Reviewed by Melissa Wray
Merriweather Morgan is happy living in Candlecott with
her Da and two best friends, Teddy and Sol. That is until Teddy decides he
wants to join a secret society of Toadman. Merry will do everything in her
power to stop him, even if that means joining forces with her academic nemesis,
the arrogant snob, Caraway Boswell. But what seems a simple agreement to help
each other soon turns into a life and death battle of higher powers for
everyone she loves.
Merry is a feisty, smart, independent, and determined
girl on the cusp of adulthood with a university scholarship to look forward to.
She lives in a world where magical powers are illegal, except for a few
pre-approved spells. So, with a gift like Merry’s that allows her to read the
mettle (life being) of others, she must be careful.
Caraway comes from wealth, prestige and a world far
removed from Merry’s. Yet she finds herself drawn further and further into his
world. One that becomes darker and more dangerous the deeper she goes. In his
world she must determine truth from lies, magic from reality, loyalty from
deception and love from lust.
Wilkinson’s ability to build a world of magical
realism is extraordinary. She weaves a completely new language into a world of
supernatural lives and traditions, but one that is easy to follow and
understand. Wilkinson also provides the description of the characters,
surrounds and events with such detail, it is easy to imagine Merry’s world of
ancient Toadmen, mystical Deeping Fen and the glamours used to disguise the
real world and what unfolds in it. The world building in this novel is
exquisite!
This novel has themes of family, friendship, loss,
loyalty, humour, romance, and magical realism that complement each one
completely. The story will be devoured in its entirety because once you start
reading, you will not stop until the final and dramatic conclusion. Deep Is the
Fen is suitable for a 13+ years readership.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Buzz Words Books would love to hear what you think.