Blog Tour & Review: Fear the Drowning Deep by Sarah Glenn Marsh

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Blog Tour & Review: Fear the Drowning Deep by Sarah Glenn Marsh

Title: Fear the Drowning Deep
Series: N/A
Author: Sarah Glenn Marsh
Publisher: Sky Pony Press
Publication Date: October 04, 2016
Pages: 304
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Paranormal, Romance
Source: ARC
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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.

I received this book for free from the author/publisher via Fantastic Flying Book Club in exchange for an honest review.

This book really blew me away! If I'm honest, I went into this book not knowing quite what to expect. This book really caught my attention right from the start, and has refused to release its hold on me.

The writing style is just beautiful, and the pacing is perfect. Everything flows remarkably well. I never felt bored or rushed. The only thing that felt rushed was the romance, but not dramatically so. There is plenty of detail. I felt like I was living this story as I was reading. The descriptions really brought the story to life.

The historical and cultural aspects of the story are very well done. The author really did her research. I was impressed with how these elements did not overpower the story being told, but contributed to the setting very effectively.

The way that the historical and fantasy elements were blended together was very well done. Even though there were fantasy elements, it felt like this could have actually happened. It was mapped out brilliantly.

The characters in the book were a pleasure to get to know. I felt so connected to the main character, Bridey. She has so many qualities that I adore in a main character or hero/heroine. She was courageous, selfless, and she was not afraid to stand up for herself. I very much enjoyed getting to know Fynn and experience his struggle. The other characters were a delight as well.

There was an underlying theme through part of the story revolving around bullying and standing up for yourself. I loved the message that it sent about not caring what others think. In the story Bridey is called a witch and some thought her crazy. She is talked about behind her back and also out in the open. She is treated like less of a person, and she has to deal with all the whispers and stares.

The ending of the book was kind of bittersweet. It is open ended, and I would have liked to read something with more finality.

Overall, this is such a fantastic debut! I will most definitely be reading more from this author in the future. If you love mystery, suspense, or creepy stories then you should pick this up!