Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.

Start by marking “Beneath Cruel Fathoms (The Bitter Sea Trilogy, #1)” as Want to Read:

Other editions

Enlarge cover

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Open Preview

Beneath Cruel Fathoms

(The Bitter Sea Trilogy #1)

Anela Deen (Goodreads Author)

4.10 · Rating details · 172 ratings · 85 reviews

After a violent storm destroys her ship, Isaura Johansdottir knows better than to hope she’ll be rescued from Eisland’s vast Failock Sea. Adrift and alone, her plans to start over lost, it’s a tragic conclusion after the disastrous end of her marriage—until she’s saved by Leonel, one of the merfolk, a creature long believed extinct. In repayment for her life, Leonel enlist ...more

Get A Copy

ebook, 386 pages

Published May 2019 by Fine Fables Press

More Details... Edit Details

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about Beneath Cruel Fathoms, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

The Office of Historical Corrections by Danielle Evans

Popsugar 2021 #36 - A Book with Fewer than 1000 Reviews

359 books — 94 voters

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

Best of Advanced Reader Copies (ARCs)

140 books — 49 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

Showing 1-30

Average rating 4.10 ·

Rating details

· 172 ratings · 85 reviews

More filters

Sort order

Start your review of Beneath Cruel Fathoms (The Bitter Sea Trilogy, #1)

Dec 18, 2019 Miranda Reads rated it it was amazing

Shelves: received-to-review

Annnd here's the second episode of Some Good News - BookTube Special Edition - this time featuring some good news from Anela Deen!

A huge thank you to her and all of the other contributors!

Looking for a new book? Here are some of my favorite self-pub, indie and smaller author-books in my Latest Book Tube Video.

The Written Review:

Human bodies floated among the wreckage in breathless suspension...

Isaura Johansdottir was traveling back to her father's home after a failed marriag ...more

flag 209 likes · Like · see review

May 27, 2020 C.G. Drews rated it really liked it

Shelves: adult, read-2020, epic-fantasy

You know that feeling when you read a really good book and you turn those final pages, close it, and softly scream inside because it was both so satisfying and good AND you want the sequel?? Me, right now. With Beneath Cruel Fathoms. This whole book was such a breath of fresh sea air (shh I can use ocean puns; the book asked for it), and I'm so in love with it. It was everything I needed right now: gods, merfolk, sea aesthetic, beautiful dumb merman boys, the softest most gentle romance, and plo You know that feeling when you read a really good book and you turn those final pages, close it, and softly scream inside because it was both so satisfying and good AND you want the sequel?? Me, right now. With Beneath Cruel Fathoms. This whole book was such a breath of fresh sea air (shh I can use ocean puns; the book asked for it), and I'm so in love with it. It was everything I needed right now: gods, merfolk, sea aesthetic, beautiful dumb merman boys, the softest most gentle romance, and plot twists that left me breathless.

I’m slightly in love with the ocean 😍 I live 5 minutes away from the coast and walk there every day and it is just about my favourite thing. So books that just give life to the sea, with the salt and storm aesthetic of the waves…agh, I’m sold immediately. Plus we have Leonel, the last of the merfolk and ostracised in the underwater gods’ court because of being a bastard and a mortal. And the gods are based of North Mythology and they are mean. You know what they say about family: can’t live without them, can’t turn around in case they stab you in the gills. 😌👌🏻

It has one of my most favourite tropes: paranormal creature finds the human world awkward. Leonel will just about steal your whole heart with his wholesome naivety. Merfolk can shapeshift to having two legs, but he does NOT do this often — until he meets Isaura. But he thinks human things are so odd and he’s constantly perplexed but them and afjdskald I just love this. I will never get tired reading about the magical powerful protector fish man of the sea…being like: “These are very cute little bowls you use to carry around liquid.” He can fight the underwater undead but he, himself, is defeated by pants.

Basically Leonel:

Leonel: why do these pants have so many small shells???
Isaura: …..those are buttons
Leonel: why are there so many????? did you give me these pants because you don’t like me?!
Isaura: 🙄

She put up with so much, so graciously (because she LOVES this dumb fish boy).

The romance is so heart meltingly perfect. Leonel and Isaura together…I can’t even say how much I love them. They have culture clashes and he is terse at first and she is grumpy back. But he saved her from drowning and then she, as healer, takes care of him later on. They slowly agree to be friends, and then slowly agree to be friends who kiss sometimes. 🥺 And I just appreciated the sweet tentativeness of it. Leonel has no idea how to be loved and Isaura is struggling with feelings of brokenness after discovering she’s infertile and having that fact end her first marriage. They both believe they are unworthy. And they slowly see those lies for what they are. (The author's note also says she wrote her own experience of having PCOS into the book -- the emotional struggles of it and the realities. I've not read that in a book before and so appreciated this.

