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bookishflower's review against another edition
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!!
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!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Torture, and Blood
Minor: Cursing, Colonisation, Death of parent, Mental illness, Genocide, and Panic attacks/disorders
miyothecat's review against another edition
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture and Kidnapping
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Abandonment, Classism, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, and Panic attacks/disorders
annoyedhumanoid's review
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)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Confinement, Torture, Violence, and Kidnapping
Moderate: War, Grief, Abandonment, Death, Death of parent, Murder, Vomit, and Gore
Minor: Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, and Sexual content
no homophobiaoverbooked207's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
📖 In Deeper Waters by F.T. Lukens Book Review 📖
7th book of January 2022 and 7th of the year:
I loved the adorable relationship, the familial love and bonds, the magic and adventure, the themes of being yourself and helping those around you the way they need you to, the inclusion of mermaids and travel, and the queerness in this book! The cover is also gorgeous! However, I did want to bring up the fact that I saw this advertised as a completely light-hearted queer pirate adventure, and unfortunately, I think that I would have enjoyed it more had I gone into it without that expectation. The main characters are not pirates, and, while it is still fun and has light-hearted moments, it was a bit darker/brought up a few heavier things/themes than I expected from said advertisements. The fact that it did deal with less light-hearted things is not at all bad, though! I just, unfortunately, went into it excited about one thing and was confused when I didn't get it instead of just going into it and enjoying the book that it is, which is also very good! I recommend picking it up and am excited to read other books by the author, but I just wanted to bring it up so people who want to pick it up know! TW for kidnapping, vomiting, blood, death, discrimination, fire/fire injury, injury description, dehydration, starvation, being put in a claustrophobic cage/confinement, cutting/self-harm, alcohol, implied suicide, torture/imprisonment, homophobia, and trauma🌊⚓️🧜🏳️🌈
7th book of January 2022 and 7th of the year:
I loved the adorable relationship, the familial love and bonds, the magic and adventure, the themes of being yourself and helping those around you the way they need you to, the inclusion of mermaids and travel, and the queerness in this book! The cover is also gorgeous! However, I did want to bring up the fact that I saw this advertised as a completely light-hearted queer pirate adventure, and unfortunately, I think that I would have enjoyed it more had I gone into it without that expectation. The main characters are not pirates, and, while it is still fun and has light-hearted moments, it was a bit darker/brought up a few heavier things/themes than I expected from said advertisements. The fact that it did deal with less light-hearted things is not at all bad, though! I just, unfortunately, went into it excited about one thing and was confused when I didn't get it instead of just going into it and enjoying the book that it is, which is also very good! I recommend picking it up and am excited to read other books by the author, but I just wanted to bring it up so people who want to pick it up know! TW for kidnapping, vomiting, blood, death, discrimination, fire/fire injury, injury description, dehydration, starvation, being put in a claustrophobic cage/confinement, cutting/self-harm, alcohol, implied suicide, torture/imprisonment, homophobia, and trauma🌊⚓️🧜🏳️🌈
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Murder, Self harm, Violence, Blood, Death, Medical trauma, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Torture, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Confinement, Homophobia, Alcohol, Excrement, Gore, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, and Vomit
jstarshine16's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Kidnapping, and Murder
Moderate: Blood, Cursing, Death of parent, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Violence, and Death
Minor: Sexual content, Vomit, Alcohol, Self harm, and Genocide
sepitz's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Violence, and Confinement
Moderate: Vomit, Blood, Panic attacks/disorders, and Death
Minor: Sexual content
plumpaperbacks's review
adventurous
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
This book is my newest obsession. I was instantly drawn into the story and attached to Taliesin and Athlen. These boys are adorable and precious and need to be protected. Their romance is so soft and sweet and perfect. I love them and Tal’s family and Dara.
From a more critical perspective, not only was this a really fun read, but the plot, characters, and world were all well-developed. In the second half, there were some interesting twists I didn’t see coming. Lukens took the story in multiple directions I never expected.
Also, I was so not expecting the last fifty pages to be as emotional as they were. I was panicking as I read, desperately hoping that everything would work out. Thankfully, it did. The last chapter was so unbelievably cute and wholesome and good. It made me very happy.
I’ll be thinking about this book for a while. It’s definitely one of the best books I’ve read in 2021, and a new favorite. Highly, highly recommended!
Representation
From a more critical perspective, not only was this a really fun read, but the plot, characters, and world were all well-developed. In the second half, there were some interesting twists I didn’t see coming. Lukens took the story in multiple directions I never expected.
Also, I was so not expecting the last fifty pages to be as emotional as they were. I was panicking as I read, desperately hoping that everything would work out. Thankfully, it did. The last chapter was so unbelievably cute and wholesome and good. It made me very happy.
I’ll be thinking about this book for a while. It’s definitely one of the best books I’ve read in 2021, and a new favorite. Highly, highly recommended!
Representation
- queer protagonist and love interest
- achillean romance (m/m)
- side character with depression
- side characters of color
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Confinement, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Death, Death of parent, Murder, Genocide, and Slavery
Genocide and slavery tags included because both occurred prior to the story and are briefly mentioned throughout the book.popthebutterfly's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: In Deeper Waters
Author: F.T. Lukens
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: bisexual main character, m/m romance, depression character rep, POC characters
Recommended For...: pirate fans, ya readers, fantasy lovers, history readers, romance lovers, LGBT readers
Publication Date: April 20, 2021
Genre: YA Fantasy Historical Romance
Recommended Age: 14+ (gore, violence, death, panic attacks TW)
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Pages: 320
Synopsis: Prince Tal has long awaited his coming-of-age tour. After spending most of his life cloistered behind palace walls as he learns to keep his forbidden magic secret, he can finally see his family’s kingdom for the first time. His first taste of adventure comes just two days into the journey, when their crew discovers a mysterious prisoner on a burning derelict vessel.
Tasked with watching over the prisoner, Tal is surprised to feel an intense connection with the roguish Athlen. So when Athlen leaps overboard and disappears, Tal feels responsible and heartbroken, knowing Athlen could not have survived in the open ocean.
That is, until Tal runs into Athlen days later on dry land, very much alive, and as charming—and secretive—as ever. But before they can pursue anything further, Tal is kidnapped by pirates and held ransom in a plot to reveal his rumored powers and instigate a war. Tal must escape if he hopes to save his family and the kingdom. And Athlen might just be his only hope…
Tasked with watching over the prisoner, Tal is surprised to feel an intense connection with the roguish Athlen. So when Athlen leaps overboard and disappears, Tal feels responsible and heartbroken, knowing Athlen could not have survived in the open ocean.
That is, until Tal runs into Athlen days later on dry land, very much alive, and as charming—and secretive—as ever. But before they can pursue anything further, Tal is kidnapped by pirates and held ransom in a plot to reveal his rumored powers and instigate a war. Tal must escape if he hopes to save his family and the kingdom. And Athlen might just be his only hope…
Review: This is the type of book I’ll read over and over again. I absolutely loved the story (I’m really into tour/sea-faring stories) and the plot. The characters are what really make this book though and I loved how cute it was in regards to the romance. The world building was also amazingly well done and I am definitely rereading this in the future.
The only issue I had was that the romance kind of took the primary role in some parts of the book where I wanted it to the on the backburner, but it was amazing overall.
Verdict: Highly recommend!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
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