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Into the Deep #1
Into the Deep
No one understands the fury of the ocean like Zoey.
Ten years ago, she lost her leg in a freak shark attack. The night after her sixteenth birthday, she has yet to accept her awkward prosthetic limb or the fact she will always be different. Wary of the sea, and its hidden threats, she ventures to a bonfire at the beach. She’s mesmerized by its awesome power, wondering what she ever had to fear, until a rogue wave sweeps her into the cool, salty water.
Zoey believed mermaids were creatures of legend, characters in silly children’s stories, but it’s hard to ignore the captivating tail that’s suddenly appeared, or the sense of finally being whole. She abandons her life on land in search of answers about who she really is and where she came from.
What she discovers is a kingdom full of intrigue and danger, as well as a royal father she never knew existed. Settling into her role as a mermaid princess, she learns her family is under attack, both on land and in the water. Raging storms swell up, threatening coastal cities, and sea levels rise practically overnight, endangering the lives of everyone she loves. Determined to stop the strange phenomena, Zoey becomes caught up in the race to track down what, or who, is responsible for the catastrophic events.
But, Zoey possesses another secret, one born of legend and more powerful than any mer or human can imagine.
Ten years ago, she lost her leg in a freak shark attack. The night after her sixteenth birthday, she has yet to accept her awkward prosthetic limb or the fact she will always be different. Wary of the sea, and its hidden threats, she ventures to a bonfire at the beach. She’s mesmerized by its awesome power, wondering what she ever had to fear, until a rogue wave sweeps her into the cool, salty water.
Zoey believed mermaids were creatures of legend, characters in silly children’s stories, but it’s hard to ignore the captivating tail that’s suddenly appeared, or the sense of finally being whole. She abandons her life on land in search of answers about who she really is and where she came from.
What she discovers is a kingdom full of intrigue and danger, as well as a royal father she never knew existed. Settling into her role as a mermaid princess, she learns her family is under attack, both on land and in the water. Raging storms swell up, threatening coastal cities, and sea levels rise practically overnight, endangering the lives of everyone she loves. Determined to stop the strange phenomena, Zoey becomes caught up in the race to track down what, or who, is responsible for the catastrophic events.
But, Zoey possesses another secret, one born of legend and more powerful than any mer or human can imagine.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 21, 2013
10 people are currently reading
433 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
October 25, 2024
I loved this way more than I expected. It was so fun and refreshing and fascinating to read about a world under the ocean, and it was challenging in a good way for my brain to adapt how I envisioned it all. I hope the author chooses to continue, it seems she has not written in awhile and this left off with QUITE the cliffhanger, but that was a risk I knew I was taking.
August 13, 2014
When she was only 6, Zoey has lost her leg in a shark attack. Ever since then, she never quite felt like she belonged anywhere. Especially not on the sunny coast, where girls wear short skirts and flip flops. At the beginning of the book, she refers to herself as "a scarred, broken version of who (she) was supposed to be." Her mother, blaming herself for Zoey's near-death experience, drilled into her an overwhelming fear of open water. Zoey is under no circumstances allowed anywhere near the ocean, or even a pool for that matter.
But then one day something weird and totally unexpected happens. When Zoey sneaks out to a bonfire party at the beach, and is swept away by a rogue wave, she discovers that she is really a mermaid. And like that wasn't enough of a jaw-dropping discovery, she then learns that her father is a king of mer kingdom (which makes her a princess), and she has exactly one year to decide whether she wants to live her life on land as a disabled human girl, or if she'd rather become a mermaid for good and possibly rule the mer people in the future. Not an easy decision to make, considering she now has to choose between breaking her mother's heart and facing the evil merwitch, Calandra.
This was probably the first mermaid novel (at least from those I've read so far) that explored the technical aspects of discovering you're a mermaid. I loved all the details! It was really cool to read about the MC's first impressions as her leg turned into a tail and she took her first breath underwater. It was all delightfully written. I especially enjoyed witnessing all the big changes in Zoey. Spending time underwater makes her feel whole again. For the first time, she feels brave and adventurous, and open to these new, exciting (even possibly life-threatening) experiences. I guess reading about Zoey's first moments in the ocean, and how the ocean life reacted to her presence there, was my favorite aspect of Into The Deep.
I was anticipating the moment Zoey would finally meet her father for the first time, I thought it would be a great and possibly life changing experience for her and I couldn't wait to see how these two would get along. And to be honest, I was a bit disappointed by how it all played out. Aside from one afternoon when Stavros was showing Zoey around the palace, we didn't really get a whole lot of mer-dad and mer-daughter bonding time, and that's understandable I guess, considering daddy is now a king and there's trouble brewing in the ocean, but I still hoped for more there. Instead, Zoey seemed more interested in the sexy Nerio, as if he was the reason for her being there, not her father and her newly discovered mermaid-ness. I don't know why, but this bothered me. I guess it just flattened the plot line in my eyes, making it a bit more shallow and teenage-y. Or maybe I'm just old and cranky?
While in the mer kingdom, Zoey learns about her new family, as well as merkind in general. She learns about the history and origins of the mer people, and how the royals are the direct descendants of the God of the Sea, Poseidon. She also learns a couple new tricks and how to use magic to control the ocean and communicate with fish. Fleming's descriptions made all that very easy to picture and I really enjoyed those magical moments.
Overall, Into The Deep was a fun and entertaining read. Aside from a couple slower moments, I enjoyed myself quite a lot. The characters were interesting enough to hold my attention, the plot line, while perhaps a tiny bit predictable, was overall nicely put together, and I particularly liked how the author has woven some Greek gods and goddesses into the story. As far as mermaid novels as concerned, this is definitely a good one, though I'd probably recommend it to younger teens!
But then one day something weird and totally unexpected happens. When Zoey sneaks out to a bonfire party at the beach, and is swept away by a rogue wave, she discovers that she is really a mermaid. And like that wasn't enough of a jaw-dropping discovery, she then learns that her father is a king of mer kingdom (which makes her a princess), and she has exactly one year to decide whether she wants to live her life on land as a disabled human girl, or if she'd rather become a mermaid for good and possibly rule the mer people in the future. Not an easy decision to make, considering she now has to choose between breaking her mother's heart and facing the evil merwitch, Calandra.
This was probably the first mermaid novel (at least from those I've read so far) that explored the technical aspects of discovering you're a mermaid. I loved all the details! It was really cool to read about the MC's first impressions as her leg turned into a tail and she took her first breath underwater. It was all delightfully written. I especially enjoyed witnessing all the big changes in Zoey. Spending time underwater makes her feel whole again. For the first time, she feels brave and adventurous, and open to these new, exciting (even possibly life-threatening) experiences. I guess reading about Zoey's first moments in the ocean, and how the ocean life reacted to her presence there, was my favorite aspect of Into The Deep.
I was anticipating the moment Zoey would finally meet her father for the first time, I thought it would be a great and possibly life changing experience for her and I couldn't wait to see how these two would get along. And to be honest, I was a bit disappointed by how it all played out. Aside from one afternoon when Stavros was showing Zoey around the palace, we didn't really get a whole lot of mer-dad and mer-daughter bonding time, and that's understandable I guess, considering daddy is now a king and there's trouble brewing in the ocean, but I still hoped for more there. Instead, Zoey seemed more interested in the sexy Nerio, as if he was the reason for her being there, not her father and her newly discovered mermaid-ness. I don't know why, but this bothered me. I guess it just flattened the plot line in my eyes, making it a bit more shallow and teenage-y. Or maybe I'm just old and cranky?
While in the mer kingdom, Zoey learns about her new family, as well as merkind in general. She learns about the history and origins of the mer people, and how the royals are the direct descendants of the God of the Sea, Poseidon. She also learns a couple new tricks and how to use magic to control the ocean and communicate with fish. Fleming's descriptions made all that very easy to picture and I really enjoyed those magical moments.
Overall, Into The Deep was a fun and entertaining read. Aside from a couple slower moments, I enjoyed myself quite a lot. The characters were interesting enough to hold my attention, the plot line, while perhaps a tiny bit predictable, was overall nicely put together, and I particularly liked how the author has woven some Greek gods and goddesses into the story. As far as mermaid novels as concerned, this is definitely a good one, though I'd probably recommend it to younger teens!
August 5, 2016
I love the lure of a young adult fantasy and toss in mermaids and I'm there. Into the Deep, though, is not quite your average fantasy because the main protagonist, Zoey, has a prosthetic limb. When she was only six, she lost a leg in a shark attack. Fast forward ten years, and Zoey is a strong, independent sixteen year old who has never felt like she knows where she belongs.
At a bonfire, she accidentally gets knocked down by a wave and she transforms into a mermaid. It feels right to her and she begins exploring life in the sea. She finds out her father is the king and she's a princess, which I kind of expected where the story would go, but there is other secrets waiting to be revealed and that is what makes Into the Deep unique.
With a modern and relatable heroin, deft world-building and a plot with many surprises, Into the Deep is an engaging and hard to put down fantasy that I devoured. If you enjoy reading about mermaids, or just enjoy fantasy or young adult fiction, pick up Missy Fleming's Into the Deep today!
At a bonfire, she accidentally gets knocked down by a wave and she transforms into a mermaid. It feels right to her and she begins exploring life in the sea. She finds out her father is the king and she's a princess, which I kind of expected where the story would go, but there is other secrets waiting to be revealed and that is what makes Into the Deep unique.
With a modern and relatable heroin, deft world-building and a plot with many surprises, Into the Deep is an engaging and hard to put down fantasy that I devoured. If you enjoy reading about mermaids, or just enjoy fantasy or young adult fiction, pick up Missy Fleming's Into the Deep today!
March 6, 2014
I tried this book on a whim and was presently surprised when I couldn't put it down. I finished the book in one day and I am desperately awaiting a sequel which I hope is coming out very soon. The writer did an awesome job of creating interesting believable characters. In addition she kept me fascinated by her description of the beauty the ocean yields from the view point of the living creatures who live there. I now have a yearning not only to go snorkeling as soon as possible but also to do what I can to preserve the oceans humans seemingly do everything in their power to ruin.
November 16, 2013
Zoey has gone through a pretty large amount of turmoil, considering the shark accident. But I don't feel any other connection with her besides my obvious sympathy for her accident. I would have liked it better if she had been a little bit more three dimensional and faceted so that the plot would have been moved by how she reacted to things. But since she was a little flat, I felt like a lot of her reactions to issues weren't very indicative of who her character is. I also didn't feel as if any of the other characters had really been developed to be anything else besides fillers for conflicts and love interests (aka static character), besides Xander.
It felt like this book was a little puffed up, like a flan that isn't supposed to have air bubbles (cavities) in it. Although Zoey was in royal court, everyone's language was a little pompous, including hers. There also wasn't enough of a buildup towards things that were supposed to be a big reveal. It felt a tiny bit lackluster. But I did really like the image of a mystical world in the ocean. It was easy to imagine with all the description. But it's most definitely worth the read, especially since the ending has a pretty big surprise.
This should definitely be picked up if you're looking for an escape from reality with a slightly sassy main character and a does of fantasy. It's a quick read and not too heavy, which is perfect for those rainy days.
View the full post on my blog:http://tinyurl.com/pxkcx74
It felt like this book was a little puffed up, like a flan that isn't supposed to have air bubbles (cavities) in it. Although Zoey was in royal court, everyone's language was a little pompous, including hers. There also wasn't enough of a buildup towards things that were supposed to be a big reveal. It felt a tiny bit lackluster. But I did really like the image of a mystical world in the ocean. It was easy to imagine with all the description. But it's most definitely worth the read, especially since the ending has a pretty big surprise.
This should definitely be picked up if you're looking for an escape from reality with a slightly sassy main character and a does of fantasy. It's a quick read and not too heavy, which is perfect for those rainy days.
View the full post on my blog:http://tinyurl.com/pxkcx74
October 22, 2013
I am a huge fan of Missy Fleming's book "Happily Never After" so as soon as I had the opportunity to get my hands on the ARC for her new novel, "Into the Deep", I jumped at it. I abandoned the other 3 books I was reading and dove right in.
On the outside, Into the Deep is the story of Zoey, a young girl who has just turned 16 and discovered she's actually the daughter of a mer-king. This story is so much deeper than that though.
This story tells the tale of a young girl learning to accept who she is, flaws and all. When Zoey was six years old she was attacked by a shark and lost her leg. She's spent 10 years learning to adapt to a prosthetic leg, but has never felt whole. She always felt out of place and awkward, like a spectacle among her peers. Becoming a mermaid allows Zoey to become comfortable with her body, and in finding love with her mermaid form, she also comes to love and appreciate her scarred human form.
This is also a cautionary tale to humanity about the destruction of our plant, especially our oceans. The emotions Zoey experiences as she witnesses first hand the pollution to our oceans is tragic. I could really feel her pain.
But don't worry, this is not overly in your face PSA's! I feel Zoey's emotions, but I don't feel the author shoving the message down my throat.
I can't say enough good things about Missy Fleming's writing. There was a scene near the beginning of the book, where Zoey is at the aquarium and something scary happens, and had I not been laying in bed reading, I would have been on the edge of my seat!
Also, have no fear, there is a touch of romance. The first merman Zoey meets is Nerio and be still my heart, I have a crush! He's a guard in Zoey's father's kingdom and therefor, not an acceptable merman for her.
There's also Xander, an acceptable match, as his family is second in power to Zoey's. Their match would be one the kingdom would rejoice over. Xander made me a little uncomfortable at first, he felt like the popular boy at school who's nice to the shy awkward girl, and she feels like he must be playing a trick on her. Especially compared to Nerio who was so honest and genuine. After reading about Xander a bit, it danwed on me just who he reminded me of - Adrian from Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy series (but less mentally unstable!) His level of confidence can be overwhelming.
And, amidst the boy drama, Zoey also has a step-mother and half-sister who are cold to her and won't even acknowledge her presence if they don't have to. And the oceans? Yeah, they're rising in both temperature and level, causing disastrous effects to both the humans on land as well as the inhabitants of the sea. The cause is a merwitch named Calandra who is taking over the kingdoms of the ocean one at a time, will Zoey's kingdom be next? Will her people be able to stop the witch?
The ending? Yeah. You're going to love/hate it. Pretty much everything Zoey has known her entire life has changed. You think you know where it's going and then BAM! Ms. Fleming pulls the rug right out from under you. I can only keep my fingers crossed that the next book gets written asap. I need to know what happens next.
The only negative thing I can say about the book is that there was some repetition of Zoey's thoughts, but not enough for me to dock a star or even half a star.
Five stars.
On the outside, Into the Deep is the story of Zoey, a young girl who has just turned 16 and discovered she's actually the daughter of a mer-king. This story is so much deeper than that though.
This story tells the tale of a young girl learning to accept who she is, flaws and all. When Zoey was six years old she was attacked by a shark and lost her leg. She's spent 10 years learning to adapt to a prosthetic leg, but has never felt whole. She always felt out of place and awkward, like a spectacle among her peers. Becoming a mermaid allows Zoey to become comfortable with her body, and in finding love with her mermaid form, she also comes to love and appreciate her scarred human form.
This is also a cautionary tale to humanity about the destruction of our plant, especially our oceans. The emotions Zoey experiences as she witnesses first hand the pollution to our oceans is tragic. I could really feel her pain.
But don't worry, this is not overly in your face PSA's! I feel Zoey's emotions, but I don't feel the author shoving the message down my throat.
I can't say enough good things about Missy Fleming's writing. There was a scene near the beginning of the book, where Zoey is at the aquarium and something scary happens, and had I not been laying in bed reading, I would have been on the edge of my seat!
Also, have no fear, there is a touch of romance. The first merman Zoey meets is Nerio and be still my heart, I have a crush! He's a guard in Zoey's father's kingdom and therefor, not an acceptable merman for her.
There's also Xander, an acceptable match, as his family is second in power to Zoey's. Their match would be one the kingdom would rejoice over. Xander made me a little uncomfortable at first, he felt like the popular boy at school who's nice to the shy awkward girl, and she feels like he must be playing a trick on her. Especially compared to Nerio who was so honest and genuine. After reading about Xander a bit, it danwed on me just who he reminded me of - Adrian from Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy series (but less mentally unstable!) His level of confidence can be overwhelming.
And, amidst the boy drama, Zoey also has a step-mother and half-sister who are cold to her and won't even acknowledge her presence if they don't have to. And the oceans? Yeah, they're rising in both temperature and level, causing disastrous effects to both the humans on land as well as the inhabitants of the sea. The cause is a merwitch named Calandra who is taking over the kingdoms of the ocean one at a time, will Zoey's kingdom be next? Will her people be able to stop the witch?
The ending? Yeah. You're going to love/hate it. Pretty much everything Zoey has known her entire life has changed. You think you know where it's going and then BAM! Ms. Fleming pulls the rug right out from under you. I can only keep my fingers crossed that the next book gets written asap. I need to know what happens next.
The only negative thing I can say about the book is that there was some repetition of Zoey's thoughts, but not enough for me to dock a star or even half a star.
Five stars.
December 17, 2013
*The author gave me this book in exchange of an honest review*
You can see this review also here http://loveandlivetoread.wordpress.co...
This is the first book that I read about mermaids and I have to say that at the beginning I was kind of reluctant. I was glad to see that I got hooked with the story from the first chapter! Definitely, a unique YA fantasy!
The story is about Zoey, a teenage girl who was a victim of a shark attack when she was just a little girl. Now, she has a prosthetic leg and she feels like she doesn’t belong with the rest of her class. Well, that is actual true, because soon she discovers that her father is not only a creature of the sea but a king also! Soon, she finds herself trying to learn this new world that is very dangerous for her.
