lexx_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
joyceheinen's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
readwithshera's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
This book definitely had me thinking a lot. There were times I couldn’t tell if the main character was imagining things or they were really happening in that moment or it was a memory. I feel like if this was a movie it would be utterly terrifying. Definitely a book that messed with your mind.
joy_b's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
lcourage's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
ethantw00's review against another edition
3.0
I think, maybe, perhaps, this style of horror isn’t for me.
I also just kinda hated the twist. I like the very end, but it just didn’t have the impact I would’ve liked because of the twist.
I will say the body horror in this is mostly top-notch, specifically in the last quarter of the book.
(And the dog scene near the end is a particular high point, both emotionally and visually)
Two things, I really didn’t love: the onomatopoeia and 90% of the italicized text. Onomatopoeia is something I think should be used in super small doses but Cutter clearly loves the fuck out of it, which is unfortunate because his aurally descriptive language is a thousand times more effective in delivering chills. And yeah the vast majority of the italics just didn’t work for me at all. They were trying to be creepy and I think maybe even campy sometimes but it was just cringeworthy most of the time.
As far as like the overall scary level, I wouldn’t really rank it that high. There was one particularly claustrophobic section that actually stresses me out; however, other than that this just isn’t really the type of horror that scares me, especially because it felt like Cutter was trying to include all the go-to phobias (clowns and creepy kids in particular). Also, I love body horror, but it’s not something that really sets my nerves off, at least not in text form.
Idk overall I’m pretty underwhelmed but this, especially because how hyped up it was to me. I’m definitely still going to read “Little Heaven” and probably any other novel Cutter writes. He’s go some good shit in his brain, and I loved The Troop. This one just wasn’t for me.
I also just kinda hated the twist. I like the very end, but it just didn’t have the impact I would’ve liked because of the twist.
I will say the body horror in this is mostly top-notch, specifically in the last quarter of the book.
(And the dog scene near the end is a particular high point, both emotionally and visually)
Two things, I really didn’t love: the onomatopoeia and 90% of the italicized text. Onomatopoeia is something I think should be used in super small doses but Cutter clearly loves the fuck out of it, which is unfortunate because his aurally descriptive language is a thousand times more effective in delivering chills. And yeah the vast majority of the italics just didn’t work for me at all. They were trying to be creepy and I think maybe even campy sometimes but it was just cringeworthy most of the time.
As far as like the overall scary level, I wouldn’t really rank it that high. There was one particularly claustrophobic section that actually stresses me out; however, other than that this just isn’t really the type of horror that scares me, especially because it felt like Cutter was trying to include all the go-to phobias (clowns and creepy kids in particular). Also, I love body horror, but it’s not something that really sets my nerves off, at least not in text form.
Idk overall I’m pretty underwhelmed but this, especially because how hyped up it was to me. I’m definitely still going to read “Little Heaven” and probably any other novel Cutter writes. He’s go some good shit in his brain, and I loved The Troop. This one just wasn’t for me.
inbetweenthelines's review against another edition
2.0
I was really excited about this as I loved his other book (the troop). But I genuinely struggled with this and kinda found it boring.
There were some cool little bits, but they weren't enough to overshadow the parts that were more filler than anything.
The gets? Sounds cool right? The intro to it was really good and did give me the creeps. But after 30 pages, you don't hear about it again till a little bit of info is thrown in around 200+ pages in, then it's pushed so far to the back it's like the book itself has amnesia.
I may have held to much to this book, but I was slightly disappointed.
Though the characters are well written and do have depth, if there's not a story to hook me, there's no point.
There were some cool little bits, but they weren't enough to overshadow the parts that were more filler than anything.
The gets? Sounds cool right? The intro to it was really good and did give me the creeps. But after 30 pages, you don't hear about it again till a little bit of info is thrown in around 200+ pages in, then it's pushed so far to the back it's like the book itself has amnesia.
I may have held to much to this book, but I was slightly disappointed.
Though the characters are well written and do have depth, if there's not a story to hook me, there's no point.
lavender___'s review against another edition
4.0
The Deep was wild. I really had no idea how to rate it or review it because I’m not entirely sure how Nick Cutter wrote 400 pages of this. I’m not mad about it but I just don’t really get it. This is for me, the scariest read of the year. There was some really good tension that never let up. A STRESSFUL read that really upset me at several times, though I do understand why this is such a polarizing story. If the deep ocean doesn’t scare you then there’s really no reason this should be scary. I did love the plot twist right at the end, revealing that the underwater creatures had been with Luke his whole life. It really elevated the terror! Overall a really good read that didn’t do enough to be a full 5 stars.