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kcelena's review against another edition
3.0
Think Hunger Games; only in a mythical , tropical island, and instead of fighting themselves, those in danger are fighting spirits. They also happen to be all women, under the rule of ridiculous laws and traditions that keep men in power. As I am sure you've already guessed, a few women have decided to fight back.
Not as gripping, serious or heartbreaking as the Hunger Games, but still well done. From what I understand, this book is set in the same world - Renthia - that the author's other works take place in. I enjoyed this one enough that I will probably peruse those books, sooner rather than later.
Not as gripping, serious or heartbreaking as the Hunger Games, but still well done. From what I understand, this book is set in the same world - Renthia - that the author's other works take place in. I enjoyed this one enough that I will probably peruse those books, sooner rather than later.
agirlamongstbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
I'm usually not a Fantasy (genre) lover/reader but lately I have found several YA Fantasy authors that have really started to change my mind and Sarah Beth Durst is one of those authors! I've never read anything by her but now that I've finished "The Deepest Blue" I'm going to go pick up her other books that are based in the same world. I really enjoyed this book. It had great world building and good characters. An easy to read and follow story!
stuff4bd's review against another edition
2.0
This is not my normal genre so perhaps that is why this book was not for me. I had a difficult time investing in any of the characters and the plot reminded me a bit too much of a Disney movie.
mags83509's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
5.0
Per usual, Sarah Beth Durst’s book made me think. It’s full of complex women of different ages and with different dreams and absolutely brutal conditions and choices (par for the course in this world). Every leading character ends up being faced with an impossible choice- what would you do for the ones you love and can you live with it? I loved the female friendship and how the different women supported each other through the book, along with the humor sprinkled across the pages. This is definitely not a light read, but good one none the less.
frostbitsky's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Since I just finished the Queens of Renthia trilogy I thought I would waste no time and just jump into this side story. It was great to see how others in Renthia live and to see Belene's different culture, politics and how they handle the spirits of the realm.
I really can't say if you can just jump into this story without reading the Queens of Renthia trilogy first. I would really recommend it though, because there's a lot of world building established in the trilogy and I felt there was little explanation of the world and the history between the humans and the spirits in The Deepest Blue.
There is a bit of a Hunger Games aspect, but with a twist and turn. It's definitely it's own story and I feel the comparison is very weak.
I really appreciated that Mayara is a young woman and already married. Instead of ending with a wedding, it starts with one.
I also liked the sisterly dynamic of the women working together instead of cattiness. Not to say that there aren't villains and antagonists that the heroines are up against. I just liked the message that working together was better than going at it alone. It's also a good underdog story. Mayara is not the most powerful one to control the spirits but she and Roe find what they are good at, they build those skills and work as a team to survive.
The subplot between the Queen and the Families was also interesting. I liked the plan that Queen Asana, Lady Garnahna and Kelo enacted to shift the power structure. Kelo and Lady Garnah (Garnah entertained the reader in the trilogy) break the tension with some dark humor. I enjoyed their shenanigans.
The ending was bittersweet but I also liked that it tied things up. It was a good standalone and I wouldn't mind reading more stand-alone stories in this realm.
Favorite Quotes:
Page 282: Behind them, in the distance, the island of Olaku looked as if it had been swallowed in mist and foam. It was the spirits, she knew, churning up the sea, but it felt as if her island had been erased, smudged out of existence like a smear of paint on a canvas. (What I love about that quote, besides the imagery, is that it fits perfectly since Mayara's husband, Kelo, is an artist.)
Page 173: "No amount of careful would have been enough. We have to focus on what we can do, not what we wish we could."
Page 217: Have it your way. I'm happy to hear it's not just about your 'artistic integrity.'"
"That's important too," Kelo said. "If I betray my art, I betray my soul."
"You really spew a lot of bullshit for one so handsome."
4.5 out of 5 Leviathans.
I really can't say if you can just jump into this story without reading the Queens of Renthia trilogy first. I would really recommend it though, because there's a lot of world building established in the trilogy and I felt there was little explanation of the world and the history between the humans and the spirits in The Deepest Blue.
There is a bit of a Hunger Games aspect, but with a twist and turn. It's definitely it's own story and I feel the comparison is very weak.
I really appreciated that Mayara is a young woman and already married. Instead of ending with a wedding, it starts with one.
I also liked the sisterly dynamic of the women working together instead of cattiness. Not to say that there aren't villains and antagonists that the heroines are up against. I just liked the message that working together was better than going at it alone. It's also a good underdog story. Mayara is not the most powerful one to control the spirits but she and Roe find what they are good at, they build those skills and work as a team to survive.
The subplot between the Queen and the Families was also interesting. I liked the plan that Queen Asana, Lady Garnahna and Kelo enacted to shift the power structure. Kelo and Lady Garnah (Garnah entertained the reader in the trilogy) break the tension with some dark humor. I enjoyed their shenanigans.
