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leasockzoe's review
2.0
I had such high hopes for this story. Set at sea, semi-survivalist, intrigue from the beginning. But, unfortunately, this one was a miss for me.
At the beginning of the novel, a Navy vessel comes across a yacht in distress in the middle of the Indian Ocean. On the boat, they find an injured man and his disoriented and traumatized wife who confesses "we killed them". From there, we are taken back in time, through the accounts of Virginie, the wife, to the couples journey to and on a remote & idyllic island where they are docked with 5 other people. As everyone's lives become intertwined on the island, what the couple thought would be the trip of their dreams turns into a waking nightmare.
Like I always try to do with books I was not too wild about, I am going to start with the things I liked about the novel. First, the premise was super intriguing and I was eager to continue reading throughout the story to discover what would happen next. Additionally, I think that Emma Bamford is a talented writer and uses the English language to her advantage. I also appreciated the commentary on domestic abuse, but also had some issues with it.
Now, for the parts I didn't enjoy so much. I thought the pacing of this story was off. All of the plot happened within the first 10% & the last 10% of the novel, the rest in between honestly just felt like filler. The story went on and on with no real important events happening and then boom, everything happened all at once within the last 50 pages of the book. Additionally, I felt that there were some serious plot holes, or the point of many aspects just totally went over my head. For example, what was the point of making the island an former prison reform island? I was trying to search for some commentary on prison reform or something related but I missed it. I also was so constantly irritated by every single character within the story, especially Jake, I just found him to whiny and insufferable. Also, not to mention, her was emotionally abusive with no consequences. I found this irritating because there was no retribution for Virginie who was in a previously abusive relationship.
I don't want to be too harsh and continue rambling. I didn't think this book was horrible, but it just wasn't for me. I hope this finds its audience and works out for many people. Will be interested to see what Bamford releases in the future.
Thank you NetGalley, Gallery/Scout Press, and Emma Bamford for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
At the beginning of the novel, a Navy vessel comes across a yacht in distress in the middle of the Indian Ocean. On the boat, they find an injured man and his disoriented and traumatized wife who confesses "we killed them". From there, we are taken back in time, through the accounts of Virginie, the wife, to the couples journey to and on a remote & idyllic island where they are docked with 5 other people. As everyone's lives become intertwined on the island, what the couple thought would be the trip of their dreams turns into a waking nightmare.
Like I always try to do with books I was not too wild about, I am going to start with the things I liked about the novel. First, the premise was super intriguing and I was eager to continue reading throughout the story to discover what would happen next. Additionally, I think that Emma Bamford is a talented writer and uses the English language to her advantage. I also appreciated the commentary on domestic abuse, but also had some issues with it.
Now, for the parts I didn't enjoy so much. I thought the pacing of this story was off. All of the plot happened within the first 10% & the last 10% of the novel, the rest in between honestly just felt like filler. The story went on and on with no real important events happening and then boom, everything happened all at once within the last 50 pages of the book. Additionally, I felt that there were some serious plot holes, or the point of many aspects just totally went over my head. For example, what was the point of making the island an former prison reform island? I was trying to search for some commentary on prison reform or something related but I missed it. I also was so constantly irritated by every single character within the story, especially Jake, I just found him to whiny and insufferable. Also, not to mention, her was emotionally abusive with no consequences. I found this irritating because there was no retribution for Virginie who was in a previously abusive relationship.
I don't want to be too harsh and continue rambling. I didn't think this book was horrible, but it just wasn't for me. I hope this finds its audience and works out for many people. Will be interested to see what Bamford releases in the future.
Thank you NetGalley, Gallery/Scout Press, and Emma Bamford for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
luciearan's review
4.0
*** Za obzor ***
Nebudu zastírat, že v případě této knihy jsem naprosto netušila co čekat. A jelikož se její hodnocení poměrně dost různí, trochu jsem i váhala. Nakonec jsem však neodolala stejně neodolala a riskla to. Teď rozhodně nelituji.
