The info for this one is on Amazon.com kinda sounds like Titanic on steroids.

Wow! This ones sounds very cool. Kinda like Laurence Jame's older type storylines, especially the Terminator type robots Ryan fought way back in titles such as Chill Factor, I think it was.

Just got this book last night.

 

Anybody out there read this yet? 

Nah wish it would though. Sat here with a broken heel bored out my nut.

I just reached the halfway point of this latest title - and WOW!

John Helfers proves yet again that he has some serious writing chops. This story reminds me strongly of Alan Philipson's style of storytelling.

Intelligent. Thought provoking. Character driven.

 

OK, just finished John Helfer's 3rd DL book - and it was utterly terrific!

 Dark Fathoms is intelligent, thought-provoking, and truly one of the most exciting and fresh feeling adventure since the companions went to Canada. The companions have never went this deep before in my memory.

I also love how this author shows how the companions treat each other. They are not just the wooden killing machines. When a writer can showcase the strength and weaknesses of each character, then you know you have a very talented writer on your hands.

Newcomer character Ricky is showcased the best in this novel. Helfers finds a way to expand upon this new character's abilities, and it created a much wider gulf between him and Dean's character, which i felt he had become - until now.

This latest novel felt much more like a horror novel, with the scary underwater base and the monsters that inhabit it. Very cool and well written.

I love that this particular author pays close attention to details. His knowledge of Laurence James' work shows itself over and over in this latest book, and it works marvelously. Especially when Ryan and Krysty are making love (Pay heed Outlanders writers!), and talk about serious matters from their uncertain future to wondering if Trader and Abe survived their last sighting of them, surrounded by enemies. We fans love that kind of attention to details!

 

 

This is just my luck. A good DL and amazon or GE have buggered up and I have to wait till bloody OCTOBER!!!

its just as well that GTA 5 has just arrived

Amazon UK have done the same with me, only I have diablo 3 to keep.me happy.

Jim

Man, Amazon UK really sucks ass, eh?

It seems more like two short stories that got crammed together, and the ending was a bit abrupt, but not bad overall.

There were just a few things that bugged me:

Chief Warrant Officer is an Army rank, not a Navy one (the author likely confused it with Chief Petty Officer). The abbreviation is also wrong - the ranks go Warrant Officer (WO1), then Chief Warrant Officer 1-5 (CW1, CW2, etc.). CWO is incorrect.

When the XO enters the bridge, Helfers got that part mostly right, but they just say "XO on deck!" "Executive Officer" is a mouthful, and difficult to say besides - that's why everyone shortens it to "XO".

Ryan has been offered a replacement eye before - more than once, if memory serves.

There's one point where he refers to the sec door as "titanium steel", but they've always been vanadium steel.

Insofar as Helfers using 'correct titles' - I think he was more pointing out that those types of things have been misconstrued through the last century. Remember, most of the rank and file of the above decks officers were all loons.

 

And I did point out the first time Ryan was offered to have his eye replaced - the Anthill in Eilis's 1st DL novel - STONEFACE. (Great book, BTW!)

Amozon.UK have just mailed me to say the book has been dispatched...

Jim

I was referring to 2000, not 2100 - i.e., the first chapter.

I'm two chapters into this and its reading like an LJ book. Its nice to start a book inside a mat trans once more.
Jim

Yeah, I totally agree. After a while, I also got the feeling I was reading a very dark Jules Verne type of novel.

So far this is turning into my favorite post LJ book, OK maybe 2nd best after Stoneface.

Jim

See, I thought the same thing! I'm a tough reviewer, but a fair one.

 This one was just plum written extremely well. Ricky's usage was excellently written. 

 

Krysty kicked a lot of ass in this one. (Always like that!)

The whole thing was very character-driven. Instead of the same 'ol companions kicking ass and walking off into the sunset.

The only niggle I have so far is where did Mildred get her TC id number from, she had nothing to do with the project even when frozen?

Jim

I don't recall that. What is a TC id number?

TC = Totality Concept. And Baz is right - she was a doctor, but she was never (directly) involved in the TC; she was frozen because she was the foremost expert on cryogenics (meaning they probably took her work and applied it to their own projects, but didn't bring her onto the team).

Wasn't there something in one of the books, when she went into surgery and hard her reaction that someone said "put her on ice" that wasn't part of the hospital team?

Maybe she was "chosen" and was suppose to be sent to the Anthill?

I will say I also enjoyed this book.. loved the traditional monsters (Squids, etc) and the whole feel of the first part of the book. The bit with the suit went a little off kilter, but I guess the story is suppose to be semi Sci Fi!

The last part of the story though just seemed a bit rushed and "thrown together", but still kept up the "doom on all sides" theme of the book.

Now hopefully the next author will start the next story from the end of this one, just to keep continuity, which surprisingly the last 10 or so books have!

Kerrick hit the proverbial nail on the head.

 

Yes, Mildred was put on ice, and was only a doc with a gold medal in shooting. (How convenient, I was always thought, too!)