Zoey is a very nice young lady and a brave one. Until her sixteenth birthday she was trying to deal with the fact she lost a leg after a shark attack and she did it well. It’s only logical that she had her ups and downs but it was obvious that she had courage and the strength to live. When she discovered her second nature she felt for the first time in her life complete. It was nice to see her not thinking her leg. She wasn’t afraid to follow her instincts. My only complaint is that she hadn’t many thoughts about her mother. I believe that she deserved better treatment after sixteen years raising alone her daughter than a single letter!
Stavros, Nerio and Xander were very interesting also! As a Greek, I appreciate the fact that many of the names were Greek! Her father, Stavros, was exactly what it should be: protective and strong, full of love for her. I loved Nerio because he’s a great boyfriend material for her and I believe that they have a long road to walk (or swim, if I must be honest!). Xander is also very good and definitely better than what everyone thinks. I believe that we will see better things in the future from him!
So, this is a very nice YA read and I can’t wait to read for of Zoey’s adventures in the future!
You can see this review also here http://loveandlivetoread.wordpress.co...
This is the first book that I read about mermaids and I have to say that at the beginning I was kind of reluctant. I was glad to see that I got hooked with the story from the first chapter! Definitely, a unique YA fantasy!
The story is about Zoey, a teenage girl who was a victim of a shark attack when she was just a little girl. Now, she has a prosthetic leg and she feels like she doesn’t belong with the rest of her class. Well, that is actual true, because soon she discovers that her father is not only a creature of the sea but a king also! Soon, she finds herself trying to learn this new world that is very dangerous for her.
Zoey is a very nice young lady and a brave one. Until her sixteenth birthday she was trying to deal with the fact she lost a leg after a shark attack and she did it well. It’s only logical that she had her ups and downs but it was obvious that she had courage and the strength to live. When she discovered her second nature she felt for the first time in her life complete. It was nice to see her not thinking her leg. She wasn’t afraid to follow her instincts. My only complaint is that she hadn’t many thoughts about her mother. I believe that she deserved better treatment after sixteen years raising alone her daughter than a single letter!
Stavros, Nerio and Xander were very interesting also! As a Greek, I appreciate the fact that many of the names were Greek! Her father, Stavros, was exactly what it should be: protective and strong, full of love for her. I loved Nerio because he’s a great boyfriend material for her and I believe that they have a long road to walk (or swim, if I must be honest!). Xander is also very good and definitely better than what everyone thinks. I believe that we will see better things in the future from him!
So, this is a very nice YA read and I can’t wait to read for of Zoey’s adventures in the future!
December 7, 2013
Reading is one of the true pleasures in my life. When I come across a book so engrossing and enjoyable, it's like finding a true treasure. That's what "Into the Deep" has become to me--a real gem. I loved this story from the beginning. Missy Fleming does a fantastic job bringing her characters to life. I instantly bonded with the main character, Zoey, who is a strong, courageous teenager with realistic concerns and frailties. The victim of a traumatic shark attack that occurred when she was just six years old, Zoey still has her share of awkward moments with her prosthetic leg. When a school assignment brings her to a nearby aquarium, she discovers that the marine creatures take a peculiar interest in her--especially the sharks. Shortly thereafter, she learns the reason why: She's a mermaid princess. Her life becomes filled with wonders, responsibilities and stresses beyond her wildest imagination. I don't give away any details, so you'll have to get the book and see what happens to young Zoey. Though I will say that this book is brilliantly written and perfectly paced, full of likeable characters and plenty of action-packed adventures.
I've always been fascinated by the thought of mermaids. I love reading about them. The author does an incredible job creating a legendary world from mythical elements and making it convincingly realistic. "Into the Deep" is a compelling novel that ended with the promise of an exciting sequel. I can't wait to get my hands on it!
I've always been fascinated by the thought of mermaids. I love reading about them. The author does an incredible job creating a legendary world from mythical elements and making it convincingly realistic. "Into the Deep" is a compelling novel that ended with the promise of an exciting sequel. I can't wait to get my hands on it!
March 17, 2014
I was given an ebook copy of Into the Deep by author Missy Fleming in exchange for an honest review.
I really liked it! It left anxious to read the next one, I can't even begin to wonder what the sequel will be like if it started like this...
It was easy to read, combines reality and myths perfectly, and it was such an original plot, it really stunned me.
I loved the main character's (Zoey's) personality, she was quite stubborn, strong and such a caring girl.
I may add it managed to surprise me a few times while reading it.
Another highlighting thing here is I must congratulate the author for bringing the pollution subject into this amazing story, I found myself feeling ashamed and concerned about the truth written here.
It also encouraged me to make conscience on how simple things can provoke chaotic things.
This was the first time I read about mermaids and I loved the whole concept!!!
I really liked it! It left anxious to read the next one, I can't even begin to wonder what the sequel will be like if it started like this...
It was easy to read, combines reality and myths perfectly, and it was such an original plot, it really stunned me.
I loved the main character's (Zoey's) personality, she was quite stubborn, strong and such a caring girl.
I may add it managed to surprise me a few times while reading it.
Another highlighting thing here is I must congratulate the author for bringing the pollution subject into this amazing story, I found myself feeling ashamed and concerned about the truth written here.
It also encouraged me to make conscience on how simple things can provoke chaotic things.
This was the first time I read about mermaids and I loved the whole concept!!!
June 16, 2016
2.5☆ really lame epilogue. Frequent poor grammar. (Although I could be generous and say that it was appropriate given the narrator's age). Otherwise an interesting story that I wouldn't mind reading the end of.
May 16, 2019
Into the Deep by Missy Fleming
On the surface this book looks to be a sort of cross between little mermaid and Splash, but don't let it deceive you; it's much more than that. It has elements of familiar tropes but manages to go just a bit beyond those tropes to reach out to the reader.
Zoey is in some way your typical teen girl living a life that's a lie that she doesn't realize and that's going to change. But down further is this young girl who at the age of six lost a limb to a shark accident. She has a great mother, but she knows nothing about her father. Her mother at one time was very much into water sports and that's why they were out on the ocean that day of the accident. Since that time Zoey has had a fear of the water and the dangers within and her mother has been helping to cultivate that fear.
Zoey is reaching the age of 16 and her mother is starting to act a bit strange about the upcoming event. At the same time Zoey is trying to conquer her fear and has decided to go to an underwater exhibit. In Zoey's world there is great reason for her to do this now because the melting waters of the ocean are causing all sorts of changes and what this exhibit has to show may soon all be gone. Also she and her friend Charlotte are making other plans to join a night on the beach with other students and this might upset her mother so she's kept those plans to herself.
Strange things happen at the aquarium that further frighten Zoey and events on the beach are destined to change her life forever when she finds herself draw toward the sea despite her own fears.
This book contains elements of Romance and Lost Love, Self Discovery and Reunion, Royal Blood and Betrayal.
At the heart of it all is Zoey who is coming of age and discovering a whole new world of magic and danger that she must come to terms with quickly in order to stay alive and to keep the ones she loves safe. She may even discover she is in the right place at the right time to save the world.
This is a well paced story with some few twists and turns that all make perfect sense as the reader breaks the surface and dives into the deep with Missy Fleming.
J.L. Dobias
On the surface this book looks to be a sort of cross between little mermaid and Splash, but don't let it deceive you; it's much more than that. It has elements of familiar tropes but manages to go just a bit beyond those tropes to reach out to the reader.
Zoey is in some way your typical teen girl living a life that's a lie that she doesn't realize and that's going to change. But down further is this young girl who at the age of six lost a limb to a shark accident. She has a great mother, but she knows nothing about her father. Her mother at one time was very much into water sports and that's why they were out on the ocean that day of the accident. Since that time Zoey has had a fear of the water and the dangers within and her mother has been helping to cultivate that fear.
Zoey is reaching the age of 16 and her mother is starting to act a bit strange about the upcoming event. At the same time Zoey is trying to conquer her fear and has decided to go to an underwater exhibit. In Zoey's world there is great reason for her to do this now because the melting waters of the ocean are causing all sorts of changes and what this exhibit has to show may soon all be gone. Also she and her friend Charlotte are making other plans to join a night on the beach with other students and this might upset her mother so she's kept those plans to herself.
Strange things happen at the aquarium that further frighten Zoey and events on the beach are destined to change her life forever when she finds herself draw toward the sea despite her own fears.
This book contains elements of Romance and Lost Love, Self Discovery and Reunion, Royal Blood and Betrayal.
At the heart of it all is Zoey who is coming of age and discovering a whole new world of magic and danger that she must come to terms with quickly in order to stay alive and to keep the ones she loves safe. She may even discover she is in the right place at the right time to save the world.
This is a well paced story with some few twists and turns that all make perfect sense as the reader breaks the surface and dives into the deep with Missy Fleming.
J.L. Dobias
June 25, 2022
I can't wait for the next one
March 10, 2017
Couldn't stop reading, until the very end!
Wonderful story, kept me glued to the narrative, wondering how it would end.....great cliffhanger! When is the next book coming out?
Wonderful story, kept me glued to the narrative, wondering how it would end.....great cliffhanger! When is the next book coming out?
September 1, 2016
Arc courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review.
My thoughts:
I have only read a couple of other mermaid books before, so I was really happy to get a chance to read and review Into the Deep. The story follows sixteen year old, Zoey, who lost her leg in a shark attack when she was just a small child. Since then, she has been able to get by with a prosthetic leg. She's always felt like she didn't fit in with the other kids her age, but it wasn't just because he had a disability. One day when she was at the beach she discovered something very unique about herself.
During this time, strange things have been going on in the oceans. The water levels have risen so high that it's destroying the land by the beaches. Fish are also dying off at an accelerated rate, possibly do to how much the ocean temperatures are changing. Experts believe it is only the result of global warming. What they don't know is that these catastrophes are the result of something that they never could have imagined.
This was such a fun read! Once I picked up my kindle to start reading, I was surprised how far I had gotten in the story in such a short amount of time. I didn't find myself getting sidetracked or distracted, which is always a good thing. It was such an original mermaid tale.
First, I just want to say that Missy Flemming did such a beautiful job with all of her marine life descriptions. She really knew what she was talking about, and you could tell that she really did her research! While reading, I really felt like I was there in the ocean with Zoey, and I could really visualize the things that she was seeing. I especially liked how she described the fish, reefs, and the kelp forest. I also appreciate how the origins of the mer people were explained.
I also liked the main character, Zoey. She really was open to accepting who she was and although leery at first, was eager to take on her new responsibilities. I also liked that she wasn't quick to lose her connection with her human half, and was ready to fight for them as well.
I have to say that my favorite character from Into the Deep was...Xander! I felt like he stole the show. He was sweet, intelligent, kind, helpful, and he accepted Zoey for who she was from the very beginning. I was really rooting for the guy, er, merman. He and Zoey seemed to have a lot chemistry. I was not a fan of Nerio, and just didn't fall for him. I know he had his reasons, but I thought he was pretty judgmental and sulky. I just felt like he didn't have as much depth and personality as Xander did, although I did admire his work ethic and sense of duty.
I also found myself a little disappointed in Stavros. Although I admired that he was a patient and dedicated ruler, I was a bit sad that he seemed to have given up on his other daughter, Eustencia. Throughout the book, it seemed like he ignored and had very little interaction with her. I am not sure if this was because Zoey was now in the picture, but perhaps if he had more interaction with Eustencia, she would not be so quick to follow in her mother's footsteps?
Into the Deep ended on a bit of a cliffhanger, so I'm curious as to what will happen to the characters, and how Zoey will adapt to her new role. I hope there are more interactions with Xander as well. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a nice Young Adult book that centers around mermaids.
My thoughts:
I have only read a couple of other mermaid books before, so I was really happy to get a chance to read and review Into the Deep. The story follows sixteen year old, Zoey, who lost her leg in a shark attack when she was just a small child. Since then, she has been able to get by with a prosthetic leg. She's always felt like she didn't fit in with the other kids her age, but it wasn't just because he had a disability. One day when she was at the beach she discovered something very unique about herself.
During this time, strange things have been going on in the oceans. The water levels have risen so high that it's destroying the land by the beaches. Fish are also dying off at an accelerated rate, possibly do to how much the ocean temperatures are changing. Experts believe it is only the result of global warming. What they don't know is that these catastrophes are the result of something that they never could have imagined.
This was such a fun read! Once I picked up my kindle to start reading, I was surprised how far I had gotten in the story in such a short amount of time. I didn't find myself getting sidetracked or distracted, which is always a good thing. It was such an original mermaid tale.
First, I just want to say that Missy Flemming did such a beautiful job with all of her marine life descriptions. She really knew what she was talking about, and you could tell that she really did her research! While reading, I really felt like I was there in the ocean with Zoey, and I could really visualize the things that she was seeing. I especially liked how she described the fish, reefs, and the kelp forest. I also appreciate how the origins of the mer people were explained.
I also liked the main character, Zoey. She really was open to accepting who she was and although leery at first, was eager to take on her new responsibilities. I also liked that she wasn't quick to lose her connection with her human half, and was ready to fight for them as well.
I have to say that my favorite character from Into the Deep was...Xander! I felt like he stole the show. He was sweet, intelligent, kind, helpful, and he accepted Zoey for who she was from the very beginning. I was really rooting for the guy, er, merman. He and Zoey seemed to have a lot chemistry. I was not a fan of Nerio, and just didn't fall for him. I know he had his reasons, but I thought he was pretty judgmental and sulky. I just felt like he didn't have as much depth and personality as Xander did, although I did admire his work ethic and sense of duty.
I also found myself a little disappointed in Stavros. Although I admired that he was a patient and dedicated ruler, I was a bit sad that he seemed to have given up on his other daughter, Eustencia. Throughout the book, it seemed like he ignored and had very little interaction with her. I am not sure if this was because Zoey was now in the picture, but perhaps if he had more interaction with Eustencia, she would not be so quick to follow in her mother's footsteps?
Into the Deep ended on a bit of a cliffhanger, so I'm curious as to what will happen to the characters, and how Zoey will adapt to her new role. I hope there are more interactions with Xander as well. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a nice Young Adult book that centers around mermaids.
June 10, 2015
This review can be found at whatsyourstorybookreviews.com.
Into the Deep is a welcome addition to the (sadly small) canon of YA mermaid novels out there in the world. Although is certainly has its faults, I quite enjoyed Into the Deep and reveled in the wonderful world and mythology Missy Fleming created. Being a mermaid lover (not a joke, I thought I was a literal mermaid for the first 7 years of my life---that's a story for another time, though) I am always eager to gobble up mermaid stories and this one left me satisfied and definitely interested in more.
The beginning is the problem.
I'll admit, getting into this novel didn't happen easily for me. The first few chapters were just build up, teasing us with information that we already know just from the description of the book. There was no suspense in Zoey finding out she was a mermaid or in her wondering what was happening to her because I already knew. So instead of sitting there are mirroring Zoey's curiosity, my thought process was more along the lines of "Yes you're a mermaid. Yep. Mermaid. No, that's not really that weird because oBVIOUSLY YOU'RE A MERMAID." The beginning just felt like it was happening because we needed the exposition of Zoey finding out this life changing information. Because of that, it felt flat and I couldn't get a feel for Zoey's personality, or really any of the other characters.
Things are looking up!
However, all of this pretty much disappeared once Zoey ventured to the undersea kingdom. From there Missy Fleming really flexed her muscles as an author and created a vibrant world of mermaids and customs that mirror our own, but are fundamentally different. I loved the fact that the mer people weren't what we typically imagine mermaids to be, physically at least. They painted their bodies and dyed their hair in bright shades. A little later on in the story when we find out the origins of the mer people I was pleased to find that Greek mythology was woven into the plot. This is also when I felt Zoey was become more fleshed out as a character and her personality started shining through.
Characters don't always have character.
I really came to like Zoey and was able to connect with her, and I was also incredibly fond of her father Stavros, who is the king. The building of their relationship gave the book some of its sweetest moments. And while I felt that the immediately important characters like Nerio and Xander were also well written, the rest seemed to fall into archetypes and didn't manage to come to life outside of that. Zoey's grandmother felt like she was just there to be the "wise maternal figure," Magdalena and Eustice filled the "evil stepmother/daughter" roles and didn't feel like they had any motivations for the way they acted other than because they needed to be that way to fill a character stereotype. Not all of the characters were like this, in fact there were quite a few smaller characters that I felt had dimension even though they were only in the story for a short amount of time, such as Nerio's family.
Into the Deep was well-written with a clear and concise writing style that allowed me to read quickly without getting bogged down in any wordiness. Despite the few drawbacks I noted, I enjoyed reading it and will certainly be looking forward to future novels to see where Zoey's journey ends up. I give this book 3 out of 5 stars.
Into the Deep is a welcome addition to the (sadly small) canon of YA mermaid novels out there in the world. Although is certainly has its faults, I quite enjoyed Into the Deep and reveled in the wonderful world and mythology Missy Fleming created. Being a mermaid lover (not a joke, I thought I was a literal mermaid for the first 7 years of my life---that's a story for another time, though) I am always eager to gobble up mermaid stories and this one left me satisfied and definitely interested in more.
The beginning is the problem.
