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100 Fathoms Below
100 fathoms below ... The depth at which sunlight no longer penetrates the ocean. 1983. The US nuclear submarine USS Roanoke embarks on a classified spy mission into Soviet waters. Their to find evidence of a new, faster, and deadlier Soviet submarine that could tip the balance of the Cold War. But the Roanoke crew isn't alone. Something is on board with them. Something cunning and malevolent. Trapped in enemy territory and hunted by Soviet submarines, tensions escalate and crew members turn on each other. When the lights go out and horror fills the corridors, it will take everything the crew has to survive the menace coming from outside and inside the submarine. In the dark. Combining Tom Clancy's eye for international intrigue with Stephen King's sense of the macabre, 100 Fathoms Below takes readers into depths from which there is no escape.
304 pages, Paperback
First published October 9, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 210 reviews
October 2, 2022
Scary arsed vampires in a submarine? Yes, please! To be completely honest, I'm extremely nitpicky about my vamps. No romance. They dont need to be drop dead gorgeous. I just want them scary and hungry. This book was so good, and slightly claustrophobic. Yep, I'd recommend this one. Can't wait to read more from this author. My thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for the ARC.
June 16, 2024
Breath Holding Scary.
Some books are so scary that you hold your breath while you are reading them. This is one of those kind of books.
The submarine SS Roanoke is on a mission, bound for Soviet territory. This is the nineteen eighties so the Cold War is openly in progress.
While trying to negotiate hostile Soviet waters and spying on Soviet technology, the Roanoke is also engaged in a heart-stopping fight for the life of the 140 crewmen on board.
On a submarine, in enemy waters and hundreds of feet under the sea, and with monsters onboard, the crew of SS Roanoke have a fight for their lives.
Last call for a superhero!
Five fantastic stars! ✨✨✨✨✨
Some books are so scary that you hold your breath while you are reading them. This is one of those kind of books.
The submarine SS Roanoke is on a mission, bound for Soviet territory. This is the nineteen eighties so the Cold War is openly in progress.
While trying to negotiate hostile Soviet waters and spying on Soviet technology, the Roanoke is also engaged in a heart-stopping fight for the life of the 140 crewmen on board.
On a submarine, in enemy waters and hundreds of feet under the sea, and with monsters onboard, the crew of SS Roanoke have a fight for their lives.
Last call for a superhero!
Five fantastic stars! ✨✨✨✨✨
June 16, 2024
Coauthors Steven L. Kent and Nicholas Kaufmann successfully created the ultimate in terror and suspense when they teamed up to write 100 Fathoms Below.
Something has left port on the U.S. nuclear submarine USS Roanoke with the fleet of submariners as they set out on what they thought was a basic mission. Something sinister and devious.
Nerves are already frayed after discovering their mission was not what they initially thought and that it is actually a secret recon mission to get information on the Russians new submarine. After finding themselves caught up in combatant domain and being aggressively sought after by Soviet submarines it is understandable that anxiety levels are quickly being ramped up.
In such close confines provocations and backstabbing quickly ensue. When men start getting sick and dying with no explanation the remaining fleet starts slowly banning together for strength in numbers against -what appears to be - an insidious entity.
It doesn't take long until the crew realizes the dead are changing and turning into fast, super strong and cunning vampires. Now their fellow Naval submariner brothers are seeking blood and the to up the numbers in their ranks.
The graphic horror is unrelenting right up till the most horrific and disturbing conclusion. This is exactly the type of confined atmospheric horror storyline I relish and seek out.
Narrator Shawn Compton knocked it out of the park. He masterfully kept the tension, suspense and action at full throttle. This was frustratingly difficult to pause and wish it was twice as long. Would love a book two. The ending left lots of room for a terrific continuation. Just sayin'....
Something has left port on the U.S. nuclear submarine USS Roanoke with the fleet of submariners as they set out on what they thought was a basic mission. Something sinister and devious.
Nerves are already frayed after discovering their mission was not what they initially thought and that it is actually a secret recon mission to get information on the Russians new submarine. After finding themselves caught up in combatant domain and being aggressively sought after by Soviet submarines it is understandable that anxiety levels are quickly being ramped up.
In such close confines provocations and backstabbing quickly ensue. When men start getting sick and dying with no explanation the remaining fleet starts slowly banning together for strength in numbers against -what appears to be - an insidious entity.
