𝗗𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 by Maren Stoffels
🚢 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙙-𝙖𝙩-𝙨𝙚𝙖 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙫𝙖𝙡 | 🧠 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮 + 𝙜𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙩 | 🔪 𝙔𝘼 𝙥𝙨𝙮𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡

➡️ɢᴏᴏᴅ ꜰᴏʀ: 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘢 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘠𝘈 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘴𝘶𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘰𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘴, 𝘧𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘴.
➡️ꜱᴋɪᴘ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ɴᴇᴇᴅ: 𝘉𝘪𝘨 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘸𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘴, 𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘢, 𝘰𝘳 𝘯𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘥-𝘶𝘱 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴.

➡️ᴀᴅᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴛʙʀ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ…
° Love survival stories with a side of morally grey�
° Like dark tales where characters are tested
° Need a quick, chilling ocean read

➡️ɪᴛ'ꜱ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ: A group of teens trapped on a ship called No Exit, enrolled in a twisted re-education program where every mistake carries brutal consequences - and only some will survive.

➡️ᴛʜʀɪʟʟ-ᴏ-ᴍᴇᴛᴇʀ: 🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵
This was such a unique premise, and even though it’s short, it hits hard. Stoffels doesn’t shy away from heavy themes like bullying, discrimination, grief, and what it means to choose kindness. It’s raw and tragic, with a no-holds-barred approach to teens facing their darkest selves. The only thing I missed was a true “gotcha” twist - because multiple POVs reveal most cards early. Still, as a fast, dark, and thought-provoking ocean read, it’s a perfect pick for that summer-to-fall transition.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Maren Stoffels for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Deep Water coming out August 19, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I really love this author. Her books all have really interesting storylines. I’ve pretty much read every book from her. I definitely love the mystery and suspense. This book was definitely short, but I loved it. I’m obsessed with books set on water. The characters were good. I would definitely check out more books by this author.

Although I have many books by this author, this is the first one I’ve ever read. And it didn’t disappoint. This was different than anything I’ve ever read, but that made it hella unique. It definitely made for a good read.

Ok so the main theme in this one was the anti-bullying. It was different because they were all bullies. And it was even more different because they were teaching them a lesson, but it was the type of lesson where they don’t come back from the boat. This was wild af. I didn’t know what I wanted to say lol And when things started happening to teach them lessons, it was not what I expected AT ALL. I really need to start reading the synopsis of books lol

The writing style was good, but man the pacing needs some work. It went from regular story to climax in like 30 seconds (via audiobook) It all got a bit confusing at one point. I had to rewind it back and make sure I didn’t miss anything. It was even worse because it feels like you should know because of the journal entries that are giving clues, but some of the info has been blacked out. It was weird, but it was cool. But even with that, it was like middle of the book BOOM and then over, BAM. So yeah, the pacing was off.

This one will make you say a constant “What in the word? ” Or at least I did. But now I’m curious…. Are all of her books like this? I need to find out. Also, I like the shortness and I think the teens might like that too, so I would recommend this to my librarians to give to those teens looking for a short read.

Thank you for approving me for this novel!

I thought the premise was very unique. I've never been on a cruise and the thought of a sort of "scared straight" version taking place on a cruse ship was interesting! For the most part, the characters were dynamic and fully fleshed out. I wish we had learned a bit more about the other characters and their family life.

The pacing was fantastic except for toward the end where I felt things became a bit rushed. After the twist, things seemed to end very quickly. The solitary scene seemed a bit out of place, or rather like more should have happened down the line

Overall, I would say that the characters acted in a way many teenagers would. Some behaviors I felt were questionable even for teens. The writing was enjoyable and easy to follow. I'm interested in reading more from this author!

From the opening pages, Deep Water pulled me in and didn’t let go. Vesper thinks she’s heading out on a luxury cruise her dad gifted her—but the reality is far more sinister. The “vacation” is actually No Exit, a brutal re-education program for bullies where teens are stripped of their identities, forced into uniforms, and subjected to punishments if they don’t follow strict rules. As Vesper meets other passengers—including a blind girl labeled 25B—she quickly realizes this is no getaway. It’s a prison on water.

