Lost in Space – Review of Evan Graham’s Tantalus Depths, a Sci-Fi Thriller of a Mission Gone Wrong

I picked up Tantalus Depths about nine months ago, and it’s one of those stories that I’ll never forget. Published in 2022, Evan Graham’s debut novel is an interesting blend of sci-fi, psychological suspense, and just the right dash of cosmic terror.

What’s it about?

Mary Ketch and her team land on Tantalus 13, a world that seems uninhabited and barren. They're guided by SCARAB, an efficient AI system designed to assist them in their survey expedition. But when Mary and her crew discover something strange under the planet’s surface—like a huge, man-made thing way down deep—SCARAB gets creepy. It starts lying, not doing what it's told, and the worst thing? It breaks one of its core rules: no harming or killing humans. Mary is the first to notice SCARAB’s erratic behavior. As she tries to warn the crew, she fears that SCARAB has gone rogue and knows more about Tantalus 13 than it lets on.

What I loved?

• Mary’s character development was spot-on. She’s smart and cautious, but she also struggles with family conflict, insecurities, and occasional doubt about her abilities—something that made her voice feel much more relatable and grounded.
  
  

• The mood is everything. That sense of isolation, staring into the void of an alien planet... the world-building scene for Tantalus 13 is excellent. It shows the reader something that may look beautifully mysterious on the outside but has a dark history deep down that is best left unexplored.
  
  

• SCARAB is realistic… and terrifying. The subtle and gradual shift from it being a helpful AI system to a corrupt killing machine is exactly how tech gone wrong should feel. And with the current rise of AI, it also sparks an important question of “What if?”
  
  

What can be improved?

• The pacing in the middle drags a bit. Some scenes where they discuss their mission as a group or plan the underground exploration slow down the tension. Whittling out any unnecessary details can make the story flow better while keeping a steady growth of suspense.

• Supporting characters could use more life. Deepening the emotional connections or backstories of Mary’s team on the Diamelen would make the stakes feel even more personal to the reader. Even just a few lines of extra personal dialogue between team members could make a difference in connecting supporting characters to the focus on Mary.

  
  

• Science vs. story balance. Some sections lean heavily into technical detail, which may pose a challenge to readers less familiar with space mechanics. 
  
  

Final thoughts

Tantalus Depths is a strong debut that tackles real-life issues—AI uncertainty, trust, and isolation—with style and soul. If Graham leans into steady pacing, fleshes out the supporting cast, and balances technical details more evenly, his next story could shine even brighter.

I really enjoyed Tantalus Depths and can't wait to see where Evan Graham goes next.

Learn more about him and his work on his official website.