It doesn't take long until the crew realizes the dead are changing and turning into fast, super strong and cunning vampires. Now their fellow Naval submariner brothers are seeking blood and the to up the numbers in their ranks.
The graphic horror is unrelenting right up till the most horrific and disturbing conclusion. This is exactly the type of confined atmospheric horror storyline I relish and seek out.
Narrator Shawn Compton knocked it out of the park. He masterfully kept the tension, suspense and action at full throttle. This was frustratingly difficult to pause and wish it was twice as long. Would love a book two. The ending left lots of room for a terrific continuation. Just sayin'....
November 1, 2018
100 FATHOMS BELOW is the depth where sunlight no longer penetrates the sea. That depth and further is where you'll find submarines and that's where the USS Roanoke attempted to locate the new class of Russian sub-supposedly in development. Unfortunately, the Roanoke encountered some problems accomplishing their mission.
Set in 1983, during the height of the cold war, the Roanoke and her crew are going about day to day submarine life. Not everyone gets along in such tight quarters, but they make do for the good of the ship. When Petty Officer Stubic becomes ill, the crew isn't worried, they have a medic to help with such things. But thereafter, as officer after officer sickens, and as lights keep getting smashed out on each deck, the crew begins to get frightened, and rightfully so. Will they survive whatever it is that's on their ship? Will they find the new Russian sub? You'll have to read this to find out!
This is my first book from these authors and I'm happy to say that I enjoyed it immensely. It's a fun story and it's fast paced with lots of action. I enjoyed the fact that several of the character's names in the book are actually the names of authors I recognize, so that added a bit of fun as well.
What I thought was slightly lacking was character development-I could have used a bit more to add to the depth of the cast. However, I understand this book isn't trying to be a literary classic, and what we do have here is some creature feature fun!
100 FATHOMS BELOW is probably just what you expect it to be, if you're looking for underwater, claustrophobic, B-movie-type fun. If that's what you are in the mood for reading right now? Go ahead, take the plunge: Dive! Dive! Dive!
Recommended!
*Thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it.*
Set in 1983, during the height of the cold war, the Roanoke and her crew are going about day to day submarine life. Not everyone gets along in such tight quarters, but they make do for the good of the ship. When Petty Officer Stubic becomes ill, the crew isn't worried, they have a medic to help with such things. But thereafter, as officer after officer sickens, and as lights keep getting smashed out on each deck, the crew begins to get frightened, and rightfully so. Will they survive whatever it is that's on their ship? Will they find the new Russian sub? You'll have to read this to find out!
This is my first book from these authors and I'm happy to say that I enjoyed it immensely. It's a fun story and it's fast paced with lots of action. I enjoyed the fact that several of the character's names in the book are actually the names of authors I recognize, so that added a bit of fun as well.
What I thought was slightly lacking was character development-I could have used a bit more to add to the depth of the cast. However, I understand this book isn't trying to be a literary classic, and what we do have here is some creature feature fun!
100 FATHOMS BELOW is probably just what you expect it to be, if you're looking for underwater, claustrophobic, B-movie-type fun. If that's what you are in the mood for reading right now? Go ahead, take the plunge: Dive! Dive! Dive!
Recommended!
*Thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it.*
September 25, 2022
30 Days Of Night meets The Hunt For Red October.
Definitely THE BEST book about vampires on a submarine that you're ever going to read!
This was interesting... another case of "Not what I expected". I got 'The Thing' vibes from this - The isolation, the paranoia, etc. Not to compare this to one of my favourite movies of all time, though. It all just worked really well for the first 3/4 of the book, but, after that, things started to move into familiar territory - more splattery, and less psychological horror (which I was really digging!). I would recommend It for sure. It's very unique... it is to me, anyway.
Not quite 4 stars in my opinion. It would have been, If not for the last 1/4 of the book.
3.5 Stars.
Definitely THE BEST book about vampires on a submarine that you're ever going to read!
This was interesting... another case of "Not what I expected". I got 'The Thing' vibes from this - The isolation, the paranoia, etc. Not to compare this to one of my favourite movies of all time, though. It all just worked really well for the first 3/4 of the book, but, after that, things started to move into familiar territory - more splattery, and less psychological horror (which I was really digging!). I would recommend It for sure. It's very unique... it is to me, anyway.
Not quite 4 stars in my opinion. It would have been, If not for the last 1/4 of the book.
3.5 Stars.
March 6, 2021
This pulled me in from the beginning and kept me guessing throughout. It was a face paced and bloody story that did an excellent job of setting the claustrophobic scene. This book takes place on a submarine and Kent and Kaufmann did an excellent job of setting the stage and emphasizing the feeling of being trapped. Though the reader can pretty much figure out its vampires early on (so much so I wouldn't even consider it a spoiler), the reveal to the characters is slow and makes sense. I appreciate that the crew of the Roanoke seemed to not just blindly accept it and it took time to really come to that conclusion. It felt like there was an appropriate level of denial and it felt realistic, which I like in a supernatural creature story. The tension in the book was kept up from the very moment of chapter 1. The only thing that didn't make this a 5 star read for me was that a couple of the "surviving" moments of some characters felt a little too lucky. However, I will say that this book doesn't hold back on killing characters you fully expect (and hope) will make it to the end. Even with those moments, I was still left scared that some characters I had grown attached to wouldn't make it. As well the characters that I didn't care for that ended up dying I felt like there was justice in their deaths and I found them very satisfying when they happened.
This book was provided to me for free via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book was provided to me for free via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 26, 2018
Cold War plus vampires??? Oh my!!!
In 1983 the US nuclear submarine the USS Roanoke and embarques on a classified mission to discover a new Soviet submarine which is not only more deadly but could also turn the favor of the war to the Soviets. 100 fathoms below the surface, darkness in compasses the USS Roanoke. After crew members start dying, they sent discover that they are not alone down there. There is something else aboard their vessel. They are trapped in enemy waters and being pursued not only by Soviet submarines but buy something evil lurking aboard. When the lights go out darkness prevails and people die. Will they ever make it back to the surface alive?
A great read! This book is very well-thought-out. I love the cover art. It hints to what you are about to read but doesn't really give it away. As soon as you think you're reading the main character story the author kills them off and you quickly move to the next character. The ending was great.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It really had me guessing. And like I said, you don't really know that it is vampires until you start reading and discover it for yourself. I would highly recommend this book to anybody who likes vampires and horror.
In 1983 the US nuclear submarine the USS Roanoke and embarques on a classified mission to discover a new Soviet submarine which is not only more deadly but could also turn the favor of the war to the Soviets. 100 fathoms below the surface, darkness in compasses the USS Roanoke. After crew members start dying, they sent discover that they are not alone down there. There is something else aboard their vessel. They are trapped in enemy waters and being pursued not only by Soviet submarines but buy something evil lurking aboard. When the lights go out darkness prevails and people die. Will they ever make it back to the surface alive?
A great read! This book is very well-thought-out. I love the cover art. It hints to what you are about to read but doesn't really give it away. As soon as you think you're reading the main character story the author kills them off and you quickly move to the next character. The ending was great.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It really had me guessing. And like I said, you don't really know that it is vampires until you start reading and discover it for yourself. I would highly recommend this book to anybody who likes vampires and horror.
October 26, 2018
This was a unique spin-off on the usual deep-sea submarine story. It wasn't what I was expecting but it was actually quite fun. Different is definitely good in this case.
I only wish the author would have expanded more on the actual "origin" because I still have a lot of questions playing around in my head-
I got the impression from the ending though that there may be a follow-up story so hopefully I'll get some answers at some point.
*Read for 2018 AMMP Bairn Bingo- Free Space
I only wish the author would have expanded more on the actual "origin" because I still have a lot of questions playing around in my head-
I got the impression from the ending though that there may be a follow-up story so hopefully I'll get some answers at some point.
*Read for 2018 AMMP Bairn Bingo- Free Space
June 24, 2022
Vampires on a submarine!?!? What a wonderful and different premise. The author did an amazing job creating the tension of the hunter prey in a small space like a submarine.
October 9, 2018
The Hunt for Red October meets 30 Days of Night. There is something terrifying about being trapped in a canister so far below the surface of the ocean that the pressure alone would crush your body. Kent and Kaufmann selected an ideal environment for their tale.