I'll admit, getting into this novel didn't happen easily for me. The first few chapters were just build up, teasing us with information that we already know just from the description of the book. There was no suspense in Zoey finding out she was a mermaid or in her wondering what was happening to her because I already knew. So instead of sitting there are mirroring Zoey's curiosity, my thought process was more along the lines of "Yes you're a mermaid. Yep. Mermaid. No, that's not really that weird because oBVIOUSLY YOU'RE A MERMAID." The beginning just felt like it was happening because we needed the exposition of Zoey finding out this life changing information. Because of that, it felt flat and I couldn't get a feel for Zoey's personality, or really any of the other characters.
Things are looking up!
However, all of this pretty much disappeared once Zoey ventured to the undersea kingdom. From there Missy Fleming really flexed her muscles as an author and created a vibrant world of mermaids and customs that mirror our own, but are fundamentally different. I loved the fact that the mer people weren't what we typically imagine mermaids to be, physically at least. They painted their bodies and dyed their hair in bright shades. A little later on in the story when we find out the origins of the mer people I was pleased to find that Greek mythology was woven into the plot. This is also when I felt Zoey was become more fleshed out as a character and her personality started shining through.
Characters don't always have character.
I really came to like Zoey and was able to connect with her, and I was also incredibly fond of her father Stavros, who is the king. The building of their relationship gave the book some of its sweetest moments. And while I felt that the immediately important characters like Nerio and Xander were also well written, the rest seemed to fall into archetypes and didn't manage to come to life outside of that. Zoey's grandmother felt like she was just there to be the "wise maternal figure," Magdalena and Eustice filled the "evil stepmother/daughter" roles and didn't feel like they had any motivations for the way they acted other than because they needed to be that way to fill a character stereotype. Not all of the characters were like this, in fact there were quite a few smaller characters that I felt had dimension even though they were only in the story for a short amount of time, such as Nerio's family.
Into the Deep was well-written with a clear and concise writing style that allowed me to read quickly without getting bogged down in any wordiness. Despite the few drawbacks I noted, I enjoyed reading it and will certainly be looking forward to future novels to see where Zoey's journey ends up. I give this book 3 out of 5 stars.
December 27, 2014
I started and finished this book in one day, which is always a good sign. I really and truly enjoyed it.
The book follows the exploits of a sudden year old girl named Zoey. She is simultaneously drawn to the ocean and repulsed by it. The book opens with an intriguing scene at an aquarium that lays the groundwork for the entire novel. I'm always ecstatic whenever an opposing scene trying has importance, and this one did not disappoint.
CHARACTERS
ZOEY- Zoey is a strong heroine in every sense of the word. She had some character development, though admittedly most of it takes place in the beginning/middle. She blossoms user pressure and its definitely not perfect, but makes the best of her circumstances. At the end of the book, I was pleased to find that I not only liked her, but respected her, something that I don't come across often.
STAVROS- As the king of the mer, he has many ideals to live up too, and I am pleased to report that he lived up to most of them. He is kind, caring, compassionate, and loving to a fault. He seems to be a living paradox, though, as he is totally devoted to Zoey and her mother, and yet seems to ignore his wife and legitimate daughter. That bugs me more than I care to admit.
NERIO- I have mixed feelings when it comes to Nerio. He is undoubtedly attractive, and nearly every inch the night in shining fish scales, but for some reason that I just can't put my finger on, I just didn't like him. Perhaps it had to do with his extremely stubborn nature, or the fact that his mood can swing fast enough to give you whiplash, but I am just not his biggest fan.
XANDER- Oh, Xander. I am very pleasantly surprised by this character. Upon his introduction to the story, he is seemingly the cocky, arrogant, pretty-boy of the court, but he turned out to be so much more. Let's just say that I'm going your some more Xander/Zoey action in the future.
DESMA- Very much the stereotypical, gossiping, happy maid, with the exception that she is Zoey's friend and Nerio's overprotective big sister.
CALANDRA- A rather odd kind of villain, as we know little about her. I'm reserving my judgment till I know more of her motivation, family, background, etc.
PLOT
I thoroughly enjoyed the plot, as there were no gaping holes, unlike other books I've read about mermaids (I read one that was a mermaid version of Twilight. Definitely not a good combo, as Twilight wasn't even good in the first place). This is the first book I've read where the main character is an amputee, and it was another, pleasant experience. A whole 'nother kind of insecure.
I felt that this novel had a relatively good balance of discovery, romance, and conflict. I only am slightly confused by Zoey's reaction when she finds of that she is only half human. If I found out that I was a quarter fish, I would certainly do a lot more than sit there, stare at it, and talk to dolphins.
OVERALL, I enjoyed it, and can't wait for the next installment.
The book follows the exploits of a sudden year old girl named Zoey. She is simultaneously drawn to the ocean and repulsed by it. The book opens with an intriguing scene at an aquarium that lays the groundwork for the entire novel. I'm always ecstatic whenever an opposing scene trying has importance, and this one did not disappoint.
CHARACTERS
ZOEY- Zoey is a strong heroine in every sense of the word. She had some character development, though admittedly most of it takes place in the beginning/middle. She blossoms user pressure and its definitely not perfect, but makes the best of her circumstances. At the end of the book, I was pleased to find that I not only liked her, but respected her, something that I don't come across often.
STAVROS- As the king of the mer, he has many ideals to live up too, and I am pleased to report that he lived up to most of them. He is kind, caring, compassionate, and loving to a fault. He seems to be a living paradox, though, as he is totally devoted to Zoey and her mother, and yet seems to ignore his wife and legitimate daughter. That bugs me more than I care to admit.
NERIO- I have mixed feelings when it comes to Nerio. He is undoubtedly attractive, and nearly every inch the night in shining fish scales, but for some reason that I just can't put my finger on, I just didn't like him. Perhaps it had to do with his extremely stubborn nature, or the fact that his mood can swing fast enough to give you whiplash, but I am just not his biggest fan.
XANDER- Oh, Xander. I am very pleasantly surprised by this character. Upon his introduction to the story, he is seemingly the cocky, arrogant, pretty-boy of the court, but he turned out to be so much more. Let's just say that I'm going your some more Xander/Zoey action in the future.
DESMA- Very much the stereotypical, gossiping, happy maid, with the exception that she is Zoey's friend and Nerio's overprotective big sister.
CALANDRA- A rather odd kind of villain, as we know little about her. I'm reserving my judgment till I know more of her motivation, family, background, etc.
PLOT
I thoroughly enjoyed the plot, as there were no gaping holes, unlike other books I've read about mermaids (I read one that was a mermaid version of Twilight. Definitely not a good combo, as Twilight wasn't even good in the first place). This is the first book I've read where the main character is an amputee, and it was another, pleasant experience. A whole 'nother kind of insecure.
I felt that this novel had a relatively good balance of discovery, romance, and conflict. I only am slightly confused by Zoey's reaction when she finds of that she is only half human. If I found out that I was a quarter fish, I would certainly do a lot more than sit there, stare at it, and talk to dolphins.
OVERALL, I enjoyed it, and can't wait for the next installment.
April 7, 2014
I have been fascinated by the idea and concept of mermaids and mermen ever since I was young. It probably had something to do with the fact that I was obsessed with H2O: Just Add Water and watched it avidly - (google it, it was pure genius!) So it is of no surprise that this childhood love has some how stuck with my into adult life; making me extremely excited to read Into the Deep.
The story begins with Zoey, a sixteen year old girl who has experienced a horrific injury due to a shark attack. She is scared of the open water and is becoming increasing worried about the rising shorelines, especially as she lives on a costal town.
Now, I was slightly indifferent towards Zoey as a main character. I most definitely felt sympathy towards her due to the early issues she experienced in life, but I would not go as far as to say that I really loved her. She wasn't snobby or rude, she was just a bit bland in parts. I didn't really hate her, but I didn't really connect to her as character.
The story itself developed very quickly, which was one positive for me. If a story takes a long time to "get into the flow", I will most definitely be turning off in parts; or skim reading until something strikes my fancy. Into the Deep started quickly and moved at an almost break neck speed, with one situation arising after the next. But, this being said, it wasn't too much; I never once felt that I was drowning (haha, pardon the pun), and I did keep reading.
Fleming did manage to take a paranormal aspect and throw a spin on it - definitely something that was needed to hook myself, and other readers into the story; especially in the expanse of paranormal story lines nowadays. However, there were parts whereby I felt it was a bit too unrealistic. I know - I'm reading a paranormal story, that in itself isn't realistic - but hear me out. For example, painted walls in a underwater palace. Sure you salvage from ships, but paint? Hmm... I most definitely am a pernickety reader (pretty sure that is a word!) so I often like to think of the realistic side of stories. Maybe others wouldn't necessarily do this, but you can trust that I will.
Essentially, it was your typical YA story line - but most definitely at the lower end of the YA spectrum. I did however love the relevance of today's epidemic of global warming and rising shorelines. It was very interesting to see how Fleming wove this into a YA novel - she mostly definitely impressed me with this aspect. Lovely way to try and advise of the current issues by addressing teens through resources they would actually chose to read and pay attention to!
