Alma Katsu

Shortlisted for the Bram Stoker Award for the Best Novel of 2020. 'Beautifully written, thoroughly absorbing and totally terrifying.' said C.J. Tudor, bestselling author of The Chalk Man A spine-tingling novel that 'blends psychological thriller and eerie gothic ghost story to create something truly haunting' wrote the Daily Mirror Someone - or something - is haunting the Titanic. Deaths and disappearances have plagued the vast liner from the moment she began her maiden voyage on 10 April 1912. Four days later, caught in what feels like an eerie, unsettling twilight zone, some passengers - including millionaire Madeleine Astor and maid Annie Hebbley - are convinced that something sinister is afoot. And then disaster strikes. Four years later and the world is at war. Having survived that fateful night, Annie is now a nurse on board the Titanic's sister ship, the Britannic, refitted as a hospital ship. And she is about to realise that those demons from her past and the terrors of that doomed voyage have not finished with her yet . . . Bringing together Faustian pacts, the occult, tales of sirens and selkies, guilt and revenge, desire and destiny, The Deep offers a thrilling, tantalizing twist on one of the world's most famous tragedies.

We all know the story of the Titanic . . . don't we?

The Deep

Mari

Solid premise, but petered out after a while. I finished it more out of obligation than interest.

Christian von Schack

"Surviving the sinking of the Titanic, Annie takes a job as a nurse on the Britannic before encountering a fellow survivor who forces her to reckon with past demons."-

Eva Ströberg

This book feels like one of those cheap drama stories about Titanic.

I get it, the author tried to put some mysticism elements in it, but it still didn't work. The characters weren't strong enough, the dialogues boring, the background weren't built strong enough. I had to struggle to finish the last few pages.

It took a while for me to get into but once I did I really enjoyed it. 

Danielle McNamara

Jade Iveson

I hated this so much what a waste of time

Janice Hopper

Basically a ghost story that shifts in time from 1912 and the Titanic (and the ultimate wreck thereof) and 1916 and the Britannic, sister ship to the Titanic, which was serving as a hospital ship in WW1.

I think it was probably decently written, and the narration was fine. I just find that I do not GAF about the Astors and the Guggenheims and other rich people doing rich people things. I had a little trouble following who was being possessed, and who was the possessor, but honestly, that's probably because I wasn't spending a lot of attention on the story.

This is probably a fine book, just one really not for me. Not very creepy, just mild frissons here and there.

Isabela H 

I expected this book to be a lot spookier than it was, but I absolutely loved the vibe of the book. The blend of the characters, the two different times, the two different boats, it was truly hauntingly beautiful. I will say, though, that at times it did feel like there was something lacking, like Katsu should have pushing just a little bit more.

Dee B. 

OK. Well at least the ending answered my biggest question cuz child...(view spoiler)[I couldn't understand why Annie would voluntarily return to ANY ship again, let alone one that is a twin to the ship that nearly made her lose her life. It just didn't make any sense to me, at all. What also didn't make sense was her infatuation with one of the passengers, which was also explained by the end. (hide spoiler)]

This novel was a journey, with flawed characters making strange decisions that are blamed on the sea or the ship, with a split in the timeframe between the Titanic and the Britannic (to a lesser extent). I found myself missing the other whenever we switched (which might be more a fault of my lack of focus than the plot/writing).

I did appreciate that there was a Jack and that we saw the lack of sufficient lifeboats. All in all, the setting was suitably spooky and mysterious and I would recommend to anyone who likes Historical Fiction who wants a little thrill in their read.

Sheena

History blend with a bit of the paranormal? Count me in. From the get-to I was immediately intrigued by the blurb. Like holy shit guys did you read it? The retelling of both the Titanic and Britannic tragic collapse, and used of the real life millionaires who tragically met their end on the passenger liner maiden voyage from Southampton to New York City was a refreshing concept. I was impressed but the author's writing style and in her ability to allow the reader feel apart of this historical moment. Sure not everything was peachy reading this novel. There were scenes here and there that the pace could've picked up because I zoned out more than I can count and a few plot holes that weren’t completely resolved at the end but overall it didn't defer me from this likable read.

Mahogany Skillings

What if the Titanic and Britannic sank because they were haunted? This novel jumps back and forth from one ship to the other, raising more and more questions until you reach the sinking of both ships and secrets are revealed. It’s told in rotating points of view but it is most definitely, Annie Hebbley’s story. Fairy tales, history and fiction are intertwined effortlessly. Whether you prefer an epic love story or an epic haunting, you'll be satisfied.