The magic of 100 Fathoms Below was the authors’ description of the internal workings and life aboard an ‘80s era submarine. Combining the descriptions with my memory of The Hunt for Red October, the entire story came alive in my mind – I even had Scott Glenn playing the role of Captain Weber. With this scene set, the rest fell into place. I found myself embedded within the story.
The story was definitely unique, a combination of horror and political intrigue. Personally, I found the horror aspect to be far stronger than the political intrigue portion, then again, that’s really what I wanted from this story. Kent and Kaufmann kept the story tight around the cast, the crew of the Roanoke, and the events on the vessel. The mission became an unimportant afterthought.
If you are in the mood for a well-developed, suspenseful horror, 100 Fathoms Below would be a great choice. It packs a punch with vividly descriptive scenes and a completely new twist on an old style horror story.
*I received a copy of the book from the publisher (via NetGalley).
The magic of 100 Fathoms Below was the authors’ description of the internal workings and life aboard an ‘80s era submarine. Combining the descriptions with my memory of The Hunt for Red October, the entire story came alive in my mind – I even had Scott Glenn playing the role of Captain Weber. With this scene set, the rest fell into place. I found myself embedded within the story.
The story was definitely unique, a combination of horror and political intrigue. Personally, I found the horror aspect to be far stronger than the political intrigue portion, then again, that’s really what I wanted from this story. Kent and Kaufmann kept the story tight around the cast, the crew of the Roanoke, and the events on the vessel. The mission became an unimportant afterthought.
If you are in the mood for a well-developed, suspenseful horror, 100 Fathoms Below would be a great choice. It packs a punch with vividly descriptive scenes and a completely new twist on an old style horror story.
*I received a copy of the book from the publisher (via NetGalley).
October 9, 2018
Readable but rather cheesy
I usually like underwater thrillers. This one takes place in 1983 on the submarine USS Roanoke. It is sent on a secret mission during the Cold War to find out whether the Russians do actually have a new, upgraded submarine.
I really enjoyed the details about the submarine itself - although they caused a major claustrophobia flare up.
Not long after setting out, the submariners find out there is something non-human aboard, killing off the 140 crewmen one by one.
This read like a 1980s grade B monster movie script and a rather poor one at that. I liked the idea, I finished the book, but I felt it could have been much better - with more realistic monster action (too stereotypical).
I received this book from Blackstone Publishing through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.
I usually like underwater thrillers. This one takes place in 1983 on the submarine USS Roanoke. It is sent on a secret mission during the Cold War to find out whether the Russians do actually have a new, upgraded submarine.
I really enjoyed the details about the submarine itself - although they caused a major claustrophobia flare up.
Not long after setting out, the submariners find out there is something non-human aboard, killing off the 140 crewmen one by one.
This read like a 1980s grade B monster movie script and a rather poor one at that. I liked the idea, I finished the book, but I felt it could have been much better - with more realistic monster action (too stereotypical).
I received this book from Blackstone Publishing through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.
April 3, 2021
I picked up this book because of the author's tweet about a complaint that it was "unrealistic," and because I wanted to annoy my ex-submariner husband while reading (in the most affectionate spouse-ly way, of course) with all the Submarine Inaccuracies it was sure to contain. Turns out it was actually pretty great on the Submarine Accuracy front, though I've promised him the final approach the humans take to fight back is going to make him suitably mad.
Anyway, this is exactly what it says on the tin, there are Vampires! On a submarine! It's the kind of pulpy horror that made me laugh out loud and shudder in the same moment. I wished for a little more development of the Soviet subs angle and the original vampires' backstory/mythos/motivation, but ultimately it was a purely entertaining read that just needed the most basic setup to make vampires! On a submarine! happen.
Anyway, this is exactly what it says on the tin, there are Vampires! On a submarine! It's the kind of pulpy horror that made me laugh out loud and shudder in the same moment. I wished for a little more development of the Soviet subs angle and the original vampires' backstory/mythos/motivation, but ultimately it was a purely entertaining read that just needed the most basic setup to make vampires! On a submarine! happen.
September 25, 2019
100 Fathoms Below is a claustrophobic story about something infiltrating a submarine and taking out the crew from the shadows. It’s a fun, fast paced novel with a sinister atmosphere that effectively transports you into the book; I had a lot of fun with this and would totally recommend it.
