Am I becoming a horror reader? The Sea Hides Its Dead has all the things I’m terrified of: cults and the ocean and combines to make a book I read only during the day. Keep reading this book review of The Sea Hides Its Dead for my full thoughts.
Summary
ATONE OR DIE.
Grad student Caro has no idea what she wants to do with her life, but when an opportunity arises to act as a research assistant on an anthropological expedition for her professor and lover, Edward Beck, she doesn’t hesitate.
Beck assembles a team of academics and professionals to study the ancient sea-based Cult of the Leviathan, and the expedition descends into the sea caves where the cult are said to have dwelt.
But when the cave entrance collapses, trapping them inside, the expedition will find they are not alone in the darkness. Surrounded by strange artefacts and scattered bones, an ancient trial has been set in motion. One by one, the members of the expedition will be tested and forced to atone for their greatest sin. . . or die.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
The Sea Hides Its Dead combines elements I’m terrified of and mashes them together to make ultimate fear. It’s this sea based setting which as soon as they got into a boat I thought NOPE. And then it also adds this idea of worship this cult which takes on a supernatural hue and I’d just lie down at this point. But it’s a story that forces the characters and our main character Caro to confront her demons. The things we wish we never had to experience, that we try so hard to tamp down, and it’s brought out to become real again. Additionally, it’s this story about love and friendship which can make or break us.
I think the characters are really where The Sea Hides Its Dead shines. There’s certainly this off putting creepy atmosphere which is infused in musty rooms and shadowy corners. But it’s in the characters where horror books transcend. I felt like the side characters could use a little work to make their fates resonate a bit more or be a bit more impactful. I liked them on a theoretical level, but I wasn’t getting emotional. This horror forces us to ask whether we really know someone. Additionally the ending really made me want to expand and zoom to see the payoff of these themes!
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Find The Sea Hides Its Dead on Goodreads, Storygraph, Bookshop. org, Blackwells, & Libro. fm.