The Deep is an imaginative snapshot into a world where pregnant African slaves were tossed overboard during the Transatlantic Passage only to engender dangerous, hive mind mermaids. The novella features the loosest of plots and is best read by those who enjoy meandering stream-of-consciousness writing in which the narrator/time period is not clearly delineated.

Yetu is a historian for her people, holding all of the painful memories of their collective past while they live carefree 362 days of the year. For three days each year, she takes them through The Remembering during which they receive the memories of their ancestors. The Remembering doesn’t go as planned, and Yetu finds herself physically lost while trying to find her own soul and what she cares about most.

The writing is dreamlike and difficult to follow. This prevents the reader from feeling immersed in the story or grasping the setting and atmosphere of the novella. Yetu and her story are turned inward and consistently introspective, yet a couple of the sparse characters feel believable and distinct, including Amaba.

The pacing is inconsistent with the first 75% dragging across the bottom of the ocean floor at a crab’s pace.

Overall, if you enjoy innovative, nonlinear, and dreamlike novels, this is a great, quick read.

The Deep is inventive, well-written, and takes science fiction in new directions (which, these days, is not always easy to say).

A highly recommended and well-conceived story, and a fine example of the world-building that makes this genre sing at its best.

4.5 stars I am not a huge fan of Clipping, who wrote the song this book is loosely based off of, but this book is amazing. Mermaids, history, and together before I’m moving to West Africa? YES! This is going to be an important book that is quick to read. It tells a powerful story of not just the mythical creatures born of African slave women thrown overboard, but also the sordid story of human history. And the pointed lesson driven into the heart is how important history is for remembering, grieving, moving forward, and having roots. It’s a fast and deep read told slightly out of a nonlinear timeframe, which typically irks me but it just makes sense with the way the main character Remembers events and the way most of the world tells cyclical history. **Disclaimer: I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review

The Deep is one of the most meaningful reads I’ve experienced.. The central concept is fascinating and heartbreaking, imagining an alternative past for the African slave women who drowned in the Atlantic. It’s filled with beautiful imagery juxtaposed against the deep pain that permeates throughout their descendants. I was especially interested in the concept of emotional and memory transfer by a full society to a single person. In this instance, it’s a single individual sacrificing her mind to encapsulate the pain of her people’s past. That kind of sacrifice is both beautiful and terrifying to witness, and it nearly drives her mad. This is definitely an abstract style of writing, especially in the dialogue presentation. Expect to find vivid imagery and character introspection.

NOTE: I was provided a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.

Though it wasn't my favorite style of writing (I'm someone who prefers more concrete details and worldbuilding), this contains lovely and elegant prose perfect for those who enjoy metaphorical musings.