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The Terror

The Terror

A Novel
Historical FictionHorror
Pages
786
Published
2007
Language
English

Synopsis

In 1845, Sir John Franklin's expedition to find the North-West Passage becomes a desperate fight for survival when his ships, the Terror and Erebus, become trapped in the Arctic ice. As supplies dwindle and the unforgiving cold takes its toll, a more sinister threat emerges from the frigid darkness, stalking the crew one by one. Captain Francis Crozier must lead the remaining men on a perilous journey across the ice, where madness, starvation, and an unknown terror await them.

Prose complexity
7/10

Vibe

DarkTenseGritty
SurvivalFish Out of WaterBetrayal

Genres

Historical Fiction Horror Thriller Adventure Gothic Psychological Thriller

About the author

D
Dan Simmons

Daniel Joseph Simmons (April 4, 1948 – February 21, 2026) was an American science fiction and horror writer. He was the author of the Hyperion Cantos and the Ilium/Olympos cycles, among other works which span the science fiction, horror, and fantasy genres, sometimes within a single novel. Simmons's genre-intermingling Song of Kali (1985) won the World Fantasy Award. He also wrote mysteries and thrillers, some of which feature the continuing character Joe Kurtz. He died in Longmont, Colo...

Characters

Francis CrozierProtagonist
Sir John FranklinSupporting
All characters in The Terror

Frequently asked questions

  • Is The Terror based on a true story?

    The novel draws heavily from the historical disappearance of Sir John Franklin's expedition to the Arctic in the mid-19th century, incorporating many real-life figures and known details of their ill-fated journey.

  • Is there a TV adaptation of The Terror?

    The book was adapted into a television series, which premiered in 2018. It closely follows the novel's narrative and atmospheric tone.

  • Does The Terror connect to other Dan Simmons books?

    While it shares the author's characteristic blend of historical detail and speculative horror, The Terror is a standalone novel and does not feature characters or storylines from his other works.

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