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Daughter of the Merciful Deep
A woman journeys into a submerged world of gods and myth to save her home in this powerful historical fantasy that shines a light on the drowned Black towns of the American South.
“Our home began, as all things do, with a wish.”
Jane Edwards hasn’t spoken since she was eleven years old, when armed riders expelled her family from their hometown along with every other Black resident. Now, twelve years later, she’s found a haven in the all-Black town of Awenasa. But the construction of a dam promises to wash her home under the waters of the new lake.
Jane will do anything to save the community that sheltered her. So, when a man with uncanny abilities arrives in town asking strange questions, she wonders if he might be the key. But as the stranger hints at gods and ancestral magic, Jane is captivated by a bigger mystery. She knows this man. Only the last time she saw him, he was dead. His body laid to rest in a rushing river.
Who is the stranger and what is he really doing in Awenasa? To find those answers, Jane will journey into a sunken world, a land of capricious gods and unsung myths, of salvation and dreams made real. But the flood waters are rising. To gain the miracle she desires, Jane will have to find her voice again and finally face the trauma of the past.
For more from Leslye Penelope, check out The Monsters We Defy.
“Our home began, as all things do, with a wish.”
Jane Edwards hasn’t spoken since she was eleven years old, when armed riders expelled her family from their hometown along with every other Black resident. Now, twelve years later, she’s found a haven in the all-Black town of Awenasa. But the construction of a dam promises to wash her home under the waters of the new lake.
Jane will do anything to save the community that sheltered her. So, when a man with uncanny abilities arrives in town asking strange questions, she wonders if he might be the key. But as the stranger hints at gods and ancestral magic, Jane is captivated by a bigger mystery. She knows this man. Only the last time she saw him, he was dead. His body laid to rest in a rushing river.
Who is the stranger and what is he really doing in Awenasa? To find those answers, Jane will journey into a sunken world, a land of capricious gods and unsung myths, of salvation and dreams made real. But the flood waters are rising. To gain the miracle she desires, Jane will have to find her voice again and finally face the trauma of the past.
For more from Leslye Penelope, check out The Monsters We Defy.
398 pages, Paperback
First published June 4, 2024
152 people are currently reading
4871 people want to read
About the author
Leslye Penelope
3 books551 followersLeslye Penelope also writes as L. Penelope. She is an award-winning author of fantasy and paranormal romance.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 224 reviews
November 22, 2024
💥 Nov. 22, 2024: only $2.99 today!
Actual rating: 4.897858668947566 stars.
I don't have time to write aproper barely half-decent review for this one so let's do the Quick Maths Thingie (QMT™), shall we?
The Deep South + Magic + Drowned Black Towns + Folklore + one of the most original concepts I've come across in a long time + fantastic cast of characters (including brilliantly written deities that aren't complete assholes 😱) + great chicken names (don't ask) + everything poetic, delightful, intriguing, gripping and thought-provoking =
P.S. If you love P. Djèlí Clark there's a slight chance you might love this book. Maybe.
[Pre-review nonsense]
So compelling. So powerful. SO GOOD.
➽ Super Extra-Short Review (SESR™) to come and stuff.
Actual rating: 4.897858668947566 stars.
I don't have time to write a
The Deep South + Magic + Drowned Black Towns + Folklore + one of the most original concepts I've come across in a long time + fantastic cast of characters (including brilliantly written deities that aren't complete assholes 😱) + great chicken names (don't ask) + everything poetic, delightful, intriguing, gripping and thought-provoking =
P.S. If you love P. Djèlí Clark there's a slight chance you might love this book. Maybe.
[Pre-review nonsense]
So compelling. So powerful. SO GOOD.
➽ Super Extra-Short Review (SESR™) to come and stuff.
June 22, 2024
Daughter of the Merciful Deep is a work of historical fantasy/fabulism following a selectively mute young Black woman who travels into an underwater world in hopes of saving her town from being decimated construction of a dam.
Beyond that, this feels like a coming of age story about a woman reckoning with the trauma of her past and finding her power and her voice in her present. It interweaves fabulism and myth with all too real history of the treatment of Black people in the mid-1900's.
Jane rarely speaks anymore, often opting for sign language, and the reason why slowly unfolds through the course of the book. But Jane is thoughtful, determined, and cares deeply for the people she loves. There are a lot of pieces to this story, but Jane is the central character who keeps things grounded.
I thought this was beautifully written and the relatively short chapters keep you hooked and keep the book moving at a fairly quick pace. I like the blend of fantastical and mundane. I don't always love a historical fantasy, but this one really worked for me. I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
Beyond that, this feels like a coming of age story about a woman reckoning with the trauma of her past and finding her power and her voice in her present. It interweaves fabulism and myth with all too real history of the treatment of Black people in the mid-1900's.
Jane rarely speaks anymore, often opting for sign language, and the reason why slowly unfolds through the course of the book. But Jane is thoughtful, determined, and cares deeply for the people she loves. There are a lot of pieces to this story, but Jane is the central character who keeps things grounded.
I thought this was beautifully written and the relatively short chapters keep you hooked and keep the book moving at a fairly quick pace. I like the blend of fantastical and mundane. I don't always love a historical fantasy, but this one really worked for me. I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
June 5, 2024
Leslye Penelope/L. Penelope is one of my favorite spec fic authors at the moment. This book is a standalone work of historical fantasy/magical realism that engages with the "drowning" of Black towns and settlements after the Civil War. Jane lives in Awenasa, a predominantly Black town whose residents are informed that a dam will soon be built that will submerge the town under a reservoir. It's a book about hope and resilience, as Jane (with a little magical help) unites her community to save the town. That said, it's also not a wholly hopeful book. We don't have a triumphant legal victory; racism doesn't magically disappear; and the townspeople's past and generational trauma isn't healed in the final act. I really appreciate Penelope's perspective and the way she highlights little-known parts of history (she similarly highlighted the Black Renaissance in DC in The Monsters We Defy). I will always pick up her books!
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
August 12, 2024
Don't drown out and not read the full review over at The Litt Librarian
Daughter of the Merciful Deep by Leslye Penelope didn't quite hit the mark for me. I was drawn to this book because of my love for Monsters We Defy, a book that was truly exceptional. I tried my best not to compare the two stories, as they are distinct in their own right, but I couldn't help but long for the same awe-inspiring experience I had with Monsters We Defy.
The story bored me, as I found out in real time that I don't have a strong interest in drowned towns. It also wasn't a good marriage of Historical Fantasy and Magical Realism. What did intrigue me was Peneleope's extensive research on the subject matter. The stories of drowned towns and character backgrounds were well told and even had me looking up information for more knowledge. If there's one thing I can count on, it's Penelope's hidden agenda of bringing forth lost history and events back to life.
Daughter of the Merciful Deep by Leslye Penelope didn't quite hit the mark for me. I was drawn to this book because of my love for Monsters We Defy, a book that was truly exceptional. I tried my best not to compare the two stories, as they are distinct in their own right, but I couldn't help but long for the same awe-inspiring experience I had with Monsters We Defy.
The story bored me, as I found out in real time that I don't have a strong interest in drowned towns. It also wasn't a good marriage of Historical Fantasy and Magical Realism. What did intrigue me was Peneleope's extensive research on the subject matter. The stories of drowned towns and character backgrounds were well told and even had me looking up information for more knowledge. If there's one thing I can count on, it's Penelope's hidden agenda of bringing forth lost history and events back to life.
June 5, 2024
4 1/2 stars... There is a lot to unpack. I liked it a lot. Rtc!
June 3, 2024
**My thanks to Redhook Books for providing me with an advanced review copy via NetGalley**
3 stars
Daughter of the Merciful Deep builds upon a longstanding connection in Black American fiction between magic and the tragedy of the Middle Passage; its underwater haven of New Ilé calling back to the “City of Bones” in the plays of August Wilson and similar themes in the Black American literary canon. Penelope’s project is to bridge the ancestral memory magic of her Atlantean fantasy city with a historical fiction story grounded in the “drowned” black towns of the Twentieth Century. Unfortunately, for me, this marriage of fantasy and historical fiction narratives didn’t quite work; that said, there’s great ambition in the project and the book is overall enjoyable.
The main sticking point is that this novel often feels like it’s telling two different stories: one is the tale of a town under threat due to a government dam-building project, and the other is the fantastic, spiritual journey of a young woman following a corporeal ghost to a world of gods and magic. However, the two stories only feel connected in the climax (which was, however, done very well). On the whole, I preferred the first 30-ish percent of the book, which focused on the town of Awenasa, and my interest waned as the story pivoted into straight fantasy in the second half. It particularly bothered me that the characters constantly reiterated that there was enormous power in Awenasa’s close-knit community, yet the narrative focused primarily on the main characters exploring the fantasy landscape of New Ilé while the (genuinely interesting and compelling) stories of the townspeople populating Awenasa take a backseat.
My other, more minor issue with the book had to do with its main protagonist, Jane. This is more a personal pet peeve than a criticism, but Jane is a tough narrator-protagonist to enjoy spending time with. She is constantly praised and admired by every other character in the book, but she herself is cringing and self-flagellating. I understand it’s due to her childhood trauma, but it made it a chore at times to follow her story. I was also interested in and looking forward to seeing a protagonist with selective mutism, but I wasn’t ultimately terribly compelled by the execution, though I appreciated that Penelope made sure to include nods to Black Deaf history and community.
In conclusion, I loved the project and vision of this story, but wound up dissatisfied with its execution, particularly in the way Awenasa’s community and populace is continually said to be central to the story but in practice falls to the narrative wayside. That said, I would still recommend this book to fans of historical fiction and fantasy, and think it’s doing interesting work in its blending of Black American history and West African mythology to create an imaginative work of historical fabulation.
3 stars
Daughter of the Merciful Deep builds upon a longstanding connection in Black American fiction between magic and the tragedy of the Middle Passage; its underwater haven of New Ilé calling back to the “City of Bones” in the plays of August Wilson and similar themes in the Black American literary canon. Penelope’s project is to bridge the ancestral memory magic of her Atlantean fantasy city with a historical fiction story grounded in the “drowned” black towns of the Twentieth Century. Unfortunately, for me, this marriage of fantasy and historical fiction narratives didn’t quite work; that said, there’s great ambition in the project and the book is overall enjoyable.
The main sticking point is that this novel often feels like it’s telling two different stories: one is the tale of a town under threat due to a government dam-building project, and the other is the fantastic, spiritual journey of a young woman following a corporeal ghost to a world of gods and magic. However, the two stories only feel connected in the climax (which was, however, done very well). On the whole, I preferred the first 30-ish percent of the book, which focused on the town of Awenasa, and my interest waned as the story pivoted into straight fantasy in the second half. It particularly bothered me that the characters constantly reiterated that there was enormous power in Awenasa’s close-knit community, yet the narrative focused primarily on the main characters exploring the fantasy landscape of New Ilé while the (genuinely interesting and compelling) stories of the townspeople populating Awenasa take a backseat.
My other, more minor issue with the book had to do with its main protagonist, Jane. This is more a personal pet peeve than a criticism, but Jane is a tough narrator-protagonist to enjoy spending time with. She is constantly praised and admired by every other character in the book, but she herself is cringing and self-flagellating. I understand it’s due to her childhood trauma, but it made it a chore at times to follow her story. I was also interested in and looking forward to seeing a protagonist with selective mutism, but I wasn’t ultimately terribly compelled by the execution, though I appreciated that Penelope made sure to include nods to Black Deaf history and community.
In conclusion, I loved the project and vision of this story, but wound up dissatisfied with its execution, particularly in the way Awenasa’s community and populace is continually said to be central to the story but in practice falls to the narrative wayside. That said, I would still recommend this book to fans of historical fiction and fantasy, and think it’s doing interesting work in its blending of Black American history and West African mythology to create an imaginative work of historical fabulation.
August 4, 2024
Review originally on JamReads
Daughter of the Merciful Deep is a historical fantasy novel written by Leslye Penelope and published by Orbit Books. A deeply touching story that explores the racism associated with the 20s and 30s in the American South, the systematic unfairness practised with the collaboration of the government and law against people of colour, while also weaving together an excellent portrayal on how trauma can shape a life.
The city of Awenasa is an all-African-American town in the 1930s America; a peaceful place where many have found their refugee due to Old George. One of those people that found a home there is the young Jane Edwards, mute after a traumatic event happened to her at eleven years old, communicating mostly through sign language; a peace that is about to be broken when the government informs that there are plans to drown Awenasa, forcing their inhabitants to flee. In order to save Awenasa and what represents, Jane will embark on a spiritual journey to an underwater world of magic and spirits, while also starting an interior one that will put her in front of what traumatized her.
With a really evocative and lyrical style, Penelope chooses to use the own Jane's POV as the main conductor thread, but putting a great attention to fleshing the rest of characters, necessary collaborators on this choral play around Awenasa. We get to experience not only the racism associated with being an Afro-American person, but also the ableism projected towards Jane and her mutism in a very real way.
While the underwater world associated with the narration is especially important towards the resolution, it is true that I felt it a bit disconnected at moments, becoming a different thread on its own; but probably it also helps the more human nature which ties the story to Awenasa and its people.
I found quite interesting the worldbuilding on its own, as it mixes real history inspiration with African myths and magic, taking the drowned cities' authentic stories and the Afro-American lynching episodes as the base to create a vivid story. It helps how descriptive and lyrical Penelope writes, creating incredible images that are tied to the narration.
Daughter of the Merciful Deep is an incredible coming of age story which plays excellent with the historical base to develop a deep touching plot; a great novel if you are looking to a story which will make you care about its characters, while showing the cruelty of what Afro-American people have experienced (and still experiences in some cases) because of racism.
Daughter of the Merciful Deep is a historical fantasy novel written by Leslye Penelope and published by Orbit Books. A deeply touching story that explores the racism associated with the 20s and 30s in the American South, the systematic unfairness practised with the collaboration of the government and law against people of colour, while also weaving together an excellent portrayal on how trauma can shape a life.
The city of Awenasa is an all-African-American town in the 1930s America; a peaceful place where many have found their refugee due to Old George. One of those people that found a home there is the young Jane Edwards, mute after a traumatic event happened to her at eleven years old, communicating mostly through sign language; a peace that is about to be broken when the government informs that there are plans to drown Awenasa, forcing their inhabitants to flee. In order to save Awenasa and what represents, Jane will embark on a spiritual journey to an underwater world of magic and spirits, while also starting an interior one that will put her in front of what traumatized her.
With a really evocative and lyrical style, Penelope chooses to use the own Jane's POV as the main conductor thread, but putting a great attention to fleshing the rest of characters, necessary collaborators on this choral play around Awenasa. We get to experience not only the racism associated with being an Afro-American person, but also the ableism projected towards Jane and her mutism in a very real way.
While the underwater world associated with the narration is especially important towards the resolution, it is true that I felt it a bit disconnected at moments, becoming a different thread on its own; but probably it also helps the more human nature which ties the story to Awenasa and its people.
I found quite interesting the worldbuilding on its own, as it mixes real history inspiration with African myths and magic, taking the drowned cities' authentic stories and the Afro-American lynching episodes as the base to create a vivid story. It helps how descriptive and lyrical Penelope writes, creating incredible images that are tied to the narration.
Daughter of the Merciful Deep is an incredible coming of age story which plays excellent with the historical base to develop a deep touching plot; a great novel if you are looking to a story which will make you care about its characters, while showing the cruelty of what Afro-American people have experienced (and still experiences in some cases) because of racism.
June 5, 2024
An historical fantasy set in an almost exclusively Black town in the American South during the 1930s
Awenasa, founded by a former slave, has provided a safe haven for it's African American residents - often escaping poor treatment or been chased out of their former homes by their white neighbours - until it is threatened by a government dam-building project.
Jane, our main character, uses sign language to communicate following a series of traumatic events when she was a child, including the murder of a young man she knew, that left her barely able to speak. But one day, she's sure she sees that same man wandering about the town, and yet no one else seems to recognise him and he has an uncanny ability to slip away and disappear. This leads Jane to discover a secret world beneath the water and the existence of gods from African folklore.
This could have been a purely historical fiction and I still would have enjoyed it- the setting, the characters and their stories were so well told and compelling. The time and setting, including the inspiration of real drowned Black towns, are obviously well researched - Awenasa and it's residents fell completely real.
I enjoyed the African religion and folklore elements, especially the tokens and memories (I don't want to give away spoilers). To begin with, this seems like a magical realism historical fiction but by the end it dips into more solidly historical fantasy as Jane, with some help from others, tries to save her town.
The pacing isn't perfect, it maybe flags a little in the middle, and I wasn't hugely keen on especially as she communicates perfectly well anyway. But these are minor complaints to a book that has a great, organic feeling of community, time and place.
Thank you to Orbit UK for providing a netgalley review copy
Awenasa, founded by a former slave, has provided a safe haven for it's African American residents - often escaping poor treatment or been chased out of their former homes by their white neighbours - until it is threatened by a government dam-building project.
Jane, our main character, uses sign language to communicate following a series of traumatic events when she was a child, including the murder of a young man she knew, that left her barely able to speak. But one day, she's sure she sees that same man wandering about the town, and yet no one else seems to recognise him and he has an uncanny ability to slip away and disappear. This leads Jane to discover a secret world beneath the water and the existence of gods from African folklore.
This could have been a purely historical fiction and I still would have enjoyed it- the setting, the characters and their stories were so well told and compelling. The time and setting, including the inspiration of real drowned Black towns, are obviously well researched - Awenasa and it's residents fell completely real.
I enjoyed the African religion and folklore elements, especially the tokens and memories (I don't want to give away spoilers). To begin with, this seems like a magical realism historical fiction but by the end it dips into more solidly historical fantasy as Jane, with some help from others, tries to save her town.
The pacing isn't perfect, it maybe flags a little in the middle, and I wasn't hugely keen on especially as she communicates perfectly well anyway. But these are minor complaints to a book that has a great, organic feeling of community, time and place.
Thank you to Orbit UK for providing a netgalley review copy
May 27, 2024
Leslye Penelope captures the heart of a 1930s small Black town called Awenasa with this historical fantasy novel, blending African gods and myth with the Jim Crow US South, and telling an all-too-real and often overlooked history of drowned Black towns.
Daughter of the Merciful Deep tells the story of Jane Edwards, a young Black woman who has lost her voice and communicates through sign language, fighting her past while fighting for the future and existence of her community. This is a story of two halves - a historical story about racism, guilt, and community and a fantasy story about faith, love, memory, and forgiveness, with imposing gods and the magic of African folklore.
I loved the historical parts, as Penelope's writing and Jane's first-person POV had such strong character voice that was so authentic to the setting, creating a town of characters who all breathe life into the story. While the fantasy parts crafted a strong atmosphere, I missed the aching depth of sorrow and memory and loss that I got from the historical parts and Awenasa characters.
Overall, despite the heavy topics, this is a healing story. It's not bleak, though it easily could have been. In some ways, it's surprisingly easy for such a tragic reality. Again, this story splits into two halves, this time tonally, making it hard to reconcile my feelings. They average out to a story that I really enjoyed, and I definitely plan to read more by this author.
Thanks to NetGalley and Redhook for sending me an eARC of this novel for review!
Daughter of the Merciful Deep tells the story of Jane Edwards, a young Black woman who has lost her voice and communicates through sign language, fighting her past while fighting for the future and existence of her community. This is a story of two halves - a historical story about racism, guilt, and community and a fantasy story about faith, love, memory, and forgiveness, with imposing gods and the magic of African folklore.
I loved the historical parts, as Penelope's writing and Jane's first-person POV had such strong character voice that was so authentic to the setting, creating a town of characters who all breathe life into the story. While the fantasy parts crafted a strong atmosphere, I missed the aching depth of sorrow and memory and loss that I got from the historical parts and Awenasa characters.
Overall, despite the heavy topics, this is a healing story. It's not bleak, though it easily could have been. In some ways, it's surprisingly easy for such a tragic reality. Again, this story splits into two halves, this time tonally, making it hard to reconcile my feelings. They average out to a story that I really enjoyed, and I definitely plan to read more by this author.
Thanks to NetGalley and Redhook for sending me an eARC of this novel for review!
November 5, 2024
A fantastic alternate history/fantasy of flooded Black towns and the resiliency of the people who lived in them. Also a story of self-forgiveness that was heart warming from beginning to end.
May 11, 2024
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I read Leslye Penelope's The Monsters We Defy, and I was completely blown away! When I saw her new book up on NetGalley, I requested it immediately. Leslye Penelope is a brilliant storyteller. She writes stories that combine history and fantasy, sprinkled with romance, that are compelling, unique, and carry an undeniable emotional resonance. I really believe she's a unicorn with magical storytelling abilities. In the acknowledgement, she always explains how the inspiration came and what events she drew inspiration from, and while I greatly appreciate the information, it's so easy to deduce that she has done extensive research into everything and that she's put her heart and soul into the story. Her stories has this authenticity, this absolute nature of truth and spirit that screams how much work she's put into it.
Daughter of the Merciful Deep is a brilliant exploration of community, racism, religion/faith, hope, mistakes, and the act of saving yourself from your guilt and mistakes as well as protecting others. It also explores mental health, and how it can affect our character and actions.
Our main character is Jane who hasn't spoken in years, since she was a child. She was traumatized and held captive by her own sense of guilt. She doesn't think she deserves happiness, and all she wants to do is protect her family and her town. A town that is threatened by the production of a dam that will, as a result, flood the town. She gains a deeper understanding of the world, their history,and their culture after she meets a man who looks exactly like a boy who is supposed to be dead.
There are many side characters but we mostly meet Daniel, our love interest, Grace, Jane's sister, as well as Jane's father. Of course, we also meet some deities. All characters are fully fleshed out, with their quirks and extensive background. Daniel thinks he isn't worthy of his father's pride and Jane's love because he doesn't have a degree like his brothers. Grace's life outside their town hasn't been rainbows and sunshines, either.