Caitlyn Hagen

I thought it was pretty good. Not as unsettling as I hoped for but the twist was well done.

maggie

if u know me u know that i am Obsessed with ANYTHING related to the titanic, so my hopes for this book were so high........ but it rly fell flat :/ all of the shifting perspectives made it a little bit confusing to follow at times and it didn't let all the simultaneous stories that were happening have their own moments to shine. personally, if this book had followed one character and stayed in one time period, rather than jumping back and forth and all over the place, this would have been so much stronger. however, i did appreciate the horror/thriller elements of this book and i think that they added very well to the eerie setting(s) that they took place in. for a debut novel, there are many things that could have been better - but, regardless, i love this stupid boat and i'll read anything to do with it.

Sheila Goicea

I'm excited to be a part of THE DEEP blog tour with The Fantastic Flying Book Club from March 10th - March 16th, 2020!

I received an ARC of this book from G.P. Putnam's Sons via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! In no way does this affect my rating or review.



All included quotes have been taken from an ARC and may not match the finished publication. 

Content Warning: Adult sexual content, Adultery, Death of a minor, Near-drowning, Gambling, Drug use (Cocaine), Illness, Thievery, Disaster (ship sinking), Injury due to war, Body horror, Suicide, War, Miscarriage 

  The troubled mind can never know itself.
That is the sad truth of madness.

The Deep is inspired by the story of Violet Constance Jessop, a survivor of both the Titanic and Brittanic tragedies in the early 1900’s. Entwining elements of the paranormal makes this naturally eerie tale all the more so. Author Alma Katsu proves her capability at writing an enthralling story historically based and detailed that subtly draws the reader deeper into the complexities of each characters’ story.

Written from multiple perspectives, real-life characters like Madeleine Astor, William Stead, John Jacob Astor, and Benjamin Guggenheim (along with several others), and fictional characters like Annie Hebbley Caroline and Mark Fletcher, add immensely to an already intricately designed plot. The story jumps between past via flashbacks and “present” of 1916 and focuses mainly on the story of Annie Hebbley’s experience upon the Titanic as a stewardess and on the Britannic as a nurse. 

  For all that was said about the Titanic, how superior it was, how well designed, how glorious and noble--as though it were a person, with a person’s traits--it would do nothing to save them. The Titanic was indifferent to the humans crawling on its decks and would willingly sacrifice them to the sea.

On its maiden’s voyage, the travelers on the Titanic notice odd occurrences. When a young servant boy of a wealthy family perishes aboard, it sets into motion a quick and haunting four days before the great ship’s imminent disaster. What andwho are instrumental in it’s sinking is the question that keeps the reader on the edge of their seats until the final page. Many points in the story intentionally make the reader question what is real or isn’t, to uncover what is actually happening with these characters. A slower start allows for vital detail to be cemented for the pace to anchor, then quicken to where the story reaches its revelation. The frenzied increase in the pace parallels Annie’s story arch.

In a time where societal change is volatile, women find more of a voice, but still remain risking their reputation by the actions they take. Many times, women, and the restrictions they have and the injustice of some, lie at the center of the inspiration for much of this story-line. In brief, a fateful love-triangle is the focal point of romance throughout the events of The Deep. Adultery, lust, and money also drive many aboard the Titanic, and create problems for many. 

  They never learned, it seemed. Never changed. You couldn't save them from themselves.

This read is enthralling on multiple levels, and will certainly appeal to readers across many genres. Combining incredibly detailed information on the historical, dashing in paranormal, romance, and steeping it all into lore makes this truly an unique read. 

Vulgarity: Some.
Sexual content: Quite a bit - includes adultery.
Violence: Quite a bit considering the nature of the content.

My Rating: ★★★★

My Blog ¦ Bookstagram ¦ Twitter ¦ Pinterest ¦ Facebook

petit-chocobo

First of all, I love Katsu's writing. She really sucks me in with her gorgeous descriptions and just enough hints and nuggets of mystery to keep me super intrigued. I already love historical fiction but I especially love hers.

This book really did suck me in as I tried to decipher the mystery of what was going on. There are lots of hints throughout, though it's easy to misinterpret them and think something else is at play.

