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Leviathan
In the heart of Antarctica, something has awakened.
When an iceberg calves from the Amery Ice Shelf, the crew at Mawson Station makes a chilling discovery-a World War II-era Japanese whaler, frozen in the ice for decades. As diesel mechanic Danny Myers and his team investigate, they uncover something far older and far more dangerous than the ship itself.
Cut off from the world, paranoia takes hold. Whether in the depths of the whaler or in the corners of their minds, shadows move where none should. As the cold presses in and isolation wears them down, the crew look at each other with newly seeded doubt.
Never realising that something has been waiting for them, in the deep cold. Waiting an eternity, to be set free.
When an iceberg calves from the Amery Ice Shelf, the crew at Mawson Station makes a chilling discovery-a World War II-era Japanese whaler, frozen in the ice for decades. As diesel mechanic Danny Myers and his team investigate, they uncover something far older and far more dangerous than the ship itself.
Cut off from the world, paranoia takes hold. Whether in the depths of the whaler or in the corners of their minds, shadows move where none should. As the cold presses in and isolation wears them down, the crew look at each other with newly seeded doubt.
Never realising that something has been waiting for them, in the deep cold. Waiting an eternity, to be set free.
499 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 20, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 16, 2025
Leviathan is the kind of book that makes you question every creak in your house and every shadow in the corner. Matthew Cirson takes the isolation of Antarctica and cranks it up until you can practically feel the ice tightening around you.
The discovery of the frozen WWII Japanese whaler is eerie enough—but what unfolds after the crew begins their investigation is on another level entirely. Cirson masterfully blends psychological dread with supernatural terror. You’re never sure if the threat is inside the ship, inside the ice, or inside the crew’s own unraveling minds.
The pacing is deliberate and atmospheric, slowly building the sense of doom until it becomes suffocating. I loved how the paranoia among the characters grows—with every chapter you can feel trust melting faster than the ice around them. And the creature element? Chilling, ancient, and deeply unsettling without ever being over-explained.
If you enjoy claustrophobic horror, found relic mysteries, or stories where the environment itself feels like a villain, Leviathan is a must-read. I’m still shivering—and not from the cold.
The discovery of the frozen WWII Japanese whaler is eerie enough—but what unfolds after the crew begins their investigation is on another level entirely. Cirson masterfully blends psychological dread with supernatural terror. You’re never sure if the threat is inside the ship, inside the ice, or inside the crew’s own unraveling minds.
The pacing is deliberate and atmospheric, slowly building the sense of doom until it becomes suffocating. I loved how the paranoia among the characters grows—with every chapter you can feel trust melting faster than the ice around them. And the creature element? Chilling, ancient, and deeply unsettling without ever being over-explained.
If you enjoy claustrophobic horror, found relic mysteries, or stories where the environment itself feels like a villain, Leviathan is a must-read. I’m still shivering—and not from the cold.
December 22, 2025
Leviathan is a gripping Antarctic horror that thrives on atmosphere and psychological tension. Matthew Cirson expertly uses isolation, extreme cold, and human paranoia to build a slow, creeping sense of dread. The discovery of a frozen World War II whaler is unsettling from the start, but the real horror lies in what awakens with it. The characters feel believable, their fear and mistrust growing naturally as the situation worsens. Rather than relying on nonstop action, the novel focuses on mood and suspense, making the danger feel constant and inescapable. Dark, chilling, and immersive, Leviathan is a rewarding read for fans of cold, cosmic-leaning horror.
November 10, 2025
This was my first foray into the world of author Matthew Cirson, and it didn't disappoint. Cirson builds a story exceptionally well, sucking the reader into his world and keeping them hooked with numerous plot twists until its edge-of-the-seat conclusion.
The brilliance of Cirsons characters is their relatability - while some nuances might be lost on foreign audiences, Aussies will relate to and embrace the players in his story - its this connection that I found sets Matthew apart from other authors I've read.
A very readable and enjoyable novel Matt, well done.
The brilliance of Cirsons characters is their relatability - while some nuances might be lost on foreign audiences, Aussies will relate to and embrace the players in his story - its this connection that I found sets Matthew apart from other authors I've read.
A very readable and enjoyable novel Matt, well done.
December 15, 2025
A chilling, atmospheric masterpiece.
This story grips you from the icy opening and never lets go. The Antarctic setting is hauntingly vivid, and the discovery of the frozen whaler creates an eerie sense of dread that slowly tightens with every page. The tension between the crew feels raw and believable, making the isolation and paranoia just as terrifying as the unseen threat lurking in the cold. Smart, suspenseful, and deeply unsettling, this is a brilliantly paced thriller that stays with you long after the final chapter.
This story grips you from the icy opening and never lets go. The Antarctic setting is hauntingly vivid, and the discovery of the frozen whaler creates an eerie sense of dread that slowly tightens with every page. The tension between the crew feels raw and believable, making the isolation and paranoia just as terrifying as the unseen threat lurking in the cold. Smart, suspenseful, and deeply unsettling, this is a brilliantly paced thriller that stays with you long after the final chapter.
October 20, 2025
Leviathan pulled me in with its chilling atmosphere and characters I couldn’t stop thinking about. The tension builds relentlessly you feel the danger, the stakes, and the hidden secrets lurking beneath the surface. If you’re looking for a story that drags you in and won’t let go until the last page, this is it.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews