Horror Book Review | The Deluge by Mark Morris (2007)

Synopsis: It came from nowhere. The only warning was the endless rumbling of a growing earthquake. Then the water came—crashing, rushing water, covering everything. Destroying everything. When it stopped, all that was left was the gentle lapping of waves against the few remaining buildings rising above the surface of the sea.Will the isolated survivors be able to rebuild their lives, their civilization, when nearly all they knew has been wiped out? It seems hopeless. But what lurks beneath the swirling water, waiting to emerge, is far worse. When the flood waters finally recede, the true horror will be revealed.
My Review: This post-apocalyptic story begins with a flood of biblical proportions coming and going in just three days. Only those people at the top of high buildings or elevations survive. But as soon as the water recedes, the survivors are faced with a sodden environment clogged with the many bodies of the dead. Single parent Steve and his young teenage daughter Abby set out on a expedition from London to Scotland to reunite with his ex-wife and son, along the way collecting more survivors (Max, the black teen & Susan the dyke cop, among others). Already challenged by limited food supplies, suitable shelter and confronted with other more aggressive survivors, Morris further stacks the deck against our travellers by tossing in an insidious alien menace and some mysterious blue lightning. Although The Deluge contains all the ingredients needed for an action-packed, gut-wrenching adventure; a diverse cast of interesting characters, harrowing escapes, traumatic losses and the enduring human spirit, I was slightly disappointed in the overall outcome. The central mystery of the aliens’ origins and the cause of the flood were never concluded to my satisfaction. I would have liked a few answers as to the origin of the flood and the evil that it brought forth. I'm not saying I need everything tied up perfectly, but a little more information and details about the enemy would have been nice. All we are given is that the water not only washed away human society but also uncovered either an alien plot, or, creatures from below the surface of the Earth. These aliens are able to take human form and use the bodies of the dead to incubate their young. The book never makes it clear what or where the aliens are from and Morris teases the idea all the way through to the ending of the book, which was not really an ending at all. Did he leave the story open for a sequel? Lets hope so!
Book Rate: 7.5/10