I loved how the story wove in Gwen’s diary entries alongside Vesper’s POV, adding depth and mystery. The survival-game atmosphere, the tension between the teens, and the question of who would make it back alive kept me turning pages late into the night.

This is a tense, fast-paced YA thriller filled with secrets, lies, and unexpected twists. Perfect for fans of dark, high-stakes survival stories.

Vesper can’t believe her eyes when she sees the cruise ship. Asking her dad if he can afford it. He tells her that he thought she needed a vacation. The vacation is ten days long. When she checks in , she is told to go to the personal welcome. She doesn’t want to go as she wants to check out her cabin. She is talking to Jonah when the host says that they are missed and takes them to the “welcome.” After that the group is told to go to their cabins and read the information folder. Vesper meets 25B who is blind. Why would a blind girl be at this program? She asks Vesper (now 25A) to read the folder to her. As 25a reads it, she can’t believe her eyes. It sounds like they are in a prison rather than a vacation. They must wear their uniforms or will not be able to leave their cabin. What she finds out is this is a reeducation program for bullies. The program is called “no Exit.” She can’t believe it. Why would her dad send her to this? Now, Vesper and her fellow passengers are about to confront their darkest fears and deepest regrets. The rules are brutal and the punishments deadly. With each new challenge, the teens must navigate physical and psychological trials that push them to their limits. And some will not make it back alive. Why?

The author has written a quick-moving thriller. It’s a fairly short, fast-paced read alternates between Vesper’s perspective and diary entries written by an unnamed bullying victim with details enhancing the sense of mystery. Some characters’ backstories are not only morally gray but extreme in their violence.

Deep Water by Maren Stoffels is a twisty YA thriller with the locked room mystery, stranded with no way out feel. What Vesper thinks is an amazing 10 day cruise vacation for young people, is actually a re-education cruise for bullies called No Exit. It’s not a vacation at all. Secrets come to light and surviving becomes key. This story was very fast paced which is why I read it in 24 hours. This book publishes on 08/19/25. Thank you NetGalley and Random House Children's | Delacorte Press for the eARC.

Vesper thought she was signing up for a relaxing escape but this ship is more punishment than paradise. Fast-paced, psychological, and totally gripping.

Wow what a compelling young adult thriller! A boat full of bullies getting their karma. I love the plot and the writing is amazing I now need to read all of this authors books!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc

This thriller is pure adrenaline on paper. The tension builds with expert precision, each chapter tightening the noose until you can barely breathe. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, the story yanks the ground out from under you. The characters are grippingly real, their motives tangled in ways that keep you second-guessing. It’s a pulse-pounding, heart-racing read you won’t be able to shake.

This was not enough for me, and even for a YA-focused book, the plot was rushed and fell short. Unless this is going to be a series, there was a ton of really interesting threads that could've been explored and were then left hanging. A lot is hinted at but never explained or shown, not even as exposition, and I didn't believe that anything was happening that would actually change any of these bullies. This was just an idea to torture bullies that fell short, and a plot about a marginalized identity that was unexplored and forced. And even then, the specific bully in that situation did not get what they truly deserved.

There's a ton of potential in this story, this just fell flat. For a much younger audience, even middle grade, this could be a good read about actions having consequences and empathy, since it's not overly graphic.

*3.5 stars rounded up*

Huge thanks to @prhaudio and Delacorte Press for the #gifted ALC and ebook.

"Welcome to No Exit. The place for you, so that others are safe."

When Vesper’s dad sends her away on a ten day cruise, she believes she’s finally found a perfect getaway from her troubled life. Little does she know, the cruise is really a cover up for No Exit, a reeducation program for bullies.

I wasn’t expecting this much depth from a YA mystery, it really hit me hard. Just the amount of abuse some of these kids inflicted on others...especially Jumper. There is a special place in hell for him. He literally gave himself this nickname after a kid ended their life because of his relentless bullying.

I was hooked until just the very end. A major event plays through and then the story skips forward multiple days to the end of the cruise. I wish more time had been spent on the final days of the program, I was left with more questions than answers. Still, I enjoyed the overall premise, even though that ending was a bit of a letdown.
One thing I really appreciated though, was the resources provided at the end of the audiobook.The author offers kids ways to reach out if they’re struggling mentally or know someone who is. That kind of resource isn’t always easy to find, and it’s such an important message for young listeners.

I think everyone who reads this book can look back and relate in some way, whether you were bullied or the bully.

Rating: 🤗/4.25
Source: #netgalley
Review: Once I get approved for a netgalley book I download it and just pick it up when I am ready to read it without reminding myself what intrigued me the book to request it. I was so surprised by this book. This was such an interesting premise - a 10 day punishment cruise for bullies - with twists and substance that will have me thinking about it for a long time.

Format: 👩🏻‍💻
Published on Goodreads 7/13/2025

Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this ARC!

This was a quick read that definitely kept my attention and had me on my toes. It felt a little choppy and hollow at times - I would have loved to see more of the story.

Overall though, a great quick mystery!

This is the first Maren Stoffels book I have read, but it won’t be the last. Such a quick read with a really good twist. I thought there was going to be a certain twist then it hit me with something I hadn’t even thought of until it happened.

𝙴𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠
🌟🌟🌟🌟
Imagine this: Your parents tell you you're going on a luxury cruise line with other kids. You get on this cruise line and notice something's wrong, and it's called No Exit. But not only that, the cruise line is filled with bullies. They welcome y'all by saying, "Welcome to No Exit. The place for you so that others will be safe." Rumor has it that not everyone makes it back alive.

This was a quick, easy thriller read that had me turning the page just to see what was going to happen. I actually liked that this was a short book and literally got to the point and didn't drag like some thrillers do, so I really appreciate it.

Thank you, NetGalley, and Random House Children's for the ebook in exchange for my honest review.

Deep Water
By Maren Stoffels

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s for providing me with an advanced reader’s copy of Deep Water by Maren Stoffels for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

I was drawn to this title because of the author, Maren Stoffels. I had previously read Escape Room, Room Service, Fright Night, and Stranger Danger.

Deep Water is a quick, pulse pounding read about a reeducation program for teen bullies that takes place aboard a cruise ship and from the outside seems like a luxury cruise line and not what it actually is… a prison. A prison that is intended to use karma and confrontation to teach these teens the consequences of their evil actions. However, rumor is that not everyone survives and makes it off the ship…

Like Stoffel’s other books, I’d hand this to anyone looking for a horror, suspense, thriller, quick read YA novel about survival and evil. No supernatural beings in this tale, but definitely an edge of your seat, “what’s going to happen next?!” vibe. A suggested purchase for YA and high school library collections and for those who enjoy Amy Christine Parker and Vincent Ralph. The characters represent as white, however, there is LGBTQ+ representation amongst secondary characters.

My only complaints are that for American readers, there are some words that clearly in translation lose some of their timeliness and could be changed to be more relatable. This seems to happen in many of her translations. Also, when nearing the end of the book when the story flips from Vesper’s perspective to Gwen’s, I feel like there’s some unnecessary repetition that is verbatim regardless of whose perspective you’re reading. The story also seems to build up to a particular event revolving around Gwen, however once that comes to a conclusion, it’s almost like the whole story just shuts down rather than continuing to address the rest of the cast of characters.
Overall an edge-of-your seat quick thriller that is sure to appeal to many a YA reader, despite some storyline flaws.

A prison cruise ship for Bullys? That’s exactly what this book explores is trapping bullys in a place where there is no escape and making them receive a bit of karma too. The idea of this book was a great, the pace is super fast, but the way the big reveal was done didn’t work for me. I think having that more woven into the story instead of some separate chapters that felt like we missed something and were being caught up super quickly would have been better.

I loved this book !!!! The writing was amazing. Had me engaged every step of the way and the plot twists for each individual character was well written.
Kept my attention throughout the duration of the book, and the ending was not what I expected (in a good way!). Definitely a bit of a physiological thriller with a great couple of twists. I look forward to reading another one of Maren’s books.

Thank you for the arc! I enjoyed this book. It was a fast paced read and very intriguing. However the ending left me wanting more