Deeplight

Deeplight is a dark fantasy adventure set in the Myriad, an island chain where colossal sea gods once reigned. Decades after their mysterious demise, their powerful remnants are highly sought after. Fifteen-year-old Hark discovers the still-beating heart of a god and uses it to save his best friend, Jelt, from a near-fatal accident. However, the heart's power begins to eerily transform Jelt, both physically and mentally, into something monstrous. Hark is then forced to confront the moral dilemma of his loyalty to his friend versus the danger Jelt poses, leading to a poignant exploration of sacrifice, grief, and the corrupting nature of power. This book is ideal for mature young adult readers who enjoy complex characters and morally ambiguous plots.

**THEY SAY THAT THERE IS A DARK REALM OF NIGHTMARES THAT LIES BENEATH THE TRUE SEA. WHEN THE UNDERSEA ARCHES ITS BACK, THE UPPER SEA IS STIRRED TO FRENZY.** **THEY SAY THAT THE UNDERSEA WAS THE DWELLING PLACE OF THE GODS.** **THEY SAY MANY THINGS OF THE MYRIAD, AND ALL OF THEM ARE TRUE.** The gods are dead. Fifty years ago, they turned on one another and tore each other apart. Nobody knows why. Now, even coin-sized scraps of dead god are worth a fortune because of the strange powers they're said to possess. But few are brave to dive and search for them. When fifteen-year-old Hark finds the still-beating heart of one of these deities, he'll risk everything to keep it out of the hands of the smugglers, scientists, and cults who would kill for its power. Because Hark needs to heart if he wants to save the life of his best friend, Jelt. But the power of a god was not meant for human hands. With the heart, Jelt begins to eerily transform, and Hark will have to decide if he can stay loyal to his friend--or what he's willing to sacrifice to save him. This description comes from the publisher.