Book Review: The Depths We’ll Go To an Ocean Anthology by Alex Silvius

Happy New Year book unicorns!

To kickoff 2022, I will be reviewing the ocean-themed anthology by Alex Silvius The Depths We’ll Go To. This collection holds a very special place in my heart – I have a poem, “Fallen Star,” and a short story, “Passion and Purpose,” featured in this collection.

This is the first anthology I have work featured in (*happy dance*). Before diving into the collection as a whole, I want to take a minute to discuss my pieces.

First, my poem “Fallen Star” has a simple message: sometimes we must unbecome who we think we are supposed to be in order to be who we really are.

Second, my short story is a YA fantasy featuring mermaids. Leona, the protagonist, feels she has no purpose since having her heart betrayed and nearly losing her life. She’s lost and keeps to herself simultaneously hiding from life. Enter Walter. Walter tries to befriend Leona, and after she suffers a panic attack at school, he is there. Is it possible for Leona to learn to trust again? If she does learn to trust Walter, is it possible for her to discover a purpose for her life?

As someone who is STILL trying to figure out her place in this world, these two pieces hold a special place in my heart. I truly believe that passions and purpose(s) and fulfillment are connected – I believe that God gives us each unique talents that can drive both passion and purpose, and if we aim to glorify God through our pursuits, we can find fulfillment. I can’t wait for you to read my pieces and for you to share your thoughts with me!

Not only is having my work featured exciting, but the sheer amount of talent within this book is awe-inspiring! Though there were some pieces I liked more than others, I feel that Alex did a phenomenal job balancing the poetry with the prose. The pacing allowed me to read the collection in a single afternoon!

There are several pieces that spoke to me, but “Master of Waves” by Savannah Jezowski is my favorite piece from the anthology. A simple reminder that God is always in control is beautifully woven in this tapestry of a poem.

“The Girl That Waits By the Ocean” by Angela R. Watts, “What the Ocean Stole” by Hannah Carter, and “The Sea’s Beloved” by Mariella Taylor are some of my other favorites.

I think Nathaniel Luscombe’s quote in “Jellyfishing,” “[The ocean] put life into everything it touched, turning it from an inanimate object to something that had it’s own story,” is one of my favorite lines. The title poem by Alex Silvius is so poignant and makes me reflect on my inner struggles. “Drowning” by Cassandra Hamm also speaks to my soul. Really – I could go on and on.

I recommend this anthology, not because of my pieces, but because of the beautiful artistry that fills the pages. Upon reading this, you’ll both yearn for and fear the ocean. You’ll also experience beautiful stories and, if you’re like me, be inspired to write by the talent within these pages. 

You can order a copy of The Depths We’ll Go To autographed* by me from my Etsy store here OR you can order directly from Amazon here! Also, if you are a library patron, remember to request a copy at your local library.

*Update: Autographed copies have sold out! I will share when I have more available. Thank you all!