Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant – Audiobook Review

Published: November 14, 2017

Publisher: Hachette Audio

Genre: Horror, Science Fiction

Series: Rolling in the Deep #1

Length: 17 hr 14 min

My Rating: 4.0/5.0

A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis:

Seven years ago, the Atargatis set off on a voyage to the Mariana Trench to film a “mockumentary” bringing to life ancient sea creatures of legend. It was lost at sea with all hands. Some have called it a hoax; others have called it a maritime tragedy.

Now, a new crew has been assembled. But this time they’re not out to entertain. Some seek to validate their life’s work. Some seek the greatest hunt of all. Some seek the truth. But for the ambitious young scientist Victoria Stewart this is a voyage to uncover the fate of the sister she lost.

Whatever the truth may be, it will only be found below the waves.

But the secrets of the deep come with a price.

---

This book was just so much awesome! I don’t often read anything that can be construed as horror (or even sort of scary) but when I read the synopsis of Into the Drowning Deep, I didn’t hesitate to send in my request! I received the audio version from Orbit/Hachette Book Group and I’d highly recommend that format for audiobook fans. The narration was solid and emotional with a good range of character voices. Really helped me feel immersed (or submersed) in the book.

I love my sci-fi with a heavier dose of science than is usually found – space is cool, but give me a near future and scientific anomalies any day. This is sort of what I got from Into the Drowning Deep, but with more scientist than science. It starts off with the mysterious and somewhat terrifying disappearance of the Atargatis – a ship sent out by the Imagine media giant to hunt for mermaids. This was supposed to be one of those deals where they make up drama, throw in some factoids about the environment, and go home. They got much more than they bargained for and footage of a horrible, monstrous attack was leaked to the public. Years later, we follow the sister of one of the Atargatis victims, the scientist who led to that fateful voyage in the first place, and a number of other characters who were more or less interesting. I almost hate to admit that Tori and Dr. Jillian Toth were two of my least favorite characters and they were also two of the main characters. Both were obsessed with the mermaids and their various wailings about the Atargatis voyage really started to get on my nerves. All the secondary characters were much more likable, especially Olivia and the twins.

I found the story to be fast paced, though not always with action. There were lots of little discoveries and tiny dramas unfolding in the midst of the larger story, which I like. It gives a story depth and nuance. The larger story punctuated the day to day life aboard the Melusine with terror, lament, and bloodshed leaving those aboard the Melusine shaken and leaving me hungering for the next page. This story was addictively good so I can overlook things like the abrupt and convenient ending. Things were going terribly aboard the stupid, semi-functional, luxury laboratory ship and then someone TURNS ON THE LIGHTS allowing a speedy escape and sudden salvation for our characters. How convenient.

Overall, this was a thrilling book with a beastie that has not yet been overdone in today’s market. This makes two of Mira Grant’s books that I’ve read now and I’ve been really impressed/ satisfied with both. I do hope to read more Mira Grant/Seanan McGuire books in the future and have my eye on her novella series published through Tor. If you’ve read this one, let me know what you thought!