October 6, 2021
It's a slow start. If you like to know the inner workings of the navy and submarines, then you will love the intros in this book. I however came for the scary and the vampires. It does eventually get to the good stuff. I ended up having to go with the audio version though so I could zone out for the stuff that bored me. lol. And that guy at the VERY end. He's already evil even without being a vampire.
How I choose my rating:
1* Didn't like it at all. These are rare as I usually just don't finish any book I dislike this much.
2** Didn't like it. Again usually DNF if I dislike it this much, but occasionally I feel it still has potential and I try to stick with it to the end.
3*** I liked it. It wasn't great but it was enjoyable enough. It is unlikely I'll ever reread it but I might finish the series if it is a part of one.
4**** I really liked this book. Maybe not a work of genius, but highly entertaining. I might reread this at some point, and I will almost always finish the series if part of one.
5***** I loved this book. I found little to no issues with it at all. I will probably reread this and possibly more than once. I will definitely finish the series if it's part of one.
How I choose my rating:
1* Didn't like it at all. These are rare as I usually just don't finish any book I dislike this much.
2** Didn't like it. Again usually DNF if I dislike it this much, but occasionally I feel it still has potential and I try to stick with it to the end.
3*** I liked it. It wasn't great but it was enjoyable enough. It is unlikely I'll ever reread it but I might finish the series if it is a part of one.
4**** I really liked this book. Maybe not a work of genius, but highly entertaining. I might reread this at some point, and I will almost always finish the series if part of one.
5***** I loved this book. I found little to no issues with it at all. I will probably reread this and possibly more than once. I will definitely finish the series if it's part of one.
September 30, 2018
Rating: 3.5 stars
I got a little hung up on all the nautical terminology in the beginning of this book, and it almost made me stop reading it a few times, but it was compellingly written enough that I kept reading. I also expected it to be about some sort of deep sea beasty, and instead was more of a vampires on a submarine type story. (Which makes sense, because if vampires hate the sun it makes sense they'd like it deep under the ocean where there is no sun, right?) There were a lot of really great, intriguing things about this book. I found myself caring about several of the characters, especially some of the ones who end up surviving (which makes sense, I suppose?) Several times I thought I knew for sure what was coming next, but then was completely (in a good way) surprised by what actually happened next. This book kept me constantly on my toes and it was really great... when it wasn't being bogged down with nautical terminology and by everyone having multiple names.
For example, Jerry White is referred to as "Jerry" in the chapters that are told in the third person limited POV that "follow" him and his limited POV, while he is referred to as "White," unless the person gets to be friends with him at which point he might be called "White" sometimes and then sometimes "Jerry." Then if someone is an officer they might also sometimes be referred to only by their title, which also sometimes is shorted to an acronym, so some people have, like, four names they're referred by. By the end of the book I was used to it, and now I'm primed and ready to read ALL THE NAVY FICTION, haha. I am really glad I stuck with this through the first few chapters of describing all the nautical terms, parts of the sub, explanations about life with 140 men on a submarine and what that means for them, etc. It was necessary world building to set the stage for the story, but it was a bit of a dry slog to get through for the first three chapters or so before the story really picked up steam. But once it got going, MAN, this book was hard to put down.
I got a little hung up on all the nautical terminology in the beginning of this book, and it almost made me stop reading it a few times, but it was compellingly written enough that I kept reading. I also expected it to be about some sort of deep sea beasty, and instead was more of a vampires on a submarine type story. (Which makes sense, because if vampires hate the sun it makes sense they'd like it deep under the ocean where there is no sun, right?) There were a lot of really great, intriguing things about this book. I found myself caring about several of the characters, especially some of the ones who end up surviving (which makes sense, I suppose?) Several times I thought I knew for sure what was coming next, but then was completely (in a good way) surprised by what actually happened next. This book kept me constantly on my toes and it was really great... when it wasn't being bogged down with nautical terminology and by everyone having multiple names.
