Deeper-Jeff Long

Deeper
Jeff Long
Atria, Aug 2007, $25.00
ISBN: 9780743284547

Ten years ago, incredible inner earth labyrinths were discovered. A scientific expedition beneath the trenches of the Pacific Ocean occurred with most of the humans who came to explore Hades killed by the indigent predators who have terrorized the surface dwellers for millennia. The humans believed that they managed to kill the ruler.

One of the humans, linguist Ali von Schade, survived captivity by the Hadals to eventually return to her home on the planet surface with a vow to never go inside the earth again. Instead Dr. von Schade, suffering from the Stockholm syndrome especially after her time with the glamorous Satan, studies anything related to the several diverse Hadal peoples.

As a great war seems imminent on the Asian continent, children suddenly begin disappearing and ritual massacres occur. She knows who is responsible. Unable to resist, Ali joins the children rescue effort as all the evidence points towards Hades. Ali knows Satan lives as her affinity to him from her incarnation remains strong; she needs to see him as she remains attracted to Satan, yet also wants to kill him.

This exciting sequel to THE DESCENT (not read by this reviewer) is a fast-paced exhilarating gory thriller that never slows down once Ali realizes that the devil in her dreams remains alive inside the earth. The story line is fast-paced and filled with action and more action. Ali is the only multi-dimensional character and much of her flaws come from real demons and not her exploration of the cultures of Hell, but fans of non-stop action will not care as hell comes to earth through subway tunnels and humans go to Hell.

Harriet Klausner