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downtown_kb's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
This was fantastically creepy. I think the pacing of this book was very good. A mix of nail biting moments and moments to breathe. I also appreciated the flash backs to the original events leading up to the sinking of the ship. I can't tell you how much I was freaked out by the claustrophobia that came from the deep sea diving element.
Gosh, I wish I could give this 5 stars but the last 20% for me was just too much. I felt the climax went on for just a little too long. Aiden! My gosh man what were you thinking? And while I appreciated that we got some redemption for Vanna, I think it could have been just as good left open ended. So, since the pacing got off there somewhat for me on that final dive for what felt like unbelievable reasons this lost some power with me.
Still a great horror read and I enjoyed it very, very much. My first Darcy Coates and I am excited to dive into the next one.
Graphic: Suicide, Confinement, and Death
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Murder
afterplague's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Murder and Body horror
harpoonholly's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I've been looking for a deep sea horror that is both "deep sea" and "horror" and From Below nails it. It's atmospheric in its description of the SS Arcadia, it is the sublime underneath, making the wider ocean seem like a safe haven in comparison. Coates takes what is often thought of as a Lovecraftian subgenre (to both horror and the gothic) and deviates from the weirdist (weirdism sub-subgenre) norm.
Graphic: Self harm, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Body horror, Panic attacks/disorders, and Suicide
Moderate: Death of parent and Murder
There might be more horror/gothic ambience in reading the text directly, letting the readers' imaginations to get away with them. The audiobook was enjoyable, but had a kimd of impersonal, voyeuristic vibe. Of course, I couldn't stop listening till I was through, so maybe not...silverheartbookclub's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: Death, Confinement, Suicide attempt, and Suicide
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, and Murder
lindsbal's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I'm not a diver, but the descriptions of the mechanics of a dive this deep felt plausible and it seemed like Darcy had done a lot of research into how an expedition like this would work.
My only criticism is wishing the book would have followed more than one character in the 1920s. We get to know one of the crew members but I would have loved a passenger perspective as well. (Even if it would have come at the expense of the fast pace.) There were five divers plus two people aboard the ship in the modern day timeline so it felt a bit unbalanced with the 1920's narrative where we primarily followed one person.
Overall highly recommend this one!
Graphic: Death, Body horror, and Confinement
Moderate: Pandemic/Epidemic and Suicide
Minor: Murder
louisegraveyard's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Murder, Grief, and Death
sophieamreacher's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Death, Blood, Murder, Vomit, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Injury/Injury detail
aas's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Gore, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, Confinement, Grief, and Murder
polarbearisla's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Confinement and Body horror
Moderate: Murder, Blood, Death, Suicide, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, and Violence
wrensreadingroom's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Gore, Medical trauma, Child death, Death of parent, Body horror, Blood, Alcohol, Confinement, Death, Murder, Cursing, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail