Ever since I read Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant, I have been encountering mermaids everywhere. From the makeup counter having a special on mermaid eyeshadow, to Netflix recommending the Little Mermaid and Tidelands, mermaids are suddenly everywhere. It’s like the universe knows that I’m now terrified of mermaids and wants to hear me scream. Mira Grant has officially made mermaids into the stuff of nightmares, and it is marvellous!
Into the Drowning Deep starts with an expedition to the Marianas Trench for a TV channel making a mockumentary on mermaids. No one expects them to find anything. The channel has even hired some girls to dress as mermaids for the camera, so they would have some interesting footage to air. Then they lose communication with the ship. When they finally find it, the ship is empty. The only clue to what happened is a video showing impossible horrible things: monsters half human, half fish, mouths full of sharp teeth and a lot of blood everywhere.
Many believe the incident to be a hoax, others a tragedy, but Tory Stewart, sister of one of the dead and a marine biologist, just wants to know what really happened. Seven years after losing her sister, Tory gets her chance to find out the truth when a new expedition happens. The crew this time has no girls dressing up as mermaids, but a mix bag of scientists, divers, security personnel, and the most ruthless hunters out there. Nevertheless while the truth might set them free, sometimes it is best to leave the depths undisturbed.
If you’re looking for a tense, disturbing read that will keep you at the edge of your seat, look no further. However, the true strength of this book resides in Grant’s characters development. Each character has their own particular story and voice and Grants makes sure the reader cares for each of them. The pace starts somewhat slow, but that’s just Grant luring the reader into a false sense of safety. By the time you realize what’s happening, it’s too late; you are trapped in the story. I recommend this for those brave at heart fans of horror stories with a strong stomach.
Ariana Galeano is a community services librarian with the Richmond Public Library
