Scorpion Deep out now from Feiwel & Friends; 352 pages
Content Warning: Gore, child abuse, murder, depression, suicidal thoughts, death of an animal, self-harm
About the Author: “CG Drews is the award-winning # 1 New York Times Bestselling author of Don’t Let The Forest In, Hazelthorn, You Did Nothing Wrong, and Scorpion Deep. Their work has been translated into over 12 languages, won the Barnes & Noble 2025 YA Awards and has been nominated for the 2020 and 2025 Carnegie Medal, as well as has been Indie Next Picks and Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selections. CG lives in Australia under a pile of unread books” (Bio from author’s website).
Find CG Drews on the following platforms:
On the gloomy isle of Kelcarrow, Jonathan Covey, whose greatest dream is to move on from his past and leave the island, grows anxious. With summer coming to an end and Jonathan’s friends excited and preparing to start college on the mainland, he is unsure how to tell them he wasn’t accepted into college and will remain stuck on the haunted isle. Feeling hopeless, Jonathan listens to the legends ignored by locals and seeks to pay a tithe to the eldritch sea god, Scorpion Deep, pleading to forget his past traumas, leave the isle, and join his friends. The sea creature awakens, and the ritual is successful; despite his fear, he can’t help but feel connected to the creature, who shares a mutual obsession with him, but once Jonathan begins to grow scales and the creature’s obsession develops, he realizes he must destroy the monster to save himself.
I didn’t go into the story with any expectations, so I had absolutely no clue that I was in for a treat. As a huge fantasy-horror fan, I was amazed by the disgusting and icky feeling I had while reading some of the more gory parts, and I was completely astonished by the lyrical writing—which especially added to the gloomy atmosphere of the story. I actually had not recognized the author’s name when I first requested to read this novel, and upon finishing it, I discovered that I am familiar with their works—safe to say, I will be purchasing the rest of their novels. I absolutely fell in love with Jonathan and felt very maternal towards him; though I hated to see him so lonely and depressed, I lived for the angst, and could relate to him on a personal level at times. That being said, it is difficult reading through the challenges he faced and the references to his abuse, which may not be everybody’s cup of tea. However, I really enjoyed the use of slaying monsters as a form of growing from past traumas and healing from mental illness. I’m not used to reading about a main character who’s asexual, so it was interesting and exciting entering another perspective. I really loved the dynamic between Jonathan and Scorpion Deep; though he is a sea god, he was able to love and see Jonathan in a way he deserved, which I found heartwarming, and which strangely reminded me of the film The Shape of Water (2017). If you’re into angsty, gruesome stories and queer horror, you will absolutely love Scorpion Deep!
Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and Feiwel & Friends for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.
Anasofia Alejandro, Pine Reads Review Writer and Social Media Manager