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fanboyriot's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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? No
4.5
Read For:
š® Magic
š High Fantasy
š¤“š½Prince x Merfolk
š¤ Rivals to Lovers Vibes
š§š¼āāļø The Gay Little Mermaid
This was absolutely adorable. It was enchanting and adventurous all the while being wholesome and tense at times.
The characters were detailed and lovable. I really enjoyed the atmosphere of this book, the plot and setting made this high fantasy all the more enjoyable.
There were The Little Mermaid vibes but gayer and much more interesting with the magic. It was really cute.
Release Date: 29, March 2022
POV: Third Person
Spice: š¶ļø
Rep: Bisexual or maybe Pansexual (MC), LGBTQIA Characters
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Blood, Confinement, Vomit, Physical abuse, Murder, Violence, Kidnapping, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Self harm, Panic attacks/disorders, War, Slavery, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Gore
Minor: Alcohol
ankiaisreading's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Grief, Hate crime, Torture, Violence, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, Sexual content, Alcohol, Death, Kidnapping, Murder, Confinement, Body horror, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Vomit, Physical abuse, Slavery, and War
ghostlyprince's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Classism, Panic attacks/disorders, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, Torture, Physical abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Colonisation, Blood, Violence, Vomit, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal cruelty, Death of parent, Medical content, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Misogyny, Murder, Sexism, and War
katyfayyyx's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Can we have a moment of silence for this motherfucking cover because it is just perfect like it is just so beautiful it may or may have been the reason why I bought this book in the first place because it is just so beautiful, like who doesn't love a book cover that screams queer romance between a Prince and Mermen? Like yes please? I just loved this book so much like there is nothing I love more than a fluffy gay romance set in this mediaeval period with a merman, pirates and royalty š³ļøāš. Girl I was living and I mean living I fucking loved this book! Is the writing in this book worth five stars no but I lived from this book it was just so cute and wholesome and I love all the characters and my face hurt from smiling such much when I was reading this book and I just had so a fun time reading this book and it just has a special place in my heart for these characters and just the vibes of this book.
I really loved all of the elements of this book but the standout for me was 100% the romance like the chemistry between all the characters was amazing but the chemistry between the two main characters was exceptional like it is a bit insta-love and I am not normally a big fan of that but I loved it in this one. I also thought that the character building and character development was really well done in this book, like I felt like all the characters have they time to shine and you got to know all of the different characters and you care for all of them, like to me none of them felt like side characters or felt like they were just there to move the plot along it felt like they all fitted into the story really well. I would also say that this book was just really well planned and it was really flushed out, I thought that the pacing was really good and I thought both the main plot and side plots were really well done and really fitted into each other. I will say something that took me by surprise (which is going to sound really dumb) was how much fantasy there was in this book however, I actually liked this part of the story, it wasn't what drew me to pick up the book but I am happy that it was there because I actually think it was going to be a little bit boring without it.
I would like to talk about the romance a bit more, I would not really describe myself as a huge lover of romance as I find they're kinda boring and a little cringe, it is just not really the thing I would reach for like I don't get me wrong I love reading fantasy books with couples and romance in it but I am not a huge fan when it is the main genre of the book (I hope that make sense), but actually thinking about it, I just think I don't hate straight people romance because are the straights ever okay (I find the answer is mostly no) and I just hate romance in real life because I just think is it really embarrassing. But I just really loved the romance in this book like they were so fucking cute and wholesome and they really did steal my whole entire heart! It was everything and more than I wanted it to be. It was just a really cute, fluffy and very very queer. I loved it. This book it 100% going to be a stand out of this year for me. I just think this book because I love queer books and I love fake royal families (which is weird because I couldn't give less of a shit about the real-life royals and as someone who is living in the UK to the run-up to the King's coronation, its hell, its horror and I can't wait for it to be over) but give me a fake royal family, I am in heaven bitch like I just love fake royals I can't help it and it's doesn't make sense to me either. I just loved how both of them were just so whipped from first sight, like I have already said that I have never been a big fan of insta-love but it just worked so well. I love their banter and just their chemistry and I just thought it was so funny how over they were each other shit sometimes. This is just a special mention to when Tal was kidnapped his only comfort was the shark tooth that Athlen had given him (that just really melted my heart) or when any time he needed comfort he reached for it. Or the bit when he asked Athlen to stay and showed him and gave him that Cove and says if he wants they can make it his own place where he can put shelves up for all his things. I am sorry that was just so cute. I also love how they are both the last of their kind and they found each other.
