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The Depths
A tropical island full of secrets. Two Victorian ghosts, trapped for eternity. And a seventeen-year-old girl determined not to be next.
Eulalie Island should be a paradise, but to Addie Spencer, it's more like a prison.
Forced to tag along to the remote island on her mother's honeymoon, Addie isn't thrilled about being trapped there for two weeks. The island is stunning, with its secluded beaches and forests full of white flowers. But there's something eerie and unsettling about the place.
After Addie meets an enigmatic boy on the beach, all the flowers start turning pink. The island loves you, he tells her. But she can't stop sleepwalking at night, the birds keep calling her name, and there's a strange little girl in the woods who wants to play hide-and-seek. When Addie learns about two sisters who died on the island centuries ago, she wonders if there's more to this place, things only she can see.
Beneath its gorgeous surface, Eulalie Island is hiding dark, tangled secrets. And if Addie doesn't unravel them soon, the island might never let her go.
Eulalie Island should be a paradise, but to Addie Spencer, it's more like a prison.
Forced to tag along to the remote island on her mother's honeymoon, Addie isn't thrilled about being trapped there for two weeks. The island is stunning, with its secluded beaches and forests full of white flowers. But there's something eerie and unsettling about the place.
After Addie meets an enigmatic boy on the beach, all the flowers start turning pink. The island loves you, he tells her. But she can't stop sleepwalking at night, the birds keep calling her name, and there's a strange little girl in the woods who wants to play hide-and-seek. When Addie learns about two sisters who died on the island centuries ago, she wonders if there's more to this place, things only she can see.
Beneath its gorgeous surface, Eulalie Island is hiding dark, tangled secrets. And if Addie doesn't unravel them soon, the island might never let her go.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published September 13, 2022
53 people are currently reading
8757 people want to read
About the author
Nicole Lesperance
5 books272 followersNicole grew up on Cape Cod and graduated from Wesleyan University. She spent a few years in London and now lives near Boston with her family and two rambunctious black cats. She writes young adult and middle grade books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 544 reviews
August 9, 2022
"There’s a video of me dying on the internet, and I can’t stop watching it. My mother says it’s morbid, and I need to stop."
Imagine if M. Night Shyamalan wrote books. Better yet, imagine if he wrote gothic YA. This reads as if the master of weird wrote this himself. Think Old meets American Horror Story.
Spooky reads are my forte. I love that feeling of uneasiness while reading something terrifying. The way the cover looks, I had that feeling that something weird and dark was lurking between the trees. I didn’t know for sure but I was excited to find out.
This started off a lot slower than I like. It wasn’t as spooky as I thought it was going to be but it had some magical aspects. When it starts off with the main character watching her death before she was brought back to life, I imagined we were going to get someone haunted by their life. We actually get someone who obsesses over that video and discovers the island she is on for her parent's honeymoon is more than what she ever could have imagined. I wouldn't say scary, interesting is more like it.
The Depths was an okay read. Things were hit and miss for me but I still found it entertaining. If you love the gothic feel of Crimson Peak, the bizarre story of Old, and the craziness that was House of Hollow then you'll easily fall in love with this book.
Imagine if M. Night Shyamalan wrote books. Better yet, imagine if he wrote gothic YA. This reads as if the master of weird wrote this himself. Think Old meets American Horror Story.
Spooky reads are my forte. I love that feeling of uneasiness while reading something terrifying. The way the cover looks, I had that feeling that something weird and dark was lurking between the trees. I didn’t know for sure but I was excited to find out.
This started off a lot slower than I like. It wasn’t as spooky as I thought it was going to be but it had some magical aspects. When it starts off with the main character watching her death before she was brought back to life, I imagined we were going to get someone haunted by their life. We actually get someone who obsesses over that video and discovers the island she is on for her parent's honeymoon is more than what she ever could have imagined. I wouldn't say scary, interesting is more like it.
The Depths was an okay read. Things were hit and miss for me but I still found it entertaining. If you love the gothic feel of Crimson Peak, the bizarre story of Old, and the craziness that was House of Hollow then you'll easily fall in love with this book.
March 9, 2025
This is the kind of story that could be adapted into a movie AmandaTheJedi would review.
November 2, 2022
I loved this book! I got it from Owlcrate's Halloween box, and I thought it was great. The author did such a wonderful job with her descriptions that I could see the island perfectly in my mind.
September 17, 2022
Beautiful, immersive, and haunting. I've always been a fan of Lesperance's writing, and this one took my breath away. I didn't want to leave the island even though it would legit murderize me.
October 8, 2022
Eulalaie Island is what saved this book for me--it was quite literally the heart. The island's descriptions and character were more relatable than the MC, who read semi-comatose throughout the novel. I liked how the story started, I was intrigued at the beginning, but for the most part this was just okay.
May 13, 2024
The experience of reading this book was an emotional rollercoaster. I loved the premise of The Depths and picked it up hoping it be an underrated gem. I immediately liked the creepy setting and plot, but as the book went on I felt like some of the horror lacked rationale. I got bored of the same things repeatedly happening and the romance didn’t intrigue me. But then! The plot twist! So good. Maybe I should have seen it coming, but I’m glad I didn’t, because it re-sparked my interest in the book. And from there on out I had a great time with this book. So while yes, I was bored from like the 15-40% mark, the second half of this book was so fun that I’m giving it a solid rating despite its flaws.
March 11, 2025
Titulo: The Depths
Autor: Nicole Lesperance
Motivo de lectura: —
Lectura / Relectura: Lectura
Físico / Electrónico: Electrónico
Mi edición: —
Puntuación: 3/5
Este libro lo venden como un libro de terror, pero..no lo sentí tan terrorífico (aun cuando hay presentes varios recursos de terror, que no puedo ser muy específica porque seria spoilers).
Creo que también encontré el libro bastante juvenil (eso no tiene nada de malo, pero para mí que soy una adulta me aburrió un poquitito).
Este libro tiene una primera frase que de verdad engancha muchísimo, muy original, pero al final la misma autora reconoce que es un libro que escribió durante varios años, el cual sufrió muchísimas modificaciones y esto es algo que se nota, porque la trama por momentos parece perderse en si misma.
Una lastima, de verdad quería amar este libro.
Autor: Nicole Lesperance
Motivo de lectura: —
Lectura / Relectura: Lectura
Físico / Electrónico: Electrónico
Mi edición: —
Puntuación: 3/5
Este libro lo venden como un libro de terror, pero..no lo sentí tan terrorífico (aun cuando hay presentes varios recursos de terror, que no puedo ser muy específica porque seria spoilers).
Creo que también encontré el libro bastante juvenil (eso no tiene nada de malo, pero para mí que soy una adulta me aburrió un poquitito).
Este libro tiene una primera frase que de verdad engancha muchísimo, muy original, pero al final la misma autora reconoce que es un libro que escribió durante varios años, el cual sufrió muchísimas modificaciones y esto es algo que se nota, porque la trama por momentos parece perderse en si misma.
Una lastima, de verdad quería amar este libro.
October 8, 2022
First of all, can we talk about that cover?! Beautiful, gross, intense all at once. If the plants and insects give you House of Hollow vibes, keep reading.
Right from the beginning, when Addie tells the reader about the video of her death on the internet, you know you're about to go for a ride.
As an unfortunate third wheel on her mother's honeymoon, Addie meets mysterious people while exploring a mysterious island where flowers change colors, sparkling water that "cures" traumas and caves, houses and hidey-holes that cause strange feelings, from euphoric to dread.
I buddy read this book and while we each had our ideas of what we thought was happening and how we thought it would end, I'm pleased to say that we were never 100% correct; The Depths had us guessing right until the end.
I'm definitely looking forward to reading more YA from Lesperance.
Right from the beginning, when Addie tells the reader about the video of her death on the internet, you know you're about to go for a ride.
As an unfortunate third wheel on her mother's honeymoon, Addie meets mysterious people while exploring a mysterious island where flowers change colors, sparkling water that "cures" traumas and caves, houses and hidey-holes that cause strange feelings, from euphoric to dread.
I buddy read this book and while we each had our ideas of what we thought was happening and how we thought it would end, I'm pleased to say that we were never 100% correct; The Depths had us guessing right until the end.
I'm definitely looking forward to reading more YA from Lesperance.
May 14, 2024
This book was EVERYTHING I love about this genre. The characters were fleshed out and likable, the setting was atmospheric and the story was CREEPY in the most delicious way!!!! I read this in less than 24 hours because I DIDN’T WANT TO STOP.
