I cannot begin to recommend Deeplight by Frances Hardinge enough. It is magical, mysterious, and mesmerizing (and more). The worldbuilding, characters, and storytelling are amazing. It truly sucks you in and doesn’t let go!

First, just take a look at the synopsis and appreciate just how truly terrifying it is. The gods are dead...they turned on one another and tore each other apart… Say what? They tore each other apart?! 15-year-old Hark finds the still-beating heart of a terrifying deity… Great. Just great. Still-beating heart….terrifying deity. What could go wrong? he risks everything to keep it out of the hands of smugglers, military scientists and a secret fanatical cult...yeah, that's what could go wrong...the bad guys could get it! he can use it to save the life of his best friend, Jelt. But with the heart, Jelt gradually and eerily transforms...that could ALSO go wrong. When you read about Jelt's transformation, you will be terrified!

If you read lots of YA books, you’ve probably heard of YALLWEST. It’s a book festival in California featuring young adult and middle grade authors. Rather than cancel it altogether, the 2020 festival became YALLSTAYHOME. Since my daughter reads a ton of YA books, she knew all about this, and we both signed up to listen to some of the panels. One of the panels was called Modern Magic Worldbuilding, and Frances Hardinge was one of the panelists.

Random information? No! I loved listening to the authors on the panel talk about how they form worlds in their novels. I’ll tell you what: Frances Hardinge is an expert at worldbuilding. She sets up an area of the world composed of islands and the sea. And from what I gathered in reading the book, the residents of the islands (the majority of them, I believe) are unaware of just how large the rest of the world is. I could be wrong, but it seems like they believe the islands are a large center and the rest of the world is small and revolves around the islands.

This island-centric way of life has much to do with the gods. Though the gods are long gone, bits of godware are in high demand. The people believe the godware is powerful, and they’ll risk their lives to get it. Outsiders pay a lot of money for godware too, so to have access to godware is to have power. The author said that her fascination with early submarines played into her worldbuilding as well, and you’ll see that access to these types of submarines gives the characters power as well. Getting to the Undersea means access to more godware. It is this obsessive desire for godware that changes the main characters’ lives forever.

Deeplight is a must read for anyone who appreciates amazing worldbuilding and fascinating storytelling. Speaking of storytelling...the author not only tells the present story, she weaves in stories from the past...from when the gods were alive. And stories of how they died. I don’t even have the words to describe how brilliantly Hardinge tells stories. Deeplight will stick with me for a very long time. You have to read this. Seriously. It’s amazing. Read it! Now!

I am fast becoming a Frances Hardinge fan. I liked The Lie Tree, enjoyed Cuckoo Song and was fully immersed in the dark, dangerous, watery world she has created in Deeplight.

This story had everything I could possibly want; strong world building, young characters grappling with the consequences of their actions, exploration of the way society judges difference and labels people as 'other' or monstrous.

I loved the idea of island people surrounded by seas that once contained vengeful murderous sea gods, the damaged priests nursing their injuries and mental trauma on Sanctuary, the steam-punk esque fusion of machinery with god body parts to make godware.

Hardinge crafts highly imaginative worlds, peopled with complex characters who may lie and break rules but also value loyalty, friendship and honour. This is a great coming of age story with nods to Frankenstein.

This story is filled with toxic friendship, monsterous gods, well kept secrets and likeable characters. It is a wonderful mix of science and mythology that keeps you wanting more.

Hark and Jelt have been friens since they were young. Jelt has pretty much run the show counting on Hark to jump at whatever he wants of him. As the story continues we see Jelt continue this pattern and things escelate. Hark is at war with himslef about being an unconditionally loyal friend and knowing when to put his foot down.

At one time, there were many Gods that dewelled in the sea. They were not at all like the Gods we think of, they were brutal and terrorized the people, literally feeding off their fear. Until a God's heart is found and starts changing the people.

I really enjoyed the charcters as most had a story and were integral parts of the story as a whole. I loved the deaf prepresentation and Selphin in general was such a great character. 

The world building was probably the best part. Like Hark, I found myself wanting to know more about the Gods and the stories that brought about societies way of life. Though I do think the pacing was off at times, I know it was mostly due to all the world building.

Thank you to Netgalley and Publishers for letting me read this title in exchange for an honest review.

Hark is an orphan who forms a bond of brotherhood with Jelt, a fellow orphan. So when Jelt asks Hark for help executing a job for a local gang, Hark reluctantly agrees. And gets caught, natch. He ends up as an indentured servant of a scientist studying the leftover pieces dead sea-monster gods that ruled the island until they all fought each other to the death 30 years prior. Hark talks to the former priests who worked with the gods and is largely enjoying himself, until Jelt shows up with a new job that threatens Hark's new life.

There is obviously a lot going on in this book, and the worldbuilding was next level creative. Each sea-monster/god is different, and the descriptions of them were fantastic and a bit creepy. The mysteries of their existence and sudden disappearance unravel throughout the course of the book. That's kind of half of the book, and the other half is the adventures of Hark (they are, of course, intertwined), which I didn't love as much due to his blind devotion to Jelt. But even still, Hark's story goes down a very interesting and unexpected path and I think a lot of young teenage boys will identify with him. The book's message ends up being about your story/legacy and storytelling, which resonated with me as it will with anyone who understands the power and value of good storytelling.

This is a perfect read for tweens and teens graduating from middle grade fiction to YA who love adventure with a touch of horror. If this book finds it's audience, I can see it being really popular. I really enjoyed it! 4 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and MacMillan for the eARC, which I received in exchange for an unbiased review. Deeplight is available now - put your copy on hold today!

Want a beautifully complex and interesting fantasy adventure, then just get hold of this and get stuck in.

Hark is a plucky young man who eeks out a living, not always honestly, as part of a group of young street rogues on his island Lady's Crave which is part of the Myriad group of islands. It is a rugged and dangerous place, apart from the dangers of cliffs and dangerous foes there is also the danger that lurks in the sea. A sea which has levels, once you dive down under the water you eventually reach a level where you can breathe freely. However, monsters dwell here, monsters that the locals call gods, they have become pieces of gods now, these pieces are valuable, people want them, they give power and are downright scary. If you melded bits of gods together you might create a huge monster which would make you so powerful that you could wield that power in a very unpleasant and dangerous way, even become monstrous in your power.

Hark has been caught trying to rob the wrong person, he ends up in court and is sold to the highest bidder into slavery. His purchaser is a very unusual woman, he is put to work in a sanctury but he knows that she is doing weird things elsewhere.

This is a wonderful story of courage, determination, loyalty and adventure. Layer upon layer of story all linking and tying together in a fantastic way. There is a lot going on, Hark is pulled betwixt and between, divided in his loyalties and desperate for approval. There is a most wonderful young woman character who is deaf, Hark's bond with her was one of the joys in this book.

This is one of those books which will work for lots of readers. I think that is what Frances Hardinge does, she writes a book for kids, but the story is so complex and layered that it will keep even the most cynical adult hooked. I would be recommending it to readers who loved Percy Jackson's world, but this is more complex and nuanced. Readers from intermediate and senior primary school all the way up will be caught up in this world.

Was not a fan of the writing style. There was too much world building and not enough plot for me to become invested in. The writing itself had potential for a great basis in vivid descriptions within a fantasy world, but unfortunately there wasn’t much for me to get connected to the characters and what is happening in the plot. 1 out of 5 stars.

My thanks to ABRAMS Kids/Amulet Books for a digital edition via NetGalley of ‘Deeplight’ by Frances Hardinge in exchange for an honest review.
It’s been out in the U.K. since 31 October 2019. This is the USA edition due to be published on 21 April.

The undersea gods of the Myriad are dead. Years ago they had turned on one another and tore each other apart. Many islanders died in this cataclysm. The memory of the gods live on in the culture of the Myriad and the detritus of their corpses, known as ‘godware’, can be found under the sea.

The protagonist of this powerful science fiction/fantasy is 14-year-old Hark, who lives by his wits on the streets of the island of Lady’s Crave. He and his best friend Jelt are scavengers, diving for godware in order to sell. One day they encounter something stirring under the waves, something calling to them. Something valuable and dangerous that many wish to possess, including smugglers, scientists, and fanatical cultists.

I will avoid saying more to prevent spoilers though in this coming-of-age story Hark’s relationship with Jelt is central. In the course of his adventures he also meets Selphin, a daughter of the local smuggler queen.

