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3.36 AVERAGE
3.36 AVERAGE
challenging
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I almost DNF'd about 8 times. Unfortunately the premise was just interesting enough for me to continue but I wish I'd listened to myself the first time I had the thought. The author obviously thinks very highly of himself, as zero fact-checking, editing, or research was sput into this novel, and it's glaringly obvious in many places. There were scraps of promising stories littered throughout but that turned out to be Fig Men of the imagination too.
"Nick Cutter" is lucky enough to stumble into some truly horrific imagery while bumbling through this embarrassment to the genres of science fiction and horror.
Details that infuriated me specifically
Apparently in this world, millipedes (not centipedes) are vicious predators with venemous probosci.
The truly insane and nonsensical construction of the base has zero justification in the narrative.
Submarines don't work like that! A google search would tell you how long the trip should take, and somehow the submersible doesn't have a stable internal pressure, resulting in the bends while descending????
The words transparent, translucent, and opaque hold zero meaning apparently and are used interchangeably.
So much weird fixation on sex and genitalia in a way that truly only a man could produce. IYKYK
The innumerable asides where the protagonist 'hears' or invents the thoughts of characters who can't speak are incredibly cringy, and in the very specific flavour of middle-aged white man
I could go on but it's honestly so terrible that I can recommend it as a laugh if you know what you're getting into.
"Nick Cutter" is lucky enough to stumble into some truly horrific imagery while bumbling through this embarrassment to the genres of science fiction and horror.
Details that infuriated me specifically
Apparently in this world, millipedes (not centipedes) are vicious predators with venemous probosci.
The truly insane and nonsensical construction of the base has zero justification in the narrative.
Submarines don't work like that! A google search would tell you how long the trip should take, and somehow the submersible doesn't have a stable internal pressure, resulting in the bends while descending????
The words transparent, translucent, and opaque hold zero meaning apparently and are used interchangeably.
So much weird fixation on sex and genitalia in a way that truly only a man could produce. IYKYK
The innumerable asides where the protagonist 'hears' or invents the thoughts of characters who can't speak are incredibly cringy, and in the very specific flavour of middle-aged white man
I could go on but it's honestly so terrible that I can recommend it as a laugh if you know what you're getting into.
This book stressed me OUT. Yes, it had gross, icky body horror, but it was the psychological horror that got me. Every time I finished a chapter, I both wanted to throw my kindle at the wall and stay awake so I could read just one. more. chapter. I just looove me a science-y horror plot
But there are things that really really bother me.
The ‘Gets. What the FUCK was the point of that??? There is no explanation, no resolution, and I was SO wanting to see how Cutter would explain that disease. It’s just so fascinating and he did delivered nothing.
And then also, the end??? The last 10/15% of the book was just so unbelievably random. It got to the point where the twists or really graphic gore was no longer shocking, it became a chore to read. I would’ve much rather he explained the ‘Gets than to get the reveal we did.
But overall, I reeeeeally enjoyed reading majority of the book. I was so squirmy and icked but fascinated.
But there are things that really really bother me.
The ‘Gets. What the FUCK was the point of that??? There is no explanation, no resolution, and I was SO wanting to see how Cutter would explain that disease. It’s just so fascinating and he did delivered nothing.
And then also, the end??? The last 10/15% of the book was just so unbelievably random. It got to the point where the twists or really graphic gore was no longer shocking, it became a chore to read. I would’ve much rather he explained the ‘Gets than to get the reveal we did.
But overall, I reeeeeally enjoyed reading majority of the book. I was so squirmy and icked but fascinated.
The animal violence scenes in this are just too hard to read.
First of ALL!
HOW DARE YOU MORBIDLY DESCRIBE THE DEATH OF LITTLE BEE. I CRIED ENORMOUS AND PAINFUL TEARS THE ENTIRE NIGHT AND HELD MY DOG TO MY CHEST AS I HEAVED AND GASPED FOR AIR. I COULD NOT BELIEVE THROUGH ALL THAT ADVENTURE WITH LUKE, SHE NEVER EVEN HAD A CHANCE TO HAVE A HAPPY ENDING!!!
....Despite that, I found the atmosphere of the book deliciously eerie. The writer really enjoys having the reader think of what is and what is not there. Has the main character gone absolutely insane or is there actually something hiding in the lab that's hunting them one by one? I just wish there was a more clear understanding of what the creature was. Maybe I just wasn't reading into it well enough, but I mean, it was just kinda vague for me. Although, I did love the descriptions of the monster itself. The creation of the monstrous hive and the way they ripped Alice's body to shreds until she was "Mother-Hive."
All in all, I give it a 3 because you kill Little Bee, not sure exactly what the creature was, and the ending was, eh.
Definitely would recommend this to my friends, though!
HOW DARE YOU MORBIDLY DESCRIBE THE DEATH OF LITTLE BEE. I CRIED ENORMOUS AND PAINFUL TEARS THE ENTIRE NIGHT AND HELD MY DOG TO MY CHEST AS I HEAVED AND GASPED FOR AIR. I COULD NOT BELIEVE THROUGH ALL THAT ADVENTURE WITH LUKE, SHE NEVER EVEN HAD A CHANCE TO HAVE A HAPPY ENDING!!!
....Despite that, I found the atmosphere of the book deliciously eerie. The writer really enjoys having the reader think of what is and what is not there. Has the main character gone absolutely insane or is there actually something hiding in the lab that's hunting them one by one? I just wish there was a more clear understanding of what the creature was. Maybe I just wasn't reading into it well enough, but I mean, it was just kinda vague for me. Although, I did love the descriptions of the monster itself. The creation of the monstrous hive and the way they ripped Alice's body to shreds until she was "Mother-Hive."
All in all, I give it a 3 because you kill Little Bee, not sure exactly what the creature was, and the ending was, eh.
Definitely would recommend this to my friends, though!
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-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
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Ok, so. I've been meaning to read a Nick Cutter book, and this one really seemed interesting to me. I think I'm really into 'Sea Horror'. The premise was really interesting, especially the Gets. I would have loved if they explored that a little more, but I get why they didn't. This is also one of the only books that actually creeped me out/got me a bit spooked. The descriptions are top notch, it really makes you feel like you're there, under the sea with these things. My mind is all jumbled with this book, to be honest. There is so much happening, and by the end of it, you do feel a little exhausted just by the whole ordeal. So, I'm not even sure the best way to review it. The end was also a little funny to me. No spoilers, the ending doesn't just come out of nowhere, but it still had me feeling like "I really didn't expect this to be the conclusion".
This review is so jumbled, but that's the best way I can put how it makes you feel. So much happening in such a small amount of time, you don't have time to catch your breath or take a break.
This review is so jumbled, but that's the best way I can put how it makes you feel. So much happening in such a small amount of time, you don't have time to catch your breath or take a break.