What do you think?
Rate this book
Deep Fathom
“[Rollins] will make your toes curl and your free hand clutch the armchair as you speed through the pages.”—Tampa Tribune “James Rollins knows adventure.”—Chicago Sun Times A sensational early work from “one of the most inventive storytellers writing today” (Lincoln Child)—the third pulse-pounding adventure novel from perennial New York Times bestselling thrill-master James Rollins—Deep Fathom is an extraordinary story of desperate survival and mysterious discoveries. The acclaimed creator of Sigma Force seamlessly combines action, science, lore, and breathtaking suspense in this classic tale of a lost civilization and a wondrous journey to a beguiling world beneath the sea. Part Michael Crichton, part Douglas Preston, part Indiana Jones, yet completely, exhilaratingly Rollins, Deep Fathom is an undersea roller coaster ride that never slows down from the first page through the explosive climax.
Audiobook
First published January 1, 2001
497 people are currently reading
7105 people want to read
About the author
James Rollins
121 books14.2k followersJames Rollins is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of international thrillers. His writing has been translated into more than forty languages and has sold more than 20 million books. The New York Times says, “Rollins is what you might wind up with if you tossed Michael Crichton and Dan Brown into a particle accelerator together.” NPR calls his work, “Adventurous and enormously engrossing.” Rollins unveils unseen worlds, scientific breakthroughs, and historical secrets matched with stunning suspense. As a veterinarian, he had a practice in Sacramento for over a decade and still volunteers at local shelters. Nowadays, Rollins shares his home up in the Sierra Nevada Mountains with two furry companions, Echo and Charlie. He also enjoys scuba diving, spelunking, kayaking, and hiking. Of course, he loves to travel and experience new places around the world, which often inspire his next globe-trotting adventure.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 589 reviews
March 28, 2025
Enjoyed another thriller from James Rollins. In this novel, an underwater fissure cause earthquakes around the world, and an old rivalry results in two men competing to either save the world to destroy it. Who will win? Great drama to sink your teeth into, and if you like learning about weather phenomena, history, and the marine world, this will work out well.
April 25, 2012
Another fun Rollins read. Jack may be one of the more developed protagonists in Rollins's non-Sigma Force novels. Again we see the Rollin's winning formula at work here. However, this read seemed different. As in Excavation, the pace was different than in other Rollins books (including the Sigma Force Books). That pulse pounding sense of a snowball rolling down hill and grow larger and larger until it's a veritable rolling avalanche all its own didn't start until later in this book than in most of the others.
In Excavation, I thought he managed to stifle his own plot when he let the action pause here and there. In this one, the story read more like an espionage story or a "thriller" where the author writes feints and early clashes in the story but doesn't unleash the hounds of hell until closer to the end. Compared to Ice Hunt, which seemed to start two chapters in and take off under full steam about halfway through, barreling non-stop to the end with no chance for a breath, Deep Fathom seemed to be more like a police thriller where they tangle with the suspect several times until they finally, in a very desperate gamble, bring him down in the end.
Don't get me wrong. Evacuation was a good read. I've never read a Rollin's book that I didn't like, or felt "meh" about so, mild criticism about the pace is as negative as it gets. But, compare Deep Fathom to Excavation and I think Deep Fathom, as far as going with a finesse pace longer is concerned, reads smoother, and is written with more clarity (situational awareness for the reader if you will, SA).
Having read most of the Non-Sigma Force books (and all of the Sigma Force Books) it's probably a fair "knock" on Rollins to say that his books are generally "formulaic" and follow a sewing pattern like one of those balsa wood airplanes you have to press out each piece, carefully then fit them together, wind up the rubber band and it goes. I think it's a testament to the devotion and skill Rollins shows that even knowing that they are going to follow a general pattern, they are still fun reads and worth the time to read.
So, when something comes up different, even if it's just a little bit, it's noticeable. Or maybe it's just that in some of the books there's not enough difference to notice. I'll be honest, as much fun as the books are to read, I really don't care which it is other than to point out why this Rollins read rates a 4 and others only a 3.
what I liked about this one that was different than the others.
1) I liked the characters. Though still formulaic, Rollins seemed to dig a little deeper into the relationships to the major players (with one exception) and the way those played out in the plot. This time Rollins brought things full circle, the back story we hear about early on, becomes a reflection of the emotional conflict and the combat confrontations at the end of the book. It may have been totally unnecessary in an Action Adventure book of this nature, but it was certainly well done.
Plus, this deeper push into the character's inner relationships helped them seem richer without actually being much different than any other Rollin's Hero type. And he did this in one book rather than 9 (or however many Sigma Force books are out there).
2) I loved the teaser about Karen being from Canada, but always mistaken for being from the United States. That's just a funny reality that probably isn't that funny to Canadians these days. Overseas, you can't tell us apart unless you talk politics, and overseas, nobody wants to talk politics with someone from the U.S. because there is too much potential for an argument to break out.
3) I liked Gabriel. Sometimes characters of Gabriel's nature are overwhelming to a story and give it a new identity. In this one, Gabriel was his own entity, but that did not drive the show, nor was he given super-powers. He was a supporting cast member of the second tier.
4) I like the way he handled the DiD (Damsel in Distress) issue with Karen. Let’s face it. Action Adventure stories with pretty ladies in them and male power-protagonists and antagonists tend to get a bit..."Where'd she go? The strong woman who was shooting at everyone a minute ago has suddenly gone into panic mode because the bad guy said "boo!" Rollins managed that delicate thing without Karen losing her dignity, becoming completely helpless and even allowed her to be the hero for a change. I think Karen was designed under the formula used in the other books Rollins has written so she did not benefit from the "deeper" and "Richer" character development that her male counter parts did.
She played a major role, but was built like a supporting cast member. So, I'm still over all neutral about Karen, but I like that she was an empowered character, not just the latest DiD girl. He also found a way to keep her role equally important and still have her subject to the laws of the jungle that say Males grow bigger stronger and faster than female Humans, but not necessarily smarter.
5) We did not see the nano-bots in this one. I'm getting tired of the Huey-Duey-Luey of micro-robot technology through chemistry routine. This used an equally farfetched but likely well researched miracle or phenomenon presence that was different.
Warning for those Romance haters, there is some of the same Sappy clumsy relationship romantic stuff in this as is in most Rollins books. you either like it or you don't. I don't see this as taking over the plot or "too hot" for the "plot." Again, It’s a rather mild, and bordering on High Schoolish Romance under fire. I think it's kind of cute.
Generally I rate this a 3.5-4.0 star read. Better than Excavation, perhaps tied with Amazonia for 4th place in the Hugh-Rollins-rating-ranking scale. I found the anti-nuke theme a bit cliché' but, logical and presented in a palatable format. Nothing to take anything away from the book, which is important, but not making the mistake of "allowing the idea of "tactical use of nukes" as having any validity." (Completely nonsensical, it would be funny if it didn't involve the fate of the world in a very real way.)
Remember, a bad Rollins book is better than an average any other kind of book most of the time.
Bottom Line, good read.
Recommended
Warnings
Most of it is like any other Rollins Read. Violence is the biggest issue in most Rollins reads, followed closely by rapidly described mass casualties. As in all Rollins books this was managed well and kept in a healthy appropriate context. There are some things in the last half of the book that are suggestive of those kind of scenes you don't want your grandmother and children reading about so be prepared, but I don't think those close to the border issues are anything to be concerned with. (Violence to women, used as a threat/promise, during harsh interrogation. As things go, this was pretty mild, but some people are sensitive to this sort of thing.)
In Excavation, I thought he managed to stifle his own plot when he let the action pause here and there. In this one, the story read more like an espionage story or a "thriller" where the author writes feints and early clashes in the story but doesn't unleash the hounds of hell until closer to the end. Compared to Ice Hunt, which seemed to start two chapters in and take off under full steam about halfway through, barreling non-stop to the end with no chance for a breath, Deep Fathom seemed to be more like a police thriller where they tangle with the suspect several times until they finally, in a very desperate gamble, bring him down in the end.
Don't get me wrong. Evacuation was a good read. I've never read a Rollin's book that I didn't like, or felt "meh" about so, mild criticism about the pace is as negative as it gets. But, compare Deep Fathom to Excavation and I think Deep Fathom, as far as going with a finesse pace longer is concerned, reads smoother, and is written with more clarity (situational awareness for the reader if you will, SA).
Having read most of the Non-Sigma Force books (and all of the Sigma Force Books) it's probably a fair "knock" on Rollins to say that his books are generally "formulaic" and follow a sewing pattern like one of those balsa wood airplanes you have to press out each piece, carefully then fit them together, wind up the rubber band and it goes. I think it's a testament to the devotion and skill Rollins shows that even knowing that they are going to follow a general pattern, they are still fun reads and worth the time to read.
So, when something comes up different, even if it's just a little bit, it's noticeable. Or maybe it's just that in some of the books there's not enough difference to notice. I'll be honest, as much fun as the books are to read, I really don't care which it is other than to point out why this Rollins read rates a 4 and others only a 3.
what I liked about this one that was different than the others.
1) I liked the characters. Though still formulaic, Rollins seemed to dig a little deeper into the relationships to the major players (with one exception) and the way those played out in the plot. This time Rollins brought things full circle, the back story we hear about early on, becomes a reflection of the emotional conflict and the combat confrontations at the end of the book. It may have been totally unnecessary in an Action Adventure book of this nature, but it was certainly well done.
Plus, this deeper push into the character's inner relationships helped them seem richer without actually being much different than any other Rollin's Hero type. And he did this in one book rather than 9 (or however many Sigma Force books are out there).
2) I loved the teaser about Karen being from Canada, but always mistaken for being from the United States. That's just a funny reality that probably isn't that funny to Canadians these days. Overseas, you can't tell us apart unless you talk politics, and overseas, nobody wants to talk politics with someone from the U.S. because there is too much potential for an argument to break out.
3) I liked Gabriel. Sometimes characters of Gabriel's nature are overwhelming to a story and give it a new identity. In this one, Gabriel was his own entity, but that did not drive the show, nor was he given super-powers. He was a supporting cast member of the second tier.
4) I like the way he handled the DiD (Damsel in Distress) issue with Karen. Let’s face it. Action Adventure stories with pretty ladies in them and male power-protagonists and antagonists tend to get a bit..."Where'd she go? The strong woman who was shooting at everyone a minute ago has suddenly gone into panic mode because the bad guy said "boo!" Rollins managed that delicate thing without Karen losing her dignity, becoming completely helpless and even allowed her to be the hero for a change. I think Karen was designed under the formula used in the other books Rollins has written so she did not benefit from the "deeper" and "Richer" character development that her male counter parts did.
She played a major role, but was built like a supporting cast member. So, I'm still over all neutral about Karen, but I like that she was an empowered character, not just the latest DiD girl. He also found a way to keep her role equally important and still have her subject to the laws of the jungle that say Males grow bigger stronger and faster than female Humans, but not necessarily smarter.
5) We did not see the nano-bots in this one. I'm getting tired of the Huey-Duey-Luey of micro-robot technology through chemistry routine. This used an equally farfetched but likely well researched miracle or phenomenon presence that was different.
Warning for those Romance haters, there is some of the same Sappy clumsy relationship romantic stuff in this as is in most Rollins books. you either like it or you don't. I don't see this as taking over the plot or "too hot" for the "plot." Again, It’s a rather mild, and bordering on High Schoolish Romance under fire. I think it's kind of cute.
Generally I rate this a 3.5-4.0 star read. Better than Excavation, perhaps tied with Amazonia for 4th place in the Hugh-Rollins-rating-ranking scale. I found the anti-nuke theme a bit cliché' but, logical and presented in a palatable format. Nothing to take anything away from the book, which is important, but not making the mistake of "allowing the idea of "tactical use of nukes" as having any validity." (Completely nonsensical, it would be funny if it didn't involve the fate of the world in a very real way.)
Remember, a bad Rollins book is better than an average any other kind of book most of the time.
Bottom Line, good read.
Recommended
Warnings
Most of it is like any other Rollins Read. Violence is the biggest issue in most Rollins reads, followed closely by rapidly described mass casualties. As in all Rollins books this was managed well and kept in a healthy appropriate context. There are some things in the last half of the book that are suggestive of those kind of scenes you don't want your grandmother and children reading about so be prepared, but I don't think those close to the border issues are anything to be concerned with. (Violence to women, used as a threat/promise, during harsh interrogation. As things go, this was pretty mild, but some people are sensitive to this sort of thing.)
March 12, 2023
Everything but the proverbial kitchen sink ... !
The first solar eclipse of the millennium and a series of intense solar flares have triggered a monumental series of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides and tsunamis around the entire circumference of the Pacific Ring of Fire. The cataclysmic forces unleashed by these violent events bring down Air Force One in the middle of the ocean killing the President of the USA and everyone else on board. (Uh oh ... we can smell a political crisis there, can't we!) Ex-Navy Seal, Jack Kirkland, is on board a deep sea submersible exploring a sunken Japanese vessel reputed to be carrying an enormous hoard of gold bullion when this series of inexplicable disasters shatter the earth's crust. Kirkland narrowly escapes death avoiding an undersea eruption and lava flow as the Japanese freighter is swallowed into the earth's crust before his very eyes.
Sounds very promising, doesn't it?
Well, I'll admit it. I thoroughly enjoy a well-written techno-thriller with lots of slam-bang action; pops and bangs, bells and whistles; boy-girl action; insufferably evil bad guys; and lots of Hollywood thrills, chills and heroics thrown in. I'm even willing to be a reading wimp and have my credibility pushed around by a bully-boy author who stretches things to the limit!
But DEEP FATHOM went way, way beyond those limits and pushed my belief meter well beyond the red zone and right off the scale.
Within the range of a brief 450 page novel, here are just a few of the things that Rollins would have you read about - nuclear war between the US and China; the solution to the cosmological problem of dark energy and dark matter; the translation of a hitherto entirely unknown ancient pictographic language by a computer artificial intelligence; the solution of the Bermuda Triangle mystery; time travel; amateur computer hackers hi-jacking an abandoned orbiting satellite and using it as a platform to fire particle weapons; the discovery of a Pacific equivalent to the lost civilization of Atlantis and a society of cut-throat warriors guarding these long hidden secrets; and (are you ready for this?) anti-gravity!
Even for a sci-fi novel of the space opera variety, this would be over the top but for a novel that bills itself as techno-thriller, it verges on laughable.
There is no doubt that Rollins has skill to create characters, suspense, action, dialogue and plot. But he's got to rein it in and avoid dumping it all into a single novel. He might even try a pure sci-fi novel. Now that just might fly!
Not recommended.
Paul Weiss
The first solar eclipse of the millennium and a series of intense solar flares have triggered a monumental series of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides and tsunamis around the entire circumference of the Pacific Ring of Fire. The cataclysmic forces unleashed by these violent events bring down Air Force One in the middle of the ocean killing the President of the USA and everyone else on board. (Uh oh ... we can smell a political crisis there, can't we!) Ex-Navy Seal, Jack Kirkland, is on board a deep sea submersible exploring a sunken Japanese vessel reputed to be carrying an enormous hoard of gold bullion when this series of inexplicable disasters shatter the earth's crust. Kirkland narrowly escapes death avoiding an undersea eruption and lava flow as the Japanese freighter is swallowed into the earth's crust before his very eyes.
Sounds very promising, doesn't it?
Well, I'll admit it. I thoroughly enjoy a well-written techno-thriller with lots of slam-bang action; pops and bangs, bells and whistles; boy-girl action; insufferably evil bad guys; and lots of Hollywood thrills, chills and heroics thrown in. I'm even willing to be a reading wimp and have my credibility pushed around by a bully-boy author who stretches things to the limit!
But DEEP FATHOM went way, way beyond those limits and pushed my belief meter well beyond the red zone and right off the scale.
Within the range of a brief 450 page novel, here are just a few of the things that Rollins would have you read about - nuclear war between the US and China; the solution to the cosmological problem of dark energy and dark matter; the translation of a hitherto entirely unknown ancient pictographic language by a computer artificial intelligence; the solution of the Bermuda Triangle mystery; time travel; amateur computer hackers hi-jacking an abandoned orbiting satellite and using it as a platform to fire particle weapons; the discovery of a Pacific equivalent to the lost civilization of Atlantis and a society of cut-throat warriors guarding these long hidden secrets; and (are you ready for this?) anti-gravity!
Even for a sci-fi novel of the space opera variety, this would be over the top but for a novel that bills itself as techno-thriller, it verges on laughable.
There is no doubt that Rollins has skill to create characters, suspense, action, dialogue and plot. But he's got to rein it in and avoid dumping it all into a single novel. He might even try a pure sci-fi novel. Now that just might fly!
Not recommended.
