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The Atlantis Trilogy #1
The Depths of Atlantis
Reanna may have escaped Atlantis, but her past just won't sleep with the fishes.
Many kids run away. Reanna did, too: only she went to another dimension.
Reanna may have bartered away her mermaid tail for a one-way ticket to Earth, but apparently, her mother - the Queen of Atlantis - didn't get the message. Now Reanna finds herself kidnapped and back on the dimension of Gaia, where a whole continent is in danger, caught up in a war over her fate.
The longer Reanna runs away from her mother, the more desperate and barbaric Queen Arana becomes. And when Reanna learns of the Queen enslaving countless elves in concentration camps, Reanna knows that she can't let her fear define her decisions. If she doesn't step up, she will forfeit not only her own life, but also the lives of the elves and her new friends - including two boys from earth, whose past and futures are inexplicably tied to hers.
Along with her new friends, Reanna sets out to stop the war, reclaim her mermaid tail, and rescue the captive elves, all before the rest of the world sinks to the depths of Atlantis.
Many kids run away. Reanna did, too: only she went to another dimension.
Reanna may have bartered away her mermaid tail for a one-way ticket to Earth, but apparently, her mother - the Queen of Atlantis - didn't get the message. Now Reanna finds herself kidnapped and back on the dimension of Gaia, where a whole continent is in danger, caught up in a war over her fate.
The longer Reanna runs away from her mother, the more desperate and barbaric Queen Arana becomes. And when Reanna learns of the Queen enslaving countless elves in concentration camps, Reanna knows that she can't let her fear define her decisions. If she doesn't step up, she will forfeit not only her own life, but also the lives of the elves and her new friends - including two boys from earth, whose past and futures are inexplicably tied to hers.
Along with her new friends, Reanna sets out to stop the war, reclaim her mermaid tail, and rescue the captive elves, all before the rest of the world sinks to the depths of Atlantis.
511 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 2, 2022
6 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 21, 2023
Do you know what a mermaid princess and an idiot Quarterback have in common? Me neither.
Well, I didn't know until I read this book. Depths of Atlantis is a story about a human girl who one day goes missing from her house somewhere in the US, suspicions of kidnapping put the police and people at her highschool on alert, and it's left to a team of the school's resident nerd and the school's star idiot Quarterback to figure out what has happened to her for reasons that are more similar than the idiot Quarterback wants to admit.
Turns out there has, indeed, been a kidnapping. But not by some pervert with a Paedobear badge to his name, no. The kidnapping has been ordered by the girl's mother, the Queen of an undersea kingdom in a world called Atlantis that would give Snow White's stepmother master class lessons on dealing with runaway princesses. Unfortunately for Queen Arana, her minions got intercepted by a rival team of a were-fairy and a wizard that persuaded them via well-aimed violence to hand the princess over to them, and now they're the ones that have to deal with the amnesiac princess, help her regain her memories, and lead the way into a plot to free magical creatures from imprisonment by her mother and save the undersea kingdoms from her, all the while staying out of her and her allies' reach.
It sounds like a simple plot, doesn't it? It really is. Simple and unpretentious, with a generous serving of tropes and genre conventions, so if you're expecting an original plot and super-shocking twists, you better not demand it from this book. Its selling point, its catch, is in the characters more than in the plot.
Let's start with the princess, Reanna. You ever wanted Snow White to show the PTSD she should have from the mistreatment and repeated murder attempts by her stepmother? You'll have it with Reanna. She is no Snow White and this is no retelling, but I couldn't but notice the parallels, which may or mayn't be intentional and doesn't really matter either way, but she does show the realistic psychology of an abused child. Her mother was brutal in her abuse, physical and emotional, and though Reanna escaped the abuse whilst still a child, it hasn't been long since, she hasn't got treatment (or at least the book doesn't specify), so her mentality is that of a timorous, shy, easily scared, anxiety-ridden, clingy, and self-loathing teenager. Exactly what you'd have if you had been abused all your childhood. She is annoying and lacks a backbone as a result of that damage, too. You might not like her as a character, but if you are at least passingly familiar with the sequels of abuse, you'd at least understand her.
Then there's Laile, the were-fairy and second girl protagonist. Were-fairy? Yes, werewolf dad & fairy mum. Being the product of the union of two magical races comes with its own set of complications for Laile, who has decided to be a Guardian after failing at excelling in her mother's abilities and her father's, too. As a Guardian, she can solve problems more easily through a combination of magic and brute force, accompanied by a wizard as a sidekick. She is easy to like, but the interest in her chapters comes more from her peculiar family and the insights into the undersea society and lore than from her as a character.
The nerd protagonist, Adam, has also a POV that is interesting for the information it delivers than for the character. He's the least developed of all four POVs, and not having a rich culture in the background and no eccentric home life makes his chapters the ones that feel more info-dumpy, too, because the information he delivers is through conversations and stalking the star footballer for help.
And now that we come to the idiot Quarterback, Trevor is the only son of a pastor with more time for his clerical duties than for his son, who has grown up with two gifts in life: being a nuisance to girls and sports. Unaware of Reanna's background and her true nature, he developed a Calvin-and-Susie dynamic with her from the moment they first met as children.
Not having seen a football match myself—well, not played by and in the US, watching a match with the Munich Cowboys played by semi-secretly Americanophile Germans doesn't count—I can't say if the portrayal is true to reality, so I went to ask my American fiancé.
"Are Quarterbacks really as dumb as they're stereotyped to be?"
"Nah, the Linebackers are the real bricks," he said.
I suspect he has a point, because Trevor here turns out to not be that dumb as he appears at first. I mean, nobody that loves Tolkien so much can be stupid. Of course, there's no Linebacker in this book to confirm by comparison...
In conclusion, it's a fun story with a lot of adventure and characters that can be annoying but not boring. Because it's a first book, though, there's still so much that isn't known that needs to be explained, that might make you feel like there's holes in the story, and the world still feels small for the size it's said to have because we've merely seen a fraction of it through Reanna and Laile and we need more perspectives. The Queen also needs to have her motivations explained more in detail or she'll stay a bit over-the-top forever. Oh, and of course I couldn't wrap up without mentioning that this book doesn't have a love triangle, praise Jesus. A YA book without a love triangle is a miracle these days. You better not insert a third wheel in-between the mermaid princess and the idiot Quarterback in the next book, Ms Carter!
Thank you to the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Well, I didn't know until I read this book. Depths of Atlantis is a story about a human girl who one day goes missing from her house somewhere in the US, suspicions of kidnapping put the police and people at her highschool on alert, and it's left to a team of the school's resident nerd and the school's star idiot Quarterback to figure out what has happened to her for reasons that are more similar than the idiot Quarterback wants to admit.
Turns out there has, indeed, been a kidnapping. But not by some pervert with a Paedobear badge to his name, no. The kidnapping has been ordered by the girl's mother, the Queen of an undersea kingdom in a world called Atlantis that would give Snow White's stepmother master class lessons on dealing with runaway princesses. Unfortunately for Queen Arana, her minions got intercepted by a rival team of a were-fairy and a wizard that persuaded them via well-aimed violence to hand the princess over to them, and now they're the ones that have to deal with the amnesiac princess, help her regain her memories, and lead the way into a plot to free magical creatures from imprisonment by her mother and save the undersea kingdoms from her, all the while staying out of her and her allies' reach.
It sounds like a simple plot, doesn't it? It really is. Simple and unpretentious, with a generous serving of tropes and genre conventions, so if you're expecting an original plot and super-shocking twists, you better not demand it from this book. Its selling point, its catch, is in the characters more than in the plot.
Let's start with the princess, Reanna. You ever wanted Snow White to show the PTSD she should have from the mistreatment and repeated murder attempts by her stepmother? You'll have it with Reanna. She is no Snow White and this is no retelling, but I couldn't but notice the parallels, which may or mayn't be intentional and doesn't really matter either way, but she does show the realistic psychology of an abused child. Her mother was brutal in her abuse, physical and emotional, and though Reanna escaped the abuse whilst still a child, it hasn't been long since, she hasn't got treatment (or at least the book doesn't specify), so her mentality is that of a timorous, shy, easily scared, anxiety-ridden, clingy, and self-loathing teenager. Exactly what you'd have if you had been abused all your childhood. She is annoying and lacks a backbone as a result of that damage, too. You might not like her as a character, but if you are at least passingly familiar with the sequels of abuse, you'd at least understand her.
Then there's Laile, the were-fairy and second girl protagonist. Were-fairy? Yes, werewolf dad & fairy mum. Being the product of the union of two magical races comes with its own set of complications for Laile, who has decided to be a Guardian after failing at excelling in her mother's abilities and her father's, too. As a Guardian, she can solve problems more easily through a combination of magic and brute force, accompanied by a wizard as a sidekick. She is easy to like, but the interest in her chapters comes more from her peculiar family and the insights into the undersea society and lore than from her as a character.
The nerd protagonist, Adam, has also a POV that is interesting for the information it delivers than for the character. He's the least developed of all four POVs, and not having a rich culture in the background and no eccentric home life makes his chapters the ones that feel more info-dumpy, too, because the information he delivers is through conversations and stalking the star footballer for help.
And now that we come to the idiot Quarterback, Trevor is the only son of a pastor with more time for his clerical duties than for his son, who has grown up with two gifts in life: being a nuisance to girls and sports. Unaware of Reanna's background and her true nature, he developed a Calvin-and-Susie dynamic with her from the moment they first met as children.
Not having seen a football match myself—well, not played by and in the US, watching a match with the Munich Cowboys played by semi-secretly Americanophile Germans doesn't count—I can't say if the portrayal is true to reality, so I went to ask my American fiancé.
"Are Quarterbacks really as dumb as they're stereotyped to be?"
"Nah, the Linebackers are the real bricks," he said.
I suspect he has a point, because Trevor here turns out to not be that dumb as he appears at first. I mean, nobody that loves Tolkien so much can be stupid. Of course, there's no Linebacker in this book to confirm by comparison...
In conclusion, it's a fun story with a lot of adventure and characters that can be annoying but not boring. Because it's a first book, though, there's still so much that isn't known that needs to be explained, that might make you feel like there's holes in the story, and the world still feels small for the size it's said to have because we've merely seen a fraction of it through Reanna and Laile and we need more perspectives. The Queen also needs to have her motivations explained more in detail or she'll stay a bit over-the-top forever. Oh, and of course I couldn't wrap up without mentioning that this book doesn't have a love triangle, praise Jesus. A YA book without a love triangle is a miracle these days. You better not insert a third wheel in-between the mermaid princess and the idiot Quarterback in the next book, Ms Carter!
Thank you to the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 19, 2025
This is such a unique book. A portal fantasy with contemporary vibes, lovable characters, and mental health rep, The Depths of Atlantis is a book that will suck you in and maybe even make you cry.
There was so much going on in this story. I loved the worldbuilding and the complexity. The plotline of rescuing the elves from the concentration camps was so heartbreaking and impactful. And Reanna’s struggles hit me like a punch in the gut. She has been through a lot of trauma, from her mother’s abuse to her adopted parents’ divorce, and it expresses itself in various ways. Self-condemnation and self-doubt (very relatable), anxiety, depression… self harm.
Though the self harm doesn’t happen during the course of the story itself, it is mentioned, and later on in the story, there is a mental representation of Reanna’s younger self after she self harmed that could be triggering. So if that’s a trigger for you, please note that. <3 but I thought it was tastefully and realistically done. Reanna’s mental health struggles definitely hit me right in the feels and made me cry.
Now for my favorite character, Laile. Laile is a tall (we love tall girls here—I am a tall girl myself), bubbly, vivacious gem fairy who has both a human form and a tiny crystalline form that she shifts between at will. She is hilarious and loves fiercely and deals with prejudice and is hopelessly in love with her clueless best friend, Gregory (very relatable). LAILE AND GREG FOREVER.
“‘However, I do have some other suggestions, if you’re willing to hear them…’ Mostly, they included confessing their feelings and making out. Actually, Laile was good for just making out without confessions, too.” If that ain’t a mood XD my poor girl went through some real crap during this book and I wish I could hug her. <3
Adam’s crush on Reanna gave me Kataang vibes. It better not come to pass—Kataang is one of my least favorite ships. :P but Adam is adorable and is truly a feral Hufflepuff and I love him! Just not for Reanna. I think I ship Trevor and Reanna… haven’t fully decided yet.
Also, the art inside is pretty. I do love beautiful formatting.
My one issue is that I didn’t really understand Trevor and Adam’s role in the story. It felt like it was setup for the next story, which could have been fine, but I don’t remember them actually impacting the current story. I wish they’d been more interconnected in this story. I was definitely more invested in the Gaian storylines over the Earth ones.
Still, definitely a great read for Mermay. Can’t wait for book two!
There was so much going on in this story. I loved the worldbuilding and the complexity. The plotline of rescuing the elves from the concentration camps was so heartbreaking and impactful. And Reanna’s struggles hit me like a punch in the gut. She has been through a lot of trauma, from her mother’s abuse to her adopted parents’ divorce, and it expresses itself in various ways. Self-condemnation and self-doubt (very relatable), anxiety, depression… self harm.
Though the self harm doesn’t happen during the course of the story itself, it is mentioned, and later on in the story, there is a mental representation of Reanna’s younger self after she self harmed that could be triggering. So if that’s a trigger for you, please note that. <3 but I thought it was tastefully and realistically done. Reanna’s mental health struggles definitely hit me right in the feels and made me cry.
Now for my favorite character, Laile. Laile is a tall (we love tall girls here—I am a tall girl myself), bubbly, vivacious gem fairy who has both a human form and a tiny crystalline form that she shifts between at will. She is hilarious and loves fiercely and deals with prejudice and is hopelessly in love with her clueless best friend, Gregory (very relatable). LAILE AND GREG FOREVER.
“‘However, I do have some other suggestions, if you’re willing to hear them…’ Mostly, they included confessing their feelings and making out. Actually, Laile was good for just making out without confessions, too.” If that ain’t a mood XD my poor girl went through some real crap during this book and I wish I could hug her. <3
Adam’s crush on Reanna gave me Kataang vibes. It better not come to pass—Kataang is one of my least favorite ships. :P but Adam is adorable and is truly a feral Hufflepuff and I love him! Just not for Reanna. I think I ship Trevor and Reanna… haven’t fully decided yet.
Also, the art inside is pretty. I do love beautiful formatting.
My one issue is that I didn’t really understand Trevor and Adam’s role in the story. It felt like it was setup for the next story, which could have been fine, but I don’t remember them actually impacting the current story. I wish they’d been more interconnected in this story. I was definitely more invested in the Gaian storylines over the Earth ones.
Still, definitely a great read for Mermay. Can’t wait for book two!
November 19, 2022
There are no words to describe The Depths of Atlantis, but I'm going to try anyway. This book sucked me in from the first page, and Hannah's unique voice and style will keep you hooked until long after you reach the end. Even when I wasn't reading, her characters and their struggles rested in the back of my mind. Her characterisation skills are on point and absolutely incredible! Hannah has the ability to create memorable and relatable heroes (and villains) that can resonate with any reader. The worldbuilding of Solis is fantastically unique and gripping. The world allows for this manic, heart-ripping plot that will twist your emotions inside out and upside down in one go. To say this book has changed my life is an understatement. I was fortunate enough to read it at a time when I needed some sign that I was doing the right thing, and Hannah's amazing protagonists were able to voice what I was going through. Depths of Atlantis is a must-read for all ages, readers and non-readers. This high-stakes adventure is gorgeous and I can't wait for the rest of the world to fall in love with it as I have.
Read
August 14, 2025This is a solid debut novel from Hannah Carter. I’ve enjoyed her short stories a lot and I’ve had the honour of being in several anthologies with her. I think Hannah is a very talented writer.
I keep making the mistake of buying indie books that I wouldn’t read if I didn’t know the author. This story didn’t do anything wrong. In fact, this is a well written, well plotted novel that I highly recommend. I just don’t gravitate toward urban fantasy like this. It’s not my personal preference
Carter had amazing characters in this book. I loved the cast so much. While I don’t expect to continue in the series…I do want to know their ending.
The plot was fast paced and explored some really fun worlds/concepts.
The writing is so fun. I loved the American culture references. They made me smile.
The book itself is STUNNING. I love dark blue books. I own so many and I want more.
I keep making the mistake of buying indie books that I wouldn’t read if I didn’t know the author. This story didn’t do anything wrong. In fact, this is a well written, well plotted novel that I highly recommend. I just don’t gravitate toward urban fantasy like this. It’s not my personal preference
Carter had amazing characters in this book. I loved the cast so much. While I don’t expect to continue in the series…I do want to know their ending.
The plot was fast paced and explored some really fun worlds/concepts.
The writing is so fun. I loved the American culture references. They made me smile.
The book itself is STUNNING. I love dark blue books. I own so many and I want more.
November 2, 2022
Flying Fig Whit's that was awesome!
Flying Fig Whit's that was awesome! Whoa I don't even know where to start. Hannah writes in such a way you are instantly sucked into the story. I'm saying from chapter 1 you are sucked into this magical tale from the first page and on the edge of your seat the whole time.
She is brilliant at weaving in history, real world issues, faith, and action into one story.
I felt like I was in a epic DnD battle with the characters.
I love a duo in this story they totally remind me of Steve and Dustin from stranger things.
This felt like a pilgrims progress story too epic and enlightening.
Note to readers: this story deals with trauma and abuse Hannah does a fanatic tackling this extremely difficult topic.
I highly recommend this story
Flying Fig Whit's that was awesome! Whoa I don't even know where to start. Hannah writes in such a way you are instantly sucked into the story. I'm saying from chapter 1 you are sucked into this magical tale from the first page and on the edge of your seat the whole time.
She is brilliant at weaving in history, real world issues, faith, and action into one story.
I felt like I was in a epic DnD battle with the characters.
I love a duo in this story they totally remind me of Steve and Dustin from stranger things.
This felt like a pilgrims progress story too epic and enlightening.
Note to readers: this story deals with trauma and abuse Hannah does a fanatic tackling this extremely difficult topic.
I highly recommend this story
August 31, 2024
Beautifully done! Without spoilers, this book is full of intrigue, lovely prose, friendship, magic, and good versus evil. Very excited to start book two!
January 30, 2023
I absolutely loved this book!! Hannah Carter’s debut novel has been one of my favorite fantasy reads so far💜 Ber character’s are funny, charismatic, and so so so relatable. Not to mention, the plot keeps you on your toes. I can’t wait for the sequel!!
July 5, 2023
This book surprised me in so many ways at so many times! I was surprised how raw and dark it got at moments, and also surprised by how silly and fun other moments were. I like that the characters had distinct personalities and internal conflicts which bubbled up just below the surface tension of the main plot. The author did a fantastic job of world building and incorporating real-world feels without being crude or distasteful. The moments that were hard to read were due to the mature nature of the struggles faced in those moments, not because of the writing itself. NO swearing or steamy spots. The violence did at times get a bit much (but then again, it IS a book set during a war, so a bit of violence and darkness is to be expected).
Potential Triggers: Has major World War II undertones and even references whenever the victims of the war were discussed or made an appearance. The main character's own inner turmoil and traumatic past may also trigger some readers (abusive parent/upbringing, self-loathing/depression, and severe anxiety). I think the author did an amazing job portraying these difficult parts of the human experience in a way that may shed light on those who haven't experienced it and validates those who have.
Potential Triggers: Has major World War II undertones and even references whenever the victims of the war were discussed or made an appearance. The main character's own inner turmoil and traumatic past may also trigger some readers (abusive parent/upbringing, self-loathing/depression, and severe anxiety). I think the author did an amazing job portraying these difficult parts of the human experience in a way that may shed light on those who haven't experienced it and validates those who have.
June 18, 2024
Loved this book! This was a great story about strength, friendship and fighting for what's right. This fantasy world had it all, fairies, warlocks, elves, werewolves, vampires, mermaids and so much more. I love everything mermaid and can't wait to read the next book.
June 9, 2023
Compelling, dark portal fantasy with threads of hope.
I was a beta reader for "The Depths of Atlantis" by Hannah Carter before she published it, and it's been my joy to reread the finished book. I loved it! It was a treat seeing how she improved upon the original and the characters were well fleshed-out. "The Depths of Atlantis" is not light reading, but it has important messages and themes. It's a book that makes you *feel* every step of the way.
My summary: High-schooler Reanna Cook has enough trouble getting through life, let alone surviving in another dimension. When she's kidnapped and taken to the world of Gaia, she’ll face amnesia, fear, self-loathing, and many external obstacles as she seeks to undo the evil of a woman who’s plunged Gaia into war. The fact this woman is her mother hardly helps, either.
I don’t want to give spoilers, so I’ll discuss the pro’s and con’s below.
Pros: the characters. In her early draft, most of Carter’s characters were unlikeable. That problem is completely fixed here. I cheered on Reanna, Laile, Adam, Gregory, and even Laeserno. Reanna’s character arc is gritty but extremely realistic for those struggling with self-hate. In fact, ALL of Carter’s characters have backstories that make their inner conflicts believable. Another thing I appreciated were the characters' varied and distinctive personalities. I also liked that, for all the negative parents portrayed in this book, Laile’s parents were a positive counterpoint.
The unpredictable plot. “The Depths of Atlantis” has great twists and turns. Even though I’d read it before, I felt swept along! Carter’s book is captivating and the stakes are high. She’s not afraid to take risks by letting her characters go through some pretty hard things. In an era where heroes are hardly in actual danger anymore, I found it wildly refreshing.
The themes and world. Carter tackles mental health issues head-on...and realistically. There are no easy fixes. While this makes it heavy reading (emotionally), she also weaves threads of hope. The heroism of the main characters is inspiring, as well as Laile’s faith in the Composer (aka God). As for the world, it’s incredible, deep, and fleshed-out. I find myself looking forward to returning to Gaia and Carter’s unique takes on classic fantasy creatures…as well as her original inventions. Azernos, anyone? :)
The content: this book was very clean except for violence/gore. It does delve into self-harm, torture, and abuse, but it didn’t feel explicit to me. Carter clearly illustrates that these issues are problems worthy of compassion, and she uses various characters to help others dealing with them. There was no swearing and no sex, which I greatly appreciated.
Con’s: the violent content. This is a matter of personal preference, but there was a dream sequence with gushing blood that was not in her original manuscript. I actually disliked the entire scene. It felt discordant with the rest of the book and was confusing. However, what bothered me about it was the extreme gore. Another bloody scene features the executions of two people, and there’s a scene in Atlantis that ends on a very bloody note. Reanna is also physically abused in flashbacks. It didn’t bother me personally, but it might bother some readers.
The pop culture references. I appreciated a certain amount, as they give Carter a unique voice. But there were sections with SO many of them that it distracted me. Some of them felt a little dated, like references a teen from nowadays wouldn’t give. However, this was a very minor issue.
Overall, "The Depths of Atlantis" is compelling YA fantasy. It’s definitely dark. The depths referenced are both a physical place and a symbol of the depths of the villain’s evil. However, this book fully examines themes that others seldom do. As I read, I felt the weight of the villain’s evil every step of Reanna’s journey. I sympathized with Gregory’s tragic past and chuckled at Laile as she stubbornly tried to do everything herself. “The Depths of Atlantis” is a very well-written story that will transport you into another world and into a variety of emotions.
Most of all, it’s the journey of one protagonist from abuse to seeking mental health. In a world increasingly mired in the depths of sin, it’s a timely message and a journey well worth taking.
I was a beta reader for "The Depths of Atlantis" by Hannah Carter before she published it, and it's been my joy to reread the finished book. I loved it! It was a treat seeing how she improved upon the original and the characters were well fleshed-out. "The Depths of Atlantis" is not light reading, but it has important messages and themes. It's a book that makes you *feel* every step of the way.
My summary: High-schooler Reanna Cook has enough trouble getting through life, let alone surviving in another dimension. When she's kidnapped and taken to the world of Gaia, she’ll face amnesia, fear, self-loathing, and many external obstacles as she seeks to undo the evil of a woman who’s plunged Gaia into war. The fact this woman is her mother hardly helps, either.
I don’t want to give spoilers, so I’ll discuss the pro’s and con’s below.
Pros: the characters. In her early draft, most of Carter’s characters were unlikeable. That problem is completely fixed here. I cheered on Reanna, Laile, Adam, Gregory, and even Laeserno. Reanna’s character arc is gritty but extremely realistic for those struggling with self-hate. In fact, ALL of Carter’s characters have backstories that make their inner conflicts believable. Another thing I appreciated were the characters' varied and distinctive personalities. I also liked that, for all the negative parents portrayed in this book, Laile’s parents were a positive counterpoint.
The unpredictable plot. “The Depths of Atlantis” has great twists and turns. Even though I’d read it before, I felt swept along! Carter’s book is captivating and the stakes are high. She’s not afraid to take risks by letting her characters go through some pretty hard things. In an era where heroes are hardly in actual danger anymore, I found it wildly refreshing.
The themes and world. Carter tackles mental health issues head-on...and realistically. There are no easy fixes. While this makes it heavy reading (emotionally), she also weaves threads of hope. The heroism of the main characters is inspiring, as well as Laile’s faith in the Composer (aka God). As for the world, it’s incredible, deep, and fleshed-out. I find myself looking forward to returning to Gaia and Carter’s unique takes on classic fantasy creatures…as well as her original inventions. Azernos, anyone? :)
The content: this book was very clean except for violence/gore. It does delve into self-harm, torture, and abuse, but it didn’t feel explicit to me. Carter clearly illustrates that these issues are problems worthy of compassion, and she uses various characters to help others dealing with them. There was no swearing and no sex, which I greatly appreciated.
Con’s: the violent content. This is a matter of personal preference, but there was a dream sequence with gushing blood that was not in her original manuscript. I actually disliked the entire scene. It felt discordant with the rest of the book and was confusing. However, what bothered me about it was the extreme gore. Another bloody scene features the executions of two people, and there’s a scene in Atlantis that ends on a very bloody note. Reanna is also physically abused in flashbacks. It didn’t bother me personally, but it might bother some readers.
The pop culture references. I appreciated a certain amount, as they give Carter a unique voice. But there were sections with SO many of them that it distracted me. Some of them felt a little dated, like references a teen from nowadays wouldn’t give. However, this was a very minor issue.
Overall, "The Depths of Atlantis" is compelling YA fantasy. It’s definitely dark. The depths referenced are both a physical place and a symbol of the depths of the villain’s evil. However, this book fully examines themes that others seldom do. As I read, I felt the weight of the villain’s evil every step of Reanna’s journey. I sympathized with Gregory’s tragic past and chuckled at Laile as she stubbornly tried to do everything herself. “The Depths of Atlantis” is a very well-written story that will transport you into another world and into a variety of emotions.
Most of all, it’s the journey of one protagonist from abuse to seeking mental health. In a world increasingly mired in the depths of sin, it’s a timely message and a journey well worth taking.
