Sunker's Deep

The Hidden #2

by Lian Tanner

The second book in The Hidden series, magnificent fantasy-adventure from the bestselling author of The Keepers.

Sharkey is a Sunker; he was born on a fortunate tide, and everyone on the giant submersible 'Rampart' knows it. He's a hero, a future admiral, beloved by the ancestors. The trouble is, his life is based on a lie, and it's about to fall apart. Sharkey's been a fake hero for years, but when the Sunkers are attacked, he must become a real one.

Meanwhile above water, Petrel, Fin and the crew of the 'Oyster' have come ashore to defeat the Devouts, a group of fanatical Anti-Machinists who want to reclaim a secret weapon. Now, both crews must work together to fight for their lives.

Genres: Middle Grade, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Dystopia, Adventure, Post Apocalyptic, Young Adult

304 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2014

About the author

Lian Tanner has been dynamited while scuba diving and arrested while busking. She once spent a week in the jungles of Papua New Guinea, hunting for a Japanese soldier left over from the Second World War. She likes secrets, old bones, and animals that are not what they seem. Nowadays she lives by the beach in southern Tasmania.

Lian's bestselling fantasy series The Keepers won two Aurealis Awards for Best Australian Children's Fantasy and has been translated into eleven languages. Her second series, The Hidden, has been published in Australia/New Zealand and North America. Lian's third series, The Rogues, is set in the same world as The Keepers, and has been translated into Spanish.

Lian's first picture book 'Ella and the Ocean' (illustrated by Jonathan Bentley) won the 2020 NSW Premier's Award for Children's Literature and the 2022 Tasmanian Literary Award for Children's Books. A Clue for Clara won the 2021 Sisters in Crime Davitt Award for Best Children's Crime Novel, and its sequel, Rita's Revenge, was shortlisted for the 2022 NSW Premier's Award for Children's Literature.

Reviews

[Amita · Rating 4 out of 5]

thinking about how petrel has, so far, directly inspired four different characters to become better people. she's an icon, she's a legend, and she IS the moment

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I reviewed the first book in this series, Icebreaker, as a Holiday Pick last year. That's when I review on my blog at least 25 books over the 25 days leading up to Dec. 25. My son loved it and became a fan of this series and I asked my library for the sequel after we read the first.

This is the second in the dystopian-set chronicle of a world that has turned it's back on machines and embraced doing things the hard way -- manpower alone.

In the first book, the long-awaited captain of the icebreaker Oyster, which has been churning the waters of the poles hiding from the anti-machinists, turned out to be a boy robot. The robot is now the No. 1 most-hunted / most-wanted dead (are robots alive? or just on?) by the Devouts, the order that took over the world and banished machines.

Petrel, Missus Slink and Mister Smoke, the robot-rats, start on land and are looking for villages willing to learn about machines, like water pumps -- simple stuff that would make their existence easier. Except, the Devouts' iron-fisted control means they're quickly hunting Petrel and her friends, and anyone willing to listen -- much less help.

At the same time, you're introduced to a new cast of sailors, all aboard a smaller boat, a submarine called the Claw. The Claw, captained by Sharkey -- who's been lying to everyone about a mysterious message delivered to him as a boy by two sea creatures -- takes on a Devout spy, Rain, who's scheming to sink the mini-sub, much like Brother Thrawn planned to do to the Oyster in the first book. She's motivated to save her brother, Bran, and sets Brother Thrawn's plan in motion.

But can Sharkey and Rain live with their decisions along the way, after betraying the people who care for them and believe in them?

I won't reveal how it ends, nor too much more, just know that there's a twist concerning Brother Thrawn and Rain's father and the Devouts, which I expect to see developed in the third book of the series.

Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: http://amb.mystrikingly.com/

[Kathryn Levenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Characters are endearing. Not too difficult for reluctant readers.