Paul Weiss
November 11, 2024
James Rollins is shaping up to be one of my new favorite authors, but it’s not necessarily because he’s the greatest writer or that he is in any way original. Indeed, Rollins could never be accused of either one of those things.
What makes Rollins so damn readable and addictive is the same reason that authors like Blake Crouch, Clive Cussler, and Michael Crichton are all best-selling authors: they are the perfect combination of smart and fun.
One has to be smart (and, perhaps, a little crazy) to incorporate solar flares, dark matter, the lost continent of Mu, an impending nuclear war between China and the U.S., giant krakens, a psychotic Navy SEAL who is secretly a member of the KKK, a hero that is a former-astronaut-turned-submarine-captain with a dog named Elvis, and time warps all in the same novel and, miraculously, make it all work.
And, damn, does it work beautifully in “Deep Fathom”, published in 2001.
Never mind that Rollins “borrows” heavily from authors like Tom Clancy and Stephen Coonts. Or that whole sections of the novel are blatant rip-offs (I’d graciously call them “homages”, but I’d be simply deluding myself) of James Cameron’s brilliant 1989 sci-fi underwater actioner “The Abyss”. I mean, honestly, it’s almost plagiarism, from the psycho Navy dude to the world on the brink of war to the mini-sub battles and even to the dramatic CPR scene. All that was missing was Ed Harris’s wonderful overacting and screaming, “DAMMIT, WOMAN, YOU’VE NEVER BACKED AWAY FROM ANYTHING IN YOUR LIFE NOW FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!” as he heroically tries to resuscitate his ex-wife-whom-he-still-loves, played by the comatose-looking-even-when-she’s-awake Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio.
Fuck it, I didn’t even care. I loved “Deep Fathom”. Sue me.
What makes Rollins so damn readable and addictive is the same reason that authors like Blake Crouch, Clive Cussler, and Michael Crichton are all best-selling authors: they are the perfect combination of smart and fun.
One has to be smart (and, perhaps, a little crazy) to incorporate solar flares, dark matter, the lost continent of Mu, an impending nuclear war between China and the U.S., giant krakens, a psychotic Navy SEAL who is secretly a member of the KKK, a hero that is a former-astronaut-turned-submarine-captain with a dog named Elvis, and time warps all in the same novel and, miraculously, make it all work.
And, damn, does it work beautifully in “Deep Fathom”, published in 2001.
Never mind that Rollins “borrows” heavily from authors like Tom Clancy and Stephen Coonts. Or that whole sections of the novel are blatant rip-offs (I’d graciously call them “homages”, but I’d be simply deluding myself) of James Cameron’s brilliant 1989 sci-fi underwater actioner “The Abyss”. I mean, honestly, it’s almost plagiarism, from the psycho Navy dude to the world on the brink of war to the mini-sub battles and even to the dramatic CPR scene. All that was missing was Ed Harris’s wonderful overacting and screaming, “DAMMIT, WOMAN, YOU’VE NEVER BACKED AWAY FROM ANYTHING IN YOUR LIFE NOW FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!” as he heroically tries to resuscitate his ex-wife-whom-he-still-loves, played by the comatose-looking-even-when-she’s-awake Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio.
Fuck it, I didn’t even care. I loved “Deep Fathom”. Sue me.
November 21, 2021
I read this for the Action/Adventure Aficionados group read this month, and I was fairly excited about it. That didn't last very long once I started it. The beginning is really awful in my opinion. I don't know if it's the narrator, but the characters seemed so thin and I was left to wonder why we were even looking at these people. Like who are they? I really hate when a book introduces characters with no relevance and then we never see them again. So that didn't set me up for high expectations.
As the story progresses, it does get better. I was willing to keep reading because I don't like to DNF books. When Jack is introduced, I wasn't initially that interested in him. As the story unfolded, I became a little more invested in his story. I understood the damage he carried. Ultimately, I did appreciate him as a lead, but he'd never be near the top of my list of favorite action heroes. I couldn't help thinking that, as an astronaut, he should have have more of a scientific mind. I realize that he was coming at it from a perspective as a Navy pilot, but I thought you did have to know a lot of science and mathematic principles to go into space. Feel free to post your thoughts if you know differently. Also, I don't know, but I thought the whole part with him and Lisa being past lovers was kind of unnecessary or maybe it was just how it was handled. It feel really awkward, especially when it was clear that Jack was really into Karen. Lisa felt like a throwaway character, in my opinion. I think I had a more immediate connection to Karen, probably because I liked the way her mind worked and I loved her friendship with Miyuki. Karen was smart, brave, quick thinking, kind and tough. I did like Jack and Karen as a couple though. I wish Miyuki had a bigger part. I loved Charlie. He was one of my favorite characters. I was disappointed that the doggie, Elvis wasn't in the story more. I freaking hated David. He was such an *&!@#%! Having said that, he wasn't all that memorable as a villain other than being a piece of crap.
Although thus far, my thoughts have been fairly negative, there were parts of the book where I did get pretty excited. The ending was quite effective, and some of the plot twists were very exciting. I checked and this was his third book. I can definitely tell, because there is a huge difference in the quality of writing from this book to Sandstorm. The characters feel flat and fairly lackluster. I am glad to see that this is something he has improved upon. I did think the adventure/action scenes were well-written, overall. I love how integral to the plot the science was as well. As I said earlier, the ending was really cool and I didn't predict or expect it at all.
I've always had a fascination with the deepest parts of the ocean, and I loved those parts of the story. The book has some great imagery of the deep sea. Honestly, I would have loved more underwater scenes. However, there was some great moments where characters interacted with deep sea life, and I am glad that Rollins used those varied possibilities.
Despite some disappointment I had with this story, I think it would be a good movie, with some good actors who can bring more life to the characters than they had in the book.
This was not a bad book, but I was disappointed with it overall. My biggest problem was the poorly developed characters. If that was better, I am sure I would have rated it higher. I wasn't that keen on the narrator either. He was just okay.
As the story progresses, it does get better. I was willing to keep reading because I don't like to DNF books. When Jack is introduced, I wasn't initially that interested in him. As the story unfolded, I became a little more invested in his story. I understood the damage he carried. Ultimately, I did appreciate him as a lead, but he'd never be near the top of my list of favorite action heroes. I couldn't help thinking that, as an astronaut, he should have have more of a scientific mind. I realize that he was coming at it from a perspective as a Navy pilot, but I thought you did have to know a lot of science and mathematic principles to go into space. Feel free to post your thoughts if you know differently. Also, I don't know, but I thought the whole part with him and Lisa being past lovers was kind of unnecessary or maybe it was just how it was handled. It feel really awkward, especially when it was clear that Jack was really into Karen. Lisa felt like a throwaway character, in my opinion. I think I had a more immediate connection to Karen, probably because I liked the way her mind worked and I loved her friendship with Miyuki. Karen was smart, brave, quick thinking, kind and tough. I did like Jack and Karen as a couple though. I wish Miyuki had a bigger part. I loved Charlie. He was one of my favorite characters. I was disappointed that the doggie, Elvis wasn't in the story more. I freaking hated David. He was such an *&!@#%! Having said that, he wasn't all that memorable as a villain other than being a piece of crap.
Although thus far, my thoughts have been fairly negative, there were parts of the book where I did get pretty excited. The ending was quite effective, and some of the plot twists were very exciting. I checked and this was his third book. I can definitely tell, because there is a huge difference in the quality of writing from this book to Sandstorm. The characters feel flat and fairly lackluster. I am glad to see that this is something he has improved upon. I did think the adventure/action scenes were well-written, overall. I love how integral to the plot the science was as well. As I said earlier, the ending was really cool and I didn't predict or expect it at all.
I've always had a fascination with the deepest parts of the ocean, and I loved those parts of the story. The book has some great imagery of the deep sea. Honestly, I would have loved more underwater scenes. However, there was some great moments where characters interacted with deep sea life, and I am glad that Rollins used those varied possibilities.
Despite some disappointment I had with this story, I think it would be a good movie, with some good actors who can bring more life to the characters than they had in the book.
This was not a bad book, but I was disappointed with it overall. My biggest problem was the poorly developed characters. If that was better, I am sure I would have rated it higher. I wasn't that keen on the narrator either. He was just okay.
May 18, 2011
I have not read any other books by James Rollins, but judging by his popularity I would suspect that this particular book does not represent his best efforts. The story is interesting and creative enough, but it seems somehow uncompelling and not particularly well carried out. However, the book's true weakness lies in its characters, which are rather flat and lacking in personality.
