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sophiedeo's review against another edition
4.0
I want more Renthia! I still love this series, and this book didn't disappoint. I liked most of the characters in general, and especially enjoyed seeing Garnah again. I wish we had seen more of our characters actually using the spirits, as instead they mostly used survival skills. Belene's traditions are also ridiculously terrible.
stacey332's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Despite this feeling very reminiscent (plot point wise) of a certain very popular YA dystopian book as well as Durst's other Renthia books, I still enjoyed reading this. It was enjoyable for what it was even though not much of what happened felt unexpected. That said, I don't forsee this being a book that will stick with me long term.
luckyvjn's review against another edition
2.0
I could not stand Mayara. She whined about every single choice till the very damned end of the book. She was incredibly frustrating. Here’s the thing, if she was whining about new things over the course of the book, then you could at least see growth in her.
But it’s always:
“I’m not my sister.”
“I’m not strong.”
“I can’t do this.”
“I just want to be an oyster-wife.”
And it’s the same damned thing right until the very last “battle.” It’s stupid.
But it’s after so much of the same dithering over and over again that it isn’t compelling.
This is a subpar addition to The Queens of Renthia series.
But it’s always:
“I’m not my sister.”
“I’m not strong.”
“I can’t do this.”
“I just want to be an oyster-wife.”
And it’s the same damned thing right until the very last “battle.” It’s stupid.
But it’s after so much of the same dithering over and over again that it isn’t compelling.
This is a subpar addition to The Queens of Renthia series.
tanac's review against another edition
5.0
A strong female character who is strong because she grew up surrounded by love? Who will do anything to get it back? More, please.
caylinchronicles's review against another edition
4.0
This was just a lovely spin-off stand alone from The Queens of Renthia series which is one of my favorite fantasy series. I just absolutely loved the world SBD created and jumped when there was another part to explore. If she decided to write more within this world I wouldn’t hesitate to purchase those books.
If you do decide to pick up this book you should definitely read the authors note at the end. Just thought it was really sweet.
If you do decide to pick up this book you should definitely read the authors note at the end. Just thought it was really sweet.
guylou's review against another edition
3.0
☕ qoтd: wнaт ιѕ тнe cloѕeѕт вlυe oвjecт тo yoυ rιgнт now?
✏️ My Review:
I got The Deepest Blue by Sarah Beth Durst in my April @onceuponabookclub box. This is the story of a world where some women are able to control spirits. When they show signs they have that power, they are given the choice to live and become a Silent One (who vows to never talk, renounces her family and serves the Queen while wearing a white mask to lose their identities) or to become an Heir by surviving one month on an island full of spirits determined to kill them. If they survive, they serve the queen but are allowed to see their family.
This is the story of two sisters who make very different choices to survive and how they will change traditions.
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blodeuedd's review against another edition
3.0
My Thoughts
Well this was a horrible place to live! Poor people! There are spirits everywhere, and these spirits hate humans and wants to kill them all, niiice. The only thing that holds them in check is the Queen of the land and heirs. But no one controls the wild ones so they can just go and kill you like that.
But that is not the worst in away, not for the main character. See if you magic you have 3 choices. Hide it as long as you can. Get sent to this hellish island where spirits will try to kill you for a month and if you survive you get to be an Heir, and fight spirits until your end days. Or be a Silent One and never see your family again. Oh this system sucks!
Was this YA? I mean it did feel like YA, but at the same time she gets married. She has a great relationship with him, and there is no romance. Oh you know me and YA ;) But yes I loved the interactions between her and her husband to be. They loved each other. No other people in sight. SO double worse for her to show her powers and be sent away from him.
I really liked this world, it is one crazy world! I did not know that her previous series was set here too, but on the mainland? Since this was the islands. I would like to read those too. As this one was a stand alone and truly worked like that. But hey if there is more then I am in.
I liked Mayara. She wanted to survive, but she was also a nurturer as we will see, and not great on her own. All good things in a way, you will see. There is danger and fighting, lots and lots of fighting, and death.
Final thoughts.
I liked it
Narration
She did well with female and male voices. If to be fair the only male voice was the hubbie, and this evil Lord for a few sentences. This is a very female driven book. But she made great effort to show the differences in their voices.
I also liked the spirits voices and esp the old ones.
Well this was a horrible place to live! Poor people! There are spirits everywhere, and these spirits hate humans and wants to kill them all, niiice. The only thing that holds them in check is the Queen of the land and heirs. But no one controls the wild ones so they can just go and kill you like that.
But that is not the worst in away, not for the main character. See if you magic you have 3 choices. Hide it as long as you can. Get sent to this hellish island where spirits will try to kill you for a month and if you survive you get to be an Heir, and fight spirits until your end days. Or be a Silent One and never see your family again. Oh this system sucks!
Was this YA? I mean it did feel like YA, but at the same time she gets married. She has a great relationship with him, and there is no romance. Oh you know me and YA ;) But yes I loved the interactions between her and her husband to be. They loved each other. No other people in sight. SO double worse for her to show her powers and be sent away from him.
I really liked this world, it is one crazy world! I did not know that her previous series was set here too, but on the mainland? Since this was the islands. I would like to read those too. As this one was a stand alone and truly worked like that. But hey if there is more then I am in.
I liked Mayara. She wanted to survive, but she was also a nurturer as we will see, and not great on her own. All good things in a way, you will see. There is danger and fighting, lots and lots of fighting, and death.
Final thoughts.
I liked it
Narration
She did well with female and male voices. If to be fair the only male voice was the hubbie, and this evil Lord for a few sentences. This is a very female driven book. But she made great effort to show the differences in their voices.
I also liked the spirits voices and esp the old ones.
jesassa's review
5.0
What a beautiful, spectacular read!! Sarah Beth Durst is one of my favorite authors (and she’s also such a lovely human being too!) and this trip back to Renthia was a delight. My readinf this author started with THE GIRL WHO COULD NOT DREAM, a wonderful middle grade novel that I loved and I put into the hands of all the bookish middle graders I meet, and since then I’ve been saying how her writing and plotting (and world building and characters) just get better and better - that’s true again here! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
nelsonseye's review against another edition
5.0
The Deepest Blue is a lovely companion to the Queens of Renthia trilogy. The setting was fabulous, both beautiful and frightening, and the "mystery" and suspense were very well done. I was quite anxious during several parts of the book, and I devoured it in about a day. Mayara and Roe had a great friendship and the supporting characters were very well developed. I also thought the romance worked quite well. It was important, but supplemental.