Scan barcode
abelh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Moderate: Cursing, Grief, and Classism
beeontoast's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Moderate: Kidnapping and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Confinement, Cursing, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
analenegrace's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Tal and Athlen were fun characters, as were the side characters, and if she were ever willing, I would love more from this universe. As a note, the fact that classism and misogyny existed but homophobia didn't was an interesting choice.
I would love to know more about the mermaids, was Athlen the last? Where are they if not??? I need to know!
Moderate: Cursing, Violence, Stalking, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Misogyny and Classism
bingereadingandtea's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Self harm, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Chronic illness, Cursing, Slavery, Death of parent, Alcohol, and War
Minor: Body horror and Suicidal thoughts
adonis_march's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
In the best way possible, In Deeper Waters is like investigating what the events of Avatar The Last Airbender would be like from the perspective of Zuko’s grandkids. It begins incredibly slow, and the writing style takes a bit to get used to. Especially in the beginning, some of the choices used read a la an above average Wattpad/AO3 fanfic.
HOWEVER, by god was Talisen’s emotional arc incredibly well-written and engaging. There are painfully realistic spirals and turns that could be seen as an extended metaphor for inherited mental illness or personality disorder. The rest of the characters also became hopelessly endearing, overcoming any challenges in prose.
All the pirates were evil though, so points off. (Not really, but again, it was recommended to me as a gay pirate novel and it’s really not about pirates at all).
The ending was going to decide if this came down to a 3/5 or a 4/5 and I can assure you, it stuck the landing.
While it’s not for the light, fluffy mood that people recommend it, still a fun, enjoyable read once you push through the beginning!
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Genocide, Physical abuse, Vomit, and Grief
Minor: Cursing, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, War, and Classism
sssssoup's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The writing style itself was so fun to read. It had a lot of description, but it felt balanced with the dialogue and it didn’t feel overly flowery. The plot was also very well done. It has a lot of moving parts and I was impressed with how everything got resolved. You could argue that the ending was too convenient, but it made sense and felt natural to me, so I’m not complaining.
I also really liked the characters a lot. The progression of Tal’s arc was very well executed and I really liked seeing how he changed over the course of the story. I also felt like
I also liked the worldbuilding and how the author took time to really explore the world’s history. I think it would’ve been nice to have a map, but I was still able to understand without one.
Overall I just really really loved this book!! It’s definitely a new favorite of mine, and it exceeded my expectations by miles. The messages and themes in it as well as the ending really made me smile and I think it’s an important book that a lot of people would benefit from reading. I will definitely be thinking about it for a long time and will be recommending it to everyone I know!
Graphic: Confinement, Physical abuse, Torture, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Grief, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: Cursing, Misogyny, Medical content, and War
bookishflower's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was such a feel good read! When ‘The Little Mermaid’ meets ‘Luca’ (if Disney had been brave enough to give us a gay love story).
This was wonderfully whimsical, with a great balance between an engaging plot and swoon-worthy romantic fluff.
Athlen and Tal are the cutest and fleshed out which is not only enhances their romance but also the plot. Lukens doesn’t sacrifice their character development and the story in favour of the romance which is refreshing!
I am in love with all of the royal siblings, if this book got the Bridgeton treatment and each of them got their own book I would eat it up! The tease of a sleeping girl in Alemmeni and Garrett! Please! The sibling banter was hilarious, I caught myself laughing out loud serval times.
More people need to talk about this book?! I’ve already preordered ‘So This is Ever After’ and can’t wait!!
Graphic: Death, Torture, Blood, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cursing, Genocide, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, and Colonisation
miyothecat's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Torture and Kidnapping
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
annoyedhumanoid's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Confinement, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Gore, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, and War
Minor: Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, and Sexual content
no homophobiasnoutsiru's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, and War
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Misogyny, and Medical content