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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
natbookreviews's review against another edition
2.0
Review of “100 Fathoms Below”
How I read: 🎧
⭐⭐☆☆☆ - (Rating System Below)
”100 Fathoms Below” was definitely an experience, but not one I’d rush to repeat. The premise—a Cold War submarine mission turned supernatural horror—sounded intriguing, and my reading group had joked about it before we found it free on Audible. While it wasn’t a total waste of time, the story’s disjointed writing and uncomfortable prologue set a rocky tone that never fully recovered, even as the tension picked up aboard the USS Roanoke.
The middle portion of the audiobook had some gripping moments as the crew faced both external threats and internal chaos. The mix of Cold War intrigue and horror elements didn’t always mesh well, leaving parts of the story feeling forced or awkward. The narration was solid, but even a good performance couldn’t save the disjointed storytelling.
The ending was where things truly went off the rails. While I am glad I finished it for the joke of it all, the final scenes felt unnecessary and left me with an unpleasant aftertaste. I wouldn’t recommend this book unless you’re really curious or, like me, need to satisfy a long-running joke. It’s a short listen, but not one I’ll revisit or easily recommend to others.
Get it at…
📗 - Hard Copy -📗
📱 - Digital - 📱
🎧 - Audio - 🎧
Libro.FM - (Not Available at Time of Review)
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*Star Rating Guide*
⭐ - The writing style didn’t appeal to me. The characters didn’t resonate with me. I pushed myself to the limit to avoid DNF’ing. I wouldn’t suggest this book to anyone I’m acquainted with.
⭐⭐ - The book was passable, but it won’t stick in my mind. Although I didn’t abandon the book, my mind wasn’t fully immersed in the story. I discovered that it was easy for me to stop reading it and not feel compelled to continue promptly. When everything was said and done, I was unsure of my immediate opinion on this book.
⭐⭐⭐ - If someone is actively seeking a book in this general premise, I would suggest this. While it was good, I don’t think I’ll ever pick up this book for a second read. If it were part of a series, I’d probably venture into the next book. Reading it was time well-spent.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ - This book was brilliant. I had the urge to keep reading and turn to the next page. The book stayed on my mind for days after I finished it. I highly recommend this book to everyone.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - I was actively engaged in wanting to finish reading this book. My thoughts are consumed by this book after completing it. I want to have a physical copy as a trophy that I can display on my shelf. I felt a strong connection and investment while reading this book, would definitely recommend.
bekah101's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
5.0
galaxywitch's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
saroreen's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
ventica's review against another edition
3.0
Heard on audiobook. It was as I expected… vampires on a submarine. Fun read.
shellyey11's review against another edition
4.0
Not one for military novels but this was a good read. While it has the thriller/horror element I found it mild. It takes a lot not gross me out or spook me. I was more intrigued with the submarine layout . I
the_disaster_autist's review against another edition
5.0
I read it all in one sitting, took several hours. No regrets. It’s engaging from the start, well written and well paced. It’s atmospheric and a plain old good read. It’s a good story well told. Recommended.
elleyotter's review against another edition
4.0
Rating: 3.5 stars
I got a little hung up on all the nautical terminology in the beginning of this book, and it almost made me stop reading it a few times, but it was compellingly written enough that I kept reading. I also expected it to be about some sort of deep sea beasty, and instead was more of a vampires on a submarine type story. (Which makes sense, because if vampires hate the sun it makes sense they'd like it deep under the ocean where there is no sun, right?) There were a lot of really great, intriguing things about this book. I found myself caring about several of the characters, especially some of the ones who end up surviving (which makes sense, I suppose?) Several times I thought I knew for sure what was coming next, but then was completely (in a good way) surprised by what actually happened next. This book kept me constantly on my toes and it was really great... when it wasn't being bogged down with nautical terminology and by everyone having multiple names.
For example, Jerry White is referred to as "Jerry" in the chapters that are told in the third person limited POV that "follow" him and his limited POV, while he is referred to as "White," unless the person gets to be friends with him at which point he might be called "White" sometimes and then sometimes "Jerry." Then if someone is an officer they might also sometimes be referred to only by their title, which also sometimes is shorted to an acronym, so some people have, like, four names they're referred by. By the end of the book I was used to it, and now I'm primed and ready to read ALL THE NAVY FICTION, haha. I am really glad I stuck with this through the first few chapters of describing all the nautical terms, parts of the sub, explanations about life with 140 men on a submarine and what that means for them, etc. It was necessary world building to set the stage for the story, but it was a bit of a dry slog to get through for the first three chapters or so before the story really picked up steam. But once it got going, MAN, this book was hard to put down.
I got a little hung up on all the nautical terminology in the beginning of this book, and it almost made me stop reading it a few times, but it was compellingly written enough that I kept reading. I also expected it to be about some sort of deep sea beasty, and instead was more of a vampires on a submarine type story. (Which makes sense, because if vampires hate the sun it makes sense they'd like it deep under the ocean where there is no sun, right?) There were a lot of really great, intriguing things about this book. I found myself caring about several of the characters, especially some of the ones who end up surviving (which makes sense, I suppose?) Several times I thought I knew for sure what was coming next, but then was completely (in a good way) surprised by what actually happened next. This book kept me constantly on my toes and it was really great... when it wasn't being bogged down with nautical terminology and by everyone having multiple names.
For example, Jerry White is referred to as "Jerry" in the chapters that are told in the third person limited POV that "follow" him and his limited POV, while he is referred to as "White," unless the person gets to be friends with him at which point he might be called "White" sometimes and then sometimes "Jerry." Then if someone is an officer they might also sometimes be referred to only by their title, which also sometimes is shorted to an acronym, so some people have, like, four names they're referred by. By the end of the book I was used to it, and now I'm primed and ready to read ALL THE NAVY FICTION, haha. I am really glad I stuck with this through the first few chapters of describing all the nautical terms, parts of the sub, explanations about life with 140 men on a submarine and what that means for them, etc. It was necessary world building to set the stage for the story, but it was a bit of a dry slog to get through for the first three chapters or so before the story really picked up steam. But once it got going, MAN, this book was hard to put down.
mangocult's review against another edition
4.0
Vampires infiltrating a US Navy nuclear sub in the middle of the Cold War? Creature-feature pseudo-siege horror in the silent isolation of the murky arctic depths? Pursued from outside by a next-gen Soviet sub while pursued from inside by bloodthirsty monsters wearing the faces of their dead crewmates? Mark me down as scared AND horny!
No, but really: this was a SOLID standalone campy horror read, and I enjoyed it immensely. I like machines. I like monsters. I liked this book.
No, but really: this was a SOLID standalone campy horror read, and I enjoyed it immensely. I like machines. I like monsters. I liked this book.