A review by alba_marie
Deeplight by Frances Hardinge
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"Gods were of stories and you can tell stories however you like. Stories were currency here."
I saw this described as a "Lovecraftian steampunk undersea adventure" and seriously, that is the best way to describe this story. Deeplight was wildly unique and honestly, a pretty amazing read. In fact, easily one of the best books I've read this year.
Taking place in the fantastical, watery world of the Continent, the islands of the Myriad and of course the Undersea, the world-building of Deeplight was stunning. Chaulked full of undersea horrors and dead gods, pirates and priests, corruption and beauty, Hardinge's world-building was so well done.
The story was a whiplash-inducing roller coaster ride of a plot. It was an adventure story in every sense of the word, with plenty of action, intrigue, red herrings, betrayal, near-deaths and surprises. The whole book dripped with watery depths and the writing was wonderfully irresistible.
Hark was an idiot but bizarrely a loveable one. His characterisation and character arc were perfectly done. Despite his bad choices and their consequences, one can't help but feel strongly for him. Jelt was the perfect evil friend, and their toxic friendship was so well done and so realistic that I easily forgave Hark even though I wanted to shake him and scream to wake up! The toxicity and abusive friendship was not easy to read, but unfortunately felt very real.
Selfin was harder to like as a character, as I felt it took a while to get a read on her. But it was interesting how Hardinge incorporated deaf characters into the book - sea-kissed, they're called, from eardrums burst in deep water - in a way that made sense and didn't feel token. (Another reviewer said that Hardinge was inspired to include deaf characters after a fan approached her to ask if she'd ever do so, so she found a unique way to write a story that included deafness).
And the steampunkiness. The weird submarines and bathyspheres, the strange technology and man-made gods - it was all just so bizarre and yet made perfect sense to the story. Everything about the Undersea, the Myriad, Lady's Crave, and Sanctuary just felt so right, so real, yet so unique.
Finally, the GODS. Oh my GOSH I love a good monster story, and Deeplight did not disappear! The Hidden Lady, and all the other big, scary, badass monsters that once roamed the deeps and preyed on fear and drowned souls. The gods may be dead, but they certainly aren't gone, and their relics are priceless artefacts that are highly coveted by most of society, leaving many desperate and adventurous souls going to great lengths - and depths - to acquire this 'godware.'
Everything about Deeplight was well executed and addictive, with an epic story and great adventures. I'm so glad to find out that Frances Hardinge has many more books and my library audio book app has several of them! I highly recommend Deeplight.
I saw this described as a "Lovecraftian steampunk undersea adventure" and seriously, that is the best way to describe this story. Deeplight was wildly unique and honestly, a pretty amazing read. In fact, easily one of the best books I've read this year.
Taking place in the fantastical, watery world of the Continent, the islands of the Myriad and of course the Undersea, the world-building of Deeplight was stunning. Chaulked full of undersea horrors and dead gods, pirates and priests, corruption and beauty, Hardinge's world-building was so well done.
The story was a whiplash-inducing roller coaster ride of a plot. It was an adventure story in every sense of the word, with plenty of action, intrigue, red herrings, betrayal, near-deaths and surprises. The whole book dripped with watery depths and the writing was wonderfully irresistible.
Hark was an idiot but bizarrely a loveable one. His characterisation and character arc were perfectly done. Despite his bad choices and their consequences, one can't help but feel strongly for him. Jelt was the perfect evil friend, and their toxic friendship was so well done and so realistic that I easily forgave Hark even though I wanted to shake him and scream to wake up! The toxicity and abusive friendship was not easy to read, but unfortunately felt very real.
Selfin was harder to like as a character, as I felt it took a while to get a read on her. But it was interesting how Hardinge incorporated deaf characters into the book - sea-kissed, they're called, from eardrums burst in deep water - in a way that made sense and didn't feel token. (Another reviewer said that Hardinge was inspired to include deaf characters after a fan approached her to ask if she'd ever do so, so she found a unique way to write a story that included deafness).
And the steampunkiness. The weird submarines and bathyspheres, the strange technology and man-made gods - it was all just so bizarre and yet made perfect sense to the story. Everything about the Undersea, the Myriad, Lady's Crave, and Sanctuary just felt so right, so real, yet so unique.
Finally, the GODS. Oh my GOSH I love a good monster story, and Deeplight did not disappear! The Hidden Lady, and all the other big, scary, badass monsters that once roamed the deeps and preyed on fear and drowned souls. The gods may be dead, but they certainly aren't gone, and their relics are priceless artefacts that are highly coveted by most of society, leaving many desperate and adventurous souls going to great lengths - and depths - to acquire this 'godware.'
Everything about Deeplight was well executed and addictive, with an epic story and great adventures. I'm so glad to find out that Frances Hardinge has many more books and my library audio book app has several of them! I highly recommend Deeplight.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship
Moderate: Violence