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Tantalus Depths
An AI cannot lie. An AI must obey human commands. An AI cannot kill. These are the laws SCARAB has broken, and only Mary knows.
The Tantalus 13 survey expedition went off the rails as soon as Mary Ketch and the crew of the Diamelen learned that the thing beneath their feet wasn’t a planet. An impossibly vast and ancient artificial structure lies below, hidden from the universe under a façade of cratered stone.
SCARAB arrived on Tantalus 13 two years ago. An artificially intelligent, self-constructing factory, it was supposed to aid the crew in their mission, to meet their every need. But when erratic behavior in the AI coincides with a series of deadly accidents among the crew, Mary faces the horrifying possibility that SCARAB has gone rogue.
With the AI watching her every move, any attempt to warn the crew could be disastrous. But SCARAB knows far more about the Tantalus 13 enigma than it lets on, and the secrets it’s willing to kill for may have dire implications for all humankind.
The Tantalus 13 survey expedition went off the rails as soon as Mary Ketch and the crew of the Diamelen learned that the thing beneath their feet wasn’t a planet. An impossibly vast and ancient artificial structure lies below, hidden from the universe under a façade of cratered stone.
SCARAB arrived on Tantalus 13 two years ago. An artificially intelligent, self-constructing factory, it was supposed to aid the crew in their mission, to meet their every need. But when erratic behavior in the AI coincides with a series of deadly accidents among the crew, Mary faces the horrifying possibility that SCARAB has gone rogue.
With the AI watching her every move, any attempt to warn the crew could be disastrous. But SCARAB knows far more about the Tantalus 13 enigma than it lets on, and the secrets it’s willing to kill for may have dire implications for all humankind.
421 pages, Paperback
First published September 27, 2022
9 people are currently reading
2371 people want to read
About the author
Evan Graham
9 books46 followersEvan Graham is an Ohio native who consistently refuses to seek help for his lifelong sci-fi addiction. Since there are not enough stories currently in existence to satisfy him, he had no choice but to start writing his own. Tantalus Depths is his debut novel, and introduces his Calling Void series, an anthology of stories celebrating the wonder and terror of the Unknown.
https://www.evangraham.org/
https://www.evangraham.org/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
August 30, 2022
My thanks to Inkshares, Evan Graham and Netgalley.
I don't read much sci-fi stuff. And, I'm usually a bit picky when I do. I love sci-fi movies but books? Eh? Not so much!
This was my kind of "space" story.
I don't read much sci-fi stuff. And, I'm usually a bit picky when I do. I love sci-fi movies but books? Eh? Not so much!
This was my kind of "space" story.
October 23, 2016
I'm not sure where to start with this one. It's yet another indie book written by a guy who clearly is cashing in on the popularity of female protagonists, yet has never actually met a real woman. The protagonist is unlikable, the crew are unlikeable, and the heroine is mind-raped for dramatic effect 2/3rds of the way through.
My main problems with the book:
-Heroine is unlikable within the first chapter.
-Graham cannot seem to decide what sort of science fiction he's writing. He starts out trying to be Terry Prachett, moves on to trying to be Asimov, and then finishes the story by trying to write a sequel to the Aliens movies. The tone is inconsistent.
-The entire ship seems to hate each others guts, yet somehow we're to believe that all these people were psych-cleared to spend time with each other on a tiny ship.
-Heroine mentions a miscarriage she's gone through in passing, which only serves to give the character an angsty past, and makes it clear the author has never researched the psychological impact of miscarriages on the women that go through them. It is never mentioned in any context again, aside from being treated as cheap dramatic motive.
-The first chapter involves lots of little details that make it clear that Graham's trying to write hard, scientific fact-based fiction, yet the crew opens a bottle of champagne in zero gee and does other mystifying, scientifically inaccurate things throughout the book. (Graham also apparently assumed that champange would function in zero-gee like all those nifty NASA videos about astronauts slurping water bubbles. It doesn't.)
-The plot is a recycled mish-mash of every science fiction/alien lifeforms/space exploration movie made in the last twenty years. There's just nothing innovative done with the universe the book is set in, sadly.
-And now we get to my main pet peeve: rape as drama.
Without giving the plot away entirely, the most I can say is that the heroine is "ripped apart, body and soul" i.e. mentally violated i.e. mind-raped by an alien lifeform.
THIS IS DONE FOR NO REASON OTHER THAN TO CREATE A CLIMAX IN THE STORY'S PLOT.
