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Up From The Deep
When detective Raymond Dehane’s covert operation goes awry, it awakens an ancient creature from its slumber deep in the Mariana Trench. Kaiju groupies Devonte Rhodes and Dr. Skylar O’Hara must work with him and the military to find a way to stop its reign of terror. Caught between fascination and horror as they witness the creature’s destructive power, the three work tirelessly to find a means of protecting what they love, even if it means killing this entirely new species. Meanwhile, in the shadows, members of the criminal organization TEMPEST believe the monster is their ticket to conquering the world. And they won’t rest until its power is in their grasp. With threats both colossal and insidious closing in on them, this motley gang of heroes will have a beast of a time coming out on top.
- GenresHorror
279 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 12, 2021
79 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
About the author
Vaughn A. Jackson
6 books16 followersVaughn A. Jackson is an author, editor, and sometimes poet of dark speculative fiction. His work generally falls into one of categories: Creatures, Kaiju, or Cosmic Horror. This often blends elements of fantasy, science fiction, and horror into one unholy abomination.He is the author of both Up from the Deep, Touched by Shadows, and Deepspore: Death Below the Sea.
Vaughn is an Affiliate HWA member who lives near Baltimore with his girlfriend and two gremlins disguised as the world's cutest kittens. His dog Constantine has also demanded acknowledgment in his bio. Sometimes he wonders why everything he writes ends up scary, but doesn't believe in questioning things that work.
You can find Vaughn on Bluesky @madnessandmonsters.bksy.social or on Instagram @madness_and_monsters. He also has a newsletter: https://madnessandmonsters.substack.com/
Vaughn is an Affiliate HWA member who lives near Baltimore with his girlfriend and two gremlins disguised as the world's cutest kittens. His dog Constantine has also demanded acknowledgment in his bio. Sometimes he wonders why everything he writes ends up scary, but doesn't believe in questioning things that work.
You can find Vaughn on Bluesky @madnessandmonsters.bksy.social or on Instagram @madness_and_monsters. He also has a newsletter: https://madnessandmonsters.substack.com/
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 10, 2021
I picked this book up from Amazon through my Kindle Unlimited subscription. I am a fan of monsters from the deep, which this book promised. It did bring a sea monster of sorts, and the storyline of the government trying to protect the population from the wraith and fury of said monster.
Dialog was hard to get through at times, and there was an interesting pattern from chapters to "interludes" which were really the thoughts from the creature. Some things seemed hard to grasp, but it is a story about a mysterious, murderous, overly protective mother type, of a deep sea creature.
Dialog was hard to get through at times, and there was an interesting pattern from chapters to "interludes" which were really the thoughts from the creature. Some things seemed hard to grasp, but it is a story about a mysterious, murderous, overly protective mother type, of a deep sea creature.
January 6, 2025
Laughably bad
This Kaiju book reads like a parody of a B-movie. MST3K level bad. Scenes and dialog are borrowed whole or in part from recognizable Hollywood movies. I kept pretending it was a comedy even though it was never funny. DNF at 20%.
This Kaiju book reads like a parody of a B-movie. MST3K level bad. Scenes and dialog are borrowed whole or in part from recognizable Hollywood movies. I kept pretending it was a comedy even though it was never funny. DNF at 20%.
October 12, 2022
This book was just confusing. :/ Don’t really understand the time line. The narrator is just bad. D: sorry! This is also just a little…… boring. D: I got my Audible credit back on this one and DNF’d. :/
July 29, 2023
A tsunami of destructive fun. This has everything you love about giant monsters destroying cities and a little extra. Jackson has assembled an ensemble cast of characters, from the stoic detective Raymond to sarcastic hacker Devonte, each trying their damnedest to either control or destroy a world-changing monster. The added danger of lots of baby monsters brings this Kaiju story to another level. Also, the love interests were unusually touching for an action-adventure book. Highly recommended for vacation or beach reading!
July 27, 2021
Monsters running amok, what's not to like?
March 18, 2021
I'm not really a huge giant monster fan but I picked this up because I've been in a bit of a reading slump and wanted something action packed to get me out of it. This book definitely picked me out of my slump! It starts off fast in the first chapter and never really lets up. It's full of fun characters, exciting adventure scenes and cinematic prose. I really loved the characters in this book- Dr. Skylar was a particular favorite of mine but all of them have their own distinct personalities. While I'm sure giant monster fans will love this book I would also recommend it to anyone who wants a quick, fast paced read with some pretty emotional scenes also.
I really liked the portrayal of the monster in this book also. I think one of the things that's never drawn me to giant monster media is the idea that the animals are "evil". I really liked this take on having an animal/monster as antagonist. I think animal lovers will feel very sympathetic towards this giant monster by the end of the book and that's definitely not something I expected going into this.
Overall this book is an exciting, action packed romp like the back of the book describes. I really think anyone looking for a fun book to escape from the world for a bit will be thrilled reading "Up from the Deep".
I really liked the portrayal of the monster in this book also. I think one of the things that's never drawn me to giant monster media is the idea that the animals are "evil". I really liked this take on having an animal/monster as antagonist. I think animal lovers will feel very sympathetic towards this giant monster by the end of the book and that's definitely not something I expected going into this.
