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rikkir77's review against another edition
4.0
Darkdeep is a great book for middle schoolers who like action, fantasy, and mystery. Great start to a series with a cliffhanger that will have students ready for more!
Read alikes:
Beneath by Smith
Masterminds by Korman
Scar Island by Gemeinhart
Questions:
What was in the jar on the houseboat? A green glob that kept growing
What did Nico have to dress up as for the town celebration? Radish
What did the kids find at the bottom of a ravine? A skeleton with the Nantes jacket
How did Nico get Logan to go in the Darkdeep before him? He pushed him in
Read alikes:
Beneath by Smith
Masterminds by Korman
Scar Island by Gemeinhart
Questions:
What was in the jar on the houseboat? A green glob that kept growing
What did Nico have to dress up as for the town celebration? Radish
What did the kids find at the bottom of a ravine? A skeleton with the Nantes jacket
How did Nico get Logan to go in the Darkdeep before him? He pushed him in
abbielester's review against another edition
3.0
This is book one in a series coauthored by Ally Condie and Brendan Reichs. It's Stranger Things lite and will appeal to a younger crowd looking for a thrill. I wish the plot had come to the scary part sooner, but it's still an enjoyable read, and plenty of kids will love it. A spooky final scene will propel readers into the sequel.
Read more at Bookish Adventures.
Read more at Bookish Adventures.
quietlyhermione's review against another edition
4.0
Creepy, yet age-appropriate. This was a fast-paced adventure story about a group of friends who make a spooky discovery. The plot itself is compelling and reads like a creepy mystery. There is also some conflict between characters that makes the story interesting to read on another level, giving some depth to the story.
autumnwonders's review against another edition
3.0
The tension and storytelling are great and the characters are relatable so I enjoyed the book for the most part. It was eerie and I think 5th-7th grade kids will like that aspect. There are themes of friendship and bullying explored. I wasn't crazy about what the Darkdeep turned out to be and I would have liked more on how it came to be --but I guess that will be in the sequel:)
katbancroft's review against another edition
3.0
A little cheesy at times, and I doubt this will ever go down as a classic, but for what it is — a light, fun middle grade novel with a few genuinely spine-chilling moments — this book’s not bad. The characters were generally likable and grew in satisfying ways. I enjoyed the themes of facing your fears and supporting your friends. The dialogue and the “figments” were a bit goofy sometimes, but in fairness, I’m not the audience for this book. Who am I to say how kids like their characters to talk or what their imaginations come up with? I don’t plan on reading the rest of the series, but I’d definitely recommend this book to tweens looking for a good Halloween read.
jennifrencham's review against another edition
4.0
Condie, Ally. The Darkdeep. Bloomsbury, 2018.
Nico's drone is sent into the mist in an area that is prohibited. Naturally, he follows it in, and accompanied by a couple of friends as well as a frenemy, Nico discovers a mysterious island where strange and scary things are happening. The group tries to uncover the secret of the darkdeep.
This is touted as Stranger Things for kids, and that's a fairly accurate description. This is scarier than Goosebumps, but not too scary to recommend to most tweens (10-12 year olds and older). There is little backstory and scanty character development, but both of those things are sacrificed for the sake of the spooky action, which is the focus in this story. The scary, paranormal phenomena will keep kids turning pages. Recommended.
Recommended for: tweens
Red Flags: bullying, "minor peril"
Overall Rating: 4/5 stars
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley for the purpose of review.
Nico's drone is sent into the mist in an area that is prohibited. Naturally, he follows it in, and accompanied by a couple of friends as well as a frenemy, Nico discovers a mysterious island where strange and scary things are happening. The group tries to uncover the secret of the darkdeep.
This is touted as Stranger Things for kids, and that's a fairly accurate description. This is scarier than Goosebumps, but not too scary to recommend to most tweens (10-12 year olds and older). There is little backstory and scanty character development, but both of those things are sacrificed for the sake of the spooky action, which is the focus in this story. The scary, paranormal phenomena will keep kids turning pages. Recommended.
Recommended for: tweens
Red Flags: bullying, "minor peril"
Overall Rating: 4/5 stars
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley for the purpose of review.
lundlibrarian's review against another edition
2.0
Meh. Interesting premise, but I just couldn’t get into it. Ages 12 and up.
llyrrhiannon's review against another edition
4.0
A readlike to the middle school Horizon series. Will be reading the next installment.
sorkatani's review against another edition
3.0
Each chapter of the story switches the point of view between two of the main characters - Nico and Opal. Sometimes, POV switching can be immersion breaking, but I actually enjoyed it in this case and didn't feel like it was hard to follow or that it affected immersion in any way.
I like the overarching themes within the book and look forward to reading the sequel.
I like the overarching themes within the book and look forward to reading the sequel.
eehoskins's review against another edition
3.0
Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book- all opinions are my own. Actual rating 3.5
What if the things you imagined came to life? What would it be like? Sparkly bears? Favorite characters? Or is your imagination a little darker?
In this new series by Ally Condie and Brandon Reichs, Nico and his friends get to find out exactly what their imagination is made of. Following a fall from a cliff, Nico finds himself on an island. Seemingly uninhabited and with an abandoned houseboat, the island begs to be explored. The houseboat houses many interesting artifacts, including the swirling darkdeep.
I am excited for the publication of this book. Having had the privilege of reading an ARC, I believe my middle grade students will love this story! From the light-hearted moments to the more intense struggles- this book touches on issues like bullying, peer-pressure, and true friendship. The mystery of the darkdeep will hold attention and keep readers on the edge of their seats.
As an adult reader there were times that the book seemed cheesy or had obvious outcomes- but all in all, I can see my students falling in love with this story!
What if the things you imagined came to life? What would it be like? Sparkly bears? Favorite characters? Or is your imagination a little darker?
In this new series by Ally Condie and Brandon Reichs, Nico and his friends get to find out exactly what their imagination is made of. Following a fall from a cliff, Nico finds himself on an island. Seemingly uninhabited and with an abandoned houseboat, the island begs to be explored. The houseboat houses many interesting artifacts, including the swirling darkdeep.
I am excited for the publication of this book. Having had the privilege of reading an ARC, I believe my middle grade students will love this story! From the light-hearted moments to the more intense struggles- this book touches on issues like bullying, peer-pressure, and true friendship. The mystery of the darkdeep will hold attention and keep readers on the edge of their seats.
As an adult reader there were times that the book seemed cheesy or had obvious outcomes- but all in all, I can see my students falling in love with this story!