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Daeios: 140 Feet Down
They believed Daeios would be a safe haven.
They were wrong.
Fleeing apocalyptic weather, a young survivalist woman and her family seek safety deep underground. But a new danger awaits them.
When the leaders of the shelter announce their plans to repopulate the earth using all fertile females, Shea knows she will be forced to become a breeder. Horrified at her impending fate, Shea must make the gut-wrenching decision whether to breed with an elderly, sadistic man and bear his child, or to fight the breeding, knowing that defiance will endanger her life and that of those she loves most.
A dystopian thriller with overtones of The Handmaid’s Tale, Shea’s chilling story will appeal to readers with an interest in family and survival.
Contains mature situations and language.
They were wrong.
Fleeing apocalyptic weather, a young survivalist woman and her family seek safety deep underground. But a new danger awaits them.
When the leaders of the shelter announce their plans to repopulate the earth using all fertile females, Shea knows she will be forced to become a breeder. Horrified at her impending fate, Shea must make the gut-wrenching decision whether to breed with an elderly, sadistic man and bear his child, or to fight the breeding, knowing that defiance will endanger her life and that of those she loves most.
A dystopian thriller with overtones of The Handmaid’s Tale, Shea’s chilling story will appeal to readers with an interest in family and survival.
Contains mature situations and language.
- GenresDystopia
340 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 5, 2019
20 people are currently reading
115 people want to read
About the author
Colleen Eccles Penor
2 books87 followersColleen Eccles Penor wrote and illustrated her first children’s book, The Rubber Ducky, when she was seven, and sold it for 25 cents, keeping 100% of her royalties. She's a United States Army veteran who served as a military police officer, where she learned survival skills and the use of multiple weapons, skills needed by the characters in DAEIOS: 140 FEET DOWN. This is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
December 5, 2019
Daeios: 140 Feet Down is one of those books that sounds intriguing, and then it ends up blowing you out of the water. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this novel.
Shea, a twenty-something woman, is living her life the way she wants. But apocalyptic weather forces her to return home to her family and take shelter underground, and her freedom to live how she wants becomes non-existent.
Daeios is a shelter run by religious zealots. Not only do they not allow anyone of another race (only white people allowed), if you're "imperfect" in some way (like tattoos, scars, etc), you can't belong to their shelter either. Only Elites are granted access to Daeios.
Once underground, things kinda suck for Shea, but she figures she'll adjust. Until one of the leaders announces all fertile females will be impregnated so they can work towards rebuilding the world.
Shea must make a decision: let it happen to her, or fight back. Both options have consequences, but which one is the lesser of two evils? How much is Shea willing to risk?
I was immediately hooked by the synopsis of this book, and it sucked me in pretty quickly.
I thought Shea was a great character. Even though she thought about leaving her family and going off on her own (after helping track down her drug-addicted brother), she stuck with them and went into Daeios with them instead.
I felt bad for Shea's brother. He was basically killing himself with this drug called Gloss, but once he made it to the shelter, well... I can't say anything, since that might spoil things.
Shea's mom was pretty bad-ass. I didn't think I'd like her, but her character arc made her out to be one of the best people in the book.
Plot-wise, Daeios is nicely paced, with a lot of stuff going on. It keeps you on your toes, and you'll find yourself cheering on Shea as you flip eagerly through the pages, needing to know what's going to happen next.
Also, that cover is pretty great. I really like it a lot.
If you're a fan of dystopian fiction, thrillers, or The Handmaid's Tale, you'll want to give Daeios a whirl. It's definitely well worth the read.
4.5 stars from me!
Shea, a twenty-something woman, is living her life the way she wants. But apocalyptic weather forces her to return home to her family and take shelter underground, and her freedom to live how she wants becomes non-existent.
Daeios is a shelter run by religious zealots. Not only do they not allow anyone of another race (only white people allowed), if you're "imperfect" in some way (like tattoos, scars, etc), you can't belong to their shelter either. Only Elites are granted access to Daeios.
Once underground, things kinda suck for Shea, but she figures she'll adjust. Until one of the leaders announces all fertile females will be impregnated so they can work towards rebuilding the world.
Shea must make a decision: let it happen to her, or fight back. Both options have consequences, but which one is the lesser of two evils? How much is Shea willing to risk?
I was immediately hooked by the synopsis of this book, and it sucked me in pretty quickly.
I thought Shea was a great character. Even though she thought about leaving her family and going off on her own (after helping track down her drug-addicted brother), she stuck with them and went into Daeios with them instead.
I felt bad for Shea's brother. He was basically killing himself with this drug called Gloss, but once he made it to the shelter, well... I can't say anything, since that might spoil things.
Shea's mom was pretty bad-ass. I didn't think I'd like her, but her character arc made her out to be one of the best people in the book.
Plot-wise, Daeios is nicely paced, with a lot of stuff going on. It keeps you on your toes, and you'll find yourself cheering on Shea as you flip eagerly through the pages, needing to know what's going to happen next.
Also, that cover is pretty great. I really like it a lot.
If you're a fan of dystopian fiction, thrillers, or The Handmaid's Tale, you'll want to give Daeios a whirl. It's definitely well worth the read.
4.5 stars from me!
December 8, 2019
Daeios: 140 Feet Down is one of the best books I think I have ever read. It pulled me in from the first page and I don’t think it let go when I turned the last page. No this is one book that will stay with me for a very long time. I will not forget it for many years to come. Daeios: 140 Feet Down kept me on my toes as I followed Shea and her family as they fought the weather that was trying to destroy the world and them with it.
Daeios: 140 Feet Down opens with a young girl in college living on her own when her mother calls her for help in locating her brother Jace. Jace is hooked on a drug called gloss and is out in the rain. Shea’s mother, father and sister Maya are on their way to safety a 140 feet down to a place called Daeios. Daeios is a placed created by the church where people who had brought their place could go to be safe from the weather.
In Daeios things are not as they appear and it doesn’t take Shea and her mother long to figure out that things seem suspicious and not quite right especially when people are banished and start to die under suspicious reasons. They are hiding something in Daeios but what?
