I loved this book! Not only is it gorgeous, but the story draws you in. I love a good secret society story, and this author does such a good job with storytelling. I really enjoyed the magic and mystery. Definitely give this one a read!

A big thanks to NetGalley and Random House for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved Lili Wilkinson's A Hunger of Thorns, and I'm glad to have snagged this one as an advance copy.

Deep is the Fen by Lili Wilkinson is a YA supernatural fantasy novel with the classic enemies to lovers. 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. But Merry’s best friend, Teddy, is joining the Toadmen—a secret society who specialize in backward thinking and suspiciously supernatural traditions—and Merry is determined to stop him. Even if it means teaming up with the person she hates most: her academic archnemesis, Caraway Boswell, an ice-cold snob who hides his true face under a glamour. An ancient Toad ritual is being held in the sinister Deeping Fen, and if Merry doesn’t rescue Teddy before it’s finished, she’ll lose him forever. But the Toadmen have been keeping dangerous secrets, and so has Caraway. The farther Merry travels into Deeping Fen’s foul waters, the more she wonders if she’s truly come to save her friend . . . or if she’s walking straight into a trap. There’s nothing the Toadmen love more than a damsel in distress.

This book is all a witchy girl will ever need. The storytelling is amazing, the characters are both relatable and flawed (my favorite was of course Caraway), and the setting is down right spooky. I feel like I will be picking this book back up for a re-read come spooky season.

I loved seeing the rebel witches through different eyes and learning even more about the world dynamics. The addition of an element from A Hunger of Thorns was interesting & I am even more curious to see where these books go (and what happens to the characters). I would also like to note about that particular element – if you haven’t read A Hunger of Thorns it won’t impact your experience with this story. I had to go backwards and double check the book to make sure I was actually correct. The Toadmen are entirely more nightmarish than they sound and their clout is something else entirely.

"We’ve been waiting for you, she says, as she lets me into her mind.

It’s dark and vicious and wise in there."

The dynamic of the three friends, how they grow to accept and work through all the challenges thrown at them throughout the book was a delight. Merry’s commentary about Caraway felt a little redundant and cruel – that he didn’t sink to the same level made me like him just a little more even with his actions throughout the book. I liked Merry as a character but didn’t connect with her as much as I did Maude from A Hunger of Thorns. The author does excel at exceptional found family dynamics and seeing how they grow and change throughout the story.

I would love to see a world map of the world that Lili has created in these two books. I love seeing on paper where all the events take place and where the characters go. The places that we experience in this book didn’t seem as vividly written as the first book except one area that Merry visits in particular – Deeping Fen.

I am so very thankful to TBR and Beyond Tours for the opportunity to be a part of this tour, to Delacorte Press for the gifted copies of this book. To the author Lili Wilkinson – I am beyond happy you decided to keep writing stories in this world you have created & I am so excited to hear what’s next! I highly recommend reading this book AND of course A Hunger of Thorns. All opinions in this review are my own. Rounded from 4.5 stars.

I really enjoyed this story. The Toadmen scratched this weird itch in my brain for culty things, and Merri's ability is so well-realized in this story. Merri things that the Toadmen are just up to no good, but she doesn't realize the extent of their magical malpractice. I thought that the characters were all pretty compelling, even though Merri made some (what I would consider to be) naïve choices toward the start of the story. Overall, I enjoyed watching the characters grow and the plot was really intriguing--my curiosity kept me flipping those pages (metaphorically speaking, of course, as this was an eBook lol). I can't wait to see more from this author!

Deep Is the Fen is full of magic and an intriguing cult-like society called the Toadmen. Merri can see the threads of magic and knows something is wrong with the Toadmen. She thinks it's only that they practice illegal magic, but she has no idea what they are really up to, and how deep into the whole thing she is going to get when her best friend and crush decides that all he wants in the world is to join the Toadmen.
Right off the bat, I was intrigued by the magic and the Toadmen. I liked Merri's friendships with Teddy and Sol but wasn't sold on Teddy as a love interest.
I knew as soon as we met Caraway that I was going to be rooting for them, even though to say he was hiding things would be an understatement. There are twists and turns around every corner, and I never knew what would happen next.
While Merri did come off a bit nieve in the beginning, was frustratingly stubborn in her beliefs about what is right, and continually made what I thought were the worst decisions I loved how she grew throughout the story. She began to believe in herself and her magic, and even when she knew it was dangerous ran right back into the lion's den to stop the most dangerous of the Toadmen.

This is the second book I've read by this author, the first being A Hunger of Thorns, which if you read and enjoy this one you should check that one out. I will definitely be checking out Lili Wilkenson's other books.

