I'm honestly not entirely sure how to rate and review this one. It was so different from anything else I've read. It's difficult to explain and was confusing in some places and very strange in others. But I also kind of enjoyed some of the strange-ness? Overall, I did end up reading this fairly quickly and liked much of it. It's a nice blend of horror and fantasy.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review an advanced copy of this novel. I highly enjoyed it and will be recommending it to others.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

“Every story tells a truth and every story tells a lie.”

🐸Embark on a spellbinding adventure with Merry as she navigates the treacherous waters of a secret society in Candlecott.

From the moment I started this bewitching tale, I was hooked!😱😱

Merry is determination to rescue her friend Teddy from the clutches of the Toadmen.

When Caraway invites Merry to dinner and starts flirting, I was on high alert! His mysterious charm had me side-eyeing him from the get-go.

🐸As they journey into the sinister Deeping Fen, uncovering dangerous secrets along the way, I found myself on the edge of my seat, wondering if they would emerge victorious or fall into the Toadmen’s trap.

And then there’s Teddy—what a shocker! 🤯 The ending left me reeling; I never saw it coming! 😱 This book had it all: sinister vibes, creepy secrets, and an original storyline that felt like a breath of fresh air in the world of fantasy.

With a enemies to lovers romance and a pulse-pounding fight for the witching world, this book had my heart racing from start to finish.

Mystery, secrets, magic, and twists. This book is a must read for fan of fantasy and adventure!

"Deep Is the Fen" by Lili Wilkinson offers a captivating journey into a rich, atmospheric world with intricate characters and a compelling plot. The ultimate blend of suspense and depth makes it a standout read for fans of thoughtful, immersive fiction.

The premise of this book was so exiting, but I could not get into the story! 1 star overall. I hope to give this another chance in a few months, and will update my review upon rereading. Something just was not clicking with me.

Merry doesn’t need a happily-ever-after. Her life in the charming, idyllic town of Candlecott is fine just as it is. Simple, happy, and with absolutely no magic. Magic only ever leads to trouble.

This was a very cute Y.A. fantasy romance. I really enjoyed it.

Lili Wilkinson’s newest young adult fantasy novel, Deep is the Fen, was a surprisingly gripping read. Mixing bits of fantasy and fairy tale with romance and mystery, I was hooked rather quickly after starting. At times, I thought I knew where the story was going but the author kept me on my toes.

Merriweather Morgan, usually referred to as ‘Merry’ or ‘Morgan’ enjoys life with her best friends Teddy and Sol while also keeping her ability to see magic (or “mettle”) a secret from everyone she knows. When Teddy decides he wants to join the same male only group her father is a part of, the ‘Toadmen’, Merry is desperate to stop him and not lose one of her only friends. When she teams up with rival Caraway Boswell, however, they discover there’s a lot more to the Toadmen than meets the eye.

Worldbuilding caught my attention in this book fairly quickly. I really loved the secret society nature of the Toadmen, as well as the magic system in place in the world. Magic is controlled by powerful corporations, and they’ve made it taboo for anyone to practice it outside of what they produce. Rogue witches are locked away for “rehabilitation”, and the practices of groups like the Toadmen are ignored in the name of power. There are some darker elements in the book (bordering on horror), but I think it all blended together very well to create a narrative I found myself very invested in.

The characters were compelling too. I really liked Caraway and Merry’s dynamic, and it was fun to see their progression from rivals to lovers. As a secondary relationship, it was also nice to see Teddy and Sol’s love story too, especially since it’s a queer romance (Sol is described to be transgender early in the story). The various side characters were compelling too, and I appreciated how they added to the overall narrative.

My only complaint about the book was the setting. It was really hard to envision at times, what with the seemingly fairy tale village esque references mixed with more contemporary references (i.e. prom, conventions, cars, etc.) Once we got to the Fen, it was easier but everything outside of that was almost mismatched in my head at times.

Overall, this was a great read and I’m happy I took the time to pick it up after the blog tour. I would recommend this book to young adult fantasy readers who enjoy unique worldbuilding, innovative magic systems, and a “rivals to lovers” romance subplot. Narrator Imogen Wilde did an excellent job with her performance in the audiobook. While this book is standalone (and wraps up nicely), I will definitely be checking out more of Ms. Wilkinson’s books in the future (especially her debut novel, A Hunger of Thorns which I learned is set in the same world as this book).

