While I enjoyed this well enough, I didn't feel it had the depth & intricacies that Monsters Born and Made had, which is set in the same world. I'm still chomping at the bit for the follow up book to MB&M. I did love and really appreciate the diverse rep in this book though, & the characters were for the most part well written, however it did feel a little stilted in places which threw me out of the story. Some of the chapters just felt like filler, with only a couple of passages in each that held depth. All in all it was an enjoyable enough story but it's not one I would pick up to reread.

Thank you so much Sourcebooks Fire,Tanvi Berwah, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved Tanvi Berwah’s debut novel Monsters Born and Made, so I was excited to learn I was approved for this one. Tanvi Berwah did not disappoint because this book had me gripping the sides of my seat with suspense and excitement. The worldbuilding was descriptive, the characters were dynamic and featured development, and the pacing was excellent. With every exciting moment, there was a balance of slower scenes to steady the pacing. The overall story wasn’t complex either, so it made it easier to understand and enjoyable to read. 4/5 stars and highly recommend this book!

I spent most of this book trying to decide if I should DNF. I’m not entirely sure why I persevered, but it did leave me feeling uncertain. Nothing was terrible exactly, it just wasn’t great either… most of the characters stuck in their lane and didn’t venture out in any surprising manner. Our protagonist was strong but awfully whiny and self-pitying about it. She lingered over every mean comment or look and failed to appreciate the good in her life, which may have been little but was still there. The journey and labyrinth had some interesting moments but went on forever. I’m sure there will be more to this series but I’m not sure I’d be interested.

What a lovely fantasy standalone! This was so well done. It had a beautiful, complex story full of complicated and fully realized characters. I loved this world and would happily dive back into it!

A very interesting read. Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read this book. It wasn't really for me, but I am sure that it will be loved by the right audience.

Hard to categorize this one for me... It's like there was so much action going on that there wasn't much room/time left over for everything else--character development, emotional resonance, moral/ethical/personal implications, setting, exposition. I found myself skimming most of the action scenes (which were about 70% of the book) because they were hard to follow and got repetitive or just went on for too long.

One point of note, though, is that this book is set in the same world as Tanvi Berwah's debut, though it is not necessary to have read MONSTERS BORN AND MADE in order to understand this one.

***Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for providing me with a digital copy of this book to review.***

This book was ok, but I ultimately felt like we got very little characterization or any kind of moral to the story. It was largely action and then really cringy character interactions. The setting was pretty unique but that did very little without more to the story to back it up.

I had a really great time reading this book! I really enjoyed her first book, and while this one is a standalone, it is set in the same world as Monsters Born and Made. Which was great, to be able to explore more of this world!

Kress's life has been pretty awful-she's as good as a slave to pay off her parent's debt, which is a pretty evil system. Putting her life on the line to fight monsters, yeah, not the safest option, but it's a quick way to earn the money that she needs, until one fight goes really wrong and she's blocked from continuing.

That she gets pulled into this party to go into the deeps on a rescue mission, is a change, but it offers the chance to be done with the debt. I really enjoyed exploring further into this world, of what the Deep is like, and learning these details about the world.

That someone was probably gunning for her, that doesn't want her to come back? I had to know what was going on there, and I loved watching as that whole situation played out. Because of what her parents did that caused the debt, well, yeah, that was such a great part of the story!

Loved reading this book and I can't wait to read more by Tanvi Berwah!

Tanvi Berwah did it again! Gotta say that Monsters Born and Made is still my favorite, characters and plot wise, but we have another fierce girl in the same fierce, aquatic world, so I've got nothing to complain about. The big jump in the magic system surprised me, though. Can't wait to see the next thing that happens in this world (please bring Koral and Krescent together to ally up and reclaim this island!)

I think this one was definitely a book that I should have dnf'd as unfortunately it was not my cup of tea. It was a very predictable and repetitive plot which I did not like.

I unfortunately was not as gripped by this one as I was by Tanvi's debut. This however was still an enjoyable read and I will be picking up her next.

In *Somewhere in the Deep* by Tanvi Berwah, the story starts with a confusing plot that quickly loses its appeal. The introduction of too many characters within the first few pages turns the narrative into a puzzle, making it difficult to follow. After just 50 pages, the lack of depth in the characters and the uninspiring fantasy world contribute to a disengaging reading experience. The book struggles to maintain interest, as both the storyline and the world-building fail to captivate readers. I would give it 2 stars.

"Somewhere in the Deep" by Tanvi Berwah is a fantasy adventure that takes readers into the harrowing depths of Kar Atish, following Krescent Dune on her quest for freedom and redemption. The novel starts with Krescent, or Kress, burdened by her parents' debts and shunned after being banned from the fighting pits where she once earned her living. An offer to lead an expedition into the island's deepest mines appears as her last chance to clear her debts and start anew.

The most compelling aspect of this book is its world-building. Kar Atish is vividly brought to life through detailed descriptions of its treacherous landscapes and the zargunine mines. The setting plays a critical role, almost becoming a character itself, with its hidden secrets and lurking dangers. The depiction of the island’s oppressive social hierarchy, where the Landers dominate and exploit the Renters, resonates as a poignant allegory of colonialism, echoing historical parallels such as British rule in India and French colonialism in North Africa.

