Listened to this book. Lots of action, great undersea world. Ending leads directly to book two. Didn't love the reader - but she's meant to appeal to teens, not me. Liked the other two Donnelly books I read better.

I have a soft spot for mermaid stories and this world of mer had me captivated immediately.
Serafina is a princess preparing to lead her kingdom under the instruction of her mother, but an attack on their kingdom sends Sera spiraling towards a journey laden with danger from land and sea, and a monster awaits in the deep awaiting release.
I loved the characters, the mirror world, and all the fantastical beasts and monsters in this story. I also loved the idea of mermaids sporting different styles of clothing. It was a refreshing change.

2.5 Stars

- Loved the world-building in this book! I thought it was so cool how the author created mermaid slang, mermaid foods, and just the whole world was so vibrantly described and created.
- Really enjoyed how a lot of the story focused on the friendships created between the girls, and not as heavy on the romance. I do wish that the relationships between them had been a bit more flushed out, but I'm guessing that will come later on.
- Unfortunately, I wasn't a huge fan of the main heroine. I found her kind of annoying and quite childish, but it is a younger YA, so in that respect it makes sense, I just didn't enjoy it as much.
- What romance there was I didn't really like. It seemed very insta-romance/pining and I'm not a fan lol, but that's just my preference
- The story line was really interesting! I loved the lore and mythology that the author created and how we are constantly learning more about the magic system.
- I think I would have enjoyed this book a lot more if I was younger. I just didn't find the main heroine mature enough, so it was harder for me to enjoy the story since I didn't like her very much. The world-building was incredible, and I think that was what I enjoyed the most in this!

Review also posted at http://walnutwolf.blogspot.co.uk

An ARC was provided by Netgalley in return for an honest review.



When i received an ARC of Deep Blue i was ecstatic. I've never really had all that much luck with mermaid books but from the premise this one sounded right up my street and i hoped this one would be the one to give me a good experience with the merfolk. Alas, it was not to be. The first few pages caught my attention with their creepiness and had me intrigued. This how ever did not last once the info dump started, i was rapidly loosing interest between the mer- language that had me baffled and the continuous info dumping i was not all that impressed, until Prince Mahdi arrived! I really thought the Prince's arrival was going to bring me the excitement i craved and it did.. for a few pages but then it was back to the text book.

Now i totally understand that this is the first book in a four book saga so Donnelly has a lot of info to cram in for this complex and intriguing world she's created under the sea. So i know that she needs to set the grounding for the next three books and for people who love mermaids and complex world building this book would be fantastic, however it just didn't work out for me. To me mermaid books always seem to be compared to The Little Mermaid, i do it without even realizing and maybe that's why i can never really enjoy one.



One thing that has to be said about this book is how it's presented. Although i received an ARC copy i saw the hardback version for a fiver and i just couldn't resist and although i didn't enjoy reading the book i sure do enjoy staring at it! Deep Blue has to be one of the most beautifully presented books on my shelf, from the page layout to the cover to the stunning maps on the inside, it is flawless in it's presentation. Designer.. i applaud you!

Deep Blue, is not an action packed, creepy mermaid story with romance. It's very much all about the world building but is very much a girl power story filled with many puns! I'm disappointed that i didn't enjoy it, but i suppose you can't like everything!

So i should admit i stopped reading this book around half way through, iv'e tried for WEEKS to get through it and i just wasn't making any progress so i just decided to cut my losses and quit. Now i did this with a heavy heart, i HATE not finishing a book, it goes against the grain and i try my very best to never do it, it leaves me feeling guilty and cheated and rather disappointed in myself. So i have come to the decision that if the second book in the series Rouge Wave gets a whole bunch of amazing reviews i will come back to Deep Blue and once more dive back into it's pages, for now how ever it can just sit and look pretty on my shelf.

Is this a middle grade book? Seems pretty juvenile and predictable. Donnelly can do waaaay better than this.

CAN YOU GET ANY WORSE THAN THIS. I'd say no. You can't.

This book is a gem! The world-building is so thoughtful and fun, I loved all the little, fresh details which went into this book:
- Lava globes for lighting caves.
- Currensea being the punny name for money.
- Bioluminescent mermaids, and merpeople with crustacean bodies, camouflaged mermaids, freshwater mermaids dappled like river bottoms...
Don't want to spoil it all, there is plenty more to discover in reading it. But it's a real world, it's a world with customs, religions, multiple languages... It's full of depth, no pun intended XD.

I am not surprised that this was published by Disney, because it gives off those Magical Princess vibes, in the best way possible. It's a story about girl power and friendship, believing in yourself and encouraging others, all wrapped up in a magical system which relies on singing! I can't believe this series isn't a TV Series yet; I would absolutely watch an underwater fantasy opera.