I received a free copy of book in exchange for an honest review. This does affect my view of the book, and any opinions or thoughts expressed are that of my own.
The story begins with Zoey, a sixteen year old girl who has experienced a horrific injury due to a shark attack. She is scared of the open water and is becoming increasing worried about the rising shorelines, especially as she lives on a costal town.
Now, I was slightly indifferent towards Zoey as a main character. I most definitely felt sympathy towards her due to the early issues she experienced in life, but I would not go as far as to say that I really loved her. She wasn't snobby or rude, she was just a bit bland in parts. I didn't really hate her, but I didn't really connect to her as character.
The story itself developed very quickly, which was one positive for me. If a story takes a long time to "get into the flow", I will most definitely be turning off in parts; or skim reading until something strikes my fancy. Into the Deep started quickly and moved at an almost break neck speed, with one situation arising after the next. But, this being said, it wasn't too much; I never once felt that I was drowning (haha, pardon the pun), and I did keep reading.
Fleming did manage to take a paranormal aspect and throw a spin on it - definitely something that was needed to hook myself, and other readers into the story; especially in the expanse of paranormal story lines nowadays. However, there were parts whereby I felt it was a bit too unrealistic. I know - I'm reading a paranormal story, that in itself isn't realistic - but hear me out. For example, painted walls in a underwater palace. Sure you salvage from ships, but paint? Hmm... I most definitely am a pernickety reader (pretty sure that is a word!) so I often like to think of the realistic side of stories. Maybe others wouldn't necessarily do this, but you can trust that I will.
Essentially, it was your typical YA story line - but most definitely at the lower end of the YA spectrum. I did however love the relevance of today's epidemic of global warming and rising shorelines. It was very interesting to see how Fleming wove this into a YA novel - she mostly definitely impressed me with this aspect. Lovely way to try and advise of the current issues by addressing teens through resources they would actually chose to read and pay attention to!
I received a free copy of book in exchange for an honest review. This does affect my view of the book, and any opinions or thoughts expressed are that of my own.
October 12, 2014
2.5 stars
A free copy of this book was received from the author in exchange for an honest review.
So, I love mermaid books. Even after I started getting sick of the paranormal genre, I am still a voracious reader of anything that has to do with mermaids. So I didn't didn't hesitate to read Into the Deep.
Maybe that love for mermaid fiction is the reason that I am giving Into the Deep a 2.5 star rating. Because if I am being completely honest, there are a lot of aspects to this book that would normally annoy me a lot, but they didn't as much as they should have.
Starting off with what I did enjoy about this story, I appreciated the fact that Missy Fleming tried to spice up the cliche mermaid tale. One thing that really annoys me about mermaid books is that they always seem to be the exact same story. And this one, I'll admit, does start off in that pattern, but halfway through it gets a bit more original, with Zoey having to go up against a sea witch. (I'll admit this does sound a bit like Little Mermaid, but there's a lot more action instead of singing in this book.)
I also liked the greek mythology that was integrated into this story. Ever since reading the Percy Jackson series, I have loved the stories in greek mythology, so I thought it was nice to have some in here.
What I didn't like, first and foremost, was that Zoey was a bit too perfect. She starts off as insecure due to her missing leg, but as soon as she gets to the ocean, all that disappears. Everyone loves her, and she basically had no flaws at all aside from struggling to control her powers. Here is what other characters say about Zoey:
"You're brave and caring."
"Nature blessed you. Because of that, you may be the strongest among us."
"You're outspoken and honest."
"You're not like anyone I've ever met, Zoey."
Another character I didn't particularly like was Zoey's love interest Nerio. Nerio likes to talk and talk about how awful humans are. Okay, I can understand that since he was a mermaid and he sees pollution a lot, but he constantly tells Zoey that, who is half human herself, and is completely surprised that she actually would stand up for them. If someone kept talking trash about where I had lived, I would not be very happy with them, much less be crushing on them. I could not understand what Zoey saw in him.
In conclusion, I thought this ended up just being average. I liked the plot, but the characters irked me a lot.
A free copy of this book was received from the author in exchange for an honest review.
So, I love mermaid books. Even after I started getting sick of the paranormal genre, I am still a voracious reader of anything that has to do with mermaids. So I didn't didn't hesitate to read Into the Deep.
Maybe that love for mermaid fiction is the reason that I am giving Into the Deep a 2.5 star rating. Because if I am being completely honest, there are a lot of aspects to this book that would normally annoy me a lot, but they didn't as much as they should have.
Starting off with what I did enjoy about this story, I appreciated the fact that Missy Fleming tried to spice up the cliche mermaid tale. One thing that really annoys me about mermaid books is that they always seem to be the exact same story. And this one, I'll admit, does start off in that pattern, but halfway through it gets a bit more original, with Zoey having to go up against a sea witch. (I'll admit this does sound a bit like Little Mermaid, but there's a lot more action instead of singing in this book.)
I also liked the greek mythology that was integrated into this story. Ever since reading the Percy Jackson series, I have loved the stories in greek mythology, so I thought it was nice to have some in here.
What I didn't like, first and foremost, was that Zoey was a bit too perfect. She starts off as insecure due to her missing leg, but as soon as she gets to the ocean, all that disappears. Everyone loves her, and she basically had no flaws at all aside from struggling to control her powers. Here is what other characters say about Zoey:
"You're brave and caring."
"Nature blessed you. Because of that, you may be the strongest among us."
"You're outspoken and honest."
"You're not like anyone I've ever met, Zoey."
Another character I didn't particularly like was Zoey's love interest Nerio. Nerio likes to talk and talk about how awful humans are. Okay, I can understand that since he was a mermaid and he sees pollution a lot, but he constantly tells Zoey that, who is half human herself, and is completely surprised that she actually would stand up for them. If someone kept talking trash about where I had lived, I would not be very happy with them, much less be crushing on them. I could not understand what Zoey saw in him.
In conclusion, I thought this ended up just being average. I liked the plot, but the characters irked me a lot.
December 27, 2013
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Zoey is a young woman dealing with the handicap of a prosthetic limb. She lost a leg in a shark attack when she was six. Now, at the age of sixteen, she still has trouble with it and really hates it and the way people stare at her with pity. On a field trip to the local aquarium, Zoey and her classmates notice the fish acting odd. They seem to be following all of Zoey’s motions. The dolphins even stop their show and stay by Zoey’s side, and the sharks all ram the glass enclosure trying to get at Zoey. After the unusual happenings at the aquarium, Zoey sneaks out with her best friend, Charlotte, to attend a bonfire at one of the still open beaches. The beaches are slowly being overtaken by the oceans and few are still accessible. While at the bonfire, Zoey accidentally gets knocked down by a wave and transforms into a mermaid. She finally feels whole with her tail. Zoey learns that her dad is a mer king and she’s a princess. She then decides to visit her father’s kingdom, but all is not well with the mer kingdoms. There is an evil mermaid witch trying to destroy all humans, and Zoey is the only one that can stop her.
I really enjoyed this book. It was very well written and easy to read. Into the Deep dealt with some very realistic issues in today’s society. It dealt with the emotions that are associated with losing a limb and also with the environment. I could definitely feel the frustration Zoey had with learning to cope with a prosthetic leg. I could also feel her frustration with her mother, she held back information vital to Zoey’s life. The reunion between Zoey and her father, Stavros was perfect. This book even had a Cinderella feel to it with an evil stepmother and stepsister. I loved the interactions between Zoey and Nerio, a palace guard. I loved the push and pull of their feeling for each other. Zoey was going to be friends with Nerio, no matter what anyone said. I also enjoyed Xander and his easy going ways. There were so many characters I fell in love with. This is a perfect YA book. I’m definitely looking forward to reading more of Zoey’s adventures.
4-stars
Reviewed by Tracy
Zoey is a young woman dealing with the handicap of a prosthetic limb. She lost a leg in a shark attack when she was six. Now, at the age of sixteen, she still has trouble with it and really hates it and the way people stare at her with pity. On a field trip to the local aquarium, Zoey and her classmates notice the fish acting odd. They seem to be following all of Zoey’s motions. The dolphins even stop their show and stay by Zoey’s side, and the sharks all ram the glass enclosure trying to get at Zoey. After the unusual happenings at the aquarium, Zoey sneaks out with her best friend, Charlotte, to attend a bonfire at one of the still open beaches. The beaches are slowly being overtaken by the oceans and few are still accessible. While at the bonfire, Zoey accidentally gets knocked down by a wave and transforms into a mermaid. She finally feels whole with her tail. Zoey learns that her dad is a mer king and she’s a princess. She then decides to visit her father’s kingdom, but all is not well with the mer kingdoms. There is an evil mermaid witch trying to destroy all humans, and Zoey is the only one that can stop her.
