116 reviews for:

Out of the Drowning Deep

A.C. Wise

3.87 AVERAGE

senqin's review against another edition

3.0

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Machines didn't feel fear. They didn't feel sympathy for murderers. They didn't put aside memories they found inconvenient. He might not be a blasphemy, but he had grown beyond the original intent of his programming. He had lived too long and had become, in his own way, a sinner.

★★★

Not A.C. Wise's best work. It did feel at times like too much was being stuffed into too few pages and that certain parts of the story were rushed as a result BUT Wise's imagination is just so wild that I did end up having a good time. Plays a lot with the idea of prayers, angels, and gods that I didn't quite grasp even at the end but was really just along for the vibes anyway. Read this in an evening and although the actual murder mystery aspect was a bit lacking, the imagery and atmosphere were excellent. I will be signing the adoption paperwork for Scribe IV as well.

— ♩♫♩ ~ Goetia

lisaroystoj's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous dark emotional fast-paced

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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This was beautiful and heartbreaking, religious trauma...in space!

b_ham_reads's review against another edition

3.0

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First Impression: I can’t tell if I like it or if it went over my head or both. 😂 

After thinking about it: Out of the Drowning Deep is a novella with a vast amount of world building, a bit of a character study, and a murder mystery. The fact that A.C. Wise could fit all that in a novella under 200 still blows my mind. There's religion, space/time, angels, battling additions, trauma...just so much packed into this novella! I will say that for this to be called Out of the Drowning Deep, the looming threat that came out of the deep didn't feel as intense as I thought it would be (but that could just be me.) The more I think about it the more I can respect it and say I enjoyed it. However, I'm not sure if it will be for everyone. 

I still recommend people to give it a try! It's interesting for sure. 

freckles_and_books's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

selfwinding's review against another edition

4.75

dark emotional mysterious slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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A truly excellent and beautiful read. Language and images you can sink your teeth into and let nestle next to your heart. 

bookeared's review against another edition

3.0

mysterious fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

shysheepys's review against another edition

4.75

adventurous challenging dark sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

olivenhallstrom's review against another edition

3.5

mysterious medium-paced

rknitss's review against another edition

4.25

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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An automaton, a recovering addict, and an angel named Angel meet in a forgotten corner of the universe and try to solve the pope's murder.

Immaculate vibes. Sci-fi mystery mixed with religious horror. Nonbinary and queer representation. Angel lore that made angels interesting to me (as a recovering former Baptist that's a hard sell). 

Would recommend to fans of Becky Chambers or This is How You Lose the Time War who also enjoy lovecraftian creepiness.

matcha_nilo's review against another edition

3.5

mysterious

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes