Very unusual book, not the best written one either. But apart from that, still worth checking out.

The story shows promise, but I found that it dragged along. I might (*might*) look at the second one to see if things improve, but I wouldn't seek it out.

I first read this when I was around 10 years old, and something drew me to reading it again. It's not like other children's/YA novels I know - its language is beautiful, ideas are complex and the danger in it is truly haunting.
Rereading it, I honestly believe this inspired a lot of themes and styles behind how I write today. Helen Dunmore was a constant companion as I grew up, and her love and deep knowledge of Cornish landscape, as well as a knack for moulding a great plot, makes this book addictive, even 15 years on.

Written for kids 12+, but very well written so adults will enjoy it too. I look forward to the rest of the series.

This is one of the best books I've ever read! It takes a pinch of imagination, adds some big words and there you have it. INGO.

One of my favorite books, it's in the top shelf of my bookcase along with the other three in the series (The Deep, Tide Knot, & Crossing of Ingo)

3.5 stars. I feel like this book started out strong, and then kind of petered out later on. I liked Sapphy's voice for the most part (although sometimes her thought processes and decisions irritated me – probably more a reflection of her young age than anything else), and I thought the way that she was losing herself to Ingo was unsettling and kind of creepy. Ingo itself was mysterious and a little unnerving, and the main character we meet from Ingo, Faro, was an interesting mix of helper and...foe?

However, midway through the plot started to drag and feel repetitive. The main problem had been set up as this unusual disappearance of Sapphy's and Conor's father, and they were determined to venture into Ingo to find him. But then that all changed and took a seat on the backburner for what felt kind of like a minute, trumped-up storyline about a character we didn't care much about (Roger). Sapphy's change of attitude towards Roger (

Spoiler

I mean, she suddenly cares about him because he tried to convince her mom to get her a dog? That really didn't work for me.

) seemed forced and unrealistic, and the whole climax had nothing to do with the original problem that was set up at all. The very end there's a teaser about her dad, but I'm left feeling a little bit like I got shortchanged in this story, and that it's getting stretched out for the series instead of resolving it in a single book (or at least taking steps towards resolving it!).