I really enjoyed this book. It was very well written and easy to read. Into the Deep dealt with some very realistic issues in today’s society. It dealt with the emotions that are associated with losing a limb and also with the environment. I could definitely feel the frustration Zoey had with learning to cope with a prosthetic leg. I could also feel her frustration with her mother, she held back information vital to Zoey’s life. The reunion between Zoey and her father, Stavros was perfect. This book even had a Cinderella feel to it with an evil stepmother and stepsister. I loved the interactions between Zoey and Nerio, a palace guard. I loved the push and pull of their feeling for each other. Zoey was going to be friends with Nerio, no matter what anyone said. I also enjoyed Xander and his easy going ways. There were so many characters I fell in love with. This is a perfect YA book. I’m definitely looking forward to reading more of Zoey’s adventures.
4-stars
Reviewed by Tracy
December 25, 2013
It had been years since I've read a mermaid book. When the author asked me to review this, I immediately accepted for I needed a refreshing read. And it sure was! This was an engrossing story that not only told a tale of a mermaid, but gave awareness to what is going on with our oceans.
I was captivated by the world and plot that Missy Fleming created. The descriptions about the mermaids and their underwater city had me an awe. I wished that this world existed so I could go visit. Also, the idea of a girl with a prosthetic and having strange reactions from the sea life was a big attention grabber. I wanted to know why Zoey was special and wanted to know how her insecurities would diminish and how it would turn into courage. As I kept reading, I was thrilled to learn the answers to some of my questions.
What I liked best about this book was how it raised the issues on ocean life. As our population grows, we become more and more careless on how we treat nature. Though our oceans are huge, they are slowly dying with all the chemicals that we keep pouring into the waters and the over-fishing. Reading these problems was an eye opener for it gave a scary picture as to what might happen to our sea life in the future and how it would ultimately affect us.
Though I mostly liked the book, there were a couple of things that I was not too keen on. One, there was a lot of repetition. I felt that Zoey's inner thinking was repeated a few times to the point that had me rolling my eyes. The other thing that I was not sold on was the revelation of Zoey's best friend, Charlotte. I don't want to give any spoilers but when reading the ending, I found myself scratching my head. Maybe it would make more sense in the second book but right now it felt that it was forced. Other than these two issues, this book was enjoyable.
Overall, this was a very delightful read. I was glad to have been able to read a mermaid book and it has me looking for other books based on these mythical creatures. I am looking forward to the second book since I really want to know what is going to happen.
I was captivated by the world and plot that Missy Fleming created. The descriptions about the mermaids and their underwater city had me an awe. I wished that this world existed so I could go visit. Also, the idea of a girl with a prosthetic and having strange reactions from the sea life was a big attention grabber. I wanted to know why Zoey was special and wanted to know how her insecurities would diminish and how it would turn into courage. As I kept reading, I was thrilled to learn the answers to some of my questions.
What I liked best about this book was how it raised the issues on ocean life. As our population grows, we become more and more careless on how we treat nature. Though our oceans are huge, they are slowly dying with all the chemicals that we keep pouring into the waters and the over-fishing. Reading these problems was an eye opener for it gave a scary picture as to what might happen to our sea life in the future and how it would ultimately affect us.
Though I mostly liked the book, there were a couple of things that I was not too keen on. One, there was a lot of repetition. I felt that Zoey's inner thinking was repeated a few times to the point that had me rolling my eyes. The other thing that I was not sold on was the revelation of Zoey's best friend, Charlotte. I don't want to give any spoilers but when reading the ending, I found myself scratching my head. Maybe it would make more sense in the second book but right now it felt that it was forced. Other than these two issues, this book was enjoyable.
Overall, this was a very delightful read. I was glad to have been able to read a mermaid book and it has me looking for other books based on these mythical creatures. I am looking forward to the second book since I really want to know what is going to happen.
June 12, 2016
Zoey is not normal. She lost her leg in a shark attack and has been afraid of the ocean ever since. When her class goes on a field trip to an aquarium things go very wrong. I can't imagine how terrifying that would have been. After that she goes out with her friend after confronting her mother about the events at the aquarium. Her mom is acting very strangely about her going out after it. She does anyway and happens to go to the ocean. In which she gets hit by a wave and a very strange thing happens....she grows a tail. Surprisingly to Zoey she is not to afraid, and finally feels whole again. For the first time after losing her leg. Her mom can no longer put off the conversation. She need to explain things to Zoey. What Zoey doesn't realize is how much the answers she so desperately wanted will change everything. Now she must make a decision. A decision that will change her whole life.
I really enjoyed Zoey. She honestly could have been a regular girl. A friend even. She was very down to earth. Even with her terrible accident she lived life and was doing a pretty good job of it. Things changed a lot after she found out what she was. She then had to go to the ocean and decide which life she wants to have. She can't have both. It is a big decision to make. Even though she is curious and intrigued by the new underwater life she discovered. She has to choose between living with her Father or her Mother. This is an insanely hard decision. Especially with the dangerous sea witch playing a part. Zoey is needed to help defeat her and bring peace to the seas and prevent more damage to land. Is she ready for it?
There is some time for the princess to have a little romance too. I liked this part because it started with friendship. It didn't go straight to hot mermaid love. Zoey needed help and protection when she first gets to her underwater home. What started as a friendship blossomed into forbidden love.
I can't wait for the next book. I really enjoyed this one. It brought me out of my reading funk I have been in lately.
I really enjoyed Zoey. She honestly could have been a regular girl. A friend even. She was very down to earth. Even with her terrible accident she lived life and was doing a pretty good job of it. Things changed a lot after she found out what she was. She then had to go to the ocean and decide which life she wants to have. She can't have both. It is a big decision to make. Even though she is curious and intrigued by the new underwater life she discovered. She has to choose between living with her Father or her Mother. This is an insanely hard decision. Especially with the dangerous sea witch playing a part. Zoey is needed to help defeat her and bring peace to the seas and prevent more damage to land. Is she ready for it?
There is some time for the princess to have a little romance too. I liked this part because it started with friendship. It didn't go straight to hot mermaid love. Zoey needed help and protection when she first gets to her underwater home. What started as a friendship blossomed into forbidden love.
I can't wait for the next book. I really enjoyed this one. It brought me out of my reading funk I have been in lately.
September 1, 2016
I love a good mermaid tale, and Into the Deep was a fun, fast-paced read. I liked Zoey right from the start of the story. She is 16 and has a prosthetic leg due to a shark attack when she was six. Zoey is an upbeat, tough girl who handles her disability with grace and aplomb.
Zoey discovers that something is going on with her when her school visits an aquarium on a field trip and the fish literally dance for her and follow her around. The scariest part, though, is that the sharks try to bust out of their aquariums to attack her again!
Zoey finally gets brave enough to venture into the ocean: she feels drawn to it but at the same time is terrified of another attack. What happens when she's submerged in salt water blows her mind: her legs turn into a mermaid's tail. Zoey has to decide what to do: try out the mermaid life (the only time she's ever felt healthy, whole, and pain free) or remain on land with her mother.
I liked the conflict in this book, and the decisions Zoey makes. I loved the imagery---it was outstanding. Zoey's powers were unique and not entirely unexpected---it seems like heroines in paranormal YA stories always have some kind of special power. But, I like the way Fleming created Zoey's power, and the way she grew into her strengths.
Into the Deep is the first book in a series and I'm looking forward to book two. Fleming ended the story with anticipation, but not a total cliffhanger---I love it when authors do that---I hate cliffhangers! I'd recommend this book to fans of paranormal YA and especially fans of mermaid stories.
Zoey discovers that something is going on with her when her school visits an aquarium on a field trip and the fish literally dance for her and follow her around. The scariest part, though, is that the sharks try to bust out of their aquariums to attack her again!
Zoey finally gets brave enough to venture into the ocean: she feels drawn to it but at the same time is terrified of another attack. What happens when she's submerged in salt water blows her mind: her legs turn into a mermaid's tail. Zoey has to decide what to do: try out the mermaid life (the only time she's ever felt healthy, whole, and pain free) or remain on land with her mother.
I liked the conflict in this book, and the decisions Zoey makes. I loved the imagery---it was outstanding. Zoey's powers were unique and not entirely unexpected---it seems like heroines in paranormal YA stories always have some kind of special power. But, I like the way Fleming created Zoey's power, and the way she grew into her strengths.
Into the Deep is the first book in a series and I'm looking forward to book two. Fleming ended the story with anticipation, but not a total cliffhanger---I love it when authors do that---I hate cliffhangers! I'd recommend this book to fans of paranormal YA and especially fans of mermaid stories.
February 18, 2014
This and my other reviews can be found at http://amethystbookwyrm.blogspot.co.uk/
Thanks to Untreed for giving me this book to review.