Selphin is deaf, what is referred to in the novel as ‘sea-kissed’, as are many on the island who experience hearing loss from diving. As a result “there were so many sea-kissed across the Myriad, virtually all islanders knew some sign language.”

In her end notes Hardinge acknowledges the young reader who had asked if she would ever consider including a deaf character in one of her books and inspired the creation of the ‘sea kissed’. She went on to serve as a consultant for the novel.

‘Deeplight’ was quite a slow burn and it took me a while to feel totally engaged with its characters and story. However, having read other works by Hardinge, I had confidence in her storytelling skills. Indeed, it wasn’t long before I became totally caught up in this powerful story.

I loved its rich and strange island setting and while marketed as Teen/YA, it is a novel that is sure to appeal to lovers of science fiction/fantasy hybrids of all ages.

Highly recommended.

The first half of this book took a while to get really into, since not much of interest happens. Unless you count Hark getting caught up in a setup. But, even that seemed to have been an obvious before it played out. Yet, I still trudged along because there was much discovering to do when it came to the "gods". And, everything that was considered precious resources to the people, were a major part I wanted to know more of.

It wasn't until I got further into the book though, that everything else started picking up in pace. Especially, as the legends begin to get told, of life before when the gods ruled the undersea, and everyone lived in fear because of them. Just know, that yes, many of these creatures that belonged to the sea, were exactly that, creatures. This isn't like the Greek gods that are beings, waiting to be reborn into the world.

As mentioned, the pace is a bit slow in the beginning, but it definitely picks up speed as it continues. There's a betrayal that transpires, secret experiments that emerge and go terribly wrong, and an apocalypse that must be stopped before it ever really gets a footing in the new world order. And yes, it's a little bit of a doozy trying to get most of that untangled, because people come left and right trying to make sure the craziness happens., But, it straightens out as it goes.

One that's a mix of feels, is Jelt's character. I wasn't always sure what to make of him, as he wasn't someone I much cared for. But, some things come to light that make me wonder, if it was all set that way to throw the reader of track. Either way, there was enough there to want to see what happens to him, and everyone else in those last chapters. This novel wasn't quite what I had expected, from the characters, or events that occurred, but it was a good read all in all.

***I received this copy from Macmillan Children's Books, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.***

This book was breathtaking. Though the world building was incredible and complex, it did take me a little bit to become immersed in the story. Once I was, though? Game over! I finished this book in just two sittings. The mythology and lore of this world was so unique, and the relationships and characters have stuck with me long after finishing this book. After reading Deeplight, Frances Hardinge will definitely be an author I come back to!

There was a lot to unpack in this book and ultimately, I felt that all of the various threads didn't quite tie together. It tells the story of Hark, a young man living in the shadow of the Undersea and the memory of the horrific gods that used to live there.

The Positives: I loved the idea of the Undersea and the fact that elements of dead gods could be used for the betterment of the people living on the islands. The world created here was fascinating and I would have liked to see more exploration of the gods. Hardinge is great with atmosphere and there are some genuinely creepy scenes and images in the narrative that I really appreciated.

The Negatives: The writing has a coldness to the tone that keeps the reader at somewhat of a distance from the characters, which made it difficult to connect with them. Consequently, a lot of the impact of the action was lessened. I also thought that the narrative had a bit of a muddled feeling about it and there were times when I found it difficult to keep all of the elements straight.

Overall I thought this was an atmospheric and interesting story, but it could have gone much further and isn't a new favourite.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Books having almost anything to do with the ocean are always ones that I gravitate towards. Frances Hardringe manages to bring such life to this world and plot. The characters are realistic and imperfect and they all are very interesting and bring different things to the book and its plot.

All that being said, the book does start off slow and takes awhile to develop but trust me, it's worth it.

This book was utterly fantastic and I loved being immersed in this fascinating world. The world building was amazing, the characters well developed and the plot was riveting. It was hard to put this book down.

The book is mostly told from Hark’s point of view, although there are times when it switches to someone else. Hark is a wonderful character. I loved him almost from the start. His growth throughout the book is amazing. He is just beginning to see that his relationship with Jelt is maybe not the best thing, and he struggles through out with managing his feelings around that. I disliked Jelt almost immediately, but could understand why Hark felt that he owed his friendship to him. It was such a toxic relationship, but was handled well. I also loved how even though Hark could not read he was drawn to stories, especially the ones about the gods.

