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The Depths
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.
2026 by Penelope Barsetti. ℗ 2026 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.
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.
2026 by Penelope Barsetti. ℗ 2026 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.
Audible Audio
Published July 14, 2026
About the author
Penelope Barsetti
22 books1,030 followersPenelope 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is the first book I've read by Penelope Barsetti, but I can assure you it will not be the last.
We have our FMC, who is not only brave but scared. Strong in mind but uncertain in confidence. Loyal to a fault and determined to survive despite having every reason to give up.
Then we have our MMC, and he's everything you want in a fantasy romance hero. The weight of his tribe rests squarely on his shoulders, and with that burden comes a truth he's never spoken aloud—not until the FMC comes crashing into his life... literally.
After being betrayed by someone she trusted and cast into the Depths, a chasm so vast and deep that even a pyre of fire cannot illuminate its end, our FMC somehow survives the unimaginable. There, she meets Morco, the chief of the Obsidian tribe, a people who have spent generations fighting for survival in a world swallowed by darkness.
Bound by duty and honor, Morco is forced to help this stranger from Above who has fallen into his world. At first, she is merely another mouth to feed, another responsibility he cannot afford. But before long, she becomes something else entirely.
Hope.
She teaches the Obsidian people survival techniques and knowledge long lost to time, and in return they gives her purpose in a place where neither expected to find it.
Of course, Hanne notices immediately that these people are doing whatever they can to survive and repopulate their dwindling tribe... and her womb is decidedly not up for negotiation or barter.
Overall, the steam is there, but the chemistry is even more so. You can't help but root for these characters and desperately want them to get their happily ever after.
The narrators, Michael Ferraiuolo and Ramona Master, did an amazing job and really allowed us to feel connected not only to the characters themselves, but to the tribe as a whole and the relationships that formed within it. More importantly, they absolutely sold the chemistry between the leads and made the emotional moments hit that much harder.
Unfortunately for me, this book ends on a cliffhanger.
Immediately, book two, The Shadows, has been added to my TBR because I have to know what happens next.
Thank. you to Netgalley, Penelope Barsetti, and Brilliance Publishing for this ALC.
It was so good that I read it in one day!
We have our FMC, who is not only brave but scared. Strong in mind but uncertain in confidence. Loyal to a fault and determined to survive despite having every reason to give up.
Then we have our MMC, and he's everything you want in a fantasy romance hero. The weight of his tribe rests squarely on his shoulders, and with that burden comes a truth he's never spoken aloud—not until the FMC comes crashing into his life... literally.
After being betrayed by someone she trusted and cast into the Depths, a chasm so vast and deep that even a pyre of fire cannot illuminate its end, our FMC somehow survives the unimaginable. There, she meets Morco, the chief of the Obsidian tribe, a people who have spent generations fighting for survival in a world swallowed by darkness.
Bound by duty and honor, Morco is forced to help this stranger from Above who has fallen into his world. At first, she is merely another mouth to feed, another responsibility he cannot afford. But before long, she becomes something else entirely.
Hope.
She teaches the Obsidian people survival techniques and knowledge long lost to time, and in return they gives her purpose in a place where neither expected to find it.
Of course, Hanne notices immediately that these people are doing whatever they can to survive and repopulate their dwindling tribe... and her womb is decidedly not up for negotiation or barter.
Overall, the steam is there, but the chemistry is even more so. You can't help but root for these characters and desperately want them to get their happily ever after.
The narrators, Michael Ferraiuolo and Ramona Master, did an amazing job and really allowed us to feel connected not only to the characters themselves, but to the tribe as a whole and the relationships that formed within it. More importantly, they absolutely sold the chemistry between the leads and made the emotional moments hit that much harder.
Unfortunately for me, this book ends on a cliffhanger.
Immediately, book two, The Shadows, has been added to my TBR because I have to know what happens next.
Thank. you to Netgalley, Penelope Barsetti, and Brilliance Publishing for this ALC.
It was so good that I read it in one day!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I knocked this audiobook out in a day, which says a lot because I almost never do that. Every time I thought I'd pause, something else happened that made me want to see where it was going.
Hanne was my favorite part of the story. She's been sheltered her entire life, but she's incredibly smart and constantly finds ways to help the people who take her in, even when she doesn't fully understand the world around her. It never felt like she was waiting around for someone else to save her, and I loved watching her earn everyone's trust. I do hope in book 2 she realized she is earning the praise she receives. However, I found her incredibly relatable.
The romance takes a while to become official, but it never felt like it was dragging. Their relationship develops naturally, and by the time they finally get together, it just felt right.
There isn't a huge amount of worldbuilding, but I honestly don't think the story needed it. The bigger pieces of history are sprinkled throughout the book in prologues, which ended up being one of my favorite parts because they answered questions without slowing everything down.
The audiobook was excellent. Michael Ferraiuolo and Ramona Master were perfectly cast, their pacing kept the story moving, and their inflection made every conversation feel natural. I was completely invested from beginning to end.
That ending definitely left me ready for book two.
Thank you to NetGalley & Brilliance Audio for this ALC in exchange for my honest opinion!
Hanne was my favorite part of the story. She's been sheltered her entire life, but she's incredibly smart and constantly finds ways to help the people who take her in, even when she doesn't fully understand the world around her. It never felt like she was waiting around for someone else to save her, and I loved watching her earn everyone's trust. I do hope in book 2 she realized she is earning the praise she receives. However, I found her incredibly relatable.
The romance takes a while to become official, but it never felt like it was dragging. Their relationship develops naturally, and by the time they finally get together, it just felt right.
There isn't a huge amount of worldbuilding, but I honestly don't think the story needed it. The bigger pieces of history are sprinkled throughout the book in prologues, which ended up being one of my favorite parts because they answered questions without slowing everything down.
The audiobook was excellent. Michael Ferraiuolo and Ramona Master were perfectly cast, their pacing kept the story moving, and their inflection made every conversation feel natural. I was completely invested from beginning to end.
That ending definitely left me ready for book two.
Thank you to NetGalley & Brilliance Audio for this ALC in exchange for my honest opinion!
July 15, 2026
Romantasy
Protective heroes
Strong heroines
Found family
Dark
Immersive world building
Dual narration - Michael Ferraiuolo & Ramona Master
Book #1 The Depths series
Wonderful world building and a great pace. I enjoyed that this was a more even to fast pace than the normal slow burn romantasy. The story had me enthralled and needing to know what was coming next. The narrators did a great job bringing this fantasy romance story. I liked Penelope's writing style, she has great world building skills. I am looking forward to more in this universe.
Protective heroes
Strong heroines
Found family
Dark
Immersive world building
Dual narration - Michael Ferraiuolo & Ramona Master
Book #1 The Depths series
Wonderful world building and a great pace. I enjoyed that this was a more even to fast pace than the normal slow burn romantasy. The story had me enthralled and needing to know what was coming next. The narrators did a great job bringing this fantasy romance story. I liked Penelope's writing style, she has great world building skills. I am looking forward to more in this universe.
August 5, 2026
This was new and refreshing. The way this story is written really makes you feel like you are part of it. The world is very unique and the main male character is a true, “touch her and die” kind of character. I have enjoyed the storyline and twists/turns it has taken. I tends on a cliff hanger of sorts, so that sucks, since the next book hasn’t been released yet. I most definitely will continue onto the next book when it is released.
July 16, 2026
Wow! 🤯
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to listen in exchange for an honest review.
I've realized I love books like this, strong FMC and a strong MMC working together. I didn't want to stop listening to this and I'm salivating for the next book.
This was such a fantastic fast paced Romantasy.
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to listen in exchange for an honest review.
I've realized I love books like this, strong FMC and a strong MMC working together. I didn't want to stop listening to this and I'm salivating for the next book.
This was such a fantastic fast paced Romantasy.
August 21, 2026
✨Audiobook✨
The narrators are good love their voices and how they act together.
The story is well written and it’s an interesting twists and turns
But I feel like you don’t move so much forwards in the story, it doesn’t move where you think. But still good and looking forwards to get to know how it works out
The narrators are good love their voices and how they act together.
The story is well written and it’s an interesting twists and turns
But I feel like you don’t move so much forwards in the story, it doesn’t move where you think. But still good and looking forwards to get to know how it works out
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews