Hester Fox’s seventh novel, A Magic Deep and Drowning, emerges like a pearl from the murky depths of Dutch colonial history, transforming Hans Christian Andersen’s beloved The Little Mermaid into something far more complex and morally challenging. Set against the backdrop of 1650s Friesland during the waning days of the Dutch Golden Age, this historical fantasy weaves together environmental allegory, colonial critique, and timeless romance into a narrative that both enchants and unsettles.
The Depths of Character Development
Clara van Wieren begins as a familiar archetype—the privileged young woman trapped in a gilded cage, yearning for freedom from her overbearing mother’s rule. But Fox skillfully subverts expectations, transforming Clara from a passive maiden into a woman who confronts uncomfortable truths about her world’s prosperity built on suffering. Her journey from ignorance to awakening feels authentic, particularly as she grapples with learning that her family’s wealth stems from an ancient bargain with the sea people—a contract sealed in blood and maintained through the sacrifice of children.
The characterization of Maurits, the merman prince who walks among humans, showcases Fox’s ability to balance otherworldly mystery with genuine emotion. His russet hair and sea-green eyes mark him as clearly supernatural, yet his internal conflicts between duty to his underwater kingdom and love for Clara ground him in relatable humanity. The relationship between Clara and Maurits develops with careful pacing, their attraction believable despite the fantastical circumstances.
Perhaps most compelling is Thade, Maurits’s younger brother, who serves as both antagonist and mirror to colonial exploitation. His rage at human destruction of the Water Kingdom’s spawning grounds feels justified, even as his methods grow increasingly ruthless. Fox refuses to paint him as a simple villain, instead presenting him as a leader driven to extremes by witnessing his people’s suffering.
A World Both Beautiful and Brutal
Fox’s world-building demonstrates impressive research and cultural sensitivity. The Frisian setting feels lived-in and authentic, from the meticulously planned gardens of Wierenslot castle to the bustling streets of Amsterdam where Clara later finds refuge as a painter’s apprentice. The author’s Frisian heritage shines through in details that bring the landscape to life—the poplar-lined canals, the ever-present threat of flooding, the delicate balance between land and sea that defines Dutch existence.
The underwater sequences rival the best of fantasy literature. The Water Kingdom, with its coral palaces and schools of silver fish, initially appears magical and alluring. However, Fox gradually reveals the devastating truth: much of the kingdom lies in ruins, destroyed when humans filled in spawning grounds to build Amsterdam. These revelations transform the underwater realm from fantasy paradise to a haunting memorial of ecological destruction.
Where the Narrative Struggles
Despite its many strengths, A Magic Deep and Drowning occasionally buckles under the weight of its ambitious themes. The pacing suffers in the middle sections, particularly during Clara’s time in Amsterdam, where the narrative feels somewhat disconnected from the central conflict. While her development as an artist adds depth to her character, these sequences sometimes read as prolonged setup rather than integral plot development.
The novel’s attempt to balance multiple themes—environmental destruction, colonial guilt, personal growth, and epic romance—doesn’t always feel seamless. Some readers may find the environmental allegory heavy-handed, though others will appreciate Fox’s willingness to tackle contemporary issues through historical fantasy. The connection between the magical bargain and real-world colonial exploitation sometimes feels forced, despite the author’s clear intentions.
The Magic of Language and Atmosphere
Fox’s prose style mirrors the ebb and flow of tidal waters, alternating between lyrical passages that capture the beauty of both land and sea, and sharper, more urgent sequences that drive the plot forward. Her descriptions of the underwater kingdom, in particular, demonstrate her skill at creating atmosphere:
“The placid canal shimmered, a tight little copse of trees forming a shady grove around it. A school of silver fish darted by, sending a shiver of remembrance down Clara’s spine.”
The author’s use of the recurring motif of seven—seven sounds that haunt Clara’s dreams, seven days, seven seas—creates a sense of mythic inevitability that enhances the folklore elements without feeling contrived.
Romance in Dark Waters
The romantic elements between Clara and Maurits develop with surprising restraint and emotional honesty. Their relationship serves as more than mere attraction; it becomes a bridge between two worlds and a catalyst for Clara’s moral awakening. Fox avoids the trap of instant, overwhelming passion, instead building their connection through shared moments of vulnerability and understanding.
The romantic tension remains compelling even as larger conflicts threaten to tear them apart. When Clara learns the truth about Maurits’s nature and his role in her childhood friend Fenna’s death, Fox doesn’t offer easy forgiveness or magical resolution. Instead, she forces both characters to confront the consequences of their choices and the systems they’ve been part of.
Historical Fantasy with Contemporary Relevance
What elevates A Magic Deep and Drowning beyond simple fairy tale retelling is Fox’s unflinching examination of how prosperity often comes at the expense of others. The Dutch Golden Age’s wealth, built on colonization and exploitation, provides a perfect historical parallel for contemporary environmental and social justice issues. The ancient bargain between land and sea peoples serves as metaphor for broken treaties and ignored indigenous rights.
However, Fox avoids falling into simple allegory. Her characters remain individuals rather than symbols, their choices driven by personal motivations rather than thematic necessity. The moral complexity of the situation—where even Clara’s ignorance doesn’t absolve her of complicity—reflects real-world challenges of addressing historical injustices.
The Literary Landscape
Fox’s previous works, including The Witch of Willow Hall and The Last Heir to Blackwood Library, established her as a skilled practitioner of Gothic historical fiction. A Magic Deep and Drowning represents an evolution in her writing, tackling more complex themes while maintaining the atmospheric storytelling that defines her work.
The novel sits comfortably alongside other reimagined fairy tales such as Naomi Novik’s Uprooted and Madeline Miller’s Circe, though Fox’s focus on colonial history gives her work a distinct contemporary relevance.
Verdict: A Flawed but Powerful Addition to Historical Fantasy
A Magic Deep and Drowning succeeds as both entertainment and moral inquiry, despite occasional structural weaknesses. Fox has created a world where beauty and brutality intertwine, where love must coexist with hard truths about history and complicity. The novel’s willingness to confront uncomfortable realities while maintaining the wonder of fairy tale magic makes it a worthy read for those seeking fantasy with substance.
Clara’s journey from privileged ignorance to painful awareness reflects our own contemporary struggles with inherited guilt and environmental responsibility. While the novel occasionally sacrifices narrative flow for thematic depth, it ultimately rewards readers willing to dive into its dark waters.
For fans of historical fantasy that doesn’t shy away from difficult questions, A Magic Deep and Drowning offers both escape and enlightenment—though readers should be prepared for a tale that challenges as much as it enchants.
Similar Reads for Fantasy and Historical Fiction Lovers
For Readers Who Enjoyed This Book:
- The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow – Portal fantasy with colonial themes
- The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon – Epic fantasy with environmental undertones
- The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo – Historical fantasy set in Golden Age Spain
- The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton – Dutch Golden Age historical fiction
- The Water Will Come by Jeff Goodell – Non-fiction examination of rising sea levels
- The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden – Folklore-based fantasy with environmental themes
- Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia – Gothic fiction examining colonial exploitation
- The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison – Fantasy examining power, privilege, and responsibility
Other Hester Fox Novels Worth Exploring:
- The Witch of Willow Hall – Fox’s atmospheric debut
- The Widow of Pale Harbor – Gothic romance with Edgar Allan Poe influences
- A Lullaby for Witches – Dual timeline supernatural mystery
- The Last Heir to Blackwood Library – Post-WWI Gothic fiction
- The Book of Thorns – Revolutionary War-era supernatural romance