I really love books that add in humour and this did it so so well! It had me smiling with Isaura’s quips and Leonel’s being softly confused at human culture. Isaura’s family also made my DAY — her aunt is so funny, her dad is blustery and soft and gentle, and she has an adopted brother who pretends he doesn’t need tea cakes…but he really needed tea cakes.

(Also Jurek and Isaura call each other “heart brother/sister” because he’s adopted.🥺Again, I MELT on you. Every relationship in here filled my heart.)

The plot had both magical mysteries and high stakes. It honestly was enthralling. There are mysterious magic-infused storms murdering sailors and destroying ships, and Leonel wants to stop this before it hurts too much of the ocean. He protects the ocean so hard. And he and Isaura team up to unravel clues. There’s also locked up gods and twists in the underwater court. The pacing was utterly perfect for it too — never a dull moment, but also infused with the soft sweet ones. It also got bloody, wrenched feels, and ended with me needing the sequel. This book!!! ...more

flag 56 likes · Like · see review

Nov 08, 2018 Faith M ✨ rated it really liked it

Shelves: cover-porn, arc, 3rd-person, 4-stars, a-wizard-did-it, mc-boi, fantasy, zambams, feminist-but-actually, underrated-gems

I received this eARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of this book in any way. All quotes are taken from the uncorrected proof and are subject to change.

It was honestly more of a 3.5 but the first half was great, so I'm rounding up.

Love and friendship. Shame and heartache. Endings and beginnings.

Obligatory Summary

Isaura is on a boat, going back home to her father's house after a failed marriage, but the sea has been behaving most strangely, an ...more

flag 47 likes · Like · see review

Jul 14, 2020 Renaissance Kate rated it it was amazing

Shelves: kindle, arc, favorites, books-i-own, read-in-2020, romance, fantasy-reads, read-smut-2, booksirens

To say that I adored this book would be an understatement. The perfect blend of fantasy and romance, Beneath Cruel Fathoms ensnared me from page one and kept me enthralled throughout its entirety. I laughed, I cried, and I cheered as Isaura and Leonel faced their deepest internal struggles while falling deeply in love and fighting to save the people and places most dear to them. While I always look forward to reading at the end of the day, this is the first book in awhile that had me wishing the To say that I adored this book would be an understatement. The perfect blend of fantasy and romance, Beneath Cruel Fathoms ensnared me from page one and kept me enthralled throughout its entirety. I laughed, I cried, and I cheered as Isaura and Leonel faced their deepest internal struggles while falling deeply in love and fighting to save the people and places most dear to them. While I always look forward to reading at the end of the day, this is the first book in awhile that had me wishing the minutes would go by as quickly as possible so I could spend my evening devouring this story.

This book does a beautiful job balancing its protagonists’ emotional conflicts with the external action. Both Leonel and Isaura keep their past traumas buried within them, and these issues are developed enough for the reader to empathize with the characters without coming off as heavy-handed. As they face these internal conflicts, Isaura and Leonel must also take action to save the world around them, and find themselves falling deeply in love in the process. Their love story is absolutely beautiful, well-paced, and authentic, from the smaller, tender moments to their lengthier, deep conversations. If you’re looking for a fantasy read with an amazing romance, look no further. On top of this, the plot also contains heavy doses of action and intrigue for readers who enjoy intense battles, magic, and political and family dramas.

The worldbuilding is top-notch, from Leonel’s mystical yet dark world beneath the waves to Isaura’s home on the picturesque isle of Eisland. While the world is mostly Norse-inspired, in particular the gods, place names, and culture of the land dwellers, Anela Deen also incorporates mythological beings from Greek and Scottish mythology. These creatures fit perfectly into the underwater world and help expand the setting while providing opportunities for the plot to a take a new direction. Additionally, small details on clothing, food, decor, and more are sprinkled in to paint a clear picture, and from Ægir’s underwater palace to Isaura’s family farm I found myself completely immersed in this world. Lastly, the language barrier between Isaura and Leonel is handled very well and works as a simple but effective worldbuilding tool while also providing some sweet and laugh-out-loud moments.

Overall, this book is incredible and I hope more people will choose to read it soon. I’m so glad I picked it up the month before its sequel’s publication, and I already cannot wait for Jurek and Ava’s story in Between Savage Tides!

Thank you to author Anela Deen via BookSirens for providing me with an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own. ...more

flag 38 likes · Like · see review

Sep 29, 2019 ✨Sumi's Books✨ rated it it was amazing

Great storytelling...
A storm comes up out of nowhere and sinks Isaura's ship leaving no survivors except for her. She is left for dead in the middle of the ocean. But she's in luck because Leonel, the last of the merfolk and protector of the seas, is investigating where these storms are coming from. He saves her, and together they team up to solve the mystery of the violent storms. Secrets and betrayal lie ahead for the two as their bond grows ever closer. The question is, will they survive long Great storytelling...
A storm comes up out of nowhere and sinks Isaura's ship leaving no survivors except for her. She is left for dead in the middle of the ocean. But she's in luck because Leonel, the last of the merfolk and protector of the seas, is investigating where these storms are coming from. He saves her, and together they team up to solve the mystery of the violent storms. Secrets and betrayal lie ahead for the two as their bond grows ever closer. The question is, will they survive long enough?
Okay I will admit, when I read the beginning of this book I found it 100% cliche and was rolling my eyes. "Yes, the ship sinks, the merman saves her... it's all been done before..." But then I started reading more and the more that I read the less cliche the story became. In fact the more I read the more fresh and new material I came across. You find yourself turning pages to find out what happens next. This book is very unpredictable which is very refreshing.
This book has great world-building to where you can actually envision the characters world that they move around in. It also has great character development throughout the book and you really get to have a feel for the characters that the author writes. Especially Isaura (for me). I completely understand her plight in the book and at times I wish I could reach out and hug her and tell her that it's going to be okay. She is also a very strong female lead character which I very much appreciate.
The banter between the two main characters is also very humorous and very relatable. It is not overdone and is very true to life and real sounding.
This book has a lot of action I'm not going to lie but it has a great plot pace and very well executed. This book is obviously well-thought-out and put together very carefully for its readers. I love the great mix of genre elements. I would call this a Game of Thrones meets The Little Merman type of story.
The ending was also a very great element. While wrapping up the story of the first book in a neat little bow the author also sets us up for the second installment quite nicely. I am very much anticipating its release.
I would lastly like to mention that I personally loved all of the Nordic terms and characters of mythology throughout the book. That was very different and surprising for me considering that mermaids in Nordic stories were evil beings. But this book has taken the two elements and weaved them together in a very different light. I liked it a lot. Being of Norse ancestry myself, this really hit home for me.
This was definitely a good book and I very much recommend it to others who enjoy a good fantasy with lots of action and adventure. ...more

flag 22 likes · Like · see review

Aug 25, 2019 Karima chermiti rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2019, adult_fiction, fantasy, romance, mystery, gorgeous-covers, readathons_books

Trigger warning : Talk of infertility , Drowning, Torture and violence

Funny enough this book was never on my radar if it wasn’t for a co-worker and now it’s one of the best fantasy books I read this year. Lately, I’ve been struggling with YA fantasy with each book more and more so I feel like I’m getting more enjoyment from the adult ones and this one were no different.

The story revolves around Isaura Johansdottir whose ship gets destroyed by a vicious sudden storm and loses all hope of rescue w ...more

flag 17 likes · Like · see review

Jul 29, 2019 Althea | themoonwholistens ☾ marked it as to-read

Shelves: age-adult, author-poc, arcs, read-physical-copy, received-to-review

(7/19/19)

*Thank you to Anela Deen for sending me a copy to review along with a beautiful print*

⟹ BLOG | SUPPORT ME ON KO-FI | BOOKSIRENS ⟸ ...more

flag 18 likes · Like · see review

May 27, 2020 Nen & Jen rated it it was amazing

4.5 HAPPY STARS 🌟 Had this one sitting on my shelf for so long and I’m so glad I finally read it. My only contention: what took me so long?!?!

flag 14 likes · Like · see review

Aug 30, 2020 Naia Pard rated it liked it

Shelves: 2020, fantasy, mermaids, gods, magic, 2pov

Disclaimer: I received this book from BookSirens in exchange for an honest review.

Shall we dive straight in? (yes, the pun was intended)

There are two main characters. The reader gets to see the perspective of both Isaura and Leonel as they intermediately appear, one chapter after the other.
The book opens with Isaura`s POV as she is crossing the sea. She is a healer (I got some serious vibes of the Outlander season four) that behaves more than well with the crew (there is a serious description o ...more

flag 14 likes · Like · see review

May 25, 2020 Melissa (thereaderandthechef) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

*This review can also be found on The Reader and The Chef. Huge thanks to the author & MTMC Tours for the review copy. All thoughts are my own.*

Beneath Cruel Fathoms is my new favorite book!!! This amazing story took me by storm (pun fully intended) and I am still floating in the aftermath of its magnificence. I absolutely LOVED IT. From the world building full of norse ocean mythology to the funny, smart and kind characters–everything captivated me!

I will start off by saying that this book has *This review can also be found on The Reader and The Chef. Huge thanks to the author & MTMC Tours for the review copy. All thoughts are my own.*

Beneath Cruel Fathoms is my new favorite book!!! This amazing story took me by storm (pun fully intended) and I am still floating in the aftermath of its magnificence. I absolutely LOVED IT. From the world building full of norse ocean mythology to the funny, smart and kind characters–everything captivated me!

I will start off by saying that this book has what I love the most: humor. Isaura and Leonel, as well as the rest of the characters, made me laugh throughout and I loved them all the more for it. They are such WARM, genuine characters. It’s been a while since a book has made me love the full cast so much, because despite everything they’ve been through, their hearts are so precious.

