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Revival #1
Deep Freeze
The accident came quickly. With no warning. In the dead of night, a precipitous plunge into a freezing river trapped everyone inside the bus. It was then that Army veteran John Reiff’s life came to an end. Extinguished in the sudden rush of frigid water.
There was no expectation of survival. None. Let alone waking up beneath blinding hospital lights. Struggling to move, or see, or even breathe. But the doctors assure him that everything is normal. That things will improve. And yet, he has a strange feeling that there's something they're not telling him.
As Reiff's mind and body gradually recover, he becomes certain that the doctors are lying to him. One-by-one, puzzle pieces are slowly falling into place, and he soon realizes that things are not at all what they seem. Critical information is being kept from him. Secrets. Supposedly for his own good. But who is doing this? Why? And the most important question: can he keep himself alive long enough to uncover the truth?
There was no expectation of survival. None. Let alone waking up beneath blinding hospital lights. Struggling to move, or see, or even breathe. But the doctors assure him that everything is normal. That things will improve. And yet, he has a strange feeling that there's something they're not telling him.
As Reiff's mind and body gradually recover, he becomes certain that the doctors are lying to him. One-by-one, puzzle pieces are slowly falling into place, and he soon realizes that things are not at all what they seem. Critical information is being kept from him. Secrets. Supposedly for his own good. But who is doing this? Why? And the most important question: can he keep himself alive long enough to uncover the truth?
329 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 9, 2024
1244 people are currently reading
9348 people want to read
About the author
Michael C. Grumley
18 books1,313 followersMichael C. Grumley is the author of the best-selling BREAKTHROUGH series with over two million books sold. He lives in Northern California with his two young daughters. He’s an avid reader, runner and most of all father, and dotes on his girls every chance he gets. He loves hearing from readers while he works on the next ROLLBACK book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 370 reviews
January 10, 2024
I'm so excited about Michael C. Grumley's new REVIVAL series. Friends, you know how much I love cold weather thrillers, and Deep Freeze is a fantastic techno-thriller you won't want to miss.
Again, I went in half-blind. I read the blurb a while back and don't recall the details. To my shocking horror, the hero at a gas station who calmly thwarted an armed robbery reboards a bus on a wintery night. Then an accident occurs and the bus goes into the river.
Now, the hero being a hero has to make sure everyone gets out of the sinking bus... yes you guessed it. He was trapped and I was outraged!! 🥶🤬
Mr. Grumley knows how to pull all the feels with this character. He had me hooked within four short chapters. It's intense throughout, but I won't spoil it. It's much more fun to find out the who, what, where, and when! Each reveal will make you want to know more. This is a fast-paced and totally gripping biotech thriller that keeps me guessing. To be continue'ish ending though...ugh! 4.5⭐
I read the first half and listened to the rest and enjoyed both formats. Having a book is definitely helpful for me to see the unfamiliar scientific words and Scott Brick is fantastic (see my Scott Brick shelf) so both are a win-win!
Thank you Robert Davis for inviting me to read DEEP FREEZE, Forge Books, and Macmillan Audio for the DRCs.
336 Pages/10H 24M
❄️ Out on January 9, 2024!!❄️
Again, I went in half-blind. I read the blurb a while back and don't recall the details. To my shocking horror, the hero at a gas station who calmly thwarted an armed robbery reboards a bus on a wintery night. Then an accident occurs and the bus goes into the river.
Now, the hero being a hero has to make sure everyone gets out of the sinking bus... yes you guessed it. He was trapped and I was outraged!! 🥶🤬
Mr. Grumley knows how to pull all the feels with this character. He had me hooked within four short chapters. It's intense throughout, but I won't spoil it. It's much more fun to find out the who, what, where, and when! Each reveal will make you want to know more. This is a fast-paced and totally gripping biotech thriller that keeps me guessing. To be continue'ish ending though...ugh! 4.5⭐
I read the first half and listened to the rest and enjoyed both formats. Having a book is definitely helpful for me to see the unfamiliar scientific words and Scott Brick is fantastic (see my Scott Brick shelf) so both are a win-win!
Thank you Robert Davis for inviting me to read DEEP FREEZE, Forge Books, and Macmillan Audio for the DRCs.
336 Pages/10H 24M
❄️ Out on January 9, 2024!!❄️
March 22, 2025
As readers we didn’t know his name. We just witnessed him as a good Samaritan inside the store. We continued to follow this man onto the bus. As passengers ourselves, on this cold snowy night, we could tell he was headed somewhere from nowhere. One of the other passengers and her son who happened to be in that same store earlier shared her thanks for his heroics. He was quiet, but humbled by her attention. It was nothing to him. So, when the bus crashed and went into the icy river, it was nothing for him to make sure that others were rescued.
What became of this nameless good Samaritan?
As readers we find ourselves in an unknown place surrounded by doctors tending to a patient. They seem secretive. There are lab animals. The doctor Rachel is very close to them. She looks forward to rehoming them to the local zoo.
Where are we?
Who is this patient?
Is he the good Samaritan?
Nothing is as it seems. And nothing seems to make sense. We don’t even know the year. But each page I turn, keeps me in suspenseful tension. I want to know. And I won’t sleep until I find out.
And when this patient awakens, all will be revealed.
But…Not all at once. (No spoilers from me.)
Short, quick chapters keep readers on edge, wanting more information.
This is a fast-paced, spine-tingling, gripping, exhilarating, unique mystery read. One of the best, most intriguing plots I have read in a long time!
I couldn’t turn pages fast enough! For this reviewer, it was an amazing reading experience, that I highly recommend.
This is a brilliant, captivating writer, who I am going to be keeping my eye on. I look forward to more from him. If this is going to be a series…I can’t wait for Book #2.
I want to thank Forge Books/Tor Publishing Group and the author for this complimentary book for our Little Free Library. I am providing an honest review.
Release Date for this Book is January 2024!
What became of this nameless good Samaritan?
As readers we find ourselves in an unknown place surrounded by doctors tending to a patient. They seem secretive. There are lab animals. The doctor Rachel is very close to them. She looks forward to rehoming them to the local zoo.
Where are we?
Who is this patient?
Is he the good Samaritan?
Nothing is as it seems. And nothing seems to make sense. We don’t even know the year. But each page I turn, keeps me in suspenseful tension. I want to know. And I won’t sleep until I find out.
And when this patient awakens, all will be revealed.
But…Not all at once. (No spoilers from me.)
Short, quick chapters keep readers on edge, wanting more information.
This is a fast-paced, spine-tingling, gripping, exhilarating, unique mystery read. One of the best, most intriguing plots I have read in a long time!
I couldn’t turn pages fast enough! For this reviewer, it was an amazing reading experience, that I highly recommend.
This is a brilliant, captivating writer, who I am going to be keeping my eye on. I look forward to more from him. If this is going to be a series…I can’t wait for Book #2.
I want to thank Forge Books/Tor Publishing Group and the author for this complimentary book for our Little Free Library. I am providing an honest review.
Release Date for this Book is January 2024!
January 13, 2024
3.5🌟
Army veteran John Reiff’s life is about to change forever. One moment he’s riding a bus, the next he wakes up in a hospital (of sorts). But something just doesn’t feel right…
Now he needs some answers…how did he get here? Why can’t he simply leave? And most importantly, who can he trust?
Loved the premise!
I really enjoyed the first half with the set-up of the accident and John’s awakening.
As the story progressed, I became a bit lost in the expertise of what all the scientists were attempting to accomplish. But that’s just me… sometimes I struggle keeping up with sci-fi🤪
I listened to the audio and thoroughly enjoyed the narration provided by Scott Brick.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio 🎧
Army veteran John Reiff’s life is about to change forever. One moment he’s riding a bus, the next he wakes up in a hospital (of sorts). But something just doesn’t feel right…
Now he needs some answers…how did he get here? Why can’t he simply leave? And most importantly, who can he trust?
Loved the premise!
I really enjoyed the first half with the set-up of the accident and John’s awakening.
As the story progressed, I became a bit lost in the expertise of what all the scientists were attempting to accomplish. But that’s just me… sometimes I struggle keeping up with sci-fi🤪
I listened to the audio and thoroughly enjoyed the narration provided by Scott Brick.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio 🎧
April 22, 2024
Fascinating premise, lackluster execution.
