Deeplight

By: Frances Hardinge

Narrated by: Joshua Akehurst

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea meets Frankenstein in Frances Hardinge’s latest fantasy adventure.

The gods are dead. Decades ago, they turned on one another and tore each other apart. Nobody knows why. But are they really gone forever?

When 15-year-old Hark finds the still-beating heart of a terrifying deity, he risks everything to keep it out of the hands of smugglers, military scientists, and a secret fanatical cult so that he can use it to save the life of his best friend, Jelt. But with the heart, Jelt gradually and eerily transforms. How long should Hark stay loyal to a friend who’s becoming a monster - and what is Hark willing to sacrifice to save him?

©2019 Frances Hardinge (P)2020 Blackstone Publishing

Very good character-driven fantasy

while not white on par with the author's other novels this one is nonetheless very good. I've listened to six or eight of her other novels so to say that one of them is four star instead of five like all the others doesn't change the fact that she is a superb writer, a fantastic developer of characters and themes, and a supremely talented world builder. I hope she breaks more into the mainstream because she is one of those people, one of those writers, who deserves to have her work adapted into excellent movies and series.

and so far as this one, the narration is excellent. the story is a bit unusual because a boy is the main protagonist, whereas in her other novels it's usually a girl. nonetheless, a very strong female character is still at the heart of this one along with our main character. thematically, your taps into loyalty, friendship, redemption, as is so common in the authors of the work. while I think the climax of this story is less interesting than that of her other novels, the conclusion and the prologue bring it back home. highly recommended. listen to or read everything she's done because Francis hardinge is one of the great fantasy writers of this century as far as I'm concerned.

Fresh Perfect Fairy Tale

The world and characters were amazing. The godware aspect and different tools used from god bodies was a brilliant idea. The idea of the undersea was also brilliant. I don't want to give to much detail to ruin your read but this book was great! could not put it down!

Unusual world and story

Neat world with a fascinating seafaring ifestyle and mythos. Good characters and explorations of personal growth and conflicting loyalties. The plot goes in unexpected directions, with steampunk vibes and frissons of horror, and I was pulled along. Images are still with me several days later.

Absolutely Amazing!!!

I can't stop telling people about this book. It is now in my top 10 favorite books.

Really engaging!

I loved the world created here of the Myriad of islands! I love the idea of the way these Gods are depicted.

Recommended by my favorite author, Kevin Hearne, and it didn't disappoint.