Isaura is kind, gentle and an exceptional healer, even if her heart has been broken for the loss of her marriage due to infertility. Leonel, whose sea family has been cruel to him all his life for being the bastard mermaid son of the sea goddess, still works hard to be deserving of his title as the guardian of the Fathoms. Both of these characters navigate loneliness and yet their spirits are not truly broken. In fact, they still do their best to protect and stay loyal to those they love. And when Leonel saves Isaura when an unnatural storm sinks the ship she was traveling with, they form an unlikely alliance, which blooms into a heartwarming friendship. And then inevitably, into love.

But that’s another favorite aspect about this book, all of the main relationships are beautiful in their own ways. Isaura has a wonderful, supportive family which consists of her father, aunt, and adoptive brother who lovingly calls her “Heart Sister”. Funny banter takes place within this loving family unit and I adored it. However, it would still make my heart ache for Leonel whose family was anything but, and he was indeed alone in his vast world.

Ack, this might be getting long but I also must mention how incredible the sea life is in this book. And the way Leonel interacts with it! Through songs and whistles, reading about the different languages of the sea was stunning. I just *loved* it. It even made me tear up when he mournfully sings for lost sea life.

Beneath Cruel Fathoms deserves to reach more readers and it is my duty now to sing its praises. Not only does it weave Norse Mythology, but it touches themes rarely seen in Fantasy such as Infertility
and a main character dealing with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, and thankfully, it's a condition that doesn't get magically solved. Anela Deen handles every theme beautifully and now I cannot wait what she does for book 2! ♥ ...more

flag 11 likes · Like · see review

Dec 02, 2019 Melissasfandomworld rated it it was amazing

Shelves: e-books

4,5 beautiful stars!

Finishing Beneath Cruel Fathoms had me happy and sad all at once. Happy because it was such a great read and sad because I couldn’t immediately start the second book haha. It’s a book that I thoroughly loved reading and it left me craving more instantly.

“Hunters come. They are- What is your word? They have fin on top.” He made a sharp whistle and jutted his fingers upward and toward his back. “Sharks?” She squeaked. “Is that what you mean?” “Yes, those.” “But you’re stron
...more

flag 9 likes · Like · see review

Aug 14, 2020 Simoné Eloff rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc-read

Update 6/9/2020: I should be more eloquent with this review, and I should be saying way more than I'm going to, but I fell into the trap of leaving it too long and forgetting what I wanted to say in the first place. I need to stop doing that.

So, in the interest of just getting you to READ THIS BOOK (which you absolutely have to, given that you're reading this review and therefore are already considering giving it a go), I'm going to keep it short and totally feeling-centric.

This book is not with ...more

flag 8 likes · Like · see review

Jun 16, 2019 Intisar Khanani rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: epic-fantasy, indie-authors

This was a heart-achingly poignant story, and I mean to write a review that does it justice. For now, I'll just say: alternative world with norse mythology, plus a merman and a healer who are equally broken and incredibly strong? Oh, and they have to save the world together? Adventure, magic, and all the feels. Read it now. ...more

flag 9 likes · Like · see review

Dec 01, 2020 Veronica (Honey Roselea Reads) rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2020, arc-booksirens

My Blog | My BookTube | My Book Club | Instagram | Twitter

Thank you to BookSirens for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I have a review coming out on my blog on December 8, 2020 at 10 am CST. Here is the link for when the time comes to the review. For now, here is a preview as to what the review looks like:

Update: here is the link: the review

❀❀❀❀

Mermaids and humans. Two different worlds that don't expect to collide, intertwine with force and, in the most unexpected ways, love ...more

flag 6 likes · Like · see review

Dec 12, 2019 Stéphanie -is reading her life away- rated it liked it · review of another edition

3,5 duckling star ⭐️

flag 6 likes · Like · see review

Dec 15, 2019 Queen Terrible Timy rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy, fiction, romance, magic, mythology, paranormal, first-book-of-a-series, dark-fantasy, spfbo5, spfbo5-semi-finalist

Beneath Cruel Fathoms was in RockStarlit BookAsylum's group of 30 in SPFBO 5 and made it to be one of our semi-finalists. It definitely one of my top 3 as well after reading up to 25% of each book. I was thinking to coming back to it some day, but I didn't expect it to be so soon. The author was kind enough to gift me a paperback and I just found myself drawn to it as it lay on my desk. And so, I immersed myself in this world and man, it was a ride. I believe that I had to read this book right n Beneath Cruel Fathoms was in RockStarlit BookAsylum's group of 30 in SPFBO 5 and made it to be one of our semi-finalists. It definitely one of my top 3 as well after reading up to 25% of each book. I was thinking to coming back to it some day, but I didn't expect it to be so soon. The author was kind enough to gift me a paperback and I just found myself drawn to it as it lay on my desk. And so, I immersed myself in this world and man, it was a ride. I believe that I had to read this book right now as it dragged me out of my slump and also brought back the feeling of joy of reading and I'm grateful for it as I badly needed it.

