Fantabulous book. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free advanced copy of this book to read and review.

When her guardian Andrew Dark dies suddenly, Utterly Dark finds herself the only person who can follow in his steps and keep watch for the Hidden Lands. Until Andrew's brother, Will, is sent to Wildsea. He will be the Watcher but... He doesn't seem to believe in the Hidden Lands, the story of the Gorm or the fact that Utterly saw the mysterious islands that aren't on any map. She can feel someone watching "her" and strange forces fighting to come through. Is her uncle Will going to be able to protect Wildsea?

Utterly Dark and The Face of the Deep is an absolutely enchanting tale of belonging, magic and love. As Utterly tries to understand the call of the sea and learns about who she is, Philip Reeve builds for us a fantastic world where monsters might not be what they appear and the unalterable belief of a child is going to save a whole community. Like Utterly, we have to wait and watch while the tension builds up until the storm hits - all of it is thrilling and makes for an unforgettable read.

A riveting MG read suitable for children age 9+ I’d say. My class loved reading this with me and it sparked some amazing creative writing! Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for a galley.

"Utterly Dark and the Face of the Deep" by Philip Reeve is a captivating middle-grade fantasy story that takes readers on an adventure through the mysterious world of Wildsea. The protagonist, Utterly Dark, is a strong and determined young girl who is determined to keep her home safe from the strange forces that threaten it. The plot is well-crafted, with twists and turns that keep the reader engaged throughout.

The characters are well-developed and likeable, with Utterly Dark standing out as a particularly strong and relatable protagonist. The themes of friendship, family, and perseverance are woven throughout the story, making it not just an entertaining read but also a thought-provoking one.

Overall, "Utterly Dark and the Face of the Deep" is a fantastic read for middle-grade fantasy fans. Reeve has crafted a story that is both exciting and meaningful, making it a book that readers will want to return to again and again. The ending is satisfying and leaves room for readers to imagine what will happen next. It is a book that will be enjoyed by kids and adults alike. A must-read for fans of fantasy genre!

An easy read for children and adults alike. A gateway to a new world. A future children's classic. You don't need to be familiar with Reeve's previous work as it's not the same universe.

Utterly Dark and the Face of the Deep is a brilliant historical fantasy novel which was a delight to read from start to finish. The plotting, characterisation, writing and world-building are all consistently superb, and Philip Reeve does an excellent job of blending warmth and gentle humour with jeopardy and threat. The book has a similar feel to stories like 'The Lie Tree' by Frances Hardinge but it is totally fresh and original.

This is a great book for younger secondary age readers and possibly older primary too. Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an ARC of this book - I am excited to read the sequel!

A bit of Brave mythology and Mohanjedaro mythology, Not a big fan of mythology personally. Hence, dnf - Ed it at 75%
In a nutshell, a fun and quick read, with a backdrop of mythological sea creatures and a girl determined to protect her town and as the sea grows restless, secrets pour out that may change what Utterly knew about her past forever.
This book was so much fun, narrated mainly from an eleven year old's, named Utterly Darkperspective and interlaced with POVS from few of the characters:
I loved Utterly's POV, her thinkingherself as old enough and wise enough to get answers and protect her town it was downright adorable.

"For a moment Utterly felt very afraid, and almost ready to run back downstairs to the cosy warmth of the Skraevelings’ little parlour. But she reminded herself firmly that she was almost eleven and a half years old, and that she had a job to do."
"Utterly wondered how Mr Dark would be able to pick his father out of the crowd of them when he arrived in Heaven. Perhaps gentlemen did not wear their wigs in Heaven?"
We get glimpses of Will's POV; you see a man surrounded by science whose inherited job is a nightmare for him... And who's unable to comprehend how or why on earth his deceased brother adopted Utterly, whose origins are unknown. The 2 have a rocky start, Utterly completely disappointed at her Unlce and him baffled by his neice.
I loved watching the uncle and niece getting to understand each other event hough Utterly found him so different from his brother, but it was sweet to see her uncle softening upto her. Utterly beginning to understand how her towns peculiarities may alienate her Uncle tries to comfort him and explain how things actually are.
"‘The Egg is a boy,’ Utterly told Uncle Will. ‘He is not an actual egg.’
‘I am relieved to hear it,’ said Will."
"Uncle Will, do you really think the Hidden Lands are just a … that thing you called them earlier, a Farting Gardener …’
‘A Fata Morgana,’ said Uncle Will, laughing"

It was all fun until Will does the unspeakable and things get Topsy Turvey and so does the storyline... For me since I'm not a fan of mythology whether it be Greek or just part of the plot, it confuses me and I find myself skimming through the pages just to get the gist of what's happening. So the last quatre of the story the one where all the action happened was a little lost to me but I don't blame the book for...its not you.. it's me.