For example, Jerry White is referred to as "Jerry" in the chapters that are told in the third person limited POV that "follow" him and his limited POV, while he is referred to as "White," unless the person gets to be friends with him at which point he might be called "White" sometimes and then sometimes "Jerry." Then if someone is an officer they might also sometimes be referred to only by their title, which also sometimes is shorted to an acronym, so some people have, like, four names they're referred by. By the end of the book I was used to it, and now I'm primed and ready to read ALL THE NAVY FICTION, haha. I am really glad I stuck with this through the first few chapters of describing all the nautical terms, parts of the sub, explanations about life with 140 men on a submarine and what that means for them, etc. It was necessary world building to set the stage for the story, but it was a bit of a dry slog to get through for the first three chapters or so before the story really picked up steam. But once it got going, MAN, this book was hard to put down.
July 3, 2018
Kent and Kaufman have set a milestone in modern horror by writing a retro 80’s novel, using conventions from today’s horror whilst using a staple from the genre. This is a very impressive treat for the reader creating a world that is tangible.
The authors have really done their research whilst at the same time, never bogging the novel down in descriptive text. This is an incredible feat that would fail from a novice writer but in the hands of these two very accomplished authors, it really excels. They also take a run of the mill horror staple which invades the submarine and lift this to a truly original novel.
The characters are very strong and with a large cast, it is quite a challenge to make each and everyone an individual which is successfully done within the pages. The plot is fast moving and interesting and as mentioned above, the attention to detail is above par.
Normally in a novel of this ilk, we get novels that tend to be heavily laden with cardboard cut outs with a paper thin plot but 100 Fathoms Below does away with this and lifts a fundamentally good old fashion novel in a modernistic tone. The energy and thought process put into this novel is second to none and it is also impressive to note that this is two authors who are working together in tandem.
This excellent masterful tale of a navel personnel trapped in submarine nightmare is second to none and should find its status with the horror community. It is also important to note that this novel also very much works as a military thriller and also heavily works in the dark fiction genre.
Masterfully written, exciting to read, 100 Fathoms is a must for all fans of the genre. Working on many levels to give the community a novel to hunger for more. Excellent and original.
The authors have really done their research whilst at the same time, never bogging the novel down in descriptive text. This is an incredible feat that would fail from a novice writer but in the hands of these two very accomplished authors, it really excels. They also take a run of the mill horror staple which invades the submarine and lift this to a truly original novel.
The characters are very strong and with a large cast, it is quite a challenge to make each and everyone an individual which is successfully done within the pages. The plot is fast moving and interesting and as mentioned above, the attention to detail is above par.
Normally in a novel of this ilk, we get novels that tend to be heavily laden with cardboard cut outs with a paper thin plot but 100 Fathoms Below does away with this and lifts a fundamentally good old fashion novel in a modernistic tone. The energy and thought process put into this novel is second to none and it is also impressive to note that this is two authors who are working together in tandem.
This excellent masterful tale of a navel personnel trapped in submarine nightmare is second to none and should find its status with the horror community. It is also important to note that this novel also very much works as a military thriller and also heavily works in the dark fiction genre.
Masterfully written, exciting to read, 100 Fathoms is a must for all fans of the genre. Working on many levels to give the community a novel to hunger for more. Excellent and original.
July 30, 2023
Vampires, submarine. That's really all you need to know. It's a B movie or a book, but it's fun
November 13, 2020
When your idea of “fun” is getting your dick wet, you are in for a ride my friend...
February 7, 2022
This book can best be described as The Hunt for Red October meets 30 Days of Night. A submariner on leave goes looking for some hanky panky, and returns to the ship with something worse than he could ever have imagined stemming from two puncture wounds in his neck. Soon, more sailors become infected and before long most of the submarine's crew are dead or deadly vampires. And all this time they've been illegally scouring Russian waters looking for evidence of new Soviet submarine technology. This was a brutal, claustrophobic, action-packed thriller that almost had too much action.
3.5/5*
3.5/5*
May 1, 2023
An unaware crewman of a U.S nuclear submarine brings vampirism aboard. The infection slowly spreads and the vampires numbers grow. Slowly blacking out the submarine and leaving the remaining crewman in the dark, miles below the ocean surface and within enemy waters. The crew left in utter confusion, darkness and suspense.
It is such a brilliant idea and sadly this book tells it in the most generic and boring way. This was a real struggle to finish as the title doesn't do anything good nor does it do anything terribly. It's such a waste of potential and that ultimately turned me against this book. Truly disappointing.
