In Deeper Waters

Written by F.T. Lukens

Narrated by Kevin R. Free

“A frothy confection of sea-foam, young love, and derring-do.” —NPR

From the New York Times bestselling author of So This Is Ever After, a young prince must rely on a mysterious stranger to save him when he is kidnapped during his coming-of-age tour in this swoony adventure that is The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue meets Pirates of the Caribbean.

Prince Tal has long awaited his coming-of-age tour. After spending most of his life cloistered behind palace walls as he learns to keep his forbidden magic secret, he can finally see his family’s kingdom for the first time. His first taste of adventure comes just two days into the journey, when their crew discovers a mysterious prisoner on a burning derelict vessel.

Tasked with watching over the prisoner, Tal is surprised to feel an intense connection with the roguish Athlen. So when Athlen leaps overboard and disappears, Tal feels responsible and heartbroken, knowing Athlen could not have survived in the open ocean.

That is, until Tal runs into Athlen days later on dry land, very much alive, and as charming—and secretive—as ever. But before they can pursue anything further, Tal is kidnapped by pirates and held ransom in a plot to reveal his rumored powers and instigate a war. Tal must escape if he hopes to save his family and the kingdom. And Athlen might just be his only hope…

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Jul 27, 2021
• ISBN: 9781797136448

F.T. Lukens

F.T. Lukens is a New York Times bestselling author of YA speculative fiction including the novels Spell Bound, So This Is Ever After, and In Deeper Waters (2022 ALA Rainbow Booklist; Junior Library Guild Selection), as well as other science fiction and fantasy works. Their contemporary fantasy novel The Rules and Regulations for Mediating Myths & Magic was a 2017 Cybils Award finalist in YA Speculative Fiction and won the Bisexual Book Award for Speculative Fiction. F.T. resides in North Carolina with their spouse, three kids, three dogs, and three cats.

Reviews for In Deeper Waters

[Febrian Giovanni · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

3.5 stars. This book is not just about pirates.
His first taste of adventure comes just two days into the journey and meeting a mysterious young man name Athlen. Tal, a prince that spends most of his life cloistered behind palace walls as he learns to keep his forbidden magic secret, not until one day he can finally see his family’s kingdom for the first time. And their adventure begins after Tal is kidnapped by pirates, and Athlen might be his only hope.

If you are searching for an enjoyable and easy read fantasy gay romance, this book is for you.
But so many people said the book is too overhyped, and I pretty much agree. Don’t get your expectation too high. This book is suitable for a quick and easy-cute read, but not if you expect an epic high fantasy book with an epic adventure and complicated political affair.

What I like about the book :
1. A prince with magic!? Yes!
2. A shapeshifter!
3. The romance in this book was so cute! MLM fantasy romance between Tal and Athlen, a mysterious guy with a secret. ( I will not tell you what is Athlen secret was. I want you to be surprised as I am when you read it.)
4. Not just about a cute romance. The relationship Tal has with his family is so freaking cute and heartwarming. All of the characters in this book are likable and unique, with a refreshing storyline.

[KelciiLou · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

All together a rather cute story with a light amount of fantasy entwined.

Although I enjoy a YA I am outside of the target audience and I did feel it with this book. Nothing wrong with it, I just don't feel I was the right audience. It was a little too light for me, the turbulence within the Prince's life although technically multiple and complex I didnt feel the urgency required to be fully drawn in and lost to the narrative.

But I would probably call this a soft and fluffy comfort read. It definitely has its place.

[Allison Weser · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was one of the best books I’ve read in a LONG time.

[Addyson Nicole · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I adored this book. I’m a big fan of historical romance, especially queer historical romance. The magic in this story was just that, magical. The chemistry between the two main characters made my heart flutter!

[Rosinanta · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Sweet romantic Story. Something Simple, without any angst or thick plot, but lovely. It Is exactly what you expect to be.

[Jess · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book so much, it’s so well written

[Evan Corey · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The pacing was a little odd at moments but I really enjoyed it overall. The adventure story is fun, and the characters are very likeable. I appreciated that the author avoided well-known archetypes, though sometimes the way characters processed emotions felt a little uncanny, like they came from a manual in how to process trauma. I really liked the sibling relationships, and the ending was tooth rotting in a good way.

[giuliosuprig · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Gritty, lovely and powerful. Will stick with me for a while.

[Roxanne Kroutz · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

3.5* Stars - This was an enjoyable and compelling story. I loved the magic of Tal and the mythical creatures. It had pirates, royalty, kidnapping and attempted assassination plots, as well as a cute gay romance. Definitely a fun ride, especially with the audiobook. The narrator did a good job and I really liked the voices he did, my favourite being Emericks voice.

I liked Tal and Athelen, however, they weren’t my favourite characters. Yes I rooted for their romance and found them very cute together, but as individual characters they could be annoying at times. Tal would get on my nerves whenever he would make a stupid decision and his short temper got on my nerves too. I had to keep reminding myself that he is only 16 and I should cut him some slack.

Tal’s relationship with his siblings and their bond with each other was my favourite aspect of the book. Their banter and teasing made me laugh, and I wish I had siblings of my own like that. Shay was a great character and I wish we could’ve known her more, and gotten to see a glimpse of her budding relationship with Kest. To be honest, I found Tals brothers more interesting and would love a book following them.

[Fena Reti · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

It put me in the worst reading slump of this year. If I say anything about it I will be mean. I would recommend this book to a much younger audience.

[M Forrester · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A fun and wholesome story, nice to relax with. Would definitely recommend to people for lighter reading. Loved the characters by the end of it. Simple story but with a lot of style.

[J C · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Terrible, terrible literature that was simply copy and pasted from leftist propaganda. Bring back good books.

[Yessica Leal · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Estuvo interesante, creo que al final se volvió un poco predecible y para mí gusto le faltó más desarrollo a los personajes. La historia es buena, tiene su buena dosis de de magia y siento que el mundo del libro se pudo haber expandido más. Los personajes no son malos, pero como dije anteriormente le faltó desarrollo y no pude conectarme del todo con ellos. En fin, buena historia y si vale la pena leerla (o escucharla)

[Rachel Gat · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I found the audio book very endearing but some of the wording and tension between the main characters made my physically cringe at points (in a good way).

[Monzeratte Verenice Leyva · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book! The story and how it all fell together was great! I recommend for you fantasy and sci-fi, BL lovers!

[Venus Brown · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The way everything was written and executed was absolutely beautiful

[Rachel · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I had to keep pausing this audiobook because it was too cute and I couldn't handle it!

[mada · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It's sweet, uncomplicated, and well written I thought. Very good if you're looking for a queer adventure story with some conflict and a very happy end

[Eli Vang · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Definitely an okay experience. I wouldn't recommend this for more mature audiences, but for someone who was 13, it's a good read.

[Israel Bonet · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Intense, charming, not what I was expecting. I'm in love with this story

[Madalena Afonso · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

That was phenomenal!! It was pure, and sweet, and thrilling, and funny, all wrapped in a fast paced magical adventure. I’ve heard many good things about FT Luken’s writing, and now I can say that the rumors were right: this book is one of the best YA Fantasy out there, at the moment. Congratulations to the author. Time to discover more!!

[Line Sofie Kvalvik · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A queer retelling of the Little Mermaid. Plus forbidden magic and adventures

[chai · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I already had read this once when it came out on my physical copy but just couldn’t resist reading (listening) it again on audio! And oh my god! This was just as amazing I thought it would be. Please read it! Tala and Athlen are beautiful.

[Andreea Peia · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Outstanding book, one of the best plots I have encountered, it has everything you could wish for. Plus amazingly written characters.