There's a lot going on, yet despite the convoluted backstory and the dreaded "terragogg" (human) degradation of the oceans, everything gets a light, surface treatment. The "merlfriends" have been summoned by the same magical dream and are drawn to search for four other mermaids who will join together and save the world from a dark, evil force. Serafina's worries take a more serious, geopolitical turn as she and her best friend, Neela, are on the run and seeking to avoid an all-out war among the mer nations. All goes swimmingly, despite her nervousness and qualms about her intended, until her mother, the ruler of Miromara, is felled by a sniper's arrow. In Deep Blue, readers meet Serafina, a 16-year-old mermaid and heir apparent to the realm, on the day of her betrothal as part of her Dokim ceremony. Not one to dip a toe into a genre, she dives right in with a four-volume underwater saga of the mer, complete with four thousand years of Atlantean history and magic. Gr 5-8 Donnelly, perhaps best-known for her lush and emotionally resonant historical fiction, tries her hand at middle-grade fantasy. Readers will eagerly await future volumes and the answers they will provide.-Kristi Sadowski. Quick-witted, loveable characters and a well-planned fantasy world make this an all-encompassing book. Friendship, trust, and responsibility are major themes as Sera struggles to grasp that she is really her kingdom's only hope.
Donnelly then adds layers of complexity to the tale and weaves her story into that of Atlantis. It starts with a common enough concept: a royal girl who is worried about her betrothal and about love. A fantastic addition to the genre of mermaids, this book will also appeal to readers of action and those who appreciate usurped leaders taking back their kingdom. Barely escaping with her life and her freedom, she is left with no choice but to seek out the ancient force-no more than a legend, really-that has haunted her dreams but may, at least, provide answers. She knows what is expected of her, but is she really ready to rule? That is the question Sera must answer when tragedy strikes and her kingdom and parents are taken captive. Serafina is about to be crowned heir to her mother's throne. 5Q 4P J S As the first in a planned series, there will be lots of buzz about this book, and that buzz will not be unfounded.
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