Utterly Dark and the Face of the Deep
🌊🔭⚡️☠️
by Philip Reeve
★★★★★
Things I loved
🌚Utterly Dark’s fabulous name
🧑🧑🧒🧒 Utterly’s wonderfully kind family
🌊The eerie setting of Wildsea
🏘️The odd but loveable Wildsea community
⚠️The dangerous treks to visit strange (and downright rude) witches
🌌Creepy creatures that lurk in the dark
🐚Being transported to a world full of sea creatures, monsters and treasure
Review
As a lover of Orphans of the Tide and Fenn Halflin, I just knew that Utterly Dark would be an absolute winner for me, and I was 1000% correct!
The first thing that I absolutely LOVED is the ocean-themed setting—both the people who live by it and the monsters that lurk beneath. Reeve captures the pull of the sea so well that I felt like I was in the thrill and danger alongside Utterly, all while staying safely wrapped up on my sofa under a blanket.
The characters were another highlight. Utterly herself is curious, brave, and stubborn, while figures like her guardian, Will, and the mysterious folk of Wildsea all feel distinct and memorable. Each one adds depth to the story in a way that reminded me of the wonderful world-building in Malamander’s Eerie-on-Sea.
The plot is fabulously intriguing—rich with suspense, secrets, and sea-magic. It reminded me of other sea-themed adventures I’ve loved, but at the same time it feels completely unique, blending all the best elements into something extra special.
I can’t wait to continue the series—I actually ordered the next books straight after finishing this one!
Dive Deeper
At a glance
Author: Philip Reeve
Cover artist: Paddy Donnelly
Release Date: 2nd September 2021
Book type: Chapter, 232 pages
Reader level: Growing
Overview
It was always at sundown they were seen. In that twilight hour, when the walls between the worlds grew thin, strange things might slip through the cracks. Sometimes then, so the stories went, enchanted islands would appear in the empty ocean to the west of Wildsea. When Utterly Dark was a baby, she was washed up on the shores of the Autumn Isles and taken in by the Watcher of Wildsea. But everything changes when her guardian suddenly drowns. Now who will keep the Watch, and make sure Wildsea stays safe from the strange forces teeming in the deep ocean around them?
Should I read this book?
You should read this book if you...
🌊 love creepy ocean adventures 🌊
🪄 enjoy dark magic 🪄
🌊 think you would be brave enough to battle the ocean! 🌊
Reader level: growing
Content: 9+
Help me to read
-
Twilight: slight light just after sunset
- Isles: an island
- Guardian: someone who looks after someone else
- Watcher of Wildsea: the chosen person who must watch the horizon of Wildsea for changes
- Watch tower: a tall tower containing a telescope where the Watcher makes their observations
- The Gorm: a mythical sea creature
- Mermaid's purse:
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