3.5 stars

I was up and down on my feelings for this book. I thought the pacing was uneven, with periods of not a lot happening and then action comes out of nowhere. The plotline around the Toads was so strange, but once we started to see what was actually happening I was more invested.

The main character Merry actually feels like a teenager, making mistakes and overreacting to things, but then her friends help her and she's able to change direction and get back on the right track. I especially liked how things played out with her friends Teddy and Saul. I was worried it might be too dramatic, but it actually was nicely done.

The book felt like it was ending a couple of times before it actually finished, but it was a nice wrap up overall.

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thank you to Delacorte Press and NetGalley for the copy.

"Deep is the Fen" by Lili Wilkinson beckons readers into a world where magic and mystery intertwine, crafting a narrative that is as captivating as it is unforgettable. Set in the charming town of Candlecott, Merry's life turns unexpectedly when her best friend, Teddy, becomes entangled with the enigmatic Toadmen—a secret society steeped in sinister traditions and dark magic.

Determined to save Teddy from the clutches of the Toadmen, Merry finds herself reluctantly teaming up with her academic rival, Caraway Boswell. As they delve deeper into the secrets of the Toadmen, Merry discovers that nothing is as it seems, and danger lurks around every corner. Merry's resolve is tested with each revelation, leading her on a perilous journey into the heart of Deeping Fen, where the true extent of the Toadmen's power becomes horrifyingly clear.

Wilkinson effortlessly weaves together moments of beauty and gore, devastation and upliftment, chilling darkness and heartwarming light. The result is a narrative that is equal parts captivating and thought-provoking, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page is turned. With its haunting atmosphere, richly drawn characters, and pulse-pounding suspense, "Deep is the Fen" is a must-read for fans of dark fantasy and atmospheric storytelling.

In conclusion, Deep is the Fen" is a wonderful novel that deserves to be savored and celebrated. With its unique blend of atmosphere, emotion, and storytelling prowess, it earns a well-deserved four-star rating and a permanent place on the bookshelf of any reader seeking an unforgettable journey.

Top 5 reasons to read Deep is the Fen

1. The Magic is top tier!
2. Vivid Imagery that transports you into the book.
3. Incredible friend group
4. Stunning World Building
5. Rivals to lovers & hilarious banter

Something about this book reminded me of some of my favorite things in Mary Watson’s books. I guess it’s that it feels both like it’s set in the real UK world and simultaneously in a separate, fantasy world at the same time. I love that worldly/otherworldly vibe in this book.

The story also contains some themes that beg to be explored. (Think THE TROUBLED GIRLS OF DRAGOMIR ACADEMY, but YA) Women who have power are witches and imprisoned. Men form secret societies in which they promote and celebrate forbidden power. It invites some thinking.

It also has a great rivals-to-lovers thread weaving through it, and since that’s one of my favorite tropes, I knew I would be hooked on it. And I was! I loved Merry and Caraway’s characters. (And their names.) I liked the pacing of their getting to know one another and learning things about each other. Also, I liked the evolution of Merry’s besties trio. I liked that the author didn’t write Teddy and Sol out of the story.

I devoured this whole book in a single afternoon. The setting is immersive and the characters engaging. By the time I finished the last page, I was already looking at what else Wilkinson had written so I could get more of this incredible storytelling.

Content warning: body horror, mind control, body possession, drugging, murder, child endangerment, forced imprisonment

I had never read a novel centered around toad magic/lore before, so that was intriguing. This world appears to be heavily influenced by Wales which I wasn't expecting, but also really liked. I found the dynamic between Merry, Sol, and Teddy to be very realistic of friend groups that grow up together from childhood as they mature and romantic feelings begin. I liked the dynamic between Merry and Caraway even if it's more of a misunderstanding interpreted as being enemies (by one party) than an actual enemies-to-lovers trope.

Deeping Fen itself was glorious and Wilkinson does a great job with building the stagnant atmosphere of the place. How all the pieces fit together was interesting and entertaining - though at least in the ARC some of the actions in the final showdown physically don't make sense based on actions that happened in previous lines (for example, if a person is frozen in place by magic, how are then then collapsing to the ground when the spell isn't broken). But I'm hopeful this is cleared up in final edits before the book goes to print.

The pacing is very slow to start so it takes a few chapters to really get into the story, but once the plot picks up, DEEP IS THE FEN is hard to put down. One complaint I do have is how long the individual chapters are (they average 30 minutes/chapter), I wish they were split up a bit. Overly long chapters can be a roadblock for some teen readers.

