What do you think?
The Land Below #2
The Sea Below
The adventurers from THE LAND BELOW return to the cavern under the Austrian Alps.
At first it is a rescue mission, but soon Danny, Stefan, Ed and Elsa find themselves in a fight for survival.
A perilous journey across an underground sea brings them to a lost island and fresh adventures, but their attempts to return to the surface only serve to make their situation worse.
Now they must flee for their lives, with all the denizens of that strange island at their heels.
At first it is a rescue mission, but soon Danny, Stefan, Ed and Elsa find themselves in a fight for survival.
A perilous journey across an underground sea brings them to a lost island and fresh adventures, but their attempts to return to the surface only serve to make their situation worse.
Now they must flee for their lives, with all the denizens of that strange island at their heels.
143 pages, Paperback
First published May 19, 2021
About the author
William Meikle
506 books1,854 followersI'm a Scottish writer, now living in Canada, with more than thirty novels published in the genre press and over 300 short story credits in thirteen countries.
My work has appeared in a number of professional anthologies and I have recent short story sales to NATURE Futures and Galaxy's Edge. When I'm not writing I play guitar, drink beer and dream of fortune and glory.
For an intro to me, my writing and my accent see my Youtube channel
My work has appeared in a number of professional anthologies and I have recent short story sales to NATURE Futures and Galaxy's Edge. When I'm not writing I play guitar, drink beer and dream of fortune and glory.
For an intro to me, my writing and my accent see my Youtube channel
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
November 10, 2024
This is a fast-paced horror adventure and the sequel to The Land Below.
The story starts with Danny, a retired soldier and hero of the previous story, answering a distress call from his friend the shepherd Stefan, whose companion Ed, the prime mover of the previous book, has gone missing during a dangerous underground expedition in the cave. Ed had returned to search for the treasure that they had missed bringing back last time with better equipment considering the terrain and fauna but became stranded after flooding trapped them in a vast underground cavern. Danny, Stefan, and Elsa the dog descend into the cave to rescue them, but the group quickly finds themselves battling monstrous creatures and navigating an eerie, unexplored world filled with dangers, including underwater monsters, hostile baboon-like beings, and signs of an ancient, intelligent civilization. As they attempt to cross an underground sea to find an exit, they are faced with new threats at every turn. The book is an action-packed, spooky tale with a mix of adventure and mystery, though the ending leaves some questions unanswered, promising a continuation in the next installment. Readers will enjoy the fast-paced narrative and William Meikle's ability to blend various genres, offering a thrilling experience from start to finish.
Overall the story was a trifle lower than the previous book but Meikle's developing the land below the caves and the world building convinced me that this story belongs.
The length of these books are its strength, short reads finishes quite fast.
The story starts with Danny, a retired soldier and hero of the previous story, answering a distress call from his friend the shepherd Stefan, whose companion Ed, the prime mover of the previous book, has gone missing during a dangerous underground expedition in the cave. Ed had returned to search for the treasure that they had missed bringing back last time with better equipment considering the terrain and fauna but became stranded after flooding trapped them in a vast underground cavern. Danny, Stefan, and Elsa the dog descend into the cave to rescue them, but the group quickly finds themselves battling monstrous creatures and navigating an eerie, unexplored world filled with dangers, including underwater monsters, hostile baboon-like beings, and signs of an ancient, intelligent civilization. As they attempt to cross an underground sea to find an exit, they are faced with new threats at every turn. The book is an action-packed, spooky tale with a mix of adventure and mystery, though the ending leaves some questions unanswered, promising a continuation in the next installment. Readers will enjoy the fast-paced narrative and William Meikle's ability to blend various genres, offering a thrilling experience from start to finish.
Overall the story was a trifle lower than the previous book but Meikle's developing the land below the caves and the world building convinced me that this story belongs.
The length of these books are its strength, short reads finishes quite fast.
February 18, 2024
Book 1: 3 stars
Book 2: 3 stars (this one)
Book 3: 4 stars
I did not like the author's style that much, but the series kept me going, and i finished all 3 books.
It was an interesting series of short books.
Book 2: 3 stars (this one)
Book 3: 4 stars
I did not like the author's style that much, but the series kept me going, and i finished all 3 books.
It was an interesting series of short books.
