This is by the same author who wrote the monsters we defy which is a book that I read and enjoyed so I was looking forward to this one. This is a historical fiction fantasy mix that takes the old history of Georgia and turns it into an underwater fantasy but of course it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a story about a community rising up to keep their town away from the baddies. Racism and grief are hard hitting in this one. Overall an enjoyable story that kept me on the edge throughout my entire read.

Daughter of the Merciful Deep was haunting as it was touching. The story weaves between the horrors and injustices done to the folks in this town as they are being run out of their home, as well as Jane's memories of the past, and the hope of starting a new in a place filled with gods and myth made true under the water.

There are parts of this book that deal with a part of America’s past that I didn’t know much about but took me on a side quest to learn more about drowned towns. It’s a history that we should all know and never forget. This is one of the things I love about Leslye Penelope and her writing is how she will find a moment in history and bring it to the light and imagine it in a new light. She definitely did that with this book because it was a mix of historical fiction and magical realism and I feel like it blended together well.

The story did go at a bit slower pace than I would have liked, but there was still an undercurrent that kept me engaged in the story. I enjoyed getting to know the inhabitants of Awanasa and exploring Jane and Grace’s relationship as sisters as they navigated not only the present, but also the past. All-in-all. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to whatever Leslye has next for us.

I appreciate the ARC of this book.
Historical fiction is hit or miss for me but this was a definite hit. This deals with heavy themes while also having magical elements. I think as a white reader, books like this are so important to help get a glimpse of what it is people of other races have to deal with and have dealt with in the past

Daughter of the Merciful Deep is a compelling read that combines historical realities with mythical elements to tell a story of resilience and hope. Leslye Penelope's masterful storytelling and rich character development make this novel a must-read for fans of historical fantasy. The book's strengths lie in its poignant themes and immersive world-building, although some readers may find the pacing uneven at times. Overall, it is a powerful exploration of community, faith, and the enduring human spirit.

<i>Daughter of the Merciful Deep</i> by Leslye Penelope didn't quite hit the mark for me. I was drawn to this book because of my love for <i>Monsters We Defy</i>, a book that was truly exceptional. I tried my best not to compare the two stories, as they are distinct in their own right, but I couldn't help but long for the same awe-inspiring experience I had with <i>Monsters We Defy</i>.

The story bored me, as I found out in real time that I don't have a strong interest in drowned towns. It also wasn't a good marriage of Historical Fantasy and Magical Realism. What did intrigue me was Peneleope's extensive research on the subject matter. The stories of drowned towns and character backgrounds were well told and even had me looking up information for more knowledge. If there's one thing I can count on, it's Penelope's hidden agenda of bringing forth lost history and events back to life.

I had such high hopes for Daughter of the Merciful Deep. It sounded amazing and while parts of it do live up to that, the historical parts, others did not live up to it, namely the fantasy and magical realism aspects. There is no doubt that this author is a master storyteller rendering vibrant life and colour to the characters and the world they inhabit, however I'm dnfing at 47%. It's interesting but slow moving and I feel like I'm slogging through the magical realism parts of it.

I wanted to love this book since it had a magical twist on the history of drowned Black towns. However, I am disappointed. I liked the historical aspects of this story. The culture, the language, the town and everything else felt very authentic. I could tell the author did research and I appreciated it. But the fantasy part of this book was lacking, which is so surprising to me because of the amazing world-building that was in the Earthsinger chronicles. For me, the author was not successful in blending the fantastical with the historical. The fantasy part was lacking, though I cannot tell you why. Maybe it was the issue with the pacing, because I did feel like the beginning was too slow and I kept waiting for the magic to be introduced. When it was introduced, it slows down even more with so much information being thrown at you. Overall, I thought it was fine but it was not a new favorite.

Leslye Penelope's "Daughter of the Merciful Deep" transports readers to a vividly imagined world teeming with mythology, magic, and likable characters. This tale deftly and deftly blends aspects of adventure, romance, and complex political intrigue against the backdrop of a mythical maritime realm.

Penelope's strength is her ability to conjure up a realistic and evocative scene. The vivid coral towns, glittering marine life, and the enigmatic Deep—a creature that is both dangerous and secretive—bring the underwater kingdom of Thalassa to life. Readers are easily drawn into this undersea world by the author's evocative words, which also makes it simple to understand and recognize its complexity and beauty.

