The Deep by Nick Cutter

Synopsis: A strange plague called the ‘Gets is decimating humanity on a global scale. It causes people to forget–small things at first, like where they left their car keys, then the not-so-small things like how o drive or the letters of the alphabet. Their bodies forget how to function involuntarily. There is no cure.

But far below the surface of the Pacific Ocean, a universal healer hailed as “ambrosia” has been discovered. In order to study this phenomenon, a special research lab has been built eight miles under the sea’s surface. When they station goes incommunicado, a brave few descend through the lightless fathoms in hopes of unraveling the mysteries lurking at those crushing depths… and perhaps to encounter an evil blacker than anyone could possibly imagine.

About the Author: Nick Cutter is a pseudonym for an acclaimed author of novels and short stories. He lives in Toronto, Canada.

My Thoughts

So, WOW. I want to start off by saying this is possibly the weirdest book to date that I have read. Its also the most gruesome! So the story has a very common theme throughout its chapters- and it happens to be an irrational fear of mine. BUGS- like immediately this book starts off with talk about bugs and I already grimaced( not to mention the multiple times bugs are mentioned. This was a horrble-good- read for me). You get introduced to the main disease that is spurring researchers to find a cure. The ‘Gets.

Nick Cutter’s writing style is very lengthy when it comes to descriptions of scenes and locations. You get a very clear picture of what is happening with everything in the novel. Even the protagonist’s attitude is very well written. You see into his mind a lot throughout this novel as a good portion of the novel is various flashbacks from the protagonist. For me, it both adds and subtracts from the story. Some of it is needed, but I feel there were parts that could have been cut.

The chapters seem relatively short, but they are still packed full of scenes and information. The first half is a slow burn where you get needed backstory; and a little taste of the horror element that will be very very apparent and real going forward. That first initial horror moment is probably the most tame from the entire story… The entire second part is very tense and claustrophobic even from the standpoint of a reader. Nick Cutter is beyond amazing at building the tension throughout his story-telling. I held my breath nervously more than once. You even get your first bits of foreboding when finding out none of the scientists have been contacting the above world…

The Deep keeps you on your toes from the first moment you crack open the book. Trying to discern what is real and what is your mind playing with the very real and palpable fear to very gruesomely written and gag-worthy scenes of horror and (nasty ass wriggly bugs!) The reader- much like the characters– are not given a moment’s peace to collect their thoughts. Even the most disgusting and disturbing parts kept me reading- in fact I was compelled to continue.

The characters were a whirlwhind and each one acted in a rather authentic way. I’d like to say “I’d be smarter than that” but in actuality- given the setting– I seriously doubt I would. I’d succumb same as them and that alone is terrifying to think about. Childhood fears play into a lot of the story as well; particualry the fears of the protagonist. It’s something, that as children, we have all experienced ourselves…

This was without a doubt, an extremely gruesome and captivating read. I was left wondering just how much of it was real; and how much of it was the inner thoughts and fears of a man gone insane. The ending was vauge and my heart thudded in desperation at the multiple possibilites that could happen from the ending of this book.

Would highly recommend this book!

🔪🔪🔪🔪 Stabs