Into the Drowning Deep

Into the Drowning Deep

By Mira Grant
Published: Orbit, 2017
Pages: 448
Genre: Science Fiction, Horror
Amazon, Goodreads

 The mermaid does not care whether or not we believe in its existence. Somewhere far from here, the mermaid continues to do what it has always done: it continues to thrive. And it waits for us to realize that belief is, in the end, irrelevant.

About the book

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 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.

Review

Into the Drowning Deep is a fascinating, mind-blowing sci-fi-horror read about killer mermaids. And this book is definitely killer all right!

What drew me right away was the plot: crew members to a ship that had set up to film a mockumentary of mermaids mysteriously disappears and several years later, a new crew is assembled to set out and find the proof the previous crew could not. 

The mermaids present in our pop culture are like the Little Mermaid: beautiful, curious about humans, etc. Into the Drowning Deep presents a different perspective - mermaids as vicious hunters. The author's originality mixed with a tense, terrifying atmosphere and great writing makes this book a fantastic read.

This book surprised me in several ways: it's also a horror novel and it's very diverse. One of the main female characters starts a romance with another female, and it's considered normal, not at all unusual. Neither one of them are required to explain it or question what they are doing; it's just them and their love for each other. I knew Into the Drowning Deep was a sci-fi (that's where it was in the library) but there is a sinister atmosphere to the story similar to Stephen King's writing.

This is the first of Mira Grant's novels that I've read, and I'm definitely going to check out her other books. Into the Drowning Deep is a book I'd recommend to those who like fantasy, sci-fi and/or horror.

RATING (out of five puppies):