The Depth of Darkness, by Alisse Lee Goldenberg, is a young adult fantasy novel and the fourth book in The Children of Colonodona series. The story returns to Colonodona after the death of King Navor, where Queen Sitnalta is drowning in grief, Princess Audrina is carrying guilt and the pressure of her future crown, and strange attacks across the kingdom hint at something far more painful than an ordinary monster. What begins as a mystery about a creature in the dark slowly becomes a story about grief, family, identity, and the hard work of choosing love even after terrible loss.

I was impressed with how personal this fantasy feels. Yes, there are trolls, magic, cursed wishes, royal politics, and old secrets, but the heart of the book is quieter than that. It sits with people who are trying to keep going after being broken. Sitnalta’s sorrow feels heavy and lived in, and Audrina’s frustration with the crown gives the story a strong emotional center. I liked that the author doesn’t treat grief as something neat or noble. It’s messy. It makes people withdraw, snap, doubt themselves, and miss what is right in front of them.

I also liked the way Goldenberg uses fantasy not just for spectacle, but for emotional questions. What makes someone a monster? What does it mean to be yourself when magic, duty, and other people’s fear keep trying to define you? Those ideas run through the book without turning it into a lecture. The writing is direct and often very tender, especially in scenes between Audrina, Gertrude, Sitnalta, Lucas, and Najort. The story leans on dialogue and recap, especially for readers who may not remember the earlier books, but I didn’t mind that because the relationships are the real engine here. The book cares deeply about its characters, and you can feel that on the page.

The Depth of Darkness will probably mean the most to readers who enjoy character-driven series with fairy-tale roots, found family, royal drama, and magic tied closely to emotion. I would especially recommend it to readers who have followed The Children of Colonodona from the beginning. It’s not just about fighting the darkness outside the castle. It’s about facing the darkness that grief leaves behind, and finding, slowly and imperfectly, a way back into the light.

Pages: 266 | ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0H42CLHBZ