Bea Reviews Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant

Series: Rolling in the Deep #1
Publisher: Orbit
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: November 14th, 2017
Buying Links: Amazon* | Book Depository* | iTunes* | Barnes & Noble
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Blurb from goodreads:

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.

My Thoughts:

Take a mystery, some mythology, some science, a dash of romance, and some horror, stir together, add in Mira Grant, and the result in an engrossing, suspenseful, richly detailed story.

You can read this without having the first book, "Into The Rolling Deep" as Grant provides more than enough background. The background info was repetitious at times but maybe it wouldn't feel that way to someone who hasn't read the first story. There was also a LOT of both dialog and monologues. This slowed down the pace at times, as did the details for various processes or events. That said, it was clear that Grant researched and thought about different aspects of the story. I learned  some biology and a few other things, which was fun.

"The standards for being considered a mammal are narrow, and very specific: lactation, hair, and three bones in the inner ear. Nothing else is required."

This was fascinating to me especially as Grant told us why. How does this relate to the story? Well, of the many puzzles being examined, one is what, exactly, are mermaids, assuming they exist?

"...the problem with trying to define nature is that nature is bigger than we are, and nature doesn't care whether we know how to define it. Nature does what nature wants."

A group of scientists from a wide range of disciplines plus a TV host are in search of the Atargatis, a ship that went in search of mermaids seven years ago in order to film a mockumentary but never came back. Footage, however, survived, but was publicly called a hoax. The company that financed that initial expedition has also financed and put together this one, in hopes of regaining its reputation, and of course, ratings. A key factor in this effort is decoding the language the mermaids use and one of those researchers is Tory Stewart. Her sister was on the Atargatis, and Tory wants to find out what happened, get some measure of closure for herself and for their parents. Tory is one of several main characters. Grant uses 3rd person POV for four or five people, giving us different glimpses of events and a range of perspectives. Keeping track of everyone was confusing at times as there were so many primary and secondary characters.

I wanted this expedition to succeed yet a part of me was sure that, like the Atargatis, no one would survive. And some people don't. Grant displays her typical willingness to kill off characters, even key ones. I both love and hate that willingness of hers to take chances and to break our hearts.

The Atargatis had found the mermaids because the people on the ship were made of meat, and the mermaids had empty stomachs that they wanted to fill. That was how you found things, in the sea. Be delicious. That was all you ever had to do.

They were still miles from home, adrift on an uncaring sea, and the worst was yet to come. The worst was always yet to come.

The scientists work together, most of them, first to acquire information and knowledge, and then to survive. I really didn't know whether Grant would kill off everyone or if anyone would survive. Despite the large cast, I was attached to quite a few and cared about them. Grant kept me in suspense, and kept me reading, with her deft use of tension, terror, humor, romance, characterization, and story telling. The book ties up some threads while leaving others open and the possibility of a sequel open. 

Kudos Ms. Grant on another terrific story!

My review of Rolling In the Deep, #0.5