They had managed to accomplish the impossible. Something no one else ever had done in all of human history. Something she still couldn’t tell anybody.
This is not a post apocalyptic story, but it takes place in the future after the partial collapse of society - which is confusing and not well developed.
The idea around cryonics is fascinating, and the short chapters were welcoming, but the characters lacked emotional depth. The outline for the story was solid, but for some reason the way it was put together jarring, and not very smooth to read.
They had managed to accomplish the impossible. Something no one else ever had done in all of human history. Something she still couldn’t tell anybody.
This is not a post apocalyptic story, but it takes place in the future after the partial collapse of society - which is confusing and not well developed.
The idea around cryonics is fascinating, and the short chapters were welcoming, but the characters lacked emotional depth. The outline for the story was solid, but for some reason the way it was put together jarring, and not very smooth to read.
February 16, 2024
Michael C. Grumley's Deep Freeze explores humanity’s thirst for immortality―at any cost.
The accident happened in a flash with no warning. In the dead of night, the bus plunged into a freezing river, trapping everyone inside. It was a tragedy that ended Army veteran John Reiff's life. But against all odds, he wakes up in a hospital bed, surrounded by blinding lights and struggling to move or even breathe. The doctors assure him that everything is fine and that he will recover, but Reiff can't shake the feeling that they are hiding something from him. As his mind and body slowly heal, he becomes determined to uncover the truth behind their secrecy. Little by little, puzzle pieces fall into place, revealing a web of lies and withheld information. But who is responsible for this deception? And why? Reiff's life may depend on finding out the answers before it's too late.
This novel is an intriguing mix of imaginative storytelling and scientific progress, cryogenics is a rapidly evolving concept that may soon become a reality. While it holds the potential for immense good, as with any new technology, there is also the possibility for misuse and harm. I enjoyed it thoroughly and would love a sequel.
The accident happened in a flash with no warning. In the dead of night, the bus plunged into a freezing river, trapping everyone inside. It was a tragedy that ended Army veteran John Reiff's life. But against all odds, he wakes up in a hospital bed, surrounded by blinding lights and struggling to move or even breathe. The doctors assure him that everything is fine and that he will recover, but Reiff can't shake the feeling that they are hiding something from him. As his mind and body slowly heal, he becomes determined to uncover the truth behind their secrecy. Little by little, puzzle pieces fall into place, revealing a web of lies and withheld information. But who is responsible for this deception? And why? Reiff's life may depend on finding out the answers before it's too late.
This novel is an intriguing mix of imaginative storytelling and scientific progress, cryogenics is a rapidly evolving concept that may soon become a reality. While it holds the potential for immense good, as with any new technology, there is also the possibility for misuse and harm. I enjoyed it thoroughly and would love a sequel.
December 19, 2023
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Michael C. Grumley, and Macmillan Audio for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
Having read another series by Michael C. Grumley, I was eager to get started with this debut. Grumley posits many things in the sci-fi/neurological world and I always enjoy what he has to say. In this story, the author explores how cryogenic freezing can open a portal to new and ominous goings-on, particularly with one subject. In a gripping piece that pulls on all the area of action, Grumley takes the reader on a significant adventure until all is left hanging!
Events developed quickly and the accident appeared to be something that no one could have predicted. John Reiff ended up plunging into the frigid water and died while submerged in his vehicle. No one could have expected anyone to survive, though scientists had some ideas and wanted to experiment.
Years later, after no one expected anything, Reiff wakes up to have lights shining in his eyes, unsure where he is at present. When he discovers what’s happened and how scientists have used him as a sort of experiment, Reiff is less than impressed. While he is stunned that he can breathe, see, and even walk, Reiff has a feeling that there is another piece to the puzzle that no one is sharing with him.
With a handful of secrets in possession of those scientists who are monitoring him, Reiff refuses to stand down. He’s unsure why he is being kept in the dark, but his vivid imagination could be a weapon, in the wrong hands. John Reiff refuses to ignore his body or what has been happening, but he is getting no answers or direction from those who are advising him. Reiff wants answers and will stop at nothing to get them. The problem is, this is but the tip of the ice berg as it relates to cryogenic experimentation. Grumley delivers in this series debut that opens the mind and leaves much yet to be understood!
Michael C. Grumley does well to stir up controversy and drama in this debut novel. He mixes science and advanced neurological ideas to entertain and educate the reader, while positing some truly outstanding ideas that could change biological discoveries. There is a great sense of building tension in the narrative, which develops and gains momentum in just right way. The reader can rely on strong characters to help with this. In this series debut, there is lots of that and a great deal for the reader to synthesise.
A mix of twists and turns paves the way for an action-packed novel. Grumley does well, creating tense moments and uses his speculation to fuel the fires. I enjoy the mystery injected into the story and can only hope that Grumley has more to come as the series progresses. I also eager to see where things are headed.
Kudos, Mr. Grumley, for another story that pushes the limits!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Having read another series by Michael C. Grumley, I was eager to get started with this debut. Grumley posits many things in the sci-fi/neurological world and I always enjoy what he has to say. In this story, the author explores how cryogenic freezing can open a portal to new and ominous goings-on, particularly with one subject. In a gripping piece that pulls on all the area of action, Grumley takes the reader on a significant adventure until all is left hanging!
Events developed quickly and the accident appeared to be something that no one could have predicted. John Reiff ended up plunging into the frigid water and died while submerged in his vehicle. No one could have expected anyone to survive, though scientists had some ideas and wanted to experiment.
Years later, after no one expected anything, Reiff wakes up to have lights shining in his eyes, unsure where he is at present. When he discovers what’s happened and how scientists have used him as a sort of experiment, Reiff is less than impressed. While he is stunned that he can breathe, see, and even walk, Reiff has a feeling that there is another piece to the puzzle that no one is sharing with him.
With a handful of secrets in possession of those scientists who are monitoring him, Reiff refuses to stand down. He’s unsure why he is being kept in the dark, but his vivid imagination could be a weapon, in the wrong hands. John Reiff refuses to ignore his body or what has been happening, but he is getting no answers or direction from those who are advising him. Reiff wants answers and will stop at nothing to get them. The problem is, this is but the tip of the ice berg as it relates to cryogenic experimentation. Grumley delivers in this series debut that opens the mind and leaves much yet to be understood!
Michael C. Grumley does well to stir up controversy and drama in this debut novel. He mixes science and advanced neurological ideas to entertain and educate the reader, while positing some truly outstanding ideas that could change biological discoveries. There is a great sense of building tension in the narrative, which develops and gains momentum in just right way. The reader can rely on strong characters to help with this. In this series debut, there is lots of that and a great deal for the reader to synthesise.
A mix of twists and turns paves the way for an action-packed novel. Grumley does well, creating tense moments and uses his speculation to fuel the fires. I enjoy the mystery injected into the story and can only hope that Grumley has more to come as the series progresses. I also eager to see where things are headed.
Kudos, Mr. Grumley, for another story that pushes the limits!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
November 23, 2024
I initially came across the second installment that sounded really good. So, of course, I would have to go back and read the first installment before I could read the second installment. Really glad I did too! Then again, I don’t recall ever being regretful that I started a really good series from the start. Quite the contrary. Anyway, the first thing I noticed is that I am VERY familiar with the narrator, who turns out to be the same narrator for one of my all-time fave series, Orphan X. Scott Brick is a phenomenal narrator! I love the way he uses tones and inflections to express emotions and intense and scary situations that adds so much value to the writing and overall story.
The book summary lays out the primary storyline so I’m not going to repeat any of that here. What the book summary doesn’t mention is how long John Reiff was unconscious before waking up on a surgical table and how he got there. It’s also not mentioned that prior to ever getting on that bus that fateful night John saved everyone on that sinking bus except himself. John also thwarted a robbery by exhibiting some pretty strange yet extraordinary behavior that was a little questionable, at least to me it was, as well the folks in that store. It’s also not revealed that John was probably running from something. None of this is a spoiler since it is how the story started.