I have never read Nicole Lesperance before and her writing blew me away. This just might be a new favorite🤍
I have never read Nicole Lesperance before and her writing blew me away. This just might be a new favorite🤍
November 16, 2022
A straight-forward enough book that doesn't try to be anything other than what it is. A slightly creepy story with bugs and weird flowers and an island with a mind of its own that shows its own brand of love in its own way.
February 10, 2023
I am a huge fan of cheesy teen horror flicks and this was exactly like watching one. I need this to be made into a movie asap.
June 2, 2022
4.5/5
This was such an enjoyable spooky read and I couldn’t put it down. The mystery surrounding the island was intoxicating I felt like I could smell the pungent flowers and feel the sweltering heat. The cramped peculiar island was the perfect setting for an eerie summer vacation story.
I absolutely loved characters Addie was really relatable. I really appreciated her realness. I always appreciate when authors don’t shy away from writing characters who aren’t always perfect and happy and have grief and grow throughout the story. I won’t spoil anything but the other characters and island inhabitants really gave this book great complexity. I loved the mystery and slowing trying to piece together the information as Addie experienced things and dug into the eerie nature of the island. I didn’t find this book to be scary per say but it was creepy and the descriptions were chilling.
The only thing I wish had been a little different was the ending. I thought it was good overall and appreciated the epilogue but I’m a sucker for “the bad guy”. This is just a personal preference but I would have liked to have seen maybe a redemption arc or just more intense repercussions and a possibly spookier outcome.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and it almost gave me Crimson Peak meets Moana vibes. I think it’s perfect for fans of House of Hollow and I’m obsessed with this cover. It fits perfectly with the story.
Thank you Penguin Young Readers Group/ Razorbill for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was such an enjoyable spooky read and I couldn’t put it down. The mystery surrounding the island was intoxicating I felt like I could smell the pungent flowers and feel the sweltering heat. The cramped peculiar island was the perfect setting for an eerie summer vacation story.
I absolutely loved characters Addie was really relatable. I really appreciated her realness. I always appreciate when authors don’t shy away from writing characters who aren’t always perfect and happy and have grief and grow throughout the story. I won’t spoil anything but the other characters and island inhabitants really gave this book great complexity. I loved the mystery and slowing trying to piece together the information as Addie experienced things and dug into the eerie nature of the island. I didn’t find this book to be scary per say but it was creepy and the descriptions were chilling.
The only thing I wish had been a little different was the ending. I thought it was good overall and appreciated the epilogue but I’m a sucker for “the bad guy”. This is just a personal preference but I would have liked to have seen maybe a redemption arc or just more intense repercussions and a possibly spookier outcome.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and it almost gave me Crimson Peak meets Moana vibes. I think it’s perfect for fans of House of Hollow and I’m obsessed with this cover. It fits perfectly with the story.
Thank you Penguin Young Readers Group/ Razorbill for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 11, 2022
I was captivated by this lush writing from the very beginning and was mesmerized all the way through. I LOVED the pacing of this story: the steady climb in suspense to the big climactic plot point did not disappoint. I love the description of the island with its suffocating smells, the uncomfortable humidity, and all the creepy elements that made us feel like we’re being watched.
I also really enjoyed all the elements of free diving! It was not what I was expecting but I thought it was very well done!
I also really enjoyed all the elements of free diving! It was not what I was expecting but I thought it was very well done!
August 28, 2022
Check out the aesthetic video I made for this book on TikTok and Instagram. @katherinebichler. Here are the links:
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRfK1s1k/
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Chzdiz...
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4/4.5 STARS
This is YA paranormal mystery/thriller set on an island.
Addie is on vacation with his parents on a beautiful tropical island. She finds the island to be haunted and alive. She tries to figure out why it is haunted all while trying to survive.
This was a very refreshing paranormal thriller. I loved the island setting, instead of the usual haunted house. The way the author describes the island makes you feel as if you are there. It isn’t really scary so much as it is creepy. There were a few twists and unexpected things which kept me reading. You can devour this in a day.
The book reminded me of The Lotus Hotel meets Moana if they were both dark and scary. I would definitely read more from this author. 🌺🏝🌸👻
Thank you Penguin Teen for the advance reader copy! 💚
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRfK1s1k/
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Chzdiz...
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4/4.5 STARS
This is YA paranormal mystery/thriller set on an island.
Addie is on vacation with his parents on a beautiful tropical island. She finds the island to be haunted and alive. She tries to figure out why it is haunted all while trying to survive.
This was a very refreshing paranormal thriller. I loved the island setting, instead of the usual haunted house. The way the author describes the island makes you feel as if you are there. It isn’t really scary so much as it is creepy. There were a few twists and unexpected things which kept me reading. You can devour this in a day.
The book reminded me of The Lotus Hotel meets Moana if they were both dark and scary. I would definitely read more from this author. 🌺🏝🌸👻
Thank you Penguin Teen for the advance reader copy! 💚
April 26, 2022
I love (a) gothics and (b) books with gorgeous settings that take me on virtual vacation. The Depths is both, and it enthralled me from page 1.
You won't soon forget Eulalie Island—its crystalline water, its poisonously beautiful flowering vines, its unearthly caves, and its birds that just might be calling your name. Addie just wants to heal and get her confidence back, but she finds so much more than she bargained for in this paradise: romantic tension, deadly danger, and calls for help that she can't refuse.
This book was a fever dream that caught me up and wouldn't release me until the last sentence. If you liked Crimson Peak and/or The Ruins, and you'd like to see the gorgeous aesthetic of the former and the pacing and terror of the latter combined into something that's chilling in a whole new way, this is very much for you.
You won't soon forget Eulalie Island—its crystalline water, its poisonously beautiful flowering vines, its unearthly caves, and its birds that just might be calling your name. Addie just wants to heal and get her confidence back, but she finds so much more than she bargained for in this paradise: romantic tension, deadly danger, and calls for help that she can't refuse.
This book was a fever dream that caught me up and wouldn't release me until the last sentence. If you liked Crimson Peak and/or The Ruins, and you'd like to see the gorgeous aesthetic of the former and the pacing and terror of the latter combined into something that's chilling in a whole new way, this is very much for you.
August 5, 2024
3.5 This was okay. It’s basically a YA horror about a teenager, Addie, who travels with her mother and new stepdad on their honeymoon to a special island. Addie is a free diver and recently had a near death experience where she drowned and was essentially dead for several minutes before they resuscitated her. This fact plays a part the entire book and honestly became a little bit repetitive at times as she constantly thinks about her death. The island they’re on is pretty remote and some strange things start happening. This book has paranormal elements as well as some fantastical elements relating to the island. Again, thought it was okay but not my favourite.
October 23, 2022
3,5 ⭐️
For me - This book became quite hard to rate. There was a lot that I actually really liked with the book. One example here is the atmosphere on the Island. And halfway through I thought this was a solid four star read. But then, the longer I prevailed trough the book the more I felt that something is missing and lacking in the story… and I think that the book would gain massively not being written as a YA.
Also I think it’s the typical YA problems with our main character that puts me of a bit when all I want is a proper scary ghost story 👻
For me - This book became quite hard to rate. There was a lot that I actually really liked with the book. One example here is the atmosphere on the Island. And halfway through I thought this was a solid four star read. But then, the longer I prevailed trough the book the more I felt that something is missing and lacking in the story… and I think that the book would gain massively not being written as a YA.
Also I think it’s the typical YA problems with our main character that puts me of a bit when all I want is a proper scary ghost story 👻
September 17, 2022
This book started off great, but then I don’t know. The third act was just a Lot. Like almost silly. The growing sense of menace through the first 2/3 was creepy, then the payoff was just too much. Too big.
October 9, 2022
Creepy, haunting And oh so perfect for spooky season
May 12, 2023
4⭐
…the bullet points
- YA horror
- with a creepy gothic vibe
- secluded island setting
- ghostly apparitions
- lively botanicals
- deep sea diving
Okay, so book hangovers are the real deal…especially when you just read/listened to the best book of your year, the struggle is real and sadly, this book may have suffered to impress me because of that. I tried not to let the high I got from *Fourth Wing* make me rate this book lower than it deserved and I was really feeling more like 3.5 stars but rounded up because overall this brought some fairly creepy moments…all while still keeping definitely in the YA zone.
…about the narration
🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️/5
- Phoebe Strole was absolutely fantastic.
