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Agrushell
During seismic surveys, an oil company ravages part of the North Sea ocean bed disturbing a primeval ecology that will bring the crew of the oil rig 'Danson field3' into contact with a creature beyond nightmares. Steve Staples is an outsider with a past full of darkness and loss, who strikes up an unlikely friendship with the oil rigs introspective junior geologist, Dan. The two misfits are joined by Janice, a 'Ships radio operator' rescued after her ship is sunk. They become united together in a struggle against an ocean goliath of power and intelligence. As the oil rig workers numbers begin to dwindle, they're forced into a desperate fight for survival and the monster from the depths is not the only threat they will have to face.
- GenresHorror
228 pages, Paperback
Published July 20, 2016
28 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 1, 2017
This novel took me into a whole new world. I loved reading about life on the oil rig, so intense and brilliant setting for this story. The monster I found terrifying, the writer keeps adding layers to build up the tension. This would make such a great film.The writing is deceptively easy to read but a lot of thought and work has gone into it, great book, highly recommend
January 13, 2018
agrushell review
I received this book just before Christmas, even though I do not celebrate it nor expect gifts.
Agrushell, rigs and monsters. I was intrigued, a bit dubious also as my rigs and monsters
are usually connected with Godzillas and tsunamis.
I will offer disclaimer: I decide to read a book by reading Pagina 13, the thirteenth page.
(Unless it is Barker or Masterton). Some read the title, some read the last page, some
look at the cover, some smell the print.
So I did digest the Page 13 of Agrushell by Martin Morris.. and put the book away.
Not because I did not like what I read. I wanted more. And when we are busy, reading
writing photoholically creating; etc; we need a special time, free time, peace and quiet.
It took me a stroke of luck, upon returning from a trip, that I found myself with an offer
of a room (nice business class with a minibar offering clarity of vision - Pringles and Cranberry Juice) for the night, on my own, wife peacefully enjoying vacation at home.
I ate the book, or basically read it in one go.
I kept page 13, the book is calmly cuddling with Mastertons, Barkers, Koontzes, and a couple of
Shankly or Carra related bios. She (Agrushell) has a place amongts the best books I read recently.
What I liked best? The flow. The language. The fact I read page 13 and I was there with Lee, I wanted to get to know him? Absolutely.
I think it is my time to get up and get beers for us all Mr Morris.
You shuffle the deck.
p.s. Why do we still rig?
regards
Your friend.
F.
March 14, 2022
Interesting, but flat
A batch of roughnecks working on an oil drilling platform discover something they didn't realize existed. What they tunneled thought wasn't coral like they thought. It was the slumbering shells of the kin of a being that wants revenge for the greedy destruction. It will remove the metal, and all the heartbeats it can sense crawling on that metal.
Spoilers ahead.
Ok, so, rotating POV. Everyone from main characters to people who only share a few thoughts. You aren't always sure who it is. The only female goes from a long term and loving relationship with one man, to barely sparing him a thought before climbing a guy she just met after almost being raped by a resident jerk, and becoming more attached to the new guy than the co-worker she'd worked with and loved for years. She's also introduced as a tough person then immediately loses all personality to become a clinging love interest and possession to covet. Agrushell is a relatable character woken to tragedy and seeking revenge on those that killed his people. The humans were weak, whining, persons you couldn't like well enough to feel bad for dying. I read 3 other books between starting and finishing this one. I like the concept: angry entity discovers loss of his people, takes on clueless and panicked humans vulnerable due to isolation. But it lost me in the fleshing out. Give us a human we can care about the fate of, conversation that flows and adds to the story. The "monster" was interesting. I enjoyed the flashes of its history, the memories, the thought process. But for something that is aquatic, it understands and has a word for metal. It thinks in modern slang a few times. The misogynistic, patriarchal inclinations of every character but Agrushell is ridiculous. Every guy is super tough, spineless, or a bully. The woman is nothing but a prize to fight over. The platform is being attacked by a monster, it's sinking, they have no way off, they're being slaughtered, but they have time to kidnap, beat, and threaten rape to hurt one of the guys. Hurting her is just incidental, they want to get back at him. And she goes from barely crawling to assisting a rescue. Possible concussion from a head kick, bruised ribs, assorted other traumas, and she's going to dangle off a rope to help pull big guys out of the ocean? If a giant beak bit at a rubber dinghy going after a human, how did the dinghy survive? Little jarring things, compiled with big annoyances, didn't make for a fun read. I finished it, but that's due to stubbornness. It needs a shake up, some padding, remove the horrible relationship- I can't call that romance, tweak a few personalities it to give us some independent thinkers and relatable characters, and a little more happy before the fear so we can see the contrast. Show us friendships, little hidden happinesses, not a card game and whining over hangovers and bullying. And maybe play with that interesting connection between (no spoilers) and Agrushell? There were a lot of missed opportunities there.
A batch of roughnecks working on an oil drilling platform discover something they didn't realize existed. What they tunneled thought wasn't coral like they thought. It was the slumbering shells of the kin of a being that wants revenge for the greedy destruction. It will remove the metal, and all the heartbeats it can sense crawling on that metal.
Spoilers ahead.
