"Whispers Of The Deep" Emma Hamm: Booktok Merman Romance Review

 🌊 Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Monster

Tropes: 

Enemies to Lovers (Slow burn) 

Fated Mates (Maybe) 

Size Difference (He big monster, she smol lady) 

Two 🍆 🍆

Strong Independent Women 

Open Door 

Spice Level: Jalapeno! It's there but mild heat. 

Language/culture Barrier 

Comfortable Predictability

If you do not like small spaces, drowning, some violence to the characters around the MC's then you may want to skip. 

📖 Summary:

"Whispers Of The Deep" by Emma Hamm is fun, and blends fantasy and romance in a captivating underwater world. As tornado season rages outside, I found enjoyed the story, reminiscent of "The Shape of Water." movie. 

🔍 Analysis:

Hamm's narrative introduces readers to a world that's part steampunk, part mermaid fantasy. The male lead, with his imposing stature and warrior-like traits, is a formidable figure softened by a kind heart, a thinker. Opposite him is a well-crafted female lead, strong yet realistic in personality. This reads a little bit like Twilight in the sense that there is a bigger world to the story and yet we only see a smaller part of it. 

💬 Themes and Elements I Liked:

What struck me most were the themes of community and self-determination interwoven throughout the story. The humor in navigating differences and the steamy moments of exploration added depth to the narrative. While not deeply rooted in realism, the fantastical elements of mermaid lore provided the perfect escape from reality. (There are some plot holes and things do tend to wrap up quickly/easily at the end. I think this book could have been longer to account for the slower pace.) I enjoyed the robot friend because they seemed very real and human even though they were an AI. 

💭 Personal Connection:

As someone battling fibromyalgia and facing an upcoming surgery, "Whispers Of The Deep" offered a much-needed escape. The slow-burn romance and fantastical world-building provided a reprieve from my worries, leaving me yearning for the characters' happiness and then I was curious to see what their plans are for the two races and their hate for each other in general. I'd like to see the romance between the angry brother and a new character. 

📚 Final Thoughts:

In the end, "Whispers Of The Deep" left me with the same heartwarming feeling as "The Shape of Water," longing for the characters to find love and fulfillment. If you're in search of a fantasy romance escape with a touch of steampunk and a whole lot of heart, this book is for you.