The best part of the book for me was watching the crew navigate enemy waters after having just found a new class of enemy submarines. The crew have no idea if they have been spotted or heard and must slowly leave the area without detection. It was tense, it had suspense and somehow accomplished everything you'd think the book would do and yet it had nothing to do with the enemy on board...Vampires.
It's not terrible, it's not great. I can't recommend it.
Really disappointing.
It is such a brilliant idea and sadly this book tells it in the most generic and boring way. This was a real struggle to finish as the title doesn't do anything good nor does it do anything terribly. It's such a waste of potential and that ultimately turned me against this book. Truly disappointing.
The best part of the book for me was watching the crew navigate enemy waters after having just found a new class of enemy submarines. The crew have no idea if they have been spotted or heard and must slowly leave the area without detection. It was tense, it had suspense and somehow accomplished everything you'd think the book would do and yet it had nothing to do with the enemy on board...Vampires.
It's not terrible, it's not great. I can't recommend it.
Really disappointing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 30, 2018
Without a doubt, the most insidious dangers were the ones that hid in plain sight, camouflaging themselves inside the minds of rational men.
- first sentence
At 100 fathoms, sunlight no longer penetrates the ocean. This book combines the tension of being in a US submarine inside Russian borders during the cold war and being trapped in a submarine with deadly supernatural creatures.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one. The audio is well done and I spent most of my spare time this past weekend listening to it. The tension starts early and doesn't let up. The worst (best) part is, the reader knows there is something creepy hiding on the sub while the crew is clueless and just thinks a couple people are sick or maybe someone is losing it.
- first sentence
At 100 fathoms, sunlight no longer penetrates the ocean. This book combines the tension of being in a US submarine inside Russian borders during the cold war and being trapped in a submarine with deadly supernatural creatures.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one. The audio is well done and I spent most of my spare time this past weekend listening to it. The tension starts early and doesn't let up. The worst (best) part is, the reader knows there is something creepy hiding on the sub while the crew is clueless and just thinks a couple people are sick or maybe someone is losing it.
June 16, 2021
"100 Fathoms Below" is a 2018 military horror thriller by writing duo Steven L Kent and Nicholas Kaufmann. It is a standalone novel that is not a part of any series.
The premise of "100 Fathoms Below" is simple, but terrifyingly effective. Set in the 1980's, the book poses the question of what happens aboard a US military sub when a sickness breaks out among the crew that turns them into terrifying creatures. All the while, the sub is undertaking a dangerous mission in Soviet-infested waters. The book's synopsis says the plot is Tom Clancy meets Stephen King, and I couldn't agree more!
For such a simple concept, "100 Fathoms Below" contains some real (bad pun) depth. I haven't read a book with such convincingly rendered submarine trappings since "The Hunt for Red October." Jargon, procedures, and customs aboard the submarine all feel very real. Though I'm not a submariner, I am in the military, and the book felt very legitimate, even despite its crazy plot. The characters all felt real as well. There is a nice mix of perspectives, from commanding officers all the way down to lower enlisted men. The authors create some interesting drama and friction between certain characters, adding yet another layer of complexity. At the end of the day, though, "100 Fathoms" is just a flat out fun read. A bunch of guys stuck underwater in a tin can with monsters makes for voracious, terrifying reading. Add to it all that the men have to accomplish a mission with serious geopolitical ramifications, and you have yourself a book that will lead to some serious white-knuckle reading that you'll want to devour in one sitting.
"100 Fathoms Below" is a real winner of a book. With a great premise and solid execution, it's a simple idea that is nonetheless unique and makes for a heck of a read.
The premise of "100 Fathoms Below" is simple, but terrifyingly effective. Set in the 1980's, the book poses the question of what happens aboard a US military sub when a sickness breaks out among the crew that turns them into terrifying creatures. All the while, the sub is undertaking a dangerous mission in Soviet-infested waters. The book's synopsis says the plot is Tom Clancy meets Stephen King, and I couldn't agree more!
For such a simple concept, "100 Fathoms Below" contains some real (bad pun) depth. I haven't read a book with such convincingly rendered submarine trappings since "The Hunt for Red October." Jargon, procedures, and customs aboard the submarine all feel very real. Though I'm not a submariner, I am in the military, and the book felt very legitimate, even despite its crazy plot. The characters all felt real as well. There is a nice mix of perspectives, from commanding officers all the way down to lower enlisted men. The authors create some interesting drama and friction between certain characters, adding yet another layer of complexity. At the end of the day, though, "100 Fathoms" is just a flat out fun read. A bunch of guys stuck underwater in a tin can with monsters makes for voracious, terrifying reading. Add to it all that the men have to accomplish a mission with serious geopolitical ramifications, and you have yourself a book that will lead to some serious white-knuckle reading that you'll want to devour in one sitting.
"100 Fathoms Below" is a real winner of a book. With a great premise and solid execution, it's a simple idea that is nonetheless unique and makes for a heck of a read.
November 5, 2022
all reviews in one place:
night mode reading ;
skaitom nakties rezimu
About the Book: After their final night out, crew returns to the submarine where a mission so secret awaits that not all even know about it. But once the sun was far away, and they were deep in the darkness of the ocean, strange things began. Some men fell with fever. A rogue or a few let loose breaking lights, and even mirrors, without anyone able to catch the bastards. People disappeared, and dead were seen walking… It seems that the crew didn’t return alone.
My Opinion: The idea is superb – limit of space on the submarine, no where to run; sun is far away up; limited amount of weaponry; even more limited supplies, such as spare lights. Plenty of bodies though, bodies that can disappear; plenty of ways to die, plenty of places to hide in. Story, while good, a submarine in foreign waters, can’t call for help, can’t emerge into the daylight either, is very poorly executed. That, paired with very shallow and two-dimentional characters, makes for a very mediocre read.
night mode reading ;
skaitom nakties rezimu
About the Book: After their final night out, crew returns to the submarine where a mission so secret awaits that not all even know about it. But once the sun was far away, and they were deep in the darkness of the ocean, strange things began. Some men fell with fever. A rogue or a few let loose breaking lights, and even mirrors, without anyone able to catch the bastards. People disappeared, and dead were seen walking… It seems that the crew didn’t return alone.
My Opinion: The idea is superb – limit of space on the submarine, no where to run; sun is far away up; limited amount of weaponry; even more limited supplies, such as spare lights. Plenty of bodies though, bodies that can disappear; plenty of ways to die, plenty of places to hide in. Story, while good, a submarine in foreign waters, can’t call for help, can’t emerge into the daylight either, is very poorly executed. That, paired with very shallow and two-dimentional characters, makes for a very mediocre read.
October 31, 2022
I honestly can’t remember how I discovered this book. If anyone recommended it, I’d thank them with a chocolate cake cause this is deliciously good.
The submarine SS Roanoke is on its way to Soviet territory. With 140 crew piled into a confined space and Petty Officer Stubic becomes sick under a mysterious illness. What could go wrong???
It’s fast paced with a wide but tight cast. I knew who each character was - and even rooted for a few - which is a testament to the writing because of the large cast of characters.
The submarine jargon really immersed yourself in the world. It’s underwater. It’s claustrophobic.
So what are you waiting for? Dive! Dive! Dive!
June 7, 2018
If you're Navy, on a submarine, don't go to a bordello. You never know what you may bring back to the boat. Warren Stubic is not intending to go to shore to get drunk or fight. He wants a woman. He met a girl in the alley who have him an address so he decides to visit her. Once there he is led into a room for pleasure, but gets more than he bargained for.. Imagine being a 100 fathoms below water with sailors being turned into vampires.. This is horror at it's best. In a bad situation and can't get out.. The sailors are brave and do what they need to do. Will the vampires take over the ship and kill everyone? It's a great book. I loved the premise. I received this book from Net Galley for an honest review and no compensation otherwise
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
dnf
February 3, 2024dnf at chapter 6.
July 4, 2021
This is a well written novel. A horror story set on a submarine was a great setting, it really worked with the story. I really enjoyed it.
April 6, 2022
Loved it! A submarine thriller with a supernatural twist!
October 3, 2018
This was a fast-paced, action-packed, vampires on a submarine, just as one would expect.
January 16, 2021
Dumb, fast, and fun!
This book was everything I wanted it to be; a cheesy schlock fest about vampires on a submarine. It was fun, well written, and surprisingly suspenseful (the suspense had nothing to do with the vampires).
This book was everything I wanted it to be; a cheesy schlock fest about vampires on a submarine. It was fun, well written, and surprisingly suspenseful (the suspense had nothing to do with the vampires).
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