Most of the story revolves around studying John’s recovery, while the doctors, Perry and Souza, studying him lie to him about what happened to him and why he’s with them now. Gradually, John starts having visions, which the doctors believe are hallucinations, but John believes are memories. Eventually, it’s revealed John is part of a cryogenics program funded by some dark government agency and some billionaires who want to avoid death to eventually live a better life.
It’s at this point that the story begins to take on a really grim tone and wild and crazy direction and the second half of the story becomes much more interesting and intense. I strongly suggest that you really hang in there during the first half that can seem a little confusing. Grumley is pretty stingy with clues and info, but the real plot is revealed in the second half and leads to a shocking and intense ending that has me so glad that I have the second installment already.
The character development for John and a few other characters was ok, but a little thin, for the rest of the characters. Wish there was a little more on John, but I guess that was by design. Rachel and her idiotic behavior and dialog (most of the time) was extremely annoying! The pacing in the first half was a little slower than the second half, but not to the point that it bored me or lost my attention. The storyline was very interesting, at least to me, and kept me engrossed throughout the whole story. The writing was good; this is a sci-fi, dystopia/futuristic drama, which I don’t read a lot of. More times than not, they’re way too depressing, and I especially don’t like the ones with zombies. HATE ZOMBIE STORIES!!! I’m looking at an overall rating of 3.6 that I will be rounding up to a 4star review.
I’m glad that I stumbled across this second installment first, because it was that installment that motivated me to read this one that I might not have stumbled over and even read. Now, I need to continue the series, if for no other reason than to find out how that wild ending plays out.
TW: Death of Animals Used in Research
The book summary lays out the primary storyline so I’m not going to repeat any of that here. What the book summary doesn’t mention is how long John Reiff was unconscious before waking up on a surgical table and how he got there. It’s also not mentioned that prior to ever getting on that bus that fateful night John saved everyone on that sinking bus except himself. John also thwarted a robbery by exhibiting some pretty strange yet extraordinary behavior that was a little questionable, at least to me it was, as well the folks in that store. It’s also not revealed that John was probably running from something. None of this is a spoiler since it is how the story started.
Most of the story revolves around studying John’s recovery, while the doctors, Perry and Souza, studying him lie to him about what happened to him and why he’s with them now. Gradually, John starts having visions, which the doctors believe are hallucinations, but John believes are memories. Eventually, it’s revealed John is part of a cryogenics program funded by some dark government agency and some billionaires who want to avoid death to eventually live a better life.
It’s at this point that the story begins to take on a really grim tone and wild and crazy direction and the second half of the story becomes much more interesting and intense. I strongly suggest that you really hang in there during the first half that can seem a little confusing. Grumley is pretty stingy with clues and info, but the real plot is revealed in the second half and leads to a shocking and intense ending that has me so glad that I have the second installment already.
The character development for John and a few other characters was ok, but a little thin, for the rest of the characters. Wish there was a little more on John, but I guess that was by design. Rachel and her idiotic behavior and dialog (most of the time) was extremely annoying! The pacing in the first half was a little slower than the second half, but not to the point that it bored me or lost my attention. The storyline was very interesting, at least to me, and kept me engrossed throughout the whole story. The writing was good; this is a sci-fi, dystopia/futuristic drama, which I don’t read a lot of. More times than not, they’re way too depressing, and I especially don’t like the ones with zombies. HATE ZOMBIE STORIES!!! I’m looking at an overall rating of 3.6 that I will be rounding up to a 4star review.
I’m glad that I stumbled across this second installment first, because it was that installment that motivated me to read this one that I might not have stumbled over and even read. Now, I need to continue the series, if for no other reason than to find out how that wild ending plays out.
TW: Death of Animals Used in Research
March 22, 2024
This is the first book in a series by Michael C. Grumley. The story takes place a few decades from our current time and focuses on a former successful soldier killed in a bus accident and brought back to life. Good story and I look forward to the sequel. Recommended.
January 17, 2024
This review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
I really enjoyed this book! I went into this book without knowing what to expect but I am so glad that I decided to take a chance on it. I believe this is one of those stories that is best to go into as blindly as possible, so I will avoid anything that could be considered a spoiler in this review. The twists and turns of the story were fun because they came as a complete surprise and I don’t think that the book would have had the same impact if I had some ideas about what I could expect. I found this book to be an incredibly entertaining read.
I liked John Reiff from the very start of this story. It was immediately apparent that there was more to this man than we saw on the surface. As we met other characters, I was never quite sure who should be trusted. A lot of things are not as they seem to be initially in this story and I had a great time just trying to figure out what the next twist might be. There was enough action worked into the story to keep things very interesting.
I listened to the audiobook and thought that Scott Brick did an amazing job with this story. I have enjoyed this narrator’s work in the past and thought that he did an exceptional job with this story. He did a great job of differentiating the various characters in this story with the voices that he used. I found his voice to be very pleasant and I found myself wanting to listen to this book for hours at a time. I am certain that his narration added a lot to my overall enjoyment of this story.
I would recommend this book to others. I thought that this was a very well-done story that crossed over into several genres. I was excited to learn that this is the first book of a planned series and cannot wait to read more of the series.
I received a review copy of this book from Forge Books and Macmillan Audio.
I really enjoyed this book! I went into this book without knowing what to expect but I am so glad that I decided to take a chance on it. I believe this is one of those stories that is best to go into as blindly as possible, so I will avoid anything that could be considered a spoiler in this review. The twists and turns of the story were fun because they came as a complete surprise and I don’t think that the book would have had the same impact if I had some ideas about what I could expect. I found this book to be an incredibly entertaining read.
I liked John Reiff from the very start of this story. It was immediately apparent that there was more to this man than we saw on the surface. As we met other characters, I was never quite sure who should be trusted. A lot of things are not as they seem to be initially in this story and I had a great time just trying to figure out what the next twist might be. There was enough action worked into the story to keep things very interesting.
I listened to the audiobook and thought that Scott Brick did an amazing job with this story. I have enjoyed this narrator’s work in the past and thought that he did an exceptional job with this story. He did a great job of differentiating the various characters in this story with the voices that he used. I found his voice to be very pleasant and I found myself wanting to listen to this book for hours at a time. I am certain that his narration added a lot to my overall enjoyment of this story.
I would recommend this book to others. I thought that this was a very well-done story that crossed over into several genres. I was excited to learn that this is the first book of a planned series and cannot wait to read more of the series.
I received a review copy of this book from Forge Books and Macmillan Audio.
Read
November 2, 2023DNF - I'm so sorry, I was bored with this. The excitement at the beginning (and it WAS exciting there) was followed by so many dull short chapters. Not for me.
February 2, 2024
This was a great page turning sci-fi thriller. It follows John who is mysteriously brought back from the dead after an accident and his mission to find out where he is and what happened for him to wind up in a lab.
I liked the character of John. Reminded me of a Jason Bourne type of guy. I could really get a sense of what he was thinking the entire time. Rogue badass at its finest.
The time jump was very interesting and threw a whole new look at the book and was not something I expected at all. Gave a different dynamic that made the story even better. The ending was left wide open for future novels and I really hope this is a series that continues.
While not normally my cup of tea, I found this super interesting and the short choppy chapters made this an easy read, that held me the whole time. 4 stars ⭐️
I liked the character of John. Reminded me of a Jason Bourne type of guy. I could really get a sense of what he was thinking the entire time. Rogue badass at its finest.
The time jump was very interesting and threw a whole new look at the book and was not something I expected at all. Gave a different dynamic that made the story even better. The ending was left wide open for future novels and I really hope this is a series that continues.
While not normally my cup of tea, I found this super interesting and the short choppy chapters made this an easy read, that held me the whole time. 4 stars ⭐️
March 2, 2025
I found this interesting and intriguing. The first part is science and research and it was fascinating. But then a bit of dystopian flavors started to bleed through. And of course the rich bad, maybe government, people coming to clean up, take over, or just shut it down. And the chase is on. Action packed and highly entertaining. I am always partial to this type of book and will definitely be reading the next in the series ASAP!
August 21, 2023
Michael C. Grumley writes about the near future. In his newest book he explore cryogenics and immortality.