Selphin was another character that I also really liked, although not at first. She is sea-kissed, which in this world means she is deaf. Sea-kissed are honored in this world because they often become deaf during an adventure/accident while diving. Most, but not all people, know sign language in order to communicate with the sea-kissed, but many of them also lip read. Selphin does a nice job of conveying how difficult it is for her to lip read when there are multiple people talking or if people are exaggerating or talking too fast or slow. Selphin is a bit acerbic at first, but she eventually wins you over, just like she does Hark.

There are many wonderful characters in the story and most are well fleshed out. I especially liked many of the priest that Hark eventually ends up helping to care for, especially Quest who became a very important part to the story. Jelt was the least likable, he was so manipulative and bullied Hark into doing things he knew he shouldn’t be involved in.

The world building is what really makes this a great book. The back story on all of the gods and goddess and how each island worshipped them was so well done. I loved the combination of the sort of steampunk world (nothing steam powered) with a more 18th century feel. There were some magical contraptions as well, which just made for some interesting descriptions. I also loved that there were secret societies, pirates, smugglers, salvagers and then just plain folk populating this world. The writing was amazing and the pacing was great as well.

This was a compelling book that was very hard to put down. I have only read a couple of books by this author, but I will definitely be looking to pick up more after this.

This was an interesting read for middle grade fiction. The depth that Hardinge uses in her story, in her mythology, and in the way she captures the reader's heart is beyond comprehension. The book completely captures your mind and your heart as you go on this journey with Jelt and Hark.

I’m truly surprised by how much I struggled to engage with this book, but I found myself disconnected with and uninvested in the narrative from start to finish.

I’ve loved everything I’ve read by Frances Hardinge prior to this, so I expected a slam dunk, 5-Star read. Unfortunately, my resting state thought this book is best described as “bored.”

The setting here didn’t have the same panache and richness as in Hardinge’s previous novels, which seemed especially odd considering the coastal/undersea settling is generally one of my favorites.

I suppose some of this is simply a matter of taste. This certainly isn’t a poorly written book or a terrible story. Far from it. But Gods are always tough customers as characters, be they friend or foe, and Hardinge seemed to struggle with how to represent them in the same way that many other authors seem to do.

Equally problematic is Hark, who, while certainly not unlikable or poorly drawn, just didn’t feel worth investing in as a hero to me.

The story had loads of potential and it’s certainly not a “bad” book by any stretch, but this one just didn’t work for me.

If Hardinge wrote an instruction manual, I'd be compelled to read it - her writing is that good. And Deeplight is no exception, a steampunk adventure that excels at world-building. And as a user of BSL (due to family members experiencing hearing loss), I really enjoyed the deaf rep and use of signing in this book.

I found this book to be a very interesting look at toxic relationships explored in a world of gods & monsters. The descriptions were amazing and created a world that I could dive into. I loved the inclusion of sign language in the book. Not one of the characters were one dimensional and they were always surprising me. It was a refreshing book.

Deeplight is a great science fiction story set in a steampunk world brought to life by Frances Hardinge. What is there not to love about that?

The book starts with the introduction to the world Frances has created. It’s a vivid and bright world where wonder and adventure seem to be in the air. It’s a world full of smugglers, privateers and secret societies. The world might mimic that of the eighteenth century, yet the world appears today.

Hark, our hero, is a fifteen year lad, who has had a hard upbringing. At the beginning of the book things get even worse when he’s tried in court and auctioned off for helping smugglers. He’s a shrewd character though and manages to stop being sold as a galley slave.

This book is a breathtaking romp through the strange, yet familiar world. Hark is a great protagonist and the world is excellently created to immerse yourself in. The story moves like the sea, crashing it’s way through that makes you want to never put it down.

A brilliant read that is highly recommended for those aged 10+.

Couldn't get into it or relate with any of the characters. I loved the idea behind it and I am dissapointed that I didn't love it like I hoped I was going to

I have read and loved many of Frances Hardinge’s books in the past so I had high expectations going in to Deeplight. I’m happy to say I was not disappointed. This book is so weird but so gripping. It has sea creatures, gods, science, mythology, etc.. it was a dark, captivating read and Hardinge has definitely become an auto-buy author for me.

#Deeplight
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the E-arc copy of Deeplight.
A creative and diverse story that will have you turning page after page.