It was a bit slow at times, but after I had read it and considered what to rate it, I just kept thinking, "Yeah, it got slow at some point but I do believe it's brilliant."
If you enjoy historical fantasy novels and friends to lovers romance, you should definitely read this! Leslye Penelope isn't an author to be missed.
I read Leslye Penelope's The Monsters We Defy, and I was completely blown away! When I saw her new book up on NetGalley, I requested it immediately. Leslye Penelope is a brilliant storyteller. She writes stories that combine history and fantasy, sprinkled with romance, that are compelling, unique, and carry an undeniable emotional resonance. I really believe she's a unicorn with magical storytelling abilities. In the acknowledgement, she always explains how the inspiration came and what events she drew inspiration from, and while I greatly appreciate the information, it's so easy to deduce that she has done extensive research into everything and that she's put her heart and soul into the story. Her stories has this authenticity, this absolute nature of truth and spirit that screams how much work she's put into it.
Daughter of the Merciful Deep is a brilliant exploration of community, racism, religion/faith, hope, mistakes, and the act of saving yourself from your guilt and mistakes as well as protecting others. It also explores mental health, and how it can affect our character and actions.
Our main character is Jane who hasn't spoken in years, since she was a child. She was traumatized and held captive by her own sense of guilt. She doesn't think she deserves happiness, and all she wants to do is protect her family and her town. A town that is threatened by the production of a dam that will, as a result, flood the town. She gains a deeper understanding of the world, their history,and their culture after she meets a man who looks exactly like a boy who is supposed to be dead.
There are many side characters but we mostly meet Daniel, our love interest, Grace, Jane's sister, as well as Jane's father. Of course, we also meet some deities. All characters are fully fleshed out, with their quirks and extensive background. Daniel thinks he isn't worthy of his father's pride and Jane's love because he doesn't have a degree like his brothers. Grace's life outside their town hasn't been rainbows and sunshines, either.
It was a bit slow at times, but after I had read it and considered what to rate it, I just kept thinking, "Yeah, it got slow at some point but I do believe it's brilliant."
If you enjoy historical fantasy novels and friends to lovers romance, you should definitely read this! Leslye Penelope isn't an author to be missed.
May 23, 2024
“Daughter of the Merciful Deep” is a ya historical fantasy novel written by Leslye Penelope.
A peaceful all-African-American town in 1930s America. A dam that threatens to destroy everything. A deeply united community. A determined and courageous protagonist, marked by the horrors of the past, who stopped speaking after the trauma she experienced. An evocative, lyrical and at times poetic prose. A vivid, detailed and well-described setting. A placid, slow pace that takes its time. A book that mixes folklore and African American history with magic and other fantasy elements, creating a wonderful plot. A story about racism, faith, hatred, slavery, injustice and cruelty. A tale of hope, peace, freedom, resistance, unity and healing. A book without romance, focused on the bonds between people.
These are just some of the elements that make up “Daughter of the Merciful Deep,” a novel that moved me deeply. Seriously, in several scenes I found myself getting angry, crying or both because of the strength and expressiveness of the descriptions. It is not a quick book, but nevertheless I was glued to the pages, absorbed in the events narrated, without moments of boredom or heaviness. I was fascinated by the setting, by the information regarding African American folklore, and by the almost suspended in time atmosphere that hovers over the tale. Jane, protagonist with her first person pov, convinced and involved me so much. I found her well portrayed and analyzed, with a wonderful evolution. I also liked the secondary characters, as well as appreciated the strong sense of community that hovers among all of them.
All in all, “Daughter of the Merciful Deep” is a ya historical fantasy that involved me a lot and that I recommend to lovers of the genre.
Thank you to the Publisher and NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
A peaceful all-African-American town in 1930s America. A dam that threatens to destroy everything. A deeply united community. A determined and courageous protagonist, marked by the horrors of the past, who stopped speaking after the trauma she experienced. An evocative, lyrical and at times poetic prose. A vivid, detailed and well-described setting. A placid, slow pace that takes its time. A book that mixes folklore and African American history with magic and other fantasy elements, creating a wonderful plot. A story about racism, faith, hatred, slavery, injustice and cruelty. A tale of hope, peace, freedom, resistance, unity and healing. A book without romance, focused on the bonds between people.
These are just some of the elements that make up “Daughter of the Merciful Deep,” a novel that moved me deeply. Seriously, in several scenes I found myself getting angry, crying or both because of the strength and expressiveness of the descriptions. It is not a quick book, but nevertheless I was glued to the pages, absorbed in the events narrated, without moments of boredom or heaviness. I was fascinated by the setting, by the information regarding African American folklore, and by the almost suspended in time atmosphere that hovers over the tale. Jane, protagonist with her first person pov, convinced and involved me so much. I found her well portrayed and analyzed, with a wonderful evolution. I also liked the secondary characters, as well as appreciated the strong sense of community that hovers among all of them.
All in all, “Daughter of the Merciful Deep” is a ya historical fantasy that involved me a lot and that I recommend to lovers of the genre.
Thank you to the Publisher and NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 25, 2024
She’s done it again‼️ Shining light on the drowned Black towns of the American South Penelope creates a powerful MC who journeys into a submerged world of gods and myth to save her home.
Daughter of the Merciful Deep was nothing short of amazing for me. I can’t say it topped The Monsters We Defy but it came really close. The way she twisted spirituality, religion, folklore, Black history, diasporic traditions , and myths in this historical fantasy was pure genius. I was probably around Ch. 17 or so when I realized what she was doing and honestly it was quite clever. It was also the character names and the way she put certain things into context that really made it click for me.
Another thing Penelope is really good at is world building. It was so easy to envision everything and what was happening around the town of Awenasa and New Ile. The character development itself was chef’s kiss 🤌🏽 so many memorable characters and their personalities gave so much life to book.
Watching Jane finally come to terms with her past trauma, having faith in herself, and finding her voice again was everything. The suspense surrounding the town’s mystery man Moses was also well done.
My only cons with this one:
* The middle of the book drags a bit
* Wish it didn’t take so long for something to spark between Jane and Daniel
* I couldn’t understand why others were able to use the nakara besides Jane. I felt like if it was gifted to her it should’ve remained sacred.
* Why wasn’t Daniel punished for the wish he made . . . I needed him to disappear or something. As many wishes as he did grant for the people around town he should’ve had amnesia 😂
Overall, I enjoyed this one and highly recommend especially if you’re a fan of her work sis didn’t miss‼️ Special thanks to the author & @redhookbooks for my advanced copy.
Daughter of the Merciful Deep was nothing short of amazing for me. I can’t say it topped The Monsters We Defy but it came really close. The way she twisted spirituality, religion, folklore, Black history, diasporic traditions , and myths in this historical fantasy was pure genius. I was probably around Ch. 17 or so when I realized what she was doing and honestly it was quite clever. It was also the character names and the way she put certain things into context that really made it click for me.
Another thing Penelope is really good at is world building. It was so easy to envision everything and what was happening around the town of Awenasa and New Ile. The character development itself was chef’s kiss 🤌🏽 so many memorable characters and their personalities gave so much life to book.
Watching Jane finally come to terms with her past trauma, having faith in herself, and finding her voice again was everything. The suspense surrounding the town’s mystery man Moses was also well done.
My only cons with this one:
* The middle of the book drags a bit
* Wish it didn’t take so long for something to spark between Jane and Daniel
* I couldn’t understand why others were able to use the nakara besides Jane. I felt like if it was gifted to her it should’ve remained sacred.
* Why wasn’t Daniel punished for the wish he made . . . I needed him to disappear or something. As many wishes as he did grant for the people around town he should’ve had amnesia 😂
Overall, I enjoyed this one and highly recommend especially if you’re a fan of her work sis didn’t miss‼️ Special thanks to the author & @redhookbooks for my advanced copy.
January 23, 2025
I mostly enjoyed this, but it doesn't seem as strong as The Monsters We Defy, which I adored, by the same author. There are some absolutely beautiful moments, and the story lightly explains an important component of American history (the damming of rivers and subsequent flooding of neighboring Black towns) that I had not encountered before. It also has an important message about community and race. I do not regret reading it. However, the main character is supposed to be 23 years old, but was skewing at about 12-14 for me, and that really hindered my enjoyment. I also think the magic system and the magical world the MC visits needed more, clearer explanation and possibly an edit - parts of the rules and parts of the story did not work for me at all (I can't be more specific without spoilers). But, like I said, I don't regret reading this and I think it's a lovely book, but younger readers might appreciate it more deeply than I did.
June 8, 2024
✨ NetGalley ARC Review ✨
Release Date: 6th June 2024
📖 Daughter of the Merciful Deep is historical fantasy that shines a light on the drowned Black towns of the American South.
We follow Jane who hasn’t spoken since she was eleven years old, when armed riders expelled her family from their hometown along with every other Black resident. Now, twelve years later, she’s found a haven in the all-Black town. But the construction of a dam promises to wash her home under the waters of the new lake.
She journeys into a submerged world of gods and myth in order to save her home.
✨ Review ✨
I don't think I've read anything that focused in on this moment in history. That alone made this a really unique read. The mix of folklore and African American history with magic made for wonderful world building.
The submerged world of gods was very atmospheric and amazing to explore. We also have our town on the surface which was easy to immerse yourself into. The sense of community was strong and I really enjoyed all the side characters. My only complaint would be that for a while these two worlds felt really disconnected from each other, like two different books. But once they came together it made for a beautiful story.
I loved our main character. Due to traumatic events when she was younger our fmc stopped speaking. There is a strong use of sign language in the book which I loved. Jane's journey in facing her grief and guilt and learning to find her voice again really elevated this story into something impactful.
I do think the story dragged abit in the middle so the pacing wasn't great. Also there are a few minor plot holes that have left me with questions but I'm not overly bothered.
This is a vivid story of hope and resilience. Do check your trigger warnings as this does deal with heavy themes such as racism. Overall this was a solid read and I really enjoyed it. So much so I brought the physical copy.
Release Date: 6th June 2024
📖 Daughter of the Merciful Deep is historical fantasy that shines a light on the drowned Black towns of the American South.
We follow Jane who hasn’t spoken since she was eleven years old, when armed riders expelled her family from their hometown along with every other Black resident. Now, twelve years later, she’s found a haven in the all-Black town. But the construction of a dam promises to wash her home under the waters of the new lake.
She journeys into a submerged world of gods and myth in order to save her home.
✨ Review ✨
I don't think I've read anything that focused in on this moment in history. That alone made this a really unique read. The mix of folklore and African American history with magic made for wonderful world building.
The submerged world of gods was very atmospheric and amazing to explore. We also have our town on the surface which was easy to immerse yourself into. The sense of community was strong and I really enjoyed all the side characters. My only complaint would be that for a while these two worlds felt really disconnected from each other, like two different books. But once they came together it made for a beautiful story.
I loved our main character. Due to traumatic events when she was younger our fmc stopped speaking. There is a strong use of sign language in the book which I loved. Jane's journey in facing her grief and guilt and learning to find her voice again really elevated this story into something impactful.
I do think the story dragged abit in the middle so the pacing wasn't great. Also there are a few minor plot holes that have left me with questions but I'm not overly bothered.
This is a vivid story of hope and resilience. Do check your trigger warnings as this does deal with heavy themes such as racism. Overall this was a solid read and I really enjoyed it. So much so I brought the physical copy.
September 9, 2024
4.5 ⭐
The story revolves around the courage of a young Black girl who saves her town from racial.
One of the most beautiful aspects of the novel is Jane‘s fight with her trauma.
“𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒕. 𝑻𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒎𝒚𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒂𝒚𝒃𝒆 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒆. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝑱𝒂𝒏𝒆 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈.”
She became deliberately mute because of the tragic incident at the age of 12. Watching her character evolve was incredible.
The people around Jane were also amazing, especially her sister Grace and her father. And Daniel? He’s the best. His unwavering support for Jane was so emotional😭. He had his own conflicts to deal with, but they were perfect for each other.
The novel was all about ancestral legacy, folklore, faith in destiny and struggle.
What’s done in the dark will come to light sooner or later,” she said.
“𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒔 𝒄𝒂𝒏’𝒕 𝒘𝒊𝒏 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓.”
These were the themes that made the novel so heart touching.
The pacing dragged a bit in the middle, but I knew it was going to be great after just a few pages because the plot kept me hooked the whole time.It’s already out now, so definitely give it a try!
The story revolves around the courage of a young Black girl who saves her town from racial.
One of the most beautiful aspects of the novel is Jane‘s fight with her trauma.
“𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒕. 𝑻𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒎𝒚𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒂𝒚𝒃𝒆 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒆. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝑱𝒂𝒏𝒆 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈.”
She became deliberately mute because of the tragic incident at the age of 12. Watching her character evolve was incredible.
The people around Jane were also amazing, especially her sister Grace and her father. And Daniel? He’s the best. His unwavering support for Jane was so emotional😭. He had his own conflicts to deal with, but they were perfect for each other.
The novel was all about ancestral legacy, folklore, faith in destiny and struggle.
What’s done in the dark will come to light sooner or later,” she said.
“𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒔 𝒄𝒂𝒏’𝒕 𝒘𝒊𝒏 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓.”
These were the themes that made the novel so heart touching.
The pacing dragged a bit in the middle, but I knew it was going to be great after just a few pages because the plot kept me hooked the whole time.It’s already out now, so definitely give it a try!
July 31, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review!
This was very beautifully written and fast-paced, connecting ancestral magic and historical fiction, but I really struggled to connect with the main character Jane. Despite being in her twenties, Jane read a lot younger, which was quite frustrating. I really liked the historical parts of the book, but the magical realism aspect wasn't really working for me. The research done on the historical fiction was really well done and clever, and I think the book would have worked much better for me without the fantasy aspect. I also struggled quite a bit to follow how the timeline was jumping around, but that might have just been me!
This was very beautifully written and fast-paced, connecting ancestral magic and historical fiction, but I really struggled to connect with the main character Jane. Despite being in her twenties, Jane read a lot younger, which was quite frustrating. I really liked the historical parts of the book, but the magical realism aspect wasn't really working for me. The research done on the historical fiction was really well done and clever, and I think the book would have worked much better for me without the fantasy aspect. I also struggled quite a bit to follow how the timeline was jumping around, but that might have just been me!
June 29, 2024
MacHalo Buddy Read
A unique and fantastic story. I love the creative places Leslye Penelope goes to find these heartwarming stories. Audio narrated by Shayna Small brings an exceptional, magic touch to the story.
