Title: The Deep (The Island #3)
Author: Jen Minkman
Year Published: June 3, 2014
Ashley's The Island Review
Ashley's The Waves Review
Paul's The Island Review
Synopsis: ‘The world is never-ending.
I never realized just how much space there is – how far and wide the water around our island stretches out. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I may have believed that a second Wall ran around Tresco, containing the infinite waters so we wouldn’t all wash over the edge and plummet down into the depths.’
Leia and Walt are on their way to the Other Side, where the legendary land of Cornwall awaits them. Tony, their new friend, has told them that all wars of the past have been forgotten and the citizens of Bodmin and Dartmoor live in peace. People adhere to the tenets of an old religion that preaches forgiveness and non-violence.
However, Walt and Leia soon discover that even a peace-loving, ideal society like this one may have its flaws. While on a forbidden trip to Exeter, the old city of their ancestors, the two Islanders discover more about the new world than they ever bargained for.
Secrets run dark and passions run deep in this thrilling conclusion to the Island novella series.
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Review: I absolutely loved Jen's novellas The Island and The Waves, and I figured that would be the end of the story. So you can imagine my excitement when I learned there was a third installment. AND it's novel-length! And honestly, The Deep did not disappoint in any way!
This time around, we get to see the story unfolding from Leia and Alisa's perspectives. Leia has left the island with Walt and Tony and anyone else who wanted to see what was on the other side of the waves, and Alisa has remained behind to help the Fools and Unbelievers still on the island. I really enjoyed seeing what things were like on the Other Side, and I think it's really interesting that even this new world that's supposed to be better than life on the Island has its secrets and its disadvantages. Leia and Walt learn that people are people, and maybe their lives before weren't as bad as they thought.
And then there's Alisa, who struggles to accept Saul, who had been cast as a dangerous criminal. Even though she still struggles with losing Yorrick, I think Alisa's story is really important to showing forgiveness and that people will often surprise you. I really enjoyed reading about things from someone else's perspective, since we've already seen things from Leia and Walt. Seeing old characters from another viewpoint was interesting and helped me to understand them better.
Like the rest of the Island series, Jen's writing in this book is absolutely gorgeous. The world-building and character development is phenomenal, and I loved every second ofi t. I couldn't put this book down, and read most of it in one sitting! There are still some loose ends, and I would totally read more of this series if Jen ever decides to continue it. Most of the story is complete though, and I would be happy with it ending here if she decides not to write more in this world.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has read The Island and The Waves. It expands the world and the characters, and answers questions about the Other Side and Tony's people. I would also recommend the series to any fans of YA sci-fi and/or dystopian books, especially if you enjoy books with subtle (and not so subtle) Star Wars references. This is an excellent series, and I'm so glad I was given the opportunity to read it! 4/5!
--Ashley
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