My thoughts up to the 25% mark:

I've started to read Beneath Cruel Fathoms back in the summer during my vacation, so it was pretty early into the competiton - actually it might have been my second book I sampled - but despite going through 29 other books, it still managed to stay with me in the back of my mind. I didn't have the time to go back to read it fully, but I definitely intend to at one point. The strange thing is, I'm usually not into these kind of books, but Beneath Cruel Fathoms really managed to capture me. The writing was smooth and entertaining, the characters well fleshed out and I liked their interactions. I remember wanting to learn more about Leonel and his life in the sea. As characters go, I could connect with him the most. He earned his role to be the Guardian of the Fathoms, but that didn't mean he did earn the love, let alone respect of his family who constantly look down on him and make sure he doesn't feel welcome in their circles.

I had the feeling that Beneath Cruel Fathoms was a kind of Little Mermaid retelling, where the roles are reversed - Leonel the mermaid who saves the damsel in distress (although don't mistake her for being a weak female character, because she could definitely hold her own) - and as they fight together to figure out what's going on, they more than likely will fall in love. And all of this was set in a Norse mythology inspired world. Definitely an interesting mix. I enjoyed both POVs, getting to know their circumstances, learning about their personalities - I admit the first 25% weren't actually action packed, but I honestly didn't mind. I suspect it will pick up as Isaura and Leonel start to work together in earnest, but I already was being able to lose myself in the story as it was. Deen has a way of writing that just makes you turn the pages without realising.

And some more thoughts after reading it completely:

I pretty much stand by everything I said so far. There is action toward the second part of the book and Leonal stayed my favourite character. I just could connect with him on a deeper level - being a cast out, not trusting anyone especially when faced with nothing but kindness. His and Isaura's feelings are growing for each other and - thank the author - it's absolutely not an insta one. It builds up slowly and there is plenty of enough things going on to keep me absolutely interested and invested. Oh man, I was invested. I had FEELINGS toward the end because let's face it, Deen is a monster (okay, no, I'm kidding, but I'm still sour about certain things *shakes fist*) playing with emotions like a master musician plays their instrument.

"She bit her lip as though she hadn't meant to admit this. Broken. She'd said it of herself before, after her ship sank. Now as then, he wanted to ask but it was clear by the way she held her breath, she prayed he wouldn't. She had no need to fear. He understood her wish to be heard even without being fully understood. To be seen without being looked at."

There were some nice twists in the plot, and though the story arc was concluded nicely, it still left some things open for the next book in the series. Which I can't wait to read, by the way.

Even though books with romance is not something I would pick up usually, I'm glad Beneath Cruel Fathoms found its way to me. The romance was well written and there were enough other things to keep the story going. It also dealt with serious topics such as woman's place in society and how Isaura deals with the fact that she can't live up to the expectations and how that affects her relationships. On the other side is Leonel who is being shunned by his own family and tries to live up to their expectations but keeps failing.

If you are looking for an emotionally thrilling read with romance, mythical sea creatures and a vivid dark fantasy setting, then Beneath Cruel Fathoms is your book. ...more

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

Oct 05, 2020 Ivana - Diary of Difference marked it as to-read

Shelves: tbr-jar

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

Jun 28, 2019 Branwen Sedai *of the Brown Ajah* rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, fantasy-science-fiction

Sometimes you come across books that you really enjoy, other times you come across books that leave you unsatisfied. And SOMETIMES, just SOMETIMES you happen to cross paths with a book that just blows all your expectations out of the water and makes you remember why you love reading so much in the first place.

Beneath Cruel Fathoms was that sort of a book for me.

If you know me, you know that I absolutely live for fantasy novels. Out of all the genres I love, fantasy is my absolute favorite. So no ...more

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

Dec 31, 2020 Leona Wyatt (Lennie Reads) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc, e-book

I received this copy from @booksirens but the views are my own.

~

'You are not abnormal. You are not broken. You are perfect, and complete, and whole exactly as you are.'

👆 this quote was actually from the Author's note but it just really resonated with me.

~

I absolutely loved this book and couldn't put it down.

