Submerged: The Labyrinth, Book 2

The Labyrinth #2

by Brian Keene

The Seven have won the first battle against the Thirteen, but it cost them one of their number. Now Frankie, Teddy, LeHorn, Tony, Bloom, and the Exit find themselves in the middle of a global superstorm on a flooded Earth, reunited with old friends and facing off against familiar threats, including the terrifying titanic might of Behemoth and Leviathan, and the machinations of Ob, Lord of the Siqqusim. In a fight that spans from a sodden landscape to the very heart of ancient R'lyeh, only one thing is certain. Even if they win, it will be at an unimaginable cost. The storm is here... and the end continues.

Continuing Brian Keene's magnum opus, featuring characters, locations, and situations from throughout his vast literary universe in a multi-volume epic saga that will thrill both new readers and long-time fans.

THE LABYRINTH Book Two -- It's raining again...

Genres: Horror

351 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 30, 2022

About the author

BRIAN KEENE writes novels, comic books, short fiction, and occasional journalism for money. He is the author of over forty books, mostly in the horror, crime, and dark fantasy genres. His 2003 novel, The Rising, is often credited (along with Robert Kirkman’s The Walking Dead comic and Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later film) with inspiring pop culture’s current interest in zombies. Keene’s novels have been translated into German, Spanish, Polish, Italian, French, Taiwanese, and many more. In addition to his own original work, Keene has written for media properties such as Doctor Who, Hellboy, Masters of the Universe, and Superman.

Several of Keene’s novels have been developed for film, including Ghoul, The Ties That Bind, and Fast Zombies Suck. Several more are in-development or under option. Keene also serves as Executive Producer for the independent film studio Drunken Tentacle Productions.

Keene also oversees Maelstrom, his own small press publishing imprint specializing in collectible limited editions, via Thunderstorm Books.

Keene’s work has been praised in such diverse places as The New York Times, The History Channel, The Howard Stern Show, CNN.com, Publisher’s Weekly, Media Bistro, Fangoria Magazine, and Rue Morgue Magazine. He has won numerous awards and honors, including the World Horror 2014 Grand Master Award, two Bram Stoker Awards, and a recognition from Whiteman A.F.B. (home of the B-2 Stealth Bomber) for his outreach to U.S. troops serving both overseas and abroad. A prolific public speaker, Keene has delivered talks at conventions, college campuses, theaters, and inside Central Intelligence Agency headquarters in Langley, VA.

The father of two sons, Keene lives in rural Pennsylvania.

Reviews

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Submerged is the second book in Keene's Labyrinth sequence, his self-described magnum opus. (Isn't he a little too young to have a magnum opus already? What if he writes something longer and better twenty years from now? And besides, when you hear magnum opus don't you picture a cartoon penguin with a champagne bottle in one flipper and a large pistol in the other? But I digress...) It's a very engaging and involved story of good against evil, and you're not always completely sure which is which. It's significantly longer than most of Keene's other work, and I believe the writing shows a higher degree of care and polish. If follows right on from the first book, The Seven, and I'd say it's necessary to have read it before this one. As Keene notes in a prefatory comment: "If you have not read the first book and are forging ahead with this one anyway, then you're basically watching The Empire Strikes Back without having seen Star Wars." I'd add that this one ends with more questions than answers, so I'm more than ready for the Jedi to return. Most of the characters are featured in earlier Keene books and stories, but that aspect is just one that enhances the story... You don't need to have read all of his work, just The Seven. He incorporates some playful Easter Eggs that are fun to pick out, too, such as on page 227 where he has characters named Chizmar, DeMatteis, and Giffen. It's obvious that he's having fun with the story and his enthusiasm for the work improves it. I've tried to avoid being at all spoilery here, but I'll say we have worms and clickers and zombies and levels. It's a grand and well-written story and deserves a wide audience. Oh, here's a line that provides one more clue: "Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu, R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn."

[Brennan LaFaro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brian Keene's multi-part magnum opus started off strong with The Seven, grabbing my attention and holding it for all 300 pages. In my review for that book I mentioned that Keene writes these books so that a reader could conceivably dive in without prior Keene knowledge, but while they may understand the basic beats, the scale and characterization will be lost. The same is true for Submerged.
We smile and maybe tear up when Teddy reunites with Sarah because we know what they've been through. We laugh at Tony's devil-may-care attitude because we know he can back it up. We shudder when The Exit threatens to do something unsettling because we know he's capable.
The action throughout is pulse-pounding and the stakes feel big. Keene does exactly what the second book in a series should do - pays off a few things raised in book one and sets up pins to be left standing when the last past is turned, right after a teaser for book three. What a ride to get where we are and I can't wait to see what happens next.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm enjoying the Labyrinth books. These are definitely aimed at readers who have read the back catalogue. If I hadn't, I would probably gave this book a lower rating based on just the story, but the wee nods and links and characters you know from previous books adds to the overall enjoyment.

[Noigeloverlord · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome to the Labyrinth we got Horror and Pain

Brian Keene is putting together his masterpiece and it's a page Turner that his fans have been waiting on for years. So far it has been well worth the wait and living up to my expectations which are high. I can't wait till book three!

[Victoria Timpanaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book two of the Labyrinth series is definitely the start of the middle, but that's ok. The stakes are raised, the heroes find new complications and allies, and we know it is only going to get harder. We have much more to go before we reach the end, but this book took a bite out of The Seven and they are changed by it forever.

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only a few authors who i finish in 1-2 sittings. I just want the rest. Compulsively readable.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Follow Up

The continuing saga of the Seven does not disappoint. It’s a great read with characters of the Rising and city of the dead