A review by jo_cbooks
Somewhere in the Deep by Tanvi Berwah

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.25

Somewhere in the Deep is a south Asian inspired fantasy. Set on an island where the Collector rules all, Krescent spends her days fitting monsters in the pit to earn enough money to survive. When her chance at escape is ripped from her grasp, she is provided with a choice—go on an expedition deep into the mines in exchange for her freedom, or be enslaved to the Collector. Thrust into a party of strangers and enemies, Kress is tasked with keeping everyone alive as they face the unknown creatures that lay deep in the earth below the sea. But the deeper they venture, the more it feels as though something doesn’t want to let Kress out alive. 

I went into this book not realize that there was one previously written in the same universe! I think if I had read Monsters Born and Made first, some of the world building wouldn’t have felt so choppy. I know nothing about south Asian mythology but this book made me want to explore it as the creatures described where not ones I’ve read in any other lore before. 

Kress’s character growth throughout the story was well written. Her internal struggles with her past and her desire for a different future were explored in depth, though sometimes a bit repetitively. I appreciated seeing into her frustrations and strengths because of the life she was forced to live. I did not expect this book to contain much, if any, romance but I was pleasantly surprised.

There were a few writing errors that stood out to me. I was confused how they were able to keep track of time underground without sunlight? Their way of timekeeping was never explained. I also felt some scene transitions were incompletely. The plot was sometimes repetitive while they were within the mines, but this didn’t detract from the story for me. The ending felt a bit rushed, but I liked how it was left open for the potential for a sequel.  

All in all, the book kept me engaged from start to finish. I was drawn in by the mystery of the monsters and the magic, and stayed for the politics and action. 

*thank you Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review*