When the breeding farm starts Shea is not sure how she is going to deal with it when it becomes her time to breed. Will she comply to the elders rules or will she fight back and put her families lives in danger and even cause herself to be banished or punished?
Daeios: 140 Feet Down is an intense and fast paced read that is filled with suspense, deception and betrayal to keep the pages rolling. It also has rape and torture for those who are unable to read this. Daeios: 140 Feet Down is a story that shows just how easy it would be to bring people into the fold and brainwash them into believing whatever they choice to make them believe.
Daeios: 140 Feet Down is a story that I would love to see on the big screen one day as it reminds me so much of The Handmaid’s Tale. If you like books, TV shows or movies like The Handmaid’s Tale then I highly recommend Daeios: 140 Feet Down. One click yourself a copy today!
Daeios: 140 Feet Down opens with a young girl in college living on her own when her mother calls her for help in locating her brother Jace. Jace is hooked on a drug called gloss and is out in the rain. Shea’s mother, father and sister Maya are on their way to safety a 140 feet down to a place called Daeios. Daeios is a placed created by the church where people who had brought their place could go to be safe from the weather.
In Daeios things are not as they appear and it doesn’t take Shea and her mother long to figure out that things seem suspicious and not quite right especially when people are banished and start to die under suspicious reasons. They are hiding something in Daeios but what?
When the breeding farm starts Shea is not sure how she is going to deal with it when it becomes her time to breed. Will she comply to the elders rules or will she fight back and put her families lives in danger and even cause herself to be banished or punished?
Daeios: 140 Feet Down is an intense and fast paced read that is filled with suspense, deception and betrayal to keep the pages rolling. It also has rape and torture for those who are unable to read this. Daeios: 140 Feet Down is a story that shows just how easy it would be to bring people into the fold and brainwash them into believing whatever they choice to make them believe.
Daeios: 140 Feet Down is a story that I would love to see on the big screen one day as it reminds me so much of The Handmaid’s Tale. If you like books, TV shows or movies like The Handmaid’s Tale then I highly recommend Daeios: 140 Feet Down. One click yourself a copy today!
November 18, 2019
This was a well-written book about what could happen when people think the end of the world might be coming and they find themselves living 140 feet down with like-minded religious zealots.
Shea is a typical college student, getting drunk and sleeping around when the storms hit. Her family has bought a place in a religious haven located 140 feet underground. From the moment that Shea and her family arrive, you just know that something ain't right here! "Maybe you have to be a single old man to be called by God."
Her brother, Jace, is addicted to a drug called Gloss, hiding in the world of addiction to avoid his fear of a disease that kills off almost all young men. Shea quickly falls for the only other young man in the compound, Julian, and hopes to be able to marry him. She soon finds out that things aren't exactly what they seem, even though only herself and her mother seem to sense anything wrong. "We're locked in with a bunch of religious maniacs."
Shea has to make a tough decision: does she go along with the mindless command to be a breeder with one of the Elders or can she hold out for Julian? Be aware that there are some pretty graphic descriptions of rape/torture in this book, so this could be a potential trigger for some people. But, in the end, it is more a story of family and survival and what a person can and will do to save those you love.
As Shea says: "God hasn't had a say in any of what happened to you down here. They used your faith in God for evil." This is a chilling story and well worth reading if you enjoy dystopian tales like the Handmaid's Tale. I will definitely be looking for more books by Ms. Penor because she has a true talent in spinning a good story.
Shea is a typical college student, getting drunk and sleeping around when the storms hit. Her family has bought a place in a religious haven located 140 feet underground. From the moment that Shea and her family arrive, you just know that something ain't right here! "Maybe you have to be a single old man to be called by God."
Her brother, Jace, is addicted to a drug called Gloss, hiding in the world of addiction to avoid his fear of a disease that kills off almost all young men. Shea quickly falls for the only other young man in the compound, Julian, and hopes to be able to marry him. She soon finds out that things aren't exactly what they seem, even though only herself and her mother seem to sense anything wrong. "We're locked in with a bunch of religious maniacs."
Shea has to make a tough decision: does she go along with the mindless command to be a breeder with one of the Elders or can she hold out for Julian? Be aware that there are some pretty graphic descriptions of rape/torture in this book, so this could be a potential trigger for some people. But, in the end, it is more a story of family and survival and what a person can and will do to save those you love.
As Shea says: "God hasn't had a say in any of what happened to you down here. They used your faith in God for evil." This is a chilling story and well worth reading if you enjoy dystopian tales like the Handmaid's Tale. I will definitely be looking for more books by Ms. Penor because she has a true talent in spinning a good story.
January 27, 2020
What can I say about this book? Wow!!! Wow!!! And Wow!!!
This is the authors debut novel and what a fantastic debut! Bravo!
The author engaged me in the plot from the very beginning. This is one of those books you will have a very hard time putting down. This book is a tragic dystopian story about a young college girl named Shea who is living in 2034 and there are a lot of bad things happening with the weather that endangers the earth and all those living on it. Shea's parents take her and her drug addicted brother and younger sister to a place built 144 ft into the earth. It is called Daeios; run by a group of religious gentlemen to save humanity. Shea and her mom soon discover that things are not what they seem. And so begins a story so quick moving and action packed you will be turning the pages oh so fast! I found this book so easy to read and so hard to put down.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!
I can't wait to read Colleen Eccles Penor's next book. This is definitely the best book I've read so far in 2020, in fact in the last couple of years!
I'm so grateful to #NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced review copy of this book!
This is the authors debut novel and what a fantastic debut! Bravo!
The author engaged me in the plot from the very beginning. This is one of those books you will have a very hard time putting down. This book is a tragic dystopian story about a young college girl named Shea who is living in 2034 and there are a lot of bad things happening with the weather that endangers the earth and all those living on it. Shea's parents take her and her drug addicted brother and younger sister to a place built 144 ft into the earth. It is called Daeios; run by a group of religious gentlemen to save humanity. Shea and her mom soon discover that things are not what they seem. And so begins a story so quick moving and action packed you will be turning the pages oh so fast! I found this book so easy to read and so hard to put down.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!
