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unviincible's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
scary!! the deep sea is already dread-inducing enough before you introduce intelligent, predator life that very much wants you dead. it definitely feels like I'm watching a horror movie play out, corny dialogue included
seems well thought out and I like the disabled rep, it's very casually done. it feels like a lot of named characters for such a short story, though; it can be difficult to keep up with who is who, so much so that I had to write it down. I think I would've liked for a more focused, intimate perspective from one or two people, but I get that they can't be everywhere all at once either. but that ending...whew!! time for nightmares
seems well thought out and I like the disabled rep, it's very casually done. it feels like a lot of named characters for such a short story, though; it can be difficult to keep up with who is who, so much so that I had to write it down. I think I would've liked for a more focused, intimate perspective from one or two people, but I get that they can't be everywhere all at once either. but that ending...whew!! time for nightmares
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore
Moderate: Ableism
paperquilt's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Gore
Moderate: Ableism
squid_ears's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Death, and Cannibalism
Moderate: Ableism
orcamagicka's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Listened to audiobook in around 3 hours.
Been dying to read the prequel to one of my favorite horror novels, Into the Drowning Deep! From both a horror lover and marine biology major perspective, I adore the story Grant has crafted, and I eagerly await the sequel if she is granted the opportunity and funds to finally write it.
Since this is a prequel and the audience immediately knows of the tragedy of the Atargatis and her crew, much of the mystery and suspense is sadly lost. We know most of the secrets of the mermaid-like creatures, and we know that any of the characters we grow attached to will inevitably meet a tragic end. I didn’t expect this to completely match with my love for the original novel, but it didn’t have to. This was still a grim, tragic, unsettling horror filled to the brim with marine science jargon which I’m always a fan of. If you couldn’t tell already, my favorite character was obviously Dr. Peter Harris. So sad yet oddly bittersweet and poetic for his death to have gone down in that way.
If you’ve read Into the Drowning Deep already, give this a read too!
Been dying to read the prequel to one of my favorite horror novels, Into the Drowning Deep! From both a horror lover and marine biology major perspective, I adore the story Grant has crafted, and I eagerly await the sequel if she is granted the opportunity and funds to finally write it.
Since this is a prequel and the audience immediately knows of the tragedy of the Atargatis and her crew, much of the mystery and suspense is sadly lost. We know most of the secrets of the mermaid-like creatures, and we know that any of the characters we grow attached to will inevitably meet a tragic end. I didn’t expect this to completely match with my love for the original novel, but it didn’t have to. This was still a grim, tragic, unsettling horror filled to the brim with marine science jargon which I’m always a fan of. If you couldn’t tell already, my favorite character was obviously Dr. Peter Harris. So sad yet oddly bittersweet and poetic for his death to have gone down in that way.
If you’ve read Into the Drowning Deep already, give this a read too!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Gore
ofbooksandechos's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
As someone who lives on the seaside and who has always had a deep connection with the sea, I expected this book to have far more tension than it had. I wanted to be terrified and I just wasn’t.
That doesn’t mean this isn’t a bad book, just a little disappointing for me.
That doesn’t mean this isn’t a bad book, just a little disappointing for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Gore
Moderate: Death and Ableism
shadowfelle's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Gore
bookbrig's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Okay, I just posted about how I hate scary stuff, but now that I'm thinking about it what I hate is scary stuff that's related to hauntings or ghost-y things or other invisible-but-in-your-house-upsettingness. I don't want scary things in my house. Scary monster stuff is not as bad for my imagination, apparently.
And this was so great. It reminded me of reading Michael Crichton as a kid, giving you the full picture of a disaster that happened before you dive in to see what went wrong. But even better because what's going wrong here is really entertaining to read about in a weird creature sort of way. Actually, maybe that's part of why I like this so much. It's like an aquatic Jurassic Park. Alsoa mermaid EATS A GUY'S FACE OFF and it's such a shocking and fantastic moment.
10/10 would recommend.
And this was so great. It reminded me of reading Michael Crichton as a kid, giving you the full picture of a disaster that happened before you dive in to see what went wrong. But even better because what's going wrong here is really entertaining to read about in a weird creature sort of way. Actually, maybe that's part of why I like this so much. It's like an aquatic Jurassic Park. Also
10/10 would recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Death
wanderinginthewoods's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail
rebecca713's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
This was pretty similar to Into the Drowning Deep, just much shorter. I know it says this one is #0.5 in the series but I would recommend reading it second or just skipping it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
Minor: Gun violence
meadhbhdhommnail's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, and Murder