bloopers's review against another edition
4.0
First thoughts: Good book on the surface but becomes mushy when you think. If I could, this would be 3.7 stars.
Something that brought me to this book was that it was written by Brendan Reichs. I haven't personally read any of his books yet, but I have heard good things about his Nemesis series. When I read it, I was partially disappointed with the horror. Let me explain.
Something I was expecting was those secrets in their own hearts that are mentioned in the very last line of the synopsis. Thing is, the characters only start asking those questions in the fourth part of this book(this book is split into parts).
Now for horror. The actual horror is pretty good for an elementary grade book. There are some small scenes of scariness throughout the book, like a figment trying to kill Nico, but the really good stuff comes in the last five chapters. Final Thoughts: The horror aspect of this book was amazing but it was pretty slow for me.
Next topic, world-building.
The world-building was okay. In the first few chapters, you get to learn about the things in Still Cove and how dangerous it can be, but then it just kind of stops when they start testing out the Darkdeep. It does start again soon after when the Radish Festival happens. Even then, you don't really get to know much about the world the characters are living in or the people in Timbers. Also, for the Still Cove, you don't really learn much about how things are happening there. Yes, there are carvings and some like secret society thing that guards the Darkdeep, but I would say those are the most interesting things in the book. Final thoughts: You don't get to know much about the world the characters live in as it is filled in with more scenes with the Darkdeep.
Second to last topic: Character development.
I really wanted to know more about the characters here. In the book, there is little to no information on Tyler. Just dialogue of him being scared. Emma is a big risk taker but there really isn't that much to her. I didn't really see any change in Opal. Shes really just a person. That's all I can say about her. Nico is the one who makes the biggest development, him being able to recognize that some people can help you. Finally, Logan. He learns that people can be cool. I will also say that the characters(not Logan) did counter their fears, but that happens at the end of the book so you don't get to see if there was any change in the characters after that. Final thoughts: Main character development only happens for select characters. For this reason, I would say that I would like to have more backstory on each character.
Last topic: The alternating character chapters.
I would say that this book doesn't need double character chapters. This book would be completely fine without them. In the book, the two people who gets their chapters are Nico and Opal. The book is in 3rd person, so either way, you get to read the other character's train of thought. Final thoughts: This book doesn't need alternating character chapters.
The book itself is a good book, but the main aspect going for it is the horror aspect. I feel like everything else is not included. I have so much hope for the second and third novels, and I hope that more background will be included in those books.
Something that brought me to this book was that it was written by Brendan Reichs. I haven't personally read any of his books yet, but I have heard good things about his Nemesis series. When I read it, I was partially disappointed with the horror. Let me explain.
Something I was expecting was those secrets in their own hearts that are mentioned in the very last line of the synopsis. Thing is, the characters only start asking those questions in the fourth part of this book(this book is split into parts).
Now for horror. The actual horror is pretty good for an elementary grade book. There are some small scenes of scariness throughout the book, like a figment trying to kill Nico, but the really good stuff comes in the last five chapters. Final Thoughts: The horror aspect of this book was amazing but it was pretty slow for me.
Next topic, world-building.
The world-building was okay. In the first few chapters, you get to learn about the things in Still Cove and how dangerous it can be, but then it just kind of stops when they start testing out the Darkdeep. It does start again soon after when the Radish Festival happens. Even then, you don't really get to know much about the world the characters are living in or the people in Timbers. Also, for the Still Cove, you don't really learn much about how things are happening there. Yes, there are carvings and some like secret society thing that guards the Darkdeep, but I would say those are the most interesting things in the book. Final thoughts: You don't get to know much about the world the characters live in as it is filled in with more scenes with the Darkdeep.
Second to last topic: Character development.
