Review: Deep Blue by Jennifer Donnelly

Deep Blue by Jennifer Donnelly
Expected publication:
May 6th 2014
by Disney Press

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The first in a series of four epic tales set in the depths of the ocean, where six mermaids seek to protect and save their hidden world.

Deep in the ocean, in a world not so different from our own, live the merpeople. Their communities are spread throughout the oceans, seas, and freshwaters all over the globe.

When Serafina, a mermaid of the Mediterranean Sea, awakens on the morning of her betrothal, her biggest worry should be winning the love of handsome Prince Mahdi. And yet Sera finds herself haunted by strange dreams that foretell the return of an ancient evil. Her dark premonitions are confirmed when an assassin's arrow poisons Sera's mother. Now, Serafina must embark on a quest to find the assassin's master and prevent a war between the Mer nations. Led only by her shadowy dreams, Sera searches for five other mermaid heroines who are scattered across the six seas. Together, they will form an unbreakable bond of sisterhood and uncover a conspiracy that threatens their world's very existence.

     I have not read books about Mermaids in such a long time, that when finally having the chance I took it and dove into the world of Deep Blue. I was excited to read it and now I am even more excited to continue the series. Deep Blue is full of what it means to be a strong female character. Jennifer Donnelly stitches together an underwater masterpiece where one mermaid join as a team, and together they will set out to bring an end to an upcoming war. Beautifully descriptive to show you the wonders of the ocean deep, this book will make you think, “What if I was a mermaid/man?”

     Serafina is a young mermaid about to reach an important part of her life. I feel that Serafina represents what girls from all over feel sometimes when having to make the decisions. Well maybe not to this extent. However, she does show a strong female who although may not be successful at all times, has the heart to keep going. Neela is I feel the person we all have in our life. She has a something go for her in life, but she of course wants to do something else and this can cause her to be a little spoiled but she is a person that Sera can put up with. I know a person in my life that resembles Neela and I am glad to know that person.

     Sera has a power called Songspell that is both a beauty and powerful. With that there are different powers out there that are dangerous known as Darkspells and Bloodspells. Magic is really powerful in the water and I find that very interesting. Besides these spells there are things that crack me up like the fact they have bubble tea and the fact there are different hints of The Little Mermaid I feel resonating in its pages. They even get human interaction where things from the human world are dropped into the ocean, even though that makes me wonder if this is some hidden message about pollution or not. Sorry taking a class about this.

     Overall Deep Blue is enjoyable read that makes me excited to see what will happen next. I encourage you to dive into the deep and travel with Serafina as she embarks on a journey full of adventure, magic and so much more.

I give this book 4 bites!
Guest Reviewed: Chayse @ Books With Bite