“Do I think they found mermaids? Yes. Of course I do. And I think the mermaids ate them all.”
Every time I read Mira Grant’s work I feel like I’ve stumbled upon something that I wasn’t supposed to find, like it is some secret treasure trove of literature that I never knew I wanted until I had it. It is that good. She has written everything from post-apocalyptic zombies to mind-controlling parasites and each world comes with its own twists and turns seamlessly merged with modern society. Into the Drowning Deep is a wonderful addition to the collection of horror-filled science fiction thrillers.
My Rating: A
Goodreads Synopsis: 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.
Plot: Mermaids are fascinating to me as is the depths of the ocean. Mira Grant’s mermaids are nothing like the ones we here about in myths or those created by Disney fairy tales. These mermaids are sirens, ancient and deadly, waiting beneath the surface to drag unsuspecting victims to its watery depths. The amount of detail regarding the science of mermaids, the logical evolutionary path, and the unknown of the deep make the setting of Mira Grant’s world highly believable. Much like an episode of Black Mirror, there is enough familiarity for the reader to grasp on to the concepts and information as possible. The constructed world is complex and built to captivate the readers sense of what could be possible, rather than what is.
Mira Grant’s command of plot arc is astounding to me. Into the Drowning Deep never feels inadequately paced, giving the reader just enough to keep them interested. Details such as the use of ASL, complex biology, and the inner dynamics of a media company are given to the reader in sporadic chunks, which does leave some room for info dumping. My one complaint about the plot would be at times that the amount of science all at once can be overwhelming, but it was not enough to deter my love for the book.
Characters: One of my biggest praises for Mira Grant’s writing is her incorporation of diverse characters without making their diversity the most important thing about them. An array of complex characters, each with their own lives and detailed backstories creates authentic and genuine interactions that never feel forced.
The main character, Tori Stewart, is on the journey to the Marianas Trench to find out what happened to her sister on the previous voyage that sparked the deep pain rooted in her life and the obsession with listening to the sounds of the ocean, listening for some clue as to what happened. She is relatable and raw in both her pain and her passion for finding the unknown. Both her flaws and her strengths make her a great character as she feels as though she could jump off the page.
Several other characters are notable in this one, Olivia Sanderson, the autistic television personality, paralleling the role of Tori’s dead sister had on the Atargatis. Holly and Heather, a pair of deaf twins, and their sister Hallie, their interpreter, bring a level of deep familial bond that is unbreakable to any force of nature. Dr. Jillian Toth, a mocked scientist studying the existence of mermaids, and her estranged husband, the spy for the corporation that is funding the research create an interesting dynamic of lost love. A slew of other scientists each searching for their own answers and glory in the Challenger Deep, deepest part of the world’s oceans.
Overall: The book begins with a legend, a few scattered video clips, and raging sirentologist with blood on her hands. Tori’s quest to find out what happened to the Atargatis leads to places that no reader can anticipate. The impressive amount of research and critical thinking that came together to create the intricate details that set the book apart from the rest is astounding to me. I have said before that Mira Grant is underrated as far as writing goes and Into the Drowning Deep is another example of why she is one of my favorite authors. her stories lie on the fringes of the possibility of society capturing the readers attention for what could possibly be. To anyone who reads science fiction, Into the Drowning Deep should be on your to-read list, otherwise you’re missing out.
Ending Rating: 9/10.
Would I recommend it? Yes, I know the year is young, but this one definitely will be remembered as one of the best reads of the year. I was hooked from the second I picked it up.
Is this book on your to-read list? Do you think mermaids exist? What exists at the bottom of the Challenger Deep? Advertisements Share this:- More