The story begins with Isaura, a 25 year old, recently divorced and newly qualified Healer who is (reluctantly) rescued from a shipwreck by merman, Leonel. As guardian of the Fathoms (the se ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Aug 15, 2019 Suzannah added it

Shelves: rating-pg-13, fantasy, romance

I enjoyed the Norse-myth-inspired fantasy world of this story, as well as the extremely sensitive characterisation of the two main characters, both of whom have been hurt by people close to them and are struggling to find identity - Isaura as an infertile woman, Leonel as a bastard mortal in a family of gods. The book is often beautifully written, and has thought-provoking things to say about mortality, time, empathy and grief - definitely one of those books that leave you thinking long after yo ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

May 29, 2020 Michelle rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2020-releases, review-on-blog, own, got-for-review

Beneath Cruel Fathoms is the first book in the adult fantasy Bitter Sea Trilogy by author Anela Deen. Anela Deen is a new author to me, but she has very powerful, descriptive writing that I really enjoyed. It is no secret that I love fantasy books, but I don't read too many adult fantasy. I really enjoyed Beneath Cruel Fathoms, so I would like to change that. Let me know your favorite adult fantasy recommendations in the comments below and I will check them out! Beneath Cruel Fathoms is a fantas Beneath Cruel Fathoms is the first book in the adult fantasy Bitter Sea Trilogy by author Anela Deen. Anela Deen is a new author to me, but she has very powerful, descriptive writing that I really enjoyed. It is no secret that I love fantasy books, but I don't read too many adult fantasy. I really enjoyed Beneath Cruel Fathoms, so I would like to change that. Let me know your favorite adult fantasy recommendations in the comments below and I will check them out! Beneath Cruel Fathoms is a fantasy set in the sea featuring merfolks, gods and plenty of magic. I enjoyed this book, and am certainly interested in continuing on in the series.

In Beneath Cruel Fathoms, our story starts out with our main heroine Isaura as a feirce storm hits and destroys the boat she is on. It was an intense start, but it did feel a bit slow to me. The start of the book was much more focused on descriptive, flowery prose that did a great job of setting up the world, but I didn't feel like there was too much in the way of actual plot advancement. I was a little nervous that I wouldn't be able to get into the story, but boy oh boy was I wrong. After the bit of a slow start, this story really took off. It is a book that builds and builds. It gets better as the story goes on. And once I was half way through the book, I was really appreciative of the descriptive world set up because I felt like I really knew the motivations of the gods and the setup of the underwater sea court, and it was a really cool world! I can't wait to discover more in the next two books. There is a big cast of characters in Betneath Cruel Fathoms. It is easy for me to get tunnel vision and only see Isaura and Leonel, but that would be doing this story a disservice. All of the secondary characters really helped bring this story to life because they helped paint the picture of what wonderful people Isaura and Leonel are.

The romance in this story was wonderful. It was soft and felt really natural, and I loved Isaura and Leonel. Leonel is one of the last of the merfolk, which you would think would make him revered and special, but no. He is basically an outcast in the underwater court. I felt for him most of all. I think I made a deeper connection with Leonel than I did even with Isaura, which was surprising to me. The gods in this story are no joking matter. They are based on Norse mytholgy, and they can be very cruel. I liked this darker depiction of the gods- it added to the dark atmosphere of the story, and Anela Deen does a fantastic job writing a rich atmosphere that jumps off the page. The story becomes very complicated and involved and by the end of the story I was dying to get my hands on book two! If you are a fan of norse mythology, Beneath Cruel Fathoms is a book that you need to read. It is totally unlike any other merfolk story that I have ever read. ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Jul 01, 2019 Dianne rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy, author-review, 1-in-series, fantasy-romance, z07-read

My Rating: 4.5 Stars!

Humans long thought the merpeople had vanished, but when a freak storm sends Isaura into the raging sea, and the ship she was on into a million pieces, one merman will risk exposure to save her life, knowing he is breaking all of the laws of his underwater kingdom.

Together they will unravel the ugly truth behind the mysterious storms that have caused death and destruction on the Failock Sea. Little did they realize the treachery they would uncover. Nor could they know how ri ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Nov 25, 2019 Jennifer (bunnyreads) added it

Shelves: 2019, ya, dnf, fairy-tale-feel-retelling, spfbo-5

DNF

Isaura, newly apprenticed healer and divorcee, is sailing home when a freak storm brews, tossing the ship she is aboard and she finds herself in the sea.

Leonel, mortal merman, rescues Isaura. By doing so, he is going against the Blue Laws that prohibits that sort of thing, in hopes that she can answer some questions about the unnatural storms that have been on the rise.

***

This really did seem my speed – it has that romance feel, the leads seem ok; I was not too attached to either but that cou ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Mar 16, 2020 Andreea rated it liked it · review of another edition

I thought Beneath Cruel Fathoms would be a 4 star read and perhaps the merfolk book I'd been looking for.

I really enjoyed most of it. A nice set-up, good characters, good world-building, a mystery, a relationship that developed nicely.

But both characters' self doubt became a bit annoying after a while and then the relationship was so melodramatic towards the end.
(view spoiler) ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Mar 31, 2020 Lady Jane rated it really liked it

Shelves: unique-reads, adult-heroine, mermaids

A really fun and enjoyable read. A couple of spelling errors which was a bit distracting (only because I'm a bit of a grammar-nazi) but that didn't stop me from finishing the story, which would have normally been the case. ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Jul 13, 2020 Justine rated it really liked it

Doesn't friendship feed the soul? We all need people in our lives we can count on, including those we only know for a season. Even if someone isn't in your life forever, the time you knew them can change everything.