Overall this was a great read that I lost a bit of sleep over playing the "just one more chapter" game. I look forward to book talking this one at the library and getting it into teens hands.

Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by NetGalley, Random House Children's, and Delacorte Press in exchange for an honest review.

This book is dark and beautiful with some twisted horror elements. It might be YA but it still packs some steam. The magic and eerie grandeur of it all has a haunting lingering effect and lived on in my head after I finished reading. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love some rebellious witches?

5/5 stars
Recommended if you like: witchy reads, secret societies, conspiracies

This review has been posted to Goodreads as of 1/19, my book review blog on 2/1, and Instagram on 2/18.

Back in the world of Hunger of Thorns, only this time from a different perspective. Merry is very much anti-witch and buys into everything that the schools, government, and corporations say about witches. Further, this book takes place in Candlecott and in the fen, two places that feel pretty far removed from the more sub/urban feel of Inglenook. At times it felt as though the two books take place in totally different worlds, especially since there was no mention of the Toads anywhere in book 1, but they seem to be pretty prevalent.

It was definitely a bit of whiplash going from Maude's POV to Merry's, and if you come into this one having read A Hunger of Thorns, then Merry's firm anti-magic beliefs might make you a bit exasperated since she's very much wrong. At the same time, I understand where Merry is coming from considering what she's been told about her mother's past and the way she died. Still, she's definitely a character who believes what she's told and doesn't really question it.

This book explores more of the underside of the world and how the movers and shakers get to be those things. As part of this, we also get to see one of the rehabilitation centers for witches, which is both more and less creepy than I thought. Wilkinson definitely took a direction there that I wasn't expecting, but I think it works considering what else we know about this world. It was interesting seeing how things are connected behind the scenes, and of course Ilium comes up again as a major contender for 'reason why bad things are happening.'

It was definitely interesting to see the direction this book took, and I like the secret society, swampy theme it has going on. Where Hunger had some eco-horror vibes, I feel like this one has more classically fae vibes, where you're having fun one minute and eating glamored maggots the next. I was intrigued by the Toad rituals and thought the mechanics/magic behind some of it to be quite interesting. I feel like there's the makings of a third book here, what with the first one being focused on poisoned mettle and capitalism, this one focusing on the dangers of those working buddy-buddy behind the scenes, and the next one can focus more on the front-facing side of Ilium...we'll see.

As mentioned, Merry is very anti-magic...except when she uses her 'threadsight' (aka witch-eyes), though she is consistent and doesn't like it when her best friend Teddy uses his magic. But her deep-held beliefs also transfer to deep-held loyalties and that makes her a good person to have on your side. She's also very witty, I enjoyed her banter with Caraway a lot, and thought her friendship with Sol was cute. Merry really comes into herself throughout this book, and I think a little toady weekend away from Candlecott did her quite well.

Caraway is definitely someone who is more than meets the eye, in more ways than one. I felt like it was kind of obvious from the get-go that he liked Merry even though she seemed to think he hated her, and I found him to be quite charming in an out-of-place sort of way. He's definitely keeping a lot of secrets, but I also think he kind of desperately needed friends. Despite the icy distance he can hold himself at when it comes to other people, it's clear that he cares for Merry, and toward the end of the book it's also clear that he fits in with friend groups, since he and Sol have some good interactions that make me want a novella of them bonding.

Sol and Teddy are Merry's best friends and they're a bit harder for me to pin down. The book opens with them all being extremely close, and with Merry seemingly pining for Teddy, but as the book progresses I found myself getting annoyed with both of them because they kept brushing off Merry when she repeatedly told them the Toad's were bad news. That combined with some other things almost made me want to see their friendship break up by the end of the book and see Merry looking to a future with new, better friends. That being said, Sol did come through and he's redeemed imo. Teddy needs some additional work, but he was also being manipulated, so not entirely his fault.

Admittedly I did find some things predictable in this one. I think this one might have been more predictable than Hunger of Thorns, but I still found it to be greatly enjoyable, and it was (mostly) the kind of predictable that makes you want to know how the characters get there.

We did see some mention of the events in Hunger, with Winnie making an appearance a couple times, as well as a throwaway line about Inglenook. If there is a third book, I hope Merry's group and Maude's get to interact, I'm super interested in what the dynamics there would be.

