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Neptune's Reckoning
At the easternmost end of Long Island lies a seaside town known as Montauk. Ground Zero on the Eastern seaboard for all manner of conspiracy theories involving it’s hidden Cold War military base, rumors of time-travel experiments and alien visitors...
For renowned Naval historian William Vanek it’s where his grandfather’s ship went down on a Top Secret mission during WWII code-named “Neptune’s Reckoning”.
Together with Marine Biologist Daniel Cheung and disgraced French underwater explorer Arnaud Navarre, he’s about to discover the truth behind the urban legends: a nightmare from beyond space and time that has been reawakened by global warming and toxic dumping, a nightmare the government tried to keep submerged.
Neptune’s Reckoning.
Terror knows no depth.
For renowned Naval historian William Vanek it’s where his grandfather’s ship went down on a Top Secret mission during WWII code-named “Neptune’s Reckoning”.
Together with Marine Biologist Daniel Cheung and disgraced French underwater explorer Arnaud Navarre, he’s about to discover the truth behind the urban legends: a nightmare from beyond space and time that has been reawakened by global warming and toxic dumping, a nightmare the government tried to keep submerged.
Neptune’s Reckoning.
Terror knows no depth.
- GenresHorrorScience Fiction
278 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 26, 2020
55 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 9, 2025
It almost doesn't seem fair, Japan has radioactive/toxic waste and gets Godzilla, creature that eventually ends up helping humans and becomes a hero. A toxic/radioactive waste dumping site in America gives is a sea monster version of Pennywise.....This book was pretty good. I loved the main character and his eventual love interest. Secondary antagonists were solid and the monster was cool AF. What kept this from being a great book was the huge number of errors of contradictions throughout. It wasn't enough to make me want to put it down but it was enough to make me frustrated and give a lower rating
February 21, 2021
I would like to thank BookSirens and the author for allowing me to read this ARC for free and am happy to leave this review. This is a story about Dr. William Vanek, a widower, somewhat of a stodgy agoraphobe and a descendant of a naval officer lost at sea during WWII. Vanek is a book author and researcher, who writes about the oceans. One day, a family friend calls on him. There’s been a discovery of a sunken ship in the ocean off Montauk. It’s the ship his grandfather went down on. Can he come and investigate? Against his better judgement, he does. His associates on the dive are a beautiful young woman and a French oceanographer. What they discover is much more than they bargained for. Besides the shipwreck, there’s also some THING down there in the deep dark which feeds on peoples’ fears. I thought this was a pretty good story. It really kept me on edge throughout the book. Whenever I stopped reading, I couldn’t wait to get back to it. Lots of action. Lots of death (think Jaws). I liked Dr. Vanek and Dan Cheung a lot and I think this was a good sci-fi/horror book. I will be looking for more books by Mr. Stava. AND I’m giving it an extra star just for the fact that he mentioned The Crimson King not just once, but twice. I hadn’t listened to King Crimson for more than 40 years, back when my best friend in high school and I used to stay up all night listening to the Court of the Crimson King album (no CDs back then). It was easy to find on YouTube and I was amazed to discover that I still know all the lyrics.
May 31, 2021
Completely lost direction.
This book is about an old WW2 ship that's just been discovered as it had been lost and sunk with some secret advanced weapon. However, some creature now lives within the area of the wreck and the grandson of one of the officers of the ship is sent to investigate. Add some toxic dumping, murder, monster killings, cultists, crime bosses, love scenes, and government cover-ups you have about 18 stories within one with none of them going anywhere.
I enjoyed the creature and how it was detailed along with the mysteries at the beginning but I did not like the writing style. So many pointless characters and moments added for no reason for pages only to die or just do nothing with. It reads like a tv show that had to kill off characters to make the final episode more shocking.
The biggest issue I had was the horror theme. The writer went from monster to sci-fi, bloody, cosmic, and then Lovecraft which killed any build-up.
I was given the opportunity of reading this book for free by BookSirens. I'm sorry I didn't enjoy it more but this is an honest review.
This book is about an old WW2 ship that's just been discovered as it had been lost and sunk with some secret advanced weapon. However, some creature now lives within the area of the wreck and the grandson of one of the officers of the ship is sent to investigate. Add some toxic dumping, murder, monster killings, cultists, crime bosses, love scenes, and government cover-ups you have about 18 stories within one with none of them going anywhere.
