the_restricted_section's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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
5.0
This is my first read by this author, but will definitely not be my last.
Each character is so well developed. Deeply flawed in ways that make them so relatable.
The detailed descriptions of the locations and creatures read like a movie in my head. Though I am now deeply terrified of pretty much anything that comes from the ocean.
What really hit me are the underlying themes of abuse, grief, and family. How each character must find their own way through these particular obstacles of life that in some way or another we all must face.
Bravo!!
Each character is so well developed. Deeply flawed in ways that make them so relatable.
The detailed descriptions of the locations and creatures read like a movie in my head. Though I am now deeply terrified of pretty much anything that comes from the ocean.
What really hit me are the underlying themes of abuse, grief, and family. How each character must find their own way through these particular obstacles of life that in some way or another we all must face.
Bravo!!
pbanditp's review against another edition
4.0
Island vacation gone very wrong. Good unique story with some pretty terrifying scenes. If you have a fear of drowning then this one with get under your skin.
I did not connect with the characters so it was hard to be empathetic with them but the story was strong enough to keep it interesting
I did not connect with the characters so it was hard to be empathetic with them but the story was strong enough to keep it interesting
stefanie_duncan's review against another edition
5.0
AMAZING BOOK!
This book was recommended in one of my fb Horror Books and as usual I went in blind (and because of the gorgeous cover).
This book isn't straight up horror. I am not sure how to categorize it, but I feel like it does not need a box. This book mixes scary, some horror, some DV and and greek mythology into a beautiful tale of survival, a mothers love and our fear of water. Except this time the water and its inhabitants follow you.
Melissa, her not-so-nice boyfriend Hoyt and Melissa's son Patrick are making their way to a small town in Florida for a nice vacation. Except Hoyt has other plans because "nice" isn't part of his vocabulary. And when a particular incident happens everything we know about the ocean, the water and the sea creatures makes us want to go hiking in the mountains for a relaxing vacation. We all seen jaws and it kept many of us from swimming in the ocean for years. This book isn't helping getting some of us back into the water.
Mixing the genres for this book was very clever and well done.
This book was recommended in one of my fb Horror Books and as usual I went in blind (and because of the gorgeous cover).
This book isn't straight up horror. I am not sure how to categorize it, but I feel like it does not need a box. This book mixes scary, some horror, some DV and and greek mythology into a beautiful tale of survival, a mothers love and our fear of water. Except this time the water and its inhabitants follow you.
Melissa, her not-so-nice boyfriend Hoyt and Melissa's son Patrick are making their way to a small town in Florida for a nice vacation. Except Hoyt has other plans because "nice" isn't part of his vocabulary. And when a particular incident happens everything we know about the ocean, the water and the sea creatures makes us want to go hiking in the mountains for a relaxing vacation. We all seen jaws and it kept many of us from swimming in the ocean for years. This book isn't helping getting some of us back into the water.
Mixing the genres for this book was very clever and well done.
david_john's review against another edition
4.0
My first time reading a book from this author and now I need to read all his other books ! The story was fast paced and kept me interested all the way through to the end. The characters were all so well developed. For a horror book there were some unexpected heartfelt and very touching moments also which I really liked. I can’t say any more without spoilers so read the book to find out !
karlakayjenniges's review against another edition
4.0
This is a mixture of domestic abuse, a mothers deep love for her son, and a creative story intertwining modern day and mythology.
It takes us into the depths of the monstrous part that often lives in a vile humans heart and the hate that dwells there. As the story unfolds, it reveals the mythological creature that dwells in the deep depths of the ocean, lying in wait to return, waiting for the hate to feed it and give it control.
A story of a mother and son living through domestic abuse and coming to grips with it through strength and love, finding a way to lean on another human and move forward. Doing everything in their power to push the past behind them takes them on an even darker path, one which they may not survive.
At times during reading this, it gave me the chills. Just thinking about how vast and powerful the ocean is. Imagine it being completely controlled along with all the deep sea creatures by an evil mythological God!
I enjoyed reading this, entertaining and creative with a satisfying ending!