I really wanted to know more about the characters here. In the book, there is little to no information on Tyler. Just dialogue of him being scared. Emma is a big risk taker but there really isn't that much to her. I didn't really see any change in Opal. Shes really just a person. That's all I can say about her. Nico is the one who makes the biggest development, him being able to recognize that some people can help you. Finally, Logan. He learns that people can be cool. I will also say that the characters(not Logan) did counter their fears, but that happens at the end of the book so you don't get to see if there was any change in the characters after that. Final thoughts: Main character development only happens for select characters. For this reason, I would say that I would like to have more backstory on each character.
Last topic: The alternating character chapters.
I would say that this book doesn't need double character chapters. This book would be completely fine without them. In the book, the two people who gets their chapters are Nico and Opal. The book is in 3rd person, so either way, you get to read the other character's train of thought. Final thoughts: This book doesn't need alternating character chapters.
The book itself is a good book, but the main aspect going for it is the horror aspect. I feel like everything else is not included. I have so much hope for the second and third novels, and I hope that more background will be included in those books.
songcatchers's review against another edition
adventurous
4.75
'She knew only two things for certain.
The pool was the darkest thing she'd ever seen.
And it went deep.'
The pool was the darkest thing she'd ever seen.
And it went deep.'
This is the first book in The Darkdeep series and what a start! I see this compared to Stranger Things meets The Goonies. It also reminded me a little of Annihilation for middle schoolers with just a little bit Ready Player One. I know that sounds like a lot but it works! And it's about accepting your fears and inner monsters. Loved it. 😁
'Emma staggered to her feet, but her gaze kept drifting to the water. Horror lurked in her eyes, but something else as well. Wonder? Fascination?'
mehsi's review against another edition
3.0
4 kids find something spooky in the nearby cove, sadly silly drama make the book less fun.
I have been meaning to read this one for a while and then I had the luck to find the book for quite cheap and in English somewhere. I could finally read it!
This started off as 4.5, then we got so much unnecessary drama/bitching between Nico and Opal which continued for wayyy too long so 4 stars, then Logan was suddenly added to the Darkdeep business and things got weird and so 3.5 stars and with how things went afterwards.. 3 stars. Sadly, that means that this book is going to be donated or put in a mini library. I would have loved to keep this one.
I will write a good/not so good review:
-I really liked the Darkdeep and what happened when you went into it. It seems like quite a fun ride.. well at first at least.
-The figments were a bit hit and miss but I did like when they went fully out of hand and got quite creepy (though some figments I just couldn't see as creepy). Plus, I like the idea that figments/fears can come to life and have a frolick around earth.
-The houseboat and what it contained. Though we don't see a lot of it as the kids mostly keep to a couple of rooms, it was still interesting and I would love to explore it and catalogue all the stuff that is in it. There is so much and I am curious about all of them. What is their history.
-We find out about guardians who keep the Darkdeep in check and I loved the idea that there were doing this. I wonder how people are selected though and how they kept it going.
-Tyler was the only one with a brain. Or well a common sense. Whereas everyone else was mostly like let's do this and go for it... he actually thought it over and decided it may not be a good idea.
-The cover. I just love it to bits!
-I also liked the idea of the Radish Festival. That is pretty nice, though a bit cringy because it is a radish. :P
Not so good:
-The whole drama and stupid stuff between Opal and Logan and Nico. Really, I was just rolling my eyes at all the stupidity and arguments that went between them. Nico especially was just a dick. I thought he was way worse than Logan. Yes, Logan is a bully, but Nico is just a dick. Constantly being dismissive and untrusting of Opal who is just helping him and protecting him. Yes, at times she wasn't doing it right, but hello she is like 12?
-The horror. I thought it would get more creepy, but instead it was mostly just silly and nonsense.
-Emma. My lord that girl was definitely not first in the common sense/brain department when those were handed out. She endangers her friends but instead of seeing that the Darkdeep is dangerous she is just freaking pouting all the time that she can't create more figments... What the hell girl?
-The truth about the house/the guardians. It took till almost all the end until we FINALLY get some more information that would have been nice to have in the middle of the book. Now it was just too late for me.