Beneath Cruel Fathoms is an uplifting tale of courage and self-reflection, set in a world dominated by the crushing pressure of expectation and dangers lurking in the depths. Anela Deen's Fantasy Romance combines the the fantastical elements of mythology with highly relatable, all-too-real elements of the burdens of life, where one's roots are completely irrelevant. An account of a forbidden, delicate love, and a deep tenacity to right wrongs, readers are swept along the tides of a story that touches upon several devastating sentiments, but allows them to breach the surface with moments of respite filled with charming banter and silent introspection. I've been looking forward to reading this book for quite some time, and I'm so glad I've finally gotten the chance.

Deen weaves a compelling mystery where two seemingly independent plot lines converge, creating a high-stakes race for answers as an ancient danger threatens all. Her ability to portray a story with darker aesthetics in a surprisingly light manner is superb, balancing the severity of the approaching menace with moments of refreshing, airy humor. Witty retorts aplenty, the book remains serious when necessary, making this a truly emotional journey to embark on. Told with a simple, yet flowing prose, the narrative paves the way for readers to become deeply invested in the characters as peril closes in on all sides. Filled with twists and turns and unexpected revelations, this is definitely a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat waiting for the answers to reveal themselves.

The exceptional characterization is where this book truly shines. Readers witness the story unfurl through the eyes of Isaura, a human healer, and Leonel, guardian of the sea, by way of alternating chapters. Isaura, suffering the fresh wounds of the past, finds herself on a hunt for resolution, and in turn discovers truths that lie within. Leonel, a mortal child of a goddess torn between the worlds of the finite and the infinite, battles between what he has been taught and what he inherently recognizes. Each face heartbreaking realities in utter solitude. Both find solace in the most unexpected of places. In addition, an excellent supporting cast of characters aid our two leads along their paths in their own contrasting ways, each serving a distinct purpose and perfectly fleshing out this story.

You are not alone.

This is a tale of connection at first sight, followed by a blooming, organic love profound enough to shift the balance. From their initial encounter there's a tender yearning between Isaura and Leonel, one that neither is prepared to contend with. As creatures of two worlds, their passion is one that shouldn't transpire, but their aching hearts pine for a healing salve, and their personal beliefs of being undeserving of happiness are slowly chipped away by patience and trust. The realities they face are shattering, but together, hand-in-hand, they face the uncertainties of the world and triumph.

The atmospheric, Norse-inspired alternate world readers are transported to is vividly illustrated, immersing us in the magic of myth. Indifferent deities, merfolk, draugr, sirens, and old gods populate the sea, while humans remain steadfast on the shores. A clashing of cultures born of old grudges and new grievances is apparent as strife batters the realms, where the fate of all becomes tangled in the silken webs of the immortals. Each setting, from Isaura's quaint family farm to the majestic halls of Aegirheim, holds truths and trinkets to uncover. However, for fear of ruining the experience, I'll leave the nooks and crannies for you to discover on your own.

Beneath Cruel Fathoms is a story of a consuming love crafted to withstand the onslaught of the unknown and overcome the hardships blockading the path to genuine happiness. While the story closes up nicely, a few untied threads and unanswered questions remain for the future of this world, and I'm very much looking forward to continuing my journey in the rest of The Bitter Sea Trilogy. If you're looking for an inspirational tale of unwavering resolve with characters that discover their truest strength along the way, then this may be the one for you. I thoroughly recommend.

Note: A huge thank you to the author for a complementary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

May 26, 2020 ReadingInPyjamas rated it it was amazing

New to me author Anela Deen has totally captivated my attention with this beautiful story. I love Norse mythology and couldn't pass the opportunity to read this book.

The book starts off a bit slow, but the worldbuilding is quite fascinating and I loved all the details about the Norse Gods and the protagonist's backstories. Once the pace picks up it was hard to put the book down, I found myself glued to the pages.

“We aren’t defined only by our failures and sorrows. I’m starting to believe we’re New to me author Anela Deen has totally captivated my attention with this beautiful story. I love Norse mythology and couldn't pass the opportunity to read this book.

The book starts off a bit slow, but the worldbuilding is quite fascinating and I loved all the details about the Norse Gods and the protagonist's backstories. Once the pace picks up it was hard to put the book down, I found myself glued to the pages.

“We aren’t defined only by our failures and sorrows. I’m starting to believe we’re an assortment. A few big events, but countless smaller details."