Deep Freeze begins with an accident - a plunge into freezing water with John Reiff's life ending. Not long after we meet the scientists working to bring him back to life. Rachel and her lab animals and many more. As Reiff begins to regain the ability to speak, the scientists learn that they may be pawns in a much bigger game. Life and death is at stake, perhaps for the whole world. If you like espionage, international games and are interested in cryogenics and other ways to stall aging, Deep Freeze is for you ! #Tor #DeepFreeze #MichaelCGrumley
Deep Freeze begins with an accident - a plunge into freezing water with John Reiff's life ending. Not long after we meet the scientists working to bring him back to life. Rachel and her lab animals and many more. As Reiff begins to regain the ability to speak, the scientists learn that they may be pawns in a much bigger game. Life and death is at stake, perhaps for the whole world. If you like espionage, international games and are interested in cryogenics and other ways to stall aging, Deep Freeze is for you ! #Tor #DeepFreeze #MichaelCGrumley
May 3, 2025
WTH! Did Grumley just feel like he didn't want to finish the book. An abrupt shoddy ending of a book that wasn't that thrilling to begin with.
August 27, 2025
I received a free advanced review copy of Deep Freeze by Michael C. Grumley from Forge Books in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Forge!
Deep Freeze takes place in a near-future America where secret labs are very real, and those running them have their own agendas. John Reiff ends up in such a lab after he is seemingly killed rescuing people from a bus accident. The bus he is on careens off a bridge into an icy river, and everyone makes it off except John. He is understandably surprised when he wakes up, who knows how many days later, in a hospital barely able to move or talk.
Now, all of this sounds like a very interesting set up for a thriller, right? In fact, some of the marketing I've seen for the book compares it to books by Blake Crouch. I loved Pines by Blake Crouch, and Upgrade was a fun time (even if the last few pages seemed to negate the protagonist's entire argument). So, I went into this book with expectations for a thriller with sci-fi elements about a man on the run searching for answers. That, it turns out, is not quite what I got.
I did not in fact even finish this book. It's been a very long time since I have DNF'ed a book, actually, and it takes quite a bit to make me do so. I did give this book a chance. I read over 100 pages of the book, but when the most exciting thing to happen in the course of the first 100 pages of a thriller is the bus crash in the first 10 pages, then there's a problem.
Following the accident, very little of interest happens other than a little background information being trickled out about the lab and the people running it. I know the author was trying to be mysterious, but the whole cloak and dagger government conspiracy was obvious even with frustratingly few details being revealed. I didn't really care about the characters or what was happening to them because by the 100 page mark I still didn't know anything about them!
Speaking of characters, the main turn off for me with this book was that John Reiff is obviously a rip-off of Jack Reacher. They're both Army vets with no home, no middle name, and a roaming nature. They're both tough and prefer to solve problems with their fists. John Reiff even says something almost exactly the way Jack Reacher said it. When asked why he wanders around, Reiff responds with how he wants to see more of the country he has spent his life defending on his own terms. It was all a bit too on the nose and became very distracting for me, since I'm a huge fan of Jack Reacher.
Don’t get me wrong. This could have been done in a very interesting way because taking a character like Jack Reacher and dropping him into a sci-fi thriller is certainly an intriguing prospect. This book, unfortunately, did not do that. Instead, John Reiff is a washed out copy of Jack Reacher, and he's stuck in a lab for the first third of the book. It just wasn't executed very well for such an interesting concept.
A few other more minor things that bothered me about this book were the treatment of the main female character and the author's obsession with explaining every scientific detail about process and machines used in the lab. It almost read as if he just learned all of this cool science stuff and had to share it with the world. It honestly came off a bit patronizing.
Which brings me to how he treated the main female character. Other characters in the book almost constantly mention how brilliant she is and how talented she is as a scientist. But in the same breath they will mention how naïve she is and how weak it makes her seem. It's like she wasn't allowed to be brilliant without a caveat while the men were allowed to have few, if any, flaws in their character. Consequently, male characters often seemed to talk down to the female character, and it was incredibly off-putting to read once I noticed it.
Unfortunately, I did not enjoy or even finish this book. While the concept was what drew me to the book in the first place, its poor execution and other flaws were distracting enough that I didn't want to go back to it after putting it down. Plus, I am fine when authors want to take an archetype and spin it into something new. However, when it becomes obvious that rather than using an archetype, they just ripped off a character from another book, I don't agree with that. Maybe other people will still find the story enjoyable, but it just wasn't for me.
I gave Deep Freeze by Michael C. Grumley one out of five stars. This book unfortunately had too many flaws that were too distracting to keep me interested in reading. I really wanted to like this book, since the ideas behind it were so interesting. The only thing that even tempted me to keep reading was unraveling the mystery in the background, but it wasn't enough for me to pick it back up in the end.
Deep Freeze takes place in a near-future America where secret labs are very real, and those running them have their own agendas. John Reiff ends up in such a lab after he is seemingly killed rescuing people from a bus accident. The bus he is on careens off a bridge into an icy river, and everyone makes it off except John. He is understandably surprised when he wakes up, who knows how many days later, in a hospital barely able to move or talk.
Now, all of this sounds like a very interesting set up for a thriller, right? In fact, some of the marketing I've seen for the book compares it to books by Blake Crouch. I loved Pines by Blake Crouch, and Upgrade was a fun time (even if the last few pages seemed to negate the protagonist's entire argument). So, I went into this book with expectations for a thriller with sci-fi elements about a man on the run searching for answers. That, it turns out, is not quite what I got.
I did not in fact even finish this book. It's been a very long time since I have DNF'ed a book, actually, and it takes quite a bit to make me do so. I did give this book a chance. I read over 100 pages of the book, but when the most exciting thing to happen in the course of the first 100 pages of a thriller is the bus crash in the first 10 pages, then there's a problem.
Following the accident, very little of interest happens other than a little background information being trickled out about the lab and the people running it. I know the author was trying to be mysterious, but the whole cloak and dagger government conspiracy was obvious even with frustratingly few details being revealed. I didn't really care about the characters or what was happening to them because by the 100 page mark I still didn't know anything about them!
Speaking of characters, the main turn off for me with this book was that John Reiff is obviously a rip-off of Jack Reacher. They're both Army vets with no home, no middle name, and a roaming nature. They're both tough and prefer to solve problems with their fists. John Reiff even says something almost exactly the way Jack Reacher said it. When asked why he wanders around, Reiff responds with how he wants to see more of the country he has spent his life defending on his own terms. It was all a bit too on the nose and became very distracting for me, since I'm a huge fan of Jack Reacher.
Don’t get me wrong. This could have been done in a very interesting way because taking a character like Jack Reacher and dropping him into a sci-fi thriller is certainly an intriguing prospect. This book, unfortunately, did not do that. Instead, John Reiff is a washed out copy of Jack Reacher, and he's stuck in a lab for the first third of the book. It just wasn't executed very well for such an interesting concept.
A few other more minor things that bothered me about this book were the treatment of the main female character and the author's obsession with explaining every scientific detail about process and machines used in the lab. It almost read as if he just learned all of this cool science stuff and had to share it with the world. It honestly came off a bit patronizing.
Which brings me to how he treated the main female character. Other characters in the book almost constantly mention how brilliant she is and how talented she is as a scientist. But in the same breath they will mention how naïve she is and how weak it makes her seem. It's like she wasn't allowed to be brilliant without a caveat while the men were allowed to have few, if any, flaws in their character. Consequently, male characters often seemed to talk down to the female character, and it was incredibly off-putting to read once I noticed it.
Unfortunately, I did not enjoy or even finish this book. While the concept was what drew me to the book in the first place, its poor execution and other flaws were distracting enough that I didn't want to go back to it after putting it down. Plus, I am fine when authors want to take an archetype and spin it into something new. However, when it becomes obvious that rather than using an archetype, they just ripped off a character from another book, I don't agree with that. Maybe other people will still find the story enjoyable, but it just wasn't for me.
I gave Deep Freeze by Michael C. Grumley one out of five stars. This book unfortunately had too many flaws that were too distracting to keep me interested in reading. I really wanted to like this book, since the ideas behind it were so interesting. The only thing that even tempted me to keep reading was unraveling the mystery in the background, but it wasn't enough for me to pick it back up in the end.
