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We Shall Sing a Song into the Deep    by Andrew Kelly Stewart Amazon.com order for
We Shall Sing a Song into the Deep
by Andrew Kelly Stewart
Order:  USA  Can
Tor, 2021 (2021)
Softcover
* *   Reviewed by Hilary Williamson

Andrew Kelly Stewart's We Shall Sing a Song into the Deep is post-apocalyptic SF. As the world very slowly recovers from a nuclear holocaust, one nuclear submarine, Leviathan, continues to prowl under the oceans with a cult-like mission - to trigger the Second Coming at the right time.

I have to admit that I had trouble getting into this story as it is so very dark all the way through. The submarine steals (they claim rescues) young boys from the wickedness Topside, and castrates them to keep their singing voices pure. The boys are the submarine's Choristers who must sing at specified times of day in this monastic life. Their chapel is the missile compartment. Those judged unfit for any reason are sent to tend the reactor and die a painful death from radiation.

Remy is a Chorister and a girl, but only Caplain Amita knows her secret. She is also Cantor and leads the singing. Her best friend among the Choristers is Lazlo. As the story opens, the caplain calls for Remy and entrusts her with the key needed to launch the Last Judgment. He's dying and doesn't trust his fanatical Ex-Oh. Gradually, Remy learns things that change her view of the world and Topside.

Remy comes of age and finally rejects the cult that has brought her up. She tries to escape the submarine, as Ex-Oh prepares the final launch - can she and Lazlo survive what follows?

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