We Shall Sing a Song into the Deep Paperback – March 9, 2021

This is one of those books you either love or really don't like. I loved it. The dark and claustrophobic premise doesn't seem to be liked by some reviewers. However, there are enough reviews available at this point to clue you in on what you are in for. So I don't understand people reading it and then dissing it. Maybe some people don't like thinking about religion gone mad. But not only am I not religious I truly like religious symbolism based on my love for heavy metal music. So I could care less that Catholics start WWIII in this book & then lock a bunch of little boys in a doomsday submarine. In fact, I'm surprised this hasn't really happened. If the Church with a capital C could get a nuclear sub full of little boys it probably would. I loved all the religious imagery combined with the suspense and extreme darkness of the plot. It serves as a reminder that when humanity as a whole is at its worst there will always be individual pockets of evil that are even worse. If you like dark windows to the human soul and don't mind having your apocalypse dished out by over the top religious freaks you will enjoy this book. If you are thinking more along the lines of a cruise ship piano lounge maybe go watch reruns of the Love Boat.

I can honestly say I’ve never read anything quite like We Shall Sing a Song Into the Deep. This is a dark, atmospheric tale—verging on oppressive—that weaves together several unusual elements: a submarine called the Leviathan commanded by a religious zealot who has stolen young boys from above and forced them to join his doomsday cult; an apocalyptic future (or perhaps an alternate history, I’m not sure) where the world has been nearly destroyed by nuclear war and is populated by “Topsiders” who are a threat to the men and boys on board the submarine; a group of young castrated boys called Choristers who are literally forced to sing for their supper; and a young girl named Remy who is pretending to be a boy but is in fact the only female on board. In its deepest chambers, the Leviathan carries the last nuclear missile on Earth, which will be released as soon as God gives the word, sending all those on board to their Last Judgement. But when a prisoner from the surface is brought below, Remy’s worldview shifts. Has everything she’s been told about the world above been a lie?This short novella is simply dripping with atmosphere, and in my opinion it’s the strongest thing about the story. Stewart’s prose brings the dark, dank bowels of the Leviathan to life, and I can assure you after reading this story, I never want to find myself inside a submarine ever! I could hear every ping and clank, every rush of steam through the pipes, even the drone of the sub’s motors. The crew are almost starving to death and survive on the scant fish they bring in from the ocean, as well as mushrooms harvested from the steamy lower tunnels (ewww). The reactor is bleeding poison into the air and slowing killing everyone. In the lowest reaches of the Leviathan, those boys who have committed one sin or another become the Forgotten and are banished to perform the most dangerous maintenance jobs next to the sub’s nuclear reactors. Add to this the fear of the ancient submarine breaking down and the threat of the Topsiders and the broken world above, and you can see how the characters are in a constant state of unease.There is an air of sadness to the story that rarely lets up. Something terrible has happened to the world above, and the crew of the Leviathan believe they are only safe underwater, despite the hardships they go through. I felt awful for poor Remy and the other Choristers, who have been brainwashed to believe that the world above is evil and the only way out is through death. It’s that typical cult scenario that I’ve read many times before, but it never fails to break my heart.And yet, there are some oddly beautiful moments. Remy’s friendships with the other Choristers are so sweet. As weird as it was, I also loved the idea of a choir of young boys singing Compline and Vespers every day, their lives ruled by the Hours. Remy was chosen for her beautiful singing voice, and singing not only comforts her, but she's proud of what she does. We also find out that two whales often follow the sub, singing back and forth together, and I loved how this parallels the Chorister's singing on the Leviathan. Remy is always listening for them, as if they’re a sign that things are still OK. Remy herself is surprisingly upbeat considering that she was kidnapped from above when she was only five years old and doesn’t remember anything about her previous life. Once Remy meets the prisoner, a Topsider named Adolphine, the story takes on a certain urgency, as Adolphine convinces Remy to try to escape. I have to admit I found it very hard to give this novella a rating, but I finally settled on four stars simply because I think it has many special and unique qualities. However the overall feel of the story is very depressing and weird, so this isn’t going to be for everyone. I’m intrigued by Andrew Kelly Stewart, though, and very curious to see what he writes next.

An interesting post-apocalypse story taking place in an aging nuclear submarine, in which an odd cult has arisen comprising the surviving crew members and kidnapped children whom they are raising on board the sub.

I have now read this twice and listened to the audiobook. This novel (or novella depending on your definition) moved me in a way few books ever have. The characters truly live in me now, and I plan to revisit this book frequently. Each reading reveals a new depth and insight into this world and characters, and there are many aspects that reflect the world we’re currently living through. But the overriding thought I’m left with is hope and love.I hope the author revisits this world and that a prequel, sequel or alternate point of view novel are in the works. One thing is for certain, I will be watching and waiting for more from Andrew Kelly Stewart.Note to other librarians: This is classified as an adult read, but I would highly recommend it for high school/ young adult audiences as well. I live in a conservative community, and see no potential issues at all.

This is a really beautiful post-apocalyptic story.Remy is rescued from a dying world to sing in a choir in a nuclear submarine. Their mission: to wait for the day when it's time to release the last judgement and then sink into the deep.I read this novella in one sitting! I was too eager to find out what happened to bring the world to this state, what will happen to those on board the submarine, and especially if Remy and her best friend would get some kind of happy ending.The mood of this story was claustrophobic and tense. Not everyone seemed to have the same ideas about the mission of the Leviathan, and there's jealousy, strife, and more between the crew on board. When Remy learns there's more to the stories she's been told, she has to decided who to believe and what she should do. This story is a much about growing up and finding your own way in life as it is an dark and atmospheric post-apocalyptic tale.All in all this is a hauntingly beautiful novella that left me wanting more. You bet I'll keep an eye on more by Andrew Kelly Stewart.

Tense and beautiful underwater tale.