A unique and fantastic story. I love the creative places Leslye Penelope goes to find these heartwarming stories. Audio narrated by Shayna Small brings an exceptional, magic touch to the story.
July 4, 2024
was thrown off by the use of the phrase “No shit, Sherlock” so had to spend some time googling when it originated. Still not sure it was used in the 30s. Otherwise great historical fantasy with lovable characters
October 25, 2024
Amazing story once again written by Leslye Penelope. She’s made me a huge fan of historical fantasy and I love that this one is also based on true historical events 👏🏾
May 26, 2024
I fully expected to love this book. The Monsters We Defy is one of my favorite historical fantasy books. Another book by the same author that blends black history and folklore sounded right up my alley. Not to mention the cover is gorgeous.
The parts of the book that worked for me were the historical parts. I enjoyed learning about Jane and Awenasa. The flooding of black towns was something that I had never heard of before this book. The author’s note shed even more light on this dark part of American history.
The parts that didn’t work for me were the fantasy parts. I’m a high fantasy reader, so in theory this book should have worked for me. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy the parts of this book that took place in the submerged world. The historical and fantasy did not blend well for me. I would have preferred a lighter dose of fantasy.
If the synopsis sounds interesting, I would still recommend this book especially if you enjoy historical fantasy.
The parts of the book that worked for me were the historical parts. I enjoyed learning about Jane and Awenasa. The flooding of black towns was something that I had never heard of before this book. The author’s note shed even more light on this dark part of American history.
The parts that didn’t work for me were the fantasy parts. I’m a high fantasy reader, so in theory this book should have worked for me. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy the parts of this book that took place in the submerged world. The historical and fantasy did not blend well for me. I would have preferred a lighter dose of fantasy.
If the synopsis sounds interesting, I would still recommend this book especially if you enjoy historical fantasy.
July 17, 2024
My expectations might have been too high for this one. I absolutely loved The Monsters We Defy and I was excited for Daughter of the Merciful Deep. Unfortunately, this didn’t hit for me. While I enjoyed and appreciate the history and the research of drowned Black towns that Penelope put into this book, I didn’t quite feel the same for the fantasy/magical realism aspects of the story.
July 17, 2024
Daughters of the Merciful Deep was an enjoyable historical fiction novel that also delved into magical realism and fantasy, much like Leslye Penelope's last book, The Monsters We Defy. The Monsters We Defy was one of my favorite books I read last year so when I heard about this one, I immediately requested it as an ARC. I did receive it (and this is my honest review in exchange for it), but life dictated that I would not get to finish reading it before the full book was released. But now that I have finished it, I can say this was another big swing, just like Monsters, but in some ways it fell short.
Prior to the start of the novel, our protagonist Jane Edwards experiences a serious trauma and is filled with guilt at her part in it, and has rarely spoken since then, communicating most often in sign language. She and her family (and many others) left that town and began anew in the all-Black town of Awenasa. Jane is smart and well-liked by almost everyone but is saved from being that annoying main character due to her own secrets and guilty conscience. She has a love interest she is too afraid to fully open up to, a father who is the town Pastor, and a sister who has returned to town with maybe more secrets than hers. That is, until White neighbors from nearby towns start trying to force them out. That is, until the secret guilt of Jane's past seems to walk right out of the lake without a drop of water on him.
This is where Penelope begins to weave in magical realism and, eventually gives us a full on fantasy world that might be the savior of Awenasa. We meet Papa Loku and Mama Yoji, gods with an entire community on the same Earth as Jane and her town, which no one has known about. I don't want to speak too much on this so as not to spoil it but for those who have heard of Drexciya, you can probably guess. Penelope's descriptions of this community were vast and vibrant and easy to visualize, and Jane and others quickly learned the extent of their powers separately and what the gods would allow. It takes them longer to believe and understand what they could accomplish as a whole.
While I fully enjoyed both of these stories - the fictional historical town of Awenasa and the fantasy world of gods - I don't think they fully meshed well into one. There was a lot of crossover between the worlds with characters and events, and, in a way I loved, Jane was not the only one involved by far. But there was just something that wasn't quite there to make this a 5 star read. That being said, it is a fantastic 4 star read. And the artwork for the full book release is beautiful enough that I just might buy it anyway. I hope Penelope keeps writing books like this and taking these risks because I am thoroughly enjoying them.
Prior to the start of the novel, our protagonist Jane Edwards experiences a serious trauma and is filled with guilt at her part in it, and has rarely spoken since then, communicating most often in sign language. She and her family (and many others) left that town and began anew in the all-Black town of Awenasa. Jane is smart and well-liked by almost everyone but is saved from being that annoying main character due to her own secrets and guilty conscience. She has a love interest she is too afraid to fully open up to, a father who is the town Pastor, and a sister who has returned to town with maybe more secrets than hers. That is, until White neighbors from nearby towns start trying to force them out. That is, until the secret guilt of Jane's past seems to walk right out of the lake without a drop of water on him.
This is where Penelope begins to weave in magical realism and, eventually gives us a full on fantasy world that might be the savior of Awenasa. We meet Papa Loku and Mama Yoji, gods with an entire community on the same Earth as Jane and her town, which no one has known about. I don't want to speak too much on this so as not to spoil it but for those who have heard of Drexciya, you can probably guess. Penelope's descriptions of this community were vast and vibrant and easy to visualize, and Jane and others quickly learned the extent of their powers separately and what the gods would allow. It takes them longer to believe and understand what they could accomplish as a whole.
While I fully enjoyed both of these stories - the fictional historical town of Awenasa and the fantasy world of gods - I don't think they fully meshed well into one. There was a lot of crossover between the worlds with characters and events, and, in a way I loved, Jane was not the only one involved by far. But there was just something that wasn't quite there to make this a 5 star read. That being said, it is a fantastic 4 star read. And the artwork for the full book release is beautiful enough that I just might buy it anyway. I hope Penelope keeps writing books like this and taking these risks because I am thoroughly enjoying them.
October 9, 2025
4.5⭐️s. A great blend of history, fantasy, and family. I really enjoyed this read. I don’t even have much to say about it. I got to the 50% mark and I got locked in. Finished the rest of the book the next day. I read The Monsters We Defy, by the same author, and she has such a gift for taking historical events, times, or stories, and weaving an excellent story around it. Great read!
June 7, 2024
As they did in the author's last book, reality and fantasy intermingle to create a mesmerizing piece of historical fiction that features strong female characters
Here we have the deeply moving tale of a close knit black community that resists the government's plans to flood their town for a new dam. Jane must enlist the help of magical underwater gods in her efforts to save her town and her pregnant sister. But gods are tricky beings, and sometimes they must be appeased.
I honestly wasn't crazy about the fantasy elements of the story, though I can't imagine how the book would have worked without them. Penelope's lovely writing and beautiful story make this an engrossing read. The relationship between the sisters was my favorite part of the book.
I can't wait to see what this author dreams up next.
Thanks to NetGalley and Redhook Books for the read.
Here we have the deeply moving tale of a close knit black community that resists the government's plans to flood their town for a new dam. Jane must enlist the help of magical underwater gods in her efforts to save her town and her pregnant sister. But gods are tricky beings, and sometimes they must be appeased.
I honestly wasn't crazy about the fantasy elements of the story, though I can't imagine how the book would have worked without them. Penelope's lovely writing and beautiful story make this an engrossing read. The relationship between the sisters was my favorite part of the book.
I can't wait to see what this author dreams up next.
