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Fear the Drowning Deep
Witch’s apprentice Bridey Corkill has hated the ocean ever since she watched her granddad dive in and drown with a smile on his face. So when a dead girl rolls in with the tide in the summer of 1913, sixteen-year-old Bridey suspects that whatever compelled her granddad to leap into the sea has made its return to the Isle of Man.
Soon, villagers are vanishing in the night, but no one shares Bridey’s suspicions about the sea. No one but the island’s witch, who isn’t as frightening as she first appears, and the handsome dark-haired lad Bridey rescues from a grim and watery fate. The cause of the deep gashes in Fynn’s stomach and his lost memories are, like the recent disappearances, a mystery well-guarded by the sea. In exchange for saving his life, Fynn teaches Bridey to master her fear of the water — stealing her heart in the process.
Now, Bridey must work with the Isle’s eccentric witch and the boy she isn’t sure she can trust — because if she can’t uncover the truth about the ancient evil in the water, everyone she loves will walk into the sea, never to return.
Soon, villagers are vanishing in the night, but no one shares Bridey’s suspicions about the sea. No one but the island’s witch, who isn’t as frightening as she first appears, and the handsome dark-haired lad Bridey rescues from a grim and watery fate. The cause of the deep gashes in Fynn’s stomach and his lost memories are, like the recent disappearances, a mystery well-guarded by the sea. In exchange for saving his life, Fynn teaches Bridey to master her fear of the water — stealing her heart in the process.
Now, Bridey must work with the Isle’s eccentric witch and the boy she isn’t sure she can trust — because if she can’t uncover the truth about the ancient evil in the water, everyone she loves will walk into the sea, never to return.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published October 4, 2016
88 people are currently reading
8785 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Glenn Marsh
31 books845 followersSarah Glenn Marsh has been an avid fantasy reader since the day her dad handed her a copy of The Hobbit and promised it would change her life. She believes we all deserve happy endings and is an author of books for everyone, including many young adult, middle grade, and picture book titles.
She lives in Richmond, Virginia with her family, including one sweet daughter, one slightly dull sword, and the chaos of many pets, like a turtle named Muffin who she definitely did not bring back from any haunted swamp. Our Rogue Fates is her first adult novel.
She lives in Richmond, Virginia with her family, including one sweet daughter, one slightly dull sword, and the chaos of many pets, like a turtle named Muffin who she definitely did not bring back from any haunted swamp. Our Rogue Fates is her first adult novel.
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August 11, 2016Well, I'm the author, so I'm proud of this even though it's not out yet :)
December 4, 2016
A massive case of insta-love killed this book. Prepare for SPOILERS and sea monsters. Ah, kidding, there's no sea monsters, just the one called insta-love that gutted this book.
So, what Fear the Drowning Deep is basically about:
There was a girl and she hated and feared the water, because her granddad jumped off the cliff before her eyes. The girl wanted to go far far away from the sea. The girl had a best friend. She liked him a lot. They even kissed once. One day the girl saw a body washed ashore, a boy - beautiful boy - who's striking nether parts were so beautiful, the girl fell for him at once. I studied his angular face, yet nothing about his straight nose or strong jaw reminded me of anyone in town. His curly, dark hair—long enough for small whorls to graze his sharp jaw—could’ve marked him as the son of any number of Port Coire families. But I was certain he wasn’t from these parts. I knew everyone my age in our town and the neighboring villages, and I’d never seen anyone so striking before. I would have remembered.
Me:
The girl took the boy home, she rubbed some salve into his wounds, and it was so sexy, they boy fell for the girl too. They held hands and swam together in the ocean (the girl forgot all about her desire to leave the island). Meanwhile, creepy things were happening in the village: people were missing as if they were lured into the sea by something monstrous. The girl and the boy continued holding hands, and the boy continued saying sexy words to the girl.“You still confuse me.” There was a haunted look in his eyes, one of sorrow and longing and something almost feral.
“How is that possible?” I demanded. “I’m here, aren’t I?”
“That’s just it. You’re here, and you taste so good, yet all I want to do is …” His tongue grazed my bottom lip, teasing my lips apart. I wasn’t sure how I knew what he wanted, but I did. He ran his tongue over my teeth, tasting of salt and dark sugar—maybe treacle.
I'll explain in a second why I underlined these words in the quote. Patience, my friends. Meanwhile, me:
So, one day soon the boy decided he wanted to have kids with the girl, and the best way to start a family is to be honest with each other. So they went to the beach, the boy shed his clothes (oh, his pretty butt!) and dived into the water... uh, after that things got a little bit confusing, because what emerged from the water wasn't entirely human, if at all: half-horse, half-dolphin creature with dark mane and striking blue eyes. Yes, yes, it's out hero and he's a sea monster *gasp*
He lured and ate young girls until one day he fought another terrible serpent monster, because they couldn't decide who should eat another dead girl, and the serpent had won. Our horse-dolphin-boy was injured and washed ashore in the human form. Then our heroine accidentally pricked her finger, and her blood mingled with his blood and, voila(!), the monster was reborn! His urge to kill was tamed, and all he wanted was to kiss the girl, though, as you can guess now that line from the quote above about her tasting good was literal: he ate girls and couldn't comprehend why he didn't want to eat such a tasty girl like this one. What a romantic boy-horse-dolphin!“Somehow, your blood gave him a bit of humanity. Allowed him to control his urges.”
The best part is yet to come!
When the girl saw the horse-dolphin-boy, she suddenly decided that there wasn't any insta-love between them, and she doesn't know the dude at all!“Don’t you dare say you love me.” A shrill laugh escaped my lips. “It seems we know nothing of each other.”
Oh indeed, the girl hoped for a dark-haired, blue-eyed cutie boy and got the same dark-maned and blue-eyed lover. What to complain about?! Hey, horses and dolphins are cute! What a racism to deny him only because he's not entirely human!
Well, the girl didn't cry for long. She listened to the logic above and decided half-man, half horse-dolphin is better than her boring childhood friend.
Long story short: they held hands again.
Of course, there was also the serpent monster issue. Of course, they killed the monster, and for some dramatic effect, our little Ariel was injured again, and his body wasn't found. But one day soon, the girl found a pearl and she knew: her Ariel is somewhere there, in the deepest part of the ocean: healing, dreaming and neighing his love for his maiden. The end.
Facts:
- The first 15% or so where good: dark and haunting, made me afraid of the water.
- The heroine's relationship with her family were nice, but, unfortunately, there wasn't enough development in anything but the romance.
- The book takes place on the Isle of Man in 1913, but there was hardly any feeling of the era. A couple of words here and there, but mostly I more than once forgot it wasn't the 21th century.
- If the book concentrated on the romance less - making it a central part took the mystery on the outskirts and spoiled the fun - the book could've been an excellent thriller. For example, the boy-monster could've turned out to be a real monster, who came ashore to lure the heroine into the ocean. But no, a-tortured-sea-monster-turned-love-interest was a better idea in the eyes of the author. Miss-miss here.
Verdict: A very strong Twilight vibe. Not recommended.
August 5, 2016
This book is as gorgeously spooky, haunting, and intriguing as the cover would suggest. It's cinematic, atmospheric, and an utterly thrilling page turner. I read this in the dead of July, sweating, and I already can't wait to read it on a misty Autumn night, wrapped in a blanket, with something hot to drink and nowhere I have to be and nothing I have to do. It's THAT kind of a book. Five WELL earned stars. This is an author to watch.
Want to read
September 1, 2015Please be killer mermaids.
October 17, 2016
Review posted on Fafa's Book Corner!
Beware spoilers ahead!
I received this E-ARC from the author and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I am also participating in the Sunday Street Team.
I had heard about this book through Twitter. Quite a few people were talking about it but at the time it didn't catch my eye. It wasn't until I got the sign up form for the street team that I considered reading it.
Now I suppose because I didn't really care much for Fear the Drowning Deep I didn't have any expectations. I was quite surprised that I enjoyed it! The book takes place sometime during the 1800's. It is written in first person through Bridey's point of view.
The minute you read the first page the book grabs you and it's hard to stop. We are taken right when Bridey finds a dead girls body. Soon after that the town is in a frenzy as there hasn't been a death since Bridey's grandfather.
When Bridey was seven years old she and her grandfather were walking by the beach. She's trying to have a conversation with him when suddenly he stops replying. He mentions whether Bridey can hear the singing to which she replies no. Her grandfather claims that the singing is coming from the water. He walks to the cliff and jumps off with a smile on his face.
Bridey told her townspeople about what happened but they all thought she was crazy. Add to the fact that she's the only person in the town who doesn't like the water. Throughout the book Bridey soon realizes that all these disappearances and murders are somehow linked to her grandfather's death. She explains as much to her people but they don't believe her. The only one who does is Fynn and the Witch she is apprenticed to. With their help she looks for a way to stop the monster from killing her townspeople.
I didn't see any of the plot coming! This is a very original book. The book is fairly fast paced and I was never bored. It was interesting reading about the witch that Bridey was apprenticed to as well as the monsters. All of the monsters are from some mythology. Personally speaking I have never read about these monsters before.
The family relationship was absolutely amazing! Bridey has two sisters and adoring parents. Despite some of the sisters' arguments they stood by each other. The same goes for Bridey's parents. When Bridey found Fynn her parents took him in and treated them as their own. They stood up for him when the town started to get suspicious of Fynn.
I also loved Bridey's friendship! I forgot her friends' names but I loved reading about them! They were a tight group. Now one of her friends is a guy and there is a bit of a love triangle but it gets resolved fairly quickly.
I liked reading about Bridey and Fynn's relationship. They were sweet together. Although I did feel that it was a bit rushed. There is a certain reveal that comes out about Fynn which ruined the romance for me. I still liked his character though.
I found the ending to be just right for the book. And in a sense it was beautiful. It gives Bridey and the readers hope.
I had two problems with Fear the Drowning Deep. I wished that we got to read more about Bridey's friends. They didn't really come in a lot. And that reveal about Fynn was shocking and a bit odd considering that Bridey and Fynn were dating.
Overall I enjoyed this book! I am definitely going to be checking out more from this author. I recommend it for anyone looking for a fantasy standalone.
Beware spoilers ahead!
I received this E-ARC from the author and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I am also participating in the Sunday Street Team.
I had heard about this book through Twitter. Quite a few people were talking about it but at the time it didn't catch my eye. It wasn't until I got the sign up form for the street team that I considered reading it.
Now I suppose because I didn't really care much for Fear the Drowning Deep I didn't have any expectations. I was quite surprised that I enjoyed it! The book takes place sometime during the 1800's. It is written in first person through Bridey's point of view.
The minute you read the first page the book grabs you and it's hard to stop. We are taken right when Bridey finds a dead girls body. Soon after that the town is in a frenzy as there hasn't been a death since Bridey's grandfather.
When Bridey was seven years old she and her grandfather were walking by the beach. She's trying to have a conversation with him when suddenly he stops replying. He mentions whether Bridey can hear the singing to which she replies no. Her grandfather claims that the singing is coming from the water. He walks to the cliff and jumps off with a smile on his face.
Bridey told her townspeople about what happened but they all thought she was crazy. Add to the fact that she's the only person in the town who doesn't like the water. Throughout the book Bridey soon realizes that all these disappearances and murders are somehow linked to her grandfather's death. She explains as much to her people but they don't believe her. The only one who does is Fynn and the Witch she is apprenticed to. With their help she looks for a way to stop the monster from killing her townspeople.
I didn't see any of the plot coming! This is a very original book. The book is fairly fast paced and I was never bored. It was interesting reading about the witch that Bridey was apprenticed to as well as the monsters. All of the monsters are from some mythology. Personally speaking I have never read about these monsters before.
The family relationship was absolutely amazing! Bridey has two sisters and adoring parents. Despite some of the sisters' arguments they stood by each other. The same goes for Bridey's parents. When Bridey found Fynn her parents took him in and treated them as their own. They stood up for him when the town started to get suspicious of Fynn.
I also loved Bridey's friendship! I forgot her friends' names but I loved reading about them! They were a tight group. Now one of her friends is a guy and there is a bit of a love triangle but it gets resolved fairly quickly.
I liked reading about Bridey and Fynn's relationship. They were sweet together. Although I did feel that it was a bit rushed. There is a certain reveal that comes out about Fynn which ruined the romance for me. I still liked his character though.
I found the ending to be just right for the book. And in a sense it was beautiful. It gives Bridey and the readers hope.
I had two problems with Fear the Drowning Deep. I wished that we got to read more about Bridey's friends. They didn't really come in a lot. And that reveal about Fynn was shocking and a bit odd considering that Bridey and Fynn were dating.
Overall I enjoyed this book! I am definitely going to be checking out more from this author. I recommend it for anyone looking for a fantasy standalone.
February 7, 2017
~*Full review notes on The Bent Bookworm!*~
Feels :
Satisfaction. I adored the resolution of this book. It’s not a perfect happily-ever-after (HEA) and that makes ME so very, very happy. I’m a disgruntled, hard-hearted porcupine when it comes to love, and while I like endings with hope, only rarely do I completely get behind a tidy little HEA. FtDD has a very hopeful ending, but one that could go several different ways. I loved that.
Characters :
It took me awhile to warm up to Bridey, I’ll be honest. She is so defined by her fear of the sea that at first that is the only quality I saw in her. As the story goes on though, I came to genuinely like her. Lugh and Cat, her best friends, I wish we had seen a little more of. I felt sorry for them as she kind of abandoned them to go work with Morag and then in her absorption with Fynn.
Fynn is something of a mystery for most of the book. A lot of reviews I saw complained about the insta-love between him and Bridey, but to me it was believable BECAUSE from the very beginning, it’s obvious Fynn is not just a normal human boy. Because of that, I feel like the insta-love is understandable and realistic – even though I usually DESPISE it.
Morag was my favorite character. An odd choice, I guess – but I loved her. I love that she was old and crotchety and hurt – both physically and emotionally, yet she was such a wise woman and genuinely cared about people. She was like a gingerbread cookie…crunchy on the outside but soft and delicious on the inside (that IS how you make your gingerbread cookies, right?).
Plot :
FtDD starts off kind of slow, not going to lie. It’s beautiful and haunting, but slow. The pace picks up about a third of the way through, and I was completely drawn into the Isle of Man world Sarah Marsh has created. I already wanted to visit but now I want to go even more!
At first I thought I had misjudged the cover blurb and this was a historical fiction YA with some mythology thrown in…but no. It soon becomes apparent that all is not as it seems on the idyllic Isle, regardless of what the villagers want to believe. And of course no one wants to listen to the tales of old women or the vision of the young. No one wants to believe that maybe the faery stories are more than stories.
Worldbuilding/Description :
Beautiful. Idyllic. Almost mystical and definitely slightly creepy. I loved it. It felt so real…next time I’m at the ocean I’m going to be on the lookout for creepy ghosts playing violins. I still want to visit the Isle of Man though.
Rating :
4/5 stars. There were some things I felt were too easily explained away, like some things about Fynn. Some things I felt happened too easily…like once Bridey got over her fear, suddenly she was a grand rescuer…but they were small things, and adrenaline and love do give people almost superhuman strength sometimes.
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“Nothing from the ocean is meant to survive on land forever.”
Feels :
Satisfaction. I adored the resolution of this book. It’s not a perfect happily-ever-after (HEA) and that makes ME so very, very happy. I’m a disgruntled, hard-hearted porcupine when it comes to love, and while I like endings with hope, only rarely do I completely get behind a tidy little HEA. FtDD has a very hopeful ending, but one that could go several different ways. I loved that.
Characters :
It took me awhile to warm up to Bridey, I’ll be honest. She is so defined by her fear of the sea that at first that is the only quality I saw in her. As the story goes on though, I came to genuinely like her. Lugh and Cat, her best friends, I wish we had seen a little more of. I felt sorry for them as she kind of abandoned them to go work with Morag and then in her absorption with Fynn.
Fynn is something of a mystery for most of the book. A lot of reviews I saw complained about the insta-love between him and Bridey, but to me it was believable BECAUSE from the very beginning, it’s obvious Fynn is not just a normal human boy. Because of that, I feel like the insta-love is understandable and realistic – even though I usually DESPISE it.
Morag was my favorite character. An odd choice, I guess – but I loved her. I love that she was old and crotchety and hurt – both physically and emotionally, yet she was such a wise woman and genuinely cared about people. She was like a gingerbread cookie…crunchy on the outside but soft and delicious on the inside (that IS how you make your gingerbread cookies, right?).
Plot :
FtDD starts off kind of slow, not going to lie. It’s beautiful and haunting, but slow. The pace picks up about a third of the way through, and I was completely drawn into the Isle of Man world Sarah Marsh has created. I already wanted to visit but now I want to go even more!
At first I thought I had misjudged the cover blurb and this was a historical fiction YA with some mythology thrown in…but no. It soon becomes apparent that all is not as it seems on the idyllic Isle, regardless of what the villagers want to believe. And of course no one wants to listen to the tales of old women or the vision of the young. No one wants to believe that maybe the faery stories are more than stories.
Worldbuilding/Description :
Beautiful. Idyllic. Almost mystical and definitely slightly creepy. I loved it. It felt so real…next time I’m at the ocean I’m going to be on the lookout for creepy ghosts playing violins. I still want to visit the Isle of Man though.
Rating :
4/5 stars. There were some things I felt were too easily explained away, like some things about Fynn. Some things I felt happened too easily…like once Bridey got over her fear, suddenly she was a grand rescuer…but they were small things, and adrenaline and love do give people almost superhuman strength sometimes.
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August 11, 2016
I knew going into this book that it was going to be masterful, and I was not disappointed! Fear the Drowning Deep is like nothing I've ever read before. Sarah's writing is hauntingly beautiful in this enchanting and treacherous tale. The characters are wonderful, the plot is well-executed, the writing is gorgeous—I mean, what more could you ask for?
Fear the Drowning Deep brings to life a culturally rich setting that I've never read about; I truly loved reading and learning about the Isle of Man! Sarah seamlessly weaves it into the story in such an enthralling way—I simply couldn't get enough of it! For me, Sarah is an auto-buy author, and trust me, my auto-buy list is tiny. In short? Do yourself a favor, and read this book!
Check out my full review of Fear the Drowning Deep + Giveaway!
--
First Reaction:
Review to come!
Fear the Drowning Deep brings to life a culturally rich setting that I've never read about; I truly loved reading and learning about the Isle of Man! Sarah seamlessly weaves it into the story in such an enthralling way—I simply couldn't get enough of it! For me, Sarah is an auto-buy author, and trust me, my auto-buy list is tiny. In short? Do yourself a favor, and read this book!
Check out my full review of Fear the Drowning Deep + Giveaway!
--
First Reaction:
Review to come!
August 13, 2016
4.5*
First thing you need to know about this book: the atmosphere is incredible. Like, I could feel the eerie, unsettling vibe of a sea town in distress. The story is set in 1913, which totally adds to the ambience- obviously no one can call for help, transportation is minimal, etc. It created a sense of urgency and isolation, and I loved it so much!
The setting was obviously perfect for strange disappearances at sea. Bridey is all too familiar with this, since she lost her beloved grandfather to one such incident, and has never been able to venture near the sea since. But as the stakes get higher and higher, Bridey gets bolder and bolder. It makes sense to the story, because Bridey cares deeply about her family and friends, which was another huge plus to this book. Bridey's family plays a huge role in the story, which is incredibly refreshing. And while they had their moments of butting heads, it was quite clear that they were a close, loving family. Bridey also had some close friendships, which had their ups and downs as typical friendships do. The family and friend relationships in the book seemed incredibly relatable and realistic. There is a romance, and I was a fan for sure. The synopsis tells you a bit about Fynn, but there is so, so much more to it than that, so I will just let you discover this for yourself.
The plot had me hooked, too. I wasn't sure at first, because I will fully admit that I get wary of mythical creatures and such, but there was no need to worry because it all felt very authentic, especially since the townspeople were so skeptical too. That made me feel like the whole situation was more realistic, because of course the town would not believe in magic and sea creatures without some serious proof!
The story is about the perilous situation for Bridey and her town, yes. But it is also a story of Bridey overcoming her own fears and demons, of growing up, and of navigating relationships and life in general. Add to that, it's incredibly well written, it makes for a huge win.
My only real qualm with the book is that I had hoped that the ending would have been a bit more wrapped up- there were a few open ends, which some people will probably be fine with, but worth a mention!
Bottom Line: Fear the Drowning Deep is a haunting, atmospheric tale of a young woman trying to save her loved ones while discovering her strength. Beautifully written, and not one to miss!
First thing you need to know about this book: the atmosphere is incredible. Like, I could feel the eerie, unsettling vibe of a sea town in distress. The story is set in 1913, which totally adds to the ambience- obviously no one can call for help, transportation is minimal, etc. It created a sense of urgency and isolation, and I loved it so much!
The setting was obviously perfect for strange disappearances at sea. Bridey is all too familiar with this, since she lost her beloved grandfather to one such incident, and has never been able to venture near the sea since. But as the stakes get higher and higher, Bridey gets bolder and bolder. It makes sense to the story, because Bridey cares deeply about her family and friends, which was another huge plus to this book. Bridey's family plays a huge role in the story, which is incredibly refreshing. And while they had their moments of butting heads, it was quite clear that they were a close, loving family. Bridey also had some close friendships, which had their ups and downs as typical friendships do. The family and friend relationships in the book seemed incredibly relatable and realistic. There is a romance, and I was a fan for sure. The synopsis tells you a bit about Fynn, but there is so, so much more to it than that, so I will just let you discover this for yourself.
The plot had me hooked, too. I wasn't sure at first, because I will fully admit that I get wary of mythical creatures and such, but there was no need to worry because it all felt very authentic, especially since the townspeople were so skeptical too. That made me feel like the whole situation was more realistic, because of course the town would not believe in magic and sea creatures without some serious proof!
The story is about the perilous situation for Bridey and her town, yes. But it is also a story of Bridey overcoming her own fears and demons, of growing up, and of navigating relationships and life in general. Add to that, it's incredibly well written, it makes for a huge win.
My only real qualm with the book is that I had hoped that the ending would have been a bit more wrapped up- there were a few open ends, which some people will probably be fine with, but worth a mention!
Bottom Line: Fear the Drowning Deep is a haunting, atmospheric tale of a young woman trying to save her loved ones while discovering her strength. Beautifully written, and not one to miss!
November 17, 2024
Nothing kept secrets like the sea.
2.5 stars. Fear the Drowning Deep explores a beautiful mythology and history, one that I've never personally seen explored in fiction. The year is 1913, the setting is the Isle of Man, a beautiful island in the Irish Sea. Fishing is a big part of their economy, but something in the water has been driving away the fish. And people are disappearing over the cliffs without a trace.
There's something in the water.
You know, I was going to put a gif here. Something creepy / stalkery of something below in the water. But the ocean is officially too fucking scary for me. I looked at like 1/3 a page of Google results and noped the hell out of there.
I am TERRIFIED of the ocean. I could go swimming in Hawaii because I could see what was underneath me. But murky water? Empty endless black trenches in the ocean? No fucking thank you.
Anyway, that's what this book did well. I don't do scary things underwater. So the fear our teenage protagonist Bridey Corkill experiences really came through for me. She lost her Grandpa to the sea. Her father fishes everyday. All of her friends and family live on an island - they are literally surrounded. And no one will believe her stories of giant fins breaking the water, ghostly apparitions, and fangs washing up on the beach. After all, she's apprenticed to a crazy witch. They're all the fantasies of a silly girl. Right?
"Men build boats, they drop anchors and cast fishing lines, but all they do is skim the surface. Maybe some wonder what's in the deep, far beyond their reach, but none of them know, and they never will."
For general plot, it's 5 stars. The history and rich mythology was really lovely. There were so many myths, superstitions, and cultural traditions that were worked into the story. Marsh also included a really nice "Note from the Author" at the end about Manx culture and history. Also this was original as all get out. I'll get into that more when we talk about Fynn, but if you had told me in the first chapter that I would have laughed out loud. I couldn't have predicted that in a dozen lifetimes.
I had some issues with keeping track of the secondary and tertiary characters. Her friends could definitely have played a bigger part. I really wanted more development there, particularly with her friend Lugh.
Morag was a #bossbitch though. Love her.
"Was there anything unusual about him on the day you met, aside from his injuries?"
Heat crept up my neck as I recalled that first meeting with Fynn. "He was naked. Not a scrap on him."
"There's nothing abnormal about that. I eat my breakfast in the nude. Think, girl!"
Let's talk about Fynn. One morning when Bridey is on the beach (but not in the water, because like me she is not about that deep sea life) she finds a naked man, unconscious and bloody. She takes him home to her family, where they graciously treat his wounds and give him a place to stay. He seems to have amnesia, has no idea of his name or where he is from. But he does know one thing. The young woman who saved him is enchanting.
If you haven't guessed it yet, there's a good helping of instalove. That's my numero uno issue with the story. I cared approximately 0% about the romance. It's hard to say exactly how fast it develops because there isn't a concrete timeline. (Or I didn't notice one anyway. If someone noticed any date markers, or any way to determine exactly how long they "dated", hit me up!) But anyway, their relationship permanently had the fast forward button pressed. It made it extremely hard to care about their fate when they had zero time to develop.
Let's talk a little bit more about Fynn over in spoiler territory.
The ending isn't perfect, but I like parts of it. Bridey gets to step up and face her fears. I also liked the way her family was so involved. I wasn't entirely happy with the openendedness though. Just tie a few threads a little tighter, and the end would be much smoother.
Verdict? Fear the Drowning Deep has a stellar setting, full of rich history and mythology. It's got a crazy original plot and several characters that I found myself liking. The side characters and the ending weren't exactly highlights, but it was the romance that was the big letdown.
I'll stick to swimming in pools. Much cuter monsters.
*Thank you to Edelweiss and Sky Pony Press for the digital arc!*
2.5 stars. Fear the Drowning Deep explores a beautiful mythology and history, one that I've never personally seen explored in fiction. The year is 1913, the setting is the Isle of Man, a beautiful island in the Irish Sea. Fishing is a big part of their economy, but something in the water has been driving away the fish. And people are disappearing over the cliffs without a trace.
There's something in the water.
You know, I was going to put a gif here. Something creepy / stalkery of something below in the water. But the ocean is officially too fucking scary for me. I looked at like 1/3 a page of Google results and noped the hell out of there.
I am TERRIFIED of the ocean. I could go swimming in Hawaii because I could see what was underneath me. But murky water? Empty endless black trenches in the ocean? No fucking thank you.
Anyway, that's what this book did well. I don't do scary things underwater. So the fear our teenage protagonist Bridey Corkill experiences really came through for me. She lost her Grandpa to the sea. Her father fishes everyday. All of her friends and family live on an island - they are literally surrounded. And no one will believe her stories of giant fins breaking the water, ghostly apparitions, and fangs washing up on the beach. After all, she's apprenticed to a crazy witch. They're all the fantasies of a silly girl. Right?
"Men build boats, they drop anchors and cast fishing lines, but all they do is skim the surface. Maybe some wonder what's in the deep, far beyond their reach, but none of them know, and they never will."
For general plot, it's 5 stars. The history and rich mythology was really lovely. There were so many myths, superstitions, and cultural traditions that were worked into the story. Marsh also included a really nice "Note from the Author" at the end about Manx culture and history. Also this was original as all get out. I'll get into that more when we talk about Fynn, but if you had told me in the first chapter that I would have laughed out loud. I couldn't have predicted that in a dozen lifetimes.
I had some issues with keeping track of the secondary and tertiary characters. Her friends could definitely have played a bigger part. I really wanted more development there, particularly with her friend Lugh.
Morag was a #bossbitch though. Love her.
"Was there anything unusual about him on the day you met, aside from his injuries?"
Heat crept up my neck as I recalled that first meeting with Fynn. "He was naked. Not a scrap on him."
"There's nothing abnormal about that. I eat my breakfast in the nude. Think, girl!"
Let's talk about Fynn. One morning when Bridey is on the beach (but not in the water, because like me she is not about that deep sea life) she finds a naked man, unconscious and bloody. She takes him home to her family, where they graciously treat his wounds and give him a place to stay. He seems to have amnesia, has no idea of his name or where he is from. But he does know one thing. The young woman who saved him is enchanting.
If you haven't guessed it yet, there's a good helping of instalove. That's my numero uno issue with the story. I cared approximately 0% about the romance. It's hard to say exactly how fast it develops because there isn't a concrete timeline. (Or I didn't notice one anyway. If someone noticed any date markers, or any way to determine exactly how long they "dated", hit me up!) But anyway, their relationship permanently had the fast forward button pressed. It made it extremely hard to care about their fate when they had zero time to develop.
Let's talk a little bit more about Fynn over in spoiler territory.
The ending isn't perfect, but I like parts of it. Bridey gets to step up and face her fears. I also liked the way her family was so involved. I wasn't entirely happy with the openendedness though. Just tie a few threads a little tighter, and the end would be much smoother.
Verdict? Fear the Drowning Deep has a stellar setting, full of rich history and mythology. It's got a crazy original plot and several characters that I found myself liking. The side characters and the ending weren't exactly highlights, but it was the romance that was the big letdown.
I'll stick to swimming in pools. Much cuter monsters.
*Thank you to Edelweiss and Sky Pony Press for the digital arc!*
December 1, 2016
UPDATE: ENTER TO WIN FEAR THE DROWNING DEEP by Sarah Glenn Marsh Ends 12/23/16
Set in an isolated island? YEEES!! ✔
Witch? YES, YES, YES! ✔
Terrifying sea monsters? OHH FREAKING YES! ✔
Fear the Drowning Deep by Sarah Glenn Marsh is screaming perfection. Perfect setting, perfect characters, well-executed plot, beautiful and excellent writing. What else I or even you, could ask for?
First chapter and I was already hooked, my interest already caught. Fear the Drowning Deep brought me to the Isle of Man back on 1913. Reading the first line of this book, I was already transported and dragged into the Isle of Man. Like, I already know at that very first page that this will be a very entertaining journey. It gave me such a wonderful experience. It feels like I’m completely there. Reading and pausing to read this book literally felt like traveling to reality (when I’m not reading it) at back again to 1913, Isle of Man (when I resumed reading).
The characters has a strong voice, believable, and undeniably realistic. From the main to the least characters, Sarah Glenn Marsh knows what kind of characters are supposed to be there. Each, from the female main Bridey to the fisherman or vendor at the market, carries that character or attributes someone whose living in an island back on 1913 should have. And that contributed a lot to the historical-fiction feels it gives.
Bridey Ridley Corckill or “Bird” reminds me of Feyre Archeon. The situation where they came from and their purpose is not far from each other, they’ll do everything just for their family. Compassionate and determined to save not only her family but her town to the deadly creatures hiding far in the deep. She isn’t fearless, but ready to be one when needed especially when her family and town is in danger.
I love Bridey’s journey of saving her family and a town who doesn’t believe her. Her strong character somehow infected me. Bridey and I share the same fear – the sea. For someone who is scared of big bodies of water just like me, I never thought that this book might at least lessen the fear I have and give me at least a slight encouragement I need to be brave enough and think of facing big bodies of water again. The journey of Bridey facing her demons and greatest fears gave me hope. She���s an infectious, brave character.
Other Strengths/Likes:
Family Dynamics. Such a surprise. From Bridey’s Ma and Da, to her sisters especially Grayse to Morag, it was such a surprise to finally see a family like this in YA. I rarely read in books or reviews that there’s a family in YA worth mentioning for but this – the Corkill’s – is worth it. Normally, I see utterly problematic families in YA. Dead parents, dead siblings, broken family, addict or sick family member, anything, you can name it. It was really such a surprise to see a family like this, not perfect but whole and loving. The Corckill’s family welcomed me to their home just as they welcomed Fynn.
Humor. There is always that sliver of humor amidst every dramatic, intense or sad encounter. I find it very amusing how Bridey or Fynn or even the other characters (especially the Corckill’s) can crack a humorous line amidst the intense or dramatic scene. That was really great. It’s one of the greatest thing contributes to make Fear the Drowning Deep a very much entertaining read.
Weakness/Dislike:
BriLugh (lol. Did I just made an epic name for Bridey and Lugh???) I’m not really a fan of this two. To be honest, at the very start, I picture the 16 year old Bridey as a little girl until she and Lugh, kissed. I always thought that Bridey is too young (at heart), that all that matters is her family and her desire to be far away from that island. Bridey and Lugh’s relationship just didn’t worked for me. They’re a bit forced. There’s no connection. They’re definitely better off as friends.
The last and very important thing I loved about Fear the Drowning Deep is the writing. It was beautiful. Every words, every lines, every page were used perfectly. No boring pages, just an open end. It was full of entertainment. The writing of Sarah Glenn Marsh is incredible. She’s an author to watch for.
VIEW FULL REVIEW HERE: ARC REVIEW: Fear the Drowning Deep by Sarah Glenn Marsh
“Maybe some wonder what’s in the deep, far beyond their reach, but none of them know, and they never will.”
Set in an isolated island? YEEES!! ✔
Witch? YES, YES, YES! ✔
Terrifying sea monsters? OHH FREAKING YES! ✔
Fear the Drowning Deep by Sarah Glenn Marsh is screaming perfection. Perfect setting, perfect characters, well-executed plot, beautiful and excellent writing. What else I or even you, could ask for?
First chapter and I was already hooked, my interest already caught. Fear the Drowning Deep brought me to the Isle of Man back on 1913. Reading the first line of this book, I was already transported and dragged into the Isle of Man. Like, I already know at that very first page that this will be a very entertaining journey. It gave me such a wonderful experience. It feels like I’m completely there. Reading and pausing to read this book literally felt like traveling to reality (when I’m not reading it) at back again to 1913, Isle of Man (when I resumed reading).
The characters has a strong voice, believable, and undeniably realistic. From the main to the least characters, Sarah Glenn Marsh knows what kind of characters are supposed to be there. Each, from the female main Bridey to the fisherman or vendor at the market, carries that character or attributes someone whose living in an island back on 1913 should have. And that contributed a lot to the historical-fiction feels it gives.
Bridey Ridley Corckill or “Bird” reminds me of Feyre Archeon. The situation where they came from and their purpose is not far from each other, they’ll do everything just for their family. Compassionate and determined to save not only her family but her town to the deadly creatures hiding far in the deep. She isn’t fearless, but ready to be one when needed especially when her family and town is in danger.
I love Bridey’s journey of saving her family and a town who doesn’t believe her. Her strong character somehow infected me. Bridey and I share the same fear – the sea. For someone who is scared of big bodies of water just like me, I never thought that this book might at least lessen the fear I have and give me at least a slight encouragement I need to be brave enough and think of facing big bodies of water again. The journey of Bridey facing her demons and greatest fears gave me hope. She���s an infectious, brave character.
Other Strengths/Likes:
Family Dynamics. Such a surprise. From Bridey’s Ma and Da, to her sisters especially Grayse to Morag, it was such a surprise to finally see a family like this in YA. I rarely read in books or reviews that there’s a family in YA worth mentioning for but this – the Corkill’s – is worth it. Normally, I see utterly problematic families in YA. Dead parents, dead siblings, broken family, addict or sick family member, anything, you can name it. It was really such a surprise to see a family like this, not perfect but whole and loving. The Corckill’s family welcomed me to their home just as they welcomed Fynn.
Humor. There is always that sliver of humor amidst every dramatic, intense or sad encounter. I find it very amusing how Bridey or Fynn or even the other characters (especially the Corckill’s) can crack a humorous line amidst the intense or dramatic scene. That was really great. It’s one of the greatest thing contributes to make Fear the Drowning Deep a very much entertaining read.
Weakness/Dislike:
BriLugh (lol. Did I just made an epic name for Bridey and Lugh???) I’m not really a fan of this two. To be honest, at the very start, I picture the 16 year old Bridey as a little girl until she and Lugh, kissed. I always thought that Bridey is too young (at heart), that all that matters is her family and her desire to be far away from that island. Bridey and Lugh’s relationship just didn’t worked for me. They’re a bit forced. There’s no connection. They’re definitely better off as friends.
The last and very important thing I loved about Fear the Drowning Deep is the writing. It was beautiful. Every words, every lines, every page were used perfectly. No boring pages, just an open end. It was full of entertainment. The writing of Sarah Glenn Marsh is incredible. She’s an author to watch for.
VIEW FULL REVIEW HERE: ARC REVIEW: Fear the Drowning Deep by Sarah Glenn Marsh
November 22, 2016
Fear the Drowning Deep was a novel I went into without quite knowing what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised by the vivid world building and this eerily creepy sea story we have going on in this novel. It was the first of this author, and I really do hope this won’t be the last.
Immediately, the writing style sucked me in. I’m someone who goes on and on about writing style, but to me it really does make a big difference as to whether or not I’ll be able to enjoy the novel. I read this one in the space of only a few sittings because whenever I did sit down to read it; I didn’t want to stop reading. All I wanted to do was keep turning those pages, and I think Marsh’s writing style contributed to that quite a lot.
The novel is quite slow moving, which may bother some people. It’s a slow and steady story, that gets brewing right from the beginning but takes its time in letting the plot really kick in. It doesn’t mean that there is no suspense – there definitely is. It’s just the kind that happens over a few pages and makes you all the more eager to get to the end. The novel slowly adds in factors which raise the suspense. Oh, and most novels only have one issue that the protagonist needs to overcome, or one monster for them to defeat. Well, not this novel. There’s more than one, which just adds all the more to the story!
Manx (the place where the novel is set) made me originally think of an old age Ireland in the past. I wasn’t quite on point but I wasn’t too far away either. It’s set on the Isle of Man, in the past, during the time where no one wore shoes and fishing was the big deal. The author mentions in her note that if there was anywhere where music would happen, it would be there. I’ve never been blessed with the chance to visit the Isle of Man yet but one day I would like to. The descriptions made me imagine the sea salt in the air and the close-knit community of the island easily. There’s no way for me to better put the atmosphere and the setting of the novel as anything except I truly felt as if I was there!
The characters had me feeling a little mixed. The main character, Bridey, was done incredibly well. I could feel her raw energy and how much she cared about her friends. At first, she’s worried about her appearances to other people and during the course of the novel she starts to value her friendships and family more than that. Fynn is the mysterious boy who turns up on the island without any memory of his past or who he was. He was so caring and gentle that I couldn’t do anything but like his character. But as for the rest – the secondary characters and the family – I did like them well enough, but there wasn’t as much depth as I would have wanted to experience in a cast of secondary characters.
Sometimes the novel was a little too bizarre for me… and that means it was so strange that I couldn’t fully comprehend it as realistic. Even if that ‘realistic’ is in terms of a magical or paranormal world. I don’t know if that makes any sense, but it does to me. I tried :D
Anyway, this book was still a really good read. I kept turning pages and after not having read for a while, it was good to be so absorbed in a book as I was in this one. ^.^
Gif Summary:: [image error]
This review and others can be found on Olivia's Catastrophe: http://olivia-savannah.blogspot.nl/20...
Immediately, the writing style sucked me in. I’m someone who goes on and on about writing style, but to me it really does make a big difference as to whether or not I’ll be able to enjoy the novel. I read this one in the space of only a few sittings because whenever I did sit down to read it; I didn’t want to stop reading. All I wanted to do was keep turning those pages, and I think Marsh’s writing style contributed to that quite a lot.
The novel is quite slow moving, which may bother some people. It’s a slow and steady story, that gets brewing right from the beginning but takes its time in letting the plot really kick in. It doesn’t mean that there is no suspense – there definitely is. It’s just the kind that happens over a few pages and makes you all the more eager to get to the end. The novel slowly adds in factors which raise the suspense. Oh, and most novels only have one issue that the protagonist needs to overcome, or one monster for them to defeat. Well, not this novel. There’s more than one, which just adds all the more to the story!
Manx (the place where the novel is set) made me originally think of an old age Ireland in the past. I wasn’t quite on point but I wasn’t too far away either. It’s set on the Isle of Man, in the past, during the time where no one wore shoes and fishing was the big deal. The author mentions in her note that if there was anywhere where music would happen, it would be there. I’ve never been blessed with the chance to visit the Isle of Man yet but one day I would like to. The descriptions made me imagine the sea salt in the air and the close-knit community of the island easily. There’s no way for me to better put the atmosphere and the setting of the novel as anything except I truly felt as if I was there!
The characters had me feeling a little mixed. The main character, Bridey, was done incredibly well. I could feel her raw energy and how much she cared about her friends. At first, she’s worried about her appearances to other people and during the course of the novel she starts to value her friendships and family more than that. Fynn is the mysterious boy who turns up on the island without any memory of his past or who he was. He was so caring and gentle that I couldn’t do anything but like his character. But as for the rest – the secondary characters and the family – I did like them well enough, but there wasn’t as much depth as I would have wanted to experience in a cast of secondary characters.
Sometimes the novel was a little too bizarre for me… and that means it was so strange that I couldn’t fully comprehend it as realistic. Even if that ‘realistic’ is in terms of a magical or paranormal world. I don’t know if that makes any sense, but it does to me. I tried :D
Anyway, this book was still a really good read. I kept turning pages and after not having read for a while, it was good to be so absorbed in a book as I was in this one. ^.^
Gif Summary:: [image error]
This review and others can be found on Olivia's Catastrophe: http://olivia-savannah.blogspot.nl/20...
December 26, 2017
”The sea did strange things to people. It played tricks on the mind. Its vastness hid things.... Bodies. Secrets.”
Sixteen year old Bridey has been afraid of the ocean ever since her grandfather willingly plunged to his death when she was a little girl. It doesn’t help at all that her father’s a fisherman and lives on the Isle of Man, which is entirely surrounded by water. But ever since that horrible day, Bridey wants nothing more than to run away from the sea to somewhere, anywhere not surrounded by water. Her desire only increases when her dead bodies start washing up ashore with no apparent cause of death. One of those bodies washed ashore is still alive; a boy with scars on his stomach and no memory of who he is. Naming him Fynn, he and Bridey come to suspect that something sinister is amiss, but what they discover is something to unreal and ungodly to be true... or is it?
First of all, the setting and atmosphere of the book were absolutely gorgeous. The wonderful descriptions of the Isle of Man make you feel like you’re really there; as if the salty balm of the ocean breeze and the waves crashing against the rock are right next to you instead of existing within the realm of fiction. The use of the Manx language and the respectful, enthusiastic way the author represents the Manx culture was a treat to read about (and made me want to book a ticket to the Isle of Man like RIGHT NOW).
And can I just say that I LOVED how the author weaved Celtic, Norse, and Manx mythology so effortlessly into her story? Reading about selkies, kelpies, sea monsters, and sirens was perfectly incorporated into the book. I feel like Celtic and Norse mythology is so overlooked in favor of it’s Greek, Egyptian and Roman counterparts that it’s so refreshing to see a book entirely devoted to it.
Bridey is such a kick-ass character too. Not afraid to believe in what’s really causing the mysterious drownings of her townspeople even though she’ll be considered mad for it. Her intense devotion to her family leaps from the pages, and her spunk makes you want to root for her. I loved her sassiness and her determination and sharp, witty banter with Morog, the old woman she works for. They’re friendship goals for sure.
With it’s haunting yet beautiful atmosphere, gorgeous writing, and likable and relatable main chatacters, I would’ve given this book a full five stars except for one nagging thing: the instalove. Yes, here we go again. When we first start off the story, Bridey is starting to develop feelings for her childhood friend Luge. But once Fynn enters the picture... NOPE. It’s Fynn and only Fynn. They’re meant to be together; it’s TRUE WUV, I SAY!!! Never mind that he doesn’t remember who he is or where he’s from; they can’t live without another. Sparks fly! Birds sing! All the world stops for these two young in-love critters!! And then Lugh gets jealous over it even though his romance with Bridey hasn’t even started. Once again, I roll my eyes and sigh “teenagers!”
Whether this book will make you want to book a plane ticket or never step foot in the ocean ever again, it’s a haunting, atmospheric read perfect for windy, stormy nights or whenever you want a bit of Celtic culture in your hearts.
And if you look ever so closely near a body of water, you might just see a selkie rise out of the deep, deep ocean....
Sixteen year old Bridey has been afraid of the ocean ever since her grandfather willingly plunged to his death when she was a little girl. It doesn’t help at all that her father’s a fisherman and lives on the Isle of Man, which is entirely surrounded by water. But ever since that horrible day, Bridey wants nothing more than to run away from the sea to somewhere, anywhere not surrounded by water. Her desire only increases when her dead bodies start washing up ashore with no apparent cause of death. One of those bodies washed ashore is still alive; a boy with scars on his stomach and no memory of who he is. Naming him Fynn, he and Bridey come to suspect that something sinister is amiss, but what they discover is something to unreal and ungodly to be true... or is it?
First of all, the setting and atmosphere of the book were absolutely gorgeous. The wonderful descriptions of the Isle of Man make you feel like you’re really there; as if the salty balm of the ocean breeze and the waves crashing against the rock are right next to you instead of existing within the realm of fiction. The use of the Manx language and the respectful, enthusiastic way the author represents the Manx culture was a treat to read about (and made me want to book a ticket to the Isle of Man like RIGHT NOW).
And can I just say that I LOVED how the author weaved Celtic, Norse, and Manx mythology so effortlessly into her story? Reading about selkies, kelpies, sea monsters, and sirens was perfectly incorporated into the book. I feel like Celtic and Norse mythology is so overlooked in favor of it’s Greek, Egyptian and Roman counterparts that it’s so refreshing to see a book entirely devoted to it.
Bridey is such a kick-ass character too. Not afraid to believe in what’s really causing the mysterious drownings of her townspeople even though she’ll be considered mad for it. Her intense devotion to her family leaps from the pages, and her spunk makes you want to root for her. I loved her sassiness and her determination and sharp, witty banter with Morog, the old woman she works for. They’re friendship goals for sure.
With it’s haunting yet beautiful atmosphere, gorgeous writing, and likable and relatable main chatacters, I would’ve given this book a full five stars except for one nagging thing: the instalove. Yes, here we go again. When we first start off the story, Bridey is starting to develop feelings for her childhood friend Luge. But once Fynn enters the picture... NOPE. It’s Fynn and only Fynn. They’re meant to be together; it’s TRUE WUV, I SAY!!! Never mind that he doesn’t remember who he is or where he’s from; they can’t live without another. Sparks fly! Birds sing! All the world stops for these two young in-love critters!! And then Lugh gets jealous over it even though his romance with Bridey hasn’t even started. Once again, I roll my eyes and sigh “teenagers!”
Whether this book will make you want to book a plane ticket or never step foot in the ocean ever again, it’s a haunting, atmospheric read perfect for windy, stormy nights or whenever you want a bit of Celtic culture in your hearts.
And if you look ever so closely near a body of water, you might just see a selkie rise out of the deep, deep ocean....
February 9, 2017
Title: Fear the Drowning Deep
Author: Sarah Glenn Marsh
Publisher: Sky Pony Press, 2016
Genre: YA Fantasy, YA Historical Fiction, YA Paranormal
**I received a copy of this book free from Edelweiss and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review**
This review can be found on my My Blog, TeacherofYA's Tumblr, or my Goodreads page
My Review:
Gosh. This cover still amazes me...even though my digital ARC does not include this gorgeous #coverlove. I hate that. But what are you gonna do?
So, I really liked this book, and I have had it for awhile as a Read Now copy, and then I got caught up in ARCs with deadlines...and though I'd love to count this in my new Netgalley challenge (oh, yeah, I'm doing that...I'll be doing a post for the books that actually count), this was technically a book from 2016. I finished it on Dec 31, 2016, so it doesn't count for 2017.
But let's get into it, shall we?
Bridey Corkill is our heroine during the summer of 1913. She lives on the Isle of Man, a place I had never heard of until this book. The folklore is rich and they had their own language there. This book really transports you back in time and to a different culture. It's fascinating to read some of the legends and myths and the language that just randomly pops in there.
But I digress...as usual...
So Bridey needs a job, because everyone in her family already works and her father (and the other fisherman) aren't pulling in the fish lately. Ever since Bridey saw her grandpa walk off a cliff (yep, walk off, though people don't believe it), the townspeople think she's a little off. No one believed that Bridey saw a Spector lure him off the cliff as beautiful music played that only he could hear. She was only nine.
So in a fishing village, it's hard for her as she's scared of the water. She won't go to the beach. But she needs a job, and her mother decides she should apprentice with Morag. Morag, the legendary witch of the town. As if the rumors weren't bad enough...
One day, as she is collecting snigs (some type of snail...there's a glossary in the back that I didn't even know about until the end of the book One day, as she is collecting snigs (some type of snail…there’s a glossary in the back that I didn’t even know about until the end of the book) she comes upon a man with gashes across his stomach, naked. Now, Bridey is a good girl, and seeing a man in his birthday suit is not what she’s expecting…but the handsome man claims to have no memory…not even of his own name. Bridey dubs him “Fynn” after the strange fin she saw in the water by her father’s boat.
Fynn, the handsome amnesiac, gets taken back to her house and nursed to health. Though Bridey recently shared a kiss with her childhood friend, she cannot stop thinking about Fynn. Did he come from the mainland? Does he have a wife somewhere? But as “sparks fly” (ok, how else am I going to describe it? It might be cliché, but it’s time-tested book lingo here!), Bridey starts to fall for the mysterious man.
Unfortunately, women are starting to go missing…
The timing doesn’t seem too good for Fynn, but Bridey knows he’s innocent. But that’s all she knows about him.
What’s happening on the Isle of Man? Who (or what…dun dun dun!) is Fynn? Will Bridey be able to get near the water to save the lasses? (Sorry, it’s got some Irish folklore and I couldn’t resist)
Is It Classroom-Appropriate?
Yes. There’s some great folklore and some amazing writing here. Though it isn’t a “fave” of mine, I enjoyed the book and can see how exposing students to the history and the culture could be enlightening. The fantasy and paranormal elements bring some magic to a book with a lot of interesting history. I could def see using this as material. Talking about the mythology, the lost language, and the attitude towards Morag would be fascinating. I’d enjoy using this and have added it to the books for classroom use list.
Age Range:
So…not on Lexile. Go figure. I’ll have to use my best estimate here, so I’m going to suggest 13 and up. Some scenes get a little hot (noting torrid or inappropriate, but I’m always erring on the side of caution). I think 13 is a good age, and I would honestly be okay with my niece reading it. So I’m comfortable there. It’s always best to be comfortable in suggesting lit versus being unsure. I’m still planning on creating some sort of system to “rate” appropriateness.
End Result:
I give Fear the Drowning Deep ★★★★☆.
Happy Reading, y'all!
Author: Sarah Glenn Marsh
Publisher: Sky Pony Press, 2016
Genre: YA Fantasy, YA Historical Fiction, YA Paranormal
**I received a copy of this book free from Edelweiss and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review**
This review can be found on my My Blog, TeacherofYA's Tumblr, or my Goodreads page
My Review:
Gosh. This cover still amazes me...even though my digital ARC does not include this gorgeous #coverlove. I hate that. But what are you gonna do?
So, I really liked this book, and I have had it for awhile as a Read Now copy, and then I got caught up in ARCs with deadlines...and though I'd love to count this in my new Netgalley challenge (oh, yeah, I'm doing that...I'll be doing a post for the books that actually count), this was technically a book from 2016. I finished it on Dec 31, 2016, so it doesn't count for 2017.
But let's get into it, shall we?
Bridey Corkill is our heroine during the summer of 1913. She lives on the Isle of Man, a place I had never heard of until this book. The folklore is rich and they had their own language there. This book really transports you back in time and to a different culture. It's fascinating to read some of the legends and myths and the language that just randomly pops in there.
But I digress...as usual...
So Bridey needs a job, because everyone in her family already works and her father (and the other fisherman) aren't pulling in the fish lately. Ever since Bridey saw her grandpa walk off a cliff (yep, walk off, though people don't believe it), the townspeople think she's a little off. No one believed that Bridey saw a Spector lure him off the cliff as beautiful music played that only he could hear. She was only nine.
So in a fishing village, it's hard for her as she's scared of the water. She won't go to the beach. But she needs a job, and her mother decides she should apprentice with Morag. Morag, the legendary witch of the town. As if the rumors weren't bad enough...
One day, as she is collecting snigs (some type of snail...there's a glossary in the back that I didn't even know about until the end of the book One day, as she is collecting snigs (some type of snail…there’s a glossary in the back that I didn’t even know about until the end of the book) she comes upon a man with gashes across his stomach, naked. Now, Bridey is a good girl, and seeing a man in his birthday suit is not what she’s expecting…but the handsome man claims to have no memory…not even of his own name. Bridey dubs him “Fynn” after the strange fin she saw in the water by her father’s boat.
Fynn, the handsome amnesiac, gets taken back to her house and nursed to health. Though Bridey recently shared a kiss with her childhood friend, she cannot stop thinking about Fynn. Did he come from the mainland? Does he have a wife somewhere? But as “sparks fly” (ok, how else am I going to describe it? It might be cliché, but it’s time-tested book lingo here!), Bridey starts to fall for the mysterious man.
Unfortunately, women are starting to go missing…
The timing doesn’t seem too good for Fynn, but Bridey knows he’s innocent. But that’s all she knows about him.
What’s happening on the Isle of Man? Who (or what…dun dun dun!) is Fynn? Will Bridey be able to get near the water to save the lasses? (Sorry, it’s got some Irish folklore and I couldn’t resist)
Is It Classroom-Appropriate?
Yes. There’s some great folklore and some amazing writing here. Though it isn’t a “fave” of mine, I enjoyed the book and can see how exposing students to the history and the culture could be enlightening. The fantasy and paranormal elements bring some magic to a book with a lot of interesting history. I could def see using this as material. Talking about the mythology, the lost language, and the attitude towards Morag would be fascinating. I’d enjoy using this and have added it to the books for classroom use list.
Age Range:
So…not on Lexile. Go figure. I’ll have to use my best estimate here, so I’m going to suggest 13 and up. Some scenes get a little hot (noting torrid or inappropriate, but I’m always erring on the side of caution). I think 13 is a good age, and I would honestly be okay with my niece reading it. So I’m comfortable there. It’s always best to be comfortable in suggesting lit versus being unsure. I’m still planning on creating some sort of system to “rate” appropriateness.
End Result:
I give Fear the Drowning Deep ★★★★☆.
Happy Reading, y'all!
February 20, 2024
It's full of mythology and danger and romance, sea monsters and witches and magic. The world is fully realized, the characters remaining in your heart and mind long after you finish reading.
This is one fantasy not to be missed.
This is one fantasy not to be missed.
July 24, 2016
Soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo good.
Full review closer to pub date!
Full review closer to pub date!
July 15, 2016
Oh, what a lovely book this is! Set on the Isle of Man in the early 20th century, FEAR THE DROWNING DEEP is utterly steeped in the island's superstitions, folklore, and culture. The island and its people come alive in these pages--nosy neighbors, dangerous seas, old stories and all--and I just love how rich it all feels, with a real sense of history and community.
