Hi everyone! I’m so excited to be participating in the Blog Tour for In Deeper Waters today thanks to Turn The Page Tours! This book promises fantasy, romance, princes, magic, pirates, mermaids and close family relationships, and oh boy, does it deliver! If you need a young adult, achillean romance that has fantasy elements and adorableness, here’s the book for you!
We’ve also got a giveaway! More info at the bottom of this post!
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…
Book Review
In Deeper Waters follows Prince Tal on his coming-of-age tour. He’s been hidden away inside the palace to keep the magic he has a secret. The last magic user in the kingdom used it for horrible things, and he can’t escape that stigma. When Tal and his brother come across a burning ship, one survivor remains inside, Athlen. Althen is a mysterious boy with who Tal has an immediate connection. So, when he throws himself off the boat into the middle of the ocean, a death sentence, Tal is obviously upset. That is until he sees Athlen wandering around a port city.
This book is one of those perfect comfort reads. There are some tense scenes, but it’s quickly evident that there’s going to be a happy ending. The author balances those dark moments with a whole load of light-hearted fun and adorableness. Seriously, this book made my heart feel very full. From a lovely relationship to heartwarming family connections, In Deeper Waters is a book packed full of love.
“You’re still a prince. You’re still worth more than my life will ever be.”
“That’s not true. Everyone is of worth.”
Pirates were slightly less relevant in this book than I thought going in, but don’t worry, there are plenty of other great surprises. The land this book is set in has lots of little magical secrets to it, and especially in the ocean. From shapeshifters to mermaids, pirates to sea witches, this book has everything you ocean adventure lovers will adore!
I’d say this is the perfect read for someone who loves their fantasy on the lighter side. The fantasy world, Lukens has created is easy to follow and has very intuitive worldbuilding. This book would be enjoyable to people who want to dip their toes into fantasy, but don’t want to jump in the deep end. I read a lot of heavier fantasy, so this was a lovely change of pace.
“I know you want to protect me, but I don’t need protecting. I’d rather be in danger with you than left behind.”
The characters were especially amazing in this book; they were just so loveable. The way Athlen and Tal interacted was so cute. They have such a kind and loving relationship as they became two people who truly understand each other. I also loved all of Tal’s siblings; they were amazingly distinct and fun to read about. I wish we’d had a little bit more time with them purely because I loved them so much! Prince Tal’s character development was particularly great. I loved seeing him gain confidence in himself and learn to set boundaries with his family about how they treat him. In Deeper Waters was such a lovely coming of age story.
Overall, I had an amazing time with this book. In Deeper Waters is a lovely, heartwarming, oceanic adventure with plenty of magic and a boatload of love.
CW: torture, violence
5 Reasons To Read In Deeper Waters
If all of that didn’t convince you, here’s five reasons to pick this book up!
- Look, who doesn’t want to read a totally adorable romance between a prince and a mysterious stranger?
- The family dynamics in this book are so lovely and genuine
- Pirates, and mermaids, and a sea witch! Oh my!
- You should read this book just to see the loveliness that is Athlen
- This is such a fantastic fantasy coming-of-age story, so if you love that trope you need to pick this up!
About The Author
F.T. Lukens is the author of four young adult novels published through Interlude Press, and her book Rules and Regulations for Mediating Myths & Magic was a 2017 Cybils Award finalist in YA Speculative Fiction, won the ForeWord INDIES Book of the Year Gold Award for YA Fiction, and the Bisexual Book Award for Speculative Fiction, and it was also recently named to ALA’s 2019 Rainbow List. F.T. lives in North Carolina with her husband, three kids, three dogs, and three cats. Visit her at FTLukens.com.
Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads
Giveaway!
Up for grabs, we have ONE (1) physical copy and ONE (1) digital copy of In Deeper Waters by F.T. Lukens. This giveaway will end on April 26th at 11:59 PM CST. The physical copy will be available to win by US residents only and the digital copy will be available to win by INTL residents only. To enter, click the link below!
RAFFLECOPTER LINK: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1e4a114d36/?
Get this book
In Deeper Waters released on the 20th of April 2021! There’s never been a better time to go pick up a copy!
If you want to remember to check out this book you should add it to Goodreads!
You can get this book from major book sellers such as Blackwells, and Waterstones.
I’d recommend checking out your local indie bookshop! You can use Hive.co.uk and Bookshop.org to support them depending on your location!
Luminosity Library 
ahh i’m in the middle of reading this rn, so i’m very happy that you loved it!! its such an amazing read till now, and i completely agree with all of your reasons!! lovely post 💓
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ah im glad you’re enjoying it too! i thought it was just so cute and fun! hope you love the rest of it!
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This sounds like such a good read! Plus, I always need more books about pirates 🏴☠️🥰
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It was a lot of fun! The pirates aren’t a huge part but there’s lots of other fun ocean things going on!
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