Thanks to NetGalley and Redhook Books for the read.
October 20, 2024
Instagram: @kristinereads_
A sad DNF at 56%. I love Leslye Penelope’s concepts, her dedication to bringing lesser-known Black American history to light, and her use of African mythology. Unfortunately this book just has too many elements to the magic system that were not delivered in an organic way; we continue to receive info-dumps over halfway thru and I’m losing steam.
A sad DNF at 56%. I love Leslye Penelope’s concepts, her dedication to bringing lesser-known Black American history to light, and her use of African mythology. Unfortunately this book just has too many elements to the magic system that were not delivered in an organic way; we continue to receive info-dumps over halfway thru and I’m losing steam.
May 26, 2024
3.5 rounded up
Daughter of the Merciful Deep was my first book by this author and it was the title and the blurb that drew me in. I love historical fiction and I love fantasy and if done well, historical fantasy is the best of both worlds. This is a combination of two very different genres that all authors do in their own way, so I wasn’t sure what to expect but I was curious. Moreover, I had never heard of the drowned Black towns of the American South, and I was eager to learn more about them.
I have to say, the author aced the premise of the story, and the afterword was enlightening, elaborating on a couple of truly heart-breaking historical facts that inspired Daughter of the Merciful Deep. A story with a main character to root for, and people coming together to face off evil in whichever form despite their own insecurities and issues always works for me. Add some depth by weaving true historical facts into the narrative and some (folk)lore, and you have all the ingredients to win my heart.
Alas, Daughter of the Merciful Deep did not quite conquer my heart. As wonderful as the premise and all the separate elements were, the execution did not entirely work for me, it took me a while to get into the story and I ended up with some mixed feelings. I do have to add that Fickle Frieda set up camp again and she’s made me very VERY hard to please. I’m a mood reader at the best of times but when Frieda’s in da house, my moods are irrationally fickle.
The biggest niggle I had was that I couldn’t quite orientate myself in space and time. Part of the narrative is set in a fictional place, but a large part is set in a town that I eventually assumed had a fictional name but was based on a real town. The blurb speaks of the American South, so I figured that must be where the story was set, but I found little to prove that it was, and if so, in which State. The afterword did clear that up.
With regards to when the story is set, there is a past timeline, which is set in 1923, in which the protagonist is a child, so that did allow me to orientate myself in time. However, there are a few bits and bobs that irked me, things like one of the characters saying: no shit, Sherlock. I dunno, most readers may not even notice, but to me, those little details felt too contemporary to fit the story, and clashed horribly with some historical aspects and as such, they pulled me right out of it.
However, as I said, Fickle Frieda has been making sure it doesn’t take much to pull me out of any story lately, so if Daughter of the Merciful Deep speaks to you, you should probably listen to her, not me!
Despite some mixed feelings, overall I did have a good time with Daughter of the Merciful Deep. It’s a blend of historical fiction and fantasy that tells a story of racism and violence but also of hope, courage and love, while highlighting a true (and sad) chapter in Black history.
Daughter of the Merciful Deep is out in digital formats and audio on 4 June, and paperback on 6 June.
Massive thanks to Orbit and NetGalley for the DRC. All opinions are my own.
Daughter of the Merciful Deep was my first book by this author and it was the title and the blurb that drew me in. I love historical fiction and I love fantasy and if done well, historical fantasy is the best of both worlds. This is a combination of two very different genres that all authors do in their own way, so I wasn’t sure what to expect but I was curious. Moreover, I had never heard of the drowned Black towns of the American South, and I was eager to learn more about them.
I have to say, the author aced the premise of the story, and the afterword was enlightening, elaborating on a couple of truly heart-breaking historical facts that inspired Daughter of the Merciful Deep. A story with a main character to root for, and people coming together to face off evil in whichever form despite their own insecurities and issues always works for me. Add some depth by weaving true historical facts into the narrative and some (folk)lore, and you have all the ingredients to win my heart.
Alas, Daughter of the Merciful Deep did not quite conquer my heart. As wonderful as the premise and all the separate elements were, the execution did not entirely work for me, it took me a while to get into the story and I ended up with some mixed feelings. I do have to add that Fickle Frieda set up camp again and she’s made me very VERY hard to please. I’m a mood reader at the best of times but when Frieda’s in da house, my moods are irrationally fickle.
The biggest niggle I had was that I couldn’t quite orientate myself in space and time. Part of the narrative is set in a fictional place, but a large part is set in a town that I eventually assumed had a fictional name but was based on a real town. The blurb speaks of the American South, so I figured that must be where the story was set, but I found little to prove that it was, and if so, in which State. The afterword did clear that up.
With regards to when the story is set, there is a past timeline, which is set in 1923, in which the protagonist is a child, so that did allow me to orientate myself in time. However, there are a few bits and bobs that irked me, things like one of the characters saying: no shit, Sherlock. I dunno, most readers may not even notice, but to me, those little details felt too contemporary to fit the story, and clashed horribly with some historical aspects and as such, they pulled me right out of it.
However, as I said, Fickle Frieda has been making sure it doesn’t take much to pull me out of any story lately, so if Daughter of the Merciful Deep speaks to you, you should probably listen to her, not me!
Despite some mixed feelings, overall I did have a good time with Daughter of the Merciful Deep. It’s a blend of historical fiction and fantasy that tells a story of racism and violence but also of hope, courage and love, while highlighting a true (and sad) chapter in Black history.
Daughter of the Merciful Deep is out in digital formats and audio on 4 June, and paperback on 6 June.
Massive thanks to Orbit and NetGalley for the DRC. All opinions are my own.
February 25, 2024
4.5 stars. Daughter of the Merciful Deep is a beautifully written story about how love, family, belief and community can bring hope in the face of hatred and ignorance. The book follows Jane Edwards, a young woman living in Awenasa, a small, vibrant Black town in the American South. Jane lost her voice after tragic events caused by the sins of white men left her emotionally scarred. Now Awenasa, a town founded by a former slave who bought the land upon which he was forced to work, is threatened by state authorities who plan to drown the town after completion of a large dam. Jane might be able to save the town, but she must believe in miracles in the form of the gods of her ancestors. Author Leslye Penelope was inspired in part by the true stories of the drowned Black towns of the American South in the early 20th Century. To this she adds African folklore to tell the tale of a young woman who must overcome her past to save the people and town that she loves.
While this book started a bit slow, I was soon engulfed into this world--the people of Awenasa came alive, and I was invested in Jane's search for a way to save her town. Daughter of the Merciful Deep is a historical fantasy, and halfway through the book there is a shift in the fantastical elements that in lesser hands could have seemed abrupt. But there was enough forethought in how these elements were introduced that moving from grounded reality to beyond reality seemed natural.
This book confronts the stark verity of America's racist past in a very personal way--through the eyes of one young woman. That Jane's story and indeed, the story of Awenasa, can also be so hopeful and, at times, joyous, not only speaks to the writing, but the resilient spirit of the people upon which Penelope based this story. I was enchanted by the fantastical elements; and I wouldn't mind reading an entire book about what happens after this story ends.
I highly recommend Daughter of the Merciful Deep to fans of historical fiction and fantasy, and am eager to read more of this author's work.
**Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review**
While this book started a bit slow, I was soon engulfed into this world--the people of Awenasa came alive, and I was invested in Jane's search for a way to save her town. Daughter of the Merciful Deep is a historical fantasy, and halfway through the book there is a shift in the fantastical elements that in lesser hands could have seemed abrupt. But there was enough forethought in how these elements were introduced that moving from grounded reality to beyond reality seemed natural.