Utterly Dark and the Face of the Deep (UDFD) is a wonderful middle-grade fantasy story set in the atmospheric Wildsea, with a backstory of myths, tradition, sea witches, magic, and belonging.

PLOT
UDFD follows Utterly Dark, the ward of the recently-drowned Watcher of Wildsea, as she attempts to keep her home safe from the strange forces lurking in the deep ocean around them. While the plot is straightforward, it is entertaining and laced with enough mystery to keep you turning the pages. The book begins slowly, with things happening but nothing particularly dangerous or high stakes. However, it didn't bother me too much because the author takes advantage of the opportunity to establish the wonderful setting and characters.

WRITING
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book, particularly the writing. The author's use of words allows them to paint a vivid, bold, and imaginative picture. The myths surrounding this island and the sea were entertaining and informative. Because the sea is so central to the setting and plot, the book is filled with sea imagery, whether personified or metaphorical. This overarching connection and theme of the sea and its nature was very appealing to me. Nevertheless, the amount of imagery used might be too much/overwhelming for some readers.

CHARACTERS
The characters were well-developed and quirky! They all had distinct voices and personalities that stood out on the page. The little dynamics and interactions between different characters made it all the more interesting!

Overall, this is a fun, well-paced story full of adventure and mystery. While it’s aimed at middle-grade readers, it’s also a great read for adults.

[Thank you NetGalley and David Fickling Books for the e-book in exchange for an honest review!]

Utterly Dark follows the adventures of a young girl found washed ashore and adopted by her island's Watcher. When her adoptive father dies under mysterious circumstances, Utterly takes it on herself to become the new watcher while things stir at sea.

Utterly Dark is A compelling and whimsical story for young readers. There's a charm and warmth to the prose and the characters are all very likeable. I even felt sorry for the villians. The star of this book is Utterly though, who is bright, innocent and determined. Utterly enchanting!

OH MY GOSH this book was so interesting to read. It was well written with a captivating storyline and well developed characters that were so intriguing. I really liked the world building in this book it was so well down I felt like I was there, the pacing was slow but Ifelt like that added something to the plot and I couldn't put this book down, I certainly didn't want it to end. I need to read more by this author I cannot believe I never have before - something I will put right immediately.

Utterly Dark (what a brilliant name for a character!) was washed up on the shores of the Autumn Isles as a baby and taken in by The Watcher of Wildsea. Despite living on an island, people of Wildsea fear the sea and the creature that lurks in its depths - The Gorm. It's the job of The Watcher to stay on the lookout for the enchanted islands that sometimes appear on the horizon and are said to be the dwelling place of The Gorm.

Things change when Utterly's guardian drowns and her uncle returns to Wildsea to take his place. He considers himself a man of science and dismisses the old superstitions. Utterly soon realises it's up to her to keep the Watch and make sure Wildsea stays safe from the threat stirring in the depths of the sea...

I really enjoyed Utterly's story. It's a slow-paced read of the good kind and I liked the gradual build up of the atmosphere. It reminded me of the sea - calm and peaceful at first before gaining in force and turning turbulent. I kept dipping in and out of the book at the beginning and none of the story was lost whenever I returned to it.

Utterly is a feisty heroine and it's impossible not to like her. Philip Reeve created a fascinating world and his descriptions bring it vividly to life. 'Utterly Dark and the Face of the Deep' is a dark tale of destiny and duty, of legends and sea witches, a tale of love.

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 (4.25)
Age recommendation: 9+

An interesting story, about a land just beyond our own, where the island-dwellers watch for the sea-monster the Gorm to return from the Hidden Islands. Utterly’s guardian is the watcher, but when he is drowned, she must take over watching the horizon each evening for any sign of the hidden isles.
Uncle Will travels back from London, much against his will, to take up the mantle of watcher, but he no longer believes in the superstitions of the islanders, and when he sets in motion a risky experiment to prove them wrong, will he instead find a nasty surprise waiting for him?
An adventure, with a touch of fantasy and mystery, this is a tale of identity, belonging and community.