Even though I absolutely loved the romance the real thing that sold me was the family dynamics and the banter was just so good, it felt like it a real-life family, I just love how protective they were of each other and how they really care, protect and love each other no matter what and the whole family just really melted my heart. I loved their banter and how they all just take the piss out of each other. I love them all like I am not really sure but I did cry when Kest found out that Tal was okay and alive and when he told him that he had been wearing his ring to remember him by. Shout out when Corrie made Tal had two necklaces one with the Shark tooth and one with his ring, as a sign of her telling him that she accepts him or how protective Garrett was and how guilty they all felt and how they felt like they have failed him and how much they want to show him that they love him and love each other. I just thought it was really funny how Tal had literally nearly died and they are all taking the piss because he just nearly died for Athlen
I really loved all of the elements of this book but the standout for me was 100% the romance like the chemistry between all the characters was amazing but the chemistry between the two main characters was exceptional like it is a bit insta-love and I am not normally a big fan of that but I loved it in this one. I also thought that the character building and character development was really well done in this book, like I felt like all the characters have they time to shine and you got to know all of the different characters and you care for all of them, like to me none of them felt like side characters or felt like they were just there to move the plot along it felt like they all fitted into the story really well. I would also say that this book was just really well planned and it was really flushed out, I thought that the pacing was really good and I thought both the main plot and side plots were really well done and really fitted into each other. I will say something that took me by surprise (which is going to sound really dumb) was how much fantasy there was in this book however, I actually liked this part of the story, it wasn't what drew me to pick up the book but I am happy that it was there because I actually think it was going to be a little bit boring without it.
I would like to talk about the romance a bit more, I would not really describe myself as a huge lover of romance as I find they're kinda boring and a little cringe, it is just not really the thing I would reach for like I don't get me wrong I love reading fantasy books with couples and romance in it but I am not a huge fan when it is the main genre of the book (I hope that make sense), but actually thinking about it, I just think I don't hate straight people romance because are the straights ever okay (I find the answer is mostly no) and I just hate romance in real life because I just think is it really embarrassing. But I just really loved the romance in this book like they were so fucking cute and wholesome and they really did steal my whole entire heart! It was everything and more than I wanted it to be. It was just a really cute, fluffy and very very queer. I loved it. This book it 100% going to be a stand out of this year for me. I just think this book because I love queer books and I love fake royal families (which is weird because I couldn't give less of a shit about the real-life royals and as someone who is living in the UK to the run-up to the King's coronation, its hell, its horror and I can't wait for it to be over) but give me a fake royal family, I am in heaven bitch like I just love fake royals I can't help it and it's doesn't make sense to me either. I just loved how both of them were just so whipped from first sight, like I have already said that I have never been a big fan of insta-love but it just worked so well. I love their banter and just their chemistry and I just thought it was so funny how over they were each other shit sometimes. This is just a special mention to when Tal was kidnapped his only comfort was the shark tooth that Athlen had given him (that just really melted my heart) or when any time he needed comfort he reached for it. Or the bit when he asked Athlen to stay and showed him and gave him that Cove and says if he wants they can make it his own place where he can put shelves up for all his things. I am sorry that was just so cute. I also love how they are both the last of their kind and they found each other.
Even though I absolutely loved the romance the real thing that sold me was the family dynamics and the banter was just so good, it felt like it a real-life family, I just love how protective they were of each other and how they really care, protect and love each other no matter what and the whole family just really melted my heart. I loved their banter and how they all just take the piss out of each other. I love them all like I am not really sure but I did cry when Kest found out that Tal was okay and alive and when he told him that he had been wearing his ring to remember him by. Shout out when Corrie made Tal had two necklaces one with the Shark tooth and one with his ring, as a sign of her telling him that she accepts him or how protective Garrett was and how guilty they all felt and how they felt like they have failed him and how much they want to show him that they love him and love each other. I just thought it was really funny how Tal had literally nearly died and they are all taking the piss because he just nearly died for Athlen
Also, all the women in this book were just such icons like I loved them all but Shay and Corrie were my favourite girl bosses. Corrie really just didn't give a shit but I was sometimes confused about how old Corrie was because sometimes the writing made it out like she was really young like six or seven and other times it sound like she was 14 or 15 which I just thought was really confusing. Shay she slayed okay and loved her reaction to Tal being alive. Also I loved how Shay was like yeah I will marry you but I am not going to give up my life or my job and he was like yeah I wouldn't want anything else.
