The Deep by Michaelbrent Collings

The Deep Reviews

• 
  Gianfranco Mancini

  
  
  She realized it was getting harder to breathe. Thought at first that something was attacking her from within, some new thing that made even less sense than what she had seen.
  
  Then realized it was nothing so massive or so irrational. She was simply running out of air.
  
  A few more gasps.
  
  Then nothing.
  
  Maybe too many POVs, a couple of sick characters far more interesting than main ones and an istant love interest that I could have easily done without, but I liked a lot this intense underwater thriller with its twists and its quick brutal flashes of gore and body horror.
  Just imagine H. P. Lovecraft meets 47 Meters Down to get an idea about what is waiting for you here.
  
  "Ocean is more ancient than the mountains, and freighted with the memories and the dreams of Time."
  
  - H. P. Lovecraft
  
  “What would an ocean be without a monster lurking in the dark? It would be like sleep without dreams.”
  
  - Werner Herzog
  
  “Below the ocean lies the last great undiscovered wilderness on Earth. And the greatest dangers yet unknown to mankind.”
  
  - Unknown
  
  A ☆☆☆ 1/2 read rounded up to ☆☆☆☆.
  
• 
  Kimberly

  4.5 stars (5 on Amazon)
  
  In THE DEEP, we have a set of characters–each with their own, personal reasons–on board a dive ship named The Celeste. While we get to know the intimate, varying details concerning all, they have one thing in common.
  
  Not one of them expects to find what they come up against.
  
  Michaelbrent Collings does his research. I was fascinated by the details of deep sea diving–enough for a layman to understand without ever feeling that the information presented was “too much” to take in. A very well written, thought-provoking story all around with enough gory details to keep the most ardent of horror fans on their toes.
  
  While under water, one character was contemplating the possibility of death by drowning: “…Knew that drowning was one of the worst possible deaths. Maybe two minutes of convulsions, vomitting, agony. Body spewing forth waste and finally succumbing to a dark, lonely death.”
  
  One thing I’ve noticed with just about every novel I’ve read by Michaelbrent Collings is his characterization. To be fair, there are certain types of stories that can get by without as much–if the action is the main point, and the individuals expendable. However, I honestly feel that you can make or break a novel by this element. If you are working with a limited cast of characters, then you virtually HAVE to make the reader feel for them–whether it’s sympathy, despise, love, hate, or fear–the people in the book must become REAL. They need to evoke true emotion from the reader. They need to have their own “presence”. This is an element that Michaelbrent Collings excels in.
  
  Overall, a great novel with terror in the depths of the ocean, and intense moments that kept my mind active all throughout. I’ll leave you with this parting quote: “It is not the dark that scares, it is the fact that anything could be in it…and that means we can never understand anything of what it hides.”
  
  Highly recommended!
• 
  Sherry Fundin

  #1 The author
  #2 The cover
  #3 The story
  
  I have read numerous books by Michaelbrent Collings and will grab anything I see by him. I love, love, love creature features that read like B movies and The Deep definitely fits that bill. We have good characters, bad characters, and a down right evil one. Treasure? Desires? The ocean is a vast mystery and when you seek, you will find. Just what you will find is the question.
  
  I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Deep by Michaelbrent Collings.
  
  
  
• 
  Tracy ( Vacay. Have a great week! =)

  'The Deep' is pure psychological horror at its peak. There is just something particularly unnerving about coming upon an unknown evil entity while miles out to sea, with only a few qualified crew members, and a group of passengers who have their own dark secrets and agendas.
  
  Yet one more heart-pounding and spectacularly creative horror/thriller from the phenomenal Mr. Michaelbrent Collings.
• 
  Angela Crawford

  
  I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is in no way reflected in my opinion of this novel.
  