-The ending was also a bit too open for me, I get there is a second book, but eh.
-How the kids thought it was a good idea to leave tracks that they were there during that moment of chaos. They should have known it would come back biting them in the ass.
-How everyone was acting towards Nico. I can imagine them being unhappy about Nico's dad and what he did for the jobs due to the owls... but being rude towards a kid? How can you?
-Logan got on my nerves. At times he showed he had a good and sweet side, but mostly I just wanted to have the Darkdeep eat him.
All in all, sadly I won't be reading the second book, unless I get it for free. :P
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I have been meaning to read this one for a while and then I had the luck to find the book for quite cheap and in English somewhere. I could finally read it!
This started off as 4.5, then we got so much unnecessary drama/bitching between Nico and Opal which continued for wayyy too long so 4 stars, then Logan was suddenly added to the Darkdeep business and things got weird and so 3.5 stars and with how things went afterwards.. 3 stars. Sadly, that means that this book is going to be donated or put in a mini library. I would have loved to keep this one.
I will write a good/not so good review:
-I really liked the Darkdeep and what happened when you went into it. It seems like quite a fun ride.. well at first at least.
-The figments were a bit hit and miss but I did like when they went fully out of hand and got quite creepy (though some figments I just couldn't see as creepy). Plus, I like the idea that figments/fears can come to life and have a frolick around earth.
-The houseboat and what it contained. Though we don't see a lot of it as the kids mostly keep to a couple of rooms, it was still interesting and I would love to explore it and catalogue all the stuff that is in it. There is so much and I am curious about all of them. What is their history.
-We find out about guardians who keep the Darkdeep in check and I loved the idea that there were doing this. I wonder how people are selected though and how they kept it going.
-Tyler was the only one with a brain. Or well a common sense. Whereas everyone else was mostly like let's do this and go for it... he actually thought it over and decided it may not be a good idea.
-The cover. I just love it to bits!
-I also liked the idea of the Radish Festival. That is pretty nice, though a bit cringy because it is a radish. :P
Not so good:
-The whole drama and stupid stuff between Opal and Logan and Nico. Really, I was just rolling my eyes at all the stupidity and arguments that went between them. Nico especially was just a dick. I thought he was way worse than Logan. Yes, Logan is a bully, but Nico is just a dick. Constantly being dismissive and untrusting of Opal who is just helping him and protecting him. Yes, at times she wasn't doing it right, but hello she is like 12?
-The horror. I thought it would get more creepy, but instead it was mostly just silly and nonsense.
-Emma. My lord that girl was definitely not first in the common sense/brain department when those were handed out. She endangers her friends but instead of seeing that the Darkdeep is dangerous she is just freaking pouting all the time that she can't create more figments... What the hell girl?
-The truth about the house/the guardians. It took till almost all the end until we FINALLY get some more information that would have been nice to have in the middle of the book. Now it was just too late for me.
-The ending was also a bit too open for me, I get there is a second book, but eh.
-How the kids thought it was a good idea to leave tracks that they were there during that moment of chaos. They should have known it would come back biting them in the ass.
-How everyone was acting towards Nico. I can imagine them being unhappy about Nico's dad and what he did for the jobs due to the owls... but being rude towards a kid? How can you?
-Logan got on my nerves. At times he showed he had a good and sweet side, but mostly I just wanted to have the Darkdeep eat him.
All in all, sadly I won't be reading the second book, unless I get it for free. :P
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
sc104906's review against another edition
3.0
I received this ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Nico is an outcast in his town, ever since his forest ranger father stood up for nature, causing the town’s economy to take a great hit. When Nico is flying his drone plane with the few of the friends he has left, the town bullies take the plane from him and send it into the mysterious mist in the woods. Nico is desperate to find his plane, so he enters the mist as well. When he disappears, his friends and bullies set out to rescue him. The group meets up and uncovers an abandoned boat, with many different curiosities. The group finds that when they enter a mysterious well, fantasy creatures begin showing up on the island. Nico and co. are excited to figure out what is going on, but they want to keep everything a secret. Weird continues to get weirder, when the fantasy beasts start taking on a sinister turn.
This novel is comparable to Goosebumps. It is less scary and more intriguing. I enjoyed the characters and the premise.
Nico is an outcast in his town, ever since his forest ranger father stood up for nature, causing the town’s economy to take a great hit. When Nico is flying his drone plane with the few of the friends he has left, the town bullies take the plane from him and send it into the mysterious mist in the woods. Nico is desperate to find his plane, so he enters the mist as well. When he disappears, his friends and bullies set out to rescue him. The group meets up and uncovers an abandoned boat, with many different curiosities. The group finds that when they enter a mysterious well, fantasy creatures begin showing up on the island. Nico and co. are excited to figure out what is going on, but they want to keep everything a secret. Weird continues to get weirder, when the fantasy beasts start taking on a sinister turn.
This novel is comparable to Goosebumps. It is less scary and more intriguing. I enjoyed the characters and the premise.
night_starry's review against another edition
4.0
I heard that this has a Stranger Things vibe to it. Yes it involves a group of kids stumbling into a mystery but it feels different though because it also has themes from the story It by Stephen King blended in. The story is told in two different perspectives alternating chapters which seems to break up the flow of the story. Not sure why only 2 of the characters were represented. It is a fast read but the way the characters develop and play on one another makes the story stronger than at first glance. Not just a group of silly kids meddling with things they shouldn't.
letsreadwithcats's review against another edition
3.0
I thought the Darkdeep was a well written, cute middle grade novel. I think I would have liked it a lot more when I was younger than I did now. Part of it was that I was expecting something kind of creepy along the lines of Neil Gaiman. I thought the Darkdeep was more goofy than creepy. I liked the cast of characters, they were all pretty well defined by the end of the book. But it was also ridiculous that they never told any adult what was happening. I get it. You can’t in middle grade/young adult novels because the focus is on the kids and them being the heroes. But still. Having an adult might have been helpful. Especially with some of the protagonists “kid logic”. They were constantly declaring things to be impossible and stating, “that’s not how it works.” Okay kids, but realistically you don’t know what you are dealing with and have no idea what is/isn’t possible. Emma was particularly annoying is this regard.
I was also a little disappointed that the ending is a cliffhanger. Personally I was much more interested in the “thing in the jar” than the figments but at the same time I don’t think I care enough to continue the series. Overall cute and enjoyable but not a middle grade strong enough to transcend its target audience. It’s okay, not everyone can be Kate DiCamillo.
I was also a little disappointed that the ending is a cliffhanger. Personally I was much more interested in the “thing in the jar” than the figments but at the same time I don’t think I care enough to continue the series. Overall cute and enjoyable but not a middle grade strong enough to transcend its target audience. It’s okay, not everyone can be Kate DiCamillo.
lazygal's review against another edition
4.0
Set on the coast of Washington State, Timber is a small town on the downswing, in part thanks to Nico's father's saving owls and the mill laying off workers as a result. There's also the mysterious Still Cove, permanently covered by clouds and known as a place Not To Go. So when Nico and his friends end up there, finding an odd houseboat with a basement, readers know that something is going to happen that can't be good, right? There are familiar themes here, and yet it feels very fresh. Some other reviews are saying this is similar to Stranger Things but I've never see that so I can't make that comparison. What I can say is that this might be a bit darker than younger readers can handle, but those in grades 6 and up should be fine.
eARC provided by publisher.
eARC provided by publisher.
lilaccoconut's review against another edition
3.0
A fun, quick read. Something of a palate cleanser. It's apparently the beginning of a series, so I'm curious to see how the story continues, but I'm happy with it as a standalone.