Angel Dunworth’s Imogen and the Silent Depths: The Sea Ghost Comes is the first book in The Accursed Carnival Series. It’s a whimsical and eerie tale that begins in a mysterious seaside town where a traveling carnival sets up camp against local warnings. The story spirals into a magical clash between mortal joy and ancient curses, led by a wicked sea witch named Omenthia. At the heart of the novel is Imogen, a carousel horse brought to life by accident, and perhaps fate, who must discover her true self to break the curse and restore the carnival. Alongside vibrant characters and a dash of folklore, the book charts a journey of identity, courage, and the deep magic hiding in forgotten places.

Dunworth’s prose has a sing-song lilt to it, often reminding me of a classic fairy tale, but with a sharp, modern twist. I liked the mood she created. It’s wistful one moment and spine-chilling the next. Imogen’s journey is emotionally honest, especially for a character who isn’t human. I found myself rooting for her in a way that surprised me. The dialogue could sometimes be overly expository, but the rhythm and tone carried it. I appreciated how the story never talked down to younger readers. It assumed they’d rise to the language, the mystery, and the moral weight of the tale.

There were moments where the pacing slowed, especially when side characters were introduced and quickly dropped. The narrative sometimes bounces between Maggie, Jove, the sea witch, and various side plots. Still, I never felt bored. If anything, the book seemed to burst with too many ideas rather than too few. Dunworth’s imagination is big, maybe even a little wild. And while not every idea landed for me, I admired her commitment to telling a big-hearted and deeply magical story.

Imogen and the Silent Depths is a story I’d recommend for readers young and old who still believe in hidden magic, talking horses, and the fight between good and evil. It’s ideal for fans of Neil Gaiman’s Coraline or Kate DiCamillo’s The Magician’s Elephant. This book is a reminder that even overlooked things can become heroes.

Pages: 182 | ASIN: B0F8KVZWC4