November 25, 2022
Entertaining fantasy listening 🎶🔰
Another will written fantasy world 🌎 horror paranormal adventure thriller short story by William Meikle (The Land Below book 2). Five men leave too explore the land below. One man 🚹 dies on the in land sea to a very large fish 🐟. Another dies too the baboons. With three left they find the city below continued in book three. I would recommend this novella to readers of fantasy haunting novels 👍🔰. Enjoy the adventure of reading or listening to books 📚. 2022 😮☺🐕🐇
Another will written fantasy world 🌎 horror paranormal adventure thriller short story by William Meikle (The Land Below book 2). Five men leave too explore the land below. One man 🚹 dies on the in land sea to a very large fish 🐟. Another dies too the baboons. With three left they find the city below continued in book three. I would recommend this novella to readers of fantasy haunting novels 👍🔰. Enjoy the adventure of reading or listening to books 📚. 2022 😮☺🐕🐇
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 15, 2022
Middling
Not as good as the first book. One particular character is getting annoying. I'm not really sure what they r looking for at this point. I will finish the third book and hope it's a little more exciting. At least this looks like the adventure just continues instead of them just going back to get more people killed. Let's see how this ends.
Not as good as the first book. One particular character is getting annoying. I'm not really sure what they r looking for at this point. I will finish the third book and hope it's a little more exciting. At least this looks like the adventure just continues instead of them just going back to get more people killed. Let's see how this ends.
June 1, 2023
Okay I liked the first book better.
August 17, 2021
When Danny received Stefan’s missive – that their mutual friend Ed had gone back underground to the caverns and other world they had recently discovered in an old caving site – Danny doesn’t hesitate. With little money to his name and even less reason to stay in London, Danny decides to go and offer whatever help his friends could use from an old soldier. Even though his dreams were still shadowed from his previous experience, Danny has no real idea of what’s in store for them all.
I really enjoyed this short story and feel it’s an excellent, quick read for those looking for an old school action/adventure with a bit of mystery and horror thrown in for good measure. While this is a sequel to The Land Below, readers should be reassured that they absolutely don’t have to have read that first installment to really enjoy this story. Even better, half the first few chapters aren’t spent re-hashing the previous book. While there isn’t much time spent describing Danny’s journey to the cave site, nor their descent down into the underground world the story is set in, I feel this time the story really reaps the rewards of having all it’s action centered fully on the caves, monsters and adventure the men have below ground. While the book is a self-contained adventure, there is not a traditional style of “happily ever after” ending. I don’t particularly mind this with mystery and adventure books, and I certainly don’t feel like the ending is a cliff-hanger or without suitable resolution, but I do feel readers should be aware the ending isn’t a traditional tying up of all the loose ends.
William Meikle – in my opinion – is an exemplary storyteller when it comes to short, action-paced and spooky stories. His writing style really flourishes in this sense and I feel he manages with true skill to straddle a number of genres. While not horror in a traditional sense, his story has monsters and things going bump in the dark. The action is there from virtually the first page and the pace is fast and I feel it really draws the reader along at a breakneck pace. I also really enjoy how he skillfully weaves the story so it’s impossible to tell what sort of period/year these two stories are set in. There are lamps, boats, trains and pulleys, engineering feats so it doesn’t feel “really” old – but the lack of computers and phones also indicates it’s not necessarily the modern world as we know it. Then again, phones and computers won’t work so deeply underground, so given the story’s setting this lack of modern technology indicating an older time period is seriously debatable. Underground caves in the middle of the isolated countryside don’t lend the story to the internet, wifi reception or satellite coverage. While I can’t quite figure this is a truly contemporary time period, I feel this story really can’t be slotted into a historical setting either – but more a vague, hazy “in between” type of time of not right now but neither in the distant past. And oddly, I enjoy the fact this story doesn’t give answers to every question that the reader will come up with. Some things are left to the readers own imagination – and isn’t that the point of reading, really?
Readers looking for an intense, fun and slightly scary monster/adventure/treasure hunt style of story should not find themselves disappointed with this. I thoroughly enjoyed reading every word and I know there will be a number of happy re-reads of this to come. Recommended.
