Below Book Review

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The mysteries of the deep have always piqued a human's curiosity. Why not pen an oceanic thriller novel based on sea creatures that aren't sharks? Looking for a horror beach-read just in time for October? Perhaps, 'Below' is your kind of story.  Read on to find out if it truly is...

Below - Ocean Suspense Story or cover for a Racist Apologist

Photo by Mohamed Ahzam on Unsplash

Below the great, murky depths are many sea creatures. Some are cute like a sea otter and others can be exceptionally dangerous like the barracuda. In Ryan Lockwood's world, the 'red devils' are prowling beneath the waves looking for their next meal.

I mentioned this will be my shortest review(Probably not my last) but it's for one blistering loud reason - as a reader I can't tell whether or not this is an ocean suspense story or a cover for the author's revelation of being racist. And that's just awful.

He's not racist, he just doesn't know any better

Every oceanic thriller needs a hero and that's supposedly Will Thurman. Typical adventurer. He's gritty, flawed, a widowed male but with a huge problem. He's also a racist apologist. Friends with many that view Mexicans as the worst(And that's being kind) but that's okay; there's nothing wrong with that POV. Them's really good people! (*rolls eyes*) I truly wish that was a joke.

Photo by Bobby Rodriguezz on Unsplash

It's a glaring problem that jumps out right from the beginning. A flaw that rapidly took the enjoyment out of reading the book. In fact, I'm glad I deleted it from my Kindle library. Good riddance. What a waste of e-space.

Apart from Will's huge racist problem, there's also the 'wonderful' company that Thurman keeps in the form of even more blatant racists.

Never mind that Will is also related by marriage to a Mexican cop. I suppose when his wife passes away that the bond of brothers is torn away as well. When Will's brother-in-law is beaten in public, Will only gives a shrug of an apology for the crappy behavior of his friends.

Honestly, it's sad that the only redeeming factor that Will has that gives a small clue that he's somewhat human is that he's at least fond of taking care of his pet dog.

Photo by Alex Perez on Unsplash

So is there anything positive to the story? I will give kudos that the author appears knowledgeable when discussing marine life. But that's about it. Which is a real shame. There's not enough monster creature novels out there. The book, 'Below' could have been a decent story if only the author didn't allow his personal beliefs bleed out all over the pages.

Below Book Details:

Originally published: January 1st 2013
Author: Ryan Lockwood

Below Book blurb: 

In all his years as a professional diver, Will Sturman has never encountered a killing machine more ferocious than the great white shark or as deadly as the piranha. Now, off the coast of California, something is rising from the deep--and multiplying. Voracious, unstoppable, and migrating north, an ungodly life form trailed by a gruesome wake of corpses. With the help of the brilliant and beautiful oceanographer Valerie Martell, Will finds himself in a race against time to stop the slaughter--by a predator capable of devastating the world's oceans. Pray it kills you quickly.

Next Book Review: Danielle Steel's The Right Time

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My next book review will be Danielle Steel's, 'The Right Time', a romance fiction. Until then, happy reading!