Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Fear the Drowning Deep by Sarah Glenn Marsh, hosted by Brittany’s Book Rambles!! I am super excited to be part of this one, because I adored this book, and can’t wait to share my thoughts with you!
Fear the Drowning Deep by Sarah Glenn Marsh Published by Sky Pony Press on October 4th 2016
Pages: 304
Format:eARC
Source:Copy provided for review
Witch’s apprentice Bridey Corkill has hated the ocean ever since she watched her granddad dive in and drown with a smile on his face. So when a dead girl rolls in with the tide in the summer of 1913, sixteen-year-old Bridey suspects that whatever compelled her granddad to leap into the sea has made its return to the Isle of Man.
Soon, villagers are vanishing in the night, but no one shares Bridey’s suspicions about the sea. No one but the island’s witch, who isn’t as frightening as she first appears, and the handsome dark-haired lad Bridey rescues from a grim and watery fate. The cause of the deep gashes in Fynn’s stomach and his lost memories are, like the recent disappearances, a mystery well-guarded by the sea. In exchange for saving his life, Fynn teaches Bridey to master her fear of the water — stealing her heart in the process.
Now, Bridey must work with the Isle’s eccentric witch and the boy she isn’t sure she can trust — because if she can’t uncover the truth about the ancient evil in the water, everyone she loves will walk into the sea, never to return.
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!
The Isle of Man
I love to travel. Like, a lot. I have an insatiable wanderlust, and the Isle of Man is my newest victim, after reading Fear the Drowning Deep! Yes, I know that it was set 100 years ago, and I mean, I’m a little skeptical of the sea thanks to Sarah, but everything about it just screams gorgeousness! So I decided to do a little looking around and give you guys a peek into the setting of this book, Isle of Man!
About Sarah Glenn Marsh
Sarah Glenn Marsh is the author of the YA fantasy Fear the Drowning Deep from Sky Pony Press, the forthcoming Reign of the Fallen fantasy duology from Razorbill (Penguin), as well as several forthcoming children's picture books. An avid fantasy reader from the day her dad handed her a copy of The Hobbit and promised it would change her life, she's been making up words and worlds ever since. She lives in Virginia with her husband and her tiny zoo of four rescued greyhounds, a bird, and many fish.
When she's not writing, she's often painting, or engaged in nerdy pursuits from video games to tabletop adventures. You can visit her online at www.sarahglennmarsh.com, and follow her on Twitter @SG_Marsh.
Open INTL, the winner will be given an ARC of Fear the Drowning Deep, plus the tote bag designed by Evie Seo!
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Follow the Tour!
Week 1:
8/1 – Bookish Lifestyle – Excerpt + Tote Design
8/2 – A Perfection Called Books – Review + Pinterest Board
8/3 – Booknerd Addict – Review
8/4 – Caught Read Handed – Review + Interview
8/5 – Dana Square – Review
Week 2:
8/8 – Alexa Loves Books– Bookish Style Files
8/9 – It Starts at Midnight– Review
8/10 – The YA Book Traveler – Interview
8/11 – Brittany’s Book Rambles – Review + Playlist
8/12 – Stories & Sweeties – Bonnag Recipe + Excerpt
Yup. This kinda had me at seaside village and disappearing villagers. And the atmosphere and early 20th century setting- more yup. Adding this to my TBR. And the Isle of Man doesn’t hurt either. I read something similar to this from a Canadian author a few years ago with people washing ashore but it was contemporary, and i like the sound of this one being in the early 1900’s. Sounds like it’s a standalone?
I’m so pumped for this book, Shannon! I love that it’s a historical and has a seaside village setting. I was hoping it was atmospheric, so I’m happy to hear you confirm that in your review. I’m a teensy bit sad about the ending not being entirely wrapped up, but can we hope for a companion or a sequel book? Is there possibilities for more stories to be told?
Anyways, I can’t wait to pick this one up and I hope I like it just as much as you did!
Lovely review, Shannon!
Omg I definitely want to read this book! COVER LOVEEEEEE. Okay that is a huge reason why I added it in the first place, ahem, but also because the story sounds cool. I’m not totally shallow. (Just mostly.) But it has emphasis on family and mythical creaturey monsters?!? I AM SO READY FOR THIS.
Oh I’m so-so-so very much looking forward to this book! Especially now. I’m getting even more excited (:
Thank you so much for the amazing chance. I can’t wait to read this one. And good luck to everyone on the tour 😀
This looks like a great book! Thanks for featuring!
Will I be scared?! Yes, that’s my first question. It’s the reason why I didn’t want to read it haha I’m a scaredy cat! But this sounds so good! So I don’t want to miss out on it at all. Let’s visit Isle of Man! It looks so beautiful! And it has a lighthouse! When are leaving? I’ll pack my bags.
Great review, Shannon!
I’m really, really excited for this book! Your review basically tells me that I’m making the right decision of having this on my tbr!! Great review, Shannon!!
Great review! I actually just read a haunting and atmospheric romantic suspense and it was so good! So this setting/voice/experience sounds like just what I want right now. Glad you loved this S!!
YAY! I also really liked how family played a huge role in this. And to be honest, I really had no idea where this took place. I just thought it was another “town along the sea” type of setting and just went with it. Nice to finally have a place I can picture for the setting.
I totally would have NOT believed Bridey. I would have probably died if I lived in that town with all those sea monsters. 😛
I’ve had this one on my wishlist since I heart about it- mysterious oceanic threat, Isle of Man setting, early 1900s time period, witches, and family….I’m all over it! I’ve got my eye on the Isle of Man during our honeymoon, so I’ll have to read this first to get in the mood. 😀
Woah the setting here sounds really haunting and mystical, particularly when it comes to the small town and not believing in those sea creatures. I’m glad outside of that that the relationships were well developed too! Awesome review Shannon.
I just commented in your tropes post about parents that are awful for the sake of being awful, so this won me over right there! And I love love when an author builds the right atmosphere for a book, it totally elevates everything about it!
Wow, this one sounds so unique… and the fact that it is also so atmospheric has me jumping up and down in my chair (chair dancing – as energetic as I get these days). I love that it managed to really convey the sense of isolation and urgency. I’m kind of meh over the loose ends… but with everything else being so good I could probably get over it. And what a cool setting! I don’t think I’ve ever read anything set on the Isle of Man. Very cool!
The setting is absolutely gorgeous! Thank you for including those images. It definitely adds to the story :).
Awww I’m definitely gonna put this book on my TBR! It really looks intriguing and that cover, and tote bag ahhh <3
Witches.. a sea town in distress.. eerie setting. This sounds so interesting! I have a love-hate relationship with the sea. I hate sand, I hate the saltiness of the water and I hate boat trips, but on the other hand, I do scuba diving and love to see the beautiful world under water.
This looks really interesting. Seems like the author is an amazing world builder. Adding to goodreads now. Thanks for sharing!