I think Mildred's clearance code would have been for her work not for the TC . There are all kinds of different reasons for having sec codes .Like Kerrick said the TC would have been aware of who Mildred was and what she was working on, even if she wasn't a part of their org.. To my way of thinking the TC was interested in anything that would help them to survive a Nuke war .

Maximus why shouldn't Mildred be good at shooting? Lots of people have more than one interest . I know that for the sake of the series she needed to have some survival skills ,or else she wouldn't have survived traveling with the team.

I liked the writing in this book but I found the idea of a cruise ship still sailing the seas after 100 years to be a bit of a stretch. Them being left drifting in the ocean at the end seems to me to be a dangerous way to leave them . I would like to see how they got out of that situation . But we don't know how the next book gets started yet.

Mildred wasn't that good a shot she only won silver not gold

Jim

I found it odd for Mildred, a doctor, who is committed to saving lives, would be THAT interested in shooting pistols. Much less winning medals over them. How many doctors, especially women, do you know that do that?

 

Not that it is impossible, but of all doctor freezies they could have found, they found not only a woman doctor, but a shootist one? 

Why odd, its not as if she was shooting at people before being frozen. People have strange hobbies some the complete reverse of there working life, so a doctor who shoots paper or clay targets as an escape from the stress of work is nothing too unusual in my mind.
If she was just a pacifistic doctor the group would have dumped her a long time back if only for there own safety.

Jim

Like I said: how many doctors do you know (especially female!) that shoot guns?

Posted By Maximus on 9/29/2013 6:32:04 PM
Like I said: how many doctors do you know (especially female!) that shoot guns? <img alt="" src="http://www.jamesaxler.com/DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/dark/emoticons/blink.gif" />

As I'm from England where gun ownership is all but extict (unless you are a criminal) I would have to say none BUT I do recall an episode of American guns where a female.doctor purchases a S&W revolver with some custom grips. She said she loved shooting and owned several weapons!!

Jim

Was her name Mildred...?

Nope but she had a nice matched pair of 38's though

Jim

I have to say that this has stalled for me at the point after they leave the base. I just cant see a cruise ship operating for over 100 years even with a FBR type and just why the crew below decks just didnt jump ship when it docked some place.
Sadly the second of what feels like two short stories in one volume has let the first half down and left me feeling a little cheated after a fantastic start.

Jim

Sorry you feel that way.

 I thought the last 1/3 of the book kinda interesting and different. At least it didn't bore me to tears or have some bizarre science that made my eyes roll.

I found it exciting with lots of good action sequences.

Its each to there own so I'm not having a go. I just felt the second half was a tack on to a decent story that failed to make the 315 page Mark.

Oh and since when has Krysties hair been able to wrap itself around things and yet again we are told Ryan is taller than Doc -HE ISN'T, Doc is an inch or so taller and infact the tallest of them all.

Jim

Laurence James had Krysty's hair sometimes touch or curl around things, methinks.

Also, despite not being a perfect writer, John Helfers's style of writing, to me, fits this Axler universe most excellent. I'd love to see how him try out an Outlanders novel! 

Posted By Maximus on 10/4/2013 1:09:25 AM

Laurence James had Krysty's hair sometimes touch or curl around things, methinks.

Also, despite not being a perfect writer, John Helfers's style of writing, to me, fits this Axler universe most excellent. I'd love to see how him try out an Outlanders novel! 

 

Help my aged brain and give me an example?

I also like JH style and would like him to write more DL books, he is better by far than most of the others that have put pen to paper these last few years.

 

Jim

I seem to recall seeing it a few times, too - I can't name books for sure, but I believe it happened in Genesis Echo. I know when she and Ryan were alone, her hair would caress his hands. It was never fully prehensile, though, like Milan makes it out to be - it has a little bit of motility, but no real strength.

Just finished this, I felt it was quite good. Maybe a bit rushed in the latter part of it. Characterisation was great, I loved JH's approach to Jak, he was a lot more talkative. Mildred was her ballsy self and Doc was great.
The boat part I felt could have expanded on into a three book series, how cool would have been to have the DL gang stranded in the 'Cific battling from Island to Island.
Only grumble was Krysty twice used her Gaia power's and didn't have to sleep it off.
All in all I think Mr Helfers is a worthy new author to the series.

I think the problem with the latter half of the book is page count. They can only write the standard 317 pages now, instead of the better formula of 348 pages.

Yeah, I too noticed the faster recuperation of Krysty, but I like it. Much rather have her reach inside of herself and find a way to not have to be weak as a kitten. Like a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger you get. 

I was sort of hoping that her faster recovery was a sign that as she ages she becomes more powerful and better able to control how much of her gift she needs at any given time .

I'll buy that Twinsrule! I like that she recovers more quickly.

Hell, I wished it would last longer, too! 

I prefer it the way it was. The Earth Mother gives but exacts a price for the giving. Being totally drained afterwards ensures she only uses it when really needed and not repeatedly.

Its cause and effect.

Jim

Amen. Her being really weak afterward was a plot point - it added to the tension, instead of just letting the companions blast through everything.

I'm with Baz and Kerrick on this one.