December 26, 2023
(( audiobook ))
Loved the super short chapters, the fast pace, and the overall concept of cryogenic freezing even though it felt like there were some holes in the world-building? Like society collapsed and is still a mess, but there are enough resources to run a secret research lab? I did NOT love that the main female character (Rachel) - despite being a supposedly super-smart research scientist - was a dithering moron in every situation requiring her to make a decision to move quickly and not stand around bickering whilst waiting to be shot at/blown up. Her bonding and relationships with the research animals was also quite odd.
That said, Scott Brick's narration was - as always - perfect, and I'd definitely be interested in listening to the next book in the series to see what happens.
* thanks to Forge Books and Macmillan Audio for the NetGalley review copy. DEEP FREEZE publishes January 9, 2024.
Loved the super short chapters, the fast pace, and the overall concept of cryogenic freezing even though it felt like there were some holes in the world-building? Like society collapsed and is still a mess, but there are enough resources to run a secret research lab? I did NOT love that the main female character (Rachel) - despite being a supposedly super-smart research scientist - was a dithering moron in every situation requiring her to make a decision to move quickly and not stand around bickering whilst waiting to be shot at/blown up. Her bonding and relationships with the research animals was also quite odd.
That said, Scott Brick's narration was - as always - perfect, and I'd definitely be interested in listening to the next book in the series to see what happens.
* thanks to Forge Books and Macmillan Audio for the NetGalley review copy. DEEP FREEZE publishes January 9, 2024.
January 26, 2024
“If there was one thing Williams had learned over his seventy-plus years on Earth, it was that everyone always had their own agenda.”
This is shaping up to be a pretty good series, reminiscent of an A.G. Riddle’s sci-fi, med-tech type of thriller.
Deep Freeze hooks you from the start with a mysterious prelude where a man stops an armed robbery at a convenience store then boards a bus that gets in an accident and falls from the bridge into a freezing river where he is able to save everyone on the bus except himself.
That part is told from a very detached perspective which I’m not sure I liked that part, but it invests you in this ‘hero’ character that made me think of the guy on Person of Interest.
It’s a fast-paced thriller and even though there are a lot of characters and medical/technical jargon, it’s an engaging story that leaves you on a cliffhanger!
Basic Premise
We are not told what happens to the man until we are introduced to our other characters who are all in a lab working on a cryonics project where their goal is to resuscitate a human from their frozen state.
Yep, it’s the guy who froze in the river.
They bring him back to life, a surprising number of years after the accident.
“Life often had a way of operating according to its own set of rules, presenting surprises when one least expected them. Even in the most routine and controlled procedures.”
But it becomes evident that the people leading and backing the project have been kept a secret for a reason. The man was chosen for this experiment for a reason. And the end goal for this experiment is also a mystery.
The man draws some of the visions he has been having after his resurrection. Of places and events he would never have witnessed. Now his existence is a threat and the higher-ups want the project and everything associated with it erased. Including the man. Who is showing signs of medical complications.
He has other ideas.
Can he work with his newfound resistance group and figure it out before he re-freezes to death?
Cast of Characters
I feel like I might need this by the time I read the second book, so here are the main players in the book that I can reveal without spoiling anything:
John Reiff: the man from the river; ex-military
Rachel Souza: doctor on the project; specializes in the vascular system; tries to save Reiff from being ‘erased’
“She didn’t know what they wanted, but she knew it couldn’t be good. People don’t get murdered to keep good things a secret.”
Dr. Perry Williams: project’s Chief Medical Officer; works closely with Rachel but specializes in major organs; the first one to catch on that something else is going on with the project
Robert Masten: “decades-old prince of biotech and a hardened executive who knew the ins and outs of the industry better than anyone”; the on-site head of the project
Nora Lagner: Chief Technology Officer; Masten’s right-hand-woman
Liam Duchik: the ‘handler’
Comments
One thing I liked about this book were the really short chapters. It made it quicker to read and faster-paced. The book is just 330ish pages but there were 100 chapters.
One thing that I think would have helped, although it may have been intentionally vague in the beginning, was to set the scene better. The book seems to be a bit of a dystopian sci-fi thriller. There aren’t really any signs of this until well over halfway when we find out about The Great Collapse and The Great Struggle— certain economic, financial, and physical wars around the globe. It’s not anarchy and technology still exists, but there are other hardships the world is recovering from.
It didn’t seem to be a huge part of most of the book but I have a feeling it will come into play in the rest of the series. At least I hope so, otherwise it feels too insignificant and random to have used for the setting of the book.
The machine that brings Reiff back to life is called The Machine. Which is a smidge bit vague and non-descriptive. But I couldn’t come up with anything better as of now so I’ll let it go.
I should address the med-tech jargon stuff because I know that’s what can turn people off to these type of books. There is quite a bit of talk surrounding medical procedures and biological processes and technological advancements that are hard to follow at times. But the details are not essential to understanding and enjoying the story.
If it all makes sense to you, great. But if your eyes glaze over during those parts, you’re not going to be lost in the story!
I mentioned earlier that this book reminded me of A.G. Riddle’s books. One reason for that is the inclusion of real-life technological advancements and incorporating them into the story— like telomeres. Riddle uses more historical references than Grumley, but I do like when I can learn things while I’m reading.
Recommendation
I would definitely recommend this book! Although I don’t like waiting for books, I’m glad it ended on a cliffhanger. There was too much to wrap up so instead of rushing it, we get to continue the story and see, hopefully, more layers to what’s going on.
We did get a little resolution, but we still have some questions, especially regarding Reiff’s past and future.
I will say that looking back on it, it does seem like not a whole lot happened, but it didn’t feel like that while I was reading it. Plus it read fast so it’s not a huge commitment like some sci-fi is.
I look forward to the next one and hope we don’t have to wait too long!
If you like books like this, I would recommend A.G. Riddle as I’ve already mentioned, but also Tosca Lee’s duology beginning with The Line Between.
[Content Advisory: no sexual content; minimal swearing- mostly using Jesus’ name in vain, I don’t think there were any f-words]
**Received an ARC from Forge Books in exchange for an honest review**
Book Review Blog | Facebook | Pinterest | StoryGraph
This is shaping up to be a pretty good series, reminiscent of an A.G. Riddle’s sci-fi, med-tech type of thriller.
Deep Freeze hooks you from the start with a mysterious prelude where a man stops an armed robbery at a convenience store then boards a bus that gets in an accident and falls from the bridge into a freezing river where he is able to save everyone on the bus except himself.
That part is told from a very detached perspective which I’m not sure I liked that part, but it invests you in this ‘hero’ character that made me think of the guy on Person of Interest.
It’s a fast-paced thriller and even though there are a lot of characters and medical/technical jargon, it’s an engaging story that leaves you on a cliffhanger!
Basic Premise
We are not told what happens to the man until we are introduced to our other characters who are all in a lab working on a cryonics project where their goal is to resuscitate a human from their frozen state.
Yep, it’s the guy who froze in the river.
They bring him back to life, a surprising number of years after the accident.
“Life often had a way of operating according to its own set of rules, presenting surprises when one least expected them. Even in the most routine and controlled procedures.”
But it becomes evident that the people leading and backing the project have been kept a secret for a reason. The man was chosen for this experiment for a reason. And the end goal for this experiment is also a mystery.
The man draws some of the visions he has been having after his resurrection. Of places and events he would never have witnessed. Now his existence is a threat and the higher-ups want the project and everything associated with it erased. Including the man. Who is showing signs of medical complications.
He has other ideas.
Can he work with his newfound resistance group and figure it out before he re-freezes to death?
Cast of Characters
I feel like I might need this by the time I read the second book, so here are the main players in the book that I can reveal without spoiling anything:
John Reiff: the man from the river; ex-military
Rachel Souza: doctor on the project; specializes in the vascular system; tries to save Reiff from being ‘erased’
“She didn’t know what they wanted, but she knew it couldn’t be good. People don’t get murdered to keep good things a secret.”
Dr. Perry Williams: project’s Chief Medical Officer; works closely with Rachel but specializes in major organs; the first one to catch on that something else is going on with the project
Robert Masten: “decades-old prince of biotech and a hardened executive who knew the ins and outs of the industry better than anyone”; the on-site head of the project
Nora Lagner: Chief Technology Officer; Masten’s right-hand-woman
Liam Duchik: the ‘handler’
Comments
One thing I liked about this book were the really short chapters. It made it quicker to read and faster-paced. The book is just 330ish pages but there were 100 chapters.