...the score (out of 10)
- 7.8/10
- Opening ￫ 7.8
- Characters ￫ 7.3
- Plot ￫ 7.7
- Atmosphere ￫ 8
- Writing Style ￫ 7.8
- Ending ￫ 7.5
- Overall Enjoyment ￫ 8.5
…the bullet points
- YA horror
- with a creepy gothic vibe
- secluded island setting
- ghostly apparitions
- lively botanicals
- deep sea diving
Okay, so book hangovers are the real deal…especially when you just read/listened to the best book of your year, the struggle is real and sadly, this book may have suffered to impress me because of that. I tried not to let the high I got from *Fourth Wing* make me rate this book lower than it deserved and I was really feeling more like 3.5 stars but rounded up because overall this brought some fairly creepy moments…all while still keeping definitely in the YA zone.
…about the narration
🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️/5
- Phoebe Strole was absolutely fantastic.
...the score (out of 10)
- 7.8/10
- Opening ￫ 7.8
- Characters ￫ 7.3
- Plot ￫ 7.7
- Atmosphere ￫ 8
- Writing Style ￫ 7.8
- Ending ￫ 7.5
- Overall Enjoyment ￫ 8.5
October 20, 2023
3.5 stars ⭐️
Just the right amount of spooky to not be super scary and a pretty quick read. I just got so frustrated with the main character, especially at the beginning. Her behavior fit with the way a 17 year old would act, but I must be getting old because I was so frustrated with it!
Just the right amount of spooky to not be super scary and a pretty quick read. I just got so frustrated with the main character, especially at the beginning. Her behavior fit with the way a 17 year old would act, but I must be getting old because I was so frustrated with it!
August 20, 2022
Here are some content warnings for The Depths:
- Death and thoughts of death (but not suicidal thoughts)
- Blood
- Drowning
- Insects (spiders, centipedes)
- Child death (in the past, not on page)
- Death and thoughts of death (but not suicidal thoughts)
- Blood
- Drowning
- Insects (spiders, centipedes)
- Child death (in the past, not on page)
Want to read
April 5, 2021"A YA literary gothic horror set on a remote tropical island rather than a haunted European estate" Sign me up!! I want gothic horror in every setting thank you
November 19, 2022
This book was so unique! I absolutely LOVED the atmospheric setting - Eulalie Island was fantastic! It's creepy and unsettling and I never knew what was going to happen next. I adore dark and disturbing and this book definitely delivered on both points. The author brought the island to life in vivid detail! The descriptions made things so easy to picture without being too descriptive. Eulalie Island felt like a real place. This would make an awesome movie!
I found a certain twist to be predictable, but I still enjoyed the journey! I was gobbling up pages waiting for that reveal!
The pacing is quite fast because the mystery aspect keeps you wanting more, making this a quick and easy read. I read it in almost one sitting because I wanted to know the truth about the island and what really happened!
Despite the fabulous and disturbing setting, I didn't connect to the characters like I'd hoped to. The characters fell kinda flat for me, which is why this book didn't get a 5 star rating from me. I would definitely still recommend this book, though!
This review was originally posted on Novel Heartbeat. To see a breakdown of my assessment, please visit the full review here.
February 16, 2023
I really enjoyed the creepy atmosphere of this book but feel it lacked a lot of what I would consider Gothic. There is a general slow build to the horror here but I was never really creeped out like I expected to be. Maybe it's because an island paradise doesn't quite evoke the same level of eerie that an abandoned asylum or manor house does. I did like the main character but her struggle didn't quite have the impact that I look for in a Gothic story either. While I did feel like everything here was good, I just didn't love it... well, except for the fact that there is a black cat named Kylo.
June 8, 2025
This has been on my shelf a long time, and I don't know why I didn't pick it up sooner. I enjoyed the world building, and the premise was original. I struggled with the first person point of view (as usual) because it feels stagnant and boring (to me). It was paced well, and wrapped up nicely.
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If you love active book communities, check out LiterALLy BOOKiSh Book Club (on Facebook)! Games, giveaways, discussions, reviews, bingo, swaps, pen pals, traveling books, and a lot more!
September 29, 2022
4.5 stars. Gorgeous writing. Crazy but beautiful story. Guy lying about who he really is. Said guy trying to seduce you into sacrificing yourself do he can be free. It's always a good book when there's a guy I want to shank.
October 12, 2022
This book was perfect! Gave me chills and thirst for every page! I fell in love with the story and the characters! A great story to read for October! I did tear up a bit and it ended how i wanted it to! It gave me circus of the dead vibes. Addie was brave and billy was fun! I definitely recommend this book for anyone who likes a good ghost story! Perfectly written and a great story! I loved it!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 544 reviews