  
  I'll admit that I don't dive or know much about diving. I'll also tell you that after reading The Deep I wouldn't even be willing to try it. This is a very intense and frightening book!! The creature was very scary but the parts that I found most terrifying were the dangers involved in diving. The bends, running out of air, being trapped in an environment that is inherently inhospitable to us as air breathing human beings. Nope, not for me thanks! The environment was used brilliantly to increase the tension and fear in this story. As if all that wasn't enough to scare you, we also get to meet Haeberle, a truly cringe worthy character that gave me the creeps. I wouldn't want to be anywhere near this guy let alone in an isolated place like a dive boat out on the ocean far away from land. I liked Sue, Tim and Cal the best and I was rooting for them to be ok at the end of the story. I was also really hoping that someone or something would drown Geoffrey before the end. You'll have to read this fast paced and fantastic 4.5 star novel to see why.
  
• 
  Karla Kay

  So far, this is the third book I have read by Michael Brent Collings. I liked the concept of this book. A deep sea creature wreaking havoc on deep sea divers. The creature he created was clearly evil and powerful, he left it open to one's own imagination. Characters that were good, bad, and a bit strange in their own likeness. Some clear disgusting description of gross body decay and oozing pustules. How when a group of people are together; out in the vast ocean, start to loose touch with reality. Or are they just being controlled by the evil of the deep?!?! The reason I am giving this no more than three stars is because I felt like there was too many unanswered questions concerning the characters and it left me a bit confused, if not a bit feeling like the whole story was just lacking something. Every story has its redemption, and that redemption is what every reader takes from a book, we all have our preferences, what we like and dislike. And this does not sway me in following and reading all of his other books!!
• 
  The Behrg

  "What would an ocean be without a monster lurking in the dark? It would be like sleep without dreams." - Werner Herzog
  
  The Deep is Michaelbrent Collings' ode to the monster in the ocean. Unseen and unforgiving. It's clear from the start of this novel that not only has Collings done tremendous research regarding deep diving and the ocean itself, but that he has a passion for this unique part of our world.
  
  "We know less about the ocean than we do about the moon." -- The Deep
  
  I love that Collings has taken an oft overlooked trademark of Stephen King, in that he realizes he doesn't have to provide all of the answers. Yes, there's something down there. Yes, it's evil and life-threatening. But no, you will not uncover exactly what or how or why. Sometimes the best baddies don't need to have their "backstories" revealed. They simply are.
  
  The characters in this novel are a treat, each with their own issues. I particularly enjoyed the character of Haeberle, who believed he was living a dream and that everything and everyone around him was there for him to manipulate as God of his dream. Talk about psychotic. My only real complaint would be the love interest which felt a little over the top (saying you Love someone you've just met that day and barely had any interactions with?)
  
  Overall this was a surprisingly good read. Definite recommendation for fans of Sphere, The Abyss, or any other underwater thriller.
• 
  Chris

  I'm generally loathe to criticize authors' works, particularly since I've never written a book or earned a publishing deal. But I do believe in giving others fair warning. So here it is. This is not a good book. If I'd read a physical copy of the book, I'd maybe found value in the quality of the paper on which the words were printed but I consumed it electronically so it's nothing more than unremarkable ones and zeroes which I can now simply delete.
  
  What didn't I like? The idea was compelling until it became clear that the horror that faced our intrepid deep sea divers was an amorphous, unexplained evil that frankly wasn't all that scary, just weird an unbelievable. The author tried to hint at the back-story but it never really took shape. The characters were largely unlikable and what promise some had was never really lived up to. And the end? Well, where was it?
  
  Consider yourselves warned. Don't dive into The Deep.
• 
  ❀ Crystal ✿ - PEACE ☮ LOVE ♥ BOOKS

  I really enjoyed
  The Deep. As always the underwater world scares the crap out of me and being stuck, shipwrecked etc in open ocean is my worst possible fear. The ocean is so unknown to humans including I’m sure thousands yet to be discovered species. I can’t even imagine because sharks, eels, giant squid are scary enough on their own I really don’t need to know what other monsters hide beneath the waves. This book latched on to my fear early on and really gave me the creeps as it went on. On one hand your starting to care for a few of the characters but in the back of your mind you know, most if not all, will die. Is there a deep sea monster lurking? A giant prehistoric shark? Evil mermaids? For so long it’s unclear what the threat is but when it makes itself known I was very much reminded of movies like The Thing and The Blob. Seems the characters find themselves in their own Bermuda Triangle and something wants to keep them there. When things begin to make themselves known under water, particularly sunken ships, most can’t resist the urge to go exploring. It’s a Deep dive and only the experienced NO ONE should go.
• 
  Julie E. (Bookshelf Adventures)