I also adore the main character Bridey, to determined to protect her loved ones and her home in spite of her fears and her dreams of traveling the world, and her relationship with her family, her friends, her home. The sense of connection and shared history between all the people in this isolated little town feels so strong--both the good, between friends, and the bad, when it comes to long-harbored suspicions and rumors.
I am not saying anything about how great the sea monsters are, because to say that would be to spoil things that are best left unspoiled, so rest assured there are sea monsters and they are great. Sometimes with lots of teeth.
Reading this book felt like taking a trip into a magical, occasionally terrifying past, all described is beautiful detail, and I enjoyed every page. I can't wait to read whatever Sarah Glenn Marsh writes next--whatever it is, I'm sure it will once again feel like immersing myself into a weird and wonderful place I can only visit through her words.
I also adore the main character Bridey, to determined to protect her loved ones and her home in spite of her fears and her dreams of traveling the world, and her relationship with her family, her friends, her home. The sense of connection and shared history between all the people in this isolated little town feels so strong--both the good, between friends, and the bad, when it comes to long-harbored suspicions and rumors.
I am not saying anything about how great the sea monsters are, because to say that would be to spoil things that are best left unspoiled, so rest assured there are sea monsters and they are great. Sometimes with lots of teeth.
Reading this book felt like taking a trip into a magical, occasionally terrifying past, all described is beautiful detail, and I enjoyed every page. I can't wait to read whatever Sarah Glenn Marsh writes next--whatever it is, I'm sure it will once again feel like immersing myself into a weird and wonderful place I can only visit through her words.
June 25, 2016
The second I saw that FEAR THE DROWNING DEEP was set on the Isle of Man, I knew I needed to read it. I love books with unusual settings, and especially books that can transport me to a foreign place and make it come alive on the page; in addition, I kinda have a weakness for historical fiction - especially books that make use of an oft-neglected time period, like the nineteen-teens. FTDD promised these things, as well as sea monsters and witches and hot lads, and BOY did it deliver!
Sarah Glenn Marsh made me yearn to visit the Isle of Man through her beautiful descriptions of the landscape and the stormy, dramatic waters, and her fast-paced plot - about a girl who must save her village from sea monsters when bodies pile up on the beach (and her Doubting Thomas neighbors refuse to believe her accounts of serpents in the water and ghostly creatures luring people into the sea) - will have you turning the pages as fast as you can. Bridey Corkill, the protagonist, is a spirited and confident heroine that young readers will love, and the star-crossed and swoony romance between her the boy she rescues from a gruesome fate will melt you in your seat.
This was a sumptuous and action-packed read, filled with humor and strongly-written supporting characters, and I'm glad I got a chance to read it!
Sarah Glenn Marsh made me yearn to visit the Isle of Man through her beautiful descriptions of the landscape and the stormy, dramatic waters, and her fast-paced plot - about a girl who must save her village from sea monsters when bodies pile up on the beach (and her Doubting Thomas neighbors refuse to believe her accounts of serpents in the water and ghostly creatures luring people into the sea) - will have you turning the pages as fast as you can. Bridey Corkill, the protagonist, is a spirited and confident heroine that young readers will love, and the star-crossed and swoony romance between her the boy she rescues from a gruesome fate will melt you in your seat.
This was a sumptuous and action-packed read, filled with humor and strongly-written supporting characters, and I'm glad I got a chance to read it!
April 26, 2019
Lots of details in this YA novel are just my thing--a young woman apprenticed to a “witch,” mysterious goings-on, an unusual young man washed up from the sea, plus a wonderful setting, the Isle of Man.
Of course, the witch is an odd elderly woman, despised by the town, but in reality a good friend for young Bridey. And Bridey is different from her neighbours too, so its a lesson about being different successfully.
It’s also about choosing for the future--at the book’s beginning, Bridey wants nothing more than to get as far away from the sea as she possibly can. It is a major act of bravery that takes her to the shore to rescue the young man whom she christens Finn. Will she choose her village or the world? Will she choose Finn over the young man who has been her friend since childhood? Can she figure out what is luring away & killing the people of the village?
This is not a traditional HEA ending, so if you require that, put this book back on the shelf. As it happens, I love an ambiguous ending, so this novel suited me down to the ground. Since I can’t swim and dread deep water, I also had that link with Bridey--I could really identify with her fears.
No merpeople in this one, but since Finn is a mysterious man from the sea, I am still including it as part of my 2019 MerMay project.
Of course, the witch is an odd elderly woman, despised by the town, but in reality a good friend for young Bridey. And Bridey is different from her neighbours too, so its a lesson about being different successfully.
It’s also about choosing for the future--at the book’s beginning, Bridey wants nothing more than to get as far away from the sea as she possibly can. It is a major act of bravery that takes her to the shore to rescue the young man whom she christens Finn. Will she choose her village or the world? Will she choose Finn over the young man who has been her friend since childhood? Can she figure out what is luring away & killing the people of the village?
This is not a traditional HEA ending, so if you require that, put this book back on the shelf. As it happens, I love an ambiguous ending, so this novel suited me down to the ground. Since I can’t swim and dread deep water, I also had that link with Bridey--I could really identify with her fears.
No merpeople in this one, but since Finn is a mysterious man from the sea, I am still including it as part of my 2019 MerMay project.
July 28, 2016
I was kind of surprised by how much I enjoyed this. It was a decently paced story, with enough romance and action. I liked the main character and the various relationships throughout the story.
My complaint, though, lies within the romance. I didn't like how fast it happened... It felt too soon. I also wish that Bridey's best friends played more of a role in the story.
Other than that, I liked how Marsh wrote! She wove magic and sea creatures into an amazing story, created a main character who was both brave and selfless but not without her faults. I loved how she made the family dynamic such a loving one--the sisters were always there for each other, helpful and believing when Bridey needed them to be. They worked together instead of creating stupid sibling rivalry.
Overall, I'd recommend this book! Even though the romance was a bit off putting, it was an okay balance in the story.
Rating: 3.5!
My complaint, though, lies within the romance. I didn't like how fast it happened... It felt too soon. I also wish that Bridey's best friends played more of a role in the story.
Other than that, I liked how Marsh wrote! She wove magic and sea creatures into an amazing story, created a main character who was both brave and selfless but not without her faults. I loved how she made the family dynamic such a loving one--the sisters were always there for each other, helpful and believing when Bridey needed them to be. They worked together instead of creating stupid sibling rivalry.
Overall, I'd recommend this book! Even though the romance was a bit off putting, it was an okay balance in the story.
Rating: 3.5!
June 26, 2016
This book is so crazy good I was DY-ING the whole time I was reading it! The story is immersive and slyly creepy and flat out phenomenal. Marsh has blown me away. It’s ridiculous how good this book is. If you have been thinking about buying this book—or your mouse has been hovering over the pre-order button—commit. Right now. You will not be sorry. I mean, you’ll be bummed because you have to wait until it debuts in October, but it will be worth it. Marsh’s story is layered and gorgeous and will appeal to fantasy, historical and contemporary fans alike. She had me on the Isle of Man in 1913, no doubts. The characters, culture, traditions—they are all so thick and gorgeous and REAL. That’s the thing. This is a book about the legends, lure and appetite of SEA MONSTERS and I was all in for the fight. ALL IN. Marsh’s writing will reel you in, drown your reader heart in its beauty and you will not want to resurface for air. You will want to stay on the Isle of Man with Bridey and her family, despite the beasts lurking in the sea—or even maybe because of them. I am in awe of Sarah Glenn Marsh and already hungry for her next book!! AND I STILL HAVE CHILLS FROM THAT ENDING BECAUSE THAT ENDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 17, 2020
Vid review will be on line on Jan, 17th, 2020 here https://youtu.be/YJgx2vk1SvU
March 11, 2017
An atmospheric book about the beautiful Isle of Man and the sea monsters that can exist underneath it's waters. I enjoyed the interaction between Bridey and the cast out witch who she becomes an apprentice for and how she becomes her mentor. However, the romance had zero chemistry and I found the book to be quite shallow when it comes to the depth of the characters. A magical, oceanic read, but one that I could give or take.
October 16, 2016
It's been a long time since I read such a culturally immersive book. Every time I picked this up, I was right back not the Isle of Man, speaking with a Manx lilt and wishing I could eat some kippers in a pub barefoot. As an Irish girl, this culture is immensely appealing to me and I couldn't wait to get back to this story each time I put it down.
Set in the early 20th century on a tiny island off the coast of Ireland and England, we follow Bridey who has a quite well deserved fear of the sea. She witnessed her grandfather jumping off a cliff to his death mysteriously when she was a young girl and since then is counting down the days until she can leave the island. She becomes an apprentice of Morag, the alleged old witch of the island and slowly starts to learn that there is more in the sea than her initial fears. Meanwhile, more and more residents of the town start to go missing with only footsteps leading to the cliff edges as evidence. Bridey finds a mysterious boy who washed onto shore with terrible wounds on his stomach and no memory of where he came from. Her family takes him in to heal and of course a lovely little romance starts to develop as well as more questions and suspicions of where the missing girls have gone.
