Helpful Score: 6
The Descent is about the struggle between two races of beings, human and hadal. Much of the story takes place below the surface of the earth. It is a long book, 572 pages, and it took me a week to read it.
This book has many themes, good versus evil, war, science, some biblical references of Satan and hell, science fiction, and a romance between two of the main characters.
The main thread in the book is about a science/business probe into the caverns of the earth, to discover and map the underside of the Pacific Ocean from South America to Asia. The events and struggles of this company, the hardships of the terrain, the war between the hadals and the humans, and their struggle to survive and return to the surface of the earth with the information they were sent to obtain, is the main focus of the story.
I did think the book was too long. However, I did read the whole thing, it kept my attention, and kept drawing me back to finish it. I do not always read a whole book, if it does not have enough juice to keep my attention; I just get a different book to read. The Descent had enough juice to keep me reading. While I was reading the book, I felt like I was in a cave the whole time. Under the earth, there is a completely different world. Instead of a blue or gray sky, it is black; this surrounded by rock feeling colored my whole week.
I liked reading this book; it absorbed much of my thoughts while reading it. The material was thought provoking. The idea of a race of humans living under the earth that explains the myth of Hell and Satan was interesting. So on the main, much of the book was interesting.
This book has many themes, good versus evil, war, science, some biblical references of Satan and hell, science fiction, and a romance between two of the main characters.
The main thread in the book is about a science/business probe into the caverns of the earth, to discover and map the underside of the Pacific Ocean from South America to Asia. The events and struggles of this company, the hardships of the terrain, the war between the hadals and the humans, and their struggle to survive and return to the surface of the earth with the information they were sent to obtain, is the main focus of the story.
I did think the book was too long. However, I did read the whole thing, it kept my attention, and kept drawing me back to finish it. I do not always read a whole book, if it does not have enough juice to keep my attention; I just get a different book to read. The Descent had enough juice to keep me reading. While I was reading the book, I felt like I was in a cave the whole time. Under the earth, there is a completely different world. Instead of a blue or gray sky, it is black; this surrounded by rock feeling colored my whole week.
I liked reading this book; it absorbed much of my thoughts while reading it. The material was thought provoking. The idea of a race of humans living under the earth that explains the myth of Hell and Satan was interesting. So on the main, much of the book was interesting.
Helpful Score: 5
What a unique, imaginative idea for a book! I loved the story and the characters. Things got a little predictable at the end but not disappointingly so.
Helpful Score: 3
Very good book. Just waiting for book two to be posted. The storyline was just complicated enough to keep me pulling it out whenever possible, to get a litter more reading time in. loved it.
Helpful Score: 2
Interesting book about a journey to the center of the earth after the world has discovered that another creature lives there and has colonated all of our planet for millions of years. Them vs. us or can we coexist??
Helpful Score: 1
Got halfway through this. Great concept, poor execution.
Helpful Score: 1
I kept putting this book down and then picking it up. Devils and Demons but it did keep me reading right to the end. Better than usual read for me
Helpful Score: 1
This book was a page turner, I didn't sleep well while I was reading it because I couldn't put it down and turn off the light! The author started with a very strange premise and made it very real.
Helpful Score: 1
From the back cover....
"We are not alone..In a cave in the Himalayas, a guide discovers a self-mutilated body with the warning "Satan exists." In the Kalahari Desert, a nun unearths evidence of a proto-human species and a deity called Older-than-Old. In Bosnia, something has been feeding upon the dead in a mass grave. So begins mankind's most shocking realization: that the underworld is a vast geological labyrith populated by another race of beings. Some call them 'devils' or 'demons'. But they are real. They are down there. And they are waiting for us to find them....
"We are not alone..In a cave in the Himalayas, a guide discovers a self-mutilated body with the warning "Satan exists." In the Kalahari Desert, a nun unearths evidence of a proto-human species and a deity called Older-than-Old. In Bosnia, something has been feeding upon the dead in a mass grave. So begins mankind's most shocking realization: that the underworld is a vast geological labyrith populated by another race of beings. Some call them 'devils' or 'demons'. But they are real. They are down there. And they are waiting for us to find them....
Helpful Score: 1
Very good story. Looking for Satan in caverns under the ocean, very strange ideas in this one.
I read this book when it first came out and it still is with me as one of the most memorable books I have read. Great read, but prepare to not get much sleep!
I enjoyed this book. It was so different from many of the horror I read. Very imaginative and was a hard one to put down.
A very new take on a theme, enjoyed it very much !
Fantastic. The storyline sucks you in, and is very inventive and smart. The imagery is fabulous. There are a few parts that can be hard to stomach, but overall a fantastic book.
this was pretty good
Incredible book! An underground tunnel system that covers the globe, a search for Satan, chills down the spine! I fell into this book and didn't come up for air for a week!
A bit difficult to get into but if you stick with it you will be pleasantly surprised. The characters are for the most part well defined( there are a few I would have liked to see more of; Isaac for instance). The plot is for the most part easy to follow, but strays here and there. The only downside to an otherwise good read is the kind of rushed ending.
Wow... this was VERY good. A slow start, yes, by page 115 things got underway past what was described on the back cover... but that's really my only complaint. It was well-written, and definitely well-executed. The idea of Hell existing was original. The book carried surprises throughout and all in all, it was great. I'm definitely going to recommend this to others!
Loved this book; a page turner. New provocative ideas of underground race presented in a believable fashion.
Interesting, to say the least. Upon discovering a secret race of humaniods dwelling deep under the earths crust, expeditions sally forth. I lost interest about that point, which was half way through the novel, though Long writes well.
A great story, if a little hard to follow at times.
Best book I have read in a very long time!
Written by someone who does not know the first thing about writing. Characters unbelievable, hard to figure out, flat. Situation idiotic. Writing incomprehensible. I do not recommend this book for reading. If you seek a book to demonstrate really bad writing, this is your volume.
Really interesting!
Very fun read.
This book was ok