Příběh vyprávěný Virginií jako vysvětlení událostí, které se odehrály před její záchranou Kapitánem Danialem Tengku, mě zaujal od prvních stránek a bavil skoro až do samotného konce. Autorce se podařilo vytvořit atmosféru plnou napětí a tajemna. Samotné zakončení mi pak v určité chvíli přišlo už trochu přes čáru, to však nemění nic na tom, že jsem si většinu příběhu užila a hltala stránku za stránkou. Originální a ne tak obvyklé téma pro knihy (pominu film Pláž), zaujalo a prostředí, ve kterém se příběh odehrával, bylo příjemně osvěžující.
Nebudu zastírat, že v případě této knihy jsem naprosto netušila co čekat. A jelikož se její hodnocení poměrně dost různí, trochu jsem i váhala. Nakonec jsem však neodolala stejně neodolala a riskla to. Teď rozhodně nelituji.
Příběh vyprávěný Virginií jako vysvětlení událostí, které se odehrály před její záchranou Kapitánem Danialem Tengku, mě zaujal od prvních stránek a bavil skoro až do samotného konce. Autorce se podařilo vytvořit atmosféru plnou napětí a tajemna. Samotné zakončení mi pak v určité chvíli přišlo už trochu přes čáru, to však nemění nic na tom, že jsem si většinu příběhu užila a hltala stránku za stránkou. Originální a ne tak obvyklé téma pro knihy (pominu film Pláž), zaujalo a prostředí, ve kterém se příběh odehrával, bylo příjemně osvěžující.
paulabellman's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
4.0
Initially I gave this a 5* but after digesting it for a while I'm dropping to 4.l due to predictabl outcomes at the end of the book.
The descriptions of living full time on a boat, having the freedom to go wherever the tides took you is very alluring. However you'd better be mechanical minded and self sufficient along with your sense of adventure.
Since this *is* a thriller, you know theres gonna be a bad person w/a secret to hide. I wasn't surprised with the reveal and had anticipated it from the beginning.
I did enjoy the story telling of the author and the pace of this story was very fast.
Overall a very enjoyable read.
The descriptions of living full time on a boat, having the freedom to go wherever the tides took you is very alluring. However you'd better be mechanical minded and self sufficient along with your sense of adventure.
Since this *is* a thriller, you know theres gonna be a bad person w/a secret to hide. I wasn't surprised with the reveal and had anticipated it from the beginning.
I did enjoy the story telling of the author and the pace of this story was very fast.
Overall a very enjoyable read.
booklovinalicia's review
1.0
Not once while reading this "thriller" was I remotely interested in the plot, let alone on the edge of my seat. Absolutely nothing happens for the first 3 quarters of the story. There's not even an intense build up. The ending came fast and was anticlimactic.
This was an ARC provided by Netgalley and Gallery Books for me to read and give my honest review. It was a 1 star read for me.
Read my complete review of this and other books on my blog at www.booklovinalicia.blogspot.com
This was an ARC provided by Netgalley and Gallery Books for me to read and give my honest review. It was a 1 star read for me.
Read my complete review of this and other books on my blog at www.booklovinalicia.blogspot.com
mef84's review
4.0
First, thank you so much to Goodreads for the contest, Emma Bamford, Scout Press and Simon & Schuster for this copy.
Although the author is a good writer, and is good at painting a picture, this novel was anticlimactic. While she knows how to tell a story, she gets you interested, but you keep waiting to be surprised. I found that I had pretty much figured out the important details before they happened. I did enjoy this novel, though, so it was difficult to rate.
Although the author is a good writer, and is good at painting a picture, this novel was anticlimactic. While she knows how to tell a story, she gets you interested, but you keep waiting to be surprised. I found that I had pretty much figured out the important details before they happened. I did enjoy this novel, though, so it was difficult to rate.
rmarcin's review
4.0
3.5 rounded up to 4. Jake and Virginie are sailing around the world. They are told to go to an island called Amarante which is secluded and deserted. They find a few other people also vacationing on the island. Then, a couple they met earlier joins the group, Vitor and Teresa. Things are great until Jake and Virginie develop trouble and everything goes downhill. This is where the book opens, when Virginie is holding a bleeding Jake, calling for help via the ship's radio. They are on a yacht that isn't their own. A navy vessel finds them, and Virginie tells the frightening story to Captain Tengku.
