26. tra 2014.

ARC Review: Deep Blue by Jennifer Donnelly

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Book summary: 
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.
          With tons of paranormal creatures in YA lit and me enjoying more or less all of them it's really crazy that I haven't enjoyed a good mermaid book ever since The Little Mermaid and I think and I was like five then. Somehow they are always missing something or mermaids in general annoy me with all the singing and beauty show. Anyhow I hoped that Deep Blue will be something that will connect me with this world, but sadly it did not.

           We are in depths of Mediterranean Sea, setting yet familiar and still so strange to me. Serafina is preparing for a big day in her life. It's time for her betrothal and it means her destiny and everything she is preparing for is coming to life. She will once inherit the kingdom and rule and there is also her future husband Prince Mahid, who is not the same he used to be. But night before, she has a weird dream which seemed so real and like with Shakespeare dreams are never good omens so they are not here either. Serafina discovers that not only political intrigues are what threatens people of the sea but something much bigger and stronger.

          What impressed me the most in this book is world-building which was really detailed and even at time confusing as the author really used the imagination and created not only world but also slang to make it even more real. But sadly her characters aren't of that sort. Serafina is typical YA character who is at the same time strong and brave and impulsive and a drama queen. But my bigger problem here was Sera's best friend Neela who is one of those flat characters and I knew her reactions before I even read them and the problem is I don't like that silly type of people nor characters. Other thing is lack of romance in this book which really bothered me.

        All in all, I don't think this was the right Jennifer Donnelly's book to start with as I have heard amazing things about her other books but I guess mermaid books and I aren't meant to be.

Rating: 3 stars.

Until the next time,
Copy of this book was kindly provided by the publisher Disney via Net Galley. Thank you!

Broj komentara: 27:

  1. oh I finished this one yesterday. I think I liked it a little more than you but well mermaids help a lot lol. I agree with you the strong point here was the world-building, it was so well done! But you're also right about the romance... Abotu Neela, I think I didn't realize that, she was ok for me but now that you said that maybe you're right too. But well in any case I liked it. And I'm curious to see what the author will have for us next.

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    1. I'm really happy you like it more than me! It was a decent read but I expected more. Thanks Melliane :)

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  2. I think a lot of people have a hard time connecting with mermaid books. I always have. I'm glad you liked this well enough. Nice review!

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    1. I have no idea why but yeah people tend to have that problem! Thanks, Andrea :)

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  3. Aw, sorry to hear it didn't deliver all that you hoped it would.

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  4. I have the same trouble with books about mermaids or selkies, I really want to like them but rarely ever do. It is so hard to find good ones.

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  5. Tanja, I love the idea of merpeople but books with them are really hit and miss with me and I cannot quite pinpoint why. Sorry this one didn't wow you.

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  6. I'm trying to think of one mermaid book that I absolutely loved and I am coming up with nothing. I'm sorry this one didn't work for you. I will say one thing for the mermaids...they have some really pretty book covers. :)

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  7. I'd definitely suggest this author's historical fiction titles, Tanja! I loved those, though I'm disappointed this title wasn't impressive. Thanks for an honest review!

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    1. I ordered them and I will read them for sure!! :) Thanks, Keertana :)

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  8. Oh no, I'm so bummed to hear this wasn't good in the character/romance department! I absolutely adore Jennifer's other books, especially Revolution and A Northern Light. I have to admit I was surprised to hear she would write a mermaid book, and it sounds like it wasn't the best fit. I think I might wait till her next book. Thank you for your honesty!

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  9. Thanks for your review Tanja, for some reason these mermaid types of paranormal books always seem to miss the mark don't they? I don't think mermaid books are meant to be. Lovely review!

    Jeann @ Happy Indulgence

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  10. I don't read many mermaid books either, and I always mean to change that but then I find it hard to find one that really grabs my attention. So sorry this one didn't really work for you. I haven't read anything by this author, but I have heard good things, hope you enjoy her other books more. Great review!

    Teresa @ Readers Live A Thousand Lives

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    1. I'm sorry it happens to you too. Thanks, Teresa :)

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  11. Oh, BOO! Typical and flat characters, AND no romance?! Maybe mermaid books and me aren't meant to be either :( Great, honest review, Tanja!

    Jessica @ Rabid Reads

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    1. I really hope you'll find an amazing one which you'll then recommend to me ;) Thanks, Jessica :)

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  12. Yay! Another person who loved The Little Mermaid! I swear at four years old I memorized all the songs in that movie. And I would watch it 3-4 times a day. I was that obsessed with it (//feels pathetic now hahahaha//) I would love to check this one out for the world-building alone. I'm suck a sucker for those. Sad about Neela though! Great review, love!

    Faye at The Social Potato Reviews

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    1. I did too!! :D Well, we were kids! ;) The world-building is amazing truly! :) Thanks Faye :)

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  13. Slang can be hard to pull of well so I am looking forward to seeing what I think.

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  14. There are only two sea creature type books that I've actually enjoyed. I'm not really attracted to a book that focuses on them for some reason. Sorry this didn't seem to impress you much. I think I'll pass on this one. Great review, Tanja! :)

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