I can't wait to read Colleen Eccles Penor's next book. This is definitely the best book I've read so far in 2020, in fact in the last couple of years!
I'm so grateful to #NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced review copy of this book!
November 23, 2020
ARC provided by Colleen Eccles Penor via NetGalley. All opinions are mine and freely given.
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"They believed Daeios would be a safe haven.
They were wrong."
11-22: With a tagline that grabs the eye rather aggressively, 'Daeios: 140 Feet Down' by Colleen Eccles Penor is a dystopian thriller I couldn't pass up.
Apocalyptic weather conditions have reached a peak and the 'Elite' at a million dollars per spot minimum, are fleeing the Earth's surface. After a harried search for her drug-addicted brother Jace, Shea and her family barrel along the roadways in an RV trying to reach shelter before the storm is out of control.
Arriving at the underground stronghold moments before lockdown, they expect to survive only about a year with the supply levels.. and that year will be spent in a cavelike vault as protection from the climate above.
Soon after settling in, they start to realize everything is not as it seemed. Though Shea and her dad visited many times leading up to the lockdown so they'd easily remember the drive and have an idea how things worked within the community, once everyone is trapped inside.. things change and not for the better.
Daeios Elders who run the community claim direct instructions from God and roll out a forced 'repopulation' program for all fertile females amongst them. Little by little, the men who aren't Elders are beginning to disappear, and soon.. others start to go missing as well.
Heavy handed punishments such as light deprivation and music torture are just the beginning.
This is really more of a dystopian survival/revenge story, like a sci-fi 'The Handmaid's Tale' version of 'I Spit On Your Grave.' So, beware.. lots of triggers here for anyone susceptible to violent assault, torture, rape, murder, gaslighting, sexual manipulation, suicide, and probably a few other things I'm not even thinking of. Mostly it's mentioned in passing as dreamed memories or after situation observations, but it still might be a bit much for some readers.
For me, despite all the relatively wild elements of the story, it was still incredibly dull. A lot of what was happening was very obvious and the strange style the author chose to use.. almost felt closer to stream of consciousness than standard storytelling.
Though everyone's in pretty dire straits, most characters slip in and out of their trauma with such ease it's like they're playing pretend with their emotions. While there were backstories present, with that manner of just shrugging them off, there was no investment for me and I really didn't care much about anyone which made the book feel like it was just filled with violence without reason. Instead of utilizing what happened along the way to connect to the reader, it was just so much background noise.
Pretty disappointing, overall.
PURCHASE LINKS: AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY | BOOKSAMILLION | INDIGO | WATERSTONES
January 11, 2020
This was an exciting, fast-paced dystopian thriller.
Shea is a young woman at college, living the college lifestyle. The weather is out of control and causing widespread devastation and worsening to the point where it will soon be almost un-survivable. Shea's parents are part of a strong church community which has prepared for this well in advance by creating a vast underground fortress-like shelter where so-called superior humans will escape to and form a new society.
The race to get to the shelter is, in itself, tense and eventful. Once Shea and her family arrive they are welcomed warmly, but from then on the suspense increases as the shelter is locked down against the weather outside, but also meaning that the members inside now cannot leave. The cult-like activity of the church leaders, "Elders', raise suspicion in Shea, while at the same time she is forming a strong attraction for a young man called Julian. This relationship was the weak part of the story because Shea arrived at the shelter filled with regret over her last boyfriend and by the end of her first day was half-way in love with Julian. It just didn't ring true at all. However, that said, the creepy setting and oppressive atmosphere combined with the strongly portrayed characters and fast moving action made this a minor consideration.
This was a real page-turner and kept me guessing how everything was going to turn out.
Shea is a young woman at college, living the college lifestyle. The weather is out of control and causing widespread devastation and worsening to the point where it will soon be almost un-survivable. Shea's parents are part of a strong church community which has prepared for this well in advance by creating a vast underground fortress-like shelter where so-called superior humans will escape to and form a new society.
The race to get to the shelter is, in itself, tense and eventful. Once Shea and her family arrive they are welcomed warmly, but from then on the suspense increases as the shelter is locked down against the weather outside, but also meaning that the members inside now cannot leave. The cult-like activity of the church leaders, "Elders', raise suspicion in Shea, while at the same time she is forming a strong attraction for a young man called Julian. This relationship was the weak part of the story because Shea arrived at the shelter filled with regret over her last boyfriend and by the end of her first day was half-way in love with Julian. It just didn't ring true at all. However, that said, the creepy setting and oppressive atmosphere combined with the strongly portrayed characters and fast moving action made this a minor consideration.
This was a real page-turner and kept me guessing how everything was going to turn out.
December 12, 2019
4 Cranky Stars
Shae's family is headed to Daeios, 140 feet below ground because the end is near. Killer storm plague them with lightning related deaths and softball size hail. Add the newest drug addiction and society is crumbling. Even with all this, Shae doesn't want to go.
Situations arise that force her and her family underground against her will. What happens underground becomes a nightmare in the making.
This is not my normal genre and while I found it disturbing I appreciated the authors imagination. This story grips you from page one and doesn't let go. The ending seemed rushed to me while leaving me with many unanswered questions but I still enjoyed the story.
Shae's family is headed to Daeios, 140 feet below ground because the end is near. Killer storm plague them with lightning related deaths and softball size hail. Add the newest drug addiction and society is crumbling. Even with all this, Shae doesn't want to go.
Situations arise that force her and her family underground against her will. What happens underground becomes a nightmare in the making.
This is not my normal genre and while I found it disturbing I appreciated the authors imagination. This story grips you from page one and doesn't let go. The ending seemed rushed to me while leaving me with many unanswered questions but I still enjoyed the story.
January 12, 2020
Fast paced, thrilling novel
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Unlike many dystopian novels, this one doesn’t get too bogged down with romance. It is a faced paced, exciting adventure. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Unlike many dystopian novels, this one doesn’t get too bogged down with romance. It is a faced paced, exciting adventure. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
October 27, 2019
Really enjoyed the book. Kept my interest and moved at a good pace. I would recommend to others.
November 5, 2019
This fast paced book was a fun read!
December 26, 2019
Good story, interesting if it will continue.
January 29, 2020
What did I think?
I found this to be an absolutely EXCELLENT read. The story moved with a perfect pace, original yet with hints of others within this genre and paying homage to some of the other greats, and I say 'other greats' because THIS is absolutely up there with them
The story is incredibly well written, the characters are not 2-dimensional stereotypes, rather, full and rounded 3-dimensional individual entities that are not just a pale imitation of characters from other books or stories. The pace was kept and the scene setting put me in the story in a perfectly balanced way. I have to say, also, that I am quite (angry is a touch harsh)... annoyed with you Colleen..... I now have to find something that is going to live up to the literary expectations that finishing your fantabulous book has created. Thank you for writing it, anyone who may be wondering whether or not to buy this book is just delaying their journey down the rabbit-hole into the world of Daeios. I say, DON'T delay the trip, take the plunge of 140 Feet Down and when you have finished, then tell me that I am wrong in my assertion that this is most definitely up there with the BEST of this genre. Once again.....
I really cannot recommend this book enough. It kept me reading beyond the time that I would normally switch off the light and go to sleep.
I would like to thank the author for giving us this book.
This is a leader of the genre
I found this to be an absolutely EXCELLENT read. The story moved with a perfect pace, original yet with hints of others within this genre and paying homage to some of the other greats, and I say 'other greats' because THIS is absolutely up there with them
The story is incredibly well written, the characters are not 2-dimensional stereotypes, rather, full and rounded 3-dimensional individual entities that are not just a pale imitation of characters from other books or stories. The pace was kept and the scene setting put me in the story in a perfectly balanced way. I have to say, also, that I am quite (angry is a touch harsh)... annoyed with you Colleen..... I now have to find something that is going to live up to the literary expectations that finishing your fantabulous book has created. Thank you for writing it, anyone who may be wondering whether or not to buy this book is just delaying their journey down the rabbit-hole into the world of Daeios. I say, DON'T delay the trip, take the plunge of 140 Feet Down and when you have finished, then tell me that I am wrong in my assertion that this is most definitely up there with the BEST of this genre. Once again.....
I really cannot recommend this book enough. It kept me reading beyond the time that I would normally switch off the light and go to sleep.
I would like to thank the author for giving us this book.
This is a leader of the genre
January 30, 2020
This book is awesome. Well written and there is so much heart into it. You won't be able to put it down.
November 14, 2019
I have to start out by saying I had some difficulty with the main character Shea. You start the book being told she is an adult in college living on her own with a confident personality. But from the moment they enter Daeios she doesn't act like that person. Even later in the book when you find out about things that were going on it still felt like too quick of a transformation to me. She immediately falls for Julian the only guy in her age range. Everything else is an exciting read. You can envision this world created by Colleen as the pages keep turning. You have to know what is going to happen next. The ending ties up nicely with no dreaded cliffhanger.
January 16, 2022
«DAEIOS: 140 FEET DOWN» is a dystopian fiction book written by Colleen Eccles Penor.
It's the year 2034. The World is experiencing worse and worse cataclysms: lightning bolts hit more and more people, there are hurricane winds and storms with huge hail. The male population suffers from a genetic disease that kills many of them when they are young and negatively affects their chances of successfully fathering a child. This and the fact that the storms are getting stronger make many people believe the apocalypse is imminent. They seek refuge, and one such refuge is Daeios – an underground facility that supposedly has enough food and water for hundreds of people for a year. And this story tells us how Shea, the main character, gets into Daeios with her family and what happens while she's in there.
Most of the story falls into the «middle» category. It's not too dark, not too graphic, not too explicit. But where it's warranted, the book becomes full of violence, rape, death, blood, and misery. The story is told from the first-person and in the present tense, in case you have preferences.
Now. I always write my conclusion first for the lazy ones. Yet they are still my thoughts, not an objective reality, so you can keep reading, regardless. Please keep in mind that what I liked may be insignificant to you. And what I disliked may be the only exciting thing for you.
So, the story is delightful. It's dark where it needs to be. It's heartwarming where it's warranted. Pretty much every character is unique. The situations they find themselves in feel believable. The hardships they have to go through either strengthen them or weaken them, but they always make an impression. They have to use their brain and strength to overcome them. They aren't perfect: they make mistakes; they get hurt; they fall in love. I felt joy reading a few funny moments. I felt tense while the book made me wander in total darkness. I wanted to unravel the mysteries. I made theories and was seeking to prove or disprove them. The final showdown made me tense and focused. I never knew what was going to happen. I was never sure who was going to live or die. I never guessed the final twist. Well, two of them.
But, and this is a very big "but," the ending of a story is crucial. It either fulfills the promise and delivers to us the resolution for the book or falls short. It may satisfy our wishes or crush them brutally or subvert them. It may surprise us, leave us satisfied, or leave us on a cliffhanger.
With this book, I felt disappointed with the ending. It was too long, too complex, too many people were involved, too many actions took place. The thrill of the climax wore off, leaving me reading and reading. The mood and the emotions of the characters were way off during the last lines. The author talked about concepts I never believed in: the book never made me, never explained them in enough detail. Even the promise of punishing the bad guys was never delivered, for I see ways how they could escape their fate.
The ending, however, could not ruin the entire book. It's still a very good read and an investing story. Yet I cannot give the book more than 4/5. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who's not afraid of a story that can be, at times, very dark, painful, and graphic – you're in for a delightful ride.
Now, let's talk more spoilers.
As I said previously, most characters are unique. They keep their traits throughout the book, yet Shea, the main character, and Helen, her mom, receive their arcs. Shea has enough emotions: she feels love, compassion, fear, repulsion. But she can also put herself together and act rationally. She's very close with her family, but not too much to her mother, Helen, who is cold and distant. Yet when I read it, I saw glimpses of emotions in Helen as well.
We learn that Shea's brother, Jace, is a drug addict and that he's missing, probably high. We learn that it is becoming increasingly common among males, who are terrified about the possibility of having the genetic disease I've talked about, called «Y Chromo.» If they have it, then they die a slow and painful death without knowing when their final day will arrive. It poisons their everyday life, makes them feel helpless. All of it pushes many men to increasingly stronger distractions, like drugs.
