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A review by plush
Daughter of the Merciful Deep by Leslye Penelope
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.5
This is my first Leslye Penelope novel, which after finishing this one, feels like quite a ridiculous misstep on my part. This was phenomenal, and I am so happy that I decided to open and read it.
Blurb:
Jane Edwards hasn’t spoken since she was eleven years old, when armed riders expelled her family from their hometown along with every other Black resident. Now, twelve years later, she’s found a haven in the all-Black town of Awenasa. But the construction of a dam promises to wash her home under the waters of the new lake.
Jane will do anything to save the community that sheltered her. So, when a man with uncanny abilities arrives in town asking strange questions, she wonders if he might be the key to saving her town.
I was enthralled reading this book. Penelope’s writing is nuanced and lyrical. Her narrative voice has a distinct folklore/fairytale atmosphere to it. A lot of this book revolves around water and rivers (go figure) and the prose mimics the ethereal sway of a river.
Our main character Jane is a delight. She feels appropriately naive and curious, while cautious and wary. I felt like she was very well fleshed out. There isn’t any doubt how she feels about a subject, and I feel like I know her. She seems like she’s about to step off the page and offer commentary on her story.
The imagery throughout the novel is powerful. I teared up more than once at different moments. I had goosebumps for much of the end of the novel. I think the third act of this book really shines. I loved all of this book, but the ending was especially well done.
Much of this book is centered around the unforgivable discrimination and destruction around black communities and black success following the outlawing of the slave trade. While this novel is fiction, the discrimination and prejudice depicted are not. I think the author did an incredible job at showcasing how even if you do everything right, society can still say you’re wrong.
This was truly so good, and I can’t believe I haven’t read more from the author before this. Absolutely worth picking up.
4.5/5 stars
Thank you so very much to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book prior to publication. The opportunity is greatly appreciated, but does not change the content of my review.
Blurb:
Jane Edwards hasn’t spoken since she was eleven years old, when armed riders expelled her family from their hometown along with every other Black resident. Now, twelve years later, she’s found a haven in the all-Black town of Awenasa. But the construction of a dam promises to wash her home under the waters of the new lake.
Jane will do anything to save the community that sheltered her. So, when a man with uncanny abilities arrives in town asking strange questions, she wonders if he might be the key to saving her town.
I was enthralled reading this book. Penelope’s writing is nuanced and lyrical. Her narrative voice has a distinct folklore/fairytale atmosphere to it. A lot of this book revolves around water and rivers (go figure) and the prose mimics the ethereal sway of a river.
Our main character Jane is a delight. She feels appropriately naive and curious, while cautious and wary. I felt like she was very well fleshed out. There isn’t any doubt how she feels about a subject, and I feel like I know her. She seems like she’s about to step off the page and offer commentary on her story.
The imagery throughout the novel is powerful. I teared up more than once at different moments. I had goosebumps for much of the end of the novel. I think the third act of this book really shines. I loved all of this book, but the ending was especially well done.
Much of this book is centered around the unforgivable discrimination and destruction around black communities and black success following the outlawing of the slave trade. While this novel is fiction, the discrimination and prejudice depicted are not. I think the author did an incredible job at showcasing how even if you do everything right, society can still say you’re wrong.
This was truly so good, and I can’t believe I haven’t read more from the author before this. Absolutely worth picking up.
4.5/5 stars
Thank you so very much to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book prior to publication. The opportunity is greatly appreciated, but does not change the content of my review.