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netanella 's review for:

The Deep by Rivers Solomon
4.5
challenging dark emotional sad 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

<b>Original post, July 2021</b>
Beautiful and tragic, <i>The Deep</i> is based on African folklore that imagines a race of water-creatures who descended from the children of pregnant African women thrown overboard during the deadly Middle Passage.  It's a gorgeous and moving read.

<b>Re-read, May 2025</b>
Still as powerful as when I first read this.  I enjoyed reading of Yetu's role of the Historian,, holding the collective memories of her people and then sharing them during ceremonial rituals. I think I appreciated Ori's story more the second time as well.