Overall I enjoyed this book and the way it expanded the Hunger of Thorns world. It was interesting seeing things from the perspective of an anti-magic person, and it was also interesting seeing a focus on something other than witches. I really enjoyed the characters in this one, even more than in Hunger! I'm also definitely hoping for a book 3 :)

Deep Is the Fen-read as a standalone

By Lili Wilkinson-never read author for me

Rating: 4 /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

📃 Page Count: 411

🌎Setting: Candlecott

📙Publication 4-16-24, Read 4-20-24

🙏🏾 Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children/Delacorte Press for this ARC💚! I voluntarily give my honest review and all opinions expressed are my own.

🤷🏾‍♀️ What to Expect

✅YA fantasy
✅enemies to lovers
✅friendship/found family
✅fairytales/folklore
✅magic/witches
✅coming of age
✅mystery/horror
✅damsel in distress

Summary: Merry(17) goes on a captivating journey to rescue her best friend Teddy from the sinister secret society-The Toadmen. She joins with her academic rival, Caraway, to fight in the witching world of secrets and dangerous magic.

🎭The characters: Merriweather Morgan is a typical teenager that makes poor choices and gets into trouble with her best friends Sol and Teddy. Teddy wants to join the secret society of The Toadmen where Merry believes they practice illegal magic. Her along with her school rival Caraway Boswell attempt to uncover the truth in Deeping Fen-the supposed place where an ancient toad ritual is completed.

🤔 My Thoughts: It was a little too YA for me. Merry was a great heroine but very impulsive, and got herself involved in a magical cult. I did like Caraway and Merry's hate to love relationship full of witty banter. I felt like I missed something in the world building so I plan to go back and read A Hunger of Thorns.

This is the 2nd book I read by this author and I really like reading this dark fantasy with a dash of romance and strong friendship!

The plot is fascinating, the mystery with the Toadman really glued my eyes to my kindle and the sweet rival romance also liven up the dark and eerie atmosphere!
I also like the great writing style which make the plot flows smoothly as secrets get unraveled one by one.

I really enjoy seeing Merry’s character growth throughout the story, her reality started to change after several weird events happening right in front of her eyes.
The conclusion was satisfying, I’m glad to see she finally accepts the truth and moved on with it.

Overall, this is a dark and enchanting tale of love, friendship and magic.
My only wish was this wasn’t a standalone cause I’d love to know more about what happens after with the witched, the toad, etc.
I’ll keep an eye out for the next book by this author in the future!

Thank you to TBR and Beyond Tour, Netgalley, author and publisher for giving me an e-ARC of the book and for having me on this book tour. I’m leaving this review voluntarily!

Deep is the Fen is a YA fantasy horror that features a supernatural sinister secret society, a fen with dark aspects, archenemies romance and a dose of female rage. There’s also a really interesting magic source in the book's celtic inspired world. People have these magical strings inside them called Mettle, which can be taken or given and used to fuel magic. It was an interesting concept that I wish had been explained a bit more. I just wanted to know more about how it worked, and how it’s connected to the ability to cast magic.

There were two main things that kept me from enjoying this book as I otherwise would have. The first one was that the foreshadowing of the story didn’t really work for me. The other, bigger, thing was the fact that Merry was a frustrating main character. She’s so anti-magic that she just seems really stupid, because even when there’s solid facts she won’t listen to anyone. Only to then do a complete 180 at the very end. Also she is the worst reader of people, and then is surprised that her own bad decisions are in fact bad.

This wasn’t really a read for me, as the story never managed to truly grip my attention. But I can see how others would enjoy this, especially if you enjoyed horror books like House of Hollow or the more female rage dystopian Wilder Girls.

I loved this book! Not only is it gorgeous, but the story draws you in. I love a good secret society story, and this author does such a good job with storytelling. I really enjoyed the magic and mystery. Definitely give this one a read!

A big thanks to NetGalley and Random House for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved Lili Wilkinson's A Hunger of Thorns, and I'm glad to have snagged this one as an advance copy.

Deep is the Fen by Lili Wilkinson is a YA supernatural fantasy novel with the classic enemies to lovers. Merry doesn’t need a happily-ever-after. Her life in the charming, idyllic town of Candlecott is fine just as it is. Simple, happy, and with absolutely no magic. Magic only ever leads to trouble. But Merry’s best friend, Teddy, is joining the Toadmen—a secret society who specialize in backward thinking and suspiciously supernatural traditions—and Merry is determined to stop him. Even if it means teaming up with the person she hates most: her academic archnemesis, Caraway Boswell, an ice-cold snob who hides his true face under a glamour. An ancient Toad ritual is being held in the sinister Deeping Fen, and if Merry doesn’t rescue Teddy before it’s finished, she’ll lose him forever. But the Toadmen have been keeping dangerous secrets, and so has Caraway. The farther Merry travels into Deeping Fen’s foul waters, the more she wonders if she’s truly come to save her friend . . . or if she’s walking straight into a trap. There’s nothing the Toadmen love more than a damsel in distress.

