Aegean

by

James Churchill

Mysterious, otherworldly marine adventure of hidden places, supernatural disappearances, and remarkable ancient technology.

Aegean by James Churchill is a mysterious and suspenseful marine adventure about divers discovering a paradigm-shifting instrument of ancient technology and a should-be-impossible hidden underwater world that only the sea itself remembers. While this is a plot-driven novel with minimal character development, I enjoyed the story immensely but was left with critical questions at its close. 

Giannis and Tonia are dive partners who confirm the site of a shipwreck with a mysterious treasure chest secured to its main mast. However, the conditions in the water and within the wreckage suggest this is no ordinary salvage opportunity. Something unseen is there, and they are not alone. 

The plot is fast-paced as the divers enlist the assistance of a local expert who has personal knowledge of the shipwreck and, perhaps, a prior relationship with Giannis; this remains unclear through the end of the book. This expert, Dr. Sophia Vrettou (later called Sophia Argyriou in chapter 40), is already aware of Giannis and Tonia’s recent discovery and warns them that they are in danger from others who want what they’ve found. The narrative also sets up this aspect of the plot: unmarked ships hover near or patrol directly over the dive site when the divers are underwater, and two mysterious men watch the divers’ activities from a coast guard station overlooking the pier. It is never revealed why the “others” haven’t retrieved the treasure chest for themselves. However, this storyline disappears after a single contact at a remote island laboratory, after the divers come into possession of the wooden chest. The dive team is also assisted on the water by Nikos, a pilot who suddenly appears on board the ship before a dive in Chapter 16, without introduction. Later, he is left on board for the final dive, cautioning the divers to return in 45 minutes. But when the divers return, he is never mentioned, seemingly forgotten as part of this scene. 

Still, with the ambiguous relationships among the main characters, the changing name of our expert, and what I consider plot holes, I enjoyed the story. The author’s writing style is unique, easy to read, and so engaging that I didn’t want to put this book down. I loved the premise that “the world is bigger” than we know, and I would absolutely read more by this author. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from Reedsy Discovery.