Also, why was the ending just so stressful, like Jesus Christ I was just so stressed, also I am going to be a hater but I am sorry this royal family need to have some better security like these bitches tried to kill 3 out of the 5 siblings like girl what... Also then Tal did nearly get himself killed about 700 times and there was no one but his brothers looking after him but I did think it was just so cute that Tal would do anything for Athlen and how Athlen showed Corrie his tail and he happy she was and it was just really cute. But I loved the actual ending with Kest and Shay getting married but I thought that we spent more time being told that they loved each other than actually seeing it or them actually spending time with each other and I actually thought at times Shay had more chemistry with Garett had more chemistry but I am happy that they are happy and I loved that Tal does have to hide himself anymore and he can live and be happy and gay and have a happily ever after with Athlen.
My favourite moments were when Athlen tells Tal that he think his magic is beautiful, that the whole time Athlen cave, the bit when Tal was reunited with his family, just Kest reaction, Garett actually the whole time when Tal asked him to stay and he shows him the Cove and said it can be his whole place and where he could keep all his things and he can be alone here if he wanted to and he said that he wanted to be alone with him, just the whole sea witch bit and Poppy becoming a part of the sea, okay maybe just the whole fucking book.
The only thing that could make this better is if there was more of it please please, I am on my knees F.T.Lukens can we have a second book I don't give a shit if is just them all chilling around the place and being happy and gay, I would read it and probably give it 5 stars. Also I would like to see this turned into a tv show or film because you're telling me it wouldn't just serve. In summary, this book was very very happy and gay I lived for it okay!!! If you can't tell this book was amazing and I loved every single moment of this book. I literally loved it from the first page.
Also, why was the ending just so stressful, like Jesus Christ I was just so stressed, also I am going to be a hater but I am sorry this royal family need to have some better security like these bitches tried to kill 3 out of the 5 siblings like girl what... Also then Tal did nearly get himself killed about 700 times and there was no one but his brothers looking after him but I did think it was just so cute that Tal would do anything for Athlen and how Athlen showed Corrie his tail and he happy she was and it was just really cute. But I loved the actual ending with Kest and Shay getting married but I thought that we spent more time being told that they loved each other than actually seeing it or them actually spending time with each other and I actually thought at times Shay had more chemistry with Garett had more chemistry but I am happy that they are happy and I loved that Tal does have to hide himself anymore and he can live and be happy and gay and have a happily ever after with Athlen.
My favourite moments were when Athlen tells Tal that he think his magic is beautiful, that the whole time Athlen cave, the bit when Tal was reunited with his family, just Kest reaction, Garett actually the whole time when Tal asked him to stay and he shows him the Cove and said it can be his whole place and where he could keep all his things and he can be alone here if he wanted to and he said that he wanted to be alone with him, just the whole sea witch bit and Poppy becoming a part of the sea, okay maybe just the whole fucking book.
The only thing that could make this better is if there was more of it please please, I am on my knees F.T.Lukens can we have a second book I don't give a shit if is just them all chilling around the place and being happy and gay, I would read it and probably give it 5 stars. Also I would like to see this turned into a tv show or film because you're telling me it wouldn't just serve. In summary, this book was very very happy and gay I lived for it okay!!! If you can't tell this book was amazing and I loved every single moment of this book. I literally loved it from the first page.
āThey kissed, and kissed, and Tal wouldāve thought it a fairy tale if not for the sand in his collar, and the water in his boots, and the ache of his body. But he wouldnāt trade it for anything else.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Torture, Vomit, Self harm, Slavery, Blood, Kidnapping, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical content
Moderate: Death, Gore, Abandonment, Physical abuse, Grief, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Classism, War, Child death, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Death of parent
junzoin's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Few hours?? Took me like two weeks to come to write this review I apologize LOL
However, jokes aside, this book was heavenly good, even if I didn't give it 5 stars. (Was debating between 5 and 4.75 www) I may have read this digitally but I eventually did get my hands on the physically book to reread and annotate!
I think F.T. Lukens has an amazing writing style, their use of words, the descriptions, the poetic writing. It's the main reason why this book was just so good! The development between Tal and Athlen too, even though sometimes yes, Atlen did get on my nerves but their relationship with each other is beautiful to witness as they grow much closer and develop that sense of belonging with each other.
I also love the fact that Tal's siblings get to have their own part in this story, which doesn't make this book as main character centered if one might assume it to be. Not all of the siblings played a major, major role in the story but they did make an appearance in the story, so none of them would be left out.