The rest will be under a cut because spoilers. (view spoiler)[First of all, I was SHOOK by the reveal. I wasn't familiar with the Irish sea witch (I can't remember how it's spelled, can't find it through google, and my loan expired so I can't look in the book) so the concept of someone being put in another's body was not something I'd even thought of. I was really cringing at the insta-love with Mark but I guess it made sense with that explanation!!

Also, I'm a big fan of the movie Titanic...I was 7 when it came out and of course Leo was my first celeb love. It's one of my favorite movies. I knew this would be very different (though I was lowkey hoping for a cameo from Jack and Rose) but it was mostly in a good way! I loved how the book gave John Jacob and Madeleine Astor, Benjamin Guggenheim, Lady Duff-Gordon, etc personalities and secrets. They were so one dimensional in the movie, so I appreciated getting to see them and their issues in more detail. I especially loved Katsu making Lady Duff-Gordon a secret lesbian!! I'm not sure if there are rumors to that effect about her, I tried googling and didn't find anything, but that was a touch I really liked. I also loved the boxer characters and their secret love affair. More gay content in historical fiction, please!!!!

One thing that didn't totally make sense to me though: why Lillian owed the witch more innocent life, after removing the ice warnings so the ship would hit the iceberg. Was the Titanic's sinking not purposeful enough? Did she need to directly cause the deaths, as she did on the Britannic? Really, I thought the death of Teddy would've been enough, but then it's implied that he took the cocaine, had a seizure, and died, so I guess that wasn't Lillian's direct doing either. (hide spoiler)]

And that brings me to another point, and ultimately why I rated it 4 stars instead of 4.5. There's always a danger with historical fiction based on real tragedies that it will be distasteful. I didn't find The Hunger distasteful (probably because the Donner Party isn't something I'm super familiar with, but a friend told me the book wasn't super close to the actual events), but I did find The Deep somewhat. (view spoiler)[The fact that the book directly made Lillian responsible for both the Titanic and Britannic disasters really doesn't sit right with me. Everything was very on the nose, except for that deviation in history caused by a fictional character in the story. It's implied that Lillian made it so that the captain didn't get the ice warnings, when in real life he did. It was a preventable tragedy, and for the book to shift it to a supernatural cause just didn't sit right with me? I'm not super offended, just kind of jarred by it. (hide spoiler)]

Overall, it was a fascinating book. I can't say I really liked any of the characters, but that kind of made it fun in a way. I rooted for them in certain situations and not in others, which is always interesting. I'd recommend it!

Juliette Raven 

I have mixed feelings about this book!

I enjoyed: the setting which was interesting to see the two sisters ship the Titanic and the Britannic, the Irish folklore involve in the story, the characters of the two boxers were really interesting also Lucy, the morally grey characters.

I hated: I knew the main mystery who hunted who pretty early in the story and was frustrated how slow it was to go there, some characters didn't really make sense, and the actual sinking of the Titanic was pretty quick.

Paige Green

Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: The Deep

Author: Alma Katsu

Book Series: Standalone

Rating: 4/5

Publication Date: March 10, 2020

Genre: Historical Fiction/Horror/Paranormal

Recommended Age: 15+ (horror, gore, slight violence, paranormal activity)

Publisher: Transworld Digital

Pages: 320

Amazon Link

Synopsis: Someone, or something, is haunting the Titanic.

This is the only way to explain the series of misfortunes that have plagued the passengers of the ship from the moment they set sail: mysterious disappearances, sudden deaths. Now suspended in an eerie, unsettling twilight zone during the four days of the liner's illustrious maiden voyage, a number of the passengers - including millionaires Madeleine Astor and Benjamin Guggenheim, the maid Annie Hebbley and Mark Fletcher - are convinced that something sinister is going on . . . And then, as the world knows, disaster strikes.

Years later and the world is at war. And a survivor of that fateful night, Annie, is working as a nurse on the sixth voyage of the Titanic's sister ship, the Britannic, now refitted as a hospital ship. Plagued by the demons of her doomed first and near fatal journey across the Atlantic, Annie comes across an unconscious soldier she recognises while doing her rounds. It is the young man Mark. And she is convinced that he did not - could not - have survived the sinking of the Titanic . . . 

Review: I thought this was a great horror book for the most part. The story was intriguing and the characters were developed. The setting was creepy and uninviting, like any horror book should be, and the author did well to research this story as fact and fiction are woven interchangeably throughout the book.