November 12, 2022
The Depths of Atlantis is a captivating story that pulls readers in immediately with conflict, tension, and angst, and keeps readers hooked with witty banter, relatable characters, and incredible world-building. Hannah's ability to elicit so much emotion from the reader is an admirable talent. While reading, I felt a multitude of emotions -- I laughed, smirked, gasped, cried -- and more than that, I saw myself and my own struggles within the words on the pages. The backstories and depth of the characters are so well-crafted, and I just know that Reanna, Adam, Trevor, Laile, Gregory, really the whole cast, are going to help so many people who, like me, resonate with their pain, their struggles, the bad, but also the good, too. The Depths of Atlantis is a must read for fans of fantasy with such tropes as reluctant hero, evil queen, an important quest, and magic; further, anyone who needs a reminder that being loved and accepting love is possible, even after a lifetime of feeling like they are unworthy or undeserving of love, will find both peace and hope in the first installment of The Atlantis Trilogy. I delightfully, yet impatiently, await the rest of the story, as will all readers.
February 5, 2024
Beautiful, with cool world building and vivid descriptions of both the world and emotions.
This book was hard to read at some points. It's beautifully descriptive, and you can really find yourself in the midst of the main character's pain and doubt. Even in the midst of all that pain and doubt, the theme of peace in the midst of it, an inner peace that seems maybe too fragile... too untrustworthy... but ultimately leaves the end of the book on a hopeful note.
There is a list of content warnings at the beginning of the book for those who are worried about that. There are some very intense scenes. There is a war going on, and there is genocide and concentration camps... large scale problems. There are also mentions of more personal inner struggles like self-harm and suicidal thoughts.
While it ends on a somewhat hopeful note, there's a pretty big cliffhanger that begs the question of what happens next for our heroes. I can't wait to see where the story goes in the next book!
This book was hard to read at some points. It's beautifully descriptive, and you can really find yourself in the midst of the main character's pain and doubt. Even in the midst of all that pain and doubt, the theme of peace in the midst of it, an inner peace that seems maybe too fragile... too untrustworthy... but ultimately leaves the end of the book on a hopeful note.
There is a list of content warnings at the beginning of the book for those who are worried about that. There are some very intense scenes. There is a war going on, and there is genocide and concentration camps... large scale problems. There are also mentions of more personal inner struggles like self-harm and suicidal thoughts.
While it ends on a somewhat hopeful note, there's a pretty big cliffhanger that begs the question of what happens next for our heroes. I can't wait to see where the story goes in the next book!
April 30, 2024
Romance. Yes. Friendship. Yes. Family and generational trauma. Yes. Healing. Yes. Magic and new world settings. Yes. Here is the kicker though. THE BANTER. A story with banter of quality is hard to find. I laughed out loud many times as the characters further endeared themselves. Worth the read. So… go read it!
May 26, 2023
“Who would realize what had happened when Reanna hadn’t told anyone about the past? When she thought she’d run away from it for good? Only now it’d come back to abduct her.”
The Depths of Atlantis is an action-packed contemporary fantasy that has all your favorite fantastical creatures: mermaids, werewolves, fairies, wizards, and more!
Hannah Carter weaves a tale filled with depth and gritty subjects, but she handles these topics with grace and care, and the use of many character perspectives helps in these topics.
The highlights of this novel include the fascinating worldbuilding: a world alternate to ours in the midst of a devastating war between a twisted and dark Atlantis and a light-filled kingdom with all sorts of fascinating species, but there are also hints at another kingdom filled with dangerous and powerful creatures (that might hold one of the keys to winning the war?).
As for characters, Laille was my favorite with her eager spirit and determination, but Reanna’s struggles were powerful, especially as she fought them—and as this is the first book in a trilogy, the character development is still incomplete but has a wonderful setup for all of the characters! Take Trevor, for instance—honestly, he’s hard to stomach for a fair portion of the novel as his disrespect to his father and mean comments to Reanna just irked me to no end. . . but then he started to grow as a character, and where he’s at by the end of the novel definitely has me for rooting for his character development in the remaining two books.
The fantasy, plot, characters, and themes work together to create a wonderful fusion that has me wanting to ask Hannah one question: when can we expect book 2 of the Atlantis trilogy?
The Depths of Atlantis is an action-packed contemporary fantasy that has all your favorite fantastical creatures: mermaids, werewolves, fairies, wizards, and more!
Hannah Carter weaves a tale filled with depth and gritty subjects, but she handles these topics with grace and care, and the use of many character perspectives helps in these topics.
The highlights of this novel include the fascinating worldbuilding: a world alternate to ours in the midst of a devastating war between a twisted and dark Atlantis and a light-filled kingdom with all sorts of fascinating species, but there are also hints at another kingdom filled with dangerous and powerful creatures (that might hold one of the keys to winning the war?).