As a baby, Utterly Dark was washed up on the shores of the Autumn Isles. Andrewe Dark, Watcher of Wildsea, took her in, but one day, when Utterly was about 11 years old, he walked into the ocean and drowned. With the rising threat of the Gorm, Utterly designates herself as the new Watcher of Wildsea – can she protect her island from something no one can see until it’s too late and can she investigate why her guardian drowned himself?

I first read a Philip Reeve novel when I was young (Mortal Engines) and it’s been an age since that, but still I knew I wanted to read Utterly Dark, just because his name was attached to it. And my oh my is this a gorgeous book! Philip Reeve world builds in a beautiful way, setting a mystical scene of the Autumn Isles, close enough to the real world, but removed enough to be enticingly mysterious. The mythical tales of the Gorm are haunting and the folklore superstitions on the island fascinating to read about – I love folk and fairy tales.

Utterly herself is a fierce and feisty heroine, a great female role model. Her determination to complete the Watch despite Uncle Will’s wishes and her willingness to believe in the legends and tales makes her extremely likeable. As the story expands, she begins to trust in Uncle Will and readers will certainly identify with her frustration that he doesn’t believe. His outsider point of view is much like ours peering in on the Autumn Isles and their unfamiliar ways. This book is full of gorgeous relationships that develop as the story continues and I’d love to see more of the Autumn Isles and the world of Wildsea.

Utterly Dark and the Face of the Deep is a tale steeped in folklore and the power of the sea. A beautiful story, full of wonder! 5 out of 5 stars.

Thank you to David Fickling Books and NetGalley for the e-book review copy. Utterly Dark and the Face of the Deep by Philip Reeve is out now and you can buy it here.

I was really looking forward to this one and it didn't disappoint. A strange and atmospheric fantasy adventure that casts a spell on the reader.

The watermark on each page of the file given to me to review made reading this book a headache. What I did manage before throwing my phone away in frustration was a whimsical book that my younger cousin would love.

An exploration, an adventure, a quest and deep learning for all the wonderful characters. Utterly fabulous!
Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book.

Started reading this book as soon as it arrived and did not stop till it was finished. I have read most of Mr Reeves books and this is another joy.His greatest skill is creating worlds and characters that you completely believe in and engage with. This is an immersive fantastic holiday for your brain and imagination in hard times. Loved it !

Absolutely brilliant - a magical tale with endearing characters, who draw you into the world of Utterly Dark.
The seaside world she inhabits is painted in vivid description and the island, with its different characters come alive. The mystery at the heart of the book makes you want to keep reading, the interplay and development of the characters keeps you hooked. It's tender, funny, insightful. Just wonderful.

Philip Reeve could rewrite the telephone book and I would happily read it. He is a writer I found later in life and I think I appreciate him more than I would have done had I been reading at the age of his target market.
Utterly Dark and the Face of the Deep is an absolute gem. Utterly Dark’s guardian dies leaving no Watcher in the tower to record sighting of the land that appears and disappears on the horizon off the coast of the Wildsea. Utterly steps in until her uncle Will arrives back from London. Will doesn’t believe in the other land or of the Gorm the great sea monster that destroyed half the island years ago. But Utterly hears the sea talking to her and knows the Gorm is about to return. No one builds worlds like Reeve they are so clever and detailed and absolutely believable as are the characters he writes. This is worth reading for Egg alone a pupae Sir Lancelot whose ponies run away with him. It’s the best.

Another vividly imagined world From Philip Reeve, set amongst island communities facing the Atlantic and based in the Victorian era. Reeve builds the atmosphere and feel of the island perfectly, the different attitudes of the locals versus Will Dark, newly returned from London and sceptical about the old stories. I really loved the concept of the Gorm, the sea personified in all it's destructive power, and the story of it's return to Wildsea unfolded really well. The character of Utterly is great, full of wonder and determined to do her bit as temporary Watcher, and each of the other characters worked perfectly alongside her, in particular that of her Uncle Will. There were also some genuinely creepy moments, the weed-men and the drowned being among them, creating a brilliant adventure.