Ok, so, rotating POV. Everyone from main characters to people who only share a few thoughts. You aren't always sure who it is. The only female goes from a long term and loving relationship with one man, to barely sparing him a thought before climbing a guy she just met after almost being raped by a resident jerk, and becoming more attached to the new guy than the co-worker she'd worked with and loved for years. She's also introduced as a tough person then immediately loses all personality to become a clinging love interest and possession to covet. Agrushell is a relatable character woken to tragedy and seeking revenge on those that killed his people. The humans were weak, whining, persons you couldn't like well enough to feel bad for dying. I read 3 other books between starting and finishing this one. I like the concept: angry entity discovers loss of his people, takes on clueless and panicked humans vulnerable due to isolation. But it lost me in the fleshing out. Give us a human we can care about the fate of, conversation that flows and adds to the story. The "monster" was interesting. I enjoyed the flashes of its history, the memories, the thought process. But for something that is aquatic, it understands and has a word for metal. It thinks in modern slang a few times. The misogynistic, patriarchal inclinations of every character but Agrushell is ridiculous. Every guy is super tough, spineless, or a bully. The woman is nothing but a prize to fight over. The platform is being attacked by a monster, it's sinking, they have no way off, they're being slaughtered, but they have time to kidnap, beat, and threaten rape to hurt one of the guys. Hurting her is just incidental, they want to get back at him. And she goes from barely crawling to assisting a rescue. Possible concussion from a head kick, bruised ribs, assorted other traumas, and she's going to dangle off a rope to help pull big guys out of the ocean? If a giant beak bit at a rubber dinghy going after a human, how did the dinghy survive? Little jarring things, compiled with big annoyances, didn't make for a fun read. I finished it, but that's due to stubbornness. It needs a shake up, some padding, remove the horrible relationship- I can't call that romance, tweak a few personalities it to give us some independent thinkers and relatable characters, and a little more happy before the fear so we can see the contrast. Show us friendships, little hidden happinesses, not a card game and whining over hangovers and bullying. And maybe play with that interesting connection between (no spoilers) and Agrushell? There were a lot of missed opportunities there.
April 15, 2018
Failed to keep me interested
The story goes from a monster horror to a love story then quickly to a HP Lovecraft wannabe. I couldn't relate or care for any of the characters while also rolling my eyes to the pointless love story which only takes you away from the main story. I couldn't imagine the creation the author had made as the creature wasn't well detailed and just ended up sounding like a shell with limbs.
The story goes from a monster horror to a love story then quickly to a HP Lovecraft wannabe. I couldn't relate or care for any of the characters while also rolling my eyes to the pointless love story which only takes you away from the main story. I couldn't imagine the creation the author had made as the creature wasn't well detailed and just ended up sounding like a shell with limbs.
March 23, 2017
Argh! A painful read...
I had to force myself to read this through to the end. This story went on too long, features unlikable characters, and seems to meander without a coherent storyline -- just a series of scenes strung together. The first person narration from the beast just seemed bizarre.
I had to force myself to read this through to the end. This story went on too long, features unlikable characters, and seems to meander without a coherent storyline -- just a series of scenes strung together. The first person narration from the beast just seemed bizarre.
October 20, 2018
Too long prose not enough go
I attempted to like this book however by 53% through it I just couldn't. I did finish it though. I figured I had to give it a fair shot. But nope too long not enough character connection.
I attempted to like this book however by 53% through it I just couldn't. I did finish it though. I figured I had to give it a fair shot. But nope too long not enough character connection.
April 24, 2021
An ok read.
It had to many things going on that never seem to connect. I can’t say much about this book because I couldn’t find a story line in any of it. It did have a cool monster but alas I didn’t know what kind. But I did finish it.
It had to many things going on that never seem to connect. I can’t say much about this book because I couldn’t find a story line in any of it. It did have a cool monster but alas I didn’t know what kind. But I did finish it.
July 28, 2018
Really enjoyed this book. Action packed and full of relatable characters. Perfect for Peter Benchley and horror/sci-fi fans!
September 25, 2016
A SMART SEA MONSTER OR ALIEN TALE IT IS...
Hello, this story was okay. The monster or alien, whatever the hell it was, was pretty good. Something new and different. The rest of it was just a little flat. Thanks.
Hello, this story was okay. The monster or alien, whatever the hell it was, was pretty good. Something new and different. The rest of it was just a little flat. Thanks.
September 26, 2016
don't bother
November 25, 2016
A Dark Story
The book stared off pretty good. The characters were being developed nicely. It all started taking apart about midway through though. It got chaotic and drawn out after that. Sorry, I just skimmed through the rest to see how it ended. If I missed something important, then I apologize to the author. I could harp about the profanity but what the heck..maybe people talk like that for real. If I read another book by this author, I will download a sample first. Anyway, read at your own risk.
The book stared off pretty good. The characters were being developed nicely. It all started taking apart about midway through though. It got chaotic and drawn out after that. Sorry, I just skimmed through the rest to see how it ended. If I missed something important, then I apologize to the author. I could harp about the profanity but what the heck..maybe people talk like that for real. If I read another book by this author, I will download a sample first. Anyway, read at your own risk.
November 26, 2016
A crew on an oil rig. A creature from the deep on the hunt. Martin Morris has created a creature fit for nightmares. I read this from cover to cover in one sitting. Believable characters, and action from the beginning right through to an ending that I was not expecting this descriptive tale has all the markings of a Sci-fi movie. Martin Morris is not afraid to play around with his hero. A great debut by a brilliant storyteller.
December 10, 2017
Martin’s imagination is amazing. His incredible descriptions transport you to a fantastic and dark world full of magical experiences and a thoroughly enjoyable mix of characters. Sexual exploits, bullying by colleagues and battles with monsters from the deep abound in this well written and fast moving novel.
This author is one to watch out for - Can’t wait for book 2.
This author is one to watch out for - Can’t wait for book 2.
May 15, 2017
I thought it was very entertaining.
May 13, 2017
This isn't my usual genre, but I really enjoyed this sea-based thriller. Great descriptive writing. Look forward to the next book.
June 5, 2022
I just see a book with horrible creatures on an oil rig and I start to drool. Yes, I have shamed myself once again. I succumbed to the lure of the sea creature horror and thoroughly loved it.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews