The Depths

Depths #1

by Penelope Barsetti

Orphaned far too young and the only child of the King and Queen Barclay, I was destined to take the throne upon my twenty-second birthday. But no woman has ever ruled my kingdom, especially one who is unwed.

Just when I decide to step back and let the crown be decided by the first-ever election, a man who has been like an uncle to me intervenes.

I give him my trust...and it's the greatest mistake of my life.

Before I know it, he sends me to my death in the Depths.

I survive the fall and meet Morco—the chief of the obsidians. He doesn’t trust me and I have to prove myself to earn his protection.

The only light in the dark chasm comes from a root system that shines through a large bud called the apricum. Instead of it being a source of life, it's a source of violence...because everyone fights to the death for it. And it changes throughout the Depths without a moment's notice, making all the inhabitants chase it and leave a bloodbath in their wake.

I quickly come to care for these people who fight to survive every single day in this dark hell. And even more quickly, I come to care for the man who leads them.

And he for me.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Fantasy Romance, Audiobook, Dark Romance, Dark

410 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 24, 2026

About the author

Penelope Barsetti is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. Her beloved novels have sold more than 5 Million copies, and her work has been translated into a dozen languages. Readers may know her by another name, Penelope Sky, where she writes contemporary dark romance.

An avid wine drinker, napper, and Netflix junkie, she lives in California with her family, but if she could live anywhere, it would be Florence, Italy. For those familiar with her work, you’ll know exactly why that’s the case.

Fantasy Romance is her favorite genre to read, and she’s excited to release her own novels into the world.

Reviews

[Jen Baldwin]

We HAD to have read different books?!?!?! This is why books aren't getting better.

If you want an HONEST review...buckle up. LOTS wrong here.

Firstly, The Obsidians. These are the absolute dumbest people in the history of people.
They are literally starving and their solution is to have as many babies as possible. Soooo....the answer to not having enough food is to create more mouths to feed?!?!?!
Also, they used to live "above" but have no idea what root vegetables are?? They don't know about bows and arrows?? But it's OK, bc our pampered princess FMC comes along and is an expert at foraging and making bows and arrows!! What a coincidence!!
Where are the rodents that live underground?? Eat them!!!!
The FMC eye color and dead parents are talked about OBSESSIVELY!!!!
Multiple "prologues" in the middle of the book. That is NOT A PROLOGUE!!!!! An AUTHOR should know the definition of a prologue. Also, that time/story jump was very jarring and took away from the story. Also, just marry the dude...it was just on paper. And why didn't she kill him when he betrayed her?!?!
There was NO ROMANCE at all, then BOOM, the MMC is telling her he's hers. Don't even get me started on the cringey spice. Ick!!!
Speaking of cringey banging....why was the MMC immediately nasty as shit to Allegra?!?!
Speaking of Allegra...she destroys VITAL resources, and they just let her live and use up those resources?!?!?!
The MMC was taking the FMC to meet people that have NO EYEBALLS....AND DOESN'T WARN HER BEFOREHAND. Heads up would have been great!!
Dragons are just randomly mentioned one time, in passing, then nothing else.
FMC isn't being accepted, the people don't want her there, but she's immediately talking about how this is home and these are her people. 🤦‍♀️
As a whole, this should have never been published. While reading IS subjective....I hope the people that gave this 5 stars, got paid well. You couldn't pay me enough to say this hot mess was anything but what it is...shit.

[Joseandbooks]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5


Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Depths by Penelope Barsetti completely sucked me in from the very first chapter. This book follows Hanne, a princess who is betrayed by someone she trusts and thrown into the mysterious Depths—a brutal underground world where survival is never guaranteed. There she meets Morco, the guarded leader of the obsidians, and together they have to navigate a world that’s as dangerous as it is fascinating.

I seriously could not get enough of this world. It was dark, eerie, and so vividly written that I felt like I was right there with the characters. The worldbuilding was one of my favorite parts because it never felt like information dumping—it just naturally pulled me deeper into the story with every chapter.

I also loved the characters. Hanne was easy to root for, even when she was completely out of her element. She kept adapting instead of giving up, and I loved watching her grow. And Morco… I was obsessed. He’s quiet, protective, broody, and has so much more depth than he lets on. The slow burn between them was done so well. It wasn’t rushed, and every little moment between them felt earned.

The audiobook was amazing too. The narrators really brought the story to life, although I did not love Morco’s voice he still did a great job narrating

By the end, I was completely hooked and not ready for it to be over. This is one of those books that keeps pulling you deeper the farther you get, and now I’m counting down the days until the next book. If you’re a fan of dark fantasy, immersive worldbuilding, survival stories, and a slow-burn romance with a broody hero, I definitely recommend picking this one up.

[Sybrenna]

4⭐️ ohhhh i ATE this up not gonna lie!! I literally read this in one sitting and was actually losing sleep over it. (I’m typing this at 3am LMAO) but, from page 1, I was sat because we’re like threw into the middle of the story which lowkey intrigued me more, cause im like WAIT WHATS HAPPENING?! And as everything continued to unravel, i just kept turning the page. This was such a fast paced, page turner, beginner friendly Romantasy with such an interesting world and creatures. I actually really loved Hanne as a fmc, she exudes “fool me once, shame on me” energy like nothing was getting past her a second time and I love that. She’s a very intuitive and knowledgeable fmc, UGH I LOVE. Then Morco, the guarded, hardbody MMC, who would do anything for his people.. I WAS SAT. Plus i loved the burn of the romance like you could tell where it was going but it was slow and had small intimate moments that i appreciated before the romance came full force. I need book 2 EXPEDITIOUSLY!

[Calista Presti]

4.25 ⭐️

Okay wait??? This was such a fast paced, beginner friendly, unique romantasy!!!

Our MMC is borderline a poet with the amount of quotes I have tabbed from this man.

Our FMC is betrayed by her dad’s best-friend who steals the throne from her & is then exiled to a place called “The Depths” where she meets our MMC and his family/clan. Down in The Depths there are many unknown creatures. They is very little vegetation because there’s zero sunlight (completely dark). There’s another side of The Depths with wolf-like animals and men that want to hunt down our main characters once they are aware of their existence. Think GOT and “beyond the wall” with “white walkers”… it was so good!!

This is one of those fantasy books where you actually learn a thing or two 😂 I learned about flowers & plants, vegetation, how long certain vegetation can last, how to make a bow & arrow, etc.


I also loved that our FMC (and her knowledge) is their only reason for survival at one point. I’m excited for book two because I know from the ending of this book that it’s going to be very action packed!!

[Ceacea]

Genre: Romantic Fantasy
⭐️ 4/5
🌶 2/5
🎧 4/5 (Dual narration)
Audio Narrators: Michael Ferraiuolo and Ramona Master
Cliffhanger: Yes
Noteworthy: Book 1 of an incomplete series. No content warnings provided but there is a scene that may be triggering for some. Audio book publication date is 7/14/2026.

This aeries once again takes place in Penelope's already established world and that remains a plus for me. This particular story and setting is so unique that I expect it will be a stand out for anyone who reads it. Most of this book takes place in a deep underground setting where people and creatures are tossed as a sentence of exile. Everything and everyone is just trying to survive. I'm so excited to see where this goes.


I love the two main characters on a individual level but struggled a little with the romance. It always felt like she was zigging when he was zagging. I hold out hope that they will continue to evolve in that department because their friendship and mutual respect is perfection! As usual the author knows how to set up a conflict. It totally has me ready for book 2!

Thank you to Netgalley, Brilliance Audio and Penelope Barsetti for the gifted ALC of this book.

[MsAprilreadswhat]

Penelope has done it again another series that completely pulls you in and refuses to let go.
Hanne’s story hit hard. Betrayed simply because she’s a woman and deemed unfit to lead her people? Infuriating. But what makes it so powerful is that she doesn’t break—she’s thrown into the depths. Where its a new world and she knows noone. There’s something so compelling about watching her refuse to be anything less than strong!
Then there’s Marco. He’s driven by one thing: survival for his people. No matter the cost. When he and Hanne come together, the dynamic just works. Their journey is relentless—danger after danger!
But let’s talk about that ending… because WHAT. THE. HELL, Penelope?! 😭 You really just left us like that?? I need answers, I need more, and I need the next book immediately.
This one had everything—emotion, betrayal, strength, survival, and just enough chaos to leave you reeling in the best possible way.

[Lizz]

"Do not tell me when it is my time to bloom when I do not yet know what flower I am.”

I have a really great time reading this book. In typical Penelope fashion it was a quick read. The story had a nice pace and was intriguing. I was able to stay engaged with the characters and the story the entire time. I was never bored. Hanne is an incredibly strong fmc. She's resourceful, knows what she wants, and then goes after it.

“I’m damned to eternal darkness, but my mind still sees the light."

Morco had my heart pretty quick. He is the burn the world for her type. Although he will sacrifice himself for his people but he would never sacrifice her for them. Their relationship developed pretty quickly. The passion and lust were definitely there and very intriguing to read. Hanne falling was a bit fast for me but she is very inexperienced and has been waiting a lifetime to be loved and desired the way she deserved.

I love these characters separately and I love them even more together. There are some triggers in this book (attempted SA) so keep that in mind if you have any. Penelope continues to be an amazing writer and an auto buy author for me. I can't wait for the next one!

[Jen ⌇]

The Depths is an incredible story, and it had me hooked from the prologue. It is so unique - I really liked the idea of there being an area that exists and people don't really know anything about... and then ending up there.

Both Hanne and Morco have a lot of character developemnt throughout this story. Hanne is betrayed simply for being a woman, because apparently this makes her "unfit" to lead her people and it spirals from there... Morco is focused on one thing: his peoples' survival. At first when running into Hanne, Morco is forced to make a difficult decision; leave her here to fend for herself in an unfamiliar place with no weapons, or bring her back with him. Hanne promises to do what she can to help Morco and his people, to make sure he doesn't regret his decision in helping her.

Penelope writes the best stories, and The Depths is no different! The slow burn in this book was amazing! I cannot wait for book 2 - I need it right now!

[Leanna Streeter]

I really enjoyed this one! This was actually my first romantasy from Penelope Barsetti. I already love her contemporary romances, and after reading this, I think I just really love her storytelling in general.

The setting was easily one of the most interesting parts for me. Almost the entire story takes place in this massive underground world, and it gave the book such a dark, eerie atmosphere. It’s a really cool concept and definitely different from most romantasy worlds I’ve read.

The world building itself is pretty light, which makes this a great choice for someone newer to fantasy who doesn’t want to be overwhelmed by a complicated magic system or tons of lore. I do wish we’d gotten a little more depth because the world is SO interesting and I wanted to know more about it!

But overall, I had such a good time with this. It’s very fast paced, easy to get sucked into, and that cliffhanger definitely left me needing book two. I’m excited to see where the story goes next!

[Jessie.bookstagram]

The Depths 😮‍💨🙌🏻🫢‼️😍
5⭐️

✨It’s been a little while since I’ve read a Romantasy, and OMG this one grabbed me so quick! You’re immediately immersed when the FMC is exiled into The Depths. She thought SURELY this would be her death, instead it became the start of her story and the place where she would rise from the ashes. This book had certain elements that reminded me of the movie Avatar, and y’all! I’m here for it! 🙌🏻‼️ The magic system was so unique and I absolutely loved that The Depths is where she took flight! The slow burn was perfect and you’re just gonna want to read it ASAP! 😍😮‍💨

Tropes 😆
✨Friends to lovers
✨Forced proximity
✨She teaches him
✨Touch her and die
✨Found family

‼️And no one paid me to read and ENJOY the book. Some of the reviews are WILD and ugly. Let people enjoy what they want to.

[A Court of Stars and Sapphire]

I received a gifted copy of this book from the author and am honored to share this completely honest review!

I have not yet come across a Penelope Barsetti book that I didn't love!! The concept of this book is unique and interesting, I really enjoyed the world Penelope built for this series!

This book is dark, tense, and quick moving which made putting it down extremely hard!

I'm intrigued with this world and am very excited to see what answers are revealed and what will happen next as I continue the series.

This book ends on a shocking cliffhanger and I am counting down the days until book 2, The Shadows, is released!!

[S. K.]

I’ve read every single one of Penelope’s books and somehow every series seems to surprise me. The characters. The story. The angst. The action.

Hanne is probably one of the most courageous FMC’s I’ve read but discreetly so. She admits her fears and knows she’s not invincible but she shows up for the man she loves in ways that he can’t even fathom.

Morco is the sexy, strong, brooding type of character that we all love and can’t get enough of. And I mean, he has to have some kind of weakness right?

Why not have it be an arrow shooting marksmen in a dress?

[Randee Norton]

talk about a FAST paced romantasy! this was so much fun!
the world was so unique and eerie- in the depths with NO light, no weather changes, and so expansive! The FMC was soft, but strong- which was so refreshing when so many FMCs are warriors or assasins. The MMC is the king of broody and yearning!! the timeline of how this was told kept me racing to the end! i had to know what happened next. and the cliff hanger!!!?? INSANITY!
My biggest complaints are the with it being so fast paced, things were fully fleshed out, like the magic system and world building- leaving some plot holes, but they were easily overlooked.

[Amber is Always Reading]

The Depths is a unique and interesting world in which only the most cunning and resilient survive.
I was immediately sucked into the world building and the political intrigue of this story and I have to hand it to Penelope, she’s really outdone herself. To be in possession of such an imagination is a gift!
I am greatly looking forward to book two of this series,as the cliffhanger is killer!

[ChelsieINeedaNickname Griffin]

Very interesting

So we have adventure with romance taking the background. I can see some twist and turns coming especially if you have read her others series which seems to be interconnected. Patiently waiting for book 2

[Deirdre]

I received an ALC from Brilliance Publishing via NetGalley, and this is my honest review.


- ✌️Dual POV
- 🗣️🗣️Dual narration
- ☝️Book 1 of 2
- 🧑‍⚖️Political corruption
- 👋🏼 banishment
- 🌎 Underground world
- 🙌 mature characters
- ❤️ Romance
- ⁉️ Mystery

First, let’s talk about the narrators. This was dual narration by Michael Ferraiuolo and Ramona Master. Overall, the audiobook was enjoyable. I thought both narrators did a fantastic job. I know it can be awkward for a man to narrate a woman and a woman to narrate a man, but both Michael and Ramona did a nice job. They put a lot of effort into their voices and I could feel the emotions of the characters. I was particularly moved by Ramona’s narration when the MFC was experiencing sadness, frustration, or anger. Well done! Both narrators pacing was a bit slow, leading to me speeding up the book to 2.0x, but this is normal for me. I do want to note though that Ramona made a couple of strange choices. Whenever the text said someone "howled," she literally said the word "howl" in a drawn-out howling voice instead of just making a howling sound. The same thing happened with "growl." Instead of just growling, she said the word growl in a growling voice. It was unintentionally funny. I also noticed a few brief moments where the audio quality suddenly changed, almost as if a sentence had been re-recorded using different equipment. Despite this, the narration was great and I am glad I consumed this book via audio.

I have to say that this book was a breath of fresh air. You'll probably see me use the words unique and refreshing multiple times throughout this review because that's exactly how it felt. I'm so grateful I received an advanced listening copy because I loved every moment of it.

Overall, the pacing was moderate to fast, the character growth was beautiful, the maturity of the main characters was refreshing, the world-building was unique, and the plot was phenomenal. I was hooked almost immediately. The author even took a creative risk by placing prologue chapters in the middle and at the end of the book instead of only at the beginning. It was an interesting choice that really worked. While there were some familiar romantasy tropes, they all came with unique twists that kept the story feeling fresh. This book had a great blend of romance, character development, and plot. Be warned, the book ends on a major cliffhanger, and I cannot wait to listen or read the next book!

I am a very character driven reader; therefore, I want to dive into the MC’s. The MFC herself was AMAZING. She was not the typical romatasy female with secret powers she feels like she has to hide, leading to her being mean and rude, or using secrets as weapons and ways to gain leverage. She was a princess from the above world who was actually fairly naïve and sheltered, even considered mediocre in her world. After she was banished to the underground world, the everyday knowledge she gained growing up above became incredibly valuable. She was not special because she was magically gifted, she was special because she brought practical knowledge that no one else had. That was such a refreshing take on the "chosen one" trope for an MFC. Also, becuase she had this knowledge that they underground people did not she found her place in their world quickly. Her contributions weren't based on destiny or magic, they were practical, foundational, and genuinely important. It made her success feel earned.

More about the MFC. I loved the MFC almost immediately because she felt incredibly relatable. After being betrayed and banished, she was rescued by a group of intimidating men. Even though she was terrified, she was grateful while remaining cautious. I appreciated how thoughtful she was, even worrying about accepting their water because she didn't want to burden the people who had already saved her. Despite being raised as a princess, she never came across as entitled. I also loved how she handled conflict. When Allegra (the woman who slept with the MMC before the MFC met the MMC) challenged the MFC, the MFC stood up for herself without being cruel. One of my favorite moments was when the MFC pointed out that if you have to fight another woman over a man, he isn't worth having. Later, the Allegra drama was resolved in a really mature and women supporting women way (even though there was some drama along the way).

As I mentioned, the MFC was overall quite mature, and I WAS ALL FOR IT!! Instead of letting fear or pride keep her silent, she communicated honestly with the MMC about how she felt and what she needed. In a genre that's often built around unnecessary secrets and misunderstandings, this was incredibly refreshing. The MFC could own her behavior, she understood the impact she had on others, could apologize, and COMMUNICATE early and often! She also had assertive communication skills, I loved it. She also grew quite substantially in this book, and I really enjoyed reading her journey. Further, she was mature enough and growing a lot to be able to reflect and see that her banishment from the above world led to something beautiful, it was not all just “bad.” She had post-traumatic growth, which was fantastic!

I also loved how the author revealed the MFC's past. Rather than giving us a huge information dump, we slowly learned pieces of her history throughout the first half of the book. Then, around 42%, the author surprised me with a set of prologue chapters that completely reframed everything. It reminded me of a prequel being published after already becoming invested in the series by having one or two books already published. These chapters added so much emotional depth and showed 1) what happened to the MFC, building empathy in the reader, and 2) how similar the MFC and MMC were and they were truly meant to be together. The sexism the MFC endured and the way she defended herself made these chapters especially powerful.

Then there was the MMC. What a walking golden green flag! Although he was gruff at times and deeply traumatized, he was incredibly compassionate and empathetic. He rescued the MFC simply because it was the right thing to do, compromising his tribes goals. He was also a boundaried man, was not easily manipulated, and he stood up for himself, even against his own mother. When another woman (Allegra) wanted him to father her children, he firmly refused and never wavered. He was assertive without ever becoming a jerk. He was also so vulnerable. One of the early moments in this book that included the MMC had him tearing up. I love a man who can own his emotions and cry.

One aspect that gave the MMC surprising depth was his internal struggle. Throughout the story, he expressed passive suicidal ideation, wishing he'd never been born because his life had always been about survival, not living, and everyone died early. These thoughts were woven naturally into the story before leading to a heartfelt conversation with his mother. I thought this was handled with a great deal of care and added another layer to his character.

The MMC had phenomenal growth, inspired by the MFC. There was one chapter where I just wanted to shake him. But the MFC was persistent, while direct and kind, challenging him to develop into a more mature man (I.e., move out of his rigid thinking). Through this growth, he found he started to live and his suicidal ideation remitted.

The romance developed beautifully through small moments of trust, vulnerability, and mutual respect. Their relationship never felt rushed, and watching them slowly build that connection made their romance feel authentic. The MMC found himself as a person through the MFC, and the MFC found her purpose and identify through the MMC. Even though their growth was contingent on meeting and challenging each other, they were still strongly independent and had their own identities. They never became doormats because of their relationship, YAY!

Onto side characters:

- Allegra. She created other woman drama, but not in a standard way. So many romantasy novels rely on misunderstandings and assumptions (usually by the MFC towards the MMC due to the OW) that spiral into pointless, childish conflict. That didn't happen here. The MFC simply asked questions, listened to the MMC, and believed him. The conflict was brief, realistic, and never overstayed its welcome. Once again, the author took a familiar trope and made it feel fresh. Don’t get me wrong, Allegra sucked for a hot minute there and her immaturity shined through, but she grew from that and the MFC forgave her, followed by aligning with Allegra. It was quite beautiful to see women supporting women.

- Krull: He sucked, and all readers knew it the whole time. I am glad he got what was coming to him. I have a feeling though he will come back in the future to be an antagonist once again.

- MMC’s mother: she was a female character full of depth that I could respect and empathize with, all while at the same time I loved when the MMC stood up for himself against her.

- Vulgaris: another antagonist I loved to hate. I look forward to seeing what happens to him in future books!

The world-building was very unique. Every detail made the underground kingdom feel distinct, and I genuinely enjoyed discovering how everything worked. There was so much in this world that was different than any other book I have read in this genre.

By the end of this book, there still was sooooo much mystery for so many different aspects of the story. Great job to the author for leaving so much unanswered, creating curiosity and intrigue in the readers. Then, the ending, major cliffhanger. I cannot wait to pick up book 2!

[Bri]

✨ALC Review✨ - 3.75 ⭐️

While I did enjoy the story, loved the uniqueness of the premise, and am genuinely curious to see what happens next, I have a few issues with this book.

Let’s start with the audio portion because… what was going on there? Ramona, what were those wolf howls?? 😂 I could not take them seriously. Instead of actually howling or growling, both narrators just sort of… said the words in ominous voices. It was so jarring that it pulled me right out of the story every single time. I genuinely think it would’ve been better if they’d either fully committed to the animal sounds or skipped performing them altogether and simply narrated that the creatures growled or howled.

I also found the structure a little confusing. Why is the “prologue” 40% into the book? At that point, it’s not a prologue anymore. I actually liked getting the additional context about what happened before she was pushed into the Depths, but dropping those chapters into the middle of the story felt really out of place. Calling them interludes, or even just making them regular chapters with a note that they took place in the past, would’ve made much more sense.

As for the romance… I just never felt the buildup. They spend a little time surviving together and slowly getting along, but I never really picked up on much tension or obvious attraction between them. Then, all of a sudden, we get, “I’m yours. Are you mine?” and it completely caught me off guard. I could understand him seeing her differently after she risked her life for him, but that’s where I wanted the flirting, longing, and tension to start, not jump straight to declarations of love.

I wouldn’t necessarily call it instalove because it wasn’t instant, but it did feel incredibly sudden. One minute they’re allies trying to survive, and the next they’re each other’s entire world. I just didn’t feel like enough had happened emotionally for that shift to feel earned.

Ironically, some of my favorite moments were the quieter romantic ones. “My heart ached for you before my body… I will continue to yearn for you until the time is right.” and “You’ve described the sun to me, and I see it every time I look at your face.” Those lines were genuinely sweet and made me wish we’d gotten more emotional intimacy like that instead of rushing the relationship.

Unfortunately, the spicy scenes continue to be my biggest issue with this author. Once again, the intimacy feels heavily focused on the man’s experience while the woman’s comfort is treated as an afterthought. He’s worried about being gentle because she’s a virgin… but doesn’t actually do anything to prepare her beforehand. A little kissing is not enough. Then there’s a line like, “He didn’t ask if I was okay, he didn’t ask if I wanted to stop… good,” which honestly made me cringe. I really dislike seeing a lack of communication and consent framed as romantic.

And then there are the word choices. “Entering the softness between my petals,” “I left my essence in a place no one else had ever been,” and similar lines completely took me out of the moment.

Fun fact: while listening, I thought it was a crazy coincidence that the narrators were the same as the previous book I’d read. Then I started noticing the exact same writing habits, the same euphemisms (petals… again 😭), and the same lack of foreplay. That’s when I realized it was the same author writing under a different name.

This is my third book by this author, my first two were dark romances, and now this fantasy romance, and I think I’ve finally figured out what doesn’t work for me. Penelope is genuinely good at creating interesting worlds and stories that keep me wanting to know what happens next. Somehow, she always gives me just enough plot to keep turning the pages while simultaneously making me dislike the romance. At this point, I honestly think she’d excel writing fantasy with very light romance, or even YA fantasy, because the storytelling is consistently stronger than the relationships.

Overall, I am very interested to see what happens next, and I enjoyed this book much more than her other series because the characters themselves were far less insufferable, and the fantasy elements kept me engaged. I just wish the romance had been given the same level of care as the worldbuilding because that’s still the area where these books consistently lose me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for letting me listen to this one early.

[Jillian]

DNF @ 78%

I just can't get past the modern language in a romantasy - it doesn't work. 😭

[Parker Rink]

A very interesting concept! The idea was entirely unique. Unfortunately, that’s where the pros of reading this book stopped.

I found several issues with plot holes, relationship dynamics, and language.

The plot holes… the existence of the Obsidians just doesn’t really make sense. And for people having survived for generations in the depths, they are shockingly slow and not resourceful. They absolutely should have remembered things like bows, planting gardens, vegetables etc passed down through stories from elders. Based on the way they’re currently operating, they should all be very dead.

We also don’t really meet many Obsidians and the ones we do meet (Caius, Liam, Morco’s mother) felt very… transient. They didn’t feel like real people. Even Morco himself seemed incredibly one dimensional. We saw a little of his internal conflict when his mother challenges him after he says he never wishes he was born. The author starts to delve a little deeper into what might make him tick…. And then we get yanked out and don’t get to explore any of what makes a human, human.


Relationships..

The way in which Morco treated Allegra was honestly disgusting and despicable. Massive turn off to speak down to a woman in such a way and degrade her by telling her she means nothing to you. Doesn’t matter if you made your intentions clear from the beginning. It sounds like she did too, and if he wasn’t prepared for the repercussions of screwing her then leaving her, and she’s obviously upset about this, he should never have screwed her in the first place.

He seems incredibly misogynistic and Hanne is the one almost exceptional to this rule. Don’t love the trope of disrespecting women before the FMC comes along… and then suddenly our lovely MMC wants to respect the FMC and not soil her by being intimate with her… which implies that Allegra and the ones who came before Hanne were just toys to be used and discarded. Clearly sex means something important to him, or at least he can understand the significance of sex in a relationship, since he’s so resolute (until he isn’t) on not disrespecting Hanne by having sex with her. He’s implying that by having sex with women before, he didn’t respect a single one of them either. If sex is so important, and so are your people (women included, not just men), then why the hell was he having sex in the first place? Sorry, bit of a rant there that I’ll most likely edit into something more well thought out later! The audacity of men though… and what women will settle for….

I just really despised the way he talked about Allegra who was having a perfectly valid response to his treatment of her (minus the destroying resources—she should have been punished for that).

And in farther reflection, it was a very unrealistic representation of human reaction and emotion for Allegra and Hanne to suddenly resolve their animosity, just like that.

There are, unfortunately, no more relationships to really discuss, because we have so few characters actually contributing to the story.

Now onto language. Modern sayings and exclamations like “wait…. What?”, the strange use of the “f word” that seemed entirely out of place, and terms that were used during intimate moments made me incriminate uncomfortable and cringe.

The writing was also choppy and did not sound entirely human.

Wouldn’t recommend this, although the concept had a lot of potential.

[Vic]

The Depths is the first book in the Depths series. Hanne has been on her own in her kingdom since she was little and was told she would inherit the throne on her 22nd birthday. However, no woman has ever ruled unless they are married so she decides to let there be an election to see who will rule. Sadly, a man who she seen as her uncle interrupts this and sends her to her death into the depths. Thankfully, she survives, but now she’s in a world she doesn’t know filled with darkness and danger. She is determined to find a way back into her kingdom and have her revenge. There she meets Morco, the leader of the obsidians and his friends. She slowly tries to prove herself to them and forms a bond with Morco. She starts to care for Marco and even the people that live there. It has her questioning her decision to find a way back.

Marco has been the leader of the obsidians for many years. All they live for is to survive but there’s one problem. There is an apricum, a root system where through a bud lights the entire area when it appears. They must live in darkness in order to stay alive. They also keep their distance from the creatures that inhabit the depths. Their home is all that matters. When he meets Hanne, he automatically doesn’t trust her. He doesn’t know why she’s there or how she even got there. He starts becoming intrigued by her when he sees that she’s not afraid to do what it takes to survive. She also wants to help his people. They slowly form a bond which turns into a deep connection. They face obstacles along the way, but these two prove that soulmates exist and that they are meant to be together.

Penelope Barsetti once again transports us with her writing. This time we’re thrown into a dark world, filled with creatures, hopelessness, and violence where people are willing to do anything to survive. I was rooting for Hanne and Morco since the very beginning. You can tell, even though he didn’t trust her, there was something about her that he was intrigued by her. Slowly she started earning his respect with her bravery and selflessness. I felt so bad for Hanne having to endure what her uncle did to her, not knowing what’s gonna happen. Then wanting to go back to her kingdom, but at the same time feeling so loyal to these people, especially Marco. Now it has her thinking that she might want to stay instead. I was definitely on the edge of my seat throughout the book, especially with that cliffhanger that had me screaming at the top of my lungs. This was an amazing start to a new series filled with danger, drama, so much spice, suspenseful moments, betrayals, and shockingly scary twists. I cannot wait until the next book I will be counting the days.