"Deep Is the Fen" by Lili Wilkinson is a captivating blend of magic, mystery, and adventure that will enchant readers from start to finish. Set in the charming town of Candlecott, the story follows Merry, a protagonist who is determined to keep her life free from the complications of magic. But when her best friend Teddy joins a secret society with supernatural ties, Merry finds herself embroiled in a perilous quest to save him.

Wilkinson's writing is atmospheric and immersive, drawing readers into the sinister world of Deeping Fen with vivid descriptions and richly drawn characters. Merry's journey is both thrilling and heartwarming, as she grapples with her own beliefs and confronts the secrets lurking beneath the surface of her seemingly idyllic town.

What sets "Deep Is the Fen" apart is its strong character development and intricate plot. Merry's reluctant alliance with her academic archnemesis, Caraway Boswell, adds depth to the story, as they navigate the treacherous waters of Deeping Fen together. The novel is filled with twists and turns that keep readers guessing until the very end, and the stakes are high as Merry races against time to save her friend from a dangerous fate.

Overall, "Deep Is the Fen" is a compelling and enchanting read that will appeal to fans of fantasy and adventure alike. With its engaging plot, well-crafted characters, and immersive world-building, it earns a solid four stars and is sure to leave readers eagerly anticipating Wilkinson's next literary offering.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children's | Delacorte Press for the digital ARC of "Deep is the Fen" by Lili Wilkinson

I loved "A Hunger of Thorns," so I had high hopes for "Deep is the Fen."

The easiest way to sum up the book is: a cult of Toadmen, a girl running off to save an unrequited love, and lies... and more lies.
Unfortunately this book was rather predictable - the 'story' foreshadowing gave everything away.

I can see the appeal of the book, but there were a few things that prevented me from fully enjoying the book.

Our main character Merry was very hypocritical when it comes to magic... which was frustrating. Even when people with experience and knowledge are trying to reveal the truth to her she is unwilling to listen. Also, people with basic common sense would realise curses don't work like that. Almost 80% of the book she was anti-magic, and then within 3 pages she's it's biggest supporter. Even when it's obvious she's being lied to, she's somehow surprised afterwards... and even after questioning the legitimacy of things she just keeps going along with bad plans... and is shocked with the outcome?

The world setting kept throwing me off: a lot made it seem like it was set in Wales: instruments, words, deities.. but it also pulled in names from folklore from Ireland as well. It was also anachronistic - a weird mix of modern and an older era. (Side peeve: maybe I was just missing something, but the feminine name Babd was attached to a male honorific).

While the 'enemies to lovers' trope might appeal to some people - it's not my preferred choice. It's so predictable: no matter what the book subject matter is the relationship will always follow the same plot line.

I can definitely see how this book would be an enjoyable read for a lot of people especially with the unique Mettle and Toad Magic, but unfortunately it missed the mark for me.

I think this book was a massive adventure and i think this book had a two clear halfs of the story and both story captivated me. I think the first half of the book is stroner and overall i really did enjoy the characters. This book was very slowed paced story!!! I think this book is def my favorte that i read by this author!! I think the world bulding could have been a bit clearer.. but it was great

I absolutely love the world the author created here in Deep Is the Fen. This book is full of magic, mystery, and mythology and it is truly amazing. I’ve never read about toad-based magic before and it was super intriguing. I’ve never read a fantasy quite like this one, especially for young adults. Highly recommend.

Thank you to the publisher sending me a copy to review.

Three childhood friends whose lives are turned upside down when one of them joins a dark magical cult and the secrets between them all begin to fracture their relationships. Merry loves her life in her idyllic town of Candlecott. She's happy to be with her two best friends, Sol and Teddy, but there's only one thing she doesn't enjoy about her town... the Toadmen- a secret society that is strictly men only and specializes in using illegal dark magic. Merry's world is turned upside down when Teddy, her friend and the boy she's in love with, joins the Toadmen and is determined to be part of their society. She's willing to do anything to get him out, even if it means working with her academic archnemesis, Caraway Boswell, a handsome ice-cold snob who suddenly has asked her to help him. Merry wants to rescue Teddy before it's too late, yet the more she learns about the secret society the larger the danger to her becomes. It also doesn't help that she's beginning to fall for Caraway and that despite all the lies he keeps telling, she can't help but feel a connection to him. Everything she thought she knew about Caraway is wrong but when his truth finally comes out, can she still love him... and will she choose between Teddy, the boy she loves who left her and Caraway, the boy she hated who has protected her and drawn her in. The Toadmen want magic... and Merry's secret gift of being able to see witch magic means she's their new target in their dark ceremony... can she rescue those she loves before it's too late or will she end up as the next sacrifice? This was definitely a young adult fantasy and I felt that Merry read as if she were 16 years old. she's young and naive, headstrong, and she cares about things strongly. I did enjoy Caraway as a character and liked the twists and turns to his story. The lore of the Toadmen and the magic system in this world was definitely a unique one and I felt that fans of nature/fairytale-esque cult stories would enjoy this book.

