I’ve always been intrigued by the tragedy of the Titanic, and really enjoyed this novel that tells the fictional different stories of several different survivors, The characters themselves are all so different and interesting. I loved how all of their stories eventually connected and intermingled. The only thing that slightly disappointed me was the ending - to me, it didn’t feel like an ending. Overall though, this book is great!

I liked how the book started out as we got background on the three main characters- Charlotte, Esme, and Anna - who ultimately end up in a lifeboat together when the Titanic begins to sink. Throughout the book, the various chapters alternated between the three women, giving an idea of how events unfolded from their perspective. We got to read about how the women's lives turned out after the tragedy and the events that unfolded that lead them to one another again. Given how the women were before the Titanic, some of their lives turned out quite different than might have been expected. I enjoyed Anna the most as she was the most honest of the three. I received an ARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley - my opinions are my own.

Overall, I found this to be an enjoyable read. I enjoy reading stories (fiction and eyewitness accounts) of the Titanic story. This story was split in various sections (before the Titanic, after the Titanic, On the lifeboat, and the aftermath) and followed three main characters throughout (Anna, Esme, and Charlotte). The beginning of the book was good. I loved reading about each of the women, and I felt that their characters were well developed. I like how the women were from all different backgrounds and socioeconomic statuses. This allowed for a well rounded look at the story from people of all different walks of life. While I enjoyed the development of these three women, I found that by the end of the story, everything was falling flat. There was such a build up for the main plot line of the book, and I personally felt the plot to be a letdown. It wasn't a strong enough conclusion to follow the writing from the beginning of the book. However, I did enjoy the author's writing and will happily read more of her books, if given the opportunity!

Three women, three different lives, three separate stories which all merge on Lifeboat 21 of the Titanic. I found the introduction to each of the women the strongest and the best written portion of the book. Each of the three is well portrayed and their background stories held my interest.

The section of the book dealing with the passage on the Titanic, its sinking, and how each woman came to be in the lifeboat was well told. The additional characters introduced at this point are all of “a type” and play their parts well. The decisions made by the survivors in Lifeboat 21 was heartrending but completely believable.

The balance of the book was less cohesive. It was a mélange of each woman trying to come to terms with her choice and her life after that fateful night in the lifeboat. None are left unscathed. Each has suffered. Each has survived. The ending was uncertain.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC.

I've always been fascinated by stories about the Titanic so I was excited to read On A Cold Dark Sea. The story is told from the alternating viewpoints of three very different women. We learn a bit about each woman's past, her experience with the tragedy and in her life after. On A Cold Dark Sea was a captivating tale of survival and starting over. I have read other books by Elizabeth Blackwell and enjoyed them but she outdid herself with this book!

Such a great read! Was interesting to see so many sides of such a monumental event! I could really empathize with so many of them!!

The only thing bad about this book was, I couldn't put it down to get anything done!!! I loved it! The ending was a bit abrupt and choppy but the writing was well done and the story line fantastic! It was a different take on the sinking of the Titanic, focussing less in the main ship sinking, and more on the rescue of 3 main characters. It covers their lives before and after the tragedy and how it affected them. Very well done!

A very happy surprise. I'll admit that when I noticed Lake Union was the publisher, I had second thoughts about reading this; every book from the company that I'd read previously felt amateurish and shallow. But "On a Cold Dark Sea" was tightly plotted and written, with three-dimensional characters and plausible but unexpected twists and turns.

and fade to black...

While On a Cold Dark Sea opens with chapters of intriguing dramatic possibilities and provides the bits and always popular well-known information about the RMS Titanic and even plays respectively with some legends about its more illustrious passengers it, unfortunately, lacked fluency as the loose frayed lines of connections between characters became an overly tangled story where emotions and outbursts seemed to take over and in the end did not convey a complete point but only faded to black after a long predictable sentimental scene.

Thinking back that seemed to happen alot in On a Cold Dark Sea. Characters would travel (or even show some type growth of understanding) and I cared to get to know the varying classes of passengers, their own painful secrets on that cold April night and what happened to them long after the smoke cleared from the snapping bulbs of ravenous reporters waiting to pounce on pier 59 and 54, but then this novel would just leave me in the dark waiting for a return or another mention as it set different characters adrift after reaching any excitement. Which is a shame because I honestly liked the beginning of this book and style of writing. I suppose I would say this novel is for those who are just looking for an escape that may seem extremely familiar in parts but are also happy to get lost in different Classes of lies and tides of romance.

With thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing who kindly sent me an Advanced Reader Copy.

Title expected to be released: April 10, 2018

Thanks Lake Union Publishing and netgalley for this ARC.

This book's heroine is just not likeable. I didn't finish this one because it was just too boring.

I spent my entire afternoon off reading this book and not getting anything else done! Anything related to Titanic will always end up on my reading list. I'm so glad this book was not yet another romance where the main characters are spectacularly in love after just 4 days. I very much enjoyed that this story follows three different women in very different circumstances and what happened to them after. Elizabeth Blackwell's writing and plotting were both very good and I will certainly be reading other books if hers!

This book was an interesting and varied take on the Titanic tragedy. It's split into many parts and three different narrators, which makes the focus on the time during and immediately after the sinking less repetitive and drawn out. It also catches up with the survivors 20 years later, reflecting on their experiences with dealing with the grief and guilt.
I enjoyed this novel very much, I found it well written and well paced. The characters were strong, and varied, and the varying socioeconomic circumstances made for a strong look at the whole picture of Titanic's survivors.

On A Cold Dark Sea is another novel based on the sinking of the Titanic. I've read many of these and didn't have much hope for this one, but it is a bit different than the others. This follows the lives of several fictitious passengers who were saved and how the Titanic experience shaped their entire lives. Could anyone who survived the Titanic have a happy ending? The answer to that may surprise the reader!

Great book. Well crafted plot and characters. I enjoyed this author’s writing and look forward to reading more of her books.

I was intrigued by On a Cold Dark Sea. I liked it but at times, it was a little slow. 4 stars.

Omg i love love LOVE any stories that have to do with the titanic. This was a wonderful work of fiction based on 3 different womens perspectives

Wow. What a fantastic read!! I adored the writing and the characters. I found the Titanic to be a fascinating part of the book. I feel like, although it is a novel, I still learned from historical aspects of the book. I have several patrons at my library who read anything about the Totanic that they can get their hands on, and I know they’ll love this one. Thank you so much!

On a Cold Dark Sea is historical fiction at its best. Ms. Blackwell took a subject that has been widely written about and created a book that is fresh, entertaining, and incredibly interesting. On a Cold Dark Sea would make a great literature companion in a high school history class. I can also see it used successfully in an ethics class or as a book discussion selection.

I am a sucker for historical fiction. Throw in exploring the time through multiple character's viewpoints and I am a happy woman. This book focused on three female characters that were from different socioeconomic standings as well as geographical homes.

I really enjoyed how this book told the story of HOW the characters came to be on the Titanic and how being survivors from the Titanic followed them through their lives.

Each character had their own story and their story was done well. They were all tied together well so you saw the overlap and understood how the actions of one character caused great impact on another. The stories unfold well so there is some suspense on how things are unfolding. I enjoyed this aspect a lot.

This is definitely a solid good read.

I seem to always enjoy any book I receive by Lake Union Publishing. This was no different. The story of three women who survived the Titanic sinking and were together on a Lifeboat for hours in the deep, dark, cold sea. The story is told in four parts. Before the tragedy, After, on the Lifeboat and the Aftermath years later. I enjoyed Elizabeth Blackwell's writing very much. I would easily read another book by her. Very enjoyable and entertaining.