After losing her leg in a shark attack when she was 6, Zoey has always been wary of the ocean, yet at the same time is drawn to it. On her 16th birthday she is accidentally swept into the sea and is turned into a mermaid and finally feels whole. Zoey decides to find out more about her mermaid half, and finds a kingdom full of danger under the sea and her father who did not know she existed and is also the king. However, both the mermaid and human world is under attack from a merwitch called Calandra and Zoey may be the only person able to defeat her.
Into the Deep is an ok paranormal book which is a quick romantic read, but it is a bit predictable. It felt like this is book was just the first half of a whole book as, even though it is not a long book, it had a lot of filler in it.
Zoey is a likable YA heroine but I thought that she was a bit flat and I found her character hard to connect to. This book has a love triangle, which I am not a fan of but while I really liked Xander and I hoped she would end up with him, I did not like Nerio as he was moody and very judgemental. I know I was meant to not like her, but I felt very sorry Eustencia, as she was ignored and overlooked by her father, who seemed much more interested in his other daughter, so no wonder she did not like Zoey.
Into the Deep is an ok paranormal read which was let down a bit by the drawn out story and flat characters.
Thanks to Untreed for giving me this book to review.
After losing her leg in a shark attack when she was 6, Zoey has always been wary of the ocean, yet at the same time is drawn to it. On her 16th birthday she is accidentally swept into the sea and is turned into a mermaid and finally feels whole. Zoey decides to find out more about her mermaid half, and finds a kingdom full of danger under the sea and her father who did not know she existed and is also the king. However, both the mermaid and human world is under attack from a merwitch called Calandra and Zoey may be the only person able to defeat her.
Into the Deep is an ok paranormal book which is a quick romantic read, but it is a bit predictable. It felt like this is book was just the first half of a whole book as, even though it is not a long book, it had a lot of filler in it.
Zoey is a likable YA heroine but I thought that she was a bit flat and I found her character hard to connect to. This book has a love triangle, which I am not a fan of but while I really liked Xander and I hoped she would end up with him, I did not like Nerio as he was moody and very judgemental. I know I was meant to not like her, but I felt very sorry Eustencia, as she was ignored and overlooked by her father, who seemed much more interested in his other daughter, so no wonder she did not like Zoey.
Into the Deep is an ok paranormal read which was let down a bit by the drawn out story and flat characters.
March 24, 2014
The story begins with sixteen years old, Zoey, who lost her leg in a shark attack when she was a young girl. Zoey has a prosthetic leg that made her feel like she would never fit in with the other kids her age, but that wasn't the only thing that made her different. One day Zoey found out that she was unique, and difference than the others kids. You will have to read the book to see what happen to Zoey, and get to know the other characters in the story. There is plenty of action and adventure in this book to keep you reading until the end.
What I enjoyed most about Missy Fleming book was that she really did her research on marine life. I felted like I was there in the ocean with Zoey. With a modern and relatable heroin there are many surprises to come. Into the Deep is an engaging and hard to put down fantasy. Also if you enjoy reading about mermaids, or just enjoy fantasy than this is for you. I don’t feel this is just for young adult reader. If you are just looking for a book to escape in them pick up Missy Fleming's Into the Deep today!
What I enjoyed most about Missy Fleming book was that she really did her research on marine life. I felted like I was there in the ocean with Zoey. With a modern and relatable heroin there are many surprises to come. Into the Deep is an engaging and hard to put down fantasy. Also if you enjoy reading about mermaids, or just enjoy fantasy than this is for you. I don’t feel this is just for young adult reader. If you are just looking for a book to escape in them pick up Missy Fleming's Into the Deep today!
April 3, 2014
***I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.***
'Into the Deep' follows the story of Zoey as finds out that she is a mermaid, is forced to leave her mother and is proclaimed the princess of the Pacific Ocean.
THIS BOOK IS AWESOME. At first, I was a bit wary to start it. But when I started it, I devoured the book. Zoey is such a great character. And Desma is exactly the type of sister I want. Everyone played their part so well. All the characters like Xander, Nerio, Charlotte, Stavros were loveable.
There are way too many books on vampires and were-wolves but books on mermaids are very rare. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. My only problem with this book was that it was written in a kind of historical style. I mean, using words like 'he boomed at them.' What happened to writing in a more modern style? Many authors are writing in this way nowadays. Anyway, I am fine with anything.
I thought this book was awesome. I am waiting eagerly for the sequel. Highly recommended to everyone:D
'Into the Deep' follows the story of Zoey as finds out that she is a mermaid, is forced to leave her mother and is proclaimed the princess of the Pacific Ocean.
THIS BOOK IS AWESOME. At first, I was a bit wary to start it. But when I started it, I devoured the book. Zoey is such a great character. And Desma is exactly the type of sister I want. Everyone played their part so well. All the characters like Xander, Nerio, Charlotte, Stavros were loveable.
There are way too many books on vampires and were-wolves but books on mermaids are very rare. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. My only problem with this book was that it was written in a kind of historical style. I mean, using words like 'he boomed at them.' What happened to writing in a more modern style? Many authors are writing in this way nowadays. Anyway, I am fine with anything.
I thought this book was awesome. I am waiting eagerly for the sequel. Highly recommended to everyone:D
February 1, 2014
The beginning of a series (trilogy maybe?) about a girl who finds out she is a mermaid. Now this story spoke to me because I always hoped that one day I would jump in the ocean and grow a tail, she was lucky enough to have that happen.
It was cute, and fun, and had a couple of things similar to the Disney mermaid, not much, but a few. The world is very different and there are dangerous waters to survive. A ton to learn and problems to overcome.
My only issue is that things came a little too easily to our heroine. In fact, she was too even keeled, too smart and deliberate in her decisions and almost too grown up in her dialogue. lol - she is a kid who just got a ton dumped on her and she is so pulled together...anyway. It is an enjoyable read and I am looking forward to see where Fleming is taking things.
Great for younger teens and up .
It was cute, and fun, and had a couple of things similar to the Disney mermaid, not much, but a few. The world is very different and there are dangerous waters to survive. A ton to learn and problems to overcome.
My only issue is that things came a little too easily to our heroine. In fact, she was too even keeled, too smart and deliberate in her decisions and almost too grown up in her dialogue. lol - she is a kid who just got a ton dumped on her and she is so pulled together...anyway. It is an enjoyable read and I am looking forward to see where Fleming is taking things.
Great for younger teens and up .
March 27, 2014
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review (we <3 YA)
I LOVED this book. I was captivated but the world the entire time. Although it took awhile to get used to thinking about them as mermaids, the world building was amazing. Totally believable. Although I couldn't relate to Zoey all that much, I didn't hate her. I found her very mature for just 16 which was a little weird but she was still quite insecure that it balanced out. I think I like Xander better than Nerio but that's just because Xander fits better with my personality. The action got a little confusing at times. It could have been written better. Also, at one place it said something like "but that's how it happens in books, not in real life." Which annoys me because YOU ARE IN A BOOK!! That, though, didn't not bother me too much and I still loved this book! Can't wait for book 2! :D
I LOVED this book. I was captivated but the world the entire time. Although it took awhile to get used to thinking about them as mermaids, the world building was amazing. Totally believable. Although I couldn't relate to Zoey all that much, I didn't hate her. I found her very mature for just 16 which was a little weird but she was still quite insecure that it balanced out. I think I like Xander better than Nerio but that's just because Xander fits better with my personality. The action got a little confusing at times. It could have been written better. Also, at one place it said something like "but that's how it happens in books, not in real life." Which annoys me because YOU ARE IN A BOOK!! That, though, didn't not bother me too much and I still loved this book! Can't wait for book 2! :D
December 24, 2015
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
What a ride! Zoey is a compelling main character, and this book steers clear of some of the YA tropes that have taken over lately. Yes, there is a love triangle, but it seems way less angsty than those in standard teen fare. While there is definitely more to the story, this "part 1" book doesn't feel incomplete. My biggest complaint is that the literal save-the-whales lecturing got to be a bit much. This series definitely has potential!
What a ride! Zoey is a compelling main character, and this book steers clear of some of the YA tropes that have taken over lately. Yes, there is a love triangle, but it seems way less angsty than those in standard teen fare. While there is definitely more to the story, this "part 1" book doesn't feel incomplete. My biggest complaint is that the literal save-the-whales lecturing got to be a bit much. This series definitely has potential!
April 15, 2014
The story starts off slowly introducing Zoey as a new mermaid in the makng, and gets revved up when she discovers her new powers and new family. I really like how Zoey exemplifies a person who has to make difficult and quick decisions beyond her years, and not have to devolve into a whiny, needy, love obsessed teenager that some stories often reduce their heroines to becoming, She often makes sound judgement calls and isn't afraid of challenges...overall I really enjoyed his book and can't wait for book 2.
August 10, 2016
this was a decent book with simplistic writing. it was easy to follow, especially compared to the Raven King, which I was recently reading. what I dont understand is this ending is prime for a sequel, and yet, it's listed as a standalone...
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