Thank you to the author, the publisher Delacorte Press, the team at TBR and Beyond Tours, and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary review copy of the book as part of my participation in the blog tour. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review Deep is the Fen immensely. Please note - I voluntarily read and reviewed the book. All opinions expressed in the review are my own and not influenced in any way.

I tried so very hard to immerse myself into this swampy world because I absolutely adore these kinds of settings but the story was so strange and the characters felt so disconnected for me I just didn't enjoy this one. It was certainly weird, but unfortunately not my kind of weird. The idea of the Toad Men was cultish and although immersed in magic was not the enchanting kind. Merry was an unlovable main character for me, she was so opposed to magic and the romance and the back and forth between her best friend and Caraway was certainly cringeworthy. The pacing in this book was also definitely a drag for me and made it hard to even enjoy the climatic moments. I did appreciate some of the imagery that was presented in this book, if I'm being honest the setting and all the describing of everything in this world was my favorite part of the story.

Deep is the Fen presents a unique magic that is for sure a first for me! It's been a while since I read a book with witches in it, but what better way though than picking this book up that has toad magic in it! The toad magic definitely created an interesting story in this book! Reading this book, I enjoyed the back and forth banter between Merry and Caraway with their little rivalry that they had going on. We also see growth and acceptance with Merry's character throughout this book. Deep is the Fen is filled with twists and secrets waiting to be revealed! This book did have some bumps along the way with though some highs and lows when it came to keeping my interest then losing it.

Thank you to netgalley, the author, tbr and beyond tours, and the respected publishers for an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

3.5 stars

I was up and down on my feelings for this book. I thought the pacing was uneven, with periods of not a lot happening and then action comes out of nowhere. The plotline around the Toads was so strange, but once we started to see what was actually happening I was more invested.

The main character Merry actually feels like a teenager, making mistakes and overreacting to things, but then her friends help her and she's able to change direction and get back on the right track. I especially liked how things played out with her friends Teddy and Saul. I was worried it might be too dramatic, but it actually was nicely done.

The book felt like it was ending a couple of times before it actually finished, but it was a nice wrap up overall.

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thank you to Delacorte Press and NetGalley for the copy.

"Deep is the Fen" by Lili Wilkinson beckons readers into a world where magic and mystery intertwine, crafting a narrative that is as captivating as it is unforgettable. Set in the charming town of Candlecott, Merry's life turns unexpectedly when her best friend, Teddy, becomes entangled with the enigmatic Toadmen—a secret society steeped in sinister traditions and dark magic.

Determined to save Teddy from the clutches of the Toadmen, Merry finds herself reluctantly teaming up with her academic rival, Caraway Boswell. As they delve deeper into the secrets of the Toadmen, Merry discovers that nothing is as it seems, and danger lurks around every corner. Merry's resolve is tested with each revelation, leading her on a perilous journey into the heart of Deeping Fen, where the true extent of the Toadmen's power becomes horrifyingly clear.

Wilkinson effortlessly weaves together moments of beauty and gore, devastation and upliftment, chilling darkness and heartwarming light. The result is a narrative that is equal parts captivating and thought-provoking, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page is turned. With its haunting atmosphere, richly drawn characters, and pulse-pounding suspense, "Deep is the Fen" is a must-read for fans of dark fantasy and atmospheric storytelling.

In conclusion, Deep is the Fen" is a wonderful novel that deserves to be savored and celebrated. With its unique blend of atmosphere, emotion, and storytelling prowess, it earns a well-deserved four-star rating and a permanent place on the bookshelf of any reader seeking an unforgettable journey.

Top 5 reasons to read Deep is the Fen

1. The Magic is top tier!
2. Vivid Imagery that transports you into the book.
3. Incredible friend group
4. Stunning World Building
5. Rivals to lovers & hilarious banter

Something about this book reminded me of some of my favorite things in Mary Watson’s books. I guess it’s that it feels both like it’s set in the real UK world and simultaneously in a separate, fantasy world at the same time. I love that worldly/otherworldly vibe in this book.

The story also contains some themes that beg to be explored. (Think THE TROUBLED GIRLS OF DRAGOMIR ACADEMY, but YA) Women who have power are witches and imprisoned. Men form secret societies in which they promote and celebrate forbidden power. It invites some thinking.

