Nightmares and Dreamscapes discussion

Hey all!! Terry and I will be starting this buddy read for From Below by Darcy Coates on Monday, October 24th.
Please join if you would like!

Ginger wrote: "Hey all!! Terry and I will be starting this buddy read for From Below by Darcy Coates on Monday, October 24th.
Please join if you would like!"

I might join if I can squeeze it in - I have been wanting to read this book from Darcy for awhile. I might have to push a book or two to the side of the road! LOL

Marie wrote: "I might join if I can ..."

I hope you can Marie!!
I feel the same. I have wanted to read this one for awhile and hope it’s great.

Looking forward to it too!

Terry wrote: "Looking forward to it too!"

Me too!

I am backing off of this you two as I just have way too much going on with books at the moment. Sorry you all. I thought I could squeeze it in but I am behind on a buddy read from last week that I didn't even start yet.

Aww, no worries Marie. Don’t get yourself overbooked!

No worries Marie! I totally understand on having too many books or responsibilities going on at the same time.
My in-laws just left yesterday so this has been the first time that I’ve jumped on Goodreads in days much less get a chance to read!

I think HA group was voting on this one for a group read next month so the timing might work better then?

Terry - I’m still good to start this tomorrow. More then likely I’ll read a bit slow this week just due to reading other books at the moment and trying to catch up.
The last two weeks have been nuts with all the “extra” going on! 😂🤣

Sounds good. I will start today as well. I'll be slow at first also since I have so many books going, so I'm thinking around 30 pages/day is what I'll be to start.

Terry wrote: "Sounds good. I will start today as well. I'll be slow at first also since I have so many books going, so I'm thinking around 30 pages/day is what I'll be to start."

Perfect!! I'm happy to hear that we're both on the same slow turtle speed with this. hahaha

Definitely. I made it up to ch6. I like the early mystery already. Very interesting.

Terry wrote: "Definitely. I made it up to ch6. I like the early mystery already. Very interesting."

Awesome! Glad to hear it's starting off well. Looking forward to reading this later tonight.

I'm really glad we decided to read this one! I got to the beginning of chapter 10 last night. I love how Coates makes me question all the characters motives right off the bat! haha

Ginger wrote: "I think HA group was voting on this one for a group read next month so the timing might work better then?..."

It did win as runner up in the HA group so I will be jumping in to read it. When I read it there I will add some thoughts over here on this thread too. :)

Marie wrote: "It did win as runner up in the HA group so I will be jumping in to read it. When I read it there I will add some thoughts over here on this thread too. :)"

Awesome Marie!!

Ginger wrote: "I'm really glad we decided to read this one! I got to the beginning of chapter 10 last night. I love how Coates makes me question all the characters motives right off the bat! haha"

Definitely, I agree! It has such an ominous feel to it. I'm expecting something to happen all of the time. I'm just up to ch14.

Waiting for my copy to arrive, hopefully soon. Still have some other books to finish so I can start this.

I've just made it up to ch21. (view spoiler)[ how creepy is it that there was a corpse under the bed that was reaching for Hestie that was only caught on the rear-facing camera, and she had no idea!! Very good. (hide spoiler)]

Terry wrote: "I've just made it up to ch21. [spoilers removed]"

Yes!! That creeped me out when (view spoiler)[he’s watching that on screen. In fact, this whole ship and trying to figure out what’s in the walls is creeping me out. LOL

The scuba diving part of this book makes the reader feel like you’re floating through this ship, you’re isolated, you can’t see anything and the ship has a sinister feeling to it. Like anything can jump out at you at any point! The creep factor is awesome in this one! 😂🤣 (hide spoiler)]

I got to the beginning of Chapter 23. Looks like we’re up for round two with diving!

Ginger wrote: "Terry wrote: "I've just made it up to ch21. [spoilers removed]"

Yes!! That creeped me out when ..."

Absolutely! The setting is perfect. (view spoiler)[ I've never been diving before myself, but I can imagine the feelings being described and how overpowering that must be. (hide spoiler)]

I made it to ch27. This dive (view spoiler)[ is even more intense than the last one! The very last part of ch23 is awesome! Couldn't be scarier than thinking that something has grabbed your foot in that scenario. (hide spoiler)]

Terry wrote: "I made it to ch27. This dive [spoilers removed]"

I was like Aidan when that all happened. (view spoiler)[I would have freaked so bad and I don't buy the "his foot was stuck in the cargo hold". Ha! I think something really did grab his foot.

And I can't get a hold on Vanna's character. I don't think she's bad but the writer is making it seem like the character needs to be watched. It's almost like a slight of hand with her and we're not paying attention to the thing that's actually cutting the dive rope and grabbing ankles! (hide spoiler)] hahaha

I got to the beginning of Chapter 28 last night. Holy sh!t.
(view spoiler)[How freaky is it that they found a body in the wall! And how many bodies will Fitz find? LOL
Is this ship haunted with all the dead bodies in the walls and it's making everyone crazy? (hide spoiler)]
Can't wait to find out!

Ginger wrote: "Terry wrote: "I made it to ch27. This dive [spoilers removed]"

I was like Aidan when that all happened. I ..."

I think I would have freaked worse than Aiden did if that were me! I can think of few things scarier than that moment in that situation. And I agree - (view spoiler)[ I don't think it was a rope either. (hide spoiler)]

Yeah, definitely (view spoiler)[ would be a crazy thing to find a body inside that ship wall, but I do believe it has happened like that. I certainly understand the crew believing the ship is cursed by having the body there, too. I do believe what is happening has to do with the bodies in the wall. (hide spoiler)]

I'm up to ch36. I love how the story is bouncing back and forth like it is, and both parts are so enthralling!

Totally agree! Especially when the bouncing back and forth gets you more more day closer to the sinking. Ahhh! lol

This third dive is going to go bad. I just know it. :D Cove should have listened to (view spoiler)[Aidan about the weird stuff he kept seeing. (hide spoiler)]

Ginger wrote: "This third dive is going to go bad. I just know it. :D Cove should have listened to [spoilers removed]"

I know! The feeling of dread is practically overwhelming!

Terry wrote: "I know! The feeling of dread is practically overwhelming!"

The dread is really ridiculous! I have to put the book down after a chapter at times because it's just so claustrophobic and crazy.

I got to the beginning of Chapter 51 today. God, I have no idea how this is all going to end.
(view spoiler)[The bodies (ghosts) that are trying to grab the dive team, trap them and keep them as their precious is so freaky. (hide spoiler)] hahaha

Michael wrote: "Waiting for my copy to arrive, hopefully soon. Still have some other books to finish so I can start this."

Hey Michael, did you get your book? I’m hoping to start reading this tomorrow.

Ginger wrote: "Terry wrote: "I know! The feeling of dread is practically overwhelming!"

The dread is really ridiculous! I have to put the book down after a chapter at times because it's just so claustrophobic an..."

I just made it to the same spot. I have no idea either, but (view spoiler)[ It can't be good! I'm trying to decide which of the divers isn't going to make it back to the surface. For sure Aiden isn't going to make it, right? He's pushed the limit on his oxygen in both of the other dives, so I expect that is going to get him this time. (hide spoiler)]

And (view spoiler)[ These ghosts - how terrifying! I'm also thinking of the Arcadia crew who just watched their dead captain give them orders, too! (hide spoiler)]

I finished last night! I can't wait to see what you think about this one. I really loved it and thought it's one of her best books.

Terry wrote: "I just made it to the same spot. I have no idea either, but (view spoiler)

And (view spoiler)"

I can't say anything about the first spoiler (ha!) but the second one...

(view spoiler)[Can you imagine being a worker and seeing your captain go mad and start giving out these crazy orders? Boarding the windows, letting Fitz just keep digging into the wall until he hits water?! WTF (hide spoiler)]

Ginger wrote: "Terry wrote: "I just made it to the same spot. I have no idea either, but (view spoiler)

And (view spoiler)"

I can't say anything about the first spoiler (ha!) but the second one...

[spoilers re..."

I finished last night also. I really enjoyed that ending! I was a little surprised about 2 things. First, (view spoiler)[ I was surprised that all of the main characters made it out alive. I kept expecting at least one of them, if not a couple to end up not making it.

Second, I thought for sure there would be some kind of connection made in the now time with Harland. He seemed like such a good guy/sympathetic character, I thought for sure somehow he'd end up helping the divers instead of working to trap them. (hide spoiler)]

So, now the question is (view spoiler)[ why were the dead coming back to life? We never really got an answer to that. They were killed because of the bad fabric chemicals - which I thought was a very interesting twist. But was the curse of the dead inside the wall the reason why the dead were rising? Very curious! (hide spoiler)]

Very good read! I'm glad we gave it a shot. I think its only the second book of hers I've read (the other being Parasite) and I do look forward to reading more of hers.

Ginger wrote: "Terry wrote: "I just made it to the same spot. I have no idea either, but (view spoiler)

And (view spoiler)"

I can't say anything about the first spoiler (ha!) but the second one...

[spoilers re..."

And yes on your spoiler (view spoiler)[ Seeing the captain go mad and giving the crazy orders is a good dark twist. That would be so demoralizing if you were Harland and knowing the decisions were not making sense. (hide spoiler)]

Terry wrote: "I finished last night also. I really enjoyed that ending! I was a little surprised about 2 things. First, (view spoiler)

So, now the question is (view spoiler)"

Yes!! I also thought the same. I expected (view spoiler)[someone to die on the third dive or the last dive when they went to save Aiden.
I kept thinking it might be Vanna but I loved how Coates handled her from being someone you were suspicious of to loving her by the end. I also loved how Scott's ROV saved her at the end. In fact, it saved all of them. Such a great way to pull him back in and he's not such an asshole now. LOL!

I'm not sure why they all came back alive.
My guess was the ship was already cursed by the dead workers inside it. When the neurological chemicals from the fabric made them go crazy and kill themselves, the ships just accepted all the bodies into the haunted madness?
I would love to hear of a different spin on it if someone else has ideas. (hide spoiler)]

This was such a super fun book! I ended up changing my rating to 5 stars. I thought about it more and really did love everything about it.
Moving forward, I think my ratings are going to be less harsh or critical. I know that's what you are suppose to when rating books but being so dang critical or negative about something you really enjoyed just seems stupid. LOL!!

Ginger wrote: "Terry wrote: "I finished last night also. I really enjoyed that ending! I was a little surprised about 2 things. First, (view spoiler)

So, now the question is (view spoiler)"

Yes!! I also thought..."

I agree very much about (view spoiler)[ Vanna. I liked how our feelings for her changed throughout the story as we learned more about her.

I agree about the ROV saving the day too. That was a good twist.

Your guess on the cursed ship is as good as any. I assumed it was something like that too. (hide spoiler)]

I understand on your ratings, although I've certainly never thought you were over-critical in any way. Always fair I thought. I'm one of those emotional reviewers, so I find that I'm generally rating books higher than everyone else for the most part. And I'm ok with that 😊

Terry wrote: "I understand on your ratings, although I've certainly never thought you were over-critical in any way. Always fair I thought. I'm one of those emotional reviewers, so I find that I'm generally rating books higher than everyone else for the most part. And I'm ok with that 😊"

I've also becoming more of an emotional reviewer this year. If it gets me all choked up, I'm definitely rating it higher even with the small issues.
I actually got emotional in this one when (view spoiler)[Vanna was being pulled down after saving everyone and we thought she was done. And when Scott's ROV saved her, I almost started crying. WTF hahaha (hide spoiler)]
I loved what Coates did with that! LOL

I did start the book - 15% into it. I am adding thoughts in both groups. :)

(view spoiler)[I can kind of feel the trepidation of the characters as they go on their first dive to check out the Arcadia. I have a feeling that Aiden is going to wimp out. I was wondering if he had any psychic abilities as when he touched the ship he felt a "dread" feeling. (hide spoiler)]

Going to read some more tonight. Darcy's writing style always flows along in a book. I skimmed past all of you guys posts as I don't want to read spoilers yet till I get more invested in the story. :)

Marie wrote: "I did start the book - 15% into it. I am adding thoughts in both groups. :)

[spoilers removed]

Going to read some more tonight. Darcy's writing style always flows along in a book. I skimmed past..."

I think Darcy does a great job with the overall feelings and setting in this book. I felt like I could really feel what the characters were feeling.

Ginger wrote: "Terry wrote: "I understand on your ratings, although I've certainly never thought you were over-critical in any way. Always fair I thought. I'm one of those emotional reviewers, so I find that I'm ..."

Yes, that part definitely ratcheted up the emotion!

28% into the book.

One random thought:

(view spoiler)[I would have definitely been backpedaling when I saw the dead body floating towards me! lol (hide spoiler)]

Marie wrote: "Going to read some more tonight. Darcy's writing style always flows along in a book. I skimmed past..."

So glad you got to this one Marie! I can’t wait to see what you think about it.

Stephanie wrote: "Michael wrote: "Waiting for my copy to arrive, hopefully soon. Still have some other books to finish so I can start this."

Hey Michael, did you get your book? I’m hoping to start reading this tomo..."
Yes, thanks for asking. I'm at Page 280 and just as creeped out as everyone else!

I didn't realize this until Stephanie sent me a message. I've been reading this with two groups and posting all my comments with Horror Aficionados. Never knew that until now. Here's what I've had to say about it over there . . . . .
Nov. 08: Started reading last night. Now at Chapter 8 (page 53).This had my attention from the beginning. Coates has a nice easy style to her writing and knows how to build atmosphere.
Nov. 10: Now at Chapter 21, page 158. Just finished the chapters related to the first dive and the aftermath. Loved them, as well as the flashback chapters to scenes from 1928 prior to the sinking of the Arcadia. Coates really builds the creepiness into every scene, and I'm starting to worry about these characters. Had to come up for a breather, but I'm ready for Dive #2.
Nov. 12: Just finished reading about the second dive. The creep factor is turned up and this is getting intense. Even weirder is the strange happenings on the ship in 1928.

Michael wrote: "I didn't realize this until Stephanie sent me a message. I've been reading this with two groups and posting all my comments with Horror Aficionados. Never knew that until now. Here's what I've had ..."

Hey Michael! Thanks for posting in here as well. It's funny that so many decided to read this around the same time. I started this BR with my friend Terry before I realized that the HA group was going to read this for November. I'm glad everyone is finding a way to share their thoughts and enjoy the book.

I totally agree with you on your thoughts. Each dive just keeps bringing more tension and that creep factor and it's hard to put down.
BUT then I noticed that I had to put it down after reading a chapter to take a breath since the claustrophobia and being in tight places is a big fear of mine and I needed to shake it off...

...and then I would pick it back up 15 mins later. hahaha!

Glad you are enjoying this one so far!

I am 55% into the book and I am starting to feel claustrophobic! lol

Wow! I am just wrapped within tension and intensity.

Also (view spoiler)[Vanna is odd - I just have a weird feeling about her - - I am wondering if she is some type of ghost herself. This book reminds me just a tiny bit of the movie Ghost Ship - the bad guy in that movie was pretending to be human when he was really a type of devil as he was only on the ghost ship to take souls. This book reminds me some of it but the only difference is the movie was on a ship above water and this book is all taking place under water.

I like how the past things that happened with the Arcadia is told as that whole thing is spooky as hell! I am almost to the point of biting my nails to the quick! lol (hide spoiler)]

Marie wrote: "I am 55% into the book and I am starting to feel claustrophobic! lol

Wow! I am just wrapped within tension and intensity...."

Hahaha! Yes, this all sounds like what I felt Marie. The tension and claustrophobia was getting to me in a bad way. 😂🤣

Ginger wrote: "Marie wrote: "I am 55% into the book and I am starting to feel claustrophobic! lol

Wow! I am just wrapped within tension and intensity...."

Hahaha! Yes, this all sounds like what I felt Marie. T..."

I can just imagine! lol Darcy Coates makes it feel that you are down there with the team! :)

78% into the book

(view spoiler)[My Goodness! This book has picked up speed! Now I feel like I am on a roller coaster of despair! lol The boney ghosts are super bad news! I started hyperventilating when Cove got grabbed and they were trying to pull her diving mask off her face!

Big mistake for the team to be searching that ship as obviously the "ghostly" residents are not happy campers - lol!

They want to be left in peace and not disturbed so they are making their presence known but not in a good way! (hide spoiler)]

Cannot wait to read some more tonight and find out what happens next! I have never hyperventilated this much in my life while reading a book! LOL

Marie wrote: "78% into the book

My Goodness!..."

Absolutely (view spoiler)[ a roller coaster of despair! I’ve not felt so much dread reading a book in quite a while. And the part with Cove’s mask really had me squirming as well. (hide spoiler)]