  Fast paced horror
  
  This was a good fast paced horror-thriller book that left me on the edge of my seat and staying up past my bed time. The characters were well written and the story line was just complex enough that I was unable to predict everything that happened. Although there as a few very obvious foreshadowing parts, overall the main question was still: What strange danger lies beneath the surface of the ocean?
• 
  Tamara

  I hated the writing. This book had way too many parenthesis, italics, and em dashes for my taste. The author used all three to convey thoughts and dialogue frequently. I hated the breaking up of sentences on separate lines. That style of writing just didn't flow nicely. I found it incredibly jarring and annoying to read. It made focusing on the actual story difficult because the way it was written pulled me out of the story. This book also had spelling errors and extra spaces, again, annoying.
  
  The story itself wasn't anything special and at times was just there. I felt very little connection to any of the characters, despite the author's attempts to give us chapters from each character's perspective. Each character was pretty one dimensional. All in all, I was disappointed. At the very least, this book was a quick read.
• 
  Melanie

  I won't go over the obvious problems with this book, plenty of other reviews have already done that. I found this to be an easy fast-paced thriller/horror, told through differing viewpoints that were easy to follow. Sadly there were no merfolk but there's definitely something at the bottom of the ocean that has some nefarious intentions for we mere mortals.
  
  More than 'meh' but not quite 'whoa', a solid 3.5 stars, but not quite a 4. I will absolutely look for more of Collings's work.
  
  
• 
  Michelle {Book Hangovers}

  Soooo...... I rarely ever DNF a book. I feel like have to read the whole book even if the book is not doing anything for me. The reason I continue reading is because I hold on to hope...hope that maybe the book will get better. In some cases, the book does get better and I’m elated that I didn’t give up on it. In this case..... it did not get better.
  
  
• 
  J.F. Penn

  A boat full of scuba divers chances upon a wreck that calls to them all, promising everything they desire in the depths. But soon the body counts rises ...
  
  I love Michaelbrent Collings. Always a satisfyingly scary read.
• 
  Bella

  (I received this book free in exchange for an honest review. It received a 3.5 on my blog.)
  
  This review is gonna be a little tricky to write, because I often find my “mid-line” reviews to be the tough ones. It’s easy to rave about a book, or it’s easy to complain about one. The ones that aren’t terrible, but I don’t necessarily think were great are the hard reviews. Unfortunately, that’s kind of where “The Deep” falls for me.
  
  It was engaging enough that I didn’t stop reading. Again, that is saying a lot for me. But it felt like it moved slower than I wanted a real suspenseful horror story to. It wasn’t until I was maybe 75% through, I think, that it really started grabbing me.
  
  One of my issues was that there were quite a few Point-of-View characters, and too many of those tend to make a book lag for me. I also have found that as I get older, I don’t like seeing the villain’s PoV so much. I used to like those books a lot when I was younger, but it’s just not hooking me like it used to.
  
  I do like suspense stories that take place in the ocean, however, so that was a big plus for me. I found some of the aspects to not feel very original, I think I’d say? But there were some good points. I liked Tim and Sue well enough, and Cal got a couple “go, Dad” moments from me later on, so that was good.
  
  So, yeah, it was pretty good but I’m not sure I can say I *really* liked it. 3.5 Fireballs.
• 
  Steven Montano

  I have never before rated a book just 1 star. I had to determine what the ingredients for such a book would be.
  
  1) Cliched, one-dimensional characters with over-the-top personalities and by-the-book motivations.
  2) Excessive use of gimmicky italics and internal dialogue.
  3) All tell, no show narrative.
  4) A genre book without any strong elements of the genre (such as a "horror" utterly lacking in scares).
  
