This was a wild experience! Very well written and super detailed. It was fast paced and had me wondering what was going to happen next! It’s definitely something you wouldn’t want to go through. It’d be so terrifying. I almost felt like I was right there with the character.

WHALEFALL – by Daniel Kraus

‘Jay Gardiner has given himself a fool’s errand—to find the remains of his deceased father in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Monastery Beach. He knows it’s a long shot, but Jay feels it’s the only way for him to lift the weight of guilt he has carried since his dad’s death by suicide the previous year.’

I’m Not Crying, You’re Crying—My Heart!

If you haven’t had the opportunity to read WHALEFALL, I Highly Recommend It!

Thank you, NetGalley and MTV Entertainment Books (Simon & Schuster), for providing me with an eBook of WHALEFALL at the request of an honest review.

This one was on my TBR list for far too long. I picked it up multiple times, re-read the synopsis, and some early reviews and scared myself away. It happened several times. Not sure why.

But, I’m glad to say that I finally picked it up and devoured it (pun intended).

This was a good fast read. LOTS of technical jargon about diving and whale anatomy, but it all adds to the story.

So, pick it up and sink your teeth into it. OK….enough already. Enjoy.

This is a story about being swallowed by grief.

This was such a strange, unique novel. The narrative structure was strange but beautiful, and it made me think about the ways we carry the people we’ve lost with us. It also made me even more afraid of the ocean! My only complaint was the dual timelines- I wanted all of the information but found it detracted from the tension.

Can we please talk about this cover?! I could not be more excited for this Arc. Thank you so much @netgalley & @mtvbooks 🖤

Whalefall was an interesting read. It’s about a man going to dive for his father’s remains, but even deeper than that about processing grief.

One of the most powerful books I've ever read. Seriously! Kraus grounds this high-concept story with very real, nuanced character development and dynamics. Claustrophobic in all the right ways-- and cathartic as hell. This is going to be an all-time favorite for me.

Whalefall is an exciting and claustrophobic story that sends the reader on a scary journey through a whale. Following the main character through this harrowing tale is a thrill for the reader, fearing for his safety. This story kept me on the edge of my seat!

This story is surreal and it is hard to determine what feels possible with it. If a reader is seaking generational trauma with a side of physical/body horror than this book is the perfect option or them. I could definitely identify friends who might potentially really love this book. However, at times it felt like a weird nightmare I could not turn away from.

It took me a couple chapters to get into this one, but once I did I was hooked! Once Jay ended up in the whale, things got really intense and it was hard to put down. I don't always like books that bounce between present and past, but I thought it was well done in this instance. The scenes from the past help to show Jay's state of mind and how he got to where he was. This was a suspenseful tale of grief and hope.

The amount of research the author collected for this story truly shows the effort put into it. I went into this thinking I was prepared for being swallowed by a whale and I was quickly proved wrong. The detail and imagery came across like a punch to the gut: a very unique take on grief. Loved it

I was surprised to like this as much as I did, but in the end, this was a book that rewarded patience. By not DNF'ing the book, I managed to get to the long-awaited emotional payoff. The character depth of Jay and Mitt is parabolic, and in direct opposite to the journey of the whale. I genuinely think I could return to this one for more thoughts on how gender, nature, and even structure work. It would certainly make a good and interesting study in a course.

Hard to recommend, but not for lack of quality - only because the pacing is not for the faint of heart.

this was an entertaining and engaging book!

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this book to review.

This book is unlike anything I have ever read before--and I have read a lot all over the different genres. It was terrifying, emotional, and gruesome all at the same time. I cannot even imagine the amount of time it would have taken Daniel Kraus to research all of the different aspects of this book! It's not just about being caught inside the whale, however. It is also about the grief the main character feels about the loss of his dad. An absolutely amazing, fresh idea that brought me to tears while having me on the edge of my seat!

Oh… I was excited but no thank you. The pacing was off, the writing was terrible, and what was that plot? I don’t know if I’ll read another by this author truthfully

What a descriptive, terrifying book! I think most people have a fear of the deep ocean and this whole book just gives you the creeps. It was so well written and very descriptive and I couldn't stop reading though I was too scared to keep going at times.

Unfortunately, this book wasn’t for me. I appreciate the way the story was told and it definitely gave creepy and claustrophobic vibes. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!

Whalefall kept me on the edge of my seat and fully immersed in its gripping narrative. The book’s rapid pace made me feel a mix of anxiety and hope throughout. I was especially captivated by the dialogue Jay had while trapped inside the whale. The flashbacks interwoven with his current predicament offered insights into his past, showing how he ended up in this intense situation.

As I mentioned, the book’s vivid descriptions were a highlight for me. They’re not just striking in their portrayal of the surroundings, but also in their detailed depiction of what’s inside the whale’s stomach and the injuries Jay sustains while desperately trying to escape. What a page-turner!

This book was exceptional—well-written, fast-paced, thought-provoking, shocking, and deeply moving.

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria and MTV books for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review. I very much enjoyed this book, a solid 4 stars. I went in pretty blind and was definitely expecting something a little different, but overall was glad that I read this one.

I wish I felt all the emotions others felt while reading this. I love emotional gut punches. Unfortunately, I didn’t buy into the reason for the rift between father and son and it just caused me to be bored a lot. This could be because I’ve read (and prefer) darker tales or it could be because my own parental issues are darker as well. Idk. Take what I’m saying with a grain of salt, I guess.

Didn’t love it, didn’t hate it. I really had high hopes :(

Thank you to Netgalley.

I had the pleasure of reading Whale Fall by Daniel Kraus. The novel follows Jay Gardiner’s gripping journey as he battles for survival after being engulfed by a sperm whale. The narrative weaves together Jay’s harrowing ordeal inside the whale with contemplations on his complex connection with his deceased father.

The novel delves into themes of sorrow and healing as Jay revisits memories of his late father, a celebrated diver whose passing left unresolved issues. Through flashbacks, the story explores the complex depths of their relationship, which encompass admiration, resentment, and a yearning for acceptance. As Jay fights for survival, he grapples with his past, leading to a profound contemplation on forgiveness and family ties.

Kraus’s prose is both lyrical and raw, capturing the allure and harshness of nature. The relentless pace keeps readers engaged, transforming Whalefall into more than just a tale of survival but a reflection on human resilience and our emotional bonds.

This is a must-read for enthusiasts of literary fiction and adventure!