Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.36 AVERAGE
3.36 AVERAGE
dark
medium-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Started off really well. I liked the set up and the characters' purposes, but about 2/3 of the way through things started to get super wacky and weird; the plot seemed to come to a standstill and felt like it kept going in circles. If the last third was cut in half it could have been a decent read. Overall it felt drawn out with a copout ending.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Is Nick Cutter… okay? 3.5 stars but rounded up because when it was rolling, it was WILD. But it did take a long time to build up to it where it would be long periods between me putting the book down and coming back to it. But the horror was absolutely terrible in my favorite way. Watch those triggers before you read, though, friends. This is a doozy.
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Freaky book. Definitely more of a body horror that is excited well
challenging
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Nick Cutter once again proves he’s a master of atmosphere in The Deep. His writing completely immerses you in a world that’s both chilling and suffocating, and even though I’m not usually a fan of slower-paced stories, I’m so glad I stuck with this one.
As someone who’s claustrophobic, I found myself physically holding my breath at times, especially as the characters navigated the narrow, pitch-black passageways of an abandoned underwater research station. Cutter doesn't just describe fear—he makes you feel it. You truly experience the descent into madness, 8 miles beneath the surface of the ocean.
The Deep is packed with unsettling imagery and a creeping dread that builds layer by layer. While the pacing may test your patience at times, it’s part of what makes the eventual horrors hit even harder. The combination of psychological terror, body horror, and existential dread makes this a standout if you’re willing to take the plunge.
As someone who’s claustrophobic, I found myself physically holding my breath at times, especially as the characters navigated the narrow, pitch-black passageways of an abandoned underwater research station. Cutter doesn't just describe fear—he makes you feel it. You truly experience the descent into madness, 8 miles beneath the surface of the ocean.
The Deep is packed with unsettling imagery and a creeping dread that builds layer by layer. While the pacing may test your patience at times, it’s part of what makes the eventual horrors hit even harder. The combination of psychological terror, body horror, and existential dread makes this a standout if you’re willing to take the plunge.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death