I enjoyed the creature and how it was detailed along with the mysteries at the beginning but I did not like the writing style. So many pointless characters and moments added for no reason for pages only to die or just do nothing with. It reads like a tv show that had to kill off characters to make the final episode more shocking.
The biggest issue I had was the horror theme. The writer went from monster to sci-fi, bloody, cosmic, and then Lovecraft which killed any build-up.
I was given the opportunity of reading this book for free by BookSirens. I'm sorry I didn't enjoy it more but this is an honest review.
April 23, 2022
Disjointed
I'm not sure where to begin but there were so many mistakes in the book where the author said one thing and then said the opposite two pages later. A lot of it was just plain stupid! A lot of the book just didn't make sense. I read the whole book because I don't like to start a book and not finish it but I was really tempted with this one. Ugh!
I'm not sure where to begin but there were so many mistakes in the book where the author said one thing and then said the opposite two pages later. A lot of it was just plain stupid! A lot of the book just didn't make sense. I read the whole book because I don't like to start a book and not finish it but I was really tempted with this one. Ugh!
March 6, 2021
Jaws Is Now Only A Big Fish Story
If I hadn't been frightened out of my wits, this book may have been a vicarious oceanside vacation, with sunshine, sailboats, and yachts. I could have gotten to know the beaches, restaurants, and local history of Montauk.
Neptune's Reckoning is not so much fun in the sun, however. A little bit science fiction, a bigger bit horror, and a whole lot of thriller, the story is riveting. Suspenseful and action-packed, it transported me, along with its characters, to the dark ocean depths where there be monsters.
The slow discovery of their back stories revealed the dark divergence of where people think their actions are taking them and where the power of others have moved them. The usual concerns over matters of love, career, and finance were elevated beyond mundane human drama by abrupt and violent encounters with predators. Indifference and willingness to take lives for their own advantage contrasted sharply with the altruistic goals of others who were trying to study and improve chances of survival for the ocean and its lifeforms.
Ironically, the principle predator in this book is a life form that preys on predators and innocents alike. I enjoyed seeing unlikely heroes pitch in to save others even more than those more standard warrior types. And by the conclusion, the main character, William Vanek, had been completely transformed.
I was given the amazing opportunity of reading this book for free by BookSirens and I'm freely offering this wholehearted endorsement to all horror fans who enjoy books by Hunter Shea, James Byron Huggins, Peter Benchley, or non-horror author Clive Cussler.
If I hadn't been frightened out of my wits, this book may have been a vicarious oceanside vacation, with sunshine, sailboats, and yachts. I could have gotten to know the beaches, restaurants, and local history of Montauk.
Neptune's Reckoning is not so much fun in the sun, however. A little bit science fiction, a bigger bit horror, and a whole lot of thriller, the story is riveting. Suspenseful and action-packed, it transported me, along with its characters, to the dark ocean depths where there be monsters.
The slow discovery of their back stories revealed the dark divergence of where people think their actions are taking them and where the power of others have moved them. The usual concerns over matters of love, career, and finance were elevated beyond mundane human drama by abrupt and violent encounters with predators. Indifference and willingness to take lives for their own advantage contrasted sharply with the altruistic goals of others who were trying to study and improve chances of survival for the ocean and its lifeforms.
Ironically, the principle predator in this book is a life form that preys on predators and innocents alike. I enjoyed seeing unlikely heroes pitch in to save others even more than those more standard warrior types. And by the conclusion, the main character, William Vanek, had been completely transformed.
I was given the amazing opportunity of reading this book for free by BookSirens and I'm freely offering this wholehearted endorsement to all horror fans who enjoy books by Hunter Shea, James Byron Huggins, Peter Benchley, or non-horror author Clive Cussler.
December 6, 2020
Firstly, thanks to the author and publisher for a free copy of this book in return for an honest review. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I've had a hard time finding books recently that claim to be horror and are actually anywhere near scary at all. I usually get freaked out more by horror books based on people and ghosts doing bad stuff than by creature books. But I was very happy to find that this book has just the right amount of creature scariness for me.
The ocean has always held a deep fascination for man, and is almost definitely the scariest environments on Earth. Mostly because we still have no idea what the hell is down there. So the idea that some mysterious entity has been living down there for thousands of years is not unlikely, making it just freaky enough. Loved this concept!
Add in some well developed characters, and a mismatched couple that develop some incredible sexual tension, and this book has the perfect mixture for me. And an open ending, which does nothing to detract from the idea that this can be read as a total standalone book.