This book is all a witchy girl will ever need. The storytelling is amazing, the characters are both relatable and flawed (my favorite was of course Caraway), and the setting is down right spooky. I feel like I will be picking this book back up for a re-read come spooky season.

I loved seeing the rebel witches through different eyes and learning even more about the world dynamics. The addition of an element from A Hunger of Thorns was interesting & I am even more curious to see where these books go (and what happens to the characters). I would also like to note about that particular element – if you haven’t read A Hunger of Thorns it won’t impact your experience with this story. I had to go backwards and double check the book to make sure I was actually correct. The Toadmen are entirely more nightmarish than they sound and their clout is something else entirely.

"We’ve been waiting for you, she says, as she lets me into her mind.

It’s dark and vicious and wise in there."

The dynamic of the three friends, how they grow to accept and work through all the challenges thrown at them throughout the book was a delight. Merry’s commentary about Caraway felt a little redundant and cruel – that he didn’t sink to the same level made me like him just a little more even with his actions throughout the book. I liked Merry as a character but didn’t connect with her as much as I did Maude from A Hunger of Thorns. The author does excel at exceptional found family dynamics and seeing how they grow and change throughout the story.

I would love to see a world map of the world that Lili has created in these two books. I love seeing on paper where all the events take place and where the characters go. The places that we experience in this book didn’t seem as vividly written as the first book except one area that Merry visits in particular – Deeping Fen.

I am so very thankful to TBR and Beyond Tours for the opportunity to be a part of this tour, to Delacorte Press for the gifted copies of this book. To the author Lili Wilkinson – I am beyond happy you decided to keep writing stories in this world you have created & I am so excited to hear what’s next! I highly recommend reading this book AND of course A Hunger of Thorns. All opinions in this review are my own. Rounded from 4.5 stars.

I really enjoyed this story. The Toadmen scratched this weird itch in my brain for culty things, and Merri's ability is so well-realized in this story. Merri things that the Toadmen are just up to no good, but she doesn't realize the extent of their magical malpractice. I thought that the characters were all pretty compelling, even though Merri made some (what I would consider to be) naïve choices toward the start of the story. Overall, I enjoyed watching the characters grow and the plot was really intriguing--my curiosity kept me flipping those pages (metaphorically speaking, of course, as this was an eBook lol). I can't wait to see more from this author!

Deep Is the Fen is full of magic and an intriguing cult-like society called the Toadmen. Merri can see the threads of magic and knows something is wrong with the Toadmen. She thinks it's only that they practice illegal magic, but she has no idea what they are really up to, and how deep into the whole thing she is going to get when her best friend and crush decides that all he wants in the world is to join the Toadmen.
Right off the bat, I was intrigued by the magic and the Toadmen. I liked Merri's friendships with Teddy and Sol but wasn't sold on Teddy as a love interest.
I knew as soon as we met Caraway that I was going to be rooting for them, even though to say he was hiding things would be an understatement. There are twists and turns around every corner, and I never knew what would happen next.
While Merri did come off a bit nieve in the beginning, was frustratingly stubborn in her beliefs about what is right, and continually made what I thought were the worst decisions I loved how she grew throughout the story. She began to believe in herself and her magic, and even when she knew it was dangerous ran right back into the lion's den to stop the most dangerous of the Toadmen.

This is the second book I've read by this author, the first being A Hunger of Thorns, which if you read and enjoy this one you should check that one out. I will definitely be checking out Lili Wilkenson's other books.

"Deep Is the Fen" by Lili Wilkinson is a captivating blend of magic, mystery, and adventure that will enchant readers from start to finish. Set in the charming town of Candlecott, the story follows Merry, a protagonist who is determined to keep her life free from the complications of magic. But when her best friend Teddy joins a secret society with supernatural ties, Merry finds herself embroiled in a perilous quest to save him.

Wilkinson's writing is atmospheric and immersive, drawing readers into the sinister world of Deeping Fen with vivid descriptions and richly drawn characters. Merry's journey is both thrilling and heartwarming, as she grapples with her own beliefs and confronts the secrets lurking beneath the surface of her seemingly idyllic town.