Shea doesn't want to go to Daeios; she'd rather quickly die on the surface while keeping her freedom than die from starvation locked up in Daeios a year later. She agrees to help find Jace, but her family must leave without her after that.
The first scenes masterfully create a sense of urgency. Not only one of the biggest storms yet is coming, not only Jace is lost and can hurt himself, but I also know that the family had to get to Daeios in a matter of hours, or otherwise they lose their chance. During the first scenes, the book familiarizes me with Shea, shows how bloody and graphic it can be, shows the relationship between different family members, and shows glimpses of the upcoming apocalypse. All of it is nicely done and made me want to read further.
In the first chapter, Shea looks at a mirror and doesn't like what she sees, who she sees. Then, in the last chapter, Shea once again looks at herself, and now she likes herself. Previously, she didn't want children, but now she wants to give birth and raise the child conceived while she was raped. The journey changed her, and she wants to get as much from the change as possible. But it doesn't mean that I like everything about the change. The love towards her unwanted, unborn child seems too sudden, undeserved. Maybe it's more believable than I think, I don't know. But it doesn't change the fact that it bothers me.
Chapter 3 tells us more about the Earth's recent history. Apparently, the people of color have segregated themselves from the whites. And the whites have further segregated among themselves based on physical disabilities and even tattoos. There's not only tension between the group, not only physical separation, but even violent conflicts. The author tells us about this segregation and then forgets about it until the end of the book, where she points out that this segregation should not exist.
And this is where Colleen fails completely. First of all, I never believed that segregation ever happened in the first place. It was never explained how such a complicated thing could have happened. What's even more complicated and unbelievable is how the whites managed to segregate among themselves. Secondly, Shea never cared about segregation. In fact, in Daeios she separated herself from the rest of the people. She was actually glad not to be like everybody else. During her adventure in the wasteland, she was constantly irritated and scared when feeling being watched, wishing to be left alone. Separated. These two points illustrate why the ending doesn't work for me at all.
When the family reaches Daeios, Shea quickly realizes that everybody there seems brainwashed. They are no longer themselves. Their only desire is to please the Elders who run Daeios. A lot of the story is spent trying to discover how the brainwashing occurs, what its purpose is, and why Shea and her mother are the only ones unaffected. And during this exploration, the book shows that it's not afraid of making us explore the place in total darkness. And it does it masterfully, making me nervous and unsure Shea can succeed. Jace commits suicide, and we are once again reminded that the book can show blood and gore in wonderful detail, not forgetting to mention that Jace shot himself with Shea's gun while holding it in the wrong hand.
And this is the point when Shea loses a sizeable amount of her compassion and feelings, never getting it back. Seeing the bloodbath shocks her, but for my taste, she recovers too quickly and doesn't suffer strongly enough. Maybe she does, but the book doesn't mention it well enough. This trend continues when Shea's mom is killed right in front of her during the book's climax. Sure, during combat Shea can get a hold over herself. But the fight ends, and I don't see any breakdown. Again, maybe she's this strong, but her strength takes away from the power of the ending.
After the big reveal, Shea and her mother try to find a way out of the situation. Shea doesn't want to be bread, but when it finally occurs, she chooses to accept it to protect her family. She chooses, but when the time comes, she refuses to let it happen. She fights, gets sedated, and then gets brutally raped, beaten, and burned while unconscious. We see the process only in her nightmares, but they persist for quite a while. Her body heals for quite a long time. She's hurting physically and mentally for days. And her pain is very sharp and graphic. These are definitely one of the many highlights of the book. Shea doesn't heal instantly, doesn't regain her strength quickly. But the hatred that was planted into her pushes her forward, alongside a strong desire to survive and save her family.
And save them she does. Not all of them. Once again, the book masterfully creates obstacles for her. Shea has to use her brain, her equipment, her ally, and her strength to get what she wants. She breaks her ankle, receives a bullet wound, carves out an implant from her body with a knife. Pained, bloodied, and tired, she manages to prevail. As I said, the final showdown is done exceptionally well. I never knew who was going to die, what would happen next, or even how Shea was supposed to manage.
If the book had ended more or less straight after the climax, I would give it 5/5. But it doesn't. I've already explained why the ending doesn't work for me. Maybe you'll think differently.
In conclusion, the book is beautiful. It gave me much more than I was expecting or thought I needed. The characters are good, so is the story. The struggle is real, the darkness is complete, the blood is warm and sticky, the love is strong and passionate. The ending is the only thing that's lacking. Maybe I shall just skip it when I re-read the book.
It's the year 2034. The World is experiencing worse and worse cataclysms: lightning bolts hit more and more people, there are hurricane winds and storms with huge hail. The male population suffers from a genetic disease that kills many of them when they are young and negatively affects their chances of successfully fathering a child. This and the fact that the storms are getting stronger make many people believe the apocalypse is imminent. They seek refuge, and one such refuge is Daeios – an underground facility that supposedly has enough food and water for hundreds of people for a year. And this story tells us how Shea, the main character, gets into Daeios with her family and what happens while she's in there.
Most of the story falls into the «middle» category. It's not too dark, not too graphic, not too explicit. But where it's warranted, the book becomes full of violence, rape, death, blood, and misery. The story is told from the first-person and in the present tense, in case you have preferences.
Now. I always write my conclusion first for the lazy ones. Yet they are still my thoughts, not an objective reality, so you can keep reading, regardless. Please keep in mind that what I liked may be insignificant to you. And what I disliked may be the only exciting thing for you.
So, the story is delightful. It's dark where it needs to be. It's heartwarming where it's warranted. Pretty much every character is unique. The situations they find themselves in feel believable. The hardships they have to go through either strengthen them or weaken them, but they always make an impression. They have to use their brain and strength to overcome them. They aren't perfect: they make mistakes; they get hurt; they fall in love. I felt joy reading a few funny moments. I felt tense while the book made me wander in total darkness. I wanted to unravel the mysteries. I made theories and was seeking to prove or disprove them. The final showdown made me tense and focused. I never knew what was going to happen. I was never sure who was going to live or die. I never guessed the final twist. Well, two of them.