It takes us into the depths of the monstrous part that often lives in a vile humans heart and the hate that dwells there. As the story unfolds, it reveals the mythological creature that dwells in the deep depths of the ocean, lying in wait to return, waiting for the hate to feed it and give it control.
A story of a mother and son living through domestic abuse and coming to grips with it through strength and love, finding a way to lean on another human and move forward. Doing everything in their power to push the past behind them takes them on an even darker path, one which they may not survive.
At times during reading this, it gave me the chills. Just thinking about how vast and powerful the ocean is. Imagine it being completely controlled along with all the deep sea creatures by an evil mythological God!
I enjoyed reading this, entertaining and creative with a satisfying ending!
biancarosesmith's review against another edition
2.0
Unfortunately this really wasn’t really for me and missed the mark. I enjoyed the beginning which explored violence within intimate relationships and showed some great character development but it went down hill for me after the abusive boyfriend turned into a demi god. I just couldn’t buy into it for whatever reason.
Those who enjoy deep sea horror or creature features may enjoy it more than me.
Those who enjoy deep sea horror or creature features may enjoy it more than me.
deadhighwaybooks's review against another edition
5.0
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to take a life changing vacation that you won’t soon forget for years to come? Melissa and Patrick did, and let me tell you, I won’t forget it either!
I saw the thunderstorm release of this book, and was intrigued instantly. I missed out on that gorgeous edition, sadly, so I just had to wait for its normal release. Then something amazing happened. A call for reviewers, which I immediately jumped on and received the long awaited book as an advanced reader copy! Miracles do happen, folks! So that leaves us here for the review.
A general run down of what this story is all about. Melissa and Patrick decide to take a vacation down to Florida in order to escape their current situation, and bond with Hoyt, Melissa’s abusive boyfriend. It’s not a new vacation spot for Melissa, so Melissa and Patrick do have a decent advantage. It was told as if we all knew the place by heart. Along the way they encounter some things that seem a bit fishy. One thing leads to another in plot twist after plot twist, until we meet our grand finale. I will leave you with this summary so as not to give anything away. This is a review, but I still want to persuade you all to read it for yourself.
At no point in this book did I think to myself: Get on with it.
At no point during the impending conclusion did I experience that “why isn’t this over” anger that I sometimes experience towards the end of a book. This story was told in a way that made me feel like I couldn’t do anything else but finish this story. At several points during this reading I did feel like it was moving towards being a cosmic horror story. I was hooked from the very beginning and it didn’t let me go until the very last word.
If you want a little bit of The Fisherman by John Lagan mixed with a uniquely told story, then this book is most definitely for you. Whatever you do, think twice before swimming this summer.
I saw the thunderstorm release of this book, and was intrigued instantly. I missed out on that gorgeous edition, sadly, so I just had to wait for its normal release. Then something amazing happened. A call for reviewers, which I immediately jumped on and received the long awaited book as an advanced reader copy! Miracles do happen, folks! So that leaves us here for the review.
A general run down of what this story is all about. Melissa and Patrick decide to take a vacation down to Florida in order to escape their current situation, and bond with Hoyt, Melissa’s abusive boyfriend. It’s not a new vacation spot for Melissa, so Melissa and Patrick do have a decent advantage. It was told as if we all knew the place by heart. Along the way they encounter some things that seem a bit fishy. One thing leads to another in plot twist after plot twist, until we meet our grand finale. I will leave you with this summary so as not to give anything away. This is a review, but I still want to persuade you all to read it for yourself.
At no point in this book did I think to myself: Get on with it.
At no point during the impending conclusion did I experience that “why isn’t this over” anger that I sometimes experience towards the end of a book. This story was told in a way that made me feel like I couldn’t do anything else but finish this story. At several points during this reading I did feel like it was moving towards being a cosmic horror story. I was hooked from the very beginning and it didn’t let me go until the very last word.
If you want a little bit of The Fisherman by John Lagan mixed with a uniquely told story, then this book is most definitely for you. Whatever you do, think twice before swimming this summer.
meinfulleffect's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
biblio_beth's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0