Deep Blue (Waterfire Saga #1)

3.3

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Author(s)

Jennifer Donnelly

Publisher

disney hyperion

Genre(s)

Fantasy Adventure

Age Range

12+

Release Date

May 06, 2014

ISBN

978-1423133162

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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.

Editor reviews

2 reviews

Deep Blue

August 06, 2014 (Updated: August 06, 2014)

Overall rating

3.3

Plot

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Characters

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Writing Style

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Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

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What worked: Donnelly shows readers Miromara, a rich ocean world filled with mermaids, subjects, and sea animals. The creatures and language in this world are imaginative and give Ariel of Disney's Little Mermaid a run for it's money. There's some humor and light moments throughout which will bring a smile to readers.

We are introduced to Serafina, a princess of Miromara, who is expected to follow in her Regina mother's footsteps. Serafina's main concerns at this time are completing a songspell and proving to her mother that she is good enough to rule after her. The problem though is she fears that she'll never be good enough in her mother's stern eyes. She also worries if Prince Mahdi still has feelings for her. Only later her fears, concerns, and worries are brushed aside when her world is invaded and her mother is poisoned.

The voice of this novel will resonate with younger teens, especially fans of Disney princess tales. Though Serafina is on a quest, the tone of this novel is lighter than some other mermaid YA stories out there right now.

Serafina is courageous with standing up to her enemies and searching for those responsible for invading her world and poisoning her mother. She has back bone and spunk. Add to this a prophecy that involves her and other princesses. She has to travel across the six seas to find these other girls in order to reveal those who seek to destroy her existence.

What I had issues with: Even though Donnelly has created a vast underwater world, I got confused at times with all the different princesses. The quest Serafina has to go on along with her best friend Neela at first is engaging especially when she has to tackle with those who mean to do her kind harm. I just got confused when more princesses, who have a part of the prophecy, come on the page. Then the story races on and I got lost. There's a lot of background story telling that slowed the pacing at times.

I wasn't so sure on the prophecy either. The beginning prologue sets the story up but I didn't really 'get' what exactly Serafina had to do though later on, readers find out why she's important to saving their world.

Overall, this story is sure to strike a cord with fans of mermaid stories. Readers will want to follow this determined princess on her quest to stop those from destroying her watery world.