This book totally cast a spell on me—like, one minute I’m reading about 1650s Holland and the next I’m fully obsessed with sea bargains and star-crossed vibes. Clara is such a vibe herself—smart, curious, and so over the whole “perfect daughter” thing. And when she meets a mysterious, dreamy stranger? Ohhh boy. You just know it’s about to go down.

What I loved most is how the story balances that grounded, historical feel with this misty, magical undertow that keeps pulling you deeper. It’s got romance (check), secrets (double check), and that kind of atmospheric storytelling that makes everything feel a little bit enchanted—even the heartbreak.

Honestly, it felt like a fairytale met a gothic novel and then went to live in a windmill by the sea. Loved it. Huge thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion 💙

This was a 3.5 for me. I loved the little mermaid retelling. I enjoyed the time period and the twists and turns. I also loved the dynamic between land and sea creatures. What was hard for me was that the focus of the story became blurred. I think that the way the political topics (or issues that have now become political) such as climate change and how we treat our oceans could have been woven in a little more seamlessly. There were times that I was confused to the focus of the story being the love story or about climate change and what I was supposed to walk away with. It was not a bad book by any means. It was well paced and i really enjoyed it for the most part.

Such a good historical fantasy novel with “little mermaid” vibes, magic and romance. The character development and plot for the most part kept me going but some parts did get a little slow. Overall really enjoyed but could see how it could not be a good fit for everyone. I would recommend to a friend if I knew this was their genre.

I don’t think this was a book for me. The pace was too slow and the FMC was just too naive and immature to be a realistic 21 year old girl. I could really figure out what timeframe we were in and a lot of the story just felt bland to me. I’m sure it’s a perfectly good book if someone was more into this type of book but it’s just not my thing and I was bored in general.

Thank you to NetGalley & Graydon House for letting me read and review this book.

I personally don’t think this book was for me. While I enjoyed the world building, the gender switch idea of The Little Mermaid, and the folklore, this book just didn’t hook me in.

The pacing of it was rather slow, especially in the beginning. Some points it picked up, but other points it dragged on. The POV changes and scenery changes mid chapter or scene became confusing at times and didn’t allow for a seamless transition for me to envision what was going on.

Our female mc was naive, to say the least. She and our male MC were the prime example of insta-love. It was hard for me to grasp where their love came from or why it was there.

In spite of this, I don’t think this was a bad story. I think this may have just not been my cup of tea.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for granting me the opportunity to read this ARC.

Twenty year old Clara has lived a lonely, isolated life on her family's estate. When her parents decide it's time for her to marry, Clara sees her opportunity to have the freedom to run her own household and leave behind their strict rule. As she's working in the kitchen, to learn more about running a house, she has a chance encounter with a handsome stranger. Clara is drawn to Maurits, but he is keeping secrets that are a part of Clara's past and her present. Now Clara finds herself torn between the attraction she feels for Maurits, the steady life she could have with a wealthy husband, and being a pawn in a bargain between the rulers of the sea and land.

A Magic Deep and Drowning is a beautiful retelling of the "The Little Mermaid", with a little bit of an Aquaman feel, too. I really enjoyed that the book was set in 1650 Holland, because it gave an added layer to the imagery and geography of the story. There is also a lot of information included about Dutch folklore and creatures, which I loved seeing intertwined with Clara and Maurits' story.

The conflict of the story was well done, and it shows how one generation is affected by the decisions and greed of the previous generation. Fox highlights the destruction that comes from depleting resources and not being good stewards of the earth. I did feel like the "villain" conflict and resolution could have been a bit stronger, but I did like seeing the complicated relationship between Maurits and his family.

I definitely loved this captivating Little Mermaid retelling, and would highly recommend it if you enjoy fascinating folklore, magical creatures, romance, family secrets, and the balance between man and the earth.

This was a great mermaid tale! Clara sees an beached whale, an omen of what's to come, and must decide what to do and who to trust to ensure that her future isn't cut short.

Fox's writing is atmospheric, capturing the mood of both the period and the eerie, magical undertones of the story. The pacing is generally steady, with moments of tension that keep the plot moving forward. Characters are relatable in their grief and desire for control, and their journey of self-discovery is compelling.

However, despite the promising premise, the story falters in places. The plot sometimes feels predictable, and the development of certain relationships could have been more fleshed out to make them feel truly impactful. The magic system, while interesting, isn’t explored in as much depth as I’d hoped, leaving me wanting more clarity about its rules and limits.

3.5 stars because the first half of the book started off so interesting, and then it floundered in the second half.

A Magic Deep and Drowning is a Little Mermaid retelling with a twist.

The story is interesting, but the delivery gets a little confusing, especially in the second half. There were even times the point of view would randomly switch from one character to another, and I would have no idea how we got there. In the end, I really enjoyed mixing folktales in with some social commentary on issues impacting current-day events.

The plot really fell apart in the last part of the book. There were so many times that I thought the story was going to move forward, but then we’re pulled back through an illogical setback. The whole book could have been so much better if it hadn’t been for the constant push and pull of the plot.