*Thanks Netgalley and Random House Children's | Delacorte Press for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

One friend in a threesome friend group decides to join a cult of toadmen. Another friend decides this is outrageous and pursues them to the bowels of hell to talk them out of it. Meanwhile friend three wants everyone to chill.

It started out solidly. I was gripped almost from the first chapter. I thoroughly enjoyed the idea of a secret brotherhood called the Toadmen who was very vague and part creepy/part weird. The YA tone made for a bunch of angsty friendlationship drama.

About 40-50% in, however things started to tank and unravel. All the interested started fading. All the solid storytelling began to unravel.

The world building was a bit to vague for me because I couldn't tell if I was in medieval or present time. Simultaneously there is a legitimate black smithy while also cars, phones and denim. No big

Then content was incredibly inappropriate for the target audience with debauched body horror and sexual content.

Overall I was underwhelmed and disappointed.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for a complimentary digital copy of the ARC.

This book was such a pleasant surprise! I didn't really know what to expect going in (I thought it was a YA horror, which it is not, though it does have some horror elements), but Deep Is the Fen turned out to be one of my favorite reads of the year so far. It reads like a modern-day fairy tale, and while dark, it also has a lot of wonderful, humorous banter and a heartwarming friendship story. The pacing and world building are both excellent, and overall it just felt so well executed.

There are a lot of elements I loved about this book, but the thing I loved most was the main character Merry. She's flawed, headstrong, wrong about so many things, and goes at all her problems with a hammer, which ends up causing her more issues, and she's also completely lovable and realistic. She's a pretty perfect YA protagonist.

This was my first book by the author but I would definitely read more!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc! Opinions are my own.

Deep is the Fen is my first Lili Wilkinson book, but it certainly won't be my last. I went into Deep is the Fen somewhat blind--I knew there were secret societies, a romance, and a fight for magic--but was so pleasantly surprised by how everything unfolded. Wilkinson's writing is deliciously atmospheric and haunting, making me never want to leave the world she crafted. I adored her blend of modern tech with ancient magic, and I love the nods to Welsh/English legends scattered throughout (I see you, Jenny Greenteeth!).

The pacing is perfect, and I especially adored how Merry's first love interest is not the one she ends up with (no spoilers, but I love how Wilkinson does this). I love that friendship is just as important as romance here, and I love, love, love Caraway. He's the perfect romantic lead, and the romance between him and Merry unfolds beautifully, intertwining with the mystery of the Toadmen and the urgency of the plot in a way I found deeply satisfying. Speaking of deeply satisfying -- that third act is one of the best that I've read in a very long time. While there are a lot of plot threads here, Wilkinson balances every single one of them masterfully, creating a standalone that is both fully realized AND ripe for a sequel (seriously, where is my Teddy and Sol book?). My only regret is that I had to turn the last page, and couldn't stay in Candlecott forever.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Delacorte Press, and Lili Wilkinson for gifting me this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you to Random House Children's, Delacorte Press for an eARC of Deep is the Fen! I loved A Hunger of Thorns so it makes sense that I would love Deep is the Fen too! Toadmen, Witches, Corrupt Government and Big Corporations, with a dash of rivals to lovers romance. The author brilliantly wove this fantastical fairy tale into a fast paced novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat thrilled to find out what happens next. The MFC really grows throughout the book and the process of being blinded by what she's been taught her whole life and finding the truth feels really realistic. But, also, I am going to need to count how many times the word "toad" was said in the book (LOL). Overall this was a really fun book and I'm looking forward to what Lili Wilkinson writes next!

I read the first chapter but could not get into the story. The language threw me off and I had a difficult time understanding what the characters were talking about. Thank you for giving me the chance to read this. I might pick it up again in the future.

I wasn't aware this was the second book in a series when I went into it, so I hope that I didn't miss out on a whole chunk of this world... this book was such a treat!

This felt like intense thriller mixed with cozy fantasy and I am here for the combo. We get a creepy secret society, the Toadmen, which-lets face it-wasn't that big of a secret, really... and Merry who will do anything in her power to get one of her best friends (and her one unrequited love) Teddy to stop from joining. Meanwhile, a rival of hers, Caraway approaches her for help.