[Jess *lovetolovebooks*]

Hanne is set to become queen after her father’s sudden death when she is betrayed by someone she’s known her whole life. Charged with treason and given a choice between beheading or being thrown into the Depths (essentially an extremely deep dark hole), Hanne chooses the Depths. Somehow she survives the fall but is instantly met with things that want to kill her. Enter Morco, a chief of a small group of people who had been banished to the Depths as punishment generations ago. He reluctantly helps and saves Hanne even though it’s one more mouth to feed amongst an already starving group. Not wanting him to regret this decision Hanne is determined to prove herself useful and figure out ways to help this group begin to thrive.
The Depths was an interesting read. My favorite part was this gritty underground world where sunlight cannot reach. Some of these characters haven’t ever seen the sun which is sad to think about. I greatly enjoyed seeing this world for the first time through Hanne’s eyes. The complete darkness gives off this eerie and claustrophobic aura. The only source of light comes from this magical bud called the apricum. And this bud can transfer to different places at a whim. It’s unpredictable but highly prized and viciously fought over. This first book has a good bit of action, characters in perilous situations, and romance (obviously). This would be a good read for those who enjoy their romantasy books without flowery writing. It’s straight and to the point. It’d also be good for someone who needs something quick and easy to scratch that romantasy itch. The audio was pretty good too and I flew through it.
My biggest issues with The Depths are 1) the multiple prologues in the middle of the book (it felt like a very weird place to put them and it interrupted the flow of the book in my opinion), 2) I wish the romance had more of a build up, and 3) when Hanne refers to Morco as “a prime cut of man meat”. It just personally gave me the ick, it felt like such an immature thing to say, and I’d be ok never reading that phrase again. I totally acknowledge that this is a personal preference and many other readers won’t have an issue with it. Overall I’m here for the fun yet deadly adventurous vibes and that’s what I got.

4⭐️
2.5🔥

What to expect:
Dark Romantasy
Betrayed Queen FMC
Stressed out leader MMC
Slower burn
Dual narrated audiobook
Dark (literally), kill or be killed, survival of the fittest setting
Found family
Trying to survive

TW/CW:
Violence, animal deaths (to be fair they try to kill the MCs), blood, infected cougar bite, side male character making many unwanted advances towards the FMC/harassing her/sexually assaulted and attempted to rape her, if you’re scared of the dark or feel claustrophobic in the dark this may trigger that.

[Dora Harvey]

Wow!! THE DEPTHS is one wild ride—a page-turner indeed! This is a MUST READ with plenty of heart-thumping moments! It’s an emotional turmoil! It’s nail-biting action! It’s suspenseful! It’s full of heartache! What a ride!! This story also oozes with lust, desire, revenge, danger, and drags you deep into its darkness and intrigue that is all rolled up into one deliciously dark and twisted package. Mesmerized once again by Penelope Barsetti’s brilliance in delivering a rich fantasy world with complex and intricately drawn characters from the beginning to the end without slipping or losing the initial plot line. This entire book had me captivated and intrigued from the first page and no amount of guessing could have prepared me for what went down. You are left with a cliffhanger—cursing that you have to wait until the next book to find out what happens next! This is Morco and Hanne Barclay’s story.

Hanne is a Princess and the only child of King Calix Barclay and Queen Barclay of Baccara. Her mother died during child birth, so she was raised by her father. Hanne was supposed to take over the throne by her 22nd birthday, but then her father died unexpectedly. I felt sorry for Hanne for being thrown into ruling a Kingdom without any experience. No woman has ever ruled the kingdom especially not being wed. She decided to have an unconventional method of selecting the crown when she was dethroned by someone she trusted that wanted the power and to be king, then pushed to her death into the Depths—so he thought! Morco is Chief of the Obsidians in the Depth. He is very handsome and sexy, cold-hearted, dispassionate, bears the burden of his people in keeping them safe, and he is on a mission of revenge because of what happened to mother. What actually happened to his mother?

When Hanne arrived in the Depths unexpectedly, Morco offered her shelter, food, and his oath of protection. Not knowing who Hanne is, Morco spared her life. Unfortunately, for some reasons that are unfathomable, Morco sets his sights on Hanne. But what Morco did not expect was that Hanne was feisty, obstinate, and would not give in or back down to the him—Chief of the Obsidians. Will Hanne continue being stubborn when the only stranger in the tribe is the one who will keep her safe? Despite their differences, the slow-burn chemistry between Morco and Hanne is undeniable. Then an incident occurred, and it will affect both Morco and Hanne. Will Morco and Hanne be able to get past all of the abhorrent circumstances that caused a lot of pain? What happens next? Well, read this amazing story and find out. You won’t regret reading THE DEPTHS.

[Megan Barker]

OMG!!! My girl did it again!!!

I am speechless after reading The Depths—completely, utterly speechless!!

This story starts with everything you think you understand about power, loyalty, and destiny… and then rips it away in the most brutal way possible. Hanne, a rightful heir poised to take her crown, is manipulated by someone she trusts, her father’s closest ally, into a marriage that is nothing more than a calculated move for control. The betrayal here? Sharp. Personal. Devastating.

And when that treason leads to her exile into The Depths… that’s when the story truly sinks its claws in.

Enter Morco.

Brooding. Angry. Ruthless. Purpose-driven.
And yes… painfully hot.

From the moment he finds Hanne, the energy shifts. There’s this constant undercurrent of tension, like something dangerous and inevitable is building between them. Morco refuses to feel, refuses to want, refuses to bend… but Hanne? She gets under his skin in a way he cannot ignore...and watching that unravel is EVERYTHING.

What I loved most about Hanne is that she doesn’t crumble. She’s thrown into a brutal, unfamiliar world and instead of giving in, she fights to find her place on her terms. Not by playing into expectations, not by becoming what others want her to be. That quiet strength makes her even more compelling.

And then there’s the chaos surrounding them—Krull’s obsession, lingering past relationships, unreturned feelings, unwanted advances… it all adds layers of tension that make every interaction feel charged. And through it all, Hanne only has eyes for Morco, even if she keeps it buried.

But let’s talk about them.

The slow burn.
The restraint.
The barely-contained heat simmering beneath every look and every word…

It is exquisite.

You can feel it building, tightening, stretching to the breaking point—and when it finally starts to crack? Absolutely addictive.

And then…

THAT ENDING.

I audibly said “ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!” and just sat there staring at the page like I’d been personally attacked. The kind of ending that has you scrambling for the next book while also wanting to yell at the author for putting you through this emotional torture.

Penelope really said “you’re not done suffering yet,” and honestly? I’ll be back for more.

If you love:

Political betrayal and high-stakes tension

A strong, resilient heroine

A brooding, emotionally unavailable (but irresistible) hero

Slow-burn romance with serious heat

And endings that leave you spiraling

Read this immediately.

Just… maybe have the next book ready. You’re going to need it.

[Cindy Eckerman]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶️🌶️🌶️
The Depths by Penelope Barsetti aka Penelope Sky 🖤❤️‍🔥

From the very first chapter, I was completely hooked. The opening alone is intense, disorienting and emotional in a way that immediately pulls you in. Being cast into “the depths” isn’t just a physical fall, it feels like being swallowed into a world that’s dark, eerie, and completely unforgiving. The atmosphere is unlike anything I’ve read before… constant darkness, strange glowing elements, and a setting that feels both haunting and immersive. What makes this story stand out is how deeply you feel everything. The worldbuilding isn’t just there for description, it’s alive in every moment. You feel the hunger, the fear, the desperation, and the constant pressure to survive. Nothing comes easy in this world and that tension never lets up. Hanne is such a strong and compelling character. Even when she’s terrified or completely out of her depth, she keeps pushing forward, adapting, fighting and refusing to break. And then there’s Morco… brooding, guarded, carrying the weight of his people on his shoulders. He’s not soft, not easy, but there’s so much depth to him and watching those layers slowly unfold was everything. Their dynamic is one of my favorite parts of the book. It’s not rushed or simple. It builds through tension, trust, vulnerability and moments that feel both fragile and intense. You can feel the shift as they go from strangers to friends to sharing something special, all while the world around them is on the brink of collapse. The action scenes were incredible… fast, vivid, and honestly had me holding my breath. At the same time, the emotional moments afterwards hit perfectly even though they are short lived.
I found myself completely invested, feeling everything right alongside the characters and the choices people are forced to make when resources are scarce and hope is limited, everything Iadds a level of realism to such a dark fantasy setting that makes everything feel even more intense. This is one of those books where every chapter pulls you in deeper and just when you think you can breathe, something shifts again. By the end, I was completely consumed, and that final stretch left me needing more!! I can’t wait for the next book coming out this fall.

[Mandy Stafford]

The Depths
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️♾️
ARC Review

I’ve been devoured by the depths… and I’m not even mad about it.

From the very beginning, I was completely pulled into this world. The Depths feels like an entirely different realm — a society underground with no sun, only the Apricum as their light, tribes trying to survive, politics, backstory, and a heroine who went from being a queen above to fighting to survive below. The world building was immersive and felt alive, and I found myself just as invested in the tribe and their survival as I was in the romance.

Hanne is a strong FMC in the best way — not because she’s the strongest fighter in the room, but because she’s a survivor, a thinker, and a builder. She adapts to a completely new world and slowly becomes part of it, helping them grow food, plan, and think differently. Watching her go from outsider to calling it her tribe, her home, her people was one of my favorite parts of the story. This really is a found family / found herself story at its core.

Morco is very much the guarded, protective, reluctant hero type, and the slow burn between him and Hanne was EVERYTHING. The banter, the tension, the small moments like hand holding and quiet protective gestures — it was a very slow burn, but the emotional payoff was absolutely worth it because their relationship felt earned and deeply emotional.

There’s also a larger story happening in the background with politics, backstory prologues that reveal more and more as the book goes on, tribe dynamics, betrayal, and survival. By the end, I was completely stressed for these characters and very emotionally invested in what happens next.

And yes — it does end on a cliffhanger, and I will be very impatiently waiting for book two.

If you like slow burn romantasy, protective MMCs, capable survivor FMCs, found family, dual POV, and immersive underground world building, you will probably love this book as much as I did.

“My world changed when you fell from the sky into my heart.”

This book was addictive, emotional, romantic, and intense, and I will definitely be continuing this series.

[Kareen Hernandez]

Penelope’s creativity and talent just amazes me. I loved this story of Morco and Hanne. It shows their strengths and bravery throughout the story.
Hanne was banished to the depths. A place no one knows what it is. She was pushed into it. It’s like a black hole. She fell forever. When she landed she hit water and survived. Not all know if anyone banished to depths actually survives that fall.

She swims to the edge of the water and it is in darkness except for some glowing light. She sees a fortress and starts to head towards it. A man, Morco, keeps her from going towards it. He told her it is very dangerous and there are monsters called the knives. He started running away from her and she runs after him anyway. He didn’t want her following him but she did anyway. He finally lets her follow him and takes her to their place where they live far from the knives and other things that live there.
Hanne and Morco relationship starts to flourish and becomes more and more intense as time goes by.
The people were undernourished and starving with very little food.
She wasn’t welcome at first but as time went on she proved herself to be quite useful.
She found vegetables and taught them them how to plant, harvest, and cook them. She showed them how to be self sufficient.
She taught them what weapons were and how to make them and use them.
Do the knives or other monsters find them? Are they able to defend themselves in times of war?
Morco’s mother and the elders decided that they want Hanne to rule beside Morco because of what she’s done for all their people and the bravery she exhibits.
During the book Penelope wrote parts of the back story about Hanne and her father and what happened to Hanne and why she was banished to the depths.
You’ll love this book and definitely will be sucked into their world. Penelope’s writing ability and her amazing mind and creativity writes phenomenal stories which included action, adventure, parts of our world plus other worlds, dark romance, love, betrayal, steamy scenes and really great cliffhangers. She really captivates us. I can’t wait to see what what happens next!

[Alysha Hobbs]

4/5 🌟
1/5🌶️

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Full disclosure: I ended up switching to the ebook because the audiobook threw me off by placing the four prologues in the middle of the book. That’s simply how the story is structured, so don’t worry if you experience the same thing!

