A review by shannasbooksnhooks
Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

"'It's matching the sounds made by a human throat while completely submerged,' said Jillian. 'It shouldn't be able to do that. Human speech underwater doesn't sound like human speech. It sounds like something dead and drowned and distorted. Whether it's thinking about the adjustments or doing them automatically, it's matching something that shouldn't be able to match. That's incredible.'"
Can we say "perfect summer-to-autumn transition read"? I think we can. This book had just the right amount of summer (oceans, marine life, yachts, etc.) and autumn (mystery, suspense, death, etc.) vibes. This book did take a bit of time to pick up with the modern-day story, but once it did, it was so good. (Although, I will say the end of the epilogue confused me a bit. I had to read the last two chapters before the epilogue a couple of times, but even then I was confused. I think it was just the wording of it.) I did have a few issues with the book, which will be hidden due to spoilers. This book was, overall, a fun read despite my issues with it. And it was so interesting seeing all of the perspectives - not just humans, but mermaids and dolphins as well.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Grief, and Blood

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Ableism, Medical content, and Cursing

Issue One: The. Dolphins. Blackwell's reasoning was sound, but even if we were able to communicate with dolphins, I don't think his logic applies to non-humans, no matter what the dolphins "agreed to." Blackwell may not have "intended" to send them to their deaths by having them go to the mermaids, but that possibility (and eventuality) should have been considered and been at the forefront 24/7 considering what the mermaids are capable of, as seen on the Artagatis. Issue Two: The Abneys. I know there are people like this. But I will never not like people like this. I just loathed them with my entire being in each of their scenes. Issue Three: Killing off one of two deaf characters. I don't know what's been said about this by deaf readers, and either way, I'll let their comments (whatever and wherever those are) be loudest. While it was nice seeing that for a presentation, I don't think the deaf character should have been killed off.

A small part of me wanted Jillian and Theo to get back together after this, but I knew that was more of a pipe dream for them rather than an actual possibility. You can't always get past the hurdles in a relationship.