What sets "Deep Is the Fen" apart is its strong character development and intricate plot. Merry's reluctant alliance with her academic archnemesis, Caraway Boswell, adds depth to the story, as they navigate the treacherous waters of Deeping Fen together. The novel is filled with twists and turns that keep readers guessing until the very end, and the stakes are high as Merry races against time to save her friend from a dangerous fate.

Overall, "Deep Is the Fen" is a compelling and enchanting read that will appeal to fans of fantasy and adventure alike. With its engaging plot, well-crafted characters, and immersive world-building, it earns a solid four stars and is sure to leave readers eagerly anticipating Wilkinson's next literary offering.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children's | Delacorte Press for the digital ARC of "Deep is the Fen" by Lili Wilkinson

I loved "A Hunger of Thorns," so I had high hopes for "Deep is the Fen."

The easiest way to sum up the book is: a cult of Toadmen, a girl running off to save an unrequited love, and lies... and more lies.
Unfortunately this book was rather predictable - the 'story' foreshadowing gave everything away.

I can see the appeal of the book, but there were a few things that prevented me from fully enjoying the book.

Our main character Merry was very hypocritical when it comes to magic... which was frustrating. Even when people with experience and knowledge are trying to reveal the truth to her she is unwilling to listen. Also, people with basic common sense would realise curses don't work like that. Almost 80% of the book she was anti-magic, and then within 3 pages she's it's biggest supporter. Even when it's obvious she's being lied to, she's somehow surprised afterwards... and even after questioning the legitimacy of things she just keeps going along with bad plans... and is shocked with the outcome?

The world setting kept throwing me off: a lot made it seem like it was set in Wales: instruments, words, deities.. but it also pulled in names from folklore from Ireland as well. It was also anachronistic - a weird mix of modern and an older era. (Side peeve: maybe I was just missing something, but the feminine name Babd was attached to a male honorific).

While the 'enemies to lovers' trope might appeal to some people - it's not my preferred choice. It's so predictable: no matter what the book subject matter is the relationship will always follow the same plot line.

I can definitely see how this book would be an enjoyable read for a lot of people especially with the unique Mettle and Toad Magic, but unfortunately it missed the mark for me.

I think this book was a massive adventure and i think this book had a two clear halfs of the story and both story captivated me. I think the first half of the book is stroner and overall i really did enjoy the characters. This book was very slowed paced story!!! I think this book is def my favorte that i read by this author!! I think the world bulding could have been a bit clearer.. but it was great

I absolutely love the world the author created here in Deep Is the Fen. This book is full of magic, mystery, and mythology and it is truly amazing. I’ve never read about toad-based magic before and it was super intriguing. I’ve never read a fantasy quite like this one, especially for young adults. Highly recommend.

Thank you to the publisher sending me a copy to review.

Three childhood friends whose lives are turned upside down when one of them joins a dark magical cult and the secrets between them all begin to fracture their relationships. Merry loves her life in her idyllic town of Candlecott. She's happy to be with her two best friends, Sol and Teddy, but there's only one thing she doesn't enjoy about her town... the Toadmen- a secret society that is strictly men only and specializes in using illegal dark magic. Merry's world is turned upside down when Teddy, her friend and the boy she's in love with, joins the Toadmen and is determined to be part of their society. She's willing to do anything to get him out, even if it means working with her academic archnemesis, Caraway Boswell, a handsome ice-cold snob who suddenly has asked her to help him. Merry wants to rescue Teddy before it's too late, yet the more she learns about the secret society the larger the danger to her becomes. It also doesn't help that she's beginning to fall for Caraway and that despite all the lies he keeps telling, she can't help but feel a connection to him. Everything she thought she knew about Caraway is wrong but when his truth finally comes out, can she still love him... and will she choose between Teddy, the boy she loves who left her and Caraway, the boy she hated who has protected her and drawn her in. The Toadmen want magic... and Merry's secret gift of being able to see witch magic means she's their new target in their dark ceremony... can she rescue those she loves before it's too late or will she end up as the next sacrifice? This was definitely a young adult fantasy and I felt that Merry read as if she were 16 years old. she's young and naive, headstrong, and she cares about things strongly. I did enjoy Caraway as a character and liked the twists and turns to his story. The lore of the Toadmen and the magic system in this world was definitely a unique one and I felt that fans of nature/fairytale-esque cult stories would enjoy this book.

*Thanks Netgalley and Random House Children's | Delacorte Press for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*