  "The Deep" has them all. I want the time I lost reading this book back. I'll give credit for a few creepy images near the end of the story...and that's about all I can say that was good about this novel. I am sincerely happy for Mr. Collings' success, but based on "The Deep", I'm not entirely sure how he attained it.
  
  That's enough out of me. I advise you avoid this book. If you want horror, check out Adam Neville, Brian Keene or Lauren Beukes. Give this one a wide berth.
• 
  M.L. Bullock

  Great read!
  
  This book scared the snot out of me and I loved every minute of it! Will definitely read more from this author.
• 
  Victoria

  The synopsis of this book caught my attention immediately. A bunch of people stuck in the middle of the ocean together, deep sea diving and coming across a mysterious, unknown and very scary entity... Sounds great!
  
  It starts well and hooked me in with the backstory of one of the diving groups sister's last moments at sea. From there, in honesty, it took me a while to get into the story as it keeps flipping from one character to another, and, I'm not too interested in the technicalities of diving. So had to persevere for bit but once they started diving it became really atmospheric, the descriptions took me down there with them and it was very, very eerie. The narration (audiobook) is absolutely perfect and adds to the experience of listening to the story, I cannot fault it.
  
  We have a really odd mish-mash of characters on this boat and I struggled to get to know them, there's one who has mental health issues, probably psychopathic, who believes that everything in the world only exists for him and because of him. He's a truly horrible character that I would never want even close to my life but he was my favourite character as I'd say he's the one we get to hear what's going on for him in the moment. Another, Raven, is my second favourite... and he's not such a nice person either really. So these two stood out, maybe because they are interesting. The others, well, they were there and I struggled much of the time to differentiate between them so they merged into one - until close to the end.
  
  As the story progressed, despite the merging of characters, I was drawn in and half way through decided it's brilliant but needs concentration through the diving descriptions. They are diving a lot. Scary things happen when they dive and I can conclude most definitely that I will never ever dive. It's not often a book gives me the heeby-jeebies like this one did. By the end I'm thinking that this was seriously good stuff, the descriptions of the weird events that unfold are still with me. As is some of the great narrative like the quote below, which struck me as so poignant I had to note it down.
  
  "There are things people were not made to experience. Contrary to popular wisdom our own death is not one of them. We are born to die and on the day of our birth we begin the inexorable process of preparation that will end in the ground. But we are not, cannot be, able to properly prepare for, or face the death of our children. Though born to die, our deaths make sense only in the face of new life and so, when we see our children into the ground before us, it makes a mockery of the process. It cuts the circle off mid arc."
  
  This review copy audiobook was provided by the author/ narrator/ publisher free of charge via Audiobook Boom.
• 
  Jeff

  I read this book because I had been pleasantly surprised by Collings' more recent novel Predators (which had some awkward sentences and typos but was otherwise a great book), assuming the plot alone would be enough to keep it interesting.
  
  I think The Deep is actually the more polished of the two novels, narrowly evading any derivative plots or characters and achieving a truly unique vision. If you've read The Flood by David Sachs, you'll really appreciate how some of the same threats and dangers are used to a much greater effect in this book. The characters of The Deep start to resemble the survivors of Sachs' book at one point, but they always manage to define themselves in some original way. In terms of plot, you can't help but think of Crichton's Sphere--especially in certain scenes--but you'll find that the two stories are different enough that if anything, you'll be tempted to re-read Sphere to compare.
  
  The pacing, especially toward the end, is breakneck, but the payoff is big. Horror fans will enjoy the fake-outs that lead the reader to satisfying twists and a worthy conclusion.
• 
  Ruth Davis

  Oh my gosh
  
  What a book! I am not complaining, I loved it.There was something new on almost every page. You hated to put the book down as you knew there was something going to happen as soon as you put it down. This was the first time I have read this author and I have to go now as I have to find another by him as soon as possible.
• 
  Marika Steenblock

  It was so good! Like nothing I've read in a long time. Couldn't put it down and I'm up way too late again (it's totally worth it!)
• 
  Keith Ferrario

  The crew of three aboard the small boat, the Celeste, are joined by five strangers on a diving excursion--each with their own reasons for taking the trip. It was a normal outing, with a little fishing before the dive--normal, until they pull a strangely mutilated body out of the ocean. And like a silent signal, it is the start of their troubles. A sudden strange tremor causes the entire seafloor to shift from 800 feet below the boat to the unbelievable level of only 150 feet. This tremor causes damage to the Celeste and they are forced to call for help. While waiting for the Navy to arrive, the boat's equipment detects a sunken ship. Treasure! Or is it? The divers are strangely compelled to explore the wreck--something is calling to them from The Deep.
  