Jane, the main character, is a resilient and sympathetic heroine who is driven by a quest for self-awareness and tenacity. the story ahead. Her character is enhanced by her affinity for the sea and her internal conflict about her dual ancestry as a human and mermaid. Through Maia's perspective, Penelope deftly examines issues of identity, belonging, and the fallout from power, creating an engrossing and thought-provoking trip.

Each member of the supporting cast has been skillfully developed, adding to the depth and complexity of the narrative. Relationships are shown in a nuanced way, ranging from alliances formed in the midst of hardship to friendships tested by allegiances. With a delicate development, the romance subplot enhances the emotional depth of the main story without taking center stage.

The world-building and character development in "Daughter of the Merciful Deep" are excellent, although the pacing can be a little off at times, especially in the middle when the plot wanes a bit before revving up momentum heading back towards the peak. The intricate political maneuvers may be a bit confusing to some readers, and it will take some time to completely understand the drama that is developing.

In conclusion, "Daughter of the Merciful Deep" by Leslye Penelope is a gripping fantasy book that enthralls readers with its magical and mysterious underwater setting. Fans of mythical and fantasy literature will enjoy its rich prose, intriguing characters, and creative storytelling. The book offers a delightful mix of romance and adventure against the backdrop of deep-sea secrets, despite its pace issues. For anyone looking to escape into a fantasy world, it is highly recommended.

I had high hopes for this book, but I ended up DNF'ing unfortunately. I was unable to connect with the characters and the dialogue was not very engaging for me. I do not believe in review bombing if I didn't enjoy something and DNF'd. I think for the right audience this could be a great read, I was just not the target audience I do not think.

This book is definitely going to be more for fans of historical fiction than fantasy. I was expecting a more fantasy-heavy novel, but the majority of this book focused more on the historical setting, which I did enjoy. I do think the synopsis was a little misleading in this way; the underwater world that Jane ventures to doesn't feature as prominently in the plot than her real-life town of Awenasa. I think the writing and plot were spectacular, but as more of a fan of fantasy than of historical fiction, this book just didn't hold my attention like I wish it had.

DNF 53%

I loved Leslye’s “The Monsters We Defy” and when I saw she had a new historical fantasy, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. This has a lot of really intriguing world building and I loved the characters, but for the time being it’s a book I can’t focus on. I definitely hope I’ll come back to this book because I love the community and there’s a lot of elements I want to see how they play out, but I haven’t picked this book up in like three weeks…so for time being this is a DNF.

- Liked sprinkling of romance between Jane and Daniel; present but didn’t overdo it and added a light element to the book
- Shows how western religion in the Black community has lived alongside traditional/ancestral spirituality for generations and that the two can coexist and are not opposites; they complement one another
- Great growth in Jane and Grace’s strained sisterly relationship; also highlights the bridge that has to be made for adult siblings to become friends and how that is a choice that has to be made
- Town felt full and like a community but not overwhelming with side characters
- Kept me engaged and had nice pacing and mystical elements

My expectations might have been too high for this one. I absolutely loved The Monsters We Defy and I was excited for Daughter of the Merciful Deep. Unfortunately, this didn’t hit for me. While I enjoyed and appreciate the history and the research of drowned Black towns that Penelope put into this book, I didn’t quite feel the same for the fantasy/magical realism aspects of the story.

Thank you, Redhook and Netgalley, for giving me a chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

CONTENT WARNING: racism, mention of slavery, gun violence

I found this to be an enjoyable book! It was a quick, easy read, and one of the best historical fantasies that I've ever read!

Jane is a mute woman living with her family in the all-Black settlement, Awenasa. She has been living there since childhood, without incident, until she witnesses a man that she has believed dead to rise out of the nearby river. The man appears to be searching for something, and believes that Jane may be the key to what he's searching for. Awenasa is in danger of being flooded by a dam that a group of white men are planning to build, and the white men will do anything to get that dam built, even if it means chasing the Black residents out, whether through violence or through the law. Could Jane and the mysterious man protect the town?

The magic system, called ommo, is unique. You make a wish through a nakara (a token), then you are whisked into a kye (a memory that is part of the wish maker's life), and in the kye, a person gives you an anoru (a proverb) for you to recite when you exit the kye. The wish is then granted. Certain wishes, however, won't be granted. For example, you can't wish death on anybody.

There are other African-inspired words in the book, but they are described very well and they were very easy to understand, so I definitely don't think that this book needs a glossary.

The romance in this book between two of the main characters was very well done, and they had excellent chemistry together. I found myself cheering for them throughout the book!

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for an easy fantasy read.

Daughter of the Merciful Deep, the newest novel by Leslye Penelope, is a harrowing story that hooked into my imagination hard. Set in the 1930s in the American South, the story plunges you into a world where nothing is safe. Nowhere is fair. And where deep water is both a source of mercy and danger.

In Daughter of the Merciful Deep, Penelope builds her protagonist, Jane Edwards, as an unwilling and unlikely heroine.

Was this a strange choice? I mean, even a plucky, brave heroine would struggle with saving a black-owned town from the flood path of a coming reservoir.

But Jane is not plucky. She is not brave. So, Jane’s journey into a magical sunken world to save her community is monumental. She navigates treacherous paths—both literal and metaphorical—as she discovers secrets about her heritage and the true nature of the power she possesses.

Something I found fascinating was how the magical sunken world came to be. Penelope’s crafting of her underwater world reminded me strongly of The Deep by Rivers Solomon. There are striking similarities in how both novels delve into themes of loss, identity, memory, and resilience.

As a scuba diver, I love imagining magical undersea worlds. And to paint the underwater landscape as a place where we can start over and build or rebuild a new, more-perfect community?

Catnip.

But a word of caution. Daughter of the Merciful Deep is not a fun book. It is not a light, breezy story. And it is definitely not a cozy, historical fantasy. While the story is fictional, Penelope rooted her novel’s premise in truth. At times, I found the novel hard to read.

Frankly, even in fiction, it’s hard to face what real people have endured.

However, if you enjoyed Penelope’s The Monsters We Defy, definitely read Daughter of the Merciful Deep.

Likewise, if you’re into dark fantasy and love profound, thought-provoking reads, this novel might be for you too. It’s a story that will stick with you.

A solid 3.75. This was a powerful historical fantasy that really shown a light on a part of US history that isn’t talked about as much as it should be. I only wish that each diverse community and town destroyed to create something else would’ve been able to find their own New Ilés and flourish as they deserved to.

This is an amazing speculative blend of historical fiction and fantasy, a tour de force of a book. I was hooked from page one, and I don't usually like historical reads.

The cover of this book is beautiful and eye-catching. It's also by author Leslye Penelope who wrote another good book, The Monsters We Defy, which is also a historical fiction book. There were many likeable qualities in this book. The pacing was good and the characters were likeable. The story, overall, was poignant and thought-provoking while highlighting the cruelty of society but also the strengths of persevering.

Daughter of the Merciful Deep follows the story of Janie, a woman who after being driven from her home by a white mob is now living in Awensa, an all-Black town with her father and older sister, but soon she is going to be driven from this home when the state decides to construct a dam which will drawon Awenasa. The a strange, but familiar man comes to Awensa and Janie discovers that the town may be potentially saved.
In this story Penelope is able to integrate the history of drown Black towns into a fantasy story about the saving of a town and the growing of a young woman. She creates a fantasy world that is well developed and interesting. This world is one in which I feel as though more stories could occur within it, but the ending of the story is such that it does not feel as though there needed to be more in this world. The characters are well developed and each of the main characters go through their own journey leading to their growing. The one difficulty I had with this book was the pacing. It felt as though the story took a while to get into the plot. While in this moment Penelope spent time developing the characters and making me interested in them, I think there could have been more time spent on pushing forward the plot while also understanding the characters. Overall, I would highly recommend this book, particularly if a hopeful fantasy spin on Black history sounds interesting to you. Thank you Redhooks Books and Netgalley for a copy of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

A woman journeys into a submerged world of gods and myth to save her home in this powerful historical fantasy that shines a light on the drowned Black towns of the American South.

Fantastic book! I loved the characters, the world-building, the writing, and the atmosphere. I will definitely be recommending it.