Deeplight

Hark and his best friend Jelt live on the island of Lady’s Crave where they scavenge, scam and sell their finds.

The land they live in is shadowed in the past where people worshipped the Undersea Gods who thrived on the fear of the people. Hark finds himself indentured to Dr Vyne after being caught as part of one of Jelt’s plans with a local gang. He is given the task of looking after the ancient priests and finding out their secrets to be able to find out the secrets of the past Gods. Dr Vyne is trying to unravel the secrets of the gods, how they disappeared, what they looked like and how to best use god glass (old parts of the gods recovered from the Undersea).

Hark and Jelt quickly find themselves in possession of a most valuable piece of god glass, but it is not as lucky as they first think and they are soon in a very dangerous situation. What does this mean for the best friends, the people of Lady’s Crave and the surrounding islands?

‘Deeplight’ is a story full of imagination, mythological themes and adventures in the sea, which focuses on the importance of friendship and also treachery. The main characters are complex, but as the story unfolds, you feel that you really get to know them. It also includes a deaf character who lost her hearing after a diving incident. She gains her title of being ‘Sea-kissed’ and has to learn to communicate with her gang members by sign. It is refreshing to see a main character who signs.

An intriguing fantasy story recommended for secondary school children.