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this second instalment from the author of The Keepers trilogy. The concept in this trilogy of a world in which technology grew so advanced at some point in the past that all machines and technology were deemed untrustworthy is very clever given the current technological climate. While on the surface the story is about Sharkey, a sunker with a history of manipulation and his journey to becoming a real hero, it is also a story about the importance of education, the fear of the unfamiliar, and the importance of advancement in all sectors of society as it relates to the benefits of the whole. We also continue the story of Petrel and Fin from Ice Breaker and continues the theme of the transience of tribes and hierarchical leadership. Finally, I just have to mention that the cover illustration is fantastic.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's 300 years after the anti-machinist Devouts took over the world and destroyed anything machine-made, plunging all peoples into starvation and misery and punishment. A few managed to escape, though, and the massive icebreaker Oyster has been circling the south pole for 300 years, developing its own culture, and the Sunkers have kept their culture alive in submarines. Now, though, the Devouts have discovered them and are bent on eradication. Sharkey, born to be a hero, is in a small submersible with a few young cousins when the Sunkers' one remaining large submarine is destroyed and its people killed or captured and enslaved. Sharkey doesn't know what to do--and he's always supposed to know what to do. Meanwhile, the mechanical silver boy who now captains the Oyster is bringing it north to try to bring technology back to the people, though that turns out to be a terrible idea. Once he and a few others--including the resourceful Petrel and her former-Devout friend Fin, who found the Captain--leave the Oyster, they are abandoned on land as engineer Albie mutinies to take over the ship. The Sunkers and the Oyster crew will have to work together if they have any hope of surviving.

I put this down several times, and peeked ahead, because it was pretty much 90% peril and that was too much for me. I thought the first book in the series was great, and had fantastic world building and great characters, so I wish there had been more of the world building in this. I would have loved to know more about the big subs before they were destroyed, and I had a terrible time picturing the Citadel and its surrounds--I couldn't figure out what kind of landscape it was or where the buildings were in relation to each other, etc. The characters are good, though there are too many to keep track of. Sharkey is an interesting character but unpleasant to spend time with, as he is so flawed and rigid. I much prefer the clever and courageous Petrel. I did like Petrel's pointing out the importance of bending when it comes to rules and ethics, as rigid inflexibility is a key aspect of the Devouts and their like. I think kids who like the first book will be very happy with this, but if you're looking for a less perilous read, this isn't it!

[Joslyn Adside · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book in this series is great, but I think this book may be a little better. The first book followed petrel through her life as a “nothing girl” and definitely resonates to people who feel invisible and/or like the underdog. It truly is a good book, but the second book is more action packed. Both books are amazing and you definitely have to read the first book before the second one!

This book was absolutely AMAZING…! If you love action and survival, this is a book for you! There are two stories within this book, two different tribes of mechanized people, that have to come together to survive, escape, and inform the world. What makes this book so good is the fact that it never loses your attention, there is always something to want with this book. This book embraces themes of fighting for your life, friendship and family, critical thinking, and suspense. If you are new to reading or not, this is a great book.

[Lyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sometimes, stories that are just like so many others I've read are exactly what I want.
Sometimes, I can't stand them.
This is one that was not for me. Could be because the last one I read that was similar to this was dreadfully boring. Could be because I couldn't stand the language in this one. Whatever it was, I read 1/3 of it and didn't crack a single smile, and after taking a break to go to work, I've no desire to get back to it. Now, it is really easy to read and has gone quickly thus far, but I'm far too busy nowadays to spend my fun time reading books that I'm not having any kind of fun with.
I do think it would be good for kids that are actually around the age it was written for, however. As always, I strongly encourage you to look past my low rating and give it a chance.
Note: I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.

[Drucilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very good and solid follow up to the first book. I dinged the previous book for not having much world-building (though considering it took place on a ship, maybe that was a bit harsh on my part), but this book definitely makes up for it. It's almost cinematic the way the book flips between groups of characters. However, I think if it had been a bit longer, it could have fleshed-out each plot line better. The book tends to jump around to each one and making it longer would have given us the chance to not only get to know the new characters better, but also really feel the stakes.

[Luke Shaw]

I think this is a pretty good book, the author does a good job of keeping the reader hooked. There was some dull spots where you were thinking when is this chapter going to be over. I like how the author used the hostage as a friend to the people that stole her, she wasting helping them when they were on the boat, but then she turned on them and ratted out their plans to defeat the devouts. But in the end this was a very good book.

[Ginny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loving the cover art of this series. I was surprised to discover that book 2 had very little direct connection to book 1. This could be a standalone, but reading book 1 first helps a bit to understand some story elements.
I did have trouble picturing where they were on the planet and what their surroundings looked like.
This is a good post-apocalyptic read for the young adult/middle school crowd.

[Donna Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A strong second installment in The Hidden series that continues the adventures of the crew on the Oyster while introducing the reader to the Sunkers' world. Both are fighting against the oppressive Devout regime which believes anything to do with machinery and technology is a bad thing. Looking forward to the final installment!

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's difficult to write a good middle of a trilogy. Ms Tanner has done well by giving us a whole new group of protagonists to fight alongside those introduced in the first book. The reason for the 3 stars is that I just found it very difficult to like the main character in this book, Sharkey. Over all, a good continuation of the story, and I look forward to seeing how it is all brought together.

[Lisle Library Youth Services · Rating 3 out of 5]

An excellent followup to Icebreaker, the story continues with Petrel and Fin heading north to combat the Devouts. New characters are introduced and the story sets us up for the third and final installment. Make sure to read Icebreaker first, this is not a series you can read out of order! -Will

[Sugarrr · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was not as good as the first one, but still good. I only wish the main characters from the first book would have been fleshed out more in this one.
I'm looking forward to the third book in this series.

[Trevor McGuire · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first two thirds of this book were basically a copy/paste of Icebreaker, which was unfortunate. Instead of not trusting Fin, now they don't trust Rain. The last third was meant to be exciting, but it just came off to me as weak writing.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good follow on to Book 1 of the trilogy. The Icebreakerverse expands and the mystery deepens. Looking forward to a whiz bang finish to the trilogy, hopefully in the near future!

[M.L. Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

While Icebreaker set the stage for what was to come, Sunker’s Deep raised the stakes, the excitement, and the hope. Looking forward to this trilogy’s conclusion!

[Earth&Silver · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing seemed to be aimed at a younger audience than my usual, but the characters were engaging, and I have a weakness for underwater adventures.

[Sian Ballantyne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this along with my 11 year old in our own little homebook club.

[Hadiqa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mannn! What a book! Last 100 pages got me crazy, wild and so anxious that I felt nauseous. Really, no kidding. My first time reading sci-fi and man I'm hooked!

[Luke Herder]

Amazing boook

[Pat Raab · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating story of courage and unlikely friendships in a world where technology and machinery are considered evil.

[Gabriel Quitugua · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting book that keeps you on edge. I love Fantasy Fiction books and this is a great one. I recommended this one to all of my friends!

[Jayden Lo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it was thrilling and adventurous, and I really loved it and couldn’t put the book down. I am looking forward to seeing the next book published.

[Danae · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5*

[Allie Spalding · Rating 3 out of 5]

It kind of was a copy and paste of the first book and put me in a small reading slump, but overall, it was pretty interesting and had good character development.

[Matthew Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

[Randy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The audiobooks for this series are EXCELLENT. The series is a great candidate for any middle-grade book club given its fun & diverse ensemble cast, plenty of action, and an intriguing dystopian setting. Great themes to book-talk too regarding robotics, zealotry, xenophobia, etc. I had a few nitpicks on some science details, but still 4.5 stars and few kid readers will catch or care about engine and logistics technicalities that were fudged.

[Emily P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not quite as good as the first one, but still.

[Jill Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sharky is a boy who built his reputation on a lie. Everyone on the Rampart, a giant submersible, believes he is a hero. He knows better and keeping it a secret means he has to be tough. He wants to be Admiral one day. When the Hungry Ghosts come in airships and bombard the huge submarine Rampart and sink it. Sharky and his small crew of children on the Claw, the small submarine, had been searching for the boxes when Rampart goes down. They believe that the survivors of the sinking are dead, or eaten by the Ghosts. They are the only Sunker’s left! Sharky is scared, but he must control the crew, this gets harder when he rescues a girl and brings her inside Claw. How will Sharkey command his small team? The singing girl and mechanical rat are telling him what to do, and he doesn't like it.

Meanwhile, on the Ice Breaker Oyster, Petrel and her fellow shipmates including Fin, the boy she had rescued from the ice, who is now her friend, and the mechanical rats Mister Smoke and Missus Slink, are searching for their Captain, the mechanical boy who has knowledge to save the world.
Both the Submarines and the Ice Breaker are from the old world and were sent out on a mission to save the world. They don’t know each other exists. When they do discover each other, Sharky realises that the girl he saved Rain, who sings, is not a ghost and that his family and friends were taken aboard the flying craft are still alive. He needs to save them all. Only a small mechanical rat and the girl to guide him they take a perilous journey into shallow water to rescue the Rampart crew from the Devouts.

Lian Tanner has a wonderful way with words and her story makes you believe the odds against the Sunker’s on the Claw, and the crew on Ice Breaker Oyster, are impossible! Especially, when the crew of the Oyster are fighting each other, and not wanting to come to travel away from the south to save the stranded Rampart crewmen.
I knew I'd love this book and read it quickly. I recommend it to anyone who likes adventure, mechanical rats and a hopeful future. This young adult’s book is for anyone and everyone.