One thing that I think would have helped, although it may have been intentionally vague in the beginning, was to set the scene better. The book seems to be a bit of a dystopian sci-fi thriller. There aren’t really any signs of this until well over halfway when we find out about The Great Collapse and The Great Struggle— certain economic, financial, and physical wars around the globe. It’s not anarchy and technology still exists, but there are other hardships the world is recovering from.
It didn’t seem to be a huge part of most of the book but I have a feeling it will come into play in the rest of the series. At least I hope so, otherwise it feels too insignificant and random to have used for the setting of the book.
The machine that brings Reiff back to life is called The Machine. Which is a smidge bit vague and non-descriptive. But I couldn’t come up with anything better as of now so I’ll let it go.
I should address the med-tech jargon stuff because I know that’s what can turn people off to these type of books. There is quite a bit of talk surrounding medical procedures and biological processes and technological advancements that are hard to follow at times. But the details are not essential to understanding and enjoying the story.
If it all makes sense to you, great. But if your eyes glaze over during those parts, you’re not going to be lost in the story!
I mentioned earlier that this book reminded me of A.G. Riddle’s books. One reason for that is the inclusion of real-life technological advancements and incorporating them into the story— like telomeres. Riddle uses more historical references than Grumley, but I do like when I can learn things while I’m reading.
Recommendation
I would definitely recommend this book! Although I don’t like waiting for books, I’m glad it ended on a cliffhanger. There was too much to wrap up so instead of rushing it, we get to continue the story and see, hopefully, more layers to what’s going on.
We did get a little resolution, but we still have some questions, especially regarding Reiff’s past and future.
I will say that looking back on it, it does seem like not a whole lot happened, but it didn’t feel like that while I was reading it. Plus it read fast so it’s not a huge commitment like some sci-fi is.
I look forward to the next one and hope we don’t have to wait too long!
If you like books like this, I would recommend A.G. Riddle as I’ve already mentioned, but also Tosca Lee’s duology beginning with The Line Between.
[Content Advisory: no sexual content; minimal swearing- mostly using Jesus’ name in vain, I don’t think there were any f-words]
**Received an ARC from Forge Books in exchange for an honest review**
Book Review Blog | Facebook | Pinterest | StoryGraph
August 5, 2024
I did not like this one (clearly). 2.5 rounded down. My complaints...the drama and thrillerness Grumley tried to create never seemed to appear, mini-teasers after many of the chapters were more irritating than enticing. His slow reveal of the state of the world made no sense and probably would have added positively to my anticipation of might happen. Characters were cookie cutter, the ending terrible and generally not to my liking.
Thanks to LibroFM for the ALC, sorry it did not work for me
Thanks to LibroFM for the ALC, sorry it did not work for me
August 30, 2024
This book was stupid. First of all, not very well written. I was confused quite a bit by the writing. Characters were not done well at all and there were so many of them that I never knew who was who. Second, the plot made no sense. I can barely tell you what happened. Went on way too long for what little happened to happen. What was that ending? Also lowkey creepy at some points. Not a fan and definitely won’t be reading the next books.
October 26, 2023
Michael Grumley is one of my favorite authors, and he doesn't disappoint with his latest book, Deep Freeze. The storyline is original, fast-paced, and will keep you on the edge of your seat! My only complaint is that I have to wait for him to finish the sequel! 😫
If you're already a fan of this author, Deep Freeze is a MUST READ!
If you're already a fan of this author, Deep Freeze is a MUST READ!
January 20, 2024
See my review on www.mysteryandsuspense.com
In a desolate world, destroyed by power and the quest for greed, how far would you go to obtain immortality? What, and who, would you risk? Michael C. Grumleydelivers a scientific mystery that uncovers the answers to some of humanity’s greatest questions with his new novel, Deep Freeze.
Army veteran John Reiff is killed after the bus he is riding on crashes into a frozen river- or at least, that’s what everyone believes. So, when he wakes up twenty-two years later in a medical laboratory, he has some obvious questions. His doctors seem to know very little, only that he is part of a very prolific experiment that will have a tremendous impact on humanity. But John, too, has some secrets he’s keeping and when the dangerous people behind the “Program” seek to cut their losses, John knows he has to use every skill he has to stay alive.
Grumley’s novel plays out like an action-packed Hollywood movie, with shifty alliances, government corruption and life-altering scientific experiments and it is every bit as gripping and addicting as something on the silver screen. John has a Jason Bourne vibe that instantly makes him likable, worthy of empathy while still being incredibly bad-ass, and readers will quickly find themselves rooting for him.
The novel starts with the bus crash and Grumley paints the desperate struggle for life in the icy cold waters in such an immersive way that I instantly got chills. Right away, there is tension and suspense and by the first page it becomes far too late to turn back.
There is scientific language in the novel, of course, but Grumley manages to keep it generalizable, providing the reader with information without inundating them with indigestible language and terminology. The process of gene sequencing, cryogenics and the reconstruction of the human body is outlined without becoming all-encompassing and Grumley provides exactly the right amount of information to make his plot line work without losing a readers’ attention.
The chapters are short and yet they are jam-packed with drama and hard-core action. The terrifying depictions of the post-apocalyptic world they now live in really cuts to the core and does not go beyond the realm of possibility, which adds a layer of unsettling turmoil to the plot.
Deep Freeze was an instant page-turner, and it comes as no surprise that John Reiff will be returning in subsequent novels in this burgeoning series. The ending hints at more to come from Reiff and his friends, and I’m excited to see what comes next.
In a desolate world, destroyed by power and the quest for greed, how far would you go to obtain immortality? What, and who, would you risk? Michael C. Grumleydelivers a scientific mystery that uncovers the answers to some of humanity’s greatest questions with his new novel, Deep Freeze.
Army veteran John Reiff is killed after the bus he is riding on crashes into a frozen river- or at least, that’s what everyone believes. So, when he wakes up twenty-two years later in a medical laboratory, he has some obvious questions. His doctors seem to know very little, only that he is part of a very prolific experiment that will have a tremendous impact on humanity. But John, too, has some secrets he’s keeping and when the dangerous people behind the “Program” seek to cut their losses, John knows he has to use every skill he has to stay alive.
Grumley’s novel plays out like an action-packed Hollywood movie, with shifty alliances, government corruption and life-altering scientific experiments and it is every bit as gripping and addicting as something on the silver screen. John has a Jason Bourne vibe that instantly makes him likable, worthy of empathy while still being incredibly bad-ass, and readers will quickly find themselves rooting for him.
The novel starts with the bus crash and Grumley paints the desperate struggle for life in the icy cold waters in such an immersive way that I instantly got chills. Right away, there is tension and suspense and by the first page it becomes far too late to turn back.
There is scientific language in the novel, of course, but Grumley manages to keep it generalizable, providing the reader with information without inundating them with indigestible language and terminology. The process of gene sequencing, cryogenics and the reconstruction of the human body is outlined without becoming all-encompassing and Grumley provides exactly the right amount of information to make his plot line work without losing a readers’ attention.
The chapters are short and yet they are jam-packed with drama and hard-core action. The terrifying depictions of the post-apocalyptic world they now live in really cuts to the core and does not go beyond the realm of possibility, which adds a layer of unsettling turmoil to the plot.
Deep Freeze was an instant page-turner, and it comes as no surprise that John Reiff will be returning in subsequent novels in this burgeoning series. The ending hints at more to come from Reiff and his friends, and I’m excited to see what comes next.
January 22, 2024
The nitty-gritty: A fascinating idea—cryonics—held my attention, but the plot was confusing at times, as the author kept his readers in the dark far too long.
Deep Freeze is a sci-fi thriller about cryonics, and I enjoyed parts of it very much. Saying that, I struggled with the way the story was told, which I’ll get into later in this review. I also wasn’t crazy about the way the author depicted women, and with some very cheesy dialog and a haphazard, confusing plot, this was definitely a mixed bag for me.