It also has a great rivals-to-lovers thread weaving through it, and since that’s one of my favorite tropes, I knew I would be hooked on it. And I was! I loved Merry and Caraway’s characters. (And their names.) I liked the pacing of their getting to know one another and learning things about each other. Also, I liked the evolution of Merry’s besties trio. I liked that the author didn’t write Teddy and Sol out of the story.

I devoured this whole book in a single afternoon. The setting is immersive and the characters engaging. By the time I finished the last page, I was already looking at what else Wilkinson had written so I could get more of this incredible storytelling.

Content warning: body horror, mind control, body possession, drugging, murder, child endangerment, forced imprisonment

I had never read a novel centered around toad magic/lore before, so that was intriguing. This world appears to be heavily influenced by Wales which I wasn't expecting, but also really liked. I found the dynamic between Merry, Sol, and Teddy to be very realistic of friend groups that grow up together from childhood as they mature and romantic feelings begin. I liked the dynamic between Merry and Caraway even if it's more of a misunderstanding interpreted as being enemies (by one party) than an actual enemies-to-lovers trope.

Deeping Fen itself was glorious and Wilkinson does a great job with building the stagnant atmosphere of the place. How all the pieces fit together was interesting and entertaining - though at least in the ARC some of the actions in the final showdown physically don't make sense based on actions that happened in previous lines (for example, if a person is frozen in place by magic, how are then then collapsing to the ground when the spell isn't broken). But I'm hopeful this is cleared up in final edits before the book goes to print.

The pacing is very slow to start so it takes a few chapters to really get into the story, but once the plot picks up, DEEP IS THE FEN is hard to put down. One complaint I do have is how long the individual chapters are (they average 30 minutes/chapter), I wish they were split up a bit. Overly long chapters can be a roadblock for some teen readers.

Overall this was a great read that I lost a bit of sleep over playing the "just one more chapter" game. I look forward to book talking this one at the library and getting it into teens hands.

Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by NetGalley, Random House Children's, and Delacorte Press in exchange for an honest review.

This book is dark and beautiful with some twisted horror elements. It might be YA but it still packs some steam. The magic and eerie grandeur of it all has a haunting lingering effect and lived on in my head after I finished reading. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love some rebellious witches?

5/5 stars
Recommended if you like: witchy reads, secret societies, conspiracies

This review has been posted to Goodreads as of 1/19, my book review blog on 2/1, and Instagram on 2/18.

Back in the world of Hunger of Thorns, only this time from a different perspective. Merry is very much anti-witch and buys into everything that the schools, government, and corporations say about witches. Further, this book takes place in Candlecott and in the fen, two places that feel pretty far removed from the more sub/urban feel of Inglenook. At times it felt as though the two books take place in totally different worlds, especially since there was no mention of the Toads anywhere in book 1, but they seem to be pretty prevalent.

It was definitely a bit of whiplash going from Maude's POV to Merry's, and if you come into this one having read A Hunger of Thorns, then Merry's firm anti-magic beliefs might make you a bit exasperated since she's very much wrong. At the same time, I understand where Merry is coming from considering what she's been told about her mother's past and the way she died. Still, she's definitely a character who believes what she's told and doesn't really question it.

This book explores more of the underside of the world and how the movers and shakers get to be those things. As part of this, we also get to see one of the rehabilitation centers for witches, which is both more and less creepy than I thought. Wilkinson definitely took a direction there that I wasn't expecting, but I think it works considering what else we know about this world. It was interesting seeing how things are connected behind the scenes, and of course Ilium comes up again as a major contender for 'reason why bad things are happening.'

It was definitely interesting to see the direction this book took, and I like the secret society, swampy theme it has going on. Where Hunger had some eco-horror vibes, I feel like this one has more classically fae vibes, where you're having fun one minute and eating glamored maggots the next. I was intrigued by the Toad rituals and thought the mechanics/magic behind some of it to be quite interesting. I feel like there's the makings of a third book here, what with the first one being focused on poisoned mettle and capitalism, this one focusing on the dangers of those working buddy-buddy behind the scenes, and the next one can focus more on the front-facing side of Ilium...we'll see.