I think what lowered down my rating was mainly the ending, to me, it felt slightly rushed and I also do think that some aspects towards the end of the book could change to fit the main plot more or maybe could've delve deeper into as context prior to the ending but I'm also very content with how the book ended :)
Not a super long review from me this time wwww but nonetheless thank you for reading this review of mine and happy reading!! <3
However, jokes aside, this book was heavenly good, even if I didn't give it 5 stars. (Was debating between 5 and 4.75 www) I may have read this digitally but I eventually did get my hands on the physically book to reread and annotate!
I think F.T. Lukens has an amazing writing style, their use of words, the descriptions, the poetic writing. It's the main reason why this book was just so good! The development between Tal and Athlen too, even though sometimes yes, Atlen did get on my nerves but their relationship with each other is beautiful to witness as they grow much closer and develop that sense of belonging with each other.
I also love the fact that Tal's siblings get to have their own part in this story, which doesn't make this book as main character centered if one might assume it to be. Not all of the siblings played a major, major role in the story but they did make an appearance in the story, so none of them would be left out.
I think what lowered down my rating was mainly the ending, to me, it felt slightly rushed and I also do think that some aspects towards the end of the book could change to fit the main plot more or maybe could've delve deeper into as context prior to the ending but I'm also very content with how the book ended :)
Not a super long review from me this time wwww but nonetheless thank you for reading this review of mine and happy reading!! <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Kidnapping, and Torture
Moderate: Death, Vomit, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Death of parent
rileyswan's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Athlen laughed and kissed him again. Tal sank into itāhappy, loved, and unafraid.
There is something so special to be found in fantasy worlds that wholly embrace differences that our own world does not accept.
In Deeper Waters is a chaotic, life-threatening adventure of trials, tribulations, and thrills galore. We see magic, pirate, mermaids, shapeshifters, death and murder and burning ships. And the two main characters just so happen to be two boys falling in love, with complete and utter acceptance from everyone around them, because there are no standards to attraction.
It was so refreshing to read such a riveting tale from Lukens, and find solace in the strongly highlighted romantic relationship between Tal and Athlen in the same manner cishet people are afforded by most books. I adored every moment.
In Deeper Waters is a chaotic, life-threatening adventure of trials, tribulations, and thrills galore. We see magic, pirate, mermaids, shapeshifters, death and murder and burning ships. And the two main characters just so happen to be two boys falling in love, with complete and utter acceptance from everyone around them, because there are no standards to attraction.
It was so refreshing to read such a riveting tale from Lukens, and find solace in the strongly highlighted romantic relationship between Tal and Athlen in the same manner cishet people are afforded by most books. I adored every moment.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Murder, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Death, and Self harm
Moderate: Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, and Alcohol
Minor: Misogyny, Sexual content, and Death of parent
bookhoarderbea's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, and Violence
Moderate: Grief and Vomit
Minor: Colonisation, Misogyny, and War
nyssa_jo's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury and Kidnapping
Moderate: Classism, Colonisation, Confinement, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Child abuse
Minor: Death, Death of parent, Suicide attempt, and Violence
aexileigh's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Blood, Confinement, and Kidnapping
Moderate: War, Murder, Torture, Vomit, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Death, Abandonment, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, and Slavery
sssssoup's review against another edition
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!!! Itās 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 didnāt 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 Iām not complaining.
I also really liked the characters a lot. The progression of Talās arc was very well executed and I really liked seeing how he changed over the course of the story. I also felt likethe romance between him and Athlen was very well written as well. It felt more natural and realistic than most romance subplots Iāve read in other YA books. It didnāt feel forced or rushed like romance often does (in my opinion) and it was really nice to see something where they didnāt jump straight from meeting right into being in love.
I also liked the worldbuilding and how the author took time to really explore the worldās history. I think it wouldāve been nice to have a map, but I was still able to understand without one.
Overall I just really really loved this book!! Itās 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 itās 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!
The writing style itself was so fun to read. It had a lot of description, but it felt balanced with the dialogue and it didnāt 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 Iām not complaining.
I also really liked the characters a lot. The progression of Talās arc was very well executed and I really liked seeing how he changed over the course of the story. I also felt like
I also liked the worldbuilding and how the author took time to really explore the worldās history. I think it wouldāve been nice to have a map, but I was still able to understand without one.
Overall I just really really loved this book!! Itās 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 itās 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!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Torture, Vomit, Abandonment, Blood, and Confinement
Moderate: Alcohol, Death, Grief, Gore, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, and Violence
Minor: War, Cursing, Misogyny, and Medical content