Deep Freeze has so many twists, turns, and chapter ending cliffhangers. I listened to the audiobook while I cleaned my house and finished it in a couple days because I couldn’t turn it off! It’s the first in the Revival series by Michael C. Grumley.

John was in a bus accident and ended up in an icy river. Then, we wakes up in a lab/hospital place surrounded by doctors. Slowly as the novel goes on, we learn more about the place where he ended up, what is going on, and who John is.

I don’t want to give anything away, so I’ll leave it at that.

The writing style is a bit Michael Crichton, so expect some discussions between doctors and scientists about cryogenics and etc. In my opinion, some readers might find the frequent scientific explanations boring and annoying, so be aware of that. But as a ‘science person’ myself, I didn’t mind it too much.

There are a few unanswered questions left at the end, but not enough to be annoying, as the book does have a clear ending. (I can’t stand series where each book doesn’t seem to end in order to set up the next…)

Also, the audiobook narrator works perfectly for the story. I was totally immersed.

Trigger warning: animals and people as test subjects (no graphic descriptions though)

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the audio ARC! This book comes out on Jan 9th, 2024

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Michael C. Grumley, and Macmillan Audio for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Having read another series by Michael C. Grumley, I was eager to get started with this debut. Grumley posits many things in the sci-fi/neurological world and I always enjoy what he has to say. In this story, the author explores how cryogenic freezing can open a portal to new and ominous goings-on, particularly with one subject. In a gripping piece that pulls on all the area of action, Grumley takes the reader on a significant adventure until all is left hanging!

Events developed quickly and the accident appeared to be something that no one could have predicted. John Reiff ended up plunging into the frigid water and died while submerged in his vehicle. No one could have expected anyone to survive, though scientists had some ideas and wanted to experiment.

Years later, after no one expected anything, Reiff wakes up to have lights shining in his eyes, unsure where he is at present. When he discovers what’s happened and how scientists have used him as a sort of experiment, Reiff is less than impressed. While he is stunned that he can breathe, see, and even walk, Reiff has a feeling that there is another piece to the puzzle that no one is sharing with him.

With a handful of secrets in possession of those scientists who are monitoring him, Reiff refuses to stand down. He’s unsure why he is being kept in the dark, but his vivid imagination could be a weapon, in the wrong hands. John Reiff refuses to ignore his body or what has been happening, but he is getting no answers or direction from those who are advising him. Reiff wants answers and will stop at nothing to get them. The problem is, this is but the tip of the ice berg as it relates to cryogenic experimentation. Grumley delivers in this series debut that opens the mind and leaves much yet to be understood!

Michael C. Grumley does well to stir up controversy and drama in this debut novel. He mixes science and advanced neurological ideas to entertain and educate the reader, while positing some truly outstanding ideas that could change biological discoveries. There is a great sense of building tension in the narrative, which develops and gains momentum in just right way. The reader can rely on strong characters to help with this. In this series debut, there is lots of that and a great deal for the reader to synthesise.

A mix of twists and turns paves the way for an action-packed novel. Grumley does well, creating tense moments and uses his speculation to fuel the fires. I enjoy the mystery injected into the story and can only hope that Grumley has more to come as the series progresses. I also eager to see where things are headed.

Kudos, Mr. Grumley, for another story that pushes the limits!

DNF'd at 35% because as a 30-something year old woman, I felt actively excluded from this story.

I love science fiction, and the premise sounds really interesting; a man crashes into a freezing lake only to be revived but information is being kept from him (and us the reader). Love this concept.

The way women characters are referred made me feel uncomfortable. A woman doctor is described based on her level of attractiveness, which has nothing to do with the story or the character, and none of the male characters are described similarly. We also have this unnecessary description of a highly capable, professional woman, "She was his right hand man, or rather woman." and "Well dressed as always." Another example of a male character referencing a highly successful woman character isn't by her name, profession, or title, it's "Someone must have told him. It must have been the woman."

As a 30-something year old this book felt condescending, when a character describes another highly successful, professional working at this top secret hospital as, "a 32 year old kid".

Wow! What did I just read?!?! From a bus crash that ends up in a freezing river, to a hospital operating room, to being shot at this story keeps you engaged and guessing!

John Reiff was on a bus that went off a highway into an icy river. He helped get as many people out before the bus went under with him still inside. Now he is awake in what looks like a hospital room and not much information is being given to him. What has happened and where is he?

Dr Rachel Souza wants to share more information with the patient but those in charge have forbidden it. This project has been conducted very quietly and it has taken years to get to this place so she can not understand why there has not been a press release. Now protocols are changing and equipment is disappearing and treatment for the patient is changing and something does not feel right. What is going on?

The more questions the more dangerous it becomes? Will John and Rachel figure it out and survive? And then things really go off the rails! This is a story you have to read! There are so many pieces to the puzzle.