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the_bookubus's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
A group of six find themselves stranded at sea during a drug smuggling attempt. As they look for help they arrive at an oil rig which appears to be abandoned. But as they explore they discover that they might not be alone after all.
This was a fun romp, very of its time, and rather British (all things that I enjoy). My main complaint was that it took quite a while to really get going and it wasn't until about halfway through that things kicked into a higher gear. Sure, I still quite enjoyed getting to know the characters and the backstory and there were certainly some eerie moments as they explored the oil rig but it all felt a bit too slow and drawn out to really captivate me. Once things did start happening though it was fast-paced and very entertaining so I'm still glad I read it. My favourite parts were the descriptions of the creature and the various forms it took. There were some really fantastic and well-written details, and it gets pretty gross and unsettling at times all of which I thoroughly enjoyed. It's a fun mix of having a somewhat serious and well-thought out backstory while still being schlocky and silly at times. Overall an entertaining sci-fi horror and a quick read.
Just FYI: there is quite a bit of sexism and misogyny, mostly from one character in particular, along with some sexual content including sexual assault.
A group of six find themselves stranded at sea during a drug smuggling attempt. As they look for help they arrive at an oil rig which appears to be abandoned. But as they explore they discover that they might not be alone after all.
This was a fun romp, very of its time, and rather British (all things that I enjoy). My main complaint was that it took quite a while to really get going and it wasn't until about halfway through that things kicked into a higher gear. Sure, I still quite enjoyed getting to know the characters and the backstory and there were certainly some eerie moments as they explored the oil rig but it all felt a bit too slow and drawn out to really captivate me. Once things did start happening though it was fast-paced and very entertaining so I'm still glad I read it. My favourite parts were the descriptions of the creature and the various forms it took. There were some really fantastic and well-written details, and it gets pretty gross and unsettling at times all of which I thoroughly enjoyed. It's a fun mix of having a somewhat serious and well-thought out backstory while still being schlocky and silly at times. Overall an entertaining sci-fi horror and a quick read.
Just FYI: there is quite a bit of sexism and misogyny, mostly from one character in particular, along with some sexual content including sexual assault.
trevert's review
3.0
This is some solidly good horror pulp here. I found it via Grady Hendrix's book "Paperbacks from Hell" and I hope all the rest that I've jotted down are at least as entertaining. It's a blatant and shameless Xerox of 'The Thing' and 'Jaws', but your reading time will get you -
A heroic lead with chiseled everything.
A mutant shark tentacle monster that can absorb people, have chats, and fly a helicopter.
And that has a bitey giant tentacle penis.
Also flamethrowers, creepy scientists, abandoned oil rig, and "If this thing reaches civilization, it's the end of everything."
Don't take my 3 star review as a bad thing, I'm giving it three in comparison to all the super-good books that get 4 and the literary masterpieces that get five. This is a fun time all around, and the text equivalent of an early 80's drive-in movie.
A heroic lead with chiseled everything.
A mutant shark tentacle monster that can absorb people, have chats, and fly a helicopter.
And that has a bitey giant tentacle penis.
Also flamethrowers, creepy scientists, abandoned oil rig, and "If this thing reaches civilization, it's the end of everything."
Don't take my 3 star review as a bad thing, I'm giving it three in comparison to all the super-good books that get 4 and the literary masterpieces that get five. This is a fun time all around, and the text equivalent of an early 80's drive-in movie.
quilly14's review against another edition
3.0
Pulp fun. Nothing more, nothing less. Super quick read.
monbie's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
milesmadonna's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
onetrackmind77's review against another edition
3.0
Totally 80's over-the-top horror. Sketchy science. Naked girls. Flamethrowers. Good times.
mark5327's review
3.0
Kind of meh Alien knock off with some body horror. Super British, which was fun. Not a bad distraction.