Into the Drowning Deep marked my first time reading Mira Grant, and I loved it so much I immediately read the prequel, Rolling in the Deep. This novel and novella duet was fascinating and deeply terrifying. I live far enough away from the ocean, but while reading, every time there was a noise in my house, I kept thinking what’s that? and expected slimy, scaly things to jump out from the shadows.
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Into the Drowning Deep
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(you can find my rating and spice system here)
POV & Tense: Third-person omniscient. Past tense.
Genre: Horror, Science Fiction, Thriller, LGBTQ+ (FF romantic subplot)
Tropes: Isolation, Forced Proximity
Locations: Monterey, California; Mariana Trench.
Synopsis:
Seven years prior, the Imagine Network — known for B-grade horror movies and mockumentaries of Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster — hired a ship and voyaged to the Mariana Trench to film a mockumentary about mermaids. They included a troupe of synchronized swimmers with mermaid tails because no one expected to find real mermaids. But the SS Atargatis soon lost communication and was found adrift six weeks later with not a single soul aboard. It was considered by all a maritime tragedy, the strange video footage recovered was dismissed as a distasteful hoax.
After years of scandal and legal battles, the Imagine Network CEO, aiming to unsully the network’s reputation and retire in a blaze of glory, commissions a cruise ship, doubling as a state-of-the-art research facility. He fills it with scientists and trusted employees to set sail and find out what really happened aboard the Atargatis.
Except, what can go wrong will go wrong. The protective shields don’t work, and the security detail was hired more for their ‘camera-friendly’ appearance than competence. Most of the scientists aboard don’t even believe in mermaids and are there to further their research. But they are about to find out that some mysteries are best left unsolved.
My Review:
Fascinating and terrifying—will keep you on the edge of your seat. This book thrilled my inner science nerd and left me breathless. Right from the get-go—before chapter one even began—I was completely enthralled by the newspaper clippings and lecture excerpts detailing the possible existence of Mariana Trench mermaids. Especially chilling is a short film recovered from the SS Atargatis, depicting moments of terror with the crew running from strange aquatic creatures. As an observer of this film, we, the reader, are treated to full descriptions of what the mermaids look and sound like (I find creatures that mimic voices truly terrifying!).
And then we get to meet the cast and crew. Knowing what the creatures are capable of creates a sense of foreboding dread, especially for those with disabilities (I’m looking pointedly at certain morally grey network representative who often forgets to take his medicine). One of the best things about this book is the diversity of the cast (and it is diversity written well, their disabilities and/or sexual orientation are not their defining personality trait—these are characters with depth, with unique motivations and flaws).
The story is written in third-person omniscient POV, which is hard to do well because it often results in an uncomfortable narrative distance where it is difficult to empathize with the characters (I tend to prefer third person limited POV for this reason). But I have to say this style was perfect for the story and enabled easy navigation between the large ensemble cast. Mira Grant wrote each character brilliantly, humanizing and creating empathy for each one—even the unlikable characters.
All in all, this was a fantastic, thrilling ride. I never knew what was coming next, and although the ending came quickly, it was satisfying.
My favourite characters:
Tory Stewart — Sonar expert, bisexual, sister of Anne Stewart, who was the Imagine Network reporter aboard the SS Atargatis. For her, this mission is personal.
Dr. Jillian Toth — Half-Hawaiian, formerly an ecological warrior, currently a badass scientist specializing in Sirenology. Most people think she’s a quack, but she stays the course, determined to observe the mermaids she’s so certain exist. But she also grapples with guilt, as it was her research which sent the SS Atargatis to the Mariana Trench.
Theo Blackwell — Morally grey Imagine Network exec (and Dr. Toth’s estranged husband), who’s stuck between a rock and a hard place, loyal to both the Imagine Network and Dr. Toth. He suffers from chronic pain requiring frequent injections to manage.
Olivia Sanders — adorable and relatable autistic lesbian, the face of the Imagine network (incidentally the same role as Anne Stewart).
The Wilson Sisters — the twins, Heather and Holly, were born deaf and are brought aboard for their scientific achievements. Heather is a deep-sea diver with a submersible and Holly is an organic chemist. Their older sister Hallie (she’s mentioned in the prequel) serves as their translator and is aboard as an acoustician and to attempt sign language with the mermaids.
Jaques and Michi Abney — Large game hunting power couple, brought aboard for their skill with killing things, largely abhorred and feared by the crew. They’ve hunted lions and rhinos, and now they have their sights set on mermaids. You may detest what they stand for, but this couple is as fascinating as they are repulsive, and the love they share runs deep.
[Prequel] Rolling in the Deep
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This novella follows the events aboard the SS Atargatis, and it’s also a great read. Just like the novel, it’s filled with a diverse cast including LGBTQ+ rep, women in STEM, wheelchair-bound “mermaids” (part of the synchronized swimming troupe), a no-nonsense female ship captain and her deaf first mate, and of course killer mermaids.
And can we talk about that cover for a minute? I’m in love. The art is by Julie Dillon and it’s gorgeous. The colouring, the imagery, the detailed webbing between the fingers. It’s so perfect and creates a beautiful sense of dread.
I recommend reading both (each delivers something different). But… If you’re only going to read one, read Into the Drowning Deep. It’s a full-length novel, so there’s more complexity, more build-up, and more time spent getting to know each of the characters. If you’re going to read both, read Into the Drowning Deep first. That’s what I did and I’m glad about it. There are events towards the end of Rolling in the Deep which may spoil the ending of Into the Drowning Deep.
~Rolling in the Deep was originally printed by Subterranean Press with a limited edition print of 1000 signed copies. Your local library may have a copy. It looks like US-based residents can get a copy of the ebook through Amazon. Other countries can get the audiobook through Amazon or the e-book through Subterranean Press.
Author Stalking (but not in a creepy way):
American Author Seanan McGuire (known for her Urban Fantasy novels) writes Horror and Science Fiction under the pen name Mira Grant.
Website: miragrant.com
Twitter: @seananmcguire
Instagram: @seananmcguire
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Have you read Into the Drowning Deep or Rolling in the Deep? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below.
~~If you like books about mermaids, check out my Mermay reclist~~
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