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A review by kaelynbyers
From These Dark Depths by Vanessa Rasanen
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
When Declan is taken by rival ship to retrieve an enchanted dagger, the crew of the Siren's Song follows behind in hopes to save their friend from the deadly siren that hold the dagger. But beneath the physical challenge of getting their friend back, the crew also deals with betrayal and love, navigating the unknown to try and repair relationships that they thought they had lost.
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I have a lot of really wonderful things to say about this book, so I will say as many of them as I can.
1. This world is so well written.
Each and every new element that you are introduced to flows seamlessly into the elements that you were already familiar with. I have yet to find an aspect of this world that has caused me to stop and question the intentions of the author. Rasanen has such an amazing grasp on what she created and that is refreshing when it comes to the fantasy genre.
2. The characters fit together like a puzzle.
Book one seemed like some of the characters didn't fit as well as I wanted them to, but book two did nothing but smooth out those rough edges and now I am obsessed with how well the characters were written. They complement each other so well, and as the books progress you continue to reveal a new depth to the characters that makes them such an addicting team, amazing chemistry between all of the characters, and their personalities work so well together.
3. The slow burn in this book is UNDESCRIBABLE.
I don't know how Rasanen does it, but this slow burn is both infuriating and tolerable. I have read slow burns where I have been tempted to throw by book across the room and quit reading because of the tension that I can no longer handle. But with this book, I find the slow burn to be done in a way that has found a balance. It is slow, don't get me wrong, and it is torture at times, but I can tell that the burn is going to be worth the wait.
4. The distance between Aoife and Declan is well written.
I have seen people complaining about the fact that the two main characters, and the two who are dealing with their feelings for each other, are separated for a majority of the book. With Declan and Aoife falling out at the end of book one and Declan quickly being taken in book two, this does leave them alone for most of this book, but I think the space was necessary. For either of them to rush back to each other and ignore the concerns they both have would have been really hard to deal with. But in being apart for the whole book, you got to see both of them processing their part in the hurts they both experienced, the actions they plan on taking when it comes to being reunited, and then we do get to see that reunion, as chaotic and short as it is. The characters needed the space to come to their own conclusions concerning their relationship and in giving them that space Rasanen set herself up very well for book three!!
---------------------------------------------------------
I have a lot of really wonderful things to say about this book, so I will say as many of them as I can.
1. This world is so well written.
Each and every new element that you are introduced to flows seamlessly into the elements that you were already familiar with. I have yet to find an aspect of this world that has caused me to stop and question the intentions of the author. Rasanen has such an amazing grasp on what she created and that is refreshing when it comes to the fantasy genre.
2. The characters fit together like a puzzle.
Book one seemed like some of the characters didn't fit as well as I wanted them to, but book two did nothing but smooth out those rough edges and now I am obsessed with how well the characters were written. They complement each other so well, and as the books progress you continue to reveal a new depth to the characters that makes them such an addicting team, amazing chemistry between all of the characters, and their personalities work so well together.
3. The slow burn in this book is UNDESCRIBABLE.
I don't know how Rasanen does it, but this slow burn is both infuriating and tolerable. I have read slow burns where I have been tempted to throw by book across the room and quit reading because of the tension that I can no longer handle. But with this book, I find the slow burn to be done in a way that has found a balance. It is slow, don't get me wrong, and it is torture at times, but I can tell that the burn is going to be worth the wait.
4. The distance between Aoife and Declan is well written.
I have seen people complaining about the fact that the two main characters, and the two who are dealing with their feelings for each other, are separated for a majority of the book. With Declan and Aoife falling out at the end of book one and Declan quickly being taken in book two, this does leave them alone for most of this book, but I think the space was necessary. For either of them to rush back to each other and ignore the concerns they both have would have been really hard to deal with. But in being apart for the whole book, you got to see both of them processing their part in the hurts they both experienced, the actions they plan on taking when it comes to being reunited, and then we do get to see that reunion, as chaotic and short as it is. The characters needed the space to come to their own conclusions concerning their relationship and in giving them that space Rasanen set herself up very well for book three!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Violence, and Grief