I've had a hard time finding books recently that claim to be horror and are actually anywhere near scary at all. I usually get freaked out more by horror books based on people and ghosts doing bad stuff than by creature books. But I was very happy to find that this book has just the right amount of creature scariness for me.
The ocean has always held a deep fascination for man, and is almost definitely the scariest environments on Earth. Mostly because we still have no idea what the hell is down there. So the idea that some mysterious entity has been living down there for thousands of years is not unlikely, making it just freaky enough. Loved this concept!
Add in some well developed characters, and a mismatched couple that develop some incredible sexual tension, and this book has the perfect mixture for me. And an open ending, which does nothing to detract from the idea that this can be read as a total standalone book.
November 20, 2020
Fun creepy read
Definitely enjoyed this book. Recommend for more metre readers due to content throughout the book.
There are several very obvious errors that should have been picked up by the beta readers. Along the lines of... how can someone repeat back part of a conversation as a question when that conversation is not actually in the book? Or all the walls were blank except for the graffiti, then reaches out to open the door? Ummm just said in sentence before that the walls were blank, no doors! And other errors like this and typo and spelling errors. I would actually rate this book higher if not for the errors.
Definitely enjoyed this book. Recommend for more metre readers due to content throughout the book.
There are several very obvious errors that should have been picked up by the beta readers. Along the lines of... how can someone repeat back part of a conversation as a question when that conversation is not actually in the book? Or all the walls were blank except for the graffiti, then reaches out to open the door? Ummm just said in sentence before that the walls were blank, no doors! And other errors like this and typo and spelling errors. I would actually rate this book higher if not for the errors.
December 8, 2021
Compelling plot....Characters,not so much.
I gave it 3 stars for the progression of the story, and the general plot. The characters and some of the character relationships were not in keeping with my personal world view. This book, I believe, would be appreciated by consumers of 'made for Sci-Fi Channel' movies.
I gave it 3 stars for the progression of the story, and the general plot. The characters and some of the character relationships were not in keeping with my personal world view. This book, I believe, would be appreciated by consumers of 'made for Sci-Fi Channel' movies.
January 15, 2022
For being a monster mixed with a paranormal storyline, it was not a bad read. It has the feel of being stuck in an airplane, kind of time to kill read. The back story on the characters is fairly paper-thin and not very relatable. It seems this novel was written for a Sci-Fy channel really bad movie.
June 20, 2022
very good story
I like all the characters and the story behind. Although the backstory about the creature was a bit confusing to me, however you just go alone with the story. A cross over or homage to The Thing (1982) and The Philadelphia Experiment. Lots of gore and gruesome death (which I like). A good book to read.
I like all the characters and the story behind. Although the backstory about the creature was a bit confusing to me, however you just go alone with the story. A cross over or homage to The Thing (1982) and The Philadelphia Experiment. Lots of gore and gruesome death (which I like). A good book to read.
May 21, 2024
Review of this book.
I could not put this book down. It was that good. I had to keep reading until I finished it. It was that good! This book had everything. Suspense, humor, romance, lots of blood and monsters. Do not forget a real hero. The last part of the book was a real surprise. Bunker 18.
I could not put this book down. It was that good. I had to keep reading until I finished it. It was that good! This book had everything. Suspense, humor, romance, lots of blood and monsters. Do not forget a real hero. The last part of the book was a real surprise. Bunker 18.
July 31, 2020
Liked it, but then again, my opinion is outrageously biased in that regard. But it was a fun one to do!
November 12, 2021
Keep the lights on
Well written and original. A truly creepy tale. Kept me up past bedtime bc I had to know what was happening next!
Well written and original. A truly creepy tale. Kept me up past bedtime bc I had to know what was happening next!
July 13, 2022
Good book!!
September 9, 2022
Great read
I liked it. A nice sci-fi romp.w
Ith.just enough New England l
and marks to make it familiar.
Really nice
I liked it. A nice sci-fi romp.w
Ith.just enough New England l
and marks to make it familiar.
Really nice
June 16, 2024
Nothing could possibly go wrong when Peter Benchley meets H.P. Lovecraft. Or could it?
January 13, 2022
The novel is a slow burner but I found it well worthwhile to persist through to the conclusion , it is a fusion many different genres from the paranormal and sci-fi through adventure romance and crime stories with unlikely hero`s and environmentalists and unsavoury gangsters and an unpleasant underwater dweller .
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews