Title:

Deeplight

Author:

Frances Hardinge

Category:

Science Fiction / Fantasy

Rating:

Date Reviewed:

July 20, 2024

nce again Hardinge has delivered a great young adult story with a unique world and some excellent youthful characters. This time, in Deeplight, Hardinge has channeled her inner Lovecraft and invented the world of the Myriad - a string of islands in a long archipelago that has been surrounded by gigantic sea monsters whom the islanders worshipped as gods. These murderous, dangerous creatures sometimes arose from the Undersea (a strange sub-surface ocean where there is light and the water can be breathed) to terrorize various islands, despite the urgent intercessions of the priestly class. But 30 years ago, the Cataclysm happened - the gods fell upon each other in a titanic war, and all of them were destroyed. Without the gods in the ocean, the islanders can freely sail to the other islands and even trade with the continents.

Hark is fourteen years old, born on the island of Lady's Crave (the monstrous Hidden Lady once lurked near this island, and so was venerated as its local deity). He is a bright lad, but an orphan who scrambles to get by. His best friend is Jelt, another orphan boy who once saved Hark's life. Being saved by Jelt has blinded Hark to what is obvious to the reader - Jelt is not Hark's friend, he only has his own interests in mind, and he ruthlessly enlists Hark in dangerous schemes that serve only to benefit himself. One disastrous adventure at the start of the novel leads to Hark's capture and appearance before a harsh justice system - it appears the young Hark is doomed to a short existence as a slave aboard a galley. But some fast talking and inventive lies result in Hark being shipped off to the Sanctuary as an indentured servant to the ambitious, ruthless researcher Dr. Vyne.

The Sanctuary is a home for aging, decrepit priests. After the Cataclysm, the priests had no further purpose to serve. Many of them are Marked - interacting with the gods of the Undersea has left them changed. It is Hark's task to apply bandages, provide comfort and soothe these troubled souls. Hark is especially delighted to learn that he will be taught to read and write. Hark's favorite charge is Quest, an aged priest who seems to be full of wisdom and more than a few secrets.

Hark's seemingly rising fortunes take a huge step back when Jelt appears on the Sanctuary Island. Jelt has stolen a submersible from the criminal captain Rigg - Jelt has a scheme to scavenge for "godware" (fragments of the destroyed gods - even a shard of one those monsters potentially has magical properties) - Jelt wants to Hark to descend into the Undersea and hunt for these volatile treasures. The reader knows Hark should say no to Jelt, but Hark reluctantly finds himself enlisting once more into one of Jelt's plans. Naturally, things go awry and the rest of the novel deals with the consequences of Jelt and Hark's attempt to retrieve a piece of godware.

Hark is a likeable character. Loyal, smart, a bit-too-trusting, and empathetic - Hark is an easy hero to root for, and I found myself wishing that Hardinge hadn't placed him in so much peril. Each challenge seems more impossible the previous, and Hark grows increasingly more desperate in his attempts to avert disaster.

Also likeable is Selphin, the daughter of the pirate captain Rigg. Selphin is deaf, the permanent result of a near-fatal Undersea accident has left her afraid of the ocean. Selphin is stubborn and moody, but she is also insightful and resourceful when events go haywire.

I enjoyed this story. As always, Hardinge has created a fascinating, unique world and populated it with a diverse set of characters. The plot is unpredictable, the obstacles are many. I see that our library has on order Hardinge's newest book, called Island of Whispers. I immediately added it to my list of library holds.