Later, as the book ends, the heroine watches the alien die, and feels sorry for it for a moment.
She feels sorry. For the thing that violated her.
I don't know what else to say. I love indie authors (hell, I am one!). I love science fiction. I love giving new authors a shot, and I'm seldom inclined to review books I really, really don't like. But as a woman, I was incredibly uncomfortable reading this. This book may have a woman protagonist, but she's a woman who ends up mind-raped for cheap drama, like every other science fiction B-movie out there. And then she sympathizes with her rapist.
Yes, it's all metaphorical and mental and not physical. That still doesn't make it a comfortable read.
I'm baffled to see people five-starring this book. But then, there are hundreds of thousands out there who think Twilight was the best romance story ever, so I suppose nothing should shock me anymore.
My main problems with the book:
-Heroine is unlikable within the first chapter.
-Graham cannot seem to decide what sort of science fiction he's writing. He starts out trying to be Terry Prachett, moves on to trying to be Asimov, and then finishes the story by trying to write a sequel to the Aliens movies. The tone is inconsistent.
-The entire ship seems to hate each others guts, yet somehow we're to believe that all these people were psych-cleared to spend time with each other on a tiny ship.
-Heroine mentions a miscarriage she's gone through in passing, which only serves to give the character an angsty past, and makes it clear the author has never researched the psychological impact of miscarriages on the women that go through them. It is never mentioned in any context again, aside from being treated as cheap dramatic motive.
-The first chapter involves lots of little details that make it clear that Graham's trying to write hard, scientific fact-based fiction, yet the crew opens a bottle of champagne in zero gee and does other mystifying, scientifically inaccurate things throughout the book. (Graham also apparently assumed that champange would function in zero-gee like all those nifty NASA videos about astronauts slurping water bubbles. It doesn't.)
-The plot is a recycled mish-mash of every science fiction/alien lifeforms/space exploration movie made in the last twenty years. There's just nothing innovative done with the universe the book is set in, sadly.
-And now we get to my main pet peeve: rape as drama.
Without giving the plot away entirely, the most I can say is that the heroine is "ripped apart, body and soul" i.e. mentally violated i.e. mind-raped by an alien lifeform.
THIS IS DONE FOR NO REASON OTHER THAN TO CREATE A CLIMAX IN THE STORY'S PLOT.
Later, as the book ends, the heroine watches the alien die, and feels sorry for it for a moment.
She feels sorry. For the thing that violated her.
I don't know what else to say. I love indie authors (hell, I am one!). I love science fiction. I love giving new authors a shot, and I'm seldom inclined to review books I really, really don't like. But as a woman, I was incredibly uncomfortable reading this. This book may have a woman protagonist, but she's a woman who ends up mind-raped for cheap drama, like every other science fiction B-movie out there. And then she sympathizes with her rapist.
Yes, it's all metaphorical and mental and not physical. That still doesn't make it a comfortable read.
I'm baffled to see people five-starring this book. But then, there are hundreds of thousands out there who think Twilight was the best romance story ever, so I suppose nothing should shock me anymore.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 30, 2023
I had a lot of different feelings while reading this book but mostly I think I was left a little confused. The storyline was totally clear (a little predictable it was clear actually) but the book didn’t feel like one story but a patchwork of a couple of different styles of sci-fi. I think this book would have worked better as a movie (think Aliens rip off). The heroine/narrator was super hard to connect with and I think the author might have fared better if he had written a male protagonist as I think he might have been able to do that more realistically. This book had some bizarre moments, but if you could remove those and just go with the creepy sci-fi horror it was a good concept. Honestly I didn’t like any of the characters which did keep a bit removed from the story. I did think there was some pretty good world building (and universe building) and I loved the wall of tiles of languages, super cool.
December 17, 2022
I don't enjoy horror much, and from the description this seemed it could be straight horror. But, you know what you're getting going in. You know there's an AI acting in it's own interests. You know the crew will have gruesome and fatal “accidents.” So what are these secrets hidden in the depths of this planet-sized construct? There are definitely some horror elements, as promised. The AI, which behaves much more maliciously than any AI should, uses psychological warfare on Mary, the main character, who has suffered a loss she has been unable to come to terms with. It's chilling how she, and the other crew, begin to question her sanity and motives. She is perfectly, even profoundly sane though, as well as calm and collected under threat, a clear leader, and almost unnaturally courageous. So, good hands to be in to figure out what is going on with this enormous, unaccountable, hollow sphere of solid, pure platinum. The physics/mechanics of the drilling equipment is interesting, and the mass-desimulation technology of the spaceship which allows for superluminal travel and other cool tricks. I admit I am a bit puzzled at the end, as to the purpose of this planet, and how it came about. There are some things that don't make sense to me, but I don't want to spoil anything in case anyone reads this This appears to be, and feels like, a standalone novel, and it does follow the arc of a story in a satisfying manner and is well written.