Jack, the story's main character, is a rather cliched tough guy with lingering emotional problems from the tragic loss of his fiance. Karen, the story's love interest, is the typical tough girl who doesn't take "no" for an answer. David, the story's antagonist, is a racist no-good military guy with no redeeming qualities, and Rollins' only attempt at giving him any relatability is wedged within a single paragraph in the last 50 pages of the book.
On top of these qualities, the book possesses a number of events that rival modern action flicks for lack of believability. At one point in time, the narrative relates an underwater fight by opposing submersibles, in which the "good guy" resorts to throwing rocks with the mini-sub's manipulator arms--an impossible task.
All told, this book was an entertaining read that helped pass the time, but it will not leave you feeling overly impressed.
Jack, the story's main character, is a rather cliched tough guy with lingering emotional problems from the tragic loss of his fiance. Karen, the story's love interest, is the typical tough girl who doesn't take "no" for an answer. David, the story's antagonist, is a racist no-good military guy with no redeeming qualities, and Rollins' only attempt at giving him any relatability is wedged within a single paragraph in the last 50 pages of the book.
On top of these qualities, the book possesses a number of events that rival modern action flicks for lack of believability. At one point in time, the narrative relates an underwater fight by opposing submersibles, in which the "good guy" resorts to throwing rocks with the mini-sub's manipulator arms--an impossible task.
All told, this book was an entertaining read that helped pass the time, but it will not leave you feeling overly impressed.
June 20, 2022
অনেকদিন পর মনে হয় নতুন কোনো বই পড়ে শেষ করলাম। তাও আবার অনেক কষ্ট করে। বড্ড একঘেয়ে লেগেছে, পাশাপাশি অনেক ধীরগতিরও মনে হয়েছে।
পৃথিবীর ইতিহাসে এক গুরুত্বপূর্ণ সূর্যগ্রহনের দিন, বেলাশেষে ভয়াবহ ভূমিকম্প। ফলাফল স্বরূপ ব্যাপক ক্ষয়ক্ষতি আর প্রাণহানি।সমুদ্রের তলদেশ থেকে পাওয়া গেল অদ্ভুত স্ফটিক...ব্লা ব্লা ব্লা।এই টাইপের কাহিনী আর ভাল লাগে না।
অনুবাদের মান ভাল।
~২০জুন, ২০২২
পৃথিবীর ইতিহাসে এক গুরুত্বপূর্ণ সূর্যগ্রহনের দিন, বেলাশেষে ভয়াবহ ভূমিকম্প। ফলাফল স্বরূপ ব্যাপক ক্ষয়ক্ষতি আর প্রাণহানি।সমুদ্রের তলদেশ থেকে পাওয়া গেল অদ্ভুত স্ফটিক...ব্লা ব্লা ব্লা।এই টাইপের কাহিনী আর ভাল লাগে না।
অনুবাদের মান ভাল।
~২০জুন, ২০২২
August 7, 2020
অন্য বইগুলোর তুলনায় লেখকের এই বইটা দুর্বল লাগল কেন যেন।
August 23, 2017
I have said in so many of my reviews of James Rollins books that I am a big fan of his stories. Deep Fathom did not disappoint.
We have an eclipse that leaves the US coast in ruins, Air Force One with the President onboard has crashed, and a weird phenomenon smack dab in the middle of the Central Pacific Ocean. Islands have sunk on one side of the world and lost cities have risen on the other, exciting two anthropologists Dr. Karen Grace and Professor Miyuki Nakano. Of course we can’t forget Gabriel, an AI that Professor Miyuki created.
We have the salvage ship Fathom, with several interesting crew members, Jack Kirkland being the Captain and his dog, Elvis. Due to the earthquakes, Jack loses a ship of gold and is then asked to assist the military with the crash of Air Force One. During the extraction of the plane, Jack finds a lava like pillar with strange symbols on it, and it glowed!
As the mystery gathers more clues, there is evil in just about every chapter. Ancients are shooting at the Dr. and the Professor as they discover a crystal like artifact in the lost city, The Vice President is moving in and declaring war on China, and Jack has to deal with the vengeful brother (David Spangler) of a former lover, who died while on a space mission with Jack.
Good grief! This story was jam packed with mysteries, adventure, suspense and mind boggling physics, and I loved every minute of it. Quite a bit of fiction here and some so far fetched that I often wondered how in the world this writer came up with this stuff. James Rollins is no fool though. He does add some fact, enough to keep you interested and it is like that with all of his novels. The ending was my favorite part, and cleverly wrapped up by a brilliant mind.
We have an eclipse that leaves the US coast in ruins, Air Force One with the President onboard has crashed, and a weird phenomenon smack dab in the middle of the Central Pacific Ocean. Islands have sunk on one side of the world and lost cities have risen on the other, exciting two anthropologists Dr. Karen Grace and Professor Miyuki Nakano. Of course we can’t forget Gabriel, an AI that Professor Miyuki created.
We have the salvage ship Fathom, with several interesting crew members, Jack Kirkland being the Captain and his dog, Elvis. Due to the earthquakes, Jack loses a ship of gold and is then asked to assist the military with the crash of Air Force One. During the extraction of the plane, Jack finds a lava like pillar with strange symbols on it, and it glowed!
As the mystery gathers more clues, there is evil in just about every chapter. Ancients are shooting at the Dr. and the Professor as they discover a crystal like artifact in the lost city, The Vice President is moving in and declaring war on China, and Jack has to deal with the vengeful brother (David Spangler) of a former lover, who died while on a space mission with Jack.
Good grief! This story was jam packed with mysteries, adventure, suspense and mind boggling physics, and I loved every minute of it. Quite a bit of fiction here and some so far fetched that I often wondered how in the world this writer came up with this stuff. James Rollins is no fool though. He does add some fact, enough to keep you interested and it is like that with all of his novels. The ending was my favorite part, and cleverly wrapped up by a brilliant mind.
April 12, 2009
My feelings about Deep Fathom are pretty in line with Rollins' first two books - fun adventure about finding hidden ancient civilizations, nothing much to write home about with regards to the writing style. It gets points for being a Bermuda Triangle mystery that doesn't actually involve the Bermuda Triangle, but it loses points for having an overly villainous villain. He's racist, misogynist, likes killing, and just in case he hasn't been coded "bad guy" enough, he has a vendetta against the main character! Oh well, it was still a fun read.
January 17, 2020
রলিন্সও তাইলে আগডুম বাগডুম লিখতে পারে। আমাদের দেশে তো রলিন্স একটা ব্র্যান্ড হইয়া গেছে, সেই জন্যে তার বই নিয়া আশার পারদও চড়া থাকে। সেই হাইপটা মিট করে নাই এই বইটা। সো সো। সেই একই, 'দুনিয়া ধ্বংস হইয়া গ্যালো রে মমিন' আহাজারি দিয়া শুরু আর 'বাঁইচা গেলাম এইবার, নায়ক আমার সুপারস্টার!' দিয়া শেষ। কিন্তু, সিগমা-র মতন না। কিছুটা স্লো পেস। কাহিনী আগাইসে ধীরে, বইয়ের চরিত্রগুলার সাথে পাঠকরে পরিচয় করতে করতে। দেন ধাপ-ধুপ একশন। শেষে বিশাআআআল গোঁজামিল দিয়া কাহিনীর হ্যাপি এন্ডিং। আমার জন্যে ডিসাপয়েন্টিং রিড ছিল।
June 25, 2011
It seems even experienced writers are not immune to the temptation of wanting a specific outcome badly enough to twist their plot into contortions to get to the end they desire. The politics in this story are ridiculous. While some cynicism is justified, the political decisions aren't realistic or intelligent and it discredits the whole plot as a result.
Essentially the issue here is that the president and CIA director are paranoid, hawkish, greedy and unintelligent. Spangler's character is ludicrous and cartoonish. Combined with artificial intelligence that solves all the itty bitty details and moves the plot and the random character disasters at the beginning, it's a character and science fiction mess. This bit of plotting is beneath Rollins. It's the weakest of his novels I've read yet.
Essentially the issue here is that the president and CIA director are paranoid, hawkish, greedy and unintelligent. Spangler's character is ludicrous and cartoonish. Combined with artificial intelligence that solves all the itty bitty details and moves the plot and the random character disasters at the beginning, it's a character and science fiction mess. This bit of plotting is beneath Rollins. It's the weakest of his novels I've read yet.