The book starts off very strong with an air of despair and mystery. I felt the story slowed a bit while they were on Amarante. It was obvious to me what Vitor's intentions were, but not what he was involved in. I liked Tengku and his honor. I also liked the tie-in to his son, Aadam, who had died.
I think I will read more from this author in the future.
The book starts off very strong with an air of despair and mystery. I felt the story slowed a bit while they were on Amarante. It was obvious to me what Vitor's intentions were, but not what he was involved in. I liked Tengku and his honor. I also liked the tie-in to his son, Aadam, who had died.
I think I will read more from this author in the future.
staystitchy's review
3.0
Thank you to Gallery Books, Emma Bamford and Netgalley for letting me read Deep Water early. This one publishes May 31.
Welp, this one started out great and I gobbled it up pretty fast. I really want to say that this is a great book but, honestly most of it was kind of boring. I was hooked because I felt like it was setting up for something great but I never found that thing. It didn’t feel like a thriller at all. I do have to say that it is super well written and the atmosphere was perfect. I definitely felt like I was there, I was just a little bored.
A Navy ship comes to the rescue of a yacht in need of help in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Captain Tengku rushes to its aid and meets Virginie and Jake. Jake is super injured and Virginie tells Tengku the story of how they ended up in trouble. Months earlier they spent all their money on a small yacht and were set out to explore. Once they learn about a small isolated island, they’re ready to go out and adventure. Once they arrive they realize they aren’t alone and quickly become part of a group who already have developed rules and a society. Tengku is trying to find out the truth from Virginie’s story when they make a shocking discovery on the yacht.
Welp, this one started out great and I gobbled it up pretty fast. I really want to say that this is a great book but, honestly most of it was kind of boring. I was hooked because I felt like it was setting up for something great but I never found that thing. It didn’t feel like a thriller at all. I do have to say that it is super well written and the atmosphere was perfect. I definitely felt like I was there, I was just a little bored.
A Navy ship comes to the rescue of a yacht in need of help in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Captain Tengku rushes to its aid and meets Virginie and Jake. Jake is super injured and Virginie tells Tengku the story of how they ended up in trouble. Months earlier they spent all their money on a small yacht and were set out to explore. Once they learn about a small isolated island, they’re ready to go out and adventure. Once they arrive they realize they aren’t alone and quickly become part of a group who already have developed rules and a society. Tengku is trying to find out the truth from Virginie’s story when they make a shocking discovery on the yacht.
heatherlv25's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- 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? Yes
3.5
nixbix_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I love it when random book purchases completely surprise you! I was drawn to this cover & I’m so glad I picked it up. I was immediately sucked in and had to find out what had happened to Jack & Virginie and why they were in the middle of the Indian Ocean on someone else’s boat.
I loved how the story was told - we see the rescue of Jack & Virginie, and then we go back in time to see how they got there. They arrive at an extremely isolated island where they find they are not alone. At first, everything is wonderful, but you can see the darkness & tension creeping in. I found this to be so easy to read and the characters and location were richly described - it felt like I was right there in Amarante as well. I was gripped as everything imploded & I had to know what was going to happen to Jack & Virginie! This was a thrilling read of adventure & survival, and I hope Emma Bamford writes more because this was a very enjoyable read.
I loved how the story was told - we see the rescue of Jack & Virginie, and then we go back in time to see how they got there. They arrive at an extremely isolated island where they find they are not alone. At first, everything is wonderful, but you can see the darkness & tension creeping in. I found this to be so easy to read and the characters and location were richly described - it felt like I was right there in Amarante as well. I was gripped as everything imploded & I had to know what was going to happen to Jack & Virginie! This was a thrilling read of adventure & survival, and I hope Emma Bamford writes more because this was a very enjoyable read.