DEEP SEA FELINE, written by Dave Hurlow, shines with magical realism at the highest level. I cannot help but imagine Hurlow was inspired by Haruki Murakami as he tackled this incredible novel. 

At the surface, the story reads as “a fairytale version of a natural disaster.” But a multiverse of metaphors stretches many layers deep with a profound emotionality. 

The story follows as the city of Toronto is overtaken by dark and terrible events that were brought on by Charlie, accidentally disrupting the balance between two immortal Gods from different realms. But really, we watch as Charlie, Greg, Sophia, and all of the people who touch their lives deal with the unraveling of reality. 

The line between reality and fantasy is pretty squishy these days. (Pg. 213)

In real life, the things we all used to rely on to tell us the truth, the newspapers, the documentaries, the great journalists, are all unraveling into desperate click bait. In this evolution of the media trying to stay alive through divisive and melodramatic crisis content, we have all lost a sense of what is the truth. 

DEEP SEA FELINE is a beautiful articulation of this unnerving theme. 

Hurlow takes the reader on an epic ride through portals and otherworldly creatures with a decadent use of words. The sophistication of his world building is on par with that of BLADE RUNNER and DUNE.

What I appreciate so much though, is how deeply we care for all of Hurlow’s characters. Often in stories that are shrouded in magical realism, we lose the nuance and complexity of the characters in order to service the world. Hurlow expertly navigates this balance and offers us both outstanding characters that we can relate to as well as a one-of-a-kind, never-been-seen-before invention of a world. 

I am biased because I grew up with so much music around me, but it is also exciting to read a novel where music has the power to heal. Where music is the medium through which everyone is communicating both good and bad. Music is a universal language and Hurlow’s passion for it shines through in every plot twist and character study. 

At one point, a character in the story, Artemis Gwilliamury, says, “Your family history reads like a greek tragedy.” This may be all you need to know as you embark on reading this novel. 

What’s great about tragedy is that it shows life as it really is and reminds us that suffering is the common denominator that draws humanity together. (Pg. 148)

The DEEP SEA FELINE’S very grounded characters with relatable anxieties, needs, and flaws, live through a moment in time that toggles between soul crushing repercussions and hope of biblical proportions. 

DEEP SEA FELINE is mesmerizing and exhilarating. It sneaks into your psyche and sticks with you throughout the day, the month, the year… just like a great song you just cannot get out of your head.