Reviews with content warning for Cursing - In Deeper Waters

I don't always love high fantasy as the rules of the worlds can be too much, but Lukens makes them fun to read and introduces the rules of the universe and society as part of the plot without too much exposition!

Tal and Athlen were fun characters, as were the side characters, and if she were ever willing, I would love more from this universe. As a note, the fact that classism and misogyny existed but homophobia didn't was an interesting choice.

I would love to know more about the mermaids, was Athlen the last? Where are they if not??? I need to know!

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bingereadingandtea's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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adonis_march's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Now, BookTok likes to recommend this as a fluffy wholesome gay love story… while the relationship between Tal and Athlen is very wholesome, well-built, and refreshingly healthy, oh my god no it is not!

In the best way possible, In Deeper Waters is like investigating what the events of Avatar The Last Airbender would be like from the perspective of Zuko’s grandkids. It begins incredibly slow, and the writing style takes a bit to get used to. Especially in the beginning, some of the choices used read a la an above average Wattpad/AO3 fanfic.

HOWEVER, by god was Talisen’s emotional arc incredibly well-written and engaging. There are painfully realistic spirals and turns that could be seen as an extended metaphor for inherited mental illness or personality disorder. The rest of the characters also became hopelessly endearing, overcoming any challenges in prose.

All the pirates were evil though, so points off. (Not really, but again, it was recommended to me as a gay pirate novel and it’s really not about pirates at all).

The ending was going to decide if this came down to a 3/5 or a 4/5 and I can assure you, it stuck the landing.

While it’s not for the light, fluffy mood that people recommend it, still a fun, enjoyable read once you push through the beginning!

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sssssoup's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would. Everything about it is executed so well and I have no complaints with it all. The characters, the worldbuilding, the plot!!! It’s all so wonderful, I was smiling while I read!

The writing style itself was so fun to read. It had a lot of description, but it felt balanced with the dialogue and it didn’t feel overly flowery. The plot was also very well done. It has a lot of moving parts and I was impressed with how everything got resolved. You could argue that the ending was too convenient, but it made sense and felt natural to me, so I’m not complaining.

I also really liked the characters a lot. The progression of Tal’s arc was very well executed and I really liked seeing how he changed over the course of the story. I also felt like

the romance between him and Athlen was very well written as well. It felt more natural and realistic than most romance subplots I’ve read in other YA books. It didn’t feel forced or rushed like romance often does (in my opinion) and it was really nice to see something where they didn’t jump straight from meeting right into being in love.

I also liked the worldbuilding and how the author took time to really explore the world’s history. I think it would’ve been nice to have a map, but I was still able to understand without one.

Overall I just really really loved this book!! It’s definitely a new favorite of mine, and it exceeded my expectations by miles. The messages and themes in it as well as the ending really made me smile and I think it’s an important book that a lot of people would benefit from reading. I will definitely be thinking about it for a long time and will be recommending it to everyone I know!

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bookishflower's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Can we talk about that incredible vintage romance- inspired cover?!

This was such a feel good read! When ‘The Little Mermaid’ meets ‘Luca’ (if Disney had been brave enough to give us a gay love story).

This was wonderfully whimsical, with a great balance between an engaging plot and swoon-worthy romantic fluff.
Athlen and Tal are the cutest and fleshed out which is not only enhances their romance but also the plot. Lukens doesn’t sacrifice their character development and the story in favour of the romance which is refreshing!
I am in love with all of the royal siblings, if this book got the Bridgeton treatment and each of them got their own book I would eat it up! The tease of a sleeping girl in Alemmeni and Garrett! Please! The sibling banter was hilarious, I caught myself laughing out loud serval times.
More people need to talk about this book?! I’ve already preordered ‘So This is Ever After’ and can’t wait!!

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miyothecat's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I loveee this book so muchhh!!! Even though it’s only around 300 pages, it tells so much. It’s a bit faster than I usually like, that’s why I didn’t give it a solid five stars but it’s still soooo good. My favourite character was definetely Athlen. I loved him so much. Although I would have loved to read more details in this book, the author’s choice to not do so doesn’t change how much I loved this book. I would really love to read more of this, I’m really sad it’s over. It definetely earned its way to be on my favourites.

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annoyedhumanoid's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

(adjusted from 3.5 to 3.25)

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snoutsiru's review against another edition

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adventurous inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

Very very very cute! I just wished it wasn’t so short. I would love to know more about the villains, world and secondary characters. Maybe this book could’ve been better as a trilogy. Everything felt a bit rushed, but it’s a good queer YA book nevertheless.

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