of To Break a Covenant and It Looks Like Us 

“They Watch From Below is an enthralling tale of dark legacies and horrors that won’t stay buried.” —Amy Goldsmith, author of Our Wicked Histories and Those We Drown