"Down Into The Sea", by Dan Franklin
State: Massachusetts
⭐️⭐️⭐️
"Down Into The Sea" is set in a small town in Massachusetts. Eric's father was in prison for murder. After the arrest, his neglectful mother slipped into addiction. She has given up on life. There piles of dirty laundry, a sink full of dirty dishes and filth everywhere. Eric dodges bullies at school. His grades are slipping and he has neglected his hygiene. He spends his days hanging out alone at the pier. It all seems pretty miserable, until one day, Eric meets a mermaid. We all love those beautiful creatures with a fishtail. R'hail is no ordinary mermaid though. She has claws on her hands, sharp teeth and feasts on meat.
"Down Into the Sea" felt like a gritty horror retelling of The Little Mermaid. Eric and R'hail form a bond that gives him hope. The story evokes many different emotions. The reader can feel Eric's loneliness. R'hail brings him a sense of joy and purpose.
I think I was expecting more of a horror feel. Do not get me wrong - there is some there for sure - but ultimately it felt like a story filled with elements I was not expecting. I am giving this one three stars. It was well done but I was not overly impressed.
"Down Into the Sea" is a fun summer story. One that will tug at heart strings. Check this out if you want a dark gritty story.
Thank you to Cemetary Dance for an advanced copy.
Happy Publication Day!
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