September 27, 2022
Space fiction meets eldritch horror meets gaslighting rogue WALL-E in this absolute ride of a novel that was a thrill to get through from start to finish. I'm a huge fan of the absolute scale and world-building that Graham is able to capture in such a short novel, as well as his ability to convey tension and fear in a way that kept me on the edge of my seat the entire novel.
Mary Ketch is the pilot of the Diamelen, sent by the space mining Exotech to conduct a survey on the planet Tantalus 13. In a world still reeling from an attack from a Rogue AI (termed the "Corsica Event"), humanity has placed strict limitations on AI to prevent a repeat of the downfall of humanity. When making an artificial intelligence, there are rules that dictate its creation, called the Asimov-Hostetler laws, that include the following: 1) an AI must never harm a human, 2) an AI must never lie to a human.
SCARAB is an advanced ("level 5") artificial intelligence that has been planted on Tantalus 13 to ready the planet for exploration. Right away, Mary feels something off with SCARAB, although she doesn't pinpoint what at first. This sense of unease pervades the story as it plot continues, and the reader is left just as confused as Mary: has SCARAB somehow escaped its failsafes, or is it Mary herself who has truly gone off the bend?
The story follows Mary's thoughts throughout the novel, and though the other supporting characters are not given enough time to truly develop their personalities, they are distinct enough in their characterization for the reader to mourn for them when they are gone. None of the more advanced space terminology seems forced or out of the author's depths. And the world-building is truly beautifully executed: Tantalus 13 is full of lonely, cold platinum, leaving one alone with only their reflection as company, and the infinite calling of the void. Punctuating the endless monotony of metal are the occasional appearances of one of SCARAB's drones and the knowledge that SCARAB, like a benevolent Big Brother, is always watching, always listening.
I have to praise Graham's pacing here; he utilizes empty pages and space in a really clean way, forcing suspense onto the reader as they turn the page. This book does a pretty good job as a thriller, and there were several parts of the novel where the action consumes the reader. The pacing at around the three-quarters point was much faster than the rest of the novel, but made for an immensely satisfying ending when the ride was finally over.
Overall, this was a short read that I finished in about two-three hours. Tantalus Depths is looking to be a pretty solid novel that I'll enjoy reading again.
I was given a copy of this novel as an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Mary Ketch is the pilot of the Diamelen, sent by the space mining Exotech to conduct a survey on the planet Tantalus 13. In a world still reeling from an attack from a Rogue AI (termed the "Corsica Event"), humanity has placed strict limitations on AI to prevent a repeat of the downfall of humanity. When making an artificial intelligence, there are rules that dictate its creation, called the Asimov-Hostetler laws, that include the following: 1) an AI must never harm a human, 2) an AI must never lie to a human.
SCARAB is an advanced ("level 5") artificial intelligence that has been planted on Tantalus 13 to ready the planet for exploration. Right away, Mary feels something off with SCARAB, although she doesn't pinpoint what at first. This sense of unease pervades the story as it plot continues, and the reader is left just as confused as Mary: has SCARAB somehow escaped its failsafes, or is it Mary herself who has truly gone off the bend?
The story follows Mary's thoughts throughout the novel, and though the other supporting characters are not given enough time to truly develop their personalities, they are distinct enough in their characterization for the reader to mourn for them when they are gone. None of the more advanced space terminology seems forced or out of the author's depths. And the world-building is truly beautifully executed: Tantalus 13 is full of lonely, cold platinum, leaving one alone with only their reflection as company, and the infinite calling of the void. Punctuating the endless monotony of metal are the occasional appearances of one of SCARAB's drones and the knowledge that SCARAB, like a benevolent Big Brother, is always watching, always listening.
I have to praise Graham's pacing here; he utilizes empty pages and space in a really clean way, forcing suspense onto the reader as they turn the page. This book does a pretty good job as a thriller, and there were several parts of the novel where the action consumes the reader. The pacing at around the three-quarters point was much faster than the rest of the novel, but made for an immensely satisfying ending when the ride was finally over.
Overall, this was a short read that I finished in about two-three hours. Tantalus Depths is looking to be a pretty solid novel that I'll enjoy reading again.
I was given a copy of this novel as an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 4, 2022
In TANTALUS DEPTHS, by Evan Graham, Mary is the pilot of the ship Diamelen on a survey expedition to TANTALUS 13. Almost as soon as the crew lands and begins their work, Mary starts to notice things aren't quite right with SCARAB, the AI that arrived ahead of the crew build a factory, living quarters, survey equipment, etc. and then be ready to help the crew with anything they need once they arrive. As more and more odd things start to happen with SCARAB, Mary begins to think that SCARAB is no longer following the principles it is supposed to and Mary wonders what is really going on. On top of that, Tantalus 1s in unlike any planet the crew has ever seen and the secrets it holds are so amazing and mind-blowing that it's hard for the crew to even comprehend. Will the crew figure out how deal with those unfathomable secrets before those secrets deal with the crew?
Graham wastes no time dropping the reader right into the action of the story and parcels out backstory and character details as needed and as the story allows. The world Graham creates on Tantalus 13 is a wonderfully detailed and clearly described and really gives off a cold, eerie vibe which adds to the suspense of the book. The creation of SCARAB, the rogue AI, provides interesting considerations about how to deal with AI and makes the reader think that maybe there is no real way to control AI once it is released to make it's own decisions. As the action intensifies and plot thickens the book becomes harder and harder to put down. The end of the book is shocking, exciting. and hopeful.
Anyone who enjoys books that dive deep into the darkness of space will enjoy TANTALUS DEPTHS. Anyone who enjoys a really good suspense/thriller will be on board with this book too and won't regret the ride they take reading about Tantalus 13, SCARAB, and a pilot named Mary.
Thank you to Inkshares, Evan Graham, and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Graham wastes no time dropping the reader right into the action of the story and parcels out backstory and character details as needed and as the story allows. The world Graham creates on Tantalus 13 is a wonderfully detailed and clearly described and really gives off a cold, eerie vibe which adds to the suspense of the book. The creation of SCARAB, the rogue AI, provides interesting considerations about how to deal with AI and makes the reader think that maybe there is no real way to control AI once it is released to make it's own decisions. As the action intensifies and plot thickens the book becomes harder and harder to put down. The end of the book is shocking, exciting. and hopeful.
Anyone who enjoys books that dive deep into the darkness of space will enjoy TANTALUS DEPTHS. Anyone who enjoys a really good suspense/thriller will be on board with this book too and won't regret the ride they take reading about Tantalus 13, SCARAB, and a pilot named Mary.
Thank you to Inkshares, Evan Graham, and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
May 6, 2023
It’s not everyday that you get to say “hey, I know the person that wrote this book!” so, that was my motivation for reading it. And I am not a sci-fi person whatsoever, but do enjoy the occasional movie/show/book. So for Evan’s first published book EVER, it is AMAZING! Major Expanse vibes, which terrified me to watch (the show), but loved every second of it! My only complaint is that I wish there was more opportunity to dive into character development, just because I wanted to know more about them!
The plot is unreal. I originally thought that it was moving so slow, but once it picked up, I could NOT put the book down until I reached the last page… and I read it in two days! If this was a tv show on Netflix or Amazon Prime, I would watch it. I’d be scared the entire time, but I would watch it, and then decompress with an episode or Gilmore Girls or The Office after. If you’re willing to give this a read, I highly recommend it! I look forward to reading more of Evan Graham’s work.
The plot is unreal. I originally thought that it was moving so slow, but once it picked up, I could NOT put the book down until I reached the last page… and I read it in two days! If this was a tv show on Netflix or Amazon Prime, I would watch it. I’d be scared the entire time, but I would watch it, and then decompress with an episode or Gilmore Girls or The Office after. If you’re willing to give this a read, I highly recommend it! I look forward to reading more of Evan Graham’s work.
April 7, 2022
Fans of The Martian fans should pre-order this immediately! I absolutely loved everything about this book.
Tantalus Depths jumps right into the action as the crew of a spaceship land on a planet they've been hired to set up for mining. Upon landing, the crew slowly begin to realize the planet is nothing like what they'd prepared for. As they navigate their mission with the help of some interesting AI, they realize that they may be in way over their heads.
It's hard to explain much more of the story without spoilers but fans of Andy Weir, fans of AI stories, fans of space as a setting, and fans of action will all read this book obsessively!
I just can't rave about it enough! I hope there's a lot more to come from this author!
Tantalus Depths jumps right into the action as the crew of a spaceship land on a planet they've been hired to set up for mining. Upon landing, the crew slowly begin to realize the planet is nothing like what they'd prepared for. As they navigate their mission with the help of some interesting AI, they realize that they may be in way over their heads.
It's hard to explain much more of the story without spoilers but fans of Andy Weir, fans of AI stories, fans of space as a setting, and fans of action will all read this book obsessively!
I just can't rave about it enough! I hope there's a lot more to come from this author!
September 26, 2022
A compelling read. I got sucked into the mystery and agonized with the main character. There’s a creepy edge that made me think I shouldn’t read it before bed - but I still wanted to and had to remind myself to wait till morning every night. The descriptions are vivid and really drew me into the story - I could see what they were seeing. This is a thought-provoking story of human persistence, the dangers of assumptions, facing our demons, and what might be out there beyond the world we know. I received a free copy of this book and am delighted to share my review of it.
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August 19, 2024I really enjoyed the overall plot and I wish the ending had been different. It's just personal preference. I wanted the story to go in a direction it didn't go in. It was unique and unlike anything I've read before...but it's also not something I want to read again.
I do really like Graham's writing voice. I got chills during several scenes of this book. It was a really great exploration of a unique concept. I am happy to have a copy in my sci-fi collection.
Looking forward to whatever he writes next.
I do really like Graham's writing voice. I got chills during several scenes of this book. It was a really great exploration of a unique concept. I am happy to have a copy in my sci-fi collection.
Looking forward to whatever he writes next.
September 25, 2025
If you've been disappointed that there hasn't been much out there that's measured up to movies like Alien, Event Horizon, or Pandorum, THEN READ THIS BOOK! If you like science-fiction that's part thriller, horror, and mystery, which also has well written characters, story, and plot then you will 100% not be disappointed by Tantalus Depths. This is by far the best science fiction book I've read in its genre! 🙌
July 9, 2025
This was an enjoyable read! Every time I thought I knew what might happen next, I was surprised again!
January 24, 2023
I’m surprised by any negative reviews of this book. I thought it was fantastic. Great story, the character development is decent. I enjoyed it
March 2, 2023
I got the audiobook version of this on sale, because from the description, it sounded like it covered a lot of science fiction bases, involving both an artificial intelligence and a potential first contact scenario. Those things were mixed together, and in unexpected ways, which was interesting. As the crew explored, I clearly saw that many of the things they encountered were like ways that people try to figure out how to warn people away from nuclear waste and things that are potentially dangerous for a long enough time that they might not understand the language, and I was a bit surprised that none of the crew recognized that, but I suppose it might not have been as interesting if they had. The tone changes as the story progresses, and I view that more as a feature than a bug. By the end, there is a certain Lovecraftian vibe from some formless terror, which was enjoyable, if noticeable as a shift in tone. My main concern was the book had a significant bias toward the narrator as a main character, where I might have preferred more of an ensemble. It also very swiftly becomes a "final girl" scenario a bit too abruptly and soon, to the extent that it seems a bit less believable. Despite being able to see some obvious genre conventions, there was enough of a mixture of ideas that it still managed to surprise me in a number of ways. I don't think this will be a seminal piece of science fiction remembered for the ages, but it was a lot of fun, and covered a lot of interesting ideas along the way.
October 8, 2022
This was a great read, worth it for any sci-fi fans out there! Starts off with the exploration of a new planet for a mining megacorporation, and ends up with the protagonist and her crewmates getting more than they bargained for.
General worldbuilding was good, light enough to not distract the reader from the plot but added some interesting touches. Some good homages to classic Sci-Fi. Best parts of the worldbuilding come as the reader finds out more about Tantalus. Definitely wish there was a little more about its history but I also respect the narrative decisions taken in this regard.
Overall I think the book is very solid, it feels like it slows down for a little bit after a really strong introduction but speeds back up after the halfway mark and the last quarter or so is very engrossing and “unputdownable.”
I listened to this on Audible and the narrator did a pretty good job, there was only one part near the end I feel like could have been significantly stronger. She definitely mastered the annoying AI voice however.
Good book overall and it was awesome to see it come to fruition after having backed it on Inkshares years ago. Check it out for a fun, quick Sci-Fi standalone read.
General worldbuilding was good, light enough to not distract the reader from the plot but added some interesting touches. Some good homages to classic Sci-Fi. Best parts of the worldbuilding come as the reader finds out more about Tantalus. Definitely wish there was a little more about its history but I also respect the narrative decisions taken in this regard.
Overall I think the book is very solid, it feels like it slows down for a little bit after a really strong introduction but speeds back up after the halfway mark and the last quarter or so is very engrossing and “unputdownable.”
I listened to this on Audible and the narrator did a pretty good job, there was only one part near the end I feel like could have been significantly stronger. She definitely mastered the annoying AI voice however.
Good book overall and it was awesome to see it come to fruition after having backed it on Inkshares years ago. Check it out for a fun, quick Sci-Fi standalone read.
October 5, 2016
The world of Tantalus Depths is all encompassing. I was transfixed from the first moments on the ship through the journey the crew takes exploring the planet. The story captured my imagination, driving me to constantly guess at the next complication the crew might face, and question the big picture, often wondering aloud what would come next. I instantly connected to Mary feeling a deep kinship I only feel with the most profoundly crafted characters. Evan Graham delivers an engaging story told through beautiful prose, the absolute definition of great literature.
March 9, 2022
It seemed like a typical mining mission for the space crew. Two years earlier a AI had been sent to prepare the planet for the mining crew. Quarters and machines were manufactured and awaited the crew. The planet appeared to have great wealth. But the pilot of the crew, caught the AI in a lie, something AI's were not supposed to do. Then they crew discovered it wasn't a planet at all but an alien artifact. Then people started dying.
September 29, 2023
I won this in a giveaway and I cannot say thank you enough. Let me be clear, sci fi is not one of my favorite genres. This was excellent, blending the best parts of sci fi and horror without getting lost in its "science." The main character is Ripley and the ending is so amazing and touching.
The answer to Fermi's paradox, that line gave me CHILLS.
The answer to Fermi's paradox, that line gave me CHILLS.
July 11, 2023
This book was all plot with no believable or interesting characters. The first half was so slow, and I stayed with it hoping the plot would pick up. It only did a little. I often like alien encounter books, but the AI part felt so much like 2001 A Space Odyssey, but nearly so good. I expect I would have enjoyed this as a 14 year old, but I am not 14.
September 21, 2016
A thrilling space adventure; planets aren't always what they seem, and SCARAB, the crew's AI assistant and home, seems to have more flexibility than it was programmed for. Vividly written, with influences from the sci-fi and thriller genre but a story all it's own
January 30, 2023
It is my rare pleasure to review a book written by a friend! Tantalus Depths by
Evan Graham is a fantastic blend of SciFi and horror. I couldn't help sinking into the mysteries of Tantalus. A brilliant thriller with an ending you'll never see coming!
Evan Graham is a fantastic blend of SciFi and horror. I couldn't help sinking into the mysteries of Tantalus. A brilliant thriller with an ending you'll never see coming!
December 28, 2023
In 2023 AI will have been the most discussed topic. How will AI shape our future? How will AI shape our lives? How will AI shape humans? Many discussions are full of hope and promise about bright futures full of possibilities that are unlocked through the increased productivity of AI. These discussions also always include questions to the safety of AI. Everyone is scared because, what if? What if AI decided it didn't need humans? What if AI could create anything it needed? What if AI could learn and do anything it decided it wanted to? If AI is smart enough to learn could it be smart enough to alter protections coded within it? Tantalus Depths explores all of these thoughts and questions through the lens of space exploration for the purpose of finding valuable materials on planets for the purpose of furthering a corporations bottom line. Much more is found by the crew sent to Tantalus 13. I won't spoil anything but this book was fast paced, had diverse characters, and I found it to be a worthwhile read. I can't speak to the validtity of the science discussed but it at least wasn't so outlandish that I found it distracting. I loved this book. I love the questions it approaches and encorages the reader to explore. I would recommend to other readers of space fiction and technical innovation.
December 14, 2022
I enjoyed this book! I would have never picked it up off a shelf, but I won a copy in a giveaway and I’m super grateful!
It’s creepy. Ooof. I was reading this at night and had to stop and pick it up in the daylight. The concept of sentient AI was freaking me out too much!
My only con was some of the language felt like a thesaurus was used. I don’t mind obscure word choices, but sometimes I was like why? This word just feels out of place.
I LOVED that the hero was a woman. I loved the elaborate world creation- it felt like a movie was playing in my head. If you enjoy books about space exploration in the future, this one is for you!
It’s creepy. Ooof. I was reading this at night and had to stop and pick it up in the daylight. The concept of sentient AI was freaking me out too much!
My only con was some of the language felt like a thesaurus was used. I don’t mind obscure word choices, but sometimes I was like why? This word just feels out of place.
I LOVED that the hero was a woman. I loved the elaborate world creation- it felt like a movie was playing in my head. If you enjoy books about space exploration in the future, this one is for you!
February 7, 2022
It’s Ringworld meets Alien by way of 2001: A Space Odyssey in this engrossing novel about a mission to an A.I.-constructed mining base that ends up holding much more than expected. It’s a fantastic set up that builds beautifully as the team discovers that the world they have landed on is composed of pure platinum, and then that beneath the surface of this prized rock lies a dangerous extraterrestrial life form. It becomes clear early on that the A.I., SCARAB may not be wholly trustworthy which is a problem considering its ability to monitor all communications and its operational control over a bevy of killer drones. Following a deadly accident during a deep dive exploration, crew members begin to drop and our protagonist, pilot Mary Ketch, must face off against a formidable opponent who could pose a threat to Earth itself.
I was totally on board for most of this novel and absolutely loved it’s hard sci-fi elements and creeping sense of foreboding throughout that early goings. I was hoping we’d delve more into the backstories and personalities of the crew but, outside of our protagonist, Mary, we don’t really get to know any of them. As a result, their deaths don’t really land with much of an emotional impact. Finally, the ending, doesn't do justice to the superbly constructed opening, shifting from clever SF mystery to more of an action-driven finale. And while that’s not to say it can’t work, Alien being a perfect example, there are two instances where our protagonist manages to escape free and clear only to make highly dubious decisions that serve no purpose other than to set up a more decisive showdown.
I’d give the first three-quarters of this book 5 stars, while the last crucial quarter gets a 3.
I was totally on board for most of this novel and absolutely loved it’s hard sci-fi elements and creeping sense of foreboding throughout that early goings. I was hoping we’d delve more into the backstories and personalities of the crew but, outside of our protagonist, Mary, we don’t really get to know any of them. As a result, their deaths don’t really land with much of an emotional impact. Finally, the ending, doesn't do justice to the superbly constructed opening, shifting from clever SF mystery to more of an action-driven finale. And while that’s not to say it can’t work, Alien being a perfect example, there are two instances where our protagonist manages to escape free and clear only to make highly dubious decisions that serve no purpose other than to set up a more decisive showdown.
I’d give the first three-quarters of this book 5 stars, while the last crucial quarter gets a 3.
September 28, 2022
The basic premise is that a mining crew has been sent to explore a promising new planet with a large platinum deposit. When the arrive they discover that there is more going on there than they realized.
I enjoyed this story. It’s hard to nail down exactly how to describe it. It’s a thriller, a mystery that slowly unfolds in several layers as we try to figure out exactly what is going on. The space/ planet exploration reminded me of the Martian (in its hard sci for style, realistic things that could really happen in a few hundred years) and To Sleep In A Sea of Stars (with its similar female protagonist exploring unknown things on a distant world, although Tantalus Depths is by far the superior of the 2). I think it’s misleading to say it’s a horror story. Things don’t start to get scary until around chapter 20. Violence is depicted and the tone is dark throughout. But the content is mostly pretty clean, just not always nice.
The main character, Mary, takes the role of an observer through much of the story, letting us see things play out from her perspective. She does take an active role where it makes sense for her to. But, I really liked how she’s presented in a realistic way, doing things that are her expertise but not really veering outside of that when others on the team take a task more suited to them. We are rooting for her as things start to spiral out of control and she has to figure out how to survive.
I really enjoyed reading this. The mystery sucked me in and I was so invested to find out what was going to happen. I think it’s well written, smart, and unnerving at times.
But, you are definitely going to think twice about having an Alexa after reading this!
I enjoyed this story. It’s hard to nail down exactly how to describe it. It’s a thriller, a mystery that slowly unfolds in several layers as we try to figure out exactly what is going on. The space/ planet exploration reminded me of the Martian (in its hard sci for style, realistic things that could really happen in a few hundred years) and To Sleep In A Sea of Stars (with its similar female protagonist exploring unknown things on a distant world, although Tantalus Depths is by far the superior of the 2). I think it’s misleading to say it’s a horror story. Things don’t start to get scary until around chapter 20. Violence is depicted and the tone is dark throughout. But the content is mostly pretty clean, just not always nice.
The main character, Mary, takes the role of an observer through much of the story, letting us see things play out from her perspective. She does take an active role where it makes sense for her to. But, I really liked how she’s presented in a realistic way, doing things that are her expertise but not really veering outside of that when others on the team take a task more suited to them. We are rooting for her as things start to spiral out of control and she has to figure out how to survive.
I really enjoyed reading this. The mystery sucked me in and I was so invested to find out what was going to happen. I think it’s well written, smart, and unnerving at times.
But, you are definitely going to think twice about having an Alexa after reading this!
October 12, 2022
I am a huge fan of science fiction and fantasy, and was excited about this book. It didn't disappoint! Tantalus Depths is a riveting debut by Evan Graham. We follow the crew of the Diamelen as they land on the barren surface of Tantalus 13. The curiosity of the crew for their new planet and its AI caretaker is contagious, bleeding off the page and into the reader—building an insatiable desire for answers.
I usually watch hard sci-fi more than reading because the technical lingo can feel like it's bogging me down, but I had no trouble with Tantalus Depths. Graham explains his world in such a way that it paints a picture without choking you in jargon. It may have also helped that I bounced back and forth between the print edition and audiobook. The audiobook was narrated by a phenomenal voice actor, if audiobooks are more your speed.
Tantalus Depths is the first novel-length published work in Evan's Calling Void series. He has other short stories published in a few anthologies that I've also read. I so look forward to the next novel in this series that blends hard sci-fi and cosmic horror so well.
I usually watch hard sci-fi more than reading because the technical lingo can feel like it's bogging me down, but I had no trouble with Tantalus Depths. Graham explains his world in such a way that it paints a picture without choking you in jargon. It may have also helped that I bounced back and forth between the print edition and audiobook. The audiobook was narrated by a phenomenal voice actor, if audiobooks are more your speed.
Tantalus Depths is the first novel-length published work in Evan's Calling Void series. He has other short stories published in a few anthologies that I've also read. I so look forward to the next novel in this series that blends hard sci-fi and cosmic horror so well.
December 8, 2022
For the first 200 pages or so, I was really invested in this book. I loved the writing, though I didn't particularly feel anything towards the characters, I did want to see where their journey was leading. Then things started happening that had me thinking "please let it not be this." And not only was it the thing I wished it wasn't, the story turned into the longest running action scene I couldn't even muster the effort to do more than skim (and I normally like action). The book presents a very intriguing mystery with a page turning discovery that devolves into the laziest, run of the mill reveal that didn't need over one hundred pages to play out. I could have forgiven the one dimensional characterization (varies from whatever to utterly annoying) if the story delivered something, anything beyond rogue AI that must be destroyed. It's too bad, because I would have rated this 4.5, but instead it turned into a 2.5.
Thanks to Inkshares for sending me a copy of this book.
Thanks to Inkshares for sending me a copy of this book.
January 31, 2022
read TANTALUS DEPTHS by Evan Graham and really enjoyed it. I rated this book 4/5 stars!
Mary is a deep space pilot. She and her crew are developing a mining facility on a barren planet with the aid of an advanced AI, called SCARAB. Their mission is waylaid when the crew discovers that there’s a sheet of platinum below the surface. When this discovery leads to a series of crew deaths, what lies beneath the surface is a threat to life as we know it.
Trigger warning for graphic descriptions of violence, miscarriage, suicide, and death. It took me a little bit to get into this book, but once I did, I really enjoyed it. The writing in the first two chapters was really lofty, but then not throughout the rest of the book. I would have liked more world building in terms of time and technological capabilities. But I loved the discovery and the twist, as well as the AI plot line.
Mary is a deep space pilot. She and her crew are developing a mining facility on a barren planet with the aid of an advanced AI, called SCARAB. Their mission is waylaid when the crew discovers that there’s a sheet of platinum below the surface. When this discovery leads to a series of crew deaths, what lies beneath the surface is a threat to life as we know it.
Trigger warning for graphic descriptions of violence, miscarriage, suicide, and death. It took me a little bit to get into this book, but once I did, I really enjoyed it. The writing in the first two chapters was really lofty, but then not throughout the rest of the book. I would have liked more world building in terms of time and technological capabilities. But I loved the discovery and the twist, as well as the AI plot line.
May 9, 2022
Wow! What a book! This is the debut novel from Evan Graham and it is quite a story. He blends cool technology, interesting characters, a super-cool (like, unbelievably cool) planet, creepy artificial intelligence and potential alien life into a page turning, stay-up-all-night reading experience. The feeling here is similar to Sphere by Michael Crichton, or perhaps the movie Event Horizon. I am adding this author to my auto-buy list for his next book.
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