I won an advanced copy of this book through Goodreads.
The Deep by Alma Katsu is a historical fiction with supernatural elements focusing on the sinking of the Titanic and her sister ship Britannic. The story follows Annie Hebbley, a maid on Titanic, who survived the sinking and after getting her life back together becomes a nurse on Britannic which has become a hospital ship supporting British forces in World War I.
The book starts in 1916 where we find out what Annie’s life has been like since the sinking and her decision to become a nurse and sail on Titanic’s sister ship, Britannic. Shortly after arriving on the ship a soldier, Mark, is recovering and who Annie met on the Titanic and believes herself to be in love with him.
The story flashes between the events in 1916 and on the Titanic in 1912. The plot in 1916 mainly revolves around Annie and her feelings while the plot of 1912 is given through multiple different characters including some of the real historical figures like the Astor’s, who were on Titanic. The main plot kicks off when a group on the Titanic attempt to contact spirits during a seance which ends up being interrupted by Annie looking for the Astor’s as one of the child servants dies. From here multiple people believe that there are ghost or other spirits that are trying to do something to those on the ship. In the present of 1916, Mark and Annie’s pasts and the terror of the sinking might not yet be over.
For years I’ve been fascinated by Titanic which means I’ve read and watched many story both fiction and nonfiction about this incident. When I heard about The Deep originally, it hit on two things for me Titanic and the supernatural which is all I needed to know to want to read it. So I think I might have had too high of expectations going into the book. The story is very well written with interesting concepts but it jumps between perspectives too often. If there had been fewer perspectives I feel like I could have connected with each characters stories better which would have made be enjoy the book more. For me personally, its only an average read when I was expecting a new favorite.
The first book I read was Bad Blood by John Carreyrou. This book is the nonfiction account of Theranos and Elizabeth Holmes who scammed thousands of people with the idea that her technology and company was revolutionizing blood testing. A well written book about an int resting topic however, sometimes that writing got a little technical about science and how it was supposed to work so those sections were a little boring.
Grave Peril by Jim Butcher is the third book in the Dresden Files series. The series really picks up in this book and finds it footing. There is more information given about the world and how magic and the supernatural mix with the modern world. The story focuses on a ghost/demon who is trying to get revenge on Harry Dresden for defeating him several months ago. This plot is also connected to Harry’s godmother, a fairy, who he has made deals with in the past and the courts of the vampires. Jim Butcher’s writing gets much better in this book. I loved the new characters that are introduced and the higher stakes that the characters are involved in.
The last book I read in January was A Night to Remember by Walter Lord. A Night to Remember is one of the most famous accounts of the sinking of the Titanic. Using information from multiple sources Walter Lord puts the reader in the shoes of someone on the ship which is very powerful. This is a great book for anyone interested in the Titanic or the history of books written about the sinking.
The last book that I read in December was The Witches: Suspicion, Betrayal, and Hysteria in 1692 Salem by Stacy Schiff. This is a nonfiction book about the Salem witch trials and how the witch trials came to be. The author not only dicusses the actual witch trials but also the life of a Puritan adolescent and how the life style could lead to the events that took place. Not the best nonfiction book I’ve read because while the information is interesting sometimes the writing and how that information is given can be boring. Though it is a good resource for anyone interested in the Salem witch trials and those looking into the time period.
The first book I read was on audio. Fool Moon by Jim Butcher is the second book in the Dresden Files series. When I started the Dresden Files I didn’t plan on continuing with the series. The first book wasn’t bad but I didn’t love it. However, there is something about these books that I haven figured out yet that makes me keep thinking about the characters and the world. I found parts of the book very good but other part kind of boring though I do plan to continue with the series at this point. In this book Harry is investigating several murders that look like they could have been commited by a type of werewolf.
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is a graphic novel series following a young woman named Sabrina and her growing up as a witch. This is the series the Netflix show is based on and from what I’ve seen of the show I thought I would like the graphic novel but I just didn’t. I didn’t have any problem with the story but overall I found it a bit boring and a little more graphic than I was expecting. I don’t want to spoil anything but the implication at the end of the book with what Sabrina did to try and help Harvey I really had issues with. I don’t intend to continue with this series.
Apocalypse Scenario #683: The Box by Mira Grant is a short story about five friends that play the Apocalypse Game with each other. In this game each person creates a scenario where the world is going to end and the others decided what they would do and how they would survive. However, this time one of the friends is missing but still finds a way to play but this time the stakes might just be the world. I very good short story in line with Mira Grants other work. I do wish it was longer as I would love to know what all the characters decided at the end.
Night Owl Reviews 