I really enjoyed this short story and feel it’s an excellent, quick read for those looking for an old school action/adventure with a bit of mystery and horror thrown in for good measure. While this is a sequel to The Land Below, readers should be reassured that they absolutely don’t have to have read that first installment to really enjoy this story. Even better, half the first few chapters aren’t spent re-hashing the previous book. While there isn’t much time spent describing Danny’s journey to the cave site, nor their descent down into the underground world the story is set in, I feel this time the story really reaps the rewards of having all it’s action centered fully on the caves, monsters and adventure the men have below ground. While the book is a self-contained adventure, there is not a traditional style of “happily ever after” ending. I don’t particularly mind this with mystery and adventure books, and I certainly don’t feel like the ending is a cliff-hanger or without suitable resolution, but I do feel readers should be aware the ending isn’t a traditional tying up of all the loose ends.
William Meikle – in my opinion – is an exemplary storyteller when it comes to short, action-paced and spooky stories. His writing style really flourishes in this sense and I feel he manages with true skill to straddle a number of genres. While not horror in a traditional sense, his story has monsters and things going bump in the dark. The action is there from virtually the first page and the pace is fast and I feel it really draws the reader along at a breakneck pace. I also really enjoy how he skillfully weaves the story so it’s impossible to tell what sort of period/year these two stories are set in. There are lamps, boats, trains and pulleys, engineering feats so it doesn’t feel “really” old – but the lack of computers and phones also indicates it’s not necessarily the modern world as we know it. Then again, phones and computers won’t work so deeply underground, so given the story’s setting this lack of modern technology indicating an older time period is seriously debatable. Underground caves in the middle of the isolated countryside don’t lend the story to the internet, wifi reception or satellite coverage. While I can’t quite figure this is a truly contemporary time period, I feel this story really can’t be slotted into a historical setting either – but more a vague, hazy “in between” type of time of not right now but neither in the distant past. And oddly, I enjoy the fact this story doesn’t give answers to every question that the reader will come up with. Some things are left to the readers own imagination – and isn’t that the point of reading, really?
Readers looking for an intense, fun and slightly scary monster/adventure/treasure hunt style of story should not find themselves disappointed with this. I thoroughly enjoyed reading every word and I know there will be a number of happy re-reads of this to come. Recommended.
July 28, 2021
William Meikle’s horror adventure The Sea Below is the sequel to his The Land Below. In that book, two men wanted to search for a treasure supposed to be underground. They hired a “bodyguard,” who was retired military man Danny, and local shepherd Stefan (along with his German Shepherd Elsa) decided to come with them to help out. That expedition didn’t end well–one of the two men died, and they couldn’t bring the treasure home. Now the remaining man, Ed, has decided to go back to the same underground area they were in before. He brought better supplies and equipment, as well as a couple of helpers. When he didn’t come back after a couple of days, Stefan sent word to Danny that he needed his help to find them. Thanks to the equipment Ed brought, they’re able to quickly make their way through the underground tunnels–only to find themselves stranded by flooding. But at least they found Ed! Since they can’t find a way back out, they all set off across an underground sea to look for another exit. Unfortunately for them, the huge cavern they’re in has quite a few dangerous inhabitants! There are underwater monsters, vicious baboon-like creatures, and giant bats, just to start with–and there are signs that the cavern once was home to intelligent life.
I’m having a little bit of difficulty with some of the types of lifeforms that are present in that cavern. While there’s apparently vegetation to act as food for relevant parts of the ecosystem, I’m not quite sure how it all works out without sunlight and photosynthesis. I’m not sure why this is bothering me when I don’t seem to have a problem with six-limbed pale baboons, but well, the mind does what the mind does.
Some of the dangers surprised me, which was fun. But unfortunately the book ends in the middle of the story. Luckily the book does say that the adventure will be continued in the next book. I will certainly look forward to seeing how that next installment continues the tale!
Original review posted on my blog: https://www.errantdreams.com/2021/07/...
I’m having a little bit of difficulty with some of the types of lifeforms that are present in that cavern. While there’s apparently vegetation to act as food for relevant parts of the ecosystem, I’m not quite sure how it all works out without sunlight and photosynthesis. I’m not sure why this is bothering me when I don’t seem to have a problem with six-limbed pale baboons, but well, the mind does what the mind does.
Some of the dangers surprised me, which was fun. But unfortunately the book ends in the middle of the story. Luckily the book does say that the adventure will be continued in the next book. I will certainly look forward to seeing how that next installment continues the tale!
Original review posted on my blog: https://www.errantdreams.com/2021/07/...
May 23, 2021
To venture forth once more.