Thinking this is a two birds, one stone sort of situation, Merry teams up with Caraway in order to help him, but also to help Teddy. The one hitch... she is learning that behind Caraway's cold as ice glamour he never removes, he is very different from who she always thought he was. As she gets closer to him, she learns more and more about the goings on of the Toadmen, putting herself in very real danger. It seems as though Caraway is hiding some of his own secrets and Merry has a hard time coming to terms with the truth.

This book was just all vibes! I loved it. From the moment Caraway comes on the scene I was here for the rivals to something more feel that I got. And, it only got better. The Toadmen are seriously bizarre, as a whole idea. It is the typical secret society ideology... Climbing through the ranks of success on the backs of others, but with these really great magical elements that make them even scarier.

This book has it all, though. There is a thrilling plot, a dark magical haze, some romance, and dangerous people looking to hold dominion over Merry when she gets too close to the truth. I highly recommend this book and definitely want to go back and read the first book in the series.

“Deep is the Fen,” by Lili Wilkinson

This was such a good book and incredibly unique. The FMC was so infuriating, immature, arrogant, and rude but it clearly shows how she grew throughout the book. The imagery was also unique with the “toadmen” and the swamp scenes and smells throughout which was gross and interesting at the same time. The magic system was different because it works through metal cords inside a person that could be torn away from the user. The ending was really good and also sad but completely worth it. 4 out of 5 stars.

-Toadmen
-Magic
-Corrupt Government
-Secret Society
-Enemies To Lovers

Thank you for the ARC!

fun and lively fantasy! thanks so much for the arc. the romance was so realistic :D and i loved how the antagonists worked.

Lili Wilkinson has once again demonstrated her storytelling prowess in "Deep Is the Fen." The narrative seamlessly weaves darkness, humor, and warmth into a compelling tale that refuses to let readers go. The book's protagonist, Merry, is a brilliantly flawed and relatable teenager, making mistakes and creating chaos that propels the story forward in catastrophic yet captivating ways. Wilkinson's signature YA approach shines through, creating a narrative that resonates with teenage authenticity rather than pandering to an adult audience.

The relationships in the story, both romantic and platonic, are masterfully handled, allowing readers to invest deeply in the characters' journeys. Wilkinson's willingness to explore the darker aspects of the narrative adds depth to the story, making it a standout in the teen market. The horror elements are suitably disgusting, and the consequences are delivered with unflinching precision, adding to the book's overall impact. Returning to the world of "Hunger of Thorns" proves to be a delightful continuation, addressing central questions and expanding the narrative scope.

In "Deep Is the Fen," Lili Wilkinson crafts a fresh, confident, and surprising tale that showcases her mastery of the craft. The book's dark and immersive atmosphere, combined with its unique magical elements, promises an unforgettable reading experience. Wilkinson's ability to blend horror, whimsy, and authenticity makes this fantasy a standout addition to the genre.

This modern fairy tale with Toadmen, witches, and an enemies-to-lovers trope is a fast-paced delight. The characters are well-developed, facing wild problems with relationships that feel authentic. Merry's evolving feelings towards Caraway add a layer of complexity, and her adaptability in challenging situations adds depth to her character. The book's pacing and character dynamics contribute to an engaging and enjoyable reading experience.

"Deep Is the Fen" resonates with the energy of "The Raven Boys" while infusing its own brand of spooky magical adventure with a touch of whimsy. The family of friends in the story, coupled with the captivating plot and unique magical elements, creates a compelling narrative. Merry's character stands out as an excellent protagonist, and her dynamic with Caraway adds a delightful enemies-to-lovers trope. The prose is beautiful, the plot is unpredictable, and the magic feels both unique and believable.

Lili Wilkinson's "Deep Is the Fen" surpasses expectations, delivering a fantasy masterpiece that rivals her previous work. Impeccable world-building, an enthralling mystery, and a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance contribute to this addictive read. The protagonist, Merry, leads readers on a dangerous adventure to save her friend from a magic cult disguised as a secret society. The involvement of her academic rival, Caraway, adds complexity to the plot and sets the stage for a captivating narrative. "Deep Is the Fen" is a fantasy masterpiece that captivates from beginning to end.

A heartfelt thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children's/ Delacorte Press for sharing this amazing book's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest feedback.

I had the privilege of receiving a digital ARC from NetGalley for this amazing book!
I LOVED this book. It gave me all the Raven Boys vibes, with the absolute spookiest magical adventure energy, but with a drop more whimsy. I love the family of friends in this book, and I absolutely love Caraway. Merry is awesome. I have nothing but good things to say here--the prose is beautiful, the plot kept me guessing, and the magic felt unique but believable, with a fairy-tale strength. I'll definitely be checking out Wilkinson's other books after reading this.