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.

Well, fuck. This is my first Mira Grant/Seanan McGuire novel (I recently read her novella in Star Wars: Canto Bight), and I am so happy I picked this one! KILLER MERMAIDS, Y’ALL!!! 

This book takes place after the events of Rolling in the Deep, a prequel novella (which I’ve not yet read) that told the story of the Atargatis, a ship commissioned by Imagine Entertainment to produce a mockumentary about the existence of mermaids. Trouble was, the mermaids were real. And they were super hungry. 

In light of the tragedy of the Atargatis, Imagine commissions a new ship, the Melusine, properly staffed with scientists of all disciplines, a camera crew, a security detail, and a couple of big-game hunters. The mission is to prove that mermaids are real, and put to rest the rumors that the Atargatis tragedy was a hoax perpetrated by Imagine. 

The focus on science in this book really created such an authentic vibe, without burying the reader in too much sciencey jargon. Into the Drowning Deep has that same quality that makes Jurassic Park so fucking compelling: it’s very believable. It also shares that same “We’re-going-on-a-great-adventure-and-everything-will-be-fine-except-oh-god-oh-god-oh-god-something-with-wicked-sharp-teeth-is-FUCKING-EATING-PEOPLE-AND-WE-ARE-ALL-DOOMED!!!” vibe found in things like Jurassic Park or JAWS. 

I really loved this so goddamn much. Tory & Olivia were the standout characters for me, and their interactions were just nerdy as hell and so much fun. This book blurs quite a few genre lines as well, but leans heavily into horror…very heavily. I mean…wicked. Sharp. Teeth.