A review by emily_mh
Journey to the Heart of the Abyss by London Shah

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Once again, the underwater setting was the shining star of this book. I think this is one of my new favourite type of settings because it’s so fantastic and otherworldly when actually it’s still on planet Earth. I like how there was more exploration of the sea in this instalment, and I loved getting to see how amphis incorporated the ocean into their traditions, like weddings. But generally I was just super envious over how cool Leyla’s submarine, the Kabul, was. 

The beginning of this novel started off so strong; I was really hooked by what was happening. I also think the climax and resolution were done really well. They were gripping and high octane, and it was so satisfying seeing the characters receive such well-suited endings. It was fantastic in particular seeing how far Leyla had come from the beginning of the first book. 

Unfortunately, the pacing overall was not great. There was a big chunk in the middle where I had no idea where it was going, and not in a good way. There were definitely some bloated or outright unnecessary parts, which greatly reduced my enjoyment while reading. 

I also struggled with the dialogue, which was sketchy in the first book and worse here. While earnest, it was just way too on the nose. I think generally this book could have done with a more heavy-handed editor. 

While this book may not have reached my expectations, I’m still really intrigued to read what London Shah writes in the future! 
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