Reviews

From These Dark Depths by Vanessa Rasanen

mo_reads_more's review

adventurous dark sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

This was not as good as the first book for sure. I can recognize that this is a middle hook setting up a finale, so I won't take too many points away for it being kind of slow at times. I love the plotline of Tommy and Aoife chasing after Callum to save Declan. Reading about the trip was hard to get through, especially since I'm not the biggest fan of Maura. Tommy and Maura's relationship is very much instant love and while I already love Tommy from the first book, I was only just getting to know Maura as a character. The fact she was introduced as being love sick and obsessed with Tommy made it seem like that was her only character trait and her role to the story. Obviously she played a much bigger role, but it felt secondary to being Tommy's love interest because of how she was introduced. Also, they made it out to be that Maura could not control how infatuated she was with Tommy, but it was still annoying how she literally could not leave him alone, even after he tried to put space between them. Just, their entire relationship made this book harder for me to get through as well.

I hated the ending because of that. I did not care about them getting together, and her leaving was not the cliffhanger I think the author was hoping for, from my POV.

On the other hand, I loved Cait's POVs. I'm happy this book took the multiple story lines route, and I'm excited to see how those storylines converge in the finale.

I really like Adler for her as well. I wish there would be more time between the flirting with Cait and him losing Lani. In terms of time, everything is happening pretty quickly in this book so I guess that's fine. 

I WISH there was more of a reunion between Declan and Aofie.

He almost killed her, and I was hoping for more angst once she woke up so their reunification would be more satisfying. Aoife immediately comforted him though and Declan was fine with it. I thought he would be WAY more upset and trying to pull himself away from her more out of guilt. Like why build up how much he holds onto guilt and then have him immediately move on from something that would obviously impact him? It felt like that storyline just needed to be completely wrapped up for the finale to continue so it was rushed.

I will be moving into the third book though, I need to eat to the conclusion.

demsaaa's review

adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

kellbells9's review against another edition

adventurous

4.0

mermaid_mama_reads's review against another edition

4.0

This is the second book of the Aisling Sea series and while the first book was a lot of set-up and relationship building, this one was action packed. I loved the multiple POVs— it really kept the anticipation and excitement high. It also allows for you to get to know different characters at a deeper level, which I love.

From brutal pirates, corrupt governments, horrifying krakens, and savage sirens, this book took me on a dark and daring adventure. Although this book had its dark and haunting moments, it was also full of love, hope, sparking chemistry, unyielding friendship, and even a little bit of sexiness.

The last 30% of the book had me at the edge of my seat and it took me through a rollercoaster of emotions

maddietriestoread's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

A whole lotta nothing for nearly 500 pages…

abeesbooks's review against another edition

5.0

i am in PAIN

5/5 ⭐️

cks0312's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark hopeful mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

brii_brii's review

2.0

This freaking book was SO. SLOW. 

I struggled, I won't lie. About 30% through, I lost interest. It took me 2 full weeks to push through or to find a reason to pick up the book. 

It's so much longer than it needs to be, considering so little happens in this book. Over 400 pages to sail to a place and go up against the sirens. That's literally it! Considering it was like, maybe 30 pages of them actually being with the sirens, that was just way too much.

SOMEHOW, even with the length of this book, each person's chapters were too short. It bounces around so much that we really don't delve into any independent part of the story. Five pages here, then boom, five pages over there. It was impossible to create a connection with anyone.

I like the underlying plot. I liked the story itself. But there was just so much filler that the plot got lost for me.

kpharoah's review

adventurous reflective relaxing tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

az_green's review

adventurous dark emotional tense

4.25

I always struggle leaving reviews on mid-series books. The story is still in the middle so it's hard to have an opinion. I enjoyed this one more than book 1, but I'm still not utterly captivated by the story/characters.

I do really like Captain Halloran. I hope there is more of her in book 3.