Atmospheric and lovely, Fear the Drowning Deep is such a wonderful book for this time of year. With a little bit of some creepiness and plenty of small town charm, this book is the perfect read for a rainy fall day where you can lose yourself on the Isle of Man and smell the brine of sea air from the comfort of your couch. Can't wait to see what else Marsh comes out with next, her writing is so immersive she can transport you anywhere.
Highly recommend.
*I received an ARC of Fear the Drowning Deep from Sky Pony Press in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you!*
Set in the early 20th century on a tiny island off the coast of Ireland and England, we follow Bridey who has a quite well deserved fear of the sea. She witnessed her grandfather jumping off a cliff to his death mysteriously when she was a young girl and since then is counting down the days until she can leave the island. She becomes an apprentice of Morag, the alleged old witch of the island and slowly starts to learn that there is more in the sea than her initial fears. Meanwhile, more and more residents of the town start to go missing with only footsteps leading to the cliff edges as evidence. Bridey finds a mysterious boy who washed onto shore with terrible wounds on his stomach and no memory of where he came from. Her family takes him in to heal and of course a lovely little romance starts to develop as well as more questions and suspicions of where the missing girls have gone.
Atmospheric and lovely, Fear the Drowning Deep is such a wonderful book for this time of year. With a little bit of some creepiness and plenty of small town charm, this book is the perfect read for a rainy fall day where you can lose yourself on the Isle of Man and smell the brine of sea air from the comfort of your couch. Can't wait to see what else Marsh comes out with next, her writing is so immersive she can transport you anywhere.
Highly recommend.
*I received an ARC of Fear the Drowning Deep from Sky Pony Press in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you!*
October 8, 2016
Wow! What an incredibly unique, sumptuous, and vivid debut novel. Set in the Isle of Mann in 1913, FEAR THE DROWNING DEEP is the story of a girl named Bridey who is terrified of the ocean-- for good reason. When she was a child, she watched the sea claim her granddad, and she has steered clear of it ever since. But when a dead girl washes up on shore, followed by a badly wounded but beautiful boy with no memory, Bridey realizes she can't avoid what is lurking in the ocean depths--especially when more girls go missing. With the help of Morag, the town outcast (who many fear is a witch), Bridey devotes herself to learning about the monsters feeding on the town girls and protecting her family at all costs. She's also falling in love- although Fynn, the boy she found on the beach, has his own secrets.
Sarah Glenn Marsh is a beautiful writer. Her use of language is poetic but fierce, lovely but cutting. Reading her prose transported to a part of the world I have never visited and a time I never lived, but the power of the words made me feel like I was immersed right in the thick of the action. That's writing magic.
FEAR THE DROWNING DEEP is a lot of things. It's a love story and a mystery, weaving folklore and feelings and family ties. It's about monsters, and how fear itself is sometimes the most intimidating monster of all.
If you're looking for a gorgeous, completely original book you won't be able to put down, get a copy of FEAR THE DROWNING DEEP when it releases next week!
Sarah Glenn Marsh is a beautiful writer. Her use of language is poetic but fierce, lovely but cutting. Reading her prose transported to a part of the world I have never visited and a time I never lived, but the power of the words made me feel like I was immersed right in the thick of the action. That's writing magic.
FEAR THE DROWNING DEEP is a lot of things. It's a love story and a mystery, weaving folklore and feelings and family ties. It's about monsters, and how fear itself is sometimes the most intimidating monster of all.
If you're looking for a gorgeous, completely original book you won't be able to put down, get a copy of FEAR THE DROWNING DEEP when it releases next week!
August 2, 2016
I've been wanting to read this book for over a year now for the Manx historical setting, the promise of dark magic. FEAR THE DROWNING DEEP was well worth the wait--I loved Bridey, how despite her intense fear of the ocean, she was still brave enough to face it to save the people she loved. I adored the setting, from the bits of Manx to the complex relationship between the sea and the land, to the bits of Manx folklore woven through the story. But mostly, I loved the relationship between Bridey and Fynn, the mysterious boy she finds wounded and dying on the beach.
The story: after witnessing her grandfather throw himself off a cliff to his death, Bridey has avoided the ocean (hard to do when you live on an island!). Deaths by drowning are a part of island life when the trade relies on fishing, but now something dark is stalking the island. After a strange girl shows up drowned on the beach, other unexplained happenings follow: women missing from the village; Fynn, who can't remember anything of his past but whom Bridey is strangely drawn to; Bridey's growing involvement with the village witch, Morag.
The writing was clean and strong, but it was the characters' hearts that drew me through the story. This is the kind of historical fantasy I adore, and will keep coming back to. (The best compliment I can give this is that it reminded me of Patricia McKillip's the Changeling Sea, which is a gem of a book).
The story: after witnessing her grandfather throw himself off a cliff to his death, Bridey has avoided the ocean (hard to do when you live on an island!). Deaths by drowning are a part of island life when the trade relies on fishing, but now something dark is stalking the island. After a strange girl shows up drowned on the beach, other unexplained happenings follow: women missing from the village; Fynn, who can't remember anything of his past but whom Bridey is strangely drawn to; Bridey's growing involvement with the village witch, Morag.
The writing was clean and strong, but it was the characters' hearts that drew me through the story. This is the kind of historical fantasy I adore, and will keep coming back to. (The best compliment I can give this is that it reminded me of Patricia McKillip's the Changeling Sea, which is a gem of a book).
May 27, 2019
Nothing from the ocean is meant to survive on land forever.
This is a historical fiction book based off (I presume) old folklore, and urban legends from the area.
This was okay. I mean that as in, it was okay with the mystery aspect and the historical aspect.
I read this like a week or two ago and yet... I can barely remember anything that happens, so I'm just going to go with the little notes I gave myself while reading it.
There was some feminism? Apparently? I did not give myself an example, but it happened?? Alright.
Self-Saving. Oh, I actually remember this! Vaguely... The MC saves herself, her sister, and her boyfriend? From the sea monster, which was cool, I guess?
Oh look, I get to rant about a gross romance. Except I'm not, cause spoilers, and I can't remember basically anything. Which actually kinda show either how terrible I am, or how terrible this book is. And also, pet peeve, I hate boys who convince their girlfriend (or loved one) to face their fears, and then scare them by pretending to drown, fall etc.
Trigger and Content Warnings slurs (witch), previous death of loved one, dead bodies
I read this for the Avengers Readathon Challenge, created by Noura at for the Black Widow/Hulk challenge: Read a book with a green cover!
This is a historical fiction book based off (I presume) old folklore, and urban legends from the area.
This was okay. I mean that as in, it was okay with the mystery aspect and the historical aspect.
I read this like a week or two ago and yet... I can barely remember anything that happens, so I'm just going to go with the little notes I gave myself while reading it.
There was some feminism? Apparently? I did not give myself an example, but it happened?? Alright.
Self-Saving. Oh, I actually remember this! Vaguely... The MC saves herself, her sister, and her boyfriend? From the sea monster, which was cool, I guess?
Oh look, I get to rant about a gross romance. Except I'm not, cause spoilers, and I can't remember basically anything. Which actually kinda show either how terrible I am, or how terrible this book is. And also, pet peeve, I hate boys who convince their girlfriend (or loved one) to face their fears, and then scare them by pretending to drown, fall etc.
Trigger and Content Warnings slurs (witch), previous death of loved one, dead bodies
I read this for the Avengers Readathon Challenge, created by Noura at for the Black Widow/Hulk challenge: Read a book with a green cover!
July 4, 2016
Fear the Drowning Deep was amazing! The whole book was filled with magic and excitement and anticipation. There was a surprise in every chapter and it kept me on my toes till the very end.
I loved so many things about Fear the Drowning Deep. Firstly, the names. Oh my gosh, the names. I love them so much. And I can't forget the nicknames like Bridey-bird... they add such a special touch to the writing!
Secondly, I loved the setting and the use of Manx (a Gaelic language). It all feels so authentic, and brings the story to life.
Thirdly, I loved how the plot unfolded. It didn't feel forced at all, instead it felt like the events were unfolding... like dominoes toppling over. And when the ending came (which did a wonderful job of tying up all the loose ends), I just wanted more. I still want more!
Fear the Drowning Deep was an easy and fun read, and I definitely recommend reading it!
I loved so many things about Fear the Drowning Deep. Firstly, the names. Oh my gosh, the names. I love them so much. And I can't forget the nicknames like Bridey-bird... they add such a special touch to the writing!
Secondly, I loved the setting and the use of Manx (a Gaelic language). It all feels so authentic, and brings the story to life.
Thirdly, I loved how the plot unfolded. It didn't feel forced at all, instead it felt like the events were unfolding... like dominoes toppling over. And when the ending came (which did a wonderful job of tying up all the loose ends), I just wanted more. I still want more!
Fear the Drowning Deep was an easy and fun read, and I definitely recommend reading it!
August 13, 2016
This book is delightful and oh so atmospheric. I loved the setting of the Isle of Man, and how it works as the perfect background for the magical goings-on in the story. Not only that, but the folklore and the Manx culture were wonderful additions. Oh, and did I mention that there are sea monsters? If you're a fan of The Scorpio Races, you'll want to get your hands on this one!
June 28, 2016
Phenomenal! I was completely captivated by the world Sarah Glenn Marsh creates in Fear the Drowning Deep. The story was simultaneously touching, creepy, haunting and gripping. This is a 2016 release not to be missed!
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July 15, 2016Gorgeous prose- review to come closer to release date!
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