“Deep is the Fen,” by Lili Wilkinson

This was such a good book and incredibly unique. The FMC was so infuriating, immature, arrogant, and rude but it clearly shows how she grew throughout the book. The imagery was also unique with the “toadmen” and the swamp scenes and smells throughout which was gross and interesting at the same time. The magic system was different because it works through metal cords inside a person that could be torn away from the user. The ending was really good and also sad but completely worth it. 4 out of 5 stars.

-Toadmen
-Magic
-Corrupt Government
-Secret Society
-Enemies To Lovers

Thank you for the ARC!

fun and lively fantasy! thanks so much for the arc. the romance was so realistic :D and i loved how the antagonists worked.

Lili Wilkinson has once again demonstrated her storytelling prowess in "Deep Is the Fen." The narrative seamlessly weaves darkness, humor, and warmth into a compelling tale that refuses to let readers go. The book's protagonist, Merry, is a brilliantly flawed and relatable teenager, making mistakes and creating chaos that propels the story forward in catastrophic yet captivating ways. Wilkinson's signature YA approach shines through, creating a narrative that resonates with teenage authenticity rather than pandering to an adult audience.

The relationships in the story, both romantic and platonic, are masterfully handled, allowing readers to invest deeply in the characters' journeys. Wilkinson's willingness to explore the darker aspects of the narrative adds depth to the story, making it a standout in the teen market. The horror elements are suitably disgusting, and the consequences are delivered with unflinching precision, adding to the book's overall impact. Returning to the world of "Hunger of Thorns" proves to be a delightful continuation, addressing central questions and expanding the narrative scope.

In "Deep Is the Fen," Lili Wilkinson crafts a fresh, confident, and surprising tale that showcases her mastery of the craft. The book's dark and immersive atmosphere, combined with its unique magical elements, promises an unforgettable reading experience. Wilkinson's ability to blend horror, whimsy, and authenticity makes this fantasy a standout addition to the genre.

This modern fairy tale with Toadmen, witches, and an enemies-to-lovers trope is a fast-paced delight. The characters are well-developed, facing wild problems with relationships that feel authentic. Merry's evolving feelings towards Caraway add a layer of complexity, and her adaptability in challenging situations adds depth to her character. The book's pacing and character dynamics contribute to an engaging and enjoyable reading experience.

"Deep Is the Fen" resonates with the energy of "The Raven Boys" while infusing its own brand of spooky magical adventure with a touch of whimsy. The family of friends in the story, coupled with the captivating plot and unique magical elements, creates a compelling narrative. Merry's character stands out as an excellent protagonist, and her dynamic with Caraway adds a delightful enemies-to-lovers trope. The prose is beautiful, the plot is unpredictable, and the magic feels both unique and believable.

Lili Wilkinson's "Deep Is the Fen" surpasses expectations, delivering a fantasy masterpiece that rivals her previous work. Impeccable world-building, an enthralling mystery, and a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance contribute to this addictive read. The protagonist, Merry, leads readers on a dangerous adventure to save her friend from a magic cult disguised as a secret society. The involvement of her academic rival, Caraway, adds complexity to the plot and sets the stage for a captivating narrative. "Deep Is the Fen" is a fantasy masterpiece that captivates from beginning to end.

A heartfelt thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children's/ Delacorte Press for sharing this amazing book's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest feedback.

I had the privilege of receiving a digital ARC from NetGalley for this amazing book!
I LOVED this book. It gave me all the Raven Boys vibes, with the absolute spookiest magical adventure energy, but with a drop more whimsy. I love the family of friends in this book, and I absolutely love Caraway. Merry is awesome. I have nothing but good things to say here--the prose is beautiful, the plot kept me guessing, and the magic felt unique but believable, with a fairy-tale strength. I'll definitely be checking out Wilkinson's other books after reading this.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s for this DRC.
A modern fairy tale with Toadmen (secret society just for guys), witches (oppressed, of course) and an enemies to lovers trope. I chose to read it because of the title and just now realized there is a toad skeleton on the cover. Love the cover. Love the book. Fast paced with great characters, wild problems, and relationships that always felt real. I liked that Merry’s feelings for Caraway were more I just don’t like you than mortal enemy. I loved that when she realized things she could adapt and only sometimes ran off half-cocked. She was a fantastic hero and I hope to see more of her.
#DeepIstheFen #NetGalley

A great sequel! This was dramatic, spooky, and ticked all of the those good fantasy boxes YA readers want.

First of all, this cover is gorgeous and I can’t wait to have the physical copy in my library. But the story was just as good. Despite the thrilling story line, there was a coziness to this book that made it so easy to curl up and read it for consecutive hours. I really adored the characters and cared about their journey through the book. I would recommend this to anyone. Even non-fantasy readers. I think the language, world building, and plot would be very accessible to those wanting to try out fantasy.

Lili Wilkinson has done it again. “Deep Is the Fen” is every bit as good as “A Hunger of Thorns” — and also somehow even better. Impeccable world-building, an enthralling mystery and a slow-burn enemies to lovers romance all make up this addictive read.

In it, protagonist Merry sets off on a dangerous adventure to stop one of her dearest friends from joining a magic cult masquerading as a secret social society. It’s one that her academic rival Caraway is involved in, but that he doesn’t seem to be a fan of—which only gets more complicated when the two come together to save Teddy from a similar fate.

I devoured “Deep Is the Fen” as if I hadn’t read anything else in ages. It is a fantasy masterpiece.

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

This was such an amazing read! I flew through this book in one afternoon because I could not stop! The characters were so unique and gripping that I really adored them. The author did a great job with keeping the plot moving and avoiding any stale moments. I will be recommending this book to everyone I know!