However, I got so lost on occasion with the dual POV running side by side. The switching back and forth and the overlap of characters make this sometimes hard to follow.

Verdict: I really enjoyed this read!

Heather Harrington

Looking for a fresh start, Annie Hebbley decides to take a position on the maiden voyage of the magnificent new ship, the Titanic. The ship is full of the rich and famous, and Annie can’t help but feel out of place. As she goes about her stewardess duties, Annie grows close to one of the first-class passengers, Mark Fletcher. Annie knows nothing could happen between them, but she can’t deny the lure she feels. She also can’t shake the feeling that something is wrong on the ship. When bodies start turning up and objects go missing, even Mark and the rest of the first-class can’t deny that something sinister is on board. And then disaster strikes. Years later, Annie is working as a nurse on Titanic’s sister ship, the Britannic. Annie desperately tries to push away the horrid visions that plague her after her last doomed sea voyage, but they all come rushing back when an unconscious soldier is brought aboard who looks incredibly familiar. There are two things Annie knows for sure: that the soldier is Mark and that there was no way he could’ve survived the Titanic sinking.

This was told in dual timelines—on board the Titanic and then years later—and follows Annie, who was institutionalized after suffering from the events of the sinking, as she tries to start over. She was an interesting character to follow, but as the story unfolds, you can tell that she may not be the most reliable narrator so you’re constantly questioning what’s real or not. There were so many other characters weaved throughout that, at times, it got a little too convoluted. Aside from the characters, I also had a slight issue with the plot itself. Mainly, it wasn’t that creepy. This is marketed as a horror book and that couldn’t be farther from what it was. It had more of a paranormal vibe, which would be all good if it delivered on the spooks. It was also pretty long-winded and there were plenty of times where I was bored and had to put it down. I think if you’re really into Titanic and the stories surrounding it, this might be worth it, but overall, it was just okay.

Chelsey

2/5 ⭐️ - the deep is a horror book set on the titanic and the britannica. as with the hunger, it is historical fiction with a horror twist. i love stories of groups of people trapped somewhere and slowly turning against each other, but this one just didn’t do it for me. overall i thought this book was too long, not scary enough, and really boring. i didn’t like any of the characters and i didn’t like the way the story was set up, with newspaper clippings and letters that are never integrated it not the story. the scary part of the book was generic and average. however katsu is great at writing complex, deep characters and while they were unfortunately unlikeable in this story, you could tell the effort was there.

Leelynn Brady

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Fantastic Flying Book Club, Netgalley, and Transworld Digital for this free copy. All quotes in this review are taken from the Advanced Reader Copy and may change in final publication.

Strange thoughts come to her through the cold: Here there is no beauty.

This was super interesting honestly. I’ve never really been one to think about the Titanic, although I know a little bit about the story. Just the basics, that on its maiden voyage, it ran into an iceberg and almost everyone on the ship died. It was a tragedy, and so many lives lost. They even had an episode about it on Supernatural, and boy wasn’t that interesting.

Anyway, this book also talks about the sister ship that I really don’t know much about: the Brittanic. Similar in names… interesting.

We start off with someone drowning, and we don’t know who it is. It’s interesting to hear the inner thoughts of someone drowning though, and it definitely wasn’t something that I was anticipating. The prose in this novel felt almost magical, and it really kept me engaged from the beginning. I also really appreciated that we got to see some of what happens to women in asylums, and why some people would rather live there than out in the “real world” so to speak. I think coming from Annie’s perspective reminded me of some of the conditions that women had to endure in the UK when they weren’t perfect.

Yeah, this book definitely spooked me, and I think that Katsu is definitely a queen of the terrifying. I tried to read this before bed, and honestly I was kind of scaring myself with the content that I had to switch books to something lighthearted before I was seeing ghosts and monsters in the dark everywhere. As a matter of fact, I’m kind of freaking myself out while writing this review because that was definitely scarier than I thought it would be.

While I don’t know if I would read more horror novels from Katsu – just because I’m a scaredey cat – I think that she is definitely an amazing author and I’d definitely would read a book from her again… as a buddy read. I’m telling you, I’m still a little freaked out about this one but boy was it really good. Really entertaining and I’m still thinking about it.

The Deep We all know the story of the Titanic . . . don't we?

Reviews

Highlights