As for characters, Laille was my favorite with her eager spirit and determination, but Reanna’s struggles were powerful, especially as she fought them—and as this is the first book in a trilogy, the character development is still incomplete but has a wonderful setup for all of the characters! Take Trevor, for instance—honestly, he’s hard to stomach for a fair portion of the novel as his disrespect to his father and mean comments to Reanna just irked me to no end. . . but then he started to grow as a character, and where he’s at by the end of the novel definitely has me for rooting for his character development in the remaining two books.
The fantasy, plot, characters, and themes work together to create a wonderful fusion that has me wanting to ask Hannah one question: when can we expect book 2 of the Atlantis trilogy?
November 20, 2025
There is something incredibly enjoyable about a book that gives you exactly what you are expecting. This adventure is entertaining and captivating even though we are following high school aged characters (who can get on your nerves a bit), a bit of kidnapping, and an underwater kingdom.
The book takes off quickly with Reanna being kidnapped from her home and whisked away to Atlantis at the order of her mother Queen. However, the tables soon turn as another team steals her away. Reanna, on the other hand, is incredibly confused about what seems to be happening. She seems to not remember much of her past. nor her role as the missing princess. Though she ran away in the beginning, her memories seem to be hazy about what happened.
There's action and adventure with some twists and turns along the way. We have some pretty great characters and some trauma to work through as well. I can see why this book has received some high ratings and praise as it is a great entry into the trilogy. Her Queen mom is enslaving others and wrecking havoc on Gaia, so Reanna and others will have to try and stop the war and rescue the captives.
I think my only critique is this book feels really long. Though the story is engaging and well paced, I do feel we could have cut just a bit to keep the momentum going.
The book takes off quickly with Reanna being kidnapped from her home and whisked away to Atlantis at the order of her mother Queen. However, the tables soon turn as another team steals her away. Reanna, on the other hand, is incredibly confused about what seems to be happening. She seems to not remember much of her past. nor her role as the missing princess. Though she ran away in the beginning, her memories seem to be hazy about what happened.
There's action and adventure with some twists and turns along the way. We have some pretty great characters and some trauma to work through as well. I can see why this book has received some high ratings and praise as it is a great entry into the trilogy. Her Queen mom is enslaving others and wrecking havoc on Gaia, so Reanna and others will have to try and stop the war and rescue the captives.
I think my only critique is this book feels really long. Though the story is engaging and well paced, I do feel we could have cut just a bit to keep the momentum going.
April 30, 2024
The Depths of Atlantis is definitely a must read for anyone who loves fantasy! From the very beginning I was pulled in by the story and found it difficult to put the book down, as I was always curious what would happen next! The story takes you on an adventure through a fantasy world, but contains so many real world issues and references, along with playful banter from the characters, that it still remains very relatable to all types of readers! This relatability makes it easy to fall in love with these characters and root for them as they encounter various dilemmas along their journey! The story will take you on a wide range of emotions, as you never know what will be waiting for you on the next page! You may be laughing on one page, and a few pages later you may be on the brink of tears! It’s definitely a roller coaster of emotions, but it’s one that you will enjoy! I would 100% recommended picking up this book to read, you won’t regret it! Hannah is an extraordinary author and has created such a wonderful story in The Depths of Atlantis! I’ve now been converted to a fantasy reader, and I find myself wanting to read anything that Hannah writes! I can’t wait until the full trilogy is released!!
May 1, 2024
I love this book so much! It was my 1st read by Hannah Carter and brought me back for my love of fictional fantasy books. The storyline is good and I never find myself bored with what's happening. If it's any clue to how good it is I've already read the 2nd book and impatiently waiting for the 3rd! If you love anything mermaids or magical you won't be sorry!
April 6, 2023
Lots of characters to fall in love with and a plot line that will break your heart and make you laugh more than you expected it to. It's a story I'd read again anytime.
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November 23, 2023Nov. 22nd, 2023: *taps mic* Is this thing on? Tbh I’m still not GR savvy but I wanted to let everyone know that we have a Black Friday sale for Depths!! It’s only $0.99 USD right now on Amazon, so if you don’t have a copy yet, now’s a great time to check it out! <3
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0BGVP...
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I wrote this book, so I’m a little partial to it. ;) But if you like mermaids, magic, mayhem, two boys who share one brain cell and act a bit like Steve and Dustin from Stranger Things, and werefairies, hey. You might like this. ;)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0BGVP...
~~
I wrote this book, so I’m a little partial to it. ;) But if you like mermaids, magic, mayhem, two boys who share one brain cell and act a bit like Steve and Dustin from Stranger Things, and werefairies, hey. You might like this. ;)
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