Overall this book is an exciting, action packed romp like the back of the book describes. I really think anyone looking for a fun book to escape from the world for a bit will be thrilled reading "Up from the Deep".
August 3, 2021
As you can see from my list of reads I normally don't gravitate towards sci-fi thrillers but I couldn't resist this book. If you like for your action filled reads to read like a movie (like I do) this book is for you. The details of each mission was written in a jargonian military prose that even civilians (such as myself) are able to grasp the vision.
While the heroes are the sort of characters I would personally hang out with but I found myself empathizing with the Kaiju, Inkanyamba. Author, Vaughn A. Jackson, has a way of wrapping you up in the ongoings of each characters' deeper turmoils and their current mission, while somehow pulling at your heart strings for Inkanyamba as well.
Spoilers but no spoilers, my favorite scene was in Chapter 13 when the team sets out to get rid of something(s) (don't want to spoil it) but it certainly gave me old school Alien vibes. I must have reread that scene 3xs already just because I enjoyed it that much.
This entire book is a great thriller read filled with action, intrigue, and bad assery.
While the heroes are the sort of characters I would personally hang out with but I found myself empathizing with the Kaiju, Inkanyamba. Author, Vaughn A. Jackson, has a way of wrapping you up in the ongoings of each characters' deeper turmoils and their current mission, while somehow pulling at your heart strings for Inkanyamba as well.
Spoilers but no spoilers, my favorite scene was in Chapter 13 when the team sets out to get rid of something(s) (don't want to spoil it) but it certainly gave me old school Alien vibes. I must have reread that scene 3xs already just because I enjoyed it that much.
This entire book is a great thriller read filled with action, intrigue, and bad assery.
July 10, 2021
Caught me by surprise
I usually don't read kaiju books and when I started this one, I really thought it was going to be sea creature story. I just saw the title and clicked on it. This story is so well written! The humor, diversity of characters, unpredictability, and creativity make me think that this author could write in any genre and make it a good story. I hope you keep writing sequels, Vaughn! Great job!
I usually don't read kaiju books and when I started this one, I really thought it was going to be sea creature story. I just saw the title and clicked on it. This story is so well written! The humor, diversity of characters, unpredictability, and creativity make me think that this author could write in any genre and make it a good story. I hope you keep writing sequels, Vaughn! Great job!
October 24, 2021
Very intriguing but interesting
Keeps you in it from start to finish., with all kinds of questions. What is it? Where does it come from? How do you deal with it? Who will survive? Will there be another? What's this Tempest group and what is the new agenda.
I hope this new STATIC group becomes a series from the author. I would definitely purchase this one and any other if it becomes a series. If you like/ love suspense it's a must read.
Keeps you in it from start to finish., with all kinds of questions. What is it? Where does it come from? How do you deal with it? Who will survive? Will there be another? What's this Tempest group and what is the new agenda.
I hope this new STATIC group becomes a series from the author. I would definitely purchase this one and any other if it becomes a series. If you like/ love suspense it's a must read.
April 21, 2021
Awesome Book
Wish it was a series cause there’s so much to this book. It’s got action strange creatures military even a little romance. And the best thing is it actually has a good story line with great characters.
Wish it was a series cause there’s so much to this book. It’s got action strange creatures military even a little romance. And the best thing is it actually has a good story line with great characters.
May 12, 2021
For Kaiju fans, this blog is spot on!!! I loved it!
Anyone who's a lover of Godzilla, giant sea monsters, and other monstrous thrills will be completely in love with this book! I definitely recommend it to my like minded friends out there!
Anyone who's a lover of Godzilla, giant sea monsters, and other monstrous thrills will be completely in love with this book! I definitely recommend it to my like minded friends out there!
January 22, 2022
Kaiju!
Seriously, thats all I saw before I was sucked I to a fast paced sprint of giant creature fun! There was never a dull moment & the cast of characters keep it interesting.
Fingers crossed we get a sequel sometime soon!
Seriously, thats all I saw before I was sucked I to a fast paced sprint of giant creature fun! There was never a dull moment & the cast of characters keep it interesting.
Fingers crossed we get a sequel sometime soon!
June 4, 2024
Tough day one to rate, to be honest. Goofy even for kaiju genre, but still a quick and fun read.
Silly, but enjoyable enough that I genuinely hope there is a sequel.
This was a fun palate cleanser between more serious titles.
Silly, but enjoyable enough that I genuinely hope there is a sequel.
This was a fun palate cleanser between more serious titles.
May 11, 2021
Excellent
This was one of the best MONSTER books I’ve ever read.
The action is non stop and not everything is what it seems.
The characters are well developed and interesting!
This was one of the best MONSTER books I’ve ever read.
The action is non stop and not everything is what it seems.
The characters are well developed and interesting!
Read
June 20, 2021Good read
Characters well developed. Looking forward to the next tour of duty for this team. Hope to see more of them
Characters well developed. Looking forward to the next tour of duty for this team. Hope to see more of them
July 20, 2022
Review to come.
July 31, 2024
(Kaiju action/thriller)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 19, 2022
Awesome Read!!!
Great story and continually entertaining. Working on getting the next one. Looking forward to the next stories to read and enjoy.
Great story and continually entertaining. Working on getting the next one. Looking forward to the next stories to read and enjoy.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews