Reviews

Mkay, where to start with this one? I don't know why I phrase it like that, I always follow the review system of "positives, negatives, overall conclusion." So let's begin.

The Good Stuff. This book is an adventure. I finished this bad boy in less than 48 hours because I was so hooked! The pacing is top-notch-the definition of "Just one more chapter, then I go to bed... Okay, ONE MORE... Dangit, ANOTHER ONE, I gotta know what happens!" Additionally, I respect Kraus' dedication to scientific accuracy. I don't know much about the scientific details of being eaten by a whale and trying to escape, but I can tell a lot of research and fact-checking went into writing this story. Water pressure, echolocation effects on the human body, breathing techniques with an underwater tank, anatomy of a sperm whale's stomach(s), behavior of said whale when threatened, etc. It's a story that makes you feel like you're right there in the ocean with Jay, fighting for life.

The Stuff That Could've Been Improved. First of all, I want to preface this with a clarification that I am a rather picky individual when it comes to my stories, so please take this criticism with a grain of salt. Okay...

Spoiler

I hate that the whale died (also, the descriptions were too graphic, I'm talking Walking Dead-level-graphic). I understand the symbolism and parallelism with Jay being there for his whale/dad's death, since he wasn't there for his actual father's death. I get that.

However, for me, it turned a cool "man and nature vs. emotional turmoil" into a more basic "man vs. nature." The book was advertised as an emotional journey (and it was!), but pitting Jay against the whale felt like it lessened the story instead of strengthening it. Personally, I would've preferred it where half the book was Jay resigned to his fate, just spending his time reminiscing on his life, only to feel an inspiration of strength, and finally decide to get out of the whale

Spoiler

(again, minus killing it)

. Instead, he gets eaten, has the energy to try to escape, goes back and forth on surviving or not, and eventually escapes. I think it could've been much more impactful if Jay got eaten, spent a good few chapters trying to determine if he wants to survive, resign himself to death, think back on his life, gain a newfound will to live, and then commence with an escape tactic. Again, I would've preferred Jay to work with the whale instead of against it. Maybe that's unrealistic? But then again, it's fiction.

ONE MORE THING: I believe this story really needed an epilogue of sorts.

Spoiler

The story ends like a horror movie: Jay is alive. Barely functioning, but alive. I think he deserved a follow-up. He probably lost his hand, he's covered in acid burns, he's got broken bones, busted eardrums, bleeding wounds, probably some light methane gas poisoning. I want to know where he goes after this. Does he continue to college? Does he work in a national park? Does he discover a newfound love/respect of the ocean to dedicate his life to it? I want to know!

Overall, it's a good time! Think Hatchet, but underwater. However, I wouldn't recommend it for the emotional reflection, it's more for the adrenaline surge.

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