Fear the Drowning Deep

by Sarah Glenn Marsh

[shannonmiz]

4.5*

First thing you need to know about this book: the atmosphere is incredible. Like, I could feel the eerie, unsettling vibe of a sea town in distress. The story is set in 1913, which totally adds to the ambience- obviously no one can call for help, transportation is minimal, etc. It created a sense of urgency and isolation, and I loved it so much!

The setting was obviously perfect for strange disappearances at sea. Bridey is all too familiar with this, since she lost her beloved grandfather to one such incident, and has never been able to venture near the sea since. But as the stakes get higher and higher, Bridey gets bolder and bolder. It makes sense to the story, because Bridey cares deeply about her family and friends, which was another huge plus to this book. Bridey's family plays a huge role in the story, which is incredibly refreshing. And while they had their moments of butting heads, it was quite clear that they were a close, loving family. Bridey also had some close friendships, which had their ups and downs as typical friendships do. The family and friend relationships in the book seemed incredibly relatable and realistic. There is a romance, and I was a fan for sure. The synopsis tells you a bit about Fynn, but there is so, so much more to it than that, so I will just let you discover this for yourself.

The plot had me hooked, too. I wasn't sure at first, because I will fully admit that I get wary of mythical creatures and such, but there was no need to worry because it all felt very authentic, especially since the townspeople were so skeptical too. That made me feel like the whole situation was more realistic, because of course the town would not believe in magic and sea creatures without some serious proof!

The story is about the perilous situation for Bridey and her town, yes. But it is also a story of Bridey overcoming her own fears and demons, of growing up, and of navigating relationships and life in general. Add to that, it's incredibly well written, it makes for a huge win.

My only real qualm with the book is that I had hoped that the ending would have been a bit more wrapped up- there were a few open ends, which some people will probably be fine with, but worth a mention!

Bottom Line: Fear the Drowning Deep is a haunting, atmospheric tale of a young woman trying to save her loved ones while discovering her strength. Beautifully written, and not one to miss!