Review: DRIVE by Stephanie Fournet
I have loved everything I’ve read from Stephanie Fournet, and DRIVE did not disa[...]
Deep Blue (Waterfire Saga #1) by Jennifer Donnelly
Published by Disney-Hyperion on May 6, 2014
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
Format: Advance Reader Copy
Pages: 320
Source: NetGalley, Publisher
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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. (Goodreads)
First thing I thought while reading Jennifer Donnelly’s latest novel, Deep Blue: When are Sebastian and Flounder showing up? It can’t be denied that the set-up of this “mermaid princess goes on an adventure and finds her voice” novel is all too reminiscent of Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Yet while the similarities are undeniable—Merl princess Sera has a pet octopus—this book does stand on its own two fins (Ha! Just like Donnelly’s writing, expect more mermaid puns, folks.)
The beginning of Deep Blue is a bit slow and tedious, but Donnelly soon has us swimming off on an adventure. And even better, the adventure is shared with Sera’s best friend, Neela. I loved this aspect of the book, that we see two girls who are friends and are figuring things out together. “Things” here is a fairly cool prophecy that takes them from the oceans into the fresh waters to join with others. There are Eastern European water witches involved, which struck me as unique and oh-so-interesting.
I loved the setting in Deep Blue. Loved it. Donnelly does a fantastic job weaving in the lush land settings we know—Venice and the Mediterranean—with a rich, underwater world. It makes the mermaid world feel at once exotic and new, and also ancient. It’s absolutely immersive. (Get it? Because we’re immersed? That was the last one, promise.) What wasn’t so great? Donnelly doesn’t meet a pun she doesn’t love. A rave in the dangerous Venice lagoon is a “wave.” Sera is told more than once by sassy friend Neela, “You go, Merl.” That sound you hear is me groaning loudly.
But overall, I rip(tided) through this book and generally enjoyed it. It may not stick with me like Donnelly’s previous works, but it was fun. Deep Blue is the first in a series, so you’ll have plenty of opportunity to dive into Sera’s mermaid world.
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Twitter: jeneaw0716
says:
I would like to get a copy of this one, it sounds good. I like the one that are about mermaids. 🙂 Great review.
Jenea @ Books Live Forever recently posted..New Additions for Your Shelves: New Releases for the week of May 26th
Oh my god I love the puns in your review hahah. I am having such a difficult time deciding whether or not I want to read this one, but your review definitely has me interested. I really love books that involve friendships and discovering things with each other.
Rachel recently posted..New York, I am about to be in you
Twitter: JenC_P
says:
I can’t resist a pun, Rachel! I did have a hard(ish) time getting into this one, but am glad I kept reading. Hope you enjoy it!
Jenny Peterson recently posted..Baby vs. Baby