The dynamic between Kress and Rivan, her steadfast friend and secret love interest, adds emotional depth. Their relationship evolves naturally, with moments of tenderness and tension that feel genuine. The dialogue between them often provides a much-needed respite from the constant peril, highlighting their unspoken bond and mutual reliance.

The political undertones enrich the narrative, adding layers of complexity to the adventure. The author's exploration of colonialism and social injustice grounds the fantasy elements in real-world issues, making the story more relatable and thought-provoking.

However, the novel is not without its flaws. The monsters, while integral to the plot, lack the visceral detail that would make them truly terrifying. Descriptions of these creatures are often too vague, failing to evoke the spine-chilling fear one might expect from a book centered around fighting beasts in dark, claustrophobic tunnels.

Character development is another area where the book falls short. Aside from Kress and Rivan, other characters feel underdeveloped, serving more as plot devices than fully realized individuals. The motivations and backstories of key figures like Harren and Racksha are glossed over, leaving readers with a sense of wanting more.

The pacing of the story, while generally brisk, suffers from repetition. The journey through the mines becomes monotonous, with encounters with monsters and treacherous landscapes blending into a repetitive cycle. This predictability detracts from the suspense and excitement, making parts of the story feel like a slog.

To enhance the narrative, the author could invest more in the descriptions of both the monsters and the underground setting. Detailed imagery of the creatures and the unique features of the mines would create a more immersive and gripping experience. Additionally, fleshing out secondary characters and their relationships with Kress would add depth and complexity to the story, making their fates more impactful.

The inclusion of a map at the beginning of the book could also help readers visualize the intricate layout of Kar Atish and the mines, aiding in their understanding of the characters' journey.

"Somewhere in the Deep" is an engaging read that excels in world-building and thematic depth but falters in character development and descriptive detail. Despite its shortcomings, the book offers a compelling adventure with a strong protagonist and a richly imagined setting. Fans of fantasy adventure with a penchant for political allegory will find much to appreciate in Krescent Dune’s story.

Overall, this book is a solid addition to the fantasy genre, with enough intrigue and action to keep readers invested, even if it leaves them wishing for a bit more in terms of creature scares and character development.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book started off with a lot of action and I was pulled right into this world. I enjoyed the mythical and magical creatures in this book and the journey through the mines. At times the book seemed to drag a little, but I really enjoyed the way in which this whole book wrapped up very nicely.

This is an easy read that was written really well. The problem was it was not that captivating. I did not really connect with the characters. I like how she described the underground. It was really atmospheric. I credit the writer for her world building. The monsters were also good. However, living in this place, monsters everywhere. I don’t get it. Rivan is also not someone I endeared to as well. He is so much like “No, I’ll protect you.” No, you’re definitely another burden for Kress. Thus the 3 stars.

Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC copy.

I really enjoyed the author’s debut so I was really disappointed to have not enjoyed this one. I just thought it was really cliche, and having the setting be the same for most of the novel really limited the worldbuilding I was really looking forward to.

I loved the romance! they understood each and could be themselves together. The chemistry between them was amazing! I also loved the slow-burn and the sexual tension between the main characters. There were several scenes that made me blush and smile so much. The writing is beautiful and descriptive. I honestly felt like I was living in the world with the characters. I felt so many emotions while reading this book, I cried, I laughed and I smiled. This book will stay in my heart for a long time.

Mixed feelings on this one.
The story was good, but there was just something missing for me.
The romance was just okay.
I feel like I maybe needed more descriptions and the story and characters as a whole to be fleshed out more.
IDK.
An okay read that could have been great.

Somewhere in the Deep was not the most boring book that I have read in 2023. At first, I was really interested because our main character, Krescent, is a slave who was made accountable to pay off her dead parent’s debts. In order to do this, she joins monster fights wherein she earns money whenever she wins over the weird monsters on the battle arena. For me, this was a good premise and it really upped my hopes because I assumed that I’d be reading about some sort of gladiator battles all throughout the story. Unfortunately, the story took a wrong turn and had me hobbling along with our characters in exploring the Deep.

There was more talk about how to explore caves safely, what kind of PPEs to wear, what kind of responses to make when exploring unknown areas. I am person who is easily frightened that’s why I don’t usually watch horror and thriller films because I don’t like being frightened. I thought that Somewhere in the Deep is going to frighten me out of my wits but lo and behold, I got bored and yeah, I have to play Stardew Valley and Sims 4 in between my reading hours because killing my sims and having them fight are more exciting than reading about Krescent descending into the Deep and dealing with unknown monsters lurking there. But the monsters did not frighten me, it’s as if they’re just on the background scene and the author just really wants to show us how expert cave explorers do it. Well, I am not interested with theoretical cave exploration because I’d rather try that first hand. What I want is to be breathless while reading about these monsters while our main character is trying to keep every one in her party alive.

All in all, I wish there was more adrenaline pumped into this book. It was not a bad read per se but the writing of the battle scenes and the monsters could’ve been improved. Thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for the e-ARC.

Ich weiß ehrlich gesagt nicht, wie ich dieses Buch bewerten soll, da ich es aufgrund relativ kurzer Ausleihdauer (ohne Verlängerung) nicht lesen konnte.