The ending was bittersweet but I also liked that it tied things up. It was a good standalone and I wouldn't mind reading more stand-alone stories in this realm.
Favorite Quotes:
Page 282: Behind them, in the distance, the island of Olaku looked as if it had been swallowed in mist and foam. It was the spirits, she knew, churning up the sea, but it felt as if her island had been erased, smudged out of existence like a smear of paint on a canvas. (What I love about that quote, besides the imagery, is that it fits perfectly since Mayara's husband, Kelo, is an artist.)
Page 173: "No amount of careful would have been enough. We have to focus on what we can do, not what we wish we could."
Page 217: Have it your way. I'm happy to hear it's not just about your 'artistic integrity.'"
"That's important too," Kelo said. "If I betray my art, I betray my soul."
"You really spew a lot of bullshit for one so handsome."
4.5 out of 5 Leviathans.
elensius's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
slc333's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 star. Liked it but didnt love it. Rounded up cause positive female friendships and women working together & supporting one another = yay. Touch of Hunger Games vibe with the testing of candidates on the island.
lost_luna's review
5.0
That was a brilliant read. I need some more stories about the leviathans, their sass was hilarious.
mollymortensen's review against another edition
4.0
I started this book a couple of years ago but didn't make it past 50ish pages. I decided to try one more time.
The plotline was probably the weakest part of the book. I didn't like the entire part with the island, which was the main plot. It doesn't even make sense. You need girls who have the power to control spirits to protect your nation, so you throw them on a deadly island with three days of training?
There could've been a good twist but it was immediately obvious.
The spirits were such a unique creation. They kind of reminded me of ayakashi. I wish they had more depth as opposed to just wanting to kill humans. Smart ones were mentioned but nothing was done with them. Same with the spirit controlling powers. Mayara doesn't know how to use her abilities, nor does she ever really learn. Most of the magic is done by others. It was a wasted opportunity.
Mayara tells 80% of the story with Kello and Queen Asana each having a little POV. Mayara and Kelo are both good characters. Their relationship was sweet and I'm glad there wasn't drama there.
I really can't stand Roe. She's so stupidly self righteous.
On the other hand I loved lady Garnah. I don't know what that says about me since the woman is a poisoner with no morals. Shrugs. But she was entertaining and absolutely not stupid.
Talia kills the queen to protect her daughter, because she doesn't trust that the queen won't put her own daughter before the kingdom again.
So instead of a queen who knows what she's doing, she prefers an untrained nut job who's tried to kill her and everyone else on the island... Yeah, that makes sense.
Quite possibly the perfect ending! There really were a lot of good lines in this book. The end was particularly packed with goodness. I was waffling between 3 and 4 stars but the ending cinched it. Deepest Blue is definitely a good book. I probably won't reread it but I'm glad I gave it another chance.
Spoiler
Until her husband died.Spoiler
Good thing, since we soon find out he is alive.The plotline was probably the weakest part of the book. I didn't like the entire part with the island, which was the main plot. It doesn't even make sense. You need girls who have the power to control spirits to protect your nation, so you throw them on a deadly island with three days of training?
There could've been a good twist but it was immediately obvious.
Spoiler
The minute we learn the queen has a daughter under the "protection" of the families I knew who she was. There were too many clues.The spirits were such a unique creation. They kind of reminded me of ayakashi. I wish they had more depth as opposed to just wanting to kill humans. Smart ones were mentioned but nothing was done with them. Same with the spirit controlling powers. Mayara doesn't know how to use her abilities, nor does she ever really learn. Most of the magic is done by others. It was a wasted opportunity.
Mayara tells 80% of the story with Kello and Queen Asana each having a little POV. Mayara and Kelo are both good characters. Their relationship was sweet and I'm glad there wasn't drama there.
I really can't stand Roe. She's so stupidly self righteous.
Spoiler
They're barely surviving on a hellish island, so what does she want to do? Go in the open to disable traps. Who's to say whoever set them won't just set more, or that by disabling them you're saving anyone? And since she's still injured Mayara volenteers to go so Roe doesn't get herself killed. And Roe's totally okay with Mayara risking her life for this stupid plan.On the other hand I loved lady Garnah. I don't know what that says about me since the woman is a poisoner with no morals. Shrugs. But she was entertaining and absolutely not stupid.
Spoiler
Talia was such a hypocrite!Talia kills the queen to protect her daughter, because she doesn't trust that the queen won't put her own daughter before the kingdom again.
So instead of a queen who knows what she's doing, she prefers an untrained nut job who's tried to kill her and everyone else on the island... Yeah, that makes sense.
Spoiler
I was liking Roe when she got all revengeful but of course it couldn't last. Before long she wants to save the psycho who killed her mom. (She foolishly thinks Lanei can save them...) I'm so glad that didn't happen. That psycho as queen, would not be a happy ending.Quite possibly the perfect ending! There really were a lot of good lines in this book. The end was particularly packed with goodness.