BOTM July/ August Fantasy Daedalus and the Deep : ONGOING

[J.A.]

Hi guys,

I'm starting off this thread for our fantasy pick for July/ August - Daedalus and the Deep by Matthew Willis.

Super excited about this one! This is the ongoing thread so no spoilers here please - this is to discuss the book and ask question of the author along the way. Happy reading!

Matt, did you want to say a few words?

[Matthew]

Thanks Jules. I'm delighted the book has been chosen and hope everyone really enjoys it. Although there's a definite thread of fantasy running through the whole book, it's based on (or more accurately inspired by) historical events. The corvette HMS Daedalus really did report seeing a sea serpent in the South Atlantic in 1848. The novel explores what might have happened.

I've tried to be as authentic as possible with the world the story is based in, and the ship is almost a character in its own right, so there is a fair bit of nautical terminology in places. I'd recommend just reading through and letting it wash over you - most readers tell me they can follow the action without trouble, but if anyone is interested to learn more, I've put a lot of resources on my website with images, context and explanation.

Thanks again - hope you all enjoy the read

[A.J.]

Just delivered to my iPad. Looking forward to a great read. Thanks Matthew!

[Richard]

I'm on board too, so to speak (still unpacking my suitcases).

[Matthew]

Good good! The more the merrier. If anyone else is still considering, there's another decent review up on Amazon this week

[J.A.]

I expect, like last time, we'll gather people and momentum as we go. Perhaps I'm a bit laissez faire in not giving definite start and end dates and times? Anyway I'll have some questions for you on the spoiler thread soon. Some of which were passed on by my dad ;)

[A.J.]

Hi Matthew,

Just wanted to drop a quick line. 50 pages to go. Quite a good read so far. Will have some questions for you in the spoilers discussion shortly.

Thanks!

[Richard]

Finished, thoroughly enjoyed and reviewed!

[Matthew]

Many thanks, Richard, for reading and for your extremely flattering review. You really seem to have connected with the book, which is extremely satisfying for its author