SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion
This topic is about
Deeplight
Group Reads Discussions 2021
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"Deeplight" First Impressions *No Spoilers*
Just started. I've got the other cover on the ebook, not as attractive. Gotta say, so far reads like 'tween to me. We'll see.
It’s on my tbr for the month but I have to finish three other books first.
Mod
Maartje, I like the ambition! Excited to hear what you think when you get to it :)
I also have this from the library. Hope I can get to it very soon.
Started this, not pulling me in immediately, but giving it a shot.
Started it because I couldn't concentrate on my other audiobook ... only to 're-wind' chapter 1 already, cause I realised that I ... couldn't concentrate ^^' (has nothing to do with the book, though)
So, and now my actual first impression, after I got into the flow:The worldbuilding looks very interesting. Something different from the other Fantasy books I've read, and the audiobook narrator, Joshua Akehurst, is pretty good.
Up to page 88, has picked up a bit. One thing though -- seems like there's a fairly emotionally abusive relationship here, have had a few scenes in a row, hoping this aspect of the book is short lived.
Mod
so this goes on awhile, eh? Ugh... I feel like in these I tend to really try to put myself in the shoes of the protagonist so if they are getting abused it feels like I am a bit too... hmmm....
Mod
I'll say it as loud as I can, if it is a kid's book, it's not because of the content or the sophistication of the discussion around the content. This book gets HEAVY. But I do think it's exceptionally well written and well handled, fwiw
I read this one last year and really loved the world-building. Found it to be such a unique sort of story.
I'm currently about 10% in and not feeling too engaged yet... I know you guys said this book has very mature themes, but the writing still feels somewhat young to me (not that the writing isn't good, I'm just not used to kid's stories). Does the rest of the book stay that way?This is my first group read here and I'm trying my best not to give up too early! 😅
Mod
I started reading this, but now my Kindle won't take a charge. Any ideas on getting it to charge? I've tried different outlets and charging cords. It started very well and I'm eager to get back into it. Advice?
Pamela, please start a thread in the Members' Chat folder, so it won't take over this discussion!(And most likely you'll get better help from Amazon support.)
So you're saying it's marketed as something "light", for kids, but is actually somewhat "deep"?Gonna keep on with it for now, but may abandon ship if the abuse gets too much.
Mod
As Allison says, it touches on a heavy subject, one that I haven't seen in a kid's book before, but one that I have definitely seen kids, teens and adults be caught up in in real life. I think it's a brave and relevant thing to do and to trust readers of all ages to recognize what's going on. The keyword to take away from this is the book *deals* with it.
so, I gave this a solid start last night and am quite enjoying it. What exactly is it that is making people think the writing here is "young?" Yes, the main character is a young man, with the overall sophistication of an unpriviliged young man, but within the first couple of chapters there are some really unflinching looks at poverty, religion, and zeroing in on the colonialist aspects of the setting too.. not to mention the complexity in relationship between the two boys on full display and put into the context of poverty dialogues.
As the parent of a teenager I can tell you that most of this would go right over their head in the same way that "Bless me Ultima" did for their high school reading.
Juvenile book because unsubtle, because protagonist is innocent and means well, because we figure out things before he does, etc.Juvenile in the way The Golden Compass and especially sequels are.
I read a lot of Juv. and a fair bit of YA and the intensity of the themes here, at past 1/3, is nothing new. The writing is good, but not exceptional for the youth audience.
Reaching page 100. So far, I find quite interesting how the author develops a world "post-god" where religion has lost its original meaning and is now a simple merchandise. Regarding the abusive theme, I can't help thinking: "why is the character letting this go on?". But at the same time, I think I can see how it is explained with his past.
I'm maybe a third in and am also bothered by the protagonist being rather clueless. Interestingly, I'm also reading Klara and the Sun and am not bothered here because Klara lacks culpability for her misconceptions. Hark should know better, and a willfully ignorant protagonist feels less engaging.
Not willfully ignorant. Fiercely loyal, as discussed several times. Also, Jelt's challenges do make Hark achieve things he doesn't realize that he's capable of. Not a spoiler... it's explored early and often (though more explicitly later).I need to stop participating in this thread though as I'm now done reading.
I'm about halfway through and so far I really like the worldbuilding, but don't like the protagonist much.
Cheryl wrote: "Not willfully ignorant. Fiercely loyal.."Well, you can be willfully ignorant without reference to loyalty, but if you're fiercely loyal to the wrong thing, then you're being willfully ignorant. It's a cognitive dissonance thing: you sense that a belief is wrong, and you either abandon the belief, or you refuse to look at anything that fails to cohere with the belief. Hark knows that Jelt is vicious, while holding to a wishful belief that he isn't. It's a self deception, and probably why people are having trouble with Hark.
I like the writing, however. Has anyone read any of Hardinge's other novels?
Mod
What an interesting morning reading the discussion posts so far. Just finished chapter 4 and have enjoyed it so far. At least there was not a beheading as in the past few books, but then the story is still unfolding. Like the loyalty of Hark to Jelt that seems to pull him into the "current" scheme. Will it last?
David wrote: "I like the writing, however. Has anyone read any of Hardinge's other novels?..."I've read almost all of her novels. I love them all, and the flawed protagonist, who is young remember, is a pretty common theme. I've been staying out of this particular discussion because I have read the novel already.
I'm finally getting to start this. I've read the first 5 chapters (~15%). I really like the details of the world-building. And I like Jelt so far too.
3 chapters in and so far it strikes me as a perfectly serviceable MG/YA book. Waiting for things to kick off a bit more.As far as feeling young, I'm not far enough in to really delve into the subject matter, but the writing style does feel to me like what I'd see in a kids' book.
As someone who read all of the Author's work, I was truly disappointed in this one, I've read better ones from her (she's got some really underrated books that no one really talks about).
50 pages in and so far I really like it especially the world-building. I already underlined some passages regarding the relationship between Hark and Jelt, but I'll save my comments on that, as well as the details of the worldbuilding for later on in the spoiler thread.About the writing, to me personally it doesn't feel young at all (could be because I read a middle-grade recently that felt a loot younger) and I think it's quite good. Right now it's one of those books where I don't really know in what age range I'd put it, but like with Cerulean I'm just trying to enjoy the ride without thinking too much about who the target-audience is.
I'm several chapters in and I think this is a much better read than The Cruel Prince. Although the relationships between a few of the characters are abusive, I have not found the amount of detail to be overwhelming.
As to whether teens would realize that the relationships were abusive or that there is a critical look at religions and colonialism, my opinion is that they would get it if a good teacher helped them to see it. It's easy to read with adult eyes and I like the complexity of the plot.
As to whether teens would realize that the relationships were abusive or that there is a critical look at religions and colonialism, my opinion is that they would get it if a good teacher helped them to see it. It's easy to read with adult eyes and I like the complexity of the plot.
I now have 3 copies of this (one ebook, one audiobook and one hardcover) all from libraries. I’m going to use all 3 to help me get through it faster. :-)So far I’m enjoying it. I like Hark’s ingenuity and clearly he knows what’s going on with Jelt, but he can’t help it. It’s not pretty.
I will save all other comments for the spoiler thread.
3 chapters later and I have to say I am invested in Hark as a character. The Jelt dude seems like a douchebag so far. Hoping to see where the story takes both.
I'm at Chapter 12 and it's been hard for me to get into this. It's picking up a little now but I've had to force myself to keep going. This book is not drawing me in.
I‘m almost done (might even manage to finish tonight) and I‘be been enjoying this! So far, it‘s not a „OMG, I absolutely love it“, but it‘s a very good story.
Same here, Mareike. I’m quite enjoying it. And I have only a few pages left.
High-five! I look forward to diving into the spoiler thread, not gonna lie.
Also, aren’t we discussing this one in Virtual Book Club on Sunday? Don’t miss it!!
I think so, yes!! I actually have time this Sunday, too!
Mod
Love this comment! Sums up exactly what I was thinking.
Just started it and I’m enjoying the accessible feel after reading the interesting but somewhat obtuse Everfair.
Anthony wrote: "Just started it and I’m enjoying the accessible feel after reading the interesting but somewhat obtuse Everfair."Got exactly the same feeling. (Didn't get much anything from Everfair, but this feels like it might be benefitting some from coming right after).
I'm getting certain flavors of Earthsea - and something of liveships. And am
Jemppu wrote: "Anthony wrote: "Just started it and I’m enjoying the accessible feel after reading the interesting but somewhat obtuse Everfair."Got exactly the same feeling. (Didn't get much anything from Everf..."
It was the same for me. Everfair took me WEEKS to get through. This took me a few days. (Though I also was motivated by VBC.)
Allison wrote: "I think the Jelt/Hark relationship will be great to discuss in the spoilers thread!"I'm about halfway through the book, and I'd love to discuss it on the spoilers thread. I don't see it, but that's probably because I'm still new to finding my way around the discussion threads.
Can someone point me in the direction?
Kelle, it's linked in the first post of this thread! :)
Anna wrote: "Kelle, it's linked in the first post of this thread! :)"Thank you! I'll get better at this.
Please give vague posts here, and head over to the full discussion thread for spoilers :)
Content warnings for those who want them: (view spoiler)[ body horror, medical experimentation, extreme ableism, abuse, slavery, phobia of the ocean (hide spoiler)]