Tuesday, December 5, 2017

Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant

Series: Rolling in the Deep #1
439 p.
Published: 11/14/17
Publisher: Orbit
Source: NetGalley and publisher for review
Seven years ago, the Atargatis set off on a voyage to the Mariana Trench to film a “mockumentary” bringing to life ancient sea creatures of legend. It was lost at sea with all hands. Some have called it a hoax; others have called it a maritime tragedy. 
Now, a new crew has been assembled. But this time they’re not out to entertain. Some seek to validate their life’s work. Some seek the greatest hunt of all. Some seek the truth. But for the ambitious young scientist Victoria Stewart this is a voyage to uncover the fate of the sister she lost. 
Whatever the truth may be, it will only be found below the waves. 
But the secrets of the deep come with a price.
My thoughts:

I love mermaid tales. Not all admittedly have appealed to me but this one really peaked my interest. It is horror so no singing red haired girl longing for legs (although that original Grimm tale could also be horror).  It also spoke a lot to the horror of what humans have done to the ecosystem. Now this isn't a book on questioning who is the villain in this tale, as the mermaids were presented as nothing but killers... but there is an opening and this theme may come into play in later books. There is also a working knowledge of science and even the holes in biological science that has yet to be filled. This lent the book a realistic feel and you could believe that these monsters could exist.

While this is a horror tale, those who like romance will get a taste of it, but only a taste. We tend to be more engaged in why they came aboard and how they change as things start happening. The horror of what the sirens (mermaids) wrought take center stage and any more romance would have muddied the waters... so to speak. There is an opening for further romance and I think it may happen more as the series progresses.

We also journey in this tale through book excerpts from the experts on the voyage as well as diary quotes and other mediums so the tale gets broken up a bit but it enhances the peril these voyagers found themselves. This also made the tale feel unique as well.

I give this book 4 stars. If you are looking for a good horror tale, I do highly recommend this book. While the book falters a bit in the end for me, it still feels complete with open threads to be explored as we learn more about the sirens of the deep. I also really appreciated how the science was used successfully in this book.

🐟

47 comments:

  1. I tend to avoid anything with horror, but I DO love a good mermaid book... I'm so torn! I also like that there is a science aspect to the story, and that it makes the mythological more believable.

    If I read this and have nightmares, I'm going to blame you. 😅

    Do You Dog-ear?

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    1. Um... it is possible. They were pretty terrifying... *eek*

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  2. One day I'll really have to try her books as Mira Grant

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    1. Yes! I still need to read some of her other work, but so far I've enjoyed what I've read.

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  3. Ooo a mermaid tale that is also horror? I like the sound of that! Wonderful review Melissa. :D

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    1. Yep. I've read a couple like this and this one is real horror.

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  4. I just found out about this one recently. I love Mira Grant. I read her Feed series (zombies) which was absolutely awesome. Loved those books. I've add this one to my to-read list. Glad you liked it!
    Rebecca @ The Portsmouth Review

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    1. I still need to read those! The Feed series is on my wishlist!

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  5. I do really want to read this one. I keep hearing positive things! I'm very curious.

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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  6. You have me intrigued. I'm not a fan of horror but the mermaids aspect is kinda cool. If the gore is on the low range, I'll give it a shot.

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    1. I'm a total wimp but could handle this one. It is such an intelligent take on the mermaids lore... but the gore is pretty high...

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  7. I got a copy of this last week. I am excited to dive in, but I am worried now after reading your review about the ending.

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    1. It wasn't bad, but it just didn't feel as tight as the rest of the book. That may be due to the fact that it is a series and it helps leave room for more.

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  8. I've wanted to try her books for so long but then I fall behind on all the various series so maybe this is a good place for me to dive in.

    For What It's Worth

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    1. I know what you mean. I have wanted to read more of this author as well.

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  9. It's been so long since I've read a horror book but color me intrigued!

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  10. I love Grant and enjoyed this one. I am anxious to see where she takes this. Did you read the prequel?

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    1. I haven't had time to look for the prequel but I will! I'm also curious to where this will go...

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  11. I have not read a good horror in the longest while. This sounds like a good one. Adding to my wishlist.

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  12. I am curious about this version of mermaids, but yikes, I'm a horror wuss so it won't be happening for me. :)

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    1. I'm a wimp but could handle this one. It is a bit heavy on the gore though...

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  13. I love the idea of mermaids and horror. I don't read a horror really but may have to try this one. Great review!

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    1. I don't usually read horror either but it seems to be making it's way into my tbr! :)

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  14. Oh... I loved the premise of the book and the blurb got me excited... but HORROR?! No thanks. That's a bummer. But great review! Thanks!

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    1. I'm a wimp and I had no problems with it... just an fyi. ;)

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  15. Oh I didn't realise this book had mermaids (or that it was horror), but the combination sounds so intriguing! I don't read horror typically but maybe I'll need to give this one a try :)

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    1. I've read another horror mermaid book and it does seem to work well together.

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  16. Ooh I just read this the other week too and I agree with your take. I had a little bit of a problem with the end too but mostly liked it.

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    1. I can deal b/c it is a series but if it was a standalone the ending would have bothered me more.

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  17. Ya know, I didn't even notice a problem with the ending. I wonder if I was just wasn't paying enough attention or just distracted with how Ms. Grant was going to wrap up the story by the book's end. I wasn't expecting the "explanation" so maybe that blinded me? I was like, "Whaaaaaaa????" I really wish we had more closure with the mermaid in the tank, though :) Next book....

    I'm so glad you read this!!! Now you have to try her Seanan McGuire "Doorway" book *wink, wink, nudge, nudge"

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    1. It just felt soft compared to the rest of the book. I can deal with some answers yet to be found since it is a series. :)

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  18. I should've read this already! I'm slacking in the reading department. :( I can't wait to finally get to it though.

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    1. Oh I think we all go through the slump. Hope you find one to get you out of it!

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  19. Horror tales are not of more but I am intrigued about what a mermaid horror tale would look like. I'm really glad you enjoyed this one!

    Thanks for sharing,
    ~Brittany @ Brittany's Book Rambles

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    1. I'm a wimp and could handle it, but it does have gore... :)

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  20. I just finished this book earlier this week. I loved it so much. Grant writes such great characters that I can't help but love them. I still need to try this author under the Seanan McGuire name.

    Melanie @ Hot Listens & Rabid Reads

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    1. I agree. I love her writing and I've only read a couple of books. The rest of her stuff is on my must read wishlist (all pen names).

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  21. Hmmm. This sounds interesting. I like that the author worked in some science and explained the effect humans have on the ecosystem. Sounds like a really cool story setup.

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  22. gory details plus some romance = super cool sci- fi... though now I am kinda afraid to meet a mermaid

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  23. I haven't read Mira Grant before, but this spin on mermaids does sound interesting!

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