This Gilded Abyss combines sapphic romance, underwater horror, political intrigue, and relentless tension into an addictive fantasy adventure that left me desperate for the sequel.
I went into This Gilded Abyss by Rebecca Thorne expecting an underwater fantasy adventure. What I got instead was something far more unique: a blend of fantasy, horror, political intrigue, and sapphic romance that felt like 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea collided with 28 Days Later aboard a luxury submarine.
And honestly? It was a blast.
This is one of those books that grabs you by the throat from the moment things start going wrong and refuses to let go. Between the relentless tension, compelling character dynamics, and genuinely exciting survival-horror atmosphere, I found it almost impossible to put down.
An Underwater Survival Horror Fantasy
At its core, This Gilded Abyss follows Sergeant Nyx Mar, a soldier struggling with severe PTSD and survivor’s guilt after a disastrous mission that claimed the life of someone she cared deeply about.
When she’s hired as a bodyguard aboard a luxury submarine traveling to the legendary underwater city of the Fall, she expects an uncomfortable assignment.
The problem?
The person she’s assigned to protect is Princess Cassandra—her ex-girlfriend.
And things only get worse from there.
An infection begins spreading throughout the vessel, transforming passengers into terrifying creatures that feel far closer to the fast, rage-fueled infected from 28 Days Later than traditional zombies. Suddenly, the submarine becomes a death trap with nowhere to run.
What follows is a tense survival story where every hallway, compartment, and dark corridor feels dangerous.
The Tension Never Lets Up
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is how effectively it builds tension.
On paper, the plot is relatively straightforward. A group of people are trapped in a confined space while something monstrous hunts them.
But that’s exactly why it works.
Much like a great horror film, the story thrives on atmosphere and suspense rather than constant plot twists. The mystery behind the infection unfolds gradually, revealing connections to ancient gods, Titans, and long-buried secrets that add fascinating fantasy elements to the narrative.
Even during quieter moments, there’s an underlying sense of dread because readers know disaster is always lurking just around the corner.
The result is a novel that feels incredibly difficult to put down.
Nyx and Cassandra Steal the Show
As much as I loved the horror elements, the real heart of the novel lies in the relationship between Nyx and Cassandra.
Their history creates immediate emotional stakes.
They are angry with each other. They still care about each other. They don’t fully trust each other. And neither of them is particularly good at communicating.
It’s messy.
It’s complicated.
And it’s incredibly entertaining.
Their relationship walks a fine line between enemies-to-lovers and second-chance romance. There are moments where they genuinely frustrate each other, but their chemistry is undeniable.
I found myself rooting for them even when they were driving each other—and me—crazy.
A Surprisingly Well-Written Romance
For readers who know I don’t typically gravitate toward romance-heavy stories, this may come as a surprise: I genuinely enjoyed the romantic elements.
Yes, there is spice.
Yes, there is a memorable scene involving a vibrator.
But what impressed me most was how tastefully it was handled.
The intimacy never feels gratuitous or inserted solely for shock value. Instead, it serves as a natural extension of the emotional tension that’s been building between the characters throughout the story.
The scenes focus just as much on vulnerability and connection as they do on physical attraction, making them feel meaningful rather than excessive.
It’s one of the better examples of romantic tension paying off in a fantasy novel.
Horror Without Excessive Gore
Another aspect I appreciated was the book’s approach to horror.
While the infected creatures are certainly terrifying, the novel never relies on graphic gore to create suspense.
Readers who enjoy horror will appreciate the tension and atmosphere, while those who are typically hesitant about the genre likely won’t find it overwhelming.
The horror comes from the situation itself.
Being trapped underwater.
Being unable to escape.
Watching people succumb to an unknown infection.
Knowing something far older and more dangerous may be responsible.
That sense of claustrophobia and helplessness drives much of the story’s effectiveness.
The Fantasy Elements Add Depth
While the survival horror aspects dominate much of the novel, the fantasy elements add another compelling layer.
The mythology involving ancient gods and Titans gradually reveals itself throughout the story, transforming what initially seems like a contained disaster into something much larger.
I particularly enjoyed how these fantasy elements enhanced the mystery surrounding the infection.
Every revelation raised the stakes and made me more invested in discovering what was really happening beneath the surface.
That Ending
Let’s talk about the ending.
Without spoiling too much, this book absolutely ends in a way that made me immediately want the sequel.
The final chapters deliver answers while simultaneously opening the door to even bigger questions. The characters find themselves in an impossible situation, stranded, wounded, and facing threats that are far from over.
I reached the last page and immediately thought:
“That’s it?”
Not because the ending was unsatisfying.
Because I desperately wanted more.
Final Thoughts
This Gilded Abyss is one of the most entertaining fantasy novels I’ve read in quite some time.
It successfully blends survival horror, sapphic romance, political intrigue, fantasy mythology, and underwater adventure into a fast-paced story that constantly keeps readers engaged.
The horror never becomes overwhelming, the romance never feels excessive, and the fantasy elements provide enough mystery and intrigue to keep the pages turning.
Most importantly, it’s fun.
The kind of book that makes you lose track of time because you keep telling yourself you’ll stop after one more chapter.
Then suddenly you’re finished.
And desperately waiting for book two.
