What if sea beasts of ancient legend were alive today? This is the burning question explored in Beneath the Deep by Andrea Chatman. If you are in the mood for a good sea monster adventure with Jules Verne vibes, mystery, strong family bonds, and a touch of romance- I highly recommend this book!
Hawaiian oceanographer Morgan Sullivan shares her beloved Uncle Daniel’s passion for ancient sea monsters. When he goes missing, Morgan’s search for him leads her deeper into conspiracy than she ever imagined.
The locales take the reader from sunny Oahu to wintery Iowa to the bottom of the ocean! The story is well-paced, and Morgan is a likeable and realistic character. Flashbacks from her childhood are brief and really add to the story without being distracting. There’s a satisfying ending, but the author leaves room for possible sequels, which I will eagerly anticipate!
The main characters are adults, but teens can enjoy this story as well. I was first drawn to this book when I found out it was written from a creation scientist’s perspective. This is a controversial and underrepresented viewpoint in Christian fiction.
Content Considerations: action scenes, some violence, chaste romantic subplot with kisses
Favorite Quotes:
“Her stomach rumbled. Food first. Monsters next.”
“It is bad science to call theory fact,” he said, “In truth they are both theories, Creation and Evolution, and it takes just as much faith to believe one as the other. It comes down to world view.”
“He might not be related by blood, but he was Daniel’s great nephew by marriage. Which made him family. Ohana. And Ohana looked out for one another.”
“There is a little bit of truth in every legend. For those willing to seek it out.”
