Review – Deeplight by Frances Hardinge (5/5 stars)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Length: 432 pages
Publisher: Amulet Books
Release Date: April 14, 2020
ISBN-13: 978-1419743207
Stand Alone or Series: Stand Alone
Source: eGalley from NetGalley for Review
Rating: 5/5 stars
“The gods are dead. Decades ago, they turned on one another and tore each other apart. Nobody knows why. But are they really gone forever? When 15-year-old Hark finds the still-beating heart of a terrifying deity, he risks everything to keep it out of the hands of smugglers, military scientists, and a secret fanatical cult so that he can use it to save the life of his best friend, Jelt. But with the heart, Jelt gradually and eerily transforms. How long should Hark stay loyal to his friend when he’s becoming a monster—and what is Hark willing to sacrifice to save him?”
Series Info/Source: This is a stand alone book. I got a copy of this to review through NetGalley.
Story (5/5): This is a very Lovecraftian take to a fantasy story and is appropriate for middle grade and older. Hark is talked into yet another one of his friend Jelt’s crazy schemes when things go horribly wrong. As a result Jelt is grievously injured and Hark finds the still beating heart of an eldritch god. Though the heart seems to heal Jelt, it starts doing other things to people as well. Meanwhile Hark is drawn into a separate mystery involving the military scientist he’s been indentured to.
Characters (5/5): I really loved all the characters in here. All of them were complex, engaging, and interesting. Hark has to make some tough decisions throughout and his blind loyalty is a curse he can’t seem to get away from. The side characters are just as well done; they are all intriguing with deep histories and a lot of depth.
Setting (5/5): The world building here is creative and amazing. This is a fantastic world built around islands that have only recently come out from under the rule of vast oceanic gods. It was so rich in history and just very well done.
Writing Style (5/5): This was engaging and easy to read. The writing is beautifully done; I never had trouble picturing the settings or the characters. Hardinge is quickly becoming one of my favorite writers. I have also read “A Face Like Glass” and loved that just as much as this book.
My Summary (5/5): Overall I absolutely loved this. I loved the dark Lovecraftian tone to it and how well the whole thing was executed. This is an amazing story full of wonderful characters, an intriguing world, and just wonderful storytelling. Highly recommended to those looking for a fantasy that is engaging, unique, and thoughtful.
