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!

Whalefall was a wholly unique read, with so much heart and grief that I needed aong break to reflect after finishing. Bouncing back and forth in Jay's journey kept the tension fresh while allowing us to become completely enamoured by this character in an impossible situation. This is particularly heart stopping for me as someone who is petrified of the deep ocean, but it also moved me to tears. I loved it. So much.

3.5 stars
This was a very interesting book. I like thrillers and i don't read to many sea life/ocean books. So our MC feels like he needs to go find his dads bones on the ocean floor. But he should have recognized all the things that were blocking him and just stayed out of the water. The book goes back and forth between what is currently happening and the past. He relives the few years before his dads death and memories from being a child.
I found it fascinating but not really tense. I enjoyed the accuracy of all the sea things.
It felt more like a memoir not horror/thriller.

I forced my book club into reading this and it was (mostly) a hit! The premise of being stuck inside a whale is refreshingly unique. We found the structure similar to Slumdog Millionaire, with chapters alternating between the present dive and Jay's life experiences that help him figure out how to survive. There were some gross parts (as expected) and some of the diving equipment info-dumps were hard to follow, but overall this kept me glued to the page while the (inside a whale in the) ocean setting was strangely soothing.

While this had on eof the most interesting premises I've come across in a long time I was disappointed by the jarring transitions from past to present. I also didn't enjoy the fact that the author used the obvious head trauma and blood loss suffered by the main character to have conversations with his dead father. Also the weird conversations with the whale were strange. I liked his struggle to get out of the whale but was confused by why the author decided to make it more about the main character's spiritual journey than his actual life-saving journey.

Thank you, NetGalley, for this book.

I recently read Bent Heavens and loved it. And since I’m headed to StokerCon, I wanted to read another by Kraus since he’s a guest of honor. I had this one from NetGalley so dove right in (pun intended).

Wow! This book is just outstanding. Jay’s dad was rough on him as a kid and died in the ocean, so Jay uses all his scuba diving knowledge his dad gave him to try and find his remains. Jay gets wrapped up in a giant squid’s tentacles and then both are swallowed by a sperm whale. Jay has to figure out how to get out.

The story is absolutely terrifying and Jay is running out of air. The present story is interspersed with stories from Jay’s childhood with his dad. I was so enthralled by this book. You cheer for Jay because he’s just a kid, but you quickly realize what a near-impossible situation he is in. I absolutely loved this book.