In Deeper Waters
“A frothy confection of sea-foam, young love, and derring-do.” —NPR
From the New York Times bestselling author of So This Is Ever After, a young prince must rely on a mysterious stranger to save him when he is kidnapped during his coming-of-age tour in this swoony adventure that is The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue meets Pirates of the Caribbean.
Prince Tal has long awaited his coming-of-age tour. After spending most of his life cloistered behind palace walls as he learns to keep his forbidden magic secret, he can finally see his family’s kingdom for the first time. His first taste of adventure comes just two days into the journey, when their crew discovers a mysterious prisoner on a burning derelict vessel.
Tasked with watching over the prisoner, Tal is surprised to feel an intense connection with the roguish Athlen. So when Athlen leaps overboard and disappears, Tal feels responsible and heartbroken, knowing Athlen could not have survived in the open ocean.
That is, until Tal runs into Athlen days later on dry land, very much alive, and as charming—and secretive—as ever. But before they can pursue anything further, Tal is kidnapped by pirates and held ransom in a plot to reveal his rumored powers and instigate a war. Tal must escape if he hopes to save his family and the kingdom. And Athlen might just be his only hope…
From the New York Times bestselling author of So This Is Ever After, a young prince must rely on a mysterious stranger to save him when he is kidnapped during his coming-of-age tour in this swoony adventure that is The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue meets Pirates of the Caribbean.
Prince Tal has long awaited his coming-of-age tour. After spending most of his life cloistered behind palace walls as he learns to keep his forbidden magic secret, he can finally see his family’s kingdom for the first time. His first taste of adventure comes just two days into the journey, when their crew discovers a mysterious prisoner on a burning derelict vessel.
Tasked with watching over the prisoner, Tal is surprised to feel an intense connection with the roguish Athlen. So when Athlen leaps overboard and disappears, Tal feels responsible and heartbroken, knowing Athlen could not have survived in the open ocean.
That is, until Tal runs into Athlen days later on dry land, very much alive, and as charming—and secretive—as ever. But before they can pursue anything further, Tal is kidnapped by pirates and held ransom in a plot to reveal his rumored powers and instigate a war. Tal must escape if he hopes to save his family and the kingdom. And Athlen might just be his only hope…
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Community Reviews
If you want a fun, adventurous, queer, mermaid (merman in this case) fantasy story, this should hit the spot. It did for me! I loved these characters and, for a change, actually wished this was a series so I could have more time with them in this world. The writing style was straightforward and immersive, so it was easy to breeze through. It definitely fits the parameters of a YA book, but I found it very enjoyable as an adult reader. I'm really glad I picked this up, I had bought it because my local bookstore had a signed copy and I liked the colorful cover.
Content Warnings:
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, and Violence
Minor: Death, Vomit, Murder, and War
Content Warnings:
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, and Violence
Minor: Death, Vomit, Murder, and War
It read like a children's book or a bad school report. I liked the premise but it was so poorly written.
You may know already, but this was a struggle for me to read - I really wanted to love this, and I was so excited to get my hands on it cause I thought I would be embarking on an adventure with gay pirates but...whilst Luken's delivered on the gay, I'm pretty sure only like 40% of this book is set at sea. I forced myself to finish this because I didn't want to take it into the new year, and my book was due.
The plot, characters and writing were all flat or under-developed, the tropes and plot twists predictable and the coming of age uninspiring. This book probably wasn't for me in the first place though, because I'm not a huge fan of love at first sight nor mermaids apparently.
The only thing saving this from a 1 star rating is Kest - our main character's shapeshifting older brother who suffers from 'melancholy' and had the most depth to him.
The plot, characters and writing were all flat or under-developed, the tropes and plot twists predictable and the coming of age uninspiring. This book probably wasn't for me in the first place though, because I'm not a huge fan of love at first sight nor mermaids apparently.
The only thing saving this from a 1 star rating is Kest - our main character's shapeshifting older brother who suffers from 'melancholy' and had the most depth to him.
how can a book make me, a grown ass man, loudly giggle and blush by only being THIS FUCKING CUTE? I love them, all of the characters are amazing and I couldn't put this book down until I knew for sure everything would wrap up in a happy ending for my boys Tal and Athlen. not to mention how well written the relationship between the brothers was, but I need to hug all of them forever (and Shay. and Dara. maybe Poppy and the queen too).
F. T. Lukens always writing exactly my kind of jam! always *chef's kiss*
F. T. Lukens always writing exactly my kind of jam! always *chef's kiss*
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