June 4, 2012
Every now and then I get tired of waiting for a Sigma Force novel from Mr. Rollins and I check out his author page on Amazon. I saw a new title released March 13, 2012 and immediately ordered it. I read it and found a wonderfully thrilling story. But when I went to write my review, I checked the copyright page and noticed this was originally released in 2001. At first, I thought Amazon or Rollins was less-than-forthcoming in their notice (which is true). But after a moment’s reflection, I realized that while I thought I’d read all his books, I’d actually missed one. What a pleasant surprise! And it makes the wait for BLOODLINE a little bit easier.
Despite the fact that it is a decade old, this book is perfect for today’s thriller reader. The book’s current blurb is different from the original. The new one sounds post-apocalyptic. Is this due to the recent overwhelming success Hunger Games? Deep Fathom is not “post”, I’d call it pre-apocalyptic. A frightening close call that is both realistic, believable and scary. Our hero, Jack Kirkland, might prevent World War 3 if he can avoid the astrophysicist’s geological nightmare scenario—deep underwater—for which we were warned by a lost civilization while not getting killed by a guy who really doesn’t like him and has a deep-diving submarine armed with mini-torpedoes. Yeah. Top that Clive Cussler!
Rollins mixes his many talents in this book: Science, exotic locations, ancient civilizations, politics, romance, and of course, despicable villains. (He makes you think long and hard about the oft-ignored Vice Presidential agenda.) Because this story cannot be sketched without spoilers, I will not walk you through who did what to whom and how often. Instead, I am here to tell you that this story is one of the most deeply layered stories I’ve read in ages. It truly is a work of art in the plotting alone. No matter what side of the thriller aisle you cling to (character motivation, fight scenes, tension building, romance, etc) you will have plenty of passages to fawn over. In my case, I like to figure out the mystery or the how-they-gonna-escape-this twists and turns. This story has so many layers (not twists) that I was spell bound until the very end. The last fifty pages were unbelievably well done. So why aren’t there any more Jack Kirkland books? Mr. Rollins, we want more!
Last year, I saw Mr. Rollins at our local bookstore, The Poisoned Pen, while promoting his book Devil Colony. During his monologue, he mentioned that reviewers had claimed his writing had reached a new level of greatness (or something like that). Mr. Rollins complained, “so what does that say about my writing last year; was it crap?” We laughed. While reading this book, I recalled his anecdote. Having read what I believe to be his third book, I can now report: his writing was always that good. It’s not the grand and eloquent passages that make great writing, it is the attention to detail. The phrases that have our hero tip-toeing through the galley in the dark or letting go of his fiancé as the space shuttle breaks up make a difference when they’re excellent. Rollins is always excellent!
If you’ve not read it, go get it.
More
Despite the fact that it is a decade old, this book is perfect for today’s thriller reader. The book’s current blurb is different from the original. The new one sounds post-apocalyptic. Is this due to the recent overwhelming success Hunger Games? Deep Fathom is not “post”, I’d call it pre-apocalyptic. A frightening close call that is both realistic, believable and scary. Our hero, Jack Kirkland, might prevent World War 3 if he can avoid the astrophysicist’s geological nightmare scenario—deep underwater—for which we were warned by a lost civilization while not getting killed by a guy who really doesn’t like him and has a deep-diving submarine armed with mini-torpedoes. Yeah. Top that Clive Cussler!
Rollins mixes his many talents in this book: Science, exotic locations, ancient civilizations, politics, romance, and of course, despicable villains. (He makes you think long and hard about the oft-ignored Vice Presidential agenda.) Because this story cannot be sketched without spoilers, I will not walk you through who did what to whom and how often. Instead, I am here to tell you that this story is one of the most deeply layered stories I’ve read in ages. It truly is a work of art in the plotting alone. No matter what side of the thriller aisle you cling to (character motivation, fight scenes, tension building, romance, etc) you will have plenty of passages to fawn over. In my case, I like to figure out the mystery or the how-they-gonna-escape-this twists and turns. This story has so many layers (not twists) that I was spell bound until the very end. The last fifty pages were unbelievably well done. So why aren’t there any more Jack Kirkland books? Mr. Rollins, we want more!
Last year, I saw Mr. Rollins at our local bookstore, The Poisoned Pen, while promoting his book Devil Colony. During his monologue, he mentioned that reviewers had claimed his writing had reached a new level of greatness (or something like that). Mr. Rollins complained, “so what does that say about my writing last year; was it crap?” We laughed. While reading this book, I recalled his anecdote. Having read what I believe to be his third book, I can now report: his writing was always that good. It’s not the grand and eloquent passages that make great writing, it is the attention to detail. The phrases that have our hero tip-toeing through the galley in the dark or letting go of his fiancé as the space shuttle breaks up make a difference when they’re excellent. Rollins is always excellent!
If you’ve not read it, go get it.
More
August 17, 2016
Meh. Back in the days when I really loved Clive Cussler books, James Rollins' stand alones like this one were totally my jam. Fast forward ten years, and I'm a much more critical reader. While the overarching "big-ass crystal from the dawn of time at the bottom of the ocean" story was an intriguing one, I gave precisely zero fucks about any of the characters. The heroes were just generically good, and the villains were completely one dimensional. I mean, the Vice-President has such a massive grudge/hatred/case of butthurt towards China that he declares NUCLEAR WAR, but the only explanation we get for it is half a sentence about three pages into the book where the President is all "Oh, he does't like Communism much". And the other major villain hates the main character NOT because the main character is responsible for the death of the villain's sister, but because the main character got a job that the villain wanted. Like, ten years ago. I just...really?!?!?!
Oh, wait. I totally lied. I did care about one of the characters. The dog. I cared about the dog.
Anyway, add in a deus ex machina AI and one of those most ridiculous endings ever , and this is ugh-worthy writing worthy of Steven Moffat. Oh, and this is a total nitpick, but at one point, Jack boards a "Quantas flight" from Micronesia to Okinawa. Um. QANTAS flies to neither of those locations, and certainly doesn't fly between them seeing as all QANTAS flights start or end in an Australian city. But, you know, whatever. It's not like it's something that could have been fixed by JUST LEAVING OUT THE NAME OF THE AIRLINE.
Ahem. Look, at the end of the day, it's an action movie style read that's probably great if you're able to shut off your brain and just go with the flow. Just don't expect well developed characters or anything less than utter predictability.
Oh, wait. I totally lied. I did care about one of the characters. The dog. I cared about the dog.
Anyway, add in a deus ex machina AI and one of those most ridiculous endings ever , and this is ugh-worthy writing worthy of Steven Moffat. Oh, and this is a total nitpick, but at one point, Jack boards a "Quantas flight" from Micronesia to Okinawa. Um. QANTAS flies to neither of those locations, and certainly doesn't fly between them seeing as all QANTAS flights start or end in an Australian city. But, you know, whatever. It's not like it's something that could have been fixed by JUST LEAVING OUT THE NAME OF THE AIRLINE.
Ahem. Look, at the end of the day, it's an action movie style read that's probably great if you're able to shut off your brain and just go with the flow. Just don't expect well developed characters or anything less than utter predictability.
January 24, 2013
I love action, thriller, mystery, and sci-fi stories and this book has all of that and more! I was hooked from the time I started reading until the end. I love the creativity and imagination. James Rollins just became one of my favorite authors. In fact, I've decided to read all his books, starting from Sandstorm!
July 28, 2018
Interesting. That is the best word I can think of to describe this book. There were times I was extremely bored and times I had adrenaline pumping. There were times my eyes rolled in annoyance and times I smiled along with characters. This was my first Rollins book and will definitely try another. Overall, an entertaining read.
May 23, 2022
Prva Rollinsova knjiga mi je bila blesava ali i zanimljiva. Ova je možda bolja što se tiče samog Rollinsa jer nema toliko bedastoća u pisanju ali mi je bila dosadna. Radije biram blesavo i zanimljivo. Jednostavno se nikako nisam mogao uvući u priču i likove koji su mi bili samo slova na papiru.
January 15, 2010
Due to the worldwide earthquakes, many impossibilities have surfaced...literally. There are many things happening around the world and all are connected. It is Jack Kirkland's duty to figure out the strange occurences and the seeming conspiracy of the plane crash.
Jack is an ex navy SEAL who has been off the charts for ten years when his vessel is called back to duty. Air Force One has crashed and the President is presumed dead. Jack's ship is needed in the Pacific Islands for salvage duty. He finds very strange things under the sea including hieroglyphics. His fiercest enemy, David Spangler is in charge of the military's investigation and will do whatever it takes to have revenge on Jack for his sisters death. The animosity between these two really provides some great conflict and fabulous storyline intertwined with the disaster, the coverup and the recovery efforts.