Danny is contacted by Stefan, once more Ed has gone down into the underground. By moving the position of the waterfall Ed made the descent easy, but it meant it couldn't be used to come back. Ed and his two companions are surprised to see the old soldier and the spherd and his dog. They are building rafts to traverse the underground sea and hopefully find a way home.
It seems Ed's luck runs true to form both on open water and on the island where they end up. With more of the six-legged creatures to watch out for and to eat. Food and water are the immediate necessity of the group.
An exciting sequel to be read.
Danny is contacted by Stefan, once more Ed has gone down into the underground. By moving the position of the waterfall Ed made the descent easy, but it meant it couldn't be used to come back. Ed and his two companions are surprised to see the old soldier and the spherd and his dog. They are building rafts to traverse the underground sea and hopefully find a way home.
It seems Ed's luck runs true to form both on open water and on the island where they end up. With more of the six-legged creatures to watch out for and to eat. Food and water are the immediate necessity of the group.
An exciting sequel to be read.
May 24, 2021
A Rousing Adventure
Though disappointed the story is not complete in itself (we have to wait for the sequel) once again we are treated to a pulp adventure that entertains and delights. Filled with old friends, new vistas, and new monsters, we will now have to wait for the end of the adventure.
Though disappointed the story is not complete in itself (we have to wait for the sequel) once again we are treated to a pulp adventure that entertains and delights. Filled with old friends, new vistas, and new monsters, we will now have to wait for the end of the adventure.
September 23, 2026
An enjoyable enough Lost World-style book, but as the second in a trilogy I’d expect it to advance the plot a little, rather than consist of a group of guys running from one crisis to another. It just stops at the end too, and due to the length of the book, I’d have expected Mr. Meikle to have just released the two as a full-length novel. Nevermind, I’m still interested in where it’s going!
July 4, 2021
Danny, Stefan and Elsa again find themselves lost under ground, as they go looking for Ed, who is leading another team. After an unfortunate crossing of the underworld sea, the four are left desperately trying to get home. Good book, that moves at a nice pace.
July 31, 2021
Another Good Read
Giving the FLAT EARTHERS & HOLLOW EARTH
Loons a Bit of Competition. Great little Follow up to the Previous Book , love the Hollow Earth Lost Cities genre With Villainous Beasties .
Giving the FLAT EARTHERS & HOLLOW EARTH
Loons a Bit of Competition. Great little Follow up to the Previous Book , love the Hollow Earth Lost Cities genre With Villainous Beasties .
December 24, 2021
Great story
These books drew me in like the smell of good food to a starving soul. What an adventure our friends are on. Lots of action and suspense. I recommend reading this book to anyone who loves adventure.
These books drew me in like the smell of good food to a starving soul. What an adventure our friends are on. Lots of action and suspense. I recommend reading this book to anyone who loves adventure.
February 26, 2022
Simple yet solid
I liked this one a little better than the first. More detail is given describing the underground world and you are introduced to some more creatures. Overall another easy but fun read. Can't wait to see how it ends
I liked this one a little better than the first. More detail is given describing the underground world and you are introduced to some more creatures. Overall another easy but fun read. Can't wait to see how it ends
May 24, 2021
Can't wait for the next part
I love these stories they really grab you and take you with them, I can not wait for the next installment
I love these stories they really grab you and take you with them, I can not wait for the next installment
June 29, 2021
A rollicking good adventure! Looking forward to reading the next installment.
July 15, 2021
The Way in which William Meikle describes the scenes allows the reader to easily visualize the story as it unfolds. Excellent work!
December 14, 2021
Great Read
I’m glad I found this series, has been very entertaining. If you like Journey To The Centre Of The Earth then you will enjoy these books.
I’m glad I found this series, has been very entertaining. If you like Journey To The Centre Of The Earth then you will enjoy these books.
December 26, 2021
Decent Story
A very decent story. Not a huge amount of excitement but interesting enough to read the next book in the series.
A very decent story. Not a huge amount of excitement but interesting enough to read the next book in the series.
December 27, 2021
Gluttons for punishment or more the fact to save the fool who deems it so. Short and sweet, and nice read for an afternoon.
May 2, 2023
A strong second book in the series
For a full review, please go to https://areviewerdarkly.blogspot.com/... and follow me on Twitter @josenher
For a full review, please go to https://areviewerdarkly.blogspot.com/... and follow me on Twitter @josenher
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews