Synopsis:

When the Imagine Network commissioned a documentary on mermaids, to be filmed from the cruise ship Atargatis, they expected what they had always received before: an assortment of eyewitness reports that proved nothing, some footage that proved even less, and the kind of ratings that only came from peddling imaginary creatures to the masses.

They didn’t expect actual mermaids. They certainly didn’t expect those mermaids to have teeth.

This is the story of the Atargatis, lost at sea with all hands. Some have called it a hoax; others have called it a maritime tragedy. Whatever the truth may be, it will only be found below the bathypelagic zone in the Mariana Trench…and the depths are very good at keeping secrets.

Personal Thoughts:

Rating:

“If this was a hoax, it was one of the largest in living memory.”

This thriller novella begins with the excerpt from a documentary made by Imagine Network about the mysterious disappearances of all those aboard Atargatis. The book alternates between Imagine Network‘s documentary exceprts and what actually happened to the crew of Atargatis.

The TV channel had previously commissioned for their documentary block that feature about mermaids. They have arranged for the cruise ship to transport to the Mariana Trench where a group of scientists from various fields and interns, the V network’s star reporter, and a performing troupe of professional mermaids to appear in the documentary.

Obviously, the original plan was never meant to be a fact-finding mission. However, the nature of the story begins a horrifying turn from the moment the crew reaches the Mariana Trench where the cruise ship was later found unmanned ⁠— none of the passengers were ever seen again.

To be honest, this novella is like a B-level horror movie, but much more interesting and so much fun. What I loved about it is that, finally, there’s a story about mermaids where they aren’t overtly sexualized or used as “fan service” solely for male pleasure. So if you’re picking this book up thinking that you’re up for some cute mermaid story, this is not the book for you. Here, the mermaids are terrifying ⁠— with sharp teeth, Medusa-like hair, and an intelligence that will leave you breathless.