Hidden Deep was a book I absolutely loved when I was younger. I remember being captivated by the story and the magical, romantic tone Amy Patrick created. So when I decided to reread some old favorites, this one naturally made the list. Unfortunately, this time around, the story didn’t quite hold the same magic for me.
Potential
The storyline itself is still solid — imaginative, engaging, and full of potential. Patrick builds a world that’s easy to get swept up in, and the premise remains interesting. It reminded me why I enjoyed it so much years ago. However, while the concept is good, the execution feels much more suited for a younger audience than I remembered. Which is fine, since it is a YA.
Characters
Where I struggled most this time was with the characters. Their thoughts, decisions, and emotional responses felt very teenage — which makes sense for the intended audience, but adult me found it harder to connect.
What once felt romantic or dramatic now came across as impulsive and occasionally frustrating. It’s not that the characters are poorly written; it’s simply that I’ve grown past the stage of life where their perspective resonates.
Final Thoughts
Hidden Deep will stay a treasured memory from my younger reading years, but it’s probably not one I’ll revisit again. It’s a reminder that some stories belong beautifully to a particular time in your life — and that’s okay. For younger readers or fans of light, romantic YA fantasy, it’s still an enjoyable escape. For me, though, this reread confirmed that sometimes the magic of a story is best left in the past.
Have you read Hidden Deep? Is YA Fantasy a genre you enjoy?
Hazel Harbor Books 
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