That being said, I really did enjoy the fairy tale retelling. This book would be great for fans of historical fiction and fairy tale retellings.

3.5 stars rounding up to 4

I found this book to be a refreshing take on The Little Mermaid. I enjoyed the extended fantastical creatures and the larger overall plot, versus the story revolving around a human falling in love with a merperson. I thought the character development for Clara was great, and although the original fairytale revolved around "instalove," the author really put in additional layers in her and the main MMC's relationship to make it more substantial. Overall a great take on a classic fairytale, with the darker themes really adding to the story.

This was a vastly entertaining and informative story. I did not realize there was a specific Dutch mermaid fairytale genre. The protagonist is very well written to the point where you want to give her a good shake! She has a terrific character growth and ends up showing some surprising depth of character. Very sweet and satisfying story.

This was a historical fiction spin on The Little Mermaid with a slow burn (not spicy) and beautiful writing. It was a little slow for my taste but I enjoyed the story.

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing/Graydon House For the ARC of this book!

lovely historical romantasy that definitely felt somewhat akin to the little mermaid but was full of twists. would probably recommend. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

When they said "Little Mermaid retelling" they meant Hans Christian Andersen's Little Mermaid, not Disney's Little Mermaid.

The story began with a lot of promise but the entire first half is basically pointless and the second half was a drag to get through. With a heroine so naive it hurt and a hero who is the definition of insta-love, this book did not work for me.

This was an incredible historical fantasy novel. It is a retelling of the classic "The Little Mermaid" but has its own unique spin. Hester Fox's A Magic Deep and Drowning just swept me away like a rogue wave!

Clara van Weiren is a young woman who yearns for more. Her life is a set routine and when her parents announce she is going to get married she is excited to finally have some independence. However before she gets married, she meets a young man called Maurits. There is an instant spark and now Clara wants nothing to do with her fiance. What Clara doesn't know is that Maruits is not what he seems and their romance might be doomed from the start. Clara must forge her own path and discover hidden depths of strength to deal with the many strange twists and turns her life is about to take.

This was an incredible story filled with fantastic fantasy elements. There is the thrill of the unknown, ancient promises, magical creatures, self discovery, and romance. I highly recommend this story especially if you are looking for something a little different!

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing/Graydon House and NetGalley for this ARC.

This was one of few books I have read that were categorized under historical romance. I felt satisfied by the end, but was expecting more of a prominent romance. The author did well building up the characters, providing us insight into why Clara and Maurits were molded into the individuals they were. I struggled at times to understand who was narrating, as it sometimes shifted from one paragraph to the next, but the author provided enough context that it was not difficult to discern after a line or two. A slower burn that was certainly worth the read (🫑). This was not a quick read in the sense that it was light, but it kept me turning pages once I reached about the halfway point. Would certainly read more titles by Hester Fox, and I would love to read a sequel that describes what happened with Clara and Maurits!

I am never disappointed when I read a book by Hester Fox. A Magic Deep and Drowning was a story about the mystical creatures that live in the sea and on the land. In the Dutch Republic of Friesland, the people kept taking more and more of the sea for themselves. They made a deal with the Queen of the sea for more land. The queen was taking children for payment of their debt. Clara is the last child to be taken, but she must find a way to break the curse before she is taken.

Thank you NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing | Graydon House and Hester Fox for the ARC for my review.

A Magic Deep and Drowning is a folkloric fantasy that reimagines the mermaid mythos within Hester Fox's signature whimsical storytelling.

Set in the 17th century, Clara lives in the Dutch Republic in Friesland alongside the canals, expected to marry soon, granting her freedom, or so she believes. At the same time, a mysterious otherworldly man has enchanted Clara, disguising his true form all the while attempting to whisk her away to his watery kingdom. Clara is caught between her arranged marriage and her new infatuation which seals the deal between the humans of her land and the sea creatures who live within its waters who have made an ancient bargain that Clara is destined to fulfill. Love and its slippery dealings will entrap Clara in its dangerous depths.

I have read nearly all of Hester Fox's books, but this story was my least favourite. I prefer more magical realism elements than fantasy, and the mermaid mythos is starting to feel overdone at this point. I liked the folklore elements, and the reimagining of the Dutch geography with its watery land within a magical context. I also liked learning about the various Dutch creatures. But like I said, this book just didn't wow me like the author's previous works. It was just a little boring and the underwater fantasy elements did not appeal to me.

Recommended for historical fantasy lovers and fans of mythological retellings.

I loved the magic and the historical aspects of this book so much! I could not put it down, I can't wait to read more from this author!!

If you like historical fantasy/folklore with a central romance, this would be a good book for you.

I liked that it had a genderbent Little Mermaid feel. I was hooked at the start, though the second half wasn't as excellent as the beginning. The instalove bothered me, with the two main characters falling for each other across a couple of chance encounters in the first fourth of the book.

This should be safe for YA readers as well - it's similar in tone to Folk of the Air, for example - and the romance remained rather chaste.