This book confronts the stark verity of America's racist past in a very personal way--through the eyes of one young woman. That Jane's story and indeed, the story of Awenasa, can also be so hopeful and, at times, joyous, not only speaks to the writing, but the resilient spirit of the people upon which Penelope based this story. I was enchanted by the fantastical elements; and I wouldn't mind reading an entire book about what happens after this story ends.
I highly recommend Daughter of the Merciful Deep to fans of historical fiction and fantasy, and am eager to read more of this author's work.
**Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review**
June 20, 2024
Daughter of the Merciful Deep is a joyous tale of survival, but also a harrowing look at the drowned Black towns of the American South. Set in 1930’s America, in a town with a predominately Black community, the story follows Jane Edwards, the daughter of the local preacher who hasn’t spoken a word since a traumatic event that happened in her youth. When her town is threatened by the development of a dam, Jane is given a chance to save it, one that seems too magical to be true. But when a face from her past returns, something that shouldn’t be possible, Jane starts to realise that there may be magic in this world, magic ready for the taking, if she can only be brave enough to reach out for it.
Penelope effortlessly blends history and fantasy to create a story that had me steaming with anger, but also rejoicing. It’s a story that doesn’t shy away from the dark side of history, instead shines a spotlight on it. In the acknowledgement she tells us where she draws her inspiration from, something I really loved because it shows just how much research went into telling this story, making it as historically accurate as it can be, whilst also making it wondrously magical. Her stories carry a heavy emotional toll, but they are also wholly unique and the fantasy elements, as well as the sprinkle of romance, mean her readers find it hard not to get overly invested.
Jane was a character I instantly empathised with. She is someone carrying around a trauma from her past, one she has tried to hide from herself, never wanting to admit what she did. She is someone so full of love and care, for her family and her community, but someone who doesn’t believe she deserves any of it herself. She’s complicated, head strong and incredibly clever, but she is also terrified of being noticed, of people starting to chip away at her walls because once they do, she’s not sure she’ll be able to contain her secrets any longer. Alongside Jane, we get introduced to a whole host of characters from her town, the one’s with the most page time being Grace, her older sister, Daniel, the boy who loves her and who she doesn’t believe she deserves, and Moses, someone with the face of a boy Jane knows to be dead.
As the daughter of a preacher, Jane has grown up Catholic, but through the story, and trying to save her town, she delves more into the God’s her ancestors believed in, those from African mythology and folklore, and actually a large part of the book deals with trying to get Jane and the townspeople to remember things that their ancestors knew, things that have been lost to them over time. A time when they were ripped from their homes, forced to become slaves, to follow a new religion, forced to try and belong in a world that would be slow to accept them. The story blends folklore, African mythology and Catholicism, something that absolutely shouldn’t work, but Penelope know’s what she is doing. There’s a large part of the book I can’t really talk about without giving away spoilers, but I loved how Penelope showed that, even in the places that were so called ‘refuge’s’ prejudice and the like still exists. There was no such thing as ‘perfection’, instead it was wondrously human and realistic.
It’ a story that shows how miracles come from communities working together, towards the same goal, following in the paths their ancestors set for them. And it’s one filled with hope and resistance, peace and healing. There is a romance arc that’s super sweet, but it’s not a large part of the plot, which is focused on human connection of all kinds; familial, friendships and romance. Penelope’s writing is lush and descriptive and instantly transports you to the town of Awenasa. The start of the story may be a little slower, but around half way through there is a shift, not just in pace, but in tone and one that brings the fantasy element to life and while, in other hands this may have seemed abrupt, Penelope simply weaves it into her story like it was there all along.
Daughter of the Merciful Deep is a harrowing story in parts, one that deals with the darker side of history, with slavery and racism, but it’s also one that is so incredibly filled with hope and healing. It doesn’t try and wash away any of the terrible events which were used as inspiration, but rather, and in Penelope’s own words she wanted to “honour the trauma and pain as well as the joy and resiliency of her ancestors.” If you like historical fantasy that takes it’s inspiration from real life, no matter how horrifying the tales, but leave you with a feeling of hope and joy by the end. One with complicated characters who are carrying their own traumas, a book that will leave you angry and joyful at the same time… you need to pick this one up.
Penelope effortlessly blends history and fantasy to create a story that had me steaming with anger, but also rejoicing. It’s a story that doesn’t shy away from the dark side of history, instead shines a spotlight on it. In the acknowledgement she tells us where she draws her inspiration from, something I really loved because it shows just how much research went into telling this story, making it as historically accurate as it can be, whilst also making it wondrously magical. Her stories carry a heavy emotional toll, but they are also wholly unique and the fantasy elements, as well as the sprinkle of romance, mean her readers find it hard not to get overly invested.
Jane was a character I instantly empathised with. She is someone carrying around a trauma from her past, one she has tried to hide from herself, never wanting to admit what she did. She is someone so full of love and care, for her family and her community, but someone who doesn’t believe she deserves any of it herself. She’s complicated, head strong and incredibly clever, but she is also terrified of being noticed, of people starting to chip away at her walls because once they do, she’s not sure she’ll be able to contain her secrets any longer. Alongside Jane, we get introduced to a whole host of characters from her town, the one’s with the most page time being Grace, her older sister, Daniel, the boy who loves her and who she doesn’t believe she deserves, and Moses, someone with the face of a boy Jane knows to be dead.
As the daughter of a preacher, Jane has grown up Catholic, but through the story, and trying to save her town, she delves more into the God’s her ancestors believed in, those from African mythology and folklore, and actually a large part of the book deals with trying to get Jane and the townspeople to remember things that their ancestors knew, things that have been lost to them over time. A time when they were ripped from their homes, forced to become slaves, to follow a new religion, forced to try and belong in a world that would be slow to accept them. The story blends folklore, African mythology and Catholicism, something that absolutely shouldn’t work, but Penelope know’s what she is doing. There’s a large part of the book I can’t really talk about without giving away spoilers, but I loved how Penelope showed that, even in the places that were so called ‘refuge’s’ prejudice and the like still exists. There was no such thing as ‘perfection’, instead it was wondrously human and realistic.
It’ a story that shows how miracles come from communities working together, towards the same goal, following in the paths their ancestors set for them. And it’s one filled with hope and resistance, peace and healing. There is a romance arc that’s super sweet, but it’s not a large part of the plot, which is focused on human connection of all kinds; familial, friendships and romance. Penelope’s writing is lush and descriptive and instantly transports you to the town of Awenasa. The start of the story may be a little slower, but around half way through there is a shift, not just in pace, but in tone and one that brings the fantasy element to life and while, in other hands this may have seemed abrupt, Penelope simply weaves it into her story like it was there all along.
Daughter of the Merciful Deep is a harrowing story in parts, one that deals with the darker side of history, with slavery and racism, but it’s also one that is so incredibly filled with hope and healing. It doesn’t try and wash away any of the terrible events which were used as inspiration, but rather, and in Penelope’s own words she wanted to “honour the trauma and pain as well as the joy and resiliency of her ancestors.” If you like historical fantasy that takes it’s inspiration from real life, no matter how horrifying the tales, but leave you with a feeling of hope and joy by the end. One with complicated characters who are carrying their own traumas, a book that will leave you angry and joyful at the same time… you need to pick this one up.
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