♦publisher: Disney Press
♦release date: May 1, 2014
♦hardcover, 320 pages
♦intended audience: Young adult
♦rating: ♥♥♥
Review: In a world deep in the ocean, where numerous communities are spread throughout the vast sea, live the merperople who are governed by their own laws. As a member of the royal family of the Mediterranean Sea, Serafina’s only concern, is perfecting her betrothal mersong to her handsome childhood merman. Not only will her mersong seal her fate as a companion but also claim her as the rightful heir to the throne.
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Between working on her mersongs, and balancing the tiresome duties of being princess, Serafina finds herself suddenly being plagued with nightmares. Nightmares, where river witches sing their haunting lullabies, cautioning her about an evil creature that will cause the fall of the very ocean she loves.
Serafina’s nightmare comes true, as an assassin’s arrow pierces her mother’s heart, on the morning of her betrothal. Forcing Serafina to flee, fearing not only for her own life but also the fact she might have just inherited the throne.
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Quickly discovering that all kingdoms have fallen across the sea, Serafina is left with no choice but to follow the river witches haunting lullaby. Leading her on a dangerous journey to search for the four remaining mermaids from the lullaby’s prophecy. Hoping that they might have the answers she needs to save the sea, as well as the world.
In a creative, new spin on mermaids, Deep Blue takes you on a journey where mermaids are born with a language all their own along with magical abilities. Opening the imagination for a colorful and unique under the sea adventure, where mermaids sleep in scallop shells adorned with sea glass and anemones.
While this original story is of strong female heroines, the use of puns and overly colorful descriptions is better designed for a younger, young adult audience. Which makes Deep Blue, a wonderful addition for summer readers, looking for a new Disney mermaid tale.