But, and this is a very big "but," the ending of a story is crucial. It either fulfills the promise and delivers to us the resolution for the book or falls short. It may satisfy our wishes or crush them brutally or subvert them. It may surprise us, leave us satisfied, or leave us on a cliffhanger.
With this book, I felt disappointed with the ending. It was too long, too complex, too many people were involved, too many actions took place. The thrill of the climax wore off, leaving me reading and reading. The mood and the emotions of the characters were way off during the last lines. The author talked about concepts I never believed in: the book never made me, never explained them in enough detail. Even the promise of punishing the bad guys was never delivered, for I see ways how they could escape their fate.
The ending, however, could not ruin the entire book. It's still a very good read and an investing story. Yet I cannot give the book more than 4/5. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who's not afraid of a story that can be, at times, very dark, painful, and graphic – you're in for a delightful ride.
Now, let's talk more spoilers.
As I said previously, most characters are unique. They keep their traits throughout the book, yet Shea, the main character, and Helen, her mom, receive their arcs. Shea has enough emotions: she feels love, compassion, fear, repulsion. But she can also put herself together and act rationally. She's very close with her family, but not too much to her mother, Helen, who is cold and distant. Yet when I read it, I saw glimpses of emotions in Helen as well.
We learn that Shea's brother, Jace, is a drug addict and that he's missing, probably high. We learn that it is becoming increasingly common among males, who are terrified about the possibility of having the genetic disease I've talked about, called «Y Chromo.» If they have it, then they die a slow and painful death without knowing when their final day will arrive. It poisons their everyday life, makes them feel helpless. All of it pushes many men to increasingly stronger distractions, like drugs.
Shea doesn't want to go to Daeios; she'd rather quickly die on the surface while keeping her freedom than die from starvation locked up in Daeios a year later. She agrees to help find Jace, but her family must leave without her after that.
The first scenes masterfully create a sense of urgency. Not only one of the biggest storms yet is coming, not only Jace is lost and can hurt himself, but I also know that the family had to get to Daeios in a matter of hours, or otherwise they lose their chance. During the first scenes, the book familiarizes me with Shea, shows how bloody and graphic it can be, shows the relationship between different family members, and shows glimpses of the upcoming apocalypse. All of it is nicely done and made me want to read further.
In the first chapter, Shea looks at a mirror and doesn't like what she sees, who she sees. Then, in the last chapter, Shea once again looks at herself, and now she likes herself. Previously, she didn't want children, but now she wants to give birth and raise the child conceived while she was raped. The journey changed her, and she wants to get as much from the change as possible. But it doesn't mean that I like everything about the change. The love towards her unwanted, unborn child seems too sudden, undeserved. Maybe it's more believable than I think, I don't know. But it doesn't change the fact that it bothers me.
Chapter 3 tells us more about the Earth's recent history. Apparently, the people of color have segregated themselves from the whites. And the whites have further segregated among themselves based on physical disabilities and even tattoos. There's not only tension between the group, not only physical separation, but even violent conflicts. The author tells us about this segregation and then forgets about it until the end of the book, where she points out that this segregation should not exist.
And this is where Colleen fails completely. First of all, I never believed that segregation ever happened in the first place. It was never explained how such a complicated thing could have happened. What's even more complicated and unbelievable is how the whites managed to segregate among themselves. Secondly, Shea never cared about segregation. In fact, in Daeios she separated herself from the rest of the people. She was actually glad not to be like everybody else. During her adventure in the wasteland, she was constantly irritated and scared when feeling being watched, wishing to be left alone. Separated. These two points illustrate why the ending doesn't work for me at all.
When the family reaches Daeios, Shea quickly realizes that everybody there seems brainwashed. They are no longer themselves. Their only desire is to please the Elders who run Daeios. A lot of the story is spent trying to discover how the brainwashing occurs, what its purpose is, and why Shea and her mother are the only ones unaffected. And during this exploration, the book shows that it's not afraid of making us explore the place in total darkness. And it does it masterfully, making me nervous and unsure Shea can succeed. Jace commits suicide, and we are once again reminded that the book can show blood and gore in wonderful detail, not forgetting to mention that Jace shot himself with Shea's gun while holding it in the wrong hand.
And this is the point when Shea loses a sizeable amount of her compassion and feelings, never getting it back. Seeing the bloodbath shocks her, but for my taste, she recovers too quickly and doesn't suffer strongly enough. Maybe she does, but the book doesn't mention it well enough. This trend continues when Shea's mom is killed right in front of her during the book's climax. Sure, during combat Shea can get a hold over herself. But the fight ends, and I don't see any breakdown. Again, maybe she's this strong, but her strength takes away from the power of the ending.
After the big reveal, Shea and her mother try to find a way out of the situation. Shea doesn't want to be bread, but when it finally occurs, she chooses to accept it to protect her family. She chooses, but when the time comes, she refuses to let it happen. She fights, gets sedated, and then gets brutally raped, beaten, and burned while unconscious. We see the process only in her nightmares, but they persist for quite a while. Her body heals for quite a long time. She's hurting physically and mentally for days. And her pain is very sharp and graphic. These are definitely one of the many highlights of the book. Shea doesn't heal instantly, doesn't regain her strength quickly. But the hatred that was planted into her pushes her forward, alongside a strong desire to survive and save her family.
And save them she does. Not all of them. Once again, the book masterfully creates obstacles for her. Shea has to use her brain, her equipment, her ally, and her strength to get what she wants. She breaks her ankle, receives a bullet wound, carves out an implant from her body with a knife. Pained, bloodied, and tired, she manages to prevail. As I said, the final showdown is done exceptionally well. I never knew who was going to die, what would happen next, or even how Shea was supposed to manage.
If the book had ended more or less straight after the climax, I would give it 5/5. But it doesn't. I've already explained why the ending doesn't work for me. Maybe you'll think differently.