Isaura and Leonel come from different worlds. He belongs to the sea, the love child of the goddess Ran and a merman, while Isaura is a land dweller, a strong-headed, brave and kind-hearted woman, a healer. But even so, they are similar in many ways. Leonel has always had a chip on his shoulder, being the last of his kind, never knowing much about his people and always wanting to prove himself in the eyes of his mother and king Aegir, but being mistreated by his immortal half-sisters. He feels weak and his insecurities make it hard for him to put his trust in anyone. Both him and Isaura are jaded people, they're souls longing for acceptance and love and the need to put the wellbeing of others before themselves. The dire circumstances in which they meet force them to work together to unravel a plot that threatens to destroy both the land and the sea and the more time they spend together the more they seem to be drawn to each other. The connection they share is unlike anything they've experienced before, and both of them know that when the quest is over it will be very hard to say goodbye.

“A gift, even a temporary one, is treasured all the more because it cannot be kept.”

The worldbuilding was well balanced, giving enough details to paint a clear picture of the human world and the world under the sea, but not to many as to become overwhelming. I loved how Lonel interacted with the creatures of the Fathoms. The sensory language he used to communicate and even with Isaura, the way he whistled her name, added authenticity to the story. The plot was well developed, surrounded by mystery and angsty moments, with a villain that was always one step ahead and the threat of destruction constantly in play. The protagonists were amazing, their growth throughout the book was beautifully presented and the romantic aspect of their relationship melted my heart. I rooted so hard for them to get a shot at happiness and to experience unconditional love.

“I feel like myself again when I’m with you. When we’re together, I don’t feel broken.”

It's fair to say I enjoyed this book very much and I can't wait for the next book in the series. I highly recommend it.

*Thanks to the author for a free copy in exchange for an honest review. ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

May 23, 2019 Sabrina rated it liked it

Isaura is travelling home after her marriage fell apart. While crossing the sea back to Eisland, the ship is torn apart and she is the only survivor. As she is on the brink of death, Leonel discovers her while investigating the recent storms and shipwrecks. He is convinced they are unnatural and sinister and is determined to find out who is behind them.
Leonel is the guardian of the fathoms, mortal and half merman, the last of his kind. The laws of the fathoms say he is forbidden to save Isaura ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Sep 07, 2020 Arden rated it did not like it

I have read over a hundred and fifty books in 2020. This is a grand statement by any means, but provides context when I say that this book was the worst of the bunch. I have half a mind to use it for kindling just so it can bring someone pleasure through warmth. Reading the pages certainly won't bring anyone enjoyment, delight, or an emotion that doesn't place in the triad of annoyance / boredom / anger.

All of the characters are one note and have no interesting motivations or personality traits ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

May 20, 2019 Reading Reindeer 2021 On Proxima Centauri rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2019_a-z_ha-challenge, 2019_year-of-reading-divergence, 2019_fantasy, a1-by-author-request-reviewed, 2019_reads_, a1-i-own-books, armchair-scandinavia, lair-marathon, may_2019_reads, 2019_moody_may

First in a Norse-like epic fantasy series, BENEATH CRUEL FATHOMS features as protagonist Isaura, a Healer, who has set sail for a distant land after the sudden unexpected dissolution of her marriage. Unfortunately, this is a time of multiple dangerous tempests on the sea, as never before known, and the ship capsizes, all crew lost. Rescued by the last of the merfolk, Isaura joins with Leonel to uncover the truth behind these terribly dangerous storms. Part fairy tale, part fantasy, all delight.

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
Making Connections: 5620. - Beneath Cruel Fathoms (The Bitter Sea Trilogy, #1) by Anela Deen	9	38	Jan 28, 2020 04:02PM

Readers also enjoyed

See similar books…

Genres

Fantasy

62 users

Romance

23 users

Mythology > Mermaids

12 users

Adult

10 users

Fantasy > Mythology

10 users

Fantasy > Magic

4 users

Fiction

4 users

New Adult

4 users

Romance > Fantasy Romance

4 users

Fantasy > Fairy Tales

3 users

See top shelves…

About Anela Deen

Anela Deen

75 followers

A child of two cultures, this hapa haole Hawaiian girl is currently landlocked in the Midwest. After exploring the world for a chunk of years, she hunkered down in Minnesota and now fills her days with family, fiction, and the occasional snowstorm. With a house full of lovable toddlers, a three-legged cat, and one handsome Dutchman, she prowls the keyboard late at night while the minions sleep. Co ...more

Other books in the series

The Bitter Sea Trilogy (2 books)

Books by Anela Deen

More…

News & Interviews

New African American Histories and Biographies to Read Now

Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “We are not makers of history. We are made by history.” So, this January, as we celebrate Martin Luther King...

Trivia About Beneath Cruel Fat...

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

Quotes from Beneath Cruel Fat...

“Don't thank me yet. Your human looks decidedly stale. Have you given her any water?"

He frowned. "Why would I do that when there's water all around?"

"She can't ingest seawater, crustacean-head. Don't you know anything about landwellers?” — 0 likes

“His brow thunderous, he hissed out a breath followed by an orchestra of clicks low in his throat. The sounds held a suspicious lack of courtesy.

"That better not be directed at me or I'll pan-fry your tailfin in butter and garlic.” — 0 likes

More quotes…