The story has a dramatic beginning: we meet an unnamed man traveling on a bus during a terrible winter storm. The bus loses traction on a bridge and plunges over the railing to the freezing river below. The man manages to help save many of the people on the bus, including a woman and her young son, but he isn’t fast enough to save his own life, as the bus finally sinks into the water before he can escape himself.
Next we meet a group of scientists in a high-tech laboratory, where an important event is unfolding. It seems after years of preparation, the experiment they’ve been working on is about come to fruition, although everyone is tense and worried about the outcome. We meet Rachel Souza and Henry Yamada, who are frantically working together to prepare the Machine, a large, coffin-sized contraption. Eventually the reader realizes that the scientists are trying to revive a frozen body, and it’s pretty clear that it has something to do with the man from the bus accident.
Later, the man, whose name is John Reiff, miraculously wakes up, and here’s where the story takes on a thriller vibe. The organization funding the lab turns out to have a more sinister agenda than simply making scientific and medical history, and so John finds himself caught up in something he doesn’t understand and ultimately ends up fighting for his life.
Let’s start with the positives. There’s a lot of science in this story, and it feels as if the author did quite a bit of research to make it seem authentic. I’m fascinated by cryonics and the idea of “freezing” people in order to bring them back to life in the future, and Grumley brings up lots of interesting facts and moral implications, so there was plenty to ponder as I was reading.
I also enjoyed the action scenes, which were very well done. The opening scene with the bus crashing into the river was tense and exciting, especially when the author is in John’s head as he experiences the freezing water and then realizes that he’s going to drown. There’s another great scene involving a secluded house and an assassin, so clearly the author knows how to write nail-biting scenes.
But now the negatives. Deep Freeze was one of those books that started out strong for me, but unfortunately took a downward turn about halfway through. Now, I do love a good sci-fi mystery, but when the author keeps all his secrets under wraps for most of the book, I tend to get a little annoyed and frustrated. That’s what happened here. Grumley alludes to a bunch of events that the reader knows nothing about and dances around them with cryptic statements that never seem to go anywhere. Even worse, the entire story is flipped upside down when new information is revealed around the halfway point, information that changed the entire story.
Because he kept his readers in the dark for so long, I found the plot to be confusing at times. For example, Rachel has animal cages in her office, supposedly the animals that survived early cryonic experimentation. She’s developed a weird bond with them (weird because she’s a doctor and used them in experiments so why is she suddenly emotional about the survivors?) and is upset when she finds one of the mice dead in its cage. I didn’t feel like the implications of this were explained very well, and although these animals keep popping up in the story over and over, I couldn’t figure out why. There’s also a subplot about how John is drawing pictures of events he couldn’t possibly know about, and frustratingly enough, this is never explained either.
Most of the characters didn’t really impact me that much, I’m sorry to say. Many felt like stereotypes who did very predictable things. I was also disappointed in the way the female characters were written. Rachel is supposedly a brilliant vascular specialist, but when one of the characters tries to explain computer pixels to her, she suddenly turns dumb and confesses she doesn’t understand what he’s saying, lol. John is supposed to be the big mystery of the story—no one knows much about where he came from or his past history—and yet I felt zero sympathy for him, for some reason.
Probably the biggest issue I had, though, is the way the story was told. From the blurb, the reader thinks they’re getting a story told from John Reiff’s point of view. However, this isn’t the case at all. The narrative jumps around among all the characters, making for a very fractured story, and the instances where the reader is in John’s head are few and far between. When we find out that the story takes place in a post apocalyptic world, the reader is just as surprised as John is, even though we shouldn’t have been.
Deep Freeze ends on a shocking cliffhanger (which I’m still puzzling over, to be honest), so it looks like I’ll have to read the sequel to get some answers. And I’m very tempted, despite the issues I had. Many of the mysteries remain unsolved by the end of the book, which left me with a distinct feeling of dissatisfaction, so I guess the jury’s out on whether I’ll read the next book or not.
With thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
Deep Freeze is a sci-fi thriller about cryonics, and I enjoyed parts of it very much. Saying that, I struggled with the way the story was told, which I’ll get into later in this review. I also wasn’t crazy about the way the author depicted women, and with some very cheesy dialog and a haphazard, confusing plot, this was definitely a mixed bag for me.
The story has a dramatic beginning: we meet an unnamed man traveling on a bus during a terrible winter storm. The bus loses traction on a bridge and plunges over the railing to the freezing river below. The man manages to help save many of the people on the bus, including a woman and her young son, but he isn’t fast enough to save his own life, as the bus finally sinks into the water before he can escape himself.
Next we meet a group of scientists in a high-tech laboratory, where an important event is unfolding. It seems after years of preparation, the experiment they’ve been working on is about come to fruition, although everyone is tense and worried about the outcome. We meet Rachel Souza and Henry Yamada, who are frantically working together to prepare the Machine, a large, coffin-sized contraption. Eventually the reader realizes that the scientists are trying to revive a frozen body, and it’s pretty clear that it has something to do with the man from the bus accident.
Later, the man, whose name is John Reiff, miraculously wakes up, and here’s where the story takes on a thriller vibe. The organization funding the lab turns out to have a more sinister agenda than simply making scientific and medical history, and so John finds himself caught up in something he doesn’t understand and ultimately ends up fighting for his life.
Let’s start with the positives. There’s a lot of science in this story, and it feels as if the author did quite a bit of research to make it seem authentic. I’m fascinated by cryonics and the idea of “freezing” people in order to bring them back to life in the future, and Grumley brings up lots of interesting facts and moral implications, so there was plenty to ponder as I was reading.
I also enjoyed the action scenes, which were very well done. The opening scene with the bus crashing into the river was tense and exciting, especially when the author is in John’s head as he experiences the freezing water and then realizes that he’s going to drown. There’s another great scene involving a secluded house and an assassin, so clearly the author knows how to write nail-biting scenes.
But now the negatives. Deep Freeze was one of those books that started out strong for me, but unfortunately took a downward turn about halfway through. Now, I do love a good sci-fi mystery, but when the author keeps all his secrets under wraps for most of the book, I tend to get a little annoyed and frustrated. That’s what happened here. Grumley alludes to a bunch of events that the reader knows nothing about and dances around them with cryptic statements that never seem to go anywhere. Even worse, the entire story is flipped upside down when new information is revealed around the halfway point, information that changed the entire story.
Because he kept his readers in the dark for so long, I found the plot to be confusing at times. For example, Rachel has animal cages in her office, supposedly the animals that survived early cryonic experimentation. She’s developed a weird bond with them (weird because she’s a doctor and used them in experiments so why is she suddenly emotional about the survivors?) and is upset when she finds one of the mice dead in its cage. I didn’t feel like the implications of this were explained very well, and although these animals keep popping up in the story over and over, I couldn’t figure out why. There’s also a subplot about how John is drawing pictures of events he couldn’t possibly know about, and frustratingly enough, this is never explained either.
Most of the characters didn’t really impact me that much, I’m sorry to say. Many felt like stereotypes who did very predictable things. I was also disappointed in the way the female characters were written. Rachel is supposedly a brilliant vascular specialist, but when one of the characters tries to explain computer pixels to her, she suddenly turns dumb and confesses she doesn’t understand what he’s saying, lol. John is supposed to be the big mystery of the story—no one knows much about where he came from or his past history—and yet I felt zero sympathy for him, for some reason.
Probably the biggest issue I had, though, is the way the story was told. From the blurb, the reader thinks they’re getting a story told from John Reiff’s point of view. However, this isn’t the case at all. The narrative jumps around among all the characters, making for a very fractured story, and the instances where the reader is in John’s head are few and far between. When we find out that the story takes place in a post apocalyptic world, the reader is just as surprised as John is, even though we shouldn’t have been.
Deep Freeze ends on a shocking cliffhanger (which I’m still puzzling over, to be honest), so it looks like I’ll have to read the sequel to get some answers. And I’m very tempted, despite the issues I had. Many of the mysteries remain unsolved by the end of the book, which left me with a distinct feeling of dissatisfaction, so I guess the jury’s out on whether I’ll read the next book or not.
With thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
December 28, 2023
3.5 ⭐️ rounded up
Deep Freeze was fast paced and easily listened to. I received this book as an ALC and ARC. Honestly, I enjoyed the book more as an audiobook but maybe I just wasn’t in the right mind set for the book. The narrator was Scott Brick and he really kept me invested in the story. If I was solely reading the book I’m not sure I would have finished the book. But now I am interested to see what happens in book two. There were twists and turns that kept my attention and overall I can say I enjoyed the book and will probably have to listen to the second book.
Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Forge books for the advanced copies and the chance to review it honestly.
Happy reading!
Deep Freeze was fast paced and easily listened to. I received this book as an ALC and ARC. Honestly, I enjoyed the book more as an audiobook but maybe I just wasn’t in the right mind set for the book. The narrator was Scott Brick and he really kept me invested in the story. If I was solely reading the book I’m not sure I would have finished the book. But now I am interested to see what happens in book two. There were twists and turns that kept my attention and overall I can say I enjoyed the book and will probably have to listen to the second book.
Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Forge books for the advanced copies and the chance to review it honestly.
Happy reading!
January 7, 2024
Deep Freeze is a near future scifi medical techno-thriller set in a sort of post-apocalyptic setting.
The premise of this book sounded great and I was all in when I saw techno-thriller. Give me all the futuristic tech and science!
In the first chapters, John ends up drowning in a frozen lake (or so it seems).
John wakes up in a hospital unable to see or to move at first, but the doctors reassure him that he’ll recover. As John slowly gets better, he realizes there are things that are being kept from him and that he’s a prisoner, unable to leave or get answers.
This premise was absolutely intriguing but the buildup was slow. Unfortunately, I found myself putting this book aside more often than not, and it took me longer than normal to finish. I can’t put my finger on why and maybe it was just me.
The overall story was good, and I had high hopes for it. But if I’m being honest, it didn’t knock my socks off. It was ok. This may be the book for you though if you enjoy this genre. There’s lots of action later in the book!
*Thanks to Forge Books and NetGalley for the gifted advance eGalley!*
The premise of this book sounded great and I was all in when I saw techno-thriller. Give me all the futuristic tech and science!
In the first chapters, John ends up drowning in a frozen lake (or so it seems).
John wakes up in a hospital unable to see or to move at first, but the doctors reassure him that he’ll recover. As John slowly gets better, he realizes there are things that are being kept from him and that he’s a prisoner, unable to leave or get answers.
This premise was absolutely intriguing but the buildup was slow. Unfortunately, I found myself putting this book aside more often than not, and it took me longer than normal to finish. I can’t put my finger on why and maybe it was just me.
The overall story was good, and I had high hopes for it. But if I’m being honest, it didn’t knock my socks off. It was ok. This may be the book for you though if you enjoy this genre. There’s lots of action later in the book!
*Thanks to Forge Books and NetGalley for the gifted advance eGalley!*
January 17, 2024
This is a thriller with a dystopian/sci-fi twist. I'm all for anything an author can do to shake things up.
We first meet John when he very calmly stops a convenience store robbery with a beer bottle. I'm getting Jack Reacher vibes. . . next, he's on a bus that went off the side of a bridge into icy waters. He gets a bunch of people out, but he gets trapped inside.
Next thing you know, he is waking up in a "hospital." But something is fishy. A bunch of mad scientists have apparently brought him back from the dead. Whatever experiment is at play, the animal test subjects aren't behaving properly and are dying. So what does that mean for John? And he isn't being told anything. He also seems to know things that he should have no way of knowing. His doctor feels uncomfortable lying and suspects more than she knows is afoot. Someone above her is pulling strings and it sounds like a coverup might be underway, which leaves her, John and a handful of others as "loose strings."
It all gets interesting when it's revealed just how long John has been a block of ice and what has happened to the world between the time he "died" and was revived. Lucky he was an army badass with badass friends.
I'd never read this author before, but would happily read more of his books. And it looks like there might be more to this story in a sequel.
We first meet John when he very calmly stops a convenience store robbery with a beer bottle. I'm getting Jack Reacher vibes. . . next, he's on a bus that went off the side of a bridge into icy waters. He gets a bunch of people out, but he gets trapped inside.
Next thing you know, he is waking up in a "hospital." But something is fishy. A bunch of mad scientists have apparently brought him back from the dead. Whatever experiment is at play, the animal test subjects aren't behaving properly and are dying. So what does that mean for John? And he isn't being told anything. He also seems to know things that he should have no way of knowing. His doctor feels uncomfortable lying and suspects more than she knows is afoot. Someone above her is pulling strings and it sounds like a coverup might be underway, which leaves her, John and a handful of others as "loose strings."
It all gets interesting when it's revealed just how long John has been a block of ice and what has happened to the world between the time he "died" and was revived. Lucky he was an army badass with badass friends.
I'd never read this author before, but would happily read more of his books. And it looks like there might be more to this story in a sequel.
November 3, 2023
What can I say. My kind of book. The excitement at the start of the read was palpable. I was holding my breathe when those people were trapped in the bus. I did not expect what came next but suffice it to say, it was amazing. Great writing and great storyline, to boot. I definitely recommend this book for action/adventure/thriller readers. After reading this one, I started on Michael C. Grumley's previous books. I love finding a new author whose work I love.
January 9, 2024
Short, action packed chapters read by Scott Brick (who is amazing) brings this very impressive concept of cryogenics and how this will/can affect our future. Book 1 in the Revival series see Army Veteran John Reiff’s life come to an end in a terrible accident where he plunged into freezing water.
But…. That’s not the end of John. And he knows he is being lied to. But who to trust and why is he being lied to. A lot of loose ends, but I cannot wait for Book 2.
But…. That’s not the end of John. And he knows he is being lied to. But who to trust and why is he being lied to. A lot of loose ends, but I cannot wait for Book 2.
December 31, 2023
This one is a great thriller with a bit different of a storyline, which was nice. Very creative. I did find it a little hard to figure out all the different characters at first, which is holding me back from giving it a higher rating. But definitely a good read for my fellow thriller fans. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 14, 2023
The accident happened so fast, plunging a bus load of people into the freezing cold river below, trapping them all. Among them was Army veteran John Reiff.
Now years later, John is slowly waking up. He has no clue what is going on and the doctors just say its all fine.
As his mind and body slowly recover, he becomes certain the doctors are lying to him. As the puzzle pieces of his mind slowly fits together, he realizes things aren’t what they seem, and critical information is being kept from him. Can John figure out what the information is, and get some answers before it’s too late?
This one was a slow start for me and it had me questioning whether or not I wanted to shelve it for later. But I read a few reviews and saw what people were really enjoying, so I stuck with it, and I am glad I did. Things definitely picked up around the 25% mark, and then they didn’t stop. I do wish that the beginning had been written a little differently so I wouldn’t have trudged through it, but it worked out in the end. The story was actually very compelling, and I enjoyed that it took place in a dystopian world. I love a good dystopian novel, and this one had all the making of what I enjoy. This book had plenty of action that helped propel me through the pages. The writing was thought provoking and entertaining. This one ends on a pretty interesting cliff hanger that made me want to keep reading the series.
Thank you so much to Tor Publishing, Forge Books @forgereads and Netgalley @Netgalley for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Now years later, John is slowly waking up. He has no clue what is going on and the doctors just say its all fine.
As his mind and body slowly recover, he becomes certain the doctors are lying to him. As the puzzle pieces of his mind slowly fits together, he realizes things aren’t what they seem, and critical information is being kept from him. Can John figure out what the information is, and get some answers before it’s too late?
This one was a slow start for me and it had me questioning whether or not I wanted to shelve it for later. But I read a few reviews and saw what people were really enjoying, so I stuck with it, and I am glad I did. Things definitely picked up around the 25% mark, and then they didn’t stop. I do wish that the beginning had been written a little differently so I wouldn’t have trudged through it, but it worked out in the end. The story was actually very compelling, and I enjoyed that it took place in a dystopian world. I love a good dystopian novel, and this one had all the making of what I enjoy. This book had plenty of action that helped propel me through the pages. The writing was thought provoking and entertaining. This one ends on a pretty interesting cliff hanger that made me want to keep reading the series.
Thank you so much to Tor Publishing, Forge Books @forgereads and Netgalley @Netgalley for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
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