In conclusion, the book is beautiful. It gave me much more than I was expecting or thought I needed. The characters are good, so is the story. The struggle is real, the darkness is complete, the blood is warm and sticky, the love is strong and passionate. The ending is the only thing that's lacking. Maybe I shall just skip it when I re-read the book.
February 17, 2021
DAEIOS: 140 FEET DOWN
DAEIOS is the first audiobook I have listened to in its entirety. Previously, I was not a fan of audiobooks because I just could not concentrate on them. However, with a new, long commute time, I decided to try again. It turns out that DAEIOS was the perfect way to ease myself into reading in this new medium. The story itself was interesting, and the narration was well done. Tiana Saunders, the narrator, had an excellent voice and expressions for all the characters. She brought Shea to life with a wonderful relatability that made it easy to sink into the novel.
The story itself is fascinating. It combines so many different elements of dystopian and near apocalyptic fiction; natural disasters, the terrifying decline of society, powerful new diseases, sexist control, and zealots that offer redemption in a giant bunker.
Throughout the story, I found myself wishing that it was more than one novel, so that each of the elements was explored in more depth. The overall structure of the story was well-handled, with three distinct phases for Shae to live through. I don’t want to give too many spoilers, but I would have loved a little more detail about the last two-thirds of the books to really sink into it more. It also would have helped support the rather large change in Shae’s personality. That said, sometimes an author has a skill for giving just enough detail to make it all work, without bogging things down, and Penor mastered that.
The author skillfully married a whole range of themes in this story by keeping them tied to various plot points. When Shae was above ground, we got a good dose of the environmental and societal issues. When she was in Daeios, we got to see the cult-like brainwashing and sexism in full force.
One of my favourite parts of any story is character development. There is a clear trajectory of learning here for Shae, and for the most part, it was wonderful to watch. I was a little thrown by the resolution she made in the final part of the novel, as it didn’t quite seem to follow (in my mind, at least), from the trauma she faced.
Now, one thing that I enjoy about dystopian fiction is that the best stuff always leaves you feeling a little uncomfortable. A little off kilter. Whether it is because we can see our world spiraling towards that dystopian element, or because we are already there and are forced to examine it, that kind of thought provoking content is what I enjoy. There was some of that in this novel that I am still on the fence about. Part of the disaster-ridden future that Penor build is based on the idea that there was a racial divide, that we fell back in time to a point where white people were once more seen as superior to those of other races. Shae was brought up with this way of thinking, and it is clear that Daeios was created to propagate this feel of a master race. There are some references to people of other ethnic backgrounds splattered throughout the story, but always in ways that fall back on those old, uncomfortable stereotypes.
Overall, though, the main storyline is firmly grounded in Shae’s experience in Daeios, where race is not as much of an issue as gender, religion, and bodily autonomy.
Above thoughts aside, Daeios was a great read. My favourite part had to be the shifts in Shae’s relationship with her mother. For some reason, mothers seem to get a pretty crappy story arc in a lot of modern film and fiction, so seeing that relationship grow was one of my favourite parts of the novel.
If you are a lover of dystopian fiction, Daeios is definitely worth a read. It is well-written, engaging, and dealt with a wide range of themes in a way that feels organic and considered. It was a great companion for my long commute, and showed me that audiobooks will be my new BFF if I can find other gems like this one.
DAEIOS is the first audiobook I have listened to in its entirety. Previously, I was not a fan of audiobooks because I just could not concentrate on them. However, with a new, long commute time, I decided to try again. It turns out that DAEIOS was the perfect way to ease myself into reading in this new medium. The story itself was interesting, and the narration was well done. Tiana Saunders, the narrator, had an excellent voice and expressions for all the characters. She brought Shea to life with a wonderful relatability that made it easy to sink into the novel.
The story itself is fascinating. It combines so many different elements of dystopian and near apocalyptic fiction; natural disasters, the terrifying decline of society, powerful new diseases, sexist control, and zealots that offer redemption in a giant bunker.
Throughout the story, I found myself wishing that it was more than one novel, so that each of the elements was explored in more depth. The overall structure of the story was well-handled, with three distinct phases for Shae to live through. I don’t want to give too many spoilers, but I would have loved a little more detail about the last two-thirds of the books to really sink into it more. It also would have helped support the rather large change in Shae’s personality. That said, sometimes an author has a skill for giving just enough detail to make it all work, without bogging things down, and Penor mastered that.
The author skillfully married a whole range of themes in this story by keeping them tied to various plot points. When Shae was above ground, we got a good dose of the environmental and societal issues. When she was in Daeios, we got to see the cult-like brainwashing and sexism in full force.
One of my favourite parts of any story is character development. There is a clear trajectory of learning here for Shae, and for the most part, it was wonderful to watch. I was a little thrown by the resolution she made in the final part of the novel, as it didn’t quite seem to follow (in my mind, at least), from the trauma she faced.
Now, one thing that I enjoy about dystopian fiction is that the best stuff always leaves you feeling a little uncomfortable. A little off kilter. Whether it is because we can see our world spiraling towards that dystopian element, or because we are already there and are forced to examine it, that kind of thought provoking content is what I enjoy. There was some of that in this novel that I am still on the fence about. Part of the disaster-ridden future that Penor build is based on the idea that there was a racial divide, that we fell back in time to a point where white people were once more seen as superior to those of other races. Shae was brought up with this way of thinking, and it is clear that Daeios was created to propagate this feel of a master race. There are some references to people of other ethnic backgrounds splattered throughout the story, but always in ways that fall back on those old, uncomfortable stereotypes.
Overall, though, the main storyline is firmly grounded in Shae’s experience in Daeios, where race is not as much of an issue as gender, religion, and bodily autonomy.
Above thoughts aside, Daeios was a great read. My favourite part had to be the shifts in Shae’s relationship with her mother. For some reason, mothers seem to get a pretty crappy story arc in a lot of modern film and fiction, so seeing that relationship grow was one of my favourite parts of the novel.
If you are a lover of dystopian fiction, Daeios is definitely worth a read. It is well-written, engaging, and dealt with a wide range of themes in a way that feels organic and considered. It was a great companion for my long commute, and showed me that audiobooks will be my new BFF if I can find other gems like this one.