This was a refreshing take on romantasy, and I really enjoyed it. When you read as much romantasy as I do, a lot of the stories start to blend together because they share so many of the same tropes. While this book does feature another princess-turned-queen who is betrayed by someone she trusted, the worldbuilding makes it stand out.

Rather than rival kingdoms across different continents, the story is divided between the Surface and the Depths. Hanne is exiled to the Depths, where she discovers an almost entirely different world filled with people who are starving—not just for food, but for knowledge that she possesses as someone from the Surface. There are also mentions of dragons and goblins that we haven’t met yet, which makes me even more excited to see where the author takes the series.

There were a few aspects that I thought could have been stronger, particularly the romance. Romantasy relationships often develop quickly, but this one felt especially rushed. I’m not entirely sure why it stood out so much, but their relationship came across as more codependent than romantic at times. I think it was a combination of the FMC lacking much independence and the MMC’s feelings being driven more by obsession than emotional development. One moment they’re both denying their attraction, and the next she can’t sleep without him while he’s completely consumed by thoughts of her. The emotional progression just didn’t feel fully earned.

Overall, though, I had a great time with this book. The unique setting and intriguing worldbuilding easily outweighed my issues with the romance, and I’m definitely looking forward to seeing where the next book in the series goes.

[S. E.]

The depths has an interesting premise but the writing felt a bit rushed and clunky.interesting world building but So much happens in the first couple chapters, I feel like I start to wonder about a certain aspect of the world but am just rushed forward without further explanation.
Also a bit strange that the prologues were in the middle of the story. Not just a chapter or so but multiple chapters. We could have just started the story at the beginning and not do the prologues.
Also the prologue as the last chapter? That’s just weird. At this point just write the date/times at the beginning of the chapters. It’s not a prologue at this point.

The FMC is fine enough. I was annoyed that she’s thrown into the depths and meets these people and somehow almost immediately saves them by finding root vegetables, something no one else in the tribe for generations has thought of.
Not a huge fan of modern day language in a romantasy like this. At one point Allegra approaches Han ( not sure about spelling) and she says “ you’re going to come at me like that?” Modern day phrases take me out of the story or when Marco says he “respected her like a motherfucker.” Ugh, yuck.

The romance didn’t draw me in. It felt forced.
The love scene gave me the ick. From the MMC’s pov It seemed like every other word during the first spicy scene was describing how tiny and little the FMC is.
I’m not sure if I just wasn’t invested in these characters but I felt my mind wandering during the spicy scenes. There’s a lot and I just couldn’t bring myself to care.


I received this as an audiobook from Netgalley in exchange for a free review. If you do purchase the audiobook version, the writing can be somewhat cringey when said aloud. For example the repeated howling of the wolves read aloud made my cringe every time. It’s duel narration and while the female narrator is fine, I felt the male narrators voice did not fit the MMC. I felt his voice should have been lower and gruffer to reflect the character.

[Lory]

A Dark, Addictive Descent You Won’t Escape

If you think you know stories about power, loyalty, and destiny… think again. The Depths pulls the rug out from under you and then drags you somewhere far darker.

Hanne is everything a future queen should be strong, composed, ready to rise. But in one brutal twist, she’s betrayed by someone she should have been able to trust: her father’s closest ally. What follows isn’t just political maneuvering it’s deeply personal, calculated, and devastating. Her forced marriage is only the beginning. Because when that betrayal leads to her exile into the Depths… that’s when the story truly tightens its grip.

And it does not let go.

Thrown into a world of complete darkness, Hanne’s survival feels uncertain until Morco enters the picture. Brooding, ruthless, and driven by purpose, he is a force all on his own. Yet what makes this story unforgettable is how he never overshadows Hanne. Instead, their dynamic builds in a way that feels raw, tense, and completely addictive.

The romance? Slow-burn in the best way. Sharp. Earned. Unforgiving.

This isn’t just a fantasy world it’s a cruel, twisted place where survival comes at a cost. Violence, betrayal, and shifting loyalties are woven into every page. And yet, at its core, this story belongs to Hanne. What makes her stand out isn’t just her strength it’s her refusal to break. She doesn’t mold herself to fit expectations. She doesn’t surrender. She fights to define her own place, on her own terms and that quiet resilience makes her impossible to look away from.

And then…

THAT ENDING.

The kind that leaves you staring at the last page in disbelief. While also wanting to scream at the author for putting you through it.

I went into this expecting a good story. I came out completely hooked.

I need the next book.

📌 Voluntary review. No compensation just one reader who got pulled under and didn’t want to come back up.

[Shannon Carder]

This book completely pulled me in from the very beginning and never let go. The opening is intense and disorienting in the best way, immediately dropping you into a world that feels dark, immersive, and genuinely unforgiving. The setting itself feels alive - filled with eerie details, constant tension, and an atmosphere that lingers long after you put the book down.

What really stood out to me was how deeply everything is felt. The story doesn’t just describe survival - you experience it. The fear, the hunger, the pressure… it’s all woven so naturally into the world that every moment feels high-stakes and real. There’s no easy path forward for these characters, and that constant tension keeps you hooked.

Hanne is such a compelling lead. Even when she’s overwhelmed or terrified, she refuses to give up. Watching her adapt and grow in a place so far outside her world was one of my favorite parts. And Morco… he’s guarded, intense, and carries so much responsibility, but there’s a depth to him that slowly unfolds in a really satisfying way.

Their dynamic is everything. It builds naturally over time - through trust, shared struggles, and quiet moments that feel just as powerful as the action scenes. Nothing about it feels rushed, which makes it even more impactful.

Speaking of action, the pacing is incredible. The intense scenes had me completely locked in, and the emotional moments that followed hit just as hard. It’s a perfect balance that keeps the story moving while still letting you connect with the characters.

By the end, I was fully invested and not ready to leave this world at all. That final stretch? Absolutely unforgettable. I’m already counting down to the next book.

If you love dark fantasy with rich worldbuilding, strong character development, and a slow-burn connection that actually feels earned - this is 100% worth the read.