An Absolutely Frightening Read | “The Terror” by Dan Simmons

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The Terror’s Winter Puts Game Of Thrones To Sleep!

Don’t miss The Terror, an unforgettable historical fiction/horror novel, written by Dan Simmons, and based on the ice wrecks of the HMS Erebus and the HMS Terror.

A Historic Discovery of Two Lost Ships

The Arctic Research Foundation discovered the wreck of the British Royal Navy ship HMS Terror on September 12, 2016, in Terror Bay, Nunavut, Canada, located off the southwest coast of King William Island. The ship was found resting on the seabed at a depth of 69–79 ft., 57 miles south of where it was reported abandoned and 31 miles from the wreck of HMS Erebus, which was discovered in 2014. 

The discovery was made after the foundation’s ship detoured to Terror Bay to investigate a recollection from an Inuit crew member who said he saw a large piece of wood sticking out of the ice that looked like a mast. The Guardian reported that the ship was in “perfect condition” and appeared to have been “buttoned down tight for winter” when it sank, with the windows still intact. 

A remotely operated vehicle was used to take images of the ship’s interior, including the mess hall, cabins, food storage room, wine bottles, tables, and empty shelving. Parks Canada released a video tour of the ship that shows intact china on the shelves in the mess hall and open doors leading to the officers’ rooms.

You Will Feel The Terror, By Dan Simmons

Dan Simmons’ historical horror/speculative fiction novel The Terror has as its backbone Sir John Franklin’s fateful expedition (the Franklin Expedition) to the Arctic in 1845-1848. The expedition’s goal was to open the Northwest Passage, forging a sea route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through the northern reaches of North America.

It would have been frightening enough to read a harrowing non-fiction account of the two doomed ships–the HMS Terror and HMS Erebus–braving the frigid waters of the Northern Territories. The two ships become fatally icebound and all 129 men, including famed Arctic explorer Franklin, perished. But this book is historical fiction, isn’t it? Add to this true story a horrifying, unknown terror preying upon and toying with the sea men who are already struggling for survival, and you have a chilling read that freezes the blood in your veins.

So what does the “Terror” (the title of the Dan Simmons’ book) allude to? Does it allude to the slow-build of claustrophobia from the ships being trapped for weeks, months, and longer, in the inescapable grasp of ice, with little hope for survival outside of brute endurance (realistic)? Or does the “Terror” allude to the more pragmatic knowledge that one of the ships–the flagship–was christened the HMS Terror (that’s true)? It alludes to both. It also, at least partially, and then overwhelmingly, alludes to an enveloping, wild horror–I mean terror–a thing. Something lurks outside in the snow and ice. A thing, a monster, and it’s stalking the men (hopefully Dan Simmons’ imagination).

I Definitely Recommend This Book

This book takes historical fiction to a higher level. I could not, in any way, suggest you read it during a month where there’s snow, ice, cold or even a hint of such. The book is, frankly, just too terrifying. Even a person who embraces winter should think twice about reading this hyper-real horror tale when the world outside resembles the cold and terrifying environment that is the world inside this outstanding book. Once you close the book for the night, if there is an icy wind blowing, or a chill in the air, I have no doubt that the book’s terrifying and mysterious monster will be lurking in the dark, stalking you. 

Read this book. Definitely read this book. But, unless you are very brave, save it for the sweltering weather, when the heat and the sweat and a hot breeze can remind you that this is, after all, only a story of history. It’s only a story. Or is it? Definitely read it in summer. Or, read it in winter. If you dare.

~ Sharon Browning

About Dan Simmons, Author of The Terror

Dan Simmons is a prolific and successful American science fiction and horror writer. He is the author of the Hyperion Cantos and the Ilium/Olympos cycles, among other works that span the science fiction, horror, and fantasy genres. Simmons’s genre-intermingling Song of Kali (1985) won the World Fantasy Award. He also writes mysteries and thrillers, some of which feature the continuing character Joe Kurtz. His major horror novels include Carrion Comfort, The Terror, and The Abominable. Source: Wikipedia.

Other Titles by Dan Simmons

Be sure and look at our other LitStack Recs for our recommendations on books you should read, as well as these reviews by Lauren Alwan, and these reviews by Sharon Browning.

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