  The Deep by Michaelbrent Collings is a wonderful adventure. One of the things that drew me into this story was that some of the characters were as scary as the evil pursuing them. It kept me turning pages to see how this good vs evil vs evil would play out. What made this novel exciting was that the danger came on multiple fronts and I can honestly say I wasn’t sure which danger was more disturbing. The action happens above and below the water. Mr. Collings does a beautiful job making the diving technics interesting. They are so well blended that they become an intriguing part of the story, not just boring facts and procedures that some authors have to force feed you to work them in. Both divers and non-divers would enjoy this story and of course all fans of horror.
  
  
• 
  Leah

  This book was very okay... I found myself ready to just be done with it already about ⅓ of the way through the book, which is never a great sign.
  
  I will say that Collings’ writing is decent and his knowledge of diving is incredible. I honestly had -100% interest in diving before reading this book, but after reading about the bends, creepy sea creatures, running out of air, deco points, etc, that low desire dipped even lower. So kudos, sir, for a really well researched book!!
  
  I just didn’t like any of the characters, and Raven’s selfishness and Haeberle’s “creepiness” just were bothersome to me. The only character I liked was Tim, because he was an honest to God selfless human being and it made you want the best for him. All the other characters sucked though, and the premise was just a bit too unrealistic at the end.
  
  I wouldn’t read it again, but a part of me is glad I gave it a shot!
• 
  Kelly

  Great book!!!
  
  I bought this book last night and could not put it down! Every chance I got, I was reading. The Deep had me from the very first page. I don't usually read books like this but I think Michaelbrent Collings is a great author so I decided to give it a shot. I am SO glad I did! I don't think there was anything in this book that I didn't like. I think I might actually want to go scuba diving......
• 
  Madargon

  The idea behind the book was interesting but it felt like the author didn't have a plot, as it basically consisted of "a bunch of people on a boat and weird shit happens". There wasn't a proper resolution because there wasn't anything of a plot to tie together and the questions the book raised was never answered. Lackluster and just lacking.
• 
  Jrubino

  Even by the standards of the typical schlock horror genre, the writing is ponderously simplistic and clunky. I’m barely able to force myself through the first 30 pages before my eye rolling causes a seizure. Insipid.
• 
  Richard Schwindt

  I wasn’t aware of Michaelbrent Collings until I found his book, The Deep, and picked it up. A group of people, with mixed motives and backgrounds, are on a diving expedition, somewhere – nowhere really - on the ocean. One woman has lost her sister on these empty seas; and a man has lost his daughter. One is a killer; others have mixed motivations. Strange things can happen at sea – and they do – then things get much stranger. Now they are diving, deep, very deep where the sun doesn’t shine and unknown creatures exist. Collings keeps the tension high throughout the book; it is a mystery as well as a diving procedural. There is a horror; one I haven’t seen before, lurking beneath. This book arguably goes on a bit too long but it is competently written, suspenseful and manages technical data well. Well worth a look, with inky noodles and thin beer out in your boat.
• 
  Robert

  This is the first time I've read a Michaelbrent Collings book, even though I've seen many reviews of his works on Goodreads. And boy, am I glad I read it. I loved this book. The premise behind a group of people on a diving expedition, each with their own agenda, and running into trouble, seems so simple. But the range of characters within that group is what keeps it interesting.
  
  Written in short, sharp chapters, each from the point of view of each character, is very well done. I won't delve into what each character does, because that would just spoil the fun of watching the development of each one as the story progresses. Add to this some decent supernatural horror, and this book is a winner.
  
  I can't wait to read more of Collings' work. A strong 4 stars.