September 20, 2021
It’s 2035 and deadly storms are ravaging Arizona and quite likely the rest of Earth. But the Donovan’s have an escape. Their church group has built an underground bunker and that is where they plan to go for as long as possible. 22-year-old Shea has no plans on living underground with her parents, even though she’ll miss her little sister. On the day they are to leave, Shea’s father asks her to help find her older brother, Jace. Jace is an addict who can’t take care of himself and must go to Daeios. But time is ticking and another storm is on its way. In the eleventh hour, Shea finds her brother, unconscious and strung out. She gets him home in time for the family to leave and ends up going with them to their new underground home. Once at Daeios, it doesn’t take long for Shea to realize things aren’t as they seem. Will she survive living underground with her family? Will she survive living in Daeios: 140 Feet Down?
Daeios is author Colleen Eccles Penor’s debut novel and it’s a good one. The book hooked me right away with its interesting story line and fast pace. The main characters are likeable and the villains absolutely despicable. There’s even an unexpected twist or two.
I did find near the middle of the book that the story lagged. It was at a point where the main character is alone for a few days. For about three or four chapters, I think the author missed the opportunity to get the readers into the character’s head with showing rather than telling. However, after those few chapters, the story and pace pick up again with lots of action that will keep a reader turning the page.
I recommend this action packed post-apocalyptic sci-fi. However, there is some disturbing content so best for readers over 18 years.
Daeios is author Colleen Eccles Penor’s debut novel and it’s a good one. The book hooked me right away with its interesting story line and fast pace. The main characters are likeable and the villains absolutely despicable. There’s even an unexpected twist or two.
I did find near the middle of the book that the story lagged. It was at a point where the main character is alone for a few days. For about three or four chapters, I think the author missed the opportunity to get the readers into the character’s head with showing rather than telling. However, after those few chapters, the story and pace pick up again with lots of action that will keep a reader turning the page.
I recommend this action packed post-apocalyptic sci-fi. However, there is some disturbing content so best for readers over 18 years.
March 3, 2025
Dystopian
I’ve never read a dystopian book before. I would’ve never picked up this book if I wasn’t assigned this author as part of my March adopt an author in my Killer Thriller Facebook group. It’s not really my thing but it turned out to be a well written thriller type of book that I read in 24 hours. Shea was a strong and likable character. I enjoyed the bit of mental health aspect thrown into it as well. It gave me The Handmaids Tale vibes as well.
I’ve never read a dystopian book before. I would’ve never picked up this book if I wasn’t assigned this author as part of my March adopt an author in my Killer Thriller Facebook group. It’s not really my thing but it turned out to be a well written thriller type of book that I read in 24 hours. Shea was a strong and likable character. I enjoyed the bit of mental health aspect thrown into it as well. It gave me The Handmaids Tale vibes as well.
August 28, 2021
A very engaging read
When I read the description of this book I was worried it would be pretty cliche. Fortunately, it wasn't. The characters were well written, and the near future world was pretty cool. There was definitely some stuff in there that wouldn't be suitable for a younger reader, but if you don't have a problem with that, then I'd recommend this.
When I read the description of this book I was worried it would be pretty cliche. Fortunately, it wasn't. The characters were well written, and the near future world was pretty cool. There was definitely some stuff in there that wouldn't be suitable for a younger reader, but if you don't have a problem with that, then I'd recommend this.
September 3, 2020
I purchased this book because of the amazing reviews on Amazon and oh boy, they were all right. This book is fantastic, the story is so amazing and full of emotions, I I couldn't put this down until I ended. The characters are so real and so well writen! Amazing book.
October 9, 2020
Entertaining and relevant
DAEIOS' plot is creative, keeps you wanting more and relevant to life as we know it. How not so far away it takes place makes the reader really think about what the future has in store for us. Highly recommend!
DAEIOS' plot is creative, keeps you wanting more and relevant to life as we know it. How not so far away it takes place makes the reader really think about what the future has in store for us. Highly recommend!
December 4, 2020
This i found a strange read. It took me a while to really get into it. But I was glad to have preserved. It picked up its pace and I really did enjoy it.
Great read.
Great read.
Read
April 6, 2020I started 2020 off by picking up audible, this was one of the few titles that stuck out to me due to the interesting premise.
Unfortunately, I couldn't get invested. The setting introduces a lot of potentially interesting themes regarding body autonomy and religious abuse, but unfortunately it doesn't really seem to say anything new or interesting about either topic. It seems like things happen because they need to, or because the author just wanted to hodgepodge some dystopian tropes together to make something that seemed eye catching.
It doesn't really give itself enough time to explore the setting enough for me to be interested. It takes concepts like mob/cult mentality and just uses easy escapes like, "Oh, everyone was acting this way because they were being drugged!" It's just such a short-term solution, it comes across more lazy than interesting or clever. The villains don't seem particularly smart, so I'm not really threatened by them.
The romantic subplot was hard to sit through. I'm not sure how it ends up, because I had to put the book down about 75% of the way through, but I just could not understand the protagonists attachment to the dude. I just can't relate to heroines who only seem to think about how hot their beau is.
Anyway...I would skip.
Unfortunately, I couldn't get invested. The setting introduces a lot of potentially interesting themes regarding body autonomy and religious abuse, but unfortunately it doesn't really seem to say anything new or interesting about either topic. It seems like things happen because they need to, or because the author just wanted to hodgepodge some dystopian tropes together to make something that seemed eye catching.
It doesn't really give itself enough time to explore the setting enough for me to be interested. It takes concepts like mob/cult mentality and just uses easy escapes like, "Oh, everyone was acting this way because they were being drugged!" It's just such a short-term solution, it comes across more lazy than interesting or clever. The villains don't seem particularly smart, so I'm not really threatened by them.
The romantic subplot was hard to sit through. I'm not sure how it ends up, because I had to put the book down about 75% of the way through, but I just could not understand the protagonists attachment to the dude. I just can't relate to heroines who only seem to think about how hot their beau is.
Anyway...I would skip.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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