Scan barcode
A review by kingrosereads
In Deeper Waters by F.T. Lukens
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Cute mid-ish YA historical high fantasy romance that’s queeeer and nautical-ly (?).
I was looking for a cute gay pirate story and this book popped up, and though pirates aren’t the subject of the book, I still enjoyed it. It’s definitely YA and could’ve spent a little more time on world building considering politics was a major plot point in this book.
It’s a little cheesy and absolutely adorable. I loved how natural it was to have queer characters and women in power in a historical setting. Too often I hear “oh well it’s not realistic to of POC/queer/women in [insert role that isn’t oppressed]” (it’s literally a fantasy), and I’ve definitely seen books where it felt like the author was trying to hard to fit these characters in the narrative (but maybe that’s just cause they’re not used to incorporating minority characters??). Anyway, I loved this book. It made my heart all gooey over Tal and Athlen. It was just so nice to see a queer teenage love story where there wasn’t any animosity over the queerness. It made me sad for those who couldn’t have it, but also happy because more and more teens are able to experience young love like everyone else.
The story follows fourth child, Prince Tal, going on his coming-of-age tour with his older brother Garrett. Tal is the last mage but his magic is a secret because his ancestor laid waste to the continent and they’re still rebuilding international relationships. Tal and Garrett come upon a burning ship where they find a teen boy, Athlen, chained below deck. Before they’re able to get answers from him, he jobs off their ship and is presumed dead. Days later, Tal runs into Athlen in a market and is shocked to see him alive.
Tal meets Athlen’s friend, Dara, and Tal’s given a rude awakening on the struggles of his people. He enlists his brother to help give out supplies and medicine to the people in town. When Tal meets Athlen again, he demands answers. Athlen takes him to a secret cove where he lives and reveals he’s a merman. Tal is in awe that there’s another magical being, who happens to be the last of his kind, just like him.
Tal is then kidnapped and tortured by pirates which reveals a politically motivated assassination plot. Then Tal is rescued and nursed back to health by Athlen and Dara. Together Athlen and Tal must overcome a sea witch’s bargain, betrayal, war, and assassination attempts all while falling in love.
As I’ve said, world building could’ve been given more attention and a little more development of characters like Dara and the siblings and even Shay would’ve been nice. I do like the familial bones between Tal and his siblings. And I love the relationship between Tal and Athlen despite it developing rather fast.
Overall, I think it’s a good book. I was thoroughly entertained. And yeah, it’s definitely more for 13-16 year old probably, but it doesn’t mean it doesn’t hold its own.
I was looking for a cute gay pirate story and this book popped up, and though pirates aren’t the subject of the book, I still enjoyed it. It’s definitely YA and could’ve spent a little more time on world building considering politics was a major plot point in this book.
It’s a little cheesy and absolutely adorable. I loved how natural it was to have queer characters and women in power in a historical setting. Too often I hear “oh well it’s not realistic to of POC/queer/women in [insert role that isn’t oppressed]” (it’s literally a fantasy), and I’ve definitely seen books where it felt like the author was trying to hard to fit these characters in the narrative (but maybe that’s just cause they’re not used to incorporating minority characters??). Anyway, I loved this book. It made my heart all gooey over Tal and Athlen. It was just so nice to see a queer teenage love story where there wasn’t any animosity over the queerness. It made me sad for those who couldn’t have it, but also happy because more and more teens are able to experience young love like everyone else.
The story follows fourth child, Prince Tal, going on his coming-of-age tour with his older brother Garrett. Tal is the last mage but his magic is a secret because his ancestor laid waste to the continent and they’re still rebuilding international relationships. Tal and Garrett come upon a burning ship where they find a teen boy, Athlen, chained below deck. Before they’re able to get answers from him, he jobs off their ship and is presumed dead. Days later, Tal runs into Athlen in a market and is shocked to see him alive.
Tal meets Athlen’s friend, Dara, and Tal’s given a rude awakening on the struggles of his people. He enlists his brother to help give out supplies and medicine to the people in town. When Tal meets Athlen again, he demands answers. Athlen takes him to a secret cove where he lives and reveals he’s a merman. Tal is in awe that there’s another magical being, who happens to be the last of his kind, just like him.
Tal is then kidnapped and tortured by pirates which reveals a politically motivated assassination plot. Then Tal is rescued and nursed back to health by Athlen and Dara. Together Athlen and Tal must overcome a sea witch’s bargain, betrayal, war, and assassination attempts all while falling in love.
As I’ve said, world building could’ve been given more attention and a little more development of characters like Dara and the siblings and even Shay would’ve been nice. I do like the familial bones between Tal and his siblings. And I love the relationship between Tal and Athlen despite it developing rather fast.
Overall, I think it’s a good book. I was thoroughly entertained. And yeah, it’s definitely more for 13-16 year old probably, but it doesn’t mean it doesn’t hold its own.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture, Kidnapping, Death, Blood, Vomit, and Gore