As mentioned, Merry is very anti-magic...except when she uses her 'threadsight' (aka witch-eyes), though she is consistent and doesn't like it when her best friend Teddy uses his magic. But her deep-held beliefs also transfer to deep-held loyalties and that makes her a good person to have on your side. She's also very witty, I enjoyed her banter with Caraway a lot, and thought her friendship with Sol was cute. Merry really comes into herself throughout this book, and I think a little toady weekend away from Candlecott did her quite well.

Caraway is definitely someone who is more than meets the eye, in more ways than one. I felt like it was kind of obvious from the get-go that he liked Merry even though she seemed to think he hated her, and I found him to be quite charming in an out-of-place sort of way. He's definitely keeping a lot of secrets, but I also think he kind of desperately needed friends. Despite the icy distance he can hold himself at when it comes to other people, it's clear that he cares for Merry, and toward the end of the book it's also clear that he fits in with friend groups, since he and Sol have some good interactions that make me want a novella of them bonding.

Sol and Teddy are Merry's best friends and they're a bit harder for me to pin down. The book opens with them all being extremely close, and with Merry seemingly pining for Teddy, but as the book progresses I found myself getting annoyed with both of them because they kept brushing off Merry when she repeatedly told them the Toad's were bad news. That combined with some other things almost made me want to see their friendship break up by the end of the book and see Merry looking to a future with new, better friends. That being said, Sol did come through and he's redeemed imo. Teddy needs some additional work, but he was also being manipulated, so not entirely his fault.

Admittedly I did find some things predictable in this one. I think this one might have been more predictable than Hunger of Thorns, but I still found it to be greatly enjoyable, and it was (mostly) the kind of predictable that makes you want to know how the characters get there.

We did see some mention of the events in Hunger, with Winnie making an appearance a couple times, as well as a throwaway line about Inglenook. If there is a third book, I hope Merry's group and Maude's get to interact, I'm super interested in what the dynamics there would be.

Overall I enjoyed this book and the way it expanded the Hunger of Thorns world. It was interesting seeing things from the perspective of an anti-magic person, and it was also interesting seeing a focus on something other than witches. I really enjoyed the characters in this one, even more than in Hunger! I'm also definitely hoping for a book 3 :)

Deep Is the Fen-read as a standalone

By Lili Wilkinson-never read author for me

Rating: 4 /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

📃 Page Count: 411

🌎Setting: Candlecott

📙Publication 4-16-24, Read 4-20-24

🙏🏾 Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children/Delacorte Press for this ARC💚! I voluntarily give my honest review and all opinions expressed are my own.

🤷🏾‍♀️ What to Expect

✅YA fantasy
✅enemies to lovers
✅friendship/found family
✅fairytales/folklore
✅magic/witches
✅coming of age
✅mystery/horror
✅damsel in distress

Summary: Merry(17) goes on a captivating journey to rescue her best friend Teddy from the sinister secret society-The Toadmen. She joins with her academic rival, Caraway, to fight in the witching world of secrets and dangerous magic.

🎭The characters: Merriweather Morgan is a typical teenager that makes poor choices and gets into trouble with her best friends Sol and Teddy. Teddy wants to join the secret society of The Toadmen where Merry believes they practice illegal magic. Her along with her school rival Caraway Boswell attempt to uncover the truth in Deeping Fen-the supposed place where an ancient toad ritual is completed.

🤔 My Thoughts: It was a little too YA for me. Merry was a great heroine but very impulsive, and got herself involved in a magical cult. I did like Caraway and Merry's hate to love relationship full of witty banter. I felt like I missed something in the world building so I plan to go back and read A Hunger of Thorns.

This is the 2nd book I read by this author and I really like reading this dark fantasy with a dash of romance and strong friendship!

The plot is fascinating, the mystery with the Toadman really glued my eyes to my kindle and the sweet rival romance also liven up the dark and eerie atmosphere!
I also like the great writing style which make the plot flows smoothly as secrets get unraveled one by one.

I really enjoy seeing Merry’s character growth throughout the story, her reality started to change after several weird events happening right in front of her eyes.
The conclusion was satisfying, I’m glad to see she finally accepts the truth and moved on with it.

Overall, this is a dark and enchanting tale of love, friendship and magic.
My only wish was this wasn’t a standalone cause I’d love to know more about what happens after with the witched, the toad, etc.
I’ll keep an eye out for the next book by this author in the future!

Thank you to TBR and Beyond Tour, Netgalley, author and publisher for giving me an e-ARC of the book and for having me on this book tour. I’m leaving this review voluntarily!