While exploring the Dragons, an island that surfaced due to the earthquakes, Karen and Miyuki are attacked and forced inside the pyramids. Strange hieroglyphics are discovered and after taking pictures they are forced to flee for their lives. Exhaustive internet searches connect them with Jack's ship and then the fun really begins.
James Rollins books always remind me of Dirk Pitt from Clive Cussler. This one was wonderful and totally unrealistic but fun nonetheless.
Jack is an ex navy SEAL who has been off the charts for ten years when his vessel is called back to duty. Air Force One has crashed and the President is presumed dead. Jack's ship is needed in the Pacific Islands for salvage duty. He finds very strange things under the sea including hieroglyphics. His fiercest enemy, David Spangler is in charge of the military's investigation and will do whatever it takes to have revenge on Jack for his sisters death. The animosity between these two really provides some great conflict and fabulous storyline intertwined with the disaster, the coverup and the recovery efforts.
While exploring the Dragons, an island that surfaced due to the earthquakes, Karen and Miyuki are attacked and forced inside the pyramids. Strange hieroglyphics are discovered and after taking pictures they are forced to flee for their lives. Exhaustive internet searches connect them with Jack's ship and then the fun really begins.
James Rollins books always remind me of Dirk Pitt from Clive Cussler. This one was wonderful and totally unrealistic but fun nonetheless.
June 23, 2015
Sasvim slučajno je žena donijela prvog Rollinsa iz knjižnice i prilično me je ugodno iznenadio.
Piše vrlo dinamičnu avanturistiku no uvijek s primjesom nečega čudnog tako da smo oboje vrlo brzo pročitali sve prevedeno u HR.
Vrlo zabavno, baš za plažu (doduše ovo je pročitano u pola zime no barem je morska tema).
Jaka trojka.
Piše vrlo dinamičnu avanturistiku no uvijek s primjesom nečega čudnog tako da smo oboje vrlo brzo pročitali sve prevedeno u HR.
Vrlo zabavno, baš za plažu (doduše ovo je pročitano u pola zime no barem je morska tema).
Jaka trojka.
September 17, 2017
جزو اولین کتابهای رولینز بوده و به وضوح نسبت به کارهای قبلی بهتر شده.
داستان اینطوریه که بعد از یک کسوف در اقیانوس آرام، همه کشورهای حاشیه این اقیانوس با زلزله ها مهیب و سونامیهای عجیب روبرو میشند و قسمتی از سواحل قاره آمریکا زیر آب میره؛ در حالی که قسمتی از سواحل ژاپن از آب بیرون میاد. توی این زلزلهها هواپیمای حامل رییس جمهور امریکا توی اقیانوس آرام سقوط میکنه و جک کیرکلند، افسر سابق تفنگداران آمریکا که مشغول غواصی با زیردریایی شخصیش بوده ماموریت پیدا میکنه برای بیرون کشیدن لاشه هواپیمای رییس جمهور اعزام بشه. جک در حین این عملیات، در اعماق اقیانوس یک کریستال عجیب به شکل یک اوبلیسک پیدا میکنه که روی کریستال چیزهایی شبیه نوشته حکاکی شده. از طرفی رییس جمهور جدید آمریکا با چین وارد جنگ میشه و سقوط هواپیمای رییس جمهور رو گردن چین میندازه. جک دنبال اسرار اوبلیسک کریستالی به ژاپن میره و با یک زن باستان شناس آشنا میشه که چیز مشابهی رو در ژاپن پیدا کرده. به مرور همه این آدمها درگیر نجات دنیا میشند و بعد از کلی ماجرا. . . . .
به نظرتون دنیا رو نجات میدند؟
داستان اینطوریه که بعد از یک کسوف در اقیانوس آرام، همه کشورهای حاشیه این اقیانوس با زلزله ها مهیب و سونامیهای عجیب روبرو میشند و قسمتی از سواحل قاره آمریکا زیر آب میره؛ در حالی که قسمتی از سواحل ژاپن از آب بیرون میاد. توی این زلزلهها هواپیمای حامل رییس جمهور امریکا توی اقیانوس آرام سقوط میکنه و جک کیرکلند، افسر سابق تفنگداران آمریکا که مشغول غواصی با زیردریایی شخصیش بوده ماموریت پیدا میکنه برای بیرون کشیدن لاشه هواپیمای رییس جمهور اعزام بشه. جک در حین این عملیات، در اعماق اقیانوس یک کریستال عجیب به شکل یک اوبلیسک پیدا میکنه که روی کریستال چیزهایی شبیه نوشته حکاکی شده. از طرفی رییس جمهور جدید آمریکا با چین وارد جنگ میشه و سقوط هواپیمای رییس جمهور رو گردن چین میندازه. جک دنبال اسرار اوبلیسک کریستالی به ژاپن میره و با یک زن باستان شناس آشنا میشه که چیز مشابهی رو در ژاپن پیدا کرده. به مرور همه این آدمها درگیر نجات دنیا میشند و بعد از کلی ماجرا. . . . .
به نظرتون دنیا رو نجات میدند؟
January 14, 2020
অবশেষে বছরের প্রথম বই পড়তে সক্ষম হলাম। অনেক কষ্ট করতে হয়েছে বইটি পড়ে শেষ করতে। গল্পের সমস্যা না সমস্যা ছিল আমার মনোযোগের। যাইহোক বইয়ের কথায় আসি।
লেখকের ২য় বই পড়ে শেষ করলাম। আমাজনিয়া অসাধারণ একটা বই ছিল। কিন্তু এটা ততটাও ভালো লাগেনি। উপন্যাস থেকে সিনেমা বেশি হবে এমনটাই মনে হয়েছে। এটা বই না হয়ে সিনেমা হলে ভাল্লাগতো। এমন করে লেখা হয়েছে, এমন করে বর্ণনা করা হয়েছে যেগুলো কল্পনা করে নিতে কষ্ট হয়েছে আমার জন্য। কিছু লেখা গিয়েছে মাথার উপর দিয়ে। ব্যাকগ্রাউন্ড মিউজিকের সাথে উপন্যাসের মারামারি মুহুর্ত গুলো মুভিতে দেখতে পেলে "জুস😉" লাগতো।
অনুবাদ ভালো,সব কিছুই ভালো। চিরকুটের যত গুলো বই পড়লাম তার সব গুলোই আমার কাছে খুব একটা ভালো লাগেনি। টানটান উত্তেজনা থাকলেও বই পড়া শেষে ঠিক তৃপ্তি পাইনি। আমি হয়তো সেই দলের মানুষ যারা মনে করে থৃলার কোন সাহিত্যই না। বা ভালো কোন থৃলার এখনো পড়িনি।
লেখকের ২য় বই পড়ে শেষ করলাম। আমাজনিয়া অসাধারণ একটা বই ছিল। কিন্তু এটা ততটাও ভালো লাগেনি। উপন্যাস থেকে সিনেমা বেশি হবে এমনটাই মনে হয়েছে। এটা বই না হয়ে সিনেমা হলে ভাল্লাগতো। এমন করে লেখা হয়েছে, এমন করে বর্ণনা করা হয়েছে যেগুলো কল্পনা করে নিতে কষ্ট হয়েছে আমার জন্য। কিছু লেখা গিয়েছে মাথার উপর দিয়ে। ব্যাকগ্রাউন্ড মিউজিকের সাথে উপন্যাসের মারামারি মুহুর্ত গুলো মুভিতে দেখতে পেলে "জুস😉" লাগতো।
অনুবাদ ভালো,সব কিছুই ভালো। চিরকুটের যত গুলো বই পড়লাম তার সব গুলোই আমার কাছে খুব একটা ভালো লাগেনি। টানটান উত্তেজনা থাকলেও বই পড়া শেষে ঠিক তৃপ্তি পাইনি। আমি হয়তো সেই দলের মানুষ যারা মনে করে থৃলার কোন সাহিত্যই না। বা ভালো কোন থৃলার এখনো পড়িনি।
February 1, 2019
শতাব্দীর প্রথম সূর্য গ্রহনে সূর্য যখন চাঁদটাকে গিলে খাচ্ছিলো তখনই ঘটনার সূত্রপাত। পৃথিবী কেপে উঠলো। আগ্নেয়গিরির লাভা উগরে দেওয়া শুরু হলো। পৃথিবীর ইতিহাস বদলাতে লাগলো। সমুদ্রের নিচে পাওয়া গেলো এক অদ্ভুত স্ফটিক। দেখতেও যেমন আজব তার কাজও আজব। সেই স্ফটিকের গায়ে আবার প্রাচীন ভাষায় কিছু লেখা। তাও নাকি ১২ হাজার বছর আগে! পুরাতন এক অভিশাপ যা বদলে দিয়েছিল পৃথিবীর ইতিহাস ও মানচিত্র, তা কি আবার ফিরে আসছে?
মনে করেন আপনি একটা বই পড়তে বসেছেন। অবশ্যই লেখকের নাম পড়বেন। লেখকের নাম যদি দেখেন জেমস রলিন্স তাহলে সাবধান হয়ে যান। এই বই আপনাকে উঠতে দিবে না। নিয়ে যাবে অন্য এক জগতে। যেখানে পাবেন অলৌকিকতা আর বিজ্ঞানের এক বিস্ময়কর মেলবন্ধন। মিথলজি আর বর্তমান যেখানে গলাগলি করে চলে। যারা আগে রলিন্সের বই পড়েছেন তারা জানেন আমি মোটেও বাড়িয়ে বলছি না।
যেহেতু এত প্রশংসা করলাম তাহলে আর বইয়ের প্লট নিতে কোনো মন্তব্য করা দরকার নেই মনে হয়। বইটা বেরিয়েছে চিরকুট প্রকাশনী থেকে। চিরকুটের প্রথম প্রকাশনা “ডিপ ফ্যাদম”। প্রকাশক আদন কাছের ছোটভাই। এই বয়সে এত বড় একটা উদ্দোগ্যের জন্য সাধুবাদ দিলেও কম হয়ে যায়।
আসলে অনুবাদ গ্রন্থ নিয়ে আমি আলোচনা করার মত কিছু পাই না। তবে অনুবাদের ক্ষেত্রে বলবো যে, আমি ফুয়াদ ভাইয়ের অনুবাদের একজন ভক্ত। তবে এই বইটাতে অন্য বইয়ের তুলনায় অনুবাদের মান একটু কম মনে হয়েছে। বর্তমান থ্রিলার বইগুলোতে যে প্রচুর বানান ভুল থাকে সেটা এই বইতে কম পেয়েছি।
বইয়ের কাগজের মান মোটামুটি ভালো হলেও প্রিন্টের মান আরো ভালো করা যেত। সবশেষে বলবো প্রচ্ছদের কথা। প্রথম দেখায় প্রচ্ছদ ভালো লাগলেও বইটা শেষ করার পরে মনে হয়েছে হয়তো আরো ভালো করা যেত। যদিও জানি না আমার প্রচ্ছদের ব্যাপারে সমালোচনা করা ঠিক কিনা। কারন আমি নিজে প্রচ্ছদ শিল্পি না। তবুও সাধারন পাঠকের জায়গা থেকে সমালোচনা করছি। আশা করি ছোট মুখে বড় কথা রিজন ভাই ক্ষমাসুন্দর দৃষ্টিতে দেখবেন।
আদনের কাছে তথা চিরকুটের কাছে প্রত্যাশা অনেক। সেই প্রত্যাশা আর অধিকারের জায়গা থেকে সমালোচনা করলাম। প্রশংসাগুলো তুলে রাখলাম পরের বইয়ের জন্য।
মনে করেন আপনি একটা বই পড়তে বসেছেন। অবশ্যই লেখকের নাম পড়বেন। লেখকের নাম যদি দেখেন জেমস রলিন্স তাহলে সাবধান হয়ে যান। এই বই আপনাকে উঠতে দিবে না। নিয়ে যাবে অন্য এক জগতে। যেখানে পাবেন অলৌকিকতা আর বিজ্ঞানের এক বিস্ময়কর মেলবন্ধন। মিথলজি আর বর্তমান যেখানে গলাগলি করে চলে। যারা আগে রলিন্সের বই পড়েছেন তারা জানেন আমি মোটেও বাড়িয়ে বলছি না।
যেহেতু এত প্রশংসা করলাম তাহলে আর বইয়ের প্লট নিতে কোনো মন্তব্য করা দরকার নেই মনে হয়। বইটা বেরিয়েছে চিরকুট প্রকাশনী থেকে। চিরকুটের প্রথম প্রকাশনা “ডিপ ফ্যাদম”। প্রকাশক আদন কাছের ছোটভাই। এই বয়সে এত বড় একটা উদ্দোগ্যের জন্য সাধুবাদ দিলেও কম হয়ে যায়।
আসলে অনুবাদ গ্রন্থ নিয়ে আমি আলোচনা করার মত কিছু পাই না। তবে অনুবাদের ক্ষেত্রে বলবো যে, আমি ফুয়াদ ভাইয়ের অনুবাদের একজন ভক্ত। তবে এই বইটাতে অন্য বইয়ের তুলনায় অনুবাদের মান একটু কম মনে হয়েছে। বর্তমান থ্রিলার বইগুলোতে যে প্রচুর বানান ভুল থাকে সেটা এই বইতে কম পেয়েছি।
বইয়ের কাগজের মান মোটামুটি ভালো হলেও প্রিন্টের মান আরো ভালো করা যেত। সবশেষে বলবো প্রচ্ছদের কথা। প্রথম দেখায় প্রচ্ছদ ভালো লাগলেও বইটা শেষ করার পরে মনে হয়েছে হয়তো আরো ভালো করা যেত। যদিও জানি না আমার প্রচ্ছদের ব্যাপারে সমালোচনা করা ঠিক কিনা। কারন আমি নিজে প্রচ্ছদ শিল্পি না। তবুও সাধারন পাঠকের জায়গা থেকে সমালোচনা করছি। আশা করি ছোট মুখে বড় কথা রিজন ভাই ক্ষমাসুন্দর দৃষ্টিতে দেখবেন।
আদনের কাছে তথা চিরকুটের কাছে প্রত্যাশা অনেক। সেই প্রত্যাশা আর অধিকারের জায়গা থেকে সমালোচনা করলাম। প্রশংসাগুলো তুলে রাখলাম পরের বইয়ের জন্য।
November 26, 2015
I have almost finished but this is my first James Rollins book and I find he has a nice flow and his style is similar to my favorite Author, Michael Crichton. So I'm so happy to find this author via a GoodReads recommendation. I'll definitely give another one of his books a shot! Can anyone recommend another James Rollins book to me?
June 4, 2015
This was exactly what I expected it to be; a fast paced action thriller. Was it great literature? Nope. But that's not what I wanted. I love a great fast paced action thriller and this one delivered in just the right doses. The wee twist at the end was fun too!
February 28, 2016
Il libro è fantastico: la storia intriga un sacco, un mix di avventura, azione e fantascienza. I personaggi mi sono davvero piaciuti, eccezion fatta per gli "antagonisti", quei brutti bastardi di Spangler e Nafe, davvero davvero odiosi.
May 29, 2023
Fast-paced, exciting, and action-packed.
January 16, 2021
Ex-Navy seal Jack Kirkland now owns his own exploration ship, Deep Fathom, which he nows uses to peruse the bottom of the ocean floor for relics swallowed by the sea. He is dispatched by the United States to use his submersible unit to help search for Air Force One that has recently went down in the Pacific ocean. What ensues is an action thriller that contains all of the elements that make up a James Rollins novel, ancient ruins with some sort of age old mystery, secret military missions, at least one slimy villain harassing the shit out of our heros throughout the duration of the book.
I usually gobble up Rollins' adventures with a couple of days. However, this one took me quite a while. I thought that this one would surely take the place of my favorite, Amazonia, because I assumed that quite a bit of it would take place on the ocean floor or at some other unfathomable depths. While some of it does and what Kirkland and his crew find at the bottom of the ocean holds great significance to the story, I wish we would have gotten to spend some more time down there exploring. The underwater scenes were so fast-paced, for the most part, that I feel like there was a missed opportunity to show us how much we really do not know what is at those depths. The ancient ruins in his novels are always some of the best parts for me however, when we get to enter one of the temples, it is more as a means of escaping an enemy than exploring and that just didn't really work for me. I felt like my potential favorites parts were being left out of skimmed over.
I still enjoyed it for what it was but, for being almost 600 pages long, there were many elements I craved that got left out.
I usually gobble up Rollins' adventures with a couple of days. However, this one took me quite a while. I thought that this one would surely take the place of my favorite, Amazonia, because I assumed that quite a bit of it would take place on the ocean floor or at some other unfathomable depths. While some of it does and what Kirkland and his crew find at the bottom of the ocean holds great significance to the story, I wish we would have gotten to spend some more time down there exploring. The underwater scenes were so fast-paced, for the most part, that I feel like there was a missed opportunity to show us how much we really do not know what is at those depths. The ancient ruins in his novels are always some of the best parts for me however, when we get to enter one of the temples, it is more as a means of escaping an enemy than exploring and that just didn't really work for me. I felt like my potential favorites parts were being left out of skimmed over.
I still enjoyed it for what it was but, for being almost 600 pages long, there were many elements I craved that got left out.
August 6, 2018
Cela ferait un bon scénario, mais en livre trop rocambolesque, trop rapide. Un mélange d'Armageddon, d'Indiana Jones, de Transformer, de James Bond, d'Abyss.
Pas assez profond au niveau de la psychologie des personnages et surtout extrêmement manichéen. Les méchants sont super méchants et les gentils super gentils et super intelligents et super concentrés. Réussissant l'exploit de réunir au mètre carré le parfait panachage de savants de tous horizons pour sauver le monde en 3/4 jours ^^
J'ai quand même mis du temps à le finir du fait de ce 1er degrés et du peu de profondeur des personnages qui empêche qu'on s'y attache. Mais je retenterais le coup avec d'autres histoires de cet auteur, parce que certains résumés m'attirent et que pour une lecture détente ça passe.
Pas assez profond au niveau de la psychologie des personnages et surtout extrêmement manichéen. Les méchants sont super méchants et les gentils super gentils et super intelligents et super concentrés. Réussissant l'exploit de réunir au mètre carré le parfait panachage de savants de tous horizons pour sauver le monde en 3/4 jours ^^
J'ai quand même mis du temps à le finir du fait de ce 1er degrés et du peu de profondeur des personnages qui empêche qu'on s'y attache. Mais je retenterais le coup avec d'autres histoires de cet auteur, parce que certains résumés m'attirent et que pour une lecture détente ça passe.
November 10, 2022
And I thought I was all caught up reading Rollins novels until one of my GR friends read this one. The book goes off on an armegeddon sci-fi underwater. It has some of the latest AI Gabriel along for the ride and Elvis the dog :) A very good adventure read!
March 25, 2020
Okay, so as people who have read my reviews know, I am a fan of Mr. James Rollins' works, specifically the Sigma Series. However, as the most recent addition to the Sigma Series, the Last Odyssey, officially came out yesterday and the COVID-19 has caused all the local bookstores to close in order to stop the possibility of infection, I had to order it online. So I thought that as I am waiting to receive my copy, I should check out another of Mr. Rollins' works, possibly one of his stand-alone novels. The first one that I happened to grab off my shelf was Deep Fathom and I have to say that it is an interesting story to say the least. As I am a fan of the Sigma Series, I will make references to the other books or characters and I do not mean to spoil this book or any of the Sigma Series for you.
The basic plot of this book is that due to a Solar Storm, a series of severe earthquakes has caused massive destruction across the Pacific Ocean and due to unforeseen circumstances has resulted in the crashing of Air Force One and the killing of the President of the United States and the plane's wreckage is at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. The Vice President and his CIA chief wish to blame China for the crash and have enlisted a black ops team to stage it as is. While that is happening, the Admiral in charge of the salvage operation enlists the assistance of Jack Kirkland, an ex-Navy Seal turned deep sea salvage expert, and his crew including Dr. Lisa Cummings aboard the ship Deep Fathom to go down to the Ocean floor at about 600 meters pull up the wreckage. While down at that depth, Jack encounters an artifact that has extremely strange properties. Before I forget, the leader of the Black Ops team hates Jack with a passion and wants to kill him. Now the earthquakes cause the water level to drop in certain parts of Japan and a pair of professors, Karen Grace and Miyuki Nakano (and her artificial intelligence Gabriel) to investigate a pair of Pyramids that have resurfaced. While investigating, they are attacked by a mysterious group and trapped in the pyramids where they discover an artifact that has very similar properties to that of the one Jack found at the bottom of the ocean. Fast forward, Jack meets the professors, they share information, Jack and Karen hit it off, enemy gets involved, nuclear war with China, underwater research facilities, Karen gets kidnapped, Jack attempts to rescue, sea monsters attack, dark matter theories, new massive solar storm, Earth is going to be destroyed, nuclear strike, particle beam, saved the world and finally time travel...that in a nut shell is Deep Fathom.
The events of Deep Fathom in the grand Rollins universe occur sometime prior to the events of the Black Order, which for those that care is Book #3 in the Sigma Series. I say this because one of the newly introduced characters to the Sigma Series is a Dr. Lisa Cummings who in Deep Fathom and who is mentioned to have worked on the salvage boat when she was younger. The some of basic plot elements, as mentioned above, also appear throughout the Sigma Series, specifically Eye of God, Demon Crown, & the Crucible. If you read them, you would understand what I mean.
While I found that certain parts, particularly the end of the book seemed a bit convoluted, it did give me a lot of background information, which I did not have previously, but now makes sense for the Sigma Series' Bloodline which could be said as the book that bridges the different Rollins series and this stand alone novel. I understand that this was an early book by Mr. Rollins, but I feel that he tried to throw too many different topics and subplots into one story and then try to sum it up quickly before undoing almost everything that has happened. It just seems a bit strange coming from the same author that wrote the Sigma Series.
Regardless, it still was an entertaining and useful means of passing the time while waiting for the quarantines to be lifted.
**Note: Please do not let my rant prevent or dissuade you from reading this book. If anything, it gives useful insights into characters that appear in Mr. Rollins' other stories.
The basic plot of this book is that due to a Solar Storm, a series of severe earthquakes has caused massive destruction across the Pacific Ocean and due to unforeseen circumstances has resulted in the crashing of Air Force One and the killing of the President of the United States and the plane's wreckage is at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. The Vice President and his CIA chief wish to blame China for the crash and have enlisted a black ops team to stage it as is. While that is happening, the Admiral in charge of the salvage operation enlists the assistance of Jack Kirkland, an ex-Navy Seal turned deep sea salvage expert, and his crew including Dr. Lisa Cummings aboard the ship Deep Fathom to go down to the Ocean floor at about 600 meters pull up the wreckage. While down at that depth, Jack encounters an artifact that has extremely strange properties. Before I forget, the leader of the Black Ops team hates Jack with a passion and wants to kill him. Now the earthquakes cause the water level to drop in certain parts of Japan and a pair of professors, Karen Grace and Miyuki Nakano (and her artificial intelligence Gabriel) to investigate a pair of Pyramids that have resurfaced. While investigating, they are attacked by a mysterious group and trapped in the pyramids where they discover an artifact that has very similar properties to that of the one Jack found at the bottom of the ocean. Fast forward, Jack meets the professors, they share information, Jack and Karen hit it off, enemy gets involved, nuclear war with China, underwater research facilities, Karen gets kidnapped, Jack attempts to rescue, sea monsters attack, dark matter theories, new massive solar storm, Earth is going to be destroyed, nuclear strike, particle beam, saved the world and finally time travel...that in a nut shell is Deep Fathom.
The events of Deep Fathom in the grand Rollins universe occur sometime prior to the events of the Black Order, which for those that care is Book #3 in the Sigma Series. I say this because one of the newly introduced characters to the Sigma Series is a Dr. Lisa Cummings who in Deep Fathom and who is mentioned to have worked on the salvage boat when she was younger. The some of basic plot elements, as mentioned above, also appear throughout the Sigma Series, specifically Eye of God, Demon Crown, & the Crucible. If you read them, you would understand what I mean.
While I found that certain parts, particularly the end of the book seemed a bit convoluted, it did give me a lot of background information, which I did not have previously, but now makes sense for the Sigma Series' Bloodline which could be said as the book that bridges the different Rollins series and this stand alone novel. I understand that this was an early book by Mr. Rollins, but I feel that he tried to throw too many different topics and subplots into one story and then try to sum it up quickly before undoing almost everything that has happened. It just seems a bit strange coming from the same author that wrote the Sigma Series.
Regardless, it still was an entertaining and useful means of passing the time while waiting for the quarantines to be lifted.
**Note: Please do not let my rant prevent